Kneria auriculata

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	GONORYNCHIFORMES	KNERIIDAE

Scientific Name:

Kneria auriculata

Species Authority:

(Pellegrin, 1905)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Southern Kneria

Synonym/s:

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.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Least Concern ver 3.1
Year Assessed:	2007
Assessor/s	Bills, R. & Marshall, B.E.
Evaluator/s:	Snoeks, J. (Freshwater Fish Red List Authority) & Darwall, W. (Freshwater Biodiversity Assessment Unit)
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.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Several isolated populations occur in upper catchments of the African east coast. Known from upper tributaries of the lower Zambezi. Pungwe, Buzi ad Save.
Countries:	Native: Mozambique; Zimbabwe

Population [top]

Population Trend:	Unknown

Population Trend:

Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Upper catchment streams, often the first fish species encountered together with Amphilius catfishes when moving down a river system from the source. Usually in rocky habitats. Can survive in non-flowing pools. Good climbers and can traverse water falls.
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 awre of the law. Education concerningthe 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 awre of the law. Education concerningthe 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.E. 2007. Kneria auriculata. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 February 2010.
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