Inventory and Evolution of Fishes from Streams of the Sierra Madre Occidental, Mexico

这项研究的重点是墨西哥西部马德雷山脉的经济重要鲑鱼物种和其他相关淡水鱼，这是一个水生生态系统，是世界上至少20%的鲑鱼物种的家园，包括唯一适应较暖温度的鲑鱼物种。该地区的初步工作表明，该地区存在高度的地方性，有几个科学上未知的新物种，以及高度的栖息地破坏和物种濒危。这项研究将提供一份完整的生态系统动物群清单、所有新描述物种的正式描述、所有新收集的数据和相关生态数据的数据库，并通过一个新的研究、培训和教育网络系统传播结果。有效的保护和教育计划将涉及当地社区、教师和鱼类养殖专业人员，帮助他们发展不破坏栖息地和水生群落的可持续做法。新的培训活动将包括广泛的学生社区(高中、大学)以及当地公民。墨西哥鱼类养殖系统的主任和科学家、孵化场经理和鱼类养殖科学家将在这个项目上与美国科学家合作。与这项研究相结合开发的全面的E-Life系统将为生物多样性、保护和生态方面的分布式学习环境提供一个全球教育平台。

This research focuses on the economically important trout species and other associated freshwater fishes of Mexico's Sierra Madre Occidental, an aquatic ecosystem that is home to at least 20% of the world's trout species, including the only trout species adapted to warmer temperatures. Preliminary work in this region suggests a high level of endemism, several new species unknown to science, and a high level of habitat destruction and species endangerment. The research will provide a complete faunal inventory of the ecosystem, formal descriptions of all newly described species, databasing of all new collections and associated ecological data, and dissemination of results through a new web system for research, training and education. Effective conservation and educational programs will involve local communities, teachers, and fish culture professionals, helping them to develop sustainable practices that do not destroy habitats and aquatic communities. New training activities will include a broad community of students (high school, college), as well as local citizens. Directors and scientists of the Mexican Fish Culture system, hatchery managers, and fish culture scientists will collaborate with U.S. scientists on this project. The comprehensive E-Life system developed in conjunction with this research will provide a worldwide educational platform for distributed learning environments in biodiversity, conservation, and ecology.