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Why does the Chihuahuan Desert have many freshwater fish despite its dry climate?
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North American Desert
Physical features of western North America.
The Chihuahuan Desert supports a surprisingly high diversity of more than 110 fish species despite its arid climate because these populations inhabit isolated springs and specific basins, such as the Cuatro Ciénegas, Río Nazas, and Guzmán.1
These unique aquatic environments provide the necessary permanent water sources for these species to survive in an otherwise dry landscape. Nearly half of the fish species found in these areas, including shiners, livebearers, and various types of pupfish, are endemic to the region.1