Haplochromis argenteus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Bibliography

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	ACTINOPTERYGII	PERCIFORMES	CICHLIDAE

Scientific Name:	Haplochromis argenteus
Species Authority:	Regan,1922
Synonym/s:	Prognathochromis argenteus (Regan, 1922)

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered C2a(ii) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2010

Assessor/s:

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

Reviewer/s:

Darwall, W. & Smith, K.

Justification:
The population density in the Northern part of the Mwanza Gulf suffered a significant decline of over 90% in the 1980s, due to the introduction of the Nile Perch (Lates niloticus). The Nile Perch density has declined since 1990s. 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 1983 despite repeated surveys within its known range. If it is still present it is likely to be extremely rare with very few individuals, but it may now be Extinct.

History:

2006	–	Critically Endangered (IUCN 2006)
1996	–	Extinct
1996	–	Extinct

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is endemic to Lake Victoria, where it has been recorded in surveys carried out in Uganda (Greenwood 1981).
Countries:	Possibly extinct: Uganda
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	This species has declined in numbers dramatically since 1980. Frequency of daily occurrence in large trawl shots in northern Mwanza Gulf (based on 26 sampling days) showed a decrease from 46% in 1978 to 0% in 1987, and 0% for 1999-2008.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species is found over all substrates in the littoral and sub-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 predation by Nile Perch (a potentially reversible threat). It is also potentially threatened by 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). This species is fished, although not targeted specifically.

Major Threat(s):

The main threat to this species is predation by Nile Perch (a potentially reversible threat). It is also potentially threatened by 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). 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.

Bibliography [top]

	Greenwood, P.H. 1967. A revision of the Lake Victoria Haplochromis species (Pisces, Cichlidae), Part VI. Bulletin British Museum of Natural History (Zoology) 15: 29-119. IUCN. 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 2010.3). Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org. (Accessed: 2 September 2010). Regan, C.T. 1922. The cichlid fishes of Lake Victoria. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London: 157-191.

Greenwood, P.H. 1967. A revision of the Lake Victoria Haplochromis species (Pisces, Cichlidae), Part VI. Bulletin British Museum of Natural History (Zoology) 15: 29-119.

IUCN. 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 2010.3). Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org. (Accessed: 2 September 2010).

Regan, C.T. 1922. The cichlid fishes of Lake Victoria. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London: 157-191.

Citation:	Witte, F., de Zeeuw, M.P. & Brooks, E. 2010. Haplochromis argenteus. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 23 May 2012.
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