The Amatola Barb (Enteromius amatolicus) has a restricted distribution in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa where it is endemic to two river systems, the Kei and Mbashe (Skelton 2001). It is known from eight locations, the Xuku, Kukowa, Slang, Xuka, Nqancule, Mbashe, and Isidenge rivers and Mtentu. It has an estimated area of occupancy (AOO) of 56 km² and an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 7,188 km² based on historical records. The available data suggest that the remaining populations are highly fragmented and the species is continuously impacted by invasive alien species and habitat degradation caused by forestry activities in the upper catchments. However, given the paucity of recent surveys and threat data, this species is assessed as Data Deficient and urgent surveys are needed.
Distribution
The species is restricted to the Kei and Mbashe river systems in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The lack of records for this species from river systems between the Kei and Mbashe represents a major sampling gap which needs to be filled in future surveys to more accurately map the species’ distribution range.
There is currently no information available about the status of the remnant populations of this species.
Threats
Previous assessments stated that this species was threatened by introduced alien fishes, particularly trout species (Oncorhynchus mykiss and Salmo trutta) as well as habitat degradation through forestry activities and conversion of indigenous forests to monoculture plantations in the upper catchments. However, these threats need urgent investigation as there is no new data available.
Conservation
Like most other freshwater fish, this species does not occur within any protected area and there are no specific conservation measures targeted at freshwater fishes in the area.
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}
,]
