SANBI

Rationale (Changed due to Same category and criteria)

Currently there is limited information for the species, with most recent records coming from the River Health Programme data from North West Province, South Africa and angler data for large dams. This data included the Kanniedood Dam on the Shingwedzi River in the Kruger National Park on the assumption that this population persists. Better data for the distribution of the species is required, especially in the Limpopo province, South Africa. The species may be more widespread within the Limpopo River System than currently indicated, including large dams in the northward flowing rivers. This species is currently known from an estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) of 82,340 km² and estimate area of occupancy (AOO) of 172 km², and more than 10 locations. This species is currently considered to be widespread and not in danger of extinction and it is assessed as Least Concern.

Distribution

The species occurs in the upper and middle reaches of the Limpopo River System in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Mostly above 600 m.a.s.l except for the Shingwedzi population in the Kruger National Park.

Habitat View more ecological information

Population trend

Trend

Engelbrecht (2008) identified five subpopulations of E. rapax, one in Limpopo and Zambezi tributaries in south-eastern Zimbabwe, and four from South Africa: 1) Upper Limpopo including the Sand, Mokolo, Marico, Pienaars and Crocodile rivers in the Crocodile (West) system; 2) Olifants River above Flag Boshielo Dam including the Elands and Moses Rivers in the Olifants River System; 3) Blyde River in the Olifants River System; and 4) Shingwedzi River in the Kruger National Park (Olifants River system). The upper Limpopo subpopulations have declined but subpopulations persisting in the Klipvoor Dam near Brits on the Pienaars River, the Crocodile (West) River downstream of Rooikoppies Dam, Elands tributary to the Crocodile West and in the Marico River. The species has not been recorded in the last 10 years in Flag Boshielo Dam and concern has been expressed about the subpopulations in the Elands and Moses rivers due to threats. No recent surveys have been conducted in the Shingwedzi River in the Kruger National Park and prolonged droughts in the Lowveld may have seriously impacted this subpopulation.

Threats

The species is threatened by habitat degradation, water abstraction, flow modification, water pollution and invasive alien fish species such as Bass species (Micropterus spp.).

Conservation

Habitat improvement through river health programmes and conservancies. Control of the movement and stocking of alien fishes.

References

[@article{18475,
 author = {Skelton, P.H.},
 title = {A Complete Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa},
 year = {2001}
}
,@book{63287,
 author = {Bell-Cross, G. and Minshull, J.L.},
 publisher = {National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe},
 title = {The fishes of Zimbabwe},
 year = {1988}
}
,@book{63287,
 address = {Grahamstown},
 author = {Marshall, B. },
 publisher = {South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity},
 title = {The fishes of Zimbabwe and their biology},
 year = {2011}
}
,@electronic{2426,
 address = {www.iucnredlist.org},
 author = {IUCN},
 title = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2017-3},
 year = {2017}
}
,@article{63271,
 author = {Jubb, R.A.},
 title = {Freshwater fishes of southern Africa},
 year = {1967}
}
,@techreport{63271,
 address = {Pretoria},
 author = {Engelbrecht J. },
 institution = {Water Research Commission},
 title = {Status of the papermouth Barbus rapax (Steindachner, 1894). },
 year = {2008}
}
,]

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