Marcusenius livingstonii

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	OSTEOGLOSSIFORMES	MORMYRIDAE

Scientific Name:

Marcusenius livingstonii

Species Authority:

(Boulenger,1898)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Livingstone's Bulldog

Synonym/s:

Gnathonemus livingstonii Boulenger, 1899

Gnathonemus nyasensis Worthington, 1933

Taxonomic Notes:

The synonomy of the Malawi and Rovuma populations needs to be verified using modern methods of electrical organ discharge and genetics.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Published:

2010

Assessor/s:

Bills, R., Engelbrecht, J. & Vreven, E.

Reviewer/s:

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

Contributor/s:

Justification:
Although there has been a local decline in the sub-population in the Kidatu and Mtera dams and no where is it particularly common, the species is widespread with no known immediate threats to the main population, and no indication of declines or fluctuations. It is therefore assessed as Least Concern. It is also categorized as Least Concern for eastern and southern Africa regional assessments.

History:

2006	–	Least Concern (IUCN 2006)
2006	–	Least Concern

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is known from Tanzania, Malawi, and northern Mozambique. Eastern Africa: It is distributed in Kidatu dam, Mtera dam, and the Great Ruaha, Rufiji, Wami and Ruvuma rivers. It occurs throughout Lake Malawi and its catchment, the Middle Shire and the affluent streams of Lakes Chilwa and Chiuta. Southern Africa: This species is present in the Rovuma River system.
Countries:	Native: Malawi; Mozambique; Tanzania, United Republic of
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Catch compositions in Kidatu and Mtera dams have declined from 1.5% in 1987 to 0.01% in 1996 (Fish. Div. 1987,1996, Tamatamah 1996).
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species is found in shallow quiet waters in rivers, swamps, lagoons and sheltered estuaries, usually moving upstream in floodplains to spawn (Eccles 1992). A nocturnal feeder, feeding on invertebrates and weeds. It has been observed under the shelter of floating islands, a possible vector for dispersal, in Lake Malawi.
Systems:	Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The Rovuma system is heavily fished by artisanal gill net fishermen. Braids and pools in the Rovuma system are also poisoned with traditional plant poisons. Elsewhere, this species is suffering negative impacts from commercial and illegal overfishing, pollution and siltation of the waterways, and habitat degradation from deforestation and agricultural encroachment.

Major Threat(s):

The Rovuma system is heavily fished by artisanal gill net fishermen. Braids and pools in the Rovuma system are also poisoned with traditional plant poisons. Elsewhere, this species is suffering negative impacts from commercial and illegal overfishing, pollution and siltation of the waterways, and habitat degradation from deforestation and agricultural encroachment.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	A better understanding of this species ecological range and population numbers is required. Taxonomic studies are needed to determine if Malawi and Rovuma populations are in fact the same species. Levels of exploitation and the impacts of this needs to be studied.

Conservation Actions:

A better understanding of this species ecological range and population numbers is required. Taxonomic studies are needed to determine if Malawi and Rovuma populations are in fact the same species. Levels of exploitation and the impacts of this needs to be studied.

Citation:	Bills, R., Engelbrecht, J. & Vreven, E. 2010. Marcusenius livingstonii. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 22 May 2013.
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