Neighboring organisms

Totoaba

A large fish that can grow up to 6.5 feet and weigh 200 pounds. It has an elongated dusky silver body and dark fins. It is highly prized by the Chinese for it's swim bladder and very closely associated with the Vaquita due to the gillnets utilized to catch them. The swim bladder is a delicacy and has been labelled the "cocaine of the sea" due to the price Chinese will pay for it. Mexico actually banned the catching of the totoaba in 1975. Last assessment obtained in 2020 listed as Vulnerable with populations decreasing.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Perciformes

Family: Sciaenidae

Genus: Totoaba

Species: Totoaba macdonaldi

Ridgway's Rail

A rarely flying chicken-sized bird with grayish brown feathers, a pale chestnut chest, and white bottom. It has a slightly down curved beak, long legs, and long toes. Probably competes with Vaquita for food. Last assessment obtained in 2020 listed as Near Threatened with populations decreasing.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Gruiformes

Family: Rallidae

Genus: Rallus

Species: Rallus obsoletus

Bobcat

Also, known as the red lynx. It is native to North America and is a medium-sized cat with black bars on legs and a black-tipped "bobbed" or short tail. It is a tetrapod mammal. May compete with Vaquita for some food sources. It is listed as Least Concern since 2002.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Felidae

Genus: Lynx

Species: Lynx rufus

Mule fat

Also, known as seep willow. A large bush with long pointed leaves and small, fuzzy white flowers which can be tinged with pink or red. Not listed on IUCN.

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Asterales

Family: Asteraceae

Genus: Baccharis

Species: Baccharis salicifolia

Arrowweed

An upright evergreen shrub with small, blue-green leaves and pink to purple flowers. Usually grows with straight, stiff stems which reach 7-9 feet tall. Not listed on IUCN.

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Asterales

Family: Asteraceae

Genus: Pluchea

Species: Pluchea sericea

Colorado Delta Clam

An Endangered clam with a light brown, thin shell which is only found in the Colorado River Delta and has been affected by diversion of the Colorado River water. Prefers shallow water with mud-sand bottoms. Not listed on IUCN.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Mollusca

Class: Bivalvia

Order: Venerida

Family: Mactridae

Genus: Mulinia

Species: Mulinia coloradoensis

By-the-Wind Sailor

A bluish to purple invertebrate with flat, oval transparent float and an erect sail. It has very small cnidocyte and is harmless to humans. Not listed on IUCN.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Hydrozoa

Order: Anthoathecata

Family: Porpitidae

Genus: Velella

Species: Velella velella

Desert pupfish

A small bony fish which is usually less than 3 inches long. Males are a bright blue and females as well as young are silver or tan. Extremely hardy and can handle extreme living conditions such as high water temperatures, high salinity, and low oxygen levels. Potential food source for the Vaquita. Last assessment obtained in 2019 listed as Vulnerable with populations decreasing.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Cyprinodontiformes

Family: Cyprinodontidae

Genus: Cyprinodon

Species: Cyprinodon macularius