SANBI

Rationale

This species is widespread although not abundant from the Phongolo River north to the Incomati River, South Africa. Despite varied impacts recent surveys in Swaziland indicate that it is more common there than in South African rivers (Bills et al. 2004, Diedericks et al. 2016). A population decline, especially in South Africa, has been observed where the Phongolo Suckermouth (Chiloglanis emarginatus) was only found at one locality in the Usutu Catchment, South Africa (Diedericks et al. 2016). This decline can be imputed to coal mining with resultant pollution and increased sedimentation resulting in habitat loss. It is known from an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 16,663 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 252 km², with 10 known locations, eight from Swaziland (Nkomati-, Mbuluzi-, Mlawula-, Mpuluzi-, Lusushwane-, Ngwempisi-, Hlelo-, Mkhondvu-river) and two from South Africa (Upper Ngwempisi- and Pongolo rivers). It qualifies as Vulnerable B1ab(iii,iv)+2ab(iii,iv) and this species should be closely monitored especially in South Africa, where threats are significant.

Distribution

Listed in Skelton (2001) as occurring as two distinct populations. The southern population occurs in the Nkomati sub-catchment and Mbuluzi and Lusutfu catchments and upper Pongolo River in Swaziland, and upper Ngwempisi and Pongolo rivers in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Bills et al. 2004, Diedericks et al. 2016). The northern population occurs around the Pungwe and lower Zambezi Rivers. These two populations are considered as two distinct species here.

Habitat View more ecological information

Population trend

Trend

There has been a reduction in subpopulations in the South African section of this species distribution, as it was only found in one of the known localities, while in Swaziland it is much more widespread (Bills et al. 2004, Diedericks et al. 2016).

Threats

Habitat degradation caused by over-abstraction, regular flows from dams, sedimentation from agro-forestry activities and coal mining with resultant pollution. It has been extirpated at its type locality, the Lekkerloop stream, Incomati River System, due to over-abstraction by farmers during the dry season.

Conservation

Malolotja and Mlawula Nature Reserves are protected areas in which this species is present. Aquatic habitat can be improved by improved farming and forestry practices which should be encouraged. This could be achieved by conservancy agreements with riparian zone landowners and conservation authorities.

References

[@article{18475,
 author = {Skelton, P.H.},
 title = {A Complete Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa},
 year = {2001}
}
,@article{63287,
 author = {Bills, I.R., Boycott, R.C., Fakudze, M., Khumalo, N., Msibi, J., Scott, L.E.P., Terry, S. and Tweddle, D.},
 title = {Fish and Fisheries of Swaziland (2002-2003). Final report: July 2004},
 year = {2004}
}
,@electronic{2573,
 address = {www.iucnredlist.org},
 author = {IUCN},
 title = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2018-1},
 year = {2018}
}
,@techreport{63366,
 address = {Nelspruit},
 author = {Diedericks, G.J., Roux, F., Hoffman, A.C. and Selepe, M. },
 title = {Ecostatus of the Usuthu-Lusutfu Catchment},
 year = {2016}
}
,]

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