This lineage is only known from seven localities in three river systems on the Agulhas Plain, in the Klein, Uilkraals and Haelkraal systems (Chakona et al. 2013) in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Galaxias sp. nov. 'Klein' is known from an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 302 km2 and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 28 km2, and it is known from three locations as defined by the distribution of invasive alien fish in the system. It is experiencing continuous decline in its AOO, quality of habitat and number of mature individuals due to the impacts of invasive alien species. It is thus assessed as Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v). Currently all known subpopulations of this lineage occur outside of protected areas.
Distribution
Occurs in the Hartbees River and its tributary (Klein River System), the Boesmans and Slang Rivers (Uilkraals River System) and the Haelkraal River System (Chakona et al. 2013), in the Agulhas Plain, Western Cape Province, South Africa. Given that extensive surveys were conducted from 2008 to 2010, this distribution is likely to closely represent the remaining geographical extent of this lineage.
Remnant subpopulations of this lineage are highly fragmented and they have restricted distribution ranges. There is currently no information about the population sizes of this lineage in the Klein, Uilkraals and Haelkraal River systems. Studies are required to provide this information and determine the long-term viability of the isolated subpopulations of Galaxias sp. nov. ‘Klein’.
Threats
Presence of non-native species is the major threat to this lineage, as there is ongoing decline in the Klein and Uilkraals systems and no aliens were recorded in the Haelkraal River System. There are no barriers to protect the remnant subpopulations of this lineage from invasion, where the invasive species are still absent.
Conservation
There are currently no conservation plans in place to protect this lineage.
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