Kneria auriculata

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	GONORYNCHIFORMES	KNERIIDAE

Scientific Name:

Kneria auriculata

Species Authority:

(Pellegrin, 1905)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Airbreathing shellear, Airbreathing shellear (FB), Southern Kneria

Synonym/s:

Xenopomatichthys auricularis (Pellegrin, 1905)

Xenopomatichthys auriculatus (Pellegrin, 1905)

Xenopomichthys auriculatus Pellegrin, 1905

Taxonomic Notes:

Described from the Muza River (lower Zambezi system), central Mozambique. Numerous isolated populations exist across central African and their specific status needs to be determined. Specimens of Kneria auriculata from the Congo basin are probably not conspecific with Southern African populations.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2010

Assessor/s:

Bills, R., Marshall, B. & Moelants, T.

Reviewer/s:

Snoeks, J., Tweddle, D., Getahun, A., Lalèyè, P., Paugy, D., Zaiss, R., Fishar, M.R.A & Brooks, E.

Justification:
Numerous isolated populations exist in Zimbabwe and Mozambique and the taxonomic status of these needs to be determined. Generally, however, these populations exist in pristine upper mountain streams where there are few impacts. These fishes are also usually abundant where they occur. Thus, on the basis of large geographic occurrence, abundant and low impacts this species is assessed as Least Concern. It has also been assessed regionally as Least Concern for southern Africa. Specimens of Kneria auriculata from the Congo basin are probably not conspecific with Southern African populations. More information is needed on the species taxonomic status before a regional assessment can be made, and it is therefore categorized as Data Deficient for central Africa.

History:

2007

–

Least Concern

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	The distribution of this species lies from southern DRC to Mozambique. Central Africa: Kneria auriculata is known from the Luapula-Chambezi system. Southern Africa: Several isolated populations occur in This species is known from upper catchments of the African east coast. It is present in upper tributaries of the lower Zambezi, Pungwe, Buzi and Save rivers.
Countries:	Native: Congo, The Democratic Republic of the; Mozambique; Zambia; Zimbabwe
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	No information available.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Kneria auriculata is a benthopelagic, potamodromous species. Its shoals occur in pools of small, clear, silt-free, rocky streams. It has been reported to breathe air and to climb over damp rocks and up the sides of waterfalls during migrations. Kneria auriculata scrapes diatoms, algae, and detritus from rock surfaces and also takes small aquatic insects such as mayfly nymphs and midge larvae. It matures after a year. The species breeds in spring and summer, larger females bear up to 600 eggs (Skelton 1993). Kneria auriculata moves on to flooded grasslands during the rainy season (Bell-Cross and Minshull 1988).
Systems:	Freshwater

Habitat and Ecology:

Kneria auriculata is a benthopelagic, potamodromous species. Its shoals occur in pools of small, clear, silt-free, rocky streams. It has been reported to breathe air and to climb over damp rocks and up the sides of waterfalls during migrations. Kneria auriculata scrapes diatoms, algae, and detritus from rock surfaces and also takes small aquatic insects such as mayfly nymphs and midge larvae. It matures after a year. The species breeds in spring and summer, larger females bear up to 600 eggs (Skelton 1993). Kneria auriculata moves on to flooded grasslands during the rainy season (Bell-Cross and Minshull 1988).

Systems:

Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Different isolated populations are exposed to different threats. In the Chimanimani Region of Mozambique some upper catchments are exposed to fish poisoning on a regular basis and the impacts of gold mining (sedimentation and the use of mercury). In Zimbabwe introduced trout (O. mykiss) and siltation also threaten populations.

Major Threat(s):

Different isolated populations are exposed to different threats. In the Chimanimani Region of Mozambique some upper catchments are exposed to fish poisoning on a regular basis and the impacts of gold mining (sedimentation and the use of mercury). In Zimbabwe introduced trout (O. mykiss) and siltation also threaten populations.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	The use of fish poisons in most central African countries is illegal and people are usually aware of the law. Education concerning the reasoning behind laws is probably desirable, local community conservation education programmes could be a way of achieving this. Law enforcement may be needed. Small scale mining for gold in very damaging to localised river habitats and should be stopped in all areas. Control of alien fish stocking.

Conservation Actions:

The use of fish poisons in most central African countries is illegal and people are usually aware of the law. Education concerning the reasoning behind laws is probably desirable, local community conservation education programmes could be a way of achieving this. Law enforcement may be needed. Small scale mining for gold in very damaging to localised river habitats and should be stopped in all areas. Control of alien fish stocking.

Citation:	Bills, R., Marshall, B. & Moelants, T. 2010. Kneria auriculata. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 08 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