The taxonomy of the southern Marcuseniuspongolensis is not fully resolved. Results from electric organ discharges and genetics to date give mixed results (Kramer et al. 2007, Kramer et al. 2016). This seems to indicate there is more than one species present in the southern systems, a possibility supported by morphological and ecological evidence. The range of the southern species needs to be determined before a meaningful assessment can be made. Currently the taxon is assessed as LC until further taxonomic work is conducted, as it is widespread with limited threats across the current distribution range.
Distribution
It is relatively common and widespread. It is found in the Limpopo systems, in the Matlabas with a large disjunction to the Groot Letaba and Olifants systems. It is common in all the tributaries of the Incomati System and occurs in Swaziland (Bills et al. 2004). It also occurs in the Pongola and the Usuthu systems.
Currently there are no population data available for this taxa.
Threats
Upper catchments in Swaziland in particular are threatened by sedimentation caused by poor farming techniques and forestry operations. To the north in South Africa industrial pollution and forestry result in a mixture of chemical and sediment pollution, these threats are not likely to be causing significant decline too the overall population.
Uses and trade
It has been recorded in aquariums and commonly referred to as "Little Dolphins". However, no information is available on its trade and utilization at present.
Conservation
Management of landuse techniques and control of pollution.
[@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{2426,
address = {www.iucnredlist.org},
author = {IUCN},
title = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2017-3},
year = {2017}
}
,@article{107628552,
author = {Maake, P.A, Gon,O. and Swartz, E.R},
journal = {Zootaxa},
number = {3},
pages = {455--480},
title = {Description of three new species of <i>Marcusenius</i> Gill, 1862 (Teleostei: Mormyridae) from South Africa and Mozambique},
volume = {3780},
year = {2014}
}
,@article{107628552,
author = {Kramer, B, Maake, PA and Gon, O},
journal = {Zootaxa},
number = {3},
pages = {367--380},
title = {Electric organ discharges of South African Marcusenius species (Teleostei: Mormyridae) and their effectiveness as indicators of the local species diversity},
volume = {4200},
year = {2016}
}
,@article{107628669,
author = {Kramer, B., Skelton, P., Van der Bank, H. & Wink, M. },
journal = {Journal of Natural History},
pages = {647--708},
title = {Allopatric differentiation in the Marcusenius macrolepidotus species complex in southern and eastern Africa: the resurrection of M. pongolensis and M. angolensis, and the description of two new species (Mormyridae, Teleostei).},
volume = {41},
year = {2007}
}
,]
