The desert biome habitat in UA's Biosphere 2 is now home to endangered Sonoyta pupfish

A desert biome habitat at the University of Arizona now houses an endangered fish species known as the Sonoyta pupfish. The habitat is located in the university’s Biosphere 2, an earth and environmental science research laboratory.

These pupfish are found in the southwestern United States and are less than 3 inches long. Their endangered status stems from habitat loss.

John Adams is the deputy director and chief operating officer of Biosphere 2.

“It provides an excellent opportunity for students at the University of Arizona to be able to gain hands-on experience, both in research and field techniques by studying these fish, which they also similarly do in natural systems," Adams said.

Peter Reinthal is a professor in the university’s biology department.

“So one of the projects we're working on is looking at the genetic diversity within captive populations and how the fish genetic diversity responds to being enclosed in a captive population," Reinthal said.

He says the pupfish are charismatic and were collected from a private pond in Phoenix. The university worked with partners like the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Indigenous tribes to make the project happen.