Devils hole is an unusual, cavernous, aquifer-fed its ideal temperature range. spring in Death Valley National Park. It is the only home to a critically endangered species, Cyprinidon diabolis, a.k.a. The Devils Hole Pupfish. C. diabolis allows us a unique look at the impact of climate change on a species that has no gene flow and no possibility of escape from its current habitat. Climate change affects ectotherms (cold-blooded animals) tremendously since their body temperature is subject to changes in the temperature of their environment. In the case of C. diabolis, they are subject to high temperatures year round, around 33°C. The high temperatures cause an increase in oxygen needs for essential metabolic activity as well as an increase in energy needs. The limited energy and oxygen availability of Devils Hole means C. diabolis has to work harder to merely stay alive and has less energy to dedicate to reproduction. Most biologists will tell you that animals are adapted to thrive in their environment. But what happens when the environment changes quickly, the genes necessary for adaptation are unavailable in the population, and there is no chance for finding a new habitat? The answer is simple; the population declines rapidly until the stress or stresses they face are removed. In the case of C. diabolis, we are investigating just how much stress is being placed on this population by an increase in temperature. Recent climate change models predict a 5 – 6°C increase in average air temperatures across the southwest portion of the United States in the next 80 years (Meehl, et al., 2007). In biological systems, a 1° C change in body temperature may result in a \u3e10% higher energy demand. Although we do not know what the effects of higher air temperatures will be on Devils Hole water temperature, it is likely that even a modest change in temperature will result in greater energetic demand
