Haplochromis flavipinnis

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	PERCIFORMES	CICHLIDAE

Scientific Name:	Haplochromis flavipinnis
Species Authority:	(Boulenger, 1906)
Synonym/s:	Prognathochromis flavipinnis (Boulenger, 1906)

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered C2a(ii) ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2010

Assessor/s:

Witte, F., de Zeeuw, M.P. & Brooks, E.

Reviewer/s:

Darwall, W. & Smith, K.

Justification:
Although exact population estimates are not available, the species was rare in the past and the population has declined since the 1970s due to the introduction of the Nile Perch (Lates niloticus). Whilst many Haplochromis species suffered dramatic population crashes, many have shown signs of recovery in the last few years, however this species has not been seen since 1984. If it is still present it is likely to be extremely rare with very few individuals, but it may now be Extinct.

History:

1996	–	Extinct (Baillie and Groombridge 1996)
1996	–	Extinct

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is endemic to Lake Victoria. It has been recorded in surveys carried out in Tanzania and Uganda (Greenwood 1981).
Countries:	Possibly extinct: Tanzania, United Republic of; Uganda
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	In the 1970s this species was present in the Northern part of the Mwanza Gulf, but the population density was not known. The species was rarely caught (less than 4 times a year) and disappeared from the catches after 1984 and has not been observed since.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species is found over all substrates in the littoral zone (along rocky shores, over sand and over mud), except vegetation. It is classified as a piscivore (sensu stricto).
Systems:	Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The main threat to this species is hybridization due to decreased water transparency (on account of eutrophication and erosion leading to increased sedimentation and runoff) interfering with mate recognition visual cues (Mrosso et al. 2003). An additional threat is predation by Nile Perch (a potentially reversible threat). This species is fished, although not targeted specifically.

Major Threat(s):

The main threat to this species is hybridization due to decreased water transparency (on account of eutrophication and erosion leading to increased sedimentation and runoff) interfering with mate recognition visual cues (Mrosso et al. 2003). An additional threat is predation by Nile Perch (a potentially reversible threat). This species is fished, although not targeted specifically.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Many fish species within Lake Victoria have suffered severe and dramatic declines since the introduction of the Nile Perch. Although numbers of the perch have now decreased, the degradation of the water quality is also thought to be having a significant impact on some fish species. More research is needed to monitor this species and how it is affected by these threats, as well as establishing the extent of its range within the lake. Policy based action is needed to decrease the degradation of the lake, as well as to prevent over fishing. Protected areas should also be established.

Conservation Actions:

Many fish species within Lake Victoria have suffered severe and dramatic declines since the introduction of the Nile Perch. Although numbers of the perch have now decreased, the degradation of the water quality is also thought to be having a significant impact on some fish species. More research is needed to monitor this species and how it is affected by these threats, as well as establishing the extent of its range within the lake. Policy based action is needed to decrease the degradation of the lake, as well as to prevent over fishing. Protected areas should also be established.

Citation:	Witte, F., de Zeeuw, M.P. & Brooks, E. 2010. Haplochromis flavipinnis. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 10 February 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