Red List of South African Species

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Notes

Smith (1841) described the first redfin species as Barbus (Pseudobarbus) burchelli, but the origin of the specimens that were used for this description is unknown, and no type material exists (Barnard 1943). When Skelton (1988) defined a monophyletic redfin genus, he raised Pseudobarbus to full genetic status and assigned a specimen from the Tradouw catchment as the neotype for P. burchelli. For two decades following Skelton’s (1988) revision, redfins from the Breede and three adjacent river systems (Heuningnes, Duiwenhoks and Goukou) were all considered to belong to Pseudobarbus burchelli (Skelton 2001). Subsequently, DNA-based studies by Swartz et al. (2009) and Chakona et al. (2013) revealed existence of four genetically distinct lineages within P. burchelli (referred to as Pseudobarbus sp. ‘burchelli Giant’, Pseudobarbus sp. ‘burchelli Tradouw’,  Pseudobarbus sp. ‘burchelli Breede’, and Pseudobarbus sp. ‘burchelli Heuningnes’). The Giant Redfin was described as a distinct species, Pseudobarbus skeltoni (Chakona & Swartz, 2013). There are ongoing investigations to determine the taxonomic integrity of the other three lineages of P. burchelli. If these lineages are found to constitute novel species, the name P. burchelli will become restricted to the Tradouw lineage (due to designation of the neotype from this river), the Heuningnes lineage will require a new name, and one of the three synonyms of P. burchelli may need to be re-validated for the widespread Breede lineage. Pending further taxonomic investigation, the Tradouw lineage is being provisionally designated as P. burchelli sensu stricto. This assessment is therefore only based on the Tradouw population.

habitat_narrative

Freshwater (=Inland waters)

This taxon has been observed in a range of habitat types, ranging from riffles and pools with bottom substratum being predominantly bedrock, boulders and cobbles. High numbers of the Barrydale Redfin have also been found in static pools with sand substratum (Jordaan et al. unpublished data). There are no other indigenous fish species in the Tradouw catchment. The reproductive biology of this taxon is unknown, but spawning is likely to occur from October to December, based on presence of prominent tubercles in males (observed during surveys). While some studies were previously conducted on the biology and ecology of Pseudobarbus burchelli, the discovery of hidden diversity within this species makes it difficult to know the species or lineage that was considered in the previous studies by Esterhuizen (1978), de Vos (1989), and Cambray and Stuart (1985). These studies reported that the Breede River Redfin is a relatively short-lived species with females growing to a slightly larger adult size than males. De Vos (1989) illustrated that the breeding season for Breede River Redfins commence during September/October and extends to February. Further studies are required to investigate the habitat use, feeding ecology and breeding biology of this taxon. 


 

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