Rationale
(Changed due to Same category and criteria)
Populations of Sibayi Goby (Silhouettea sibayi) are only known from Lakes Sibaya, Kosi (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa) and Piti (Mozambique), which constitutes two subpopulations. This species is continuously threatened by coastal dune mining for heavy metals, harbour developments and tourism, as these threats impact each lake, these represents three locations. Additional subpopulations possibly occur in other coastal lakes in the region and in northern KwaZulu-Natal and need confirmation but this rare, cryptic species is difficult to detect. New threats to the water resources of the area are associated with water quality and quantity alterations which have been observed since 2000 (Evans in prep). The known extent of occurrence (EOO) of S. sibayi is 309 km2 and the area of occupation (AOO) is 16 km2 and the species is experiencing continuing decline in habitat quality across its known range. It is therefore assessed as Endangered B1ab (iii)+2ab(iii).
Distribution
Described from Lake Sibayi and Kosi Bay, northern KwaZulu-Natal (Skelton 2001) and Piti Lake (Mozambique). Recently recorded from the Maputo Special Reserve (Bills 2001). Possibly more widespread in Maputaland but it is a small species that could easily be overlooked. There is evidence that populations may extend south with unconfirmed anecdotal KwaZulu-Natal Ezemvelo Wildlife collection data points towards the aMatikulu and Thukela rivers. These data are relatively old (pre-2000) and need confirmation.
There is a decline in the population due to the impacts of threats, and the species is not common where it has been sampled in Mozambique.
Threats
It is threatened by alterations to the water resources that are associated with water quality and quantity observed during surveys in 2000 (Evans in preparation). Coastal dune mining, harbour developments and other tourist related coastal developments are potential threats.
Conservation
Management of coastal reserves with an emphasis on aquatic habitats is needed. New areas where S. sibayi may occur need to be explored and new conservation areas identified.
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author = {Skelton, P.H.},
title = {A Complete Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa},
year = {2001}
}
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publisher = {International Union for Conservation of Nature},
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,@book{2426,
address = {Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK},
author = {Groombridge, B.},
publisher = {IUCN},
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year = {1994}
}
,@electronic{2426,
address = {www.iucnredlist.org},
author = {IUCN},
title = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2017-3},
year = {2017}
}
,@article{20223,
author = {Bills, I.R.},
title = {An inventory of fishes from the Maputo Special Reserve and Futi Corridor, Mozambique (21/9/2001 to 6/10/2001)},
year = {2001}
}
,@article{20223,
author = {Bruton, M.N.},
journal = {Environmental Biology of Fishes},
pages = {44},
title = {Threatened fishes of the world: Silhouettea sibayi Farquharson, 1970 (Gobiidae)},
volume = {49},
year = {1997}
}
,]
