Labeobarbus polylepis

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	CYPRINIFORMES	CYPRINIDAE

Scientific Name:

Labeobarbus polylepis

Species Authority:

(Boulenger, 1907)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Bushveld Smallscale Yellowfish

Taxonomic Notes:

Several split/isolated populations need to be examined taxonomcally. These may represent conservation management units.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Least Concern ver 3.1
Year Assessed:	2007
Assessor/s:	Engelbrecht, J., Bills, R. & Cambray, J.
Reviewer/s:	Snoeks, J. (Freshwater Fish Red List Authority) & Darwall, W. (Freshwater Biodiversity Assessment Unit)
Justification: Widely distributed across the upper catchments of the Limpopo, Inchoate, Mbuluzi and Phongolo Rivers in two countries. There are some impacts on populations.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	The upper reaches of southern tributaries of the Limpopo River in South Africa south through Swaziland to the Phongolo River.
Countries:	Native: South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga); Swaziland
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population Trend:	Unknown

Population Trend:

Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species is restricted to high-veld regions (above 600 m altitude). Typically occurs in larger streams and rivers, with good flows and rocky substrates although it does occur in slower waters and in some dams. Food includes algae, aquatic invertebrates and small fish.
Systems:	Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Degradation of upper catchments, introduced predatory alien fishes e.g., trout. Potential movements of yellowfishes for angling purposes is a major threat; consequences would be hybridisation and homegenisation of stocks. Hybridisation has occurred with Labeobarbus aeneus in regional aquaculture facilities and through introductions into rivers. Populations have been lost through the impacts (migration and breeding) of weirs. Localised gill netting is a serious problem in parts of Mpumalanga.

Major Threat(s):

Degradation of upper catchments, introduced predatory alien fishes e.g., trout. Potential movements of yellowfishes for angling purposes is a major threat; consequences would be hybridisation and homegenisation of stocks. Hybridisation has occurred with Labeobarbus aeneus in regional aquaculture facilities and through introductions into rivers. Populations have been lost through the impacts (migration and breeding) of weirs. Localised gill netting is a serious problem in parts of Mpumalanga.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Habitat conservation and control of alien fish movements is needed. A moratorium on yellowfish movements has been introduced - this should continue with education of angling groups. Fishways should be incorporated into dams and weir designs where possible. Strict control of aquaculture facilities to prevent hybridisation of Labeobarbus species. Enforcement of illegal gill netting activities.

Conservation Actions:

Habitat conservation and control of alien fish movements is needed. A moratorium on yellowfish movements has been introduced - this should continue with education of angling groups. Fishways should be incorporated into dams and weir designs where possible. Strict control of aquaculture facilities to prevent hybridisation of Labeobarbus species. Enforcement of illegal gill netting activities.

Citation:	Engelbrecht, J., Bills, R. & Cambray, J. 2007. Labeobarbus polylepis. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 07 February 2012.
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