Aphanius richardsoni

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	ACTINOPTERYGII	CYPRINODONTIFORMES	CYPRINODONTIDAE

Scientific Name:	Aphanius richardsoni
Species Authority:	(Boulenger 1907)

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Critically Endangered B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv)c(i) ver 3.1
Year Assessed:	2006
Assessor/s:	Goren, M.
Reviewer/s:	Bogutskaya, N., Karatash, A. & Erk’akan, F. (Mediterranean Workshop, Dec. 2004)
Justification: This species occurs in three main areas. Area of occupancy (AOO) is estimated as less than 10 km². The population is naturally fragmented broken into three locations. There is continuing decline in area of occupancy and population size. The range of the species and number of mature individuals are subject to extreme fluctuation as a result of human activities affecting the habitat.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Occurs in the Dead Sea region. The species inhabits streams and springs west and south of the lake, from Enot Zuqim (En Fashkha) in the north to Ne'ot Ha'Kikar in the south. Also found in some streams in the Jordanian side.
Countries:	Native: Israel; Jordan

Population [top]

Population:	In the Ne'ot Ha'Kikar region, the population is in the thousands, but is given to extreme fluctuations due to human activity. At Enot Zuqim, population is also in the thousands. In other sites, dozens are present. Population size has decreased drastically in Israel in the past 50 years. There is no connection between populations of the Ne'ot Ha'Kikar springs close to those in the northern Dead Sea area springs. There is no continuous link between the Enot Zuqim population and that of Enot Qaneh and Enot Samar, but there is a possibility that at times of strong floods, a temporary layer of fresh water is formed in the Dead Sea that allows fish passage between populations via the Dead Sea.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

In the Ne'ot Ha'Kikar region, the population is in the thousands, but is given to extreme fluctuations due to human activity. At Enot Zuqim, population is also in the thousands. In other sites, dozens are present. Population size has decreased drastically in Israel in the past 50 years. There is no connection between populations of the Ne'ot Ha'Kikar springs close to those in the northern Dead Sea area springs. There is no continuous link between the Enot Zuqim population and that of Enot Qaneh and Enot Samar, but there is a possibility that at times of strong floods, a temporary layer of fresh water is formed in the Dead Sea that allows fish passage between populations via the Dead Sea.

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Streams and pools on a variety of foundations.
Systems:	Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Exploitation of spring waters. In the Ne'ot Ha'Kikar region where natural habitats were destroyed, the species only survives in the drainage channels of cultivated areas and in the Dead Sea Works collecting channel. Increased water exploitation may lead to complete extinction of this fish in the Ne'ot Ha'Kikar region. The situation in the area of Enot Zuqim is unclear. Intensified water pumping from the aquifer could be detrimental to the springs and the fish inhabiting them. Introduction of invasive species such as Gambusia, Cichlids and other exotic species also pose a threat to the species.

Major Threat(s):

Exploitation of spring waters. In the Ne'ot Ha'Kikar region where natural habitats were destroyed, the species only survives in the drainage channels of cultivated areas and in the Dead Sea Works collecting channel. Increased water exploitation may lead to complete extinction of this fish in the Ne'ot Ha'Kikar region. The situation in the area of Enot Zuqim is unclear. Intensified water pumping from the aquifer could be detrimental to the springs and the fish inhabiting them. Introduction of invasive species such as Gambusia, Cichlids and other exotic species also pose a threat to the species.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	In order for this species to survive, it is necessary to rehabilitate some of the natural landscapes in this area and regularly manage and monitor them. The impact of groundwater pumping on the flow of Enot Zuqim, Enot Samar and Enot Qaneh should be monitored.

Conservation Actions:

In order for this species to survive, it is necessary to rehabilitate some of the natural landscapes in this area and regularly manage and monitor them. The impact of groundwater pumping on the flow of Enot Zuqim, Enot Samar and Enot Qaneh should be monitored.

Citation:	Goren, M. 2006. Aphanius richardsoni. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 04 February 2012.
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