Erpetoichthys calabaricus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

View Printer Friendly

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	ACTINOPTERYGII	POLYPTERIFORMES	POLYPTERIDAE

Scientific Name:

Erpetoichthys calabaricus

Species Authority:

Smith, 1866

Common Name/s:

English

–

Reed, Reedfish, Sailfin, Snakefish, Snake Fish

Synonym/s:

Calamichthys calabarica (Smith, 1865)

Calamichthys calabaricus (Smith, 1865)

Calamoichthys calabaricus (Smith, 1865)

Calanichthys calabaricus (Smith, 1865)

Erpetoichthys calabaris (Smith, 1865)

Erpetoichthys robbianus Smith, 1865

Herpetoichthys calabaricus (Smith, 1865)

Polypterus erpetoideus Smith, 1865

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Near Threatened ver 3.1
Year Published:	2010
Assessor/s:	Lalèyè, P., Moelants, T. & Olaosebikan, B.D.
Reviewer/s:	Snoeks, J., Tweddle, D., Getahun, A., Lalèyè, P., Paugy, D., Zaiss, R., Fishar, M.R.A & Brooks, E.
Justification: This species is known from four River systems, and greater than five localities but fewer than 10. The EOO is less than 20,000 km². The species is threatened by the oil palm plantations in the coastal region. There is ongoing habitat degradation and loss due to deforestation, agriculture and urban development. However it is thought that this species will be fairly resilient to habitat change. If the species was found to be impacted by these threats, it may meet the qualifications for Vulnerable B1abiii, but it is currently assessed as Near Threatened. It is assessed as Vulnerable in western Africa, and as Endangered in central Africa.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is known from Benin to Gabon. Central Africa: In Lower Guinea, Erpetoichthys calabaricus is known from coastal rivers of Cameroon to the Sanaga. Boulenger's (1909) record of E. calabaricus from the Chiloango in Congo needs further corroboration (see Teugels et al. 1992). Western Africa: It is present in the Ouémé (Benin), Ogun and Cross Rivers (Nigeria)
Countries:	Native: Benin; Cameroon; Nigeria Presence uncertain: Congo
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	No information available.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species is a freshwater species also found in brackish coastal waters. It prefers slow flowing rivers and standing waters. Apparently restricted to reedy habitats, and feeds at night on worms crustaceans and other insects. It is able to breath air and can tolerate low oxygen concentrations.
Systems:	Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The species is threatened by the oil palm plantations in the coastal regions of central Africa. In western Africa, it is threatened by habitat degradation/loss due to wetland drainage for agriculture and urban developments and deforestation.

Major Threat(s):

The species is threatened by the oil palm plantations in the coastal regions of central Africa. In western Africa, it is threatened by habitat degradation/loss due to wetland drainage for agriculture and urban developments and deforestation.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	None known. More research is needed into this species range, and population trends should be monitored.

Conservation Actions:

None known. More research is needed into this species range, and population trends should be monitored.

Citation:	Lalèyè, P., Moelants, T. & Olaosebikan, B.D. 2010. Erpetoichthys calabaricus. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 24 May 2012.
Disclaimer:	To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
Feedback:	If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please fill in the feedback form so that we can correct or extend the information provided