Rhombosolea plebeia

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	PLEURONECTIFORMES	PLEURONECTIDAE

Scientific Name:

Rhombosolea plebeia

Species Authority:

(Richardson, 1843)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Dab, Diamond Flounder, New Zealand Flounder, Sand Flounder, Three-corner Flounder, Tinplate

Synonym/s:

Apsetta thompsoni Kyle, 1901

Bowenia novaezealandiae Haast, 1873

Rhombosolea thompsoni (Kyle, 1901)

Rhombus plebeius Richardson, 1843

Taxonomic Notes:

Rhombosolea plebeia belongs to the subfamily Rhombosoleinae.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Least Concern ver 3.1
Year Published:	2010
Assessor/s:	Munroe, T.A.
Reviewer/s:	Collen, B., Richman, N., Beresford, A., Chenery, A. & Ram, M.
Contributor/s:	De Silva, R., Milligan, H., Lutz, M., Batchelor, A., Jopling, B., Kemp, K., Lewis, S., Lintott, P., Sears, J., Wilson, P. & Smith, J. and Livingston, F.
Justification: Rhombosolea plebeia has been assessed as Least Concern, as it is known to be abundant in areas of its distribution. Although harvested on a commercial scale, there is no evidence of any significant population decline. Further monitoring of the harvest levels and population numbers of this species is needed to ensure a threat category is not triggered in the future.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	The flounder, Rhombosolea plebeia, is found in New Zealand. This species is most abundant in the Tasman Bay and off the southeast coast of the South Island.
Countries:	Native: New Zealand (North Is., South Is.)
FAO Marine Fishing Areas:	Native: Pacific – southwest
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Rhombosolea plebeia is a common flatfish in New Zealand (Smith 1987). In Whangateau Harbour, it is found at densities of 0.3–43.0 individuals per 100 m³ (Roper 1986).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Rhombosolea plebeia is a demersal species, generally found to inhabit depths less than 50 m. Specimens can be found in harbours, inlets, bays, and open, deeper waters. This species shows no marked preference for substrate type, having been found on sand, mud, clay, pebbles, and gravel bottoms. This species is common on mudflats and in pools left by the receding tide. Adults have been observed feeding on small crabs, shrimps, shellfish, brittlestars, and worms. Juveniles use the intertidal and sublittoral areas as nursery grounds for the first two years.
Systems:	Marine

Habitat and Ecology:

Rhombosolea plebeia is a demersal species, generally found to inhabit depths less than 50 m. Specimens can be found in harbours, inlets, bays, and open, deeper waters. This species shows no marked preference for substrate type, having been found on sand, mud, clay, pebbles, and gravel bottoms. This species is common on mudflats and in pools left by the receding tide. Adults have been observed feeding on small crabs, shrimps, shellfish, brittlestars, and worms. Juveniles use the intertidal and sublittoral areas as nursery grounds for the first two years.

Systems:

Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Rhombosolea plebeia one of the most important commercial flatfish species in New Zealand (Parrott 1960).

Major Threat(s):

Rhombosolea plebeia one of the most important commercial flatfish species in New Zealand (Parrott 1960).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	There are no species-specific conservation measures in place for Rhombosolea plebeia. However, its distribution may cover a number of marine protected area designations including the Long Sound Marine Reserve. Further monitoring of the population numbers and harvest levels of this species is needed .

Conservation Actions:

There are no species-specific conservation measures in place for Rhombosolea plebeia. However, its distribution may cover a number of marine protected area designations including the Long Sound Marine Reserve. Further monitoring of the population numbers and harvest levels of this species is needed .

Citation:	Munroe, T.A. 2010. Rhombosolea plebeia. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 22 May 2013.
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