Evaluation of Sampling Precision for Native and Nonnative Fish in the Gila River Basin, New Mexico

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Authors must consider including a taxonomic table, with specimens vouchers.

Such a table will be informative to include a list of samples emplyed in the study, the number of catalog sample of testimony material, catalog number of tissues, number of access in the database, river drainage and country from where the samples comes. This information will give the reader a detailed understanding of the results, as pointed out in the document at a supplementary material S1 (as a suggestion).vThe idea is to align information with that in supplementary material S1.

Additionally, Figure 1 map should be improved, to include an additional small size image of the entire USA, in order to facilitate the reader.

I take this opportunity to congratulate the authors for their good job. I am sure that it will be much useful.

Author Response

Authors must consider including a taxonomic table, with specimens vouchers.

Such a table will be informative to include a list of samples emplyed in the study, the number of catalog sample of testimony material, catalog number of tissues, number of access in the database, river drainage and country from where the samples comes. This information will give the reader a detailed understanding of the results, as pointed out in the document at a supplementary material S1 (as a suggestion).vThe idea is to align information with that in supplementary material S1.

Response: We thank you for the comment. We appreciate the recommendation for a specimen table, but believe such a table would be out of the scope of this manuscript. Specifically, the study spans 15 years of data collection. During this time, voucher specimens were not collected. Furthermore, a table identifying species by river, reach, and year would be quite lengthy and would add unnecessary length to the manuscript. No change made. 

Additionally, Figure 1 map should be improved, to include an additional small size image of the entire USA, in order to facilitate the reader.

Response: We have added an inset of the U.S.A. to the map to better familiarize the reader with a study area. 

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript provides a detailed analysis of sampling methodologies to assess the effort required for precise monitoring of fish populations in the Gila River Basin and it could be considered as a valuable contribution to fisheries management and conservation. The outputs of the study focused on alternative methods, such as environmental DNA (eDNA), periodic sampling, and mark-recapture techniques, to address challenges in traditional sampling methods. There is a comprehensive data collection spanning multiple years (2006–2022) and sites, with detailed species-level analysis for both native and non-native fish. The study is technically sound, with clear statistical methodologies and well-structured results.

Some minor comments could be focused on the discussion section by comparing the findings of the present study with other systems or studies, discuss broader implications, such as the trade-offs between effort and precision in conservation management and propose prioritized recommendations for managers.

In conclusion, I consider that the manuscript can be proceeded for publication after minor revision.

Author Response

Some minor comments could be focused on the discussion section by comparing the findings of the present study with other systems or studies, discuss broader implications, such as the trade-offs between effort and precision in conservation management and propose prioritized recommendations for managers.

 

Response: Thank you for the comment. We have attempted to broaden our discussion while maintaining the focus of the manuscript. Specifically, our study addresses the effort needed to precisely sample species of conservation concern rather than a comparison of effort-precision tradeoffs. That being said, we have added text to include additional comparison studies and alternative approaches for assessing the population status of species of conservation concern.