Red List of South African Species

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Notes

Amphilius uranoscopus was described from the Wami River basin in eastern Tanzania and was previously considered to be a widespread and extremely variable species (Skelton 2001). However, a recent taxonomic revision of this species in Kenya and Tanzania resulted in the resurrection of two species, A. grandis and A. krefftii, which were both previously considered to be synonyms of A. uranoscopus, as well as the description of a new species, A. athiensis (Thomson & Page 2010). Occurrence of three distinct species in such a small geographic area which represents only a very small portion of A. uranoscopus’ distribution raises the possibility that this complex may contain many undescribed species across its current wide geographic range in southern Africa, and that none of these actually are A. uranoscopus. For the IUCN Red List, the name A. uranoscopus will be retained for the southern African populations pending results from the ongoing taxonomic investigation of this complex (Chakona et al. in prep).

habitat_narrative

Freshwater (=Inland waters)

Amphilius species are adapted for fast flow and rocky habitats (Skelton 1986). Morphological adaptations for these habitats include expanded pectoral and pelvic fins with a thickened first ray, depressed body, dorsally directed eyes and reduced swimbladder (Skelton 1986, Walsh et al. 2000). Common Mountain Catfish is a demersal species that occasionally enters lakes but prefers fast flowing streams, with pebbles and boulders, where the water is rich in oxygen (Seegers 1996). It is found particularly frequently among boulders in shallow water (Seegers 2008). It survives in fast flowing rapids by paired fins adapted to form suckers to allow the fish to flatten themselves against the rocks (Skelton 2001). They feed on stream insects and other small organisms off rock surfaces (Skelton 2001). Hardly anything is known about the reproduction of this catfish (Seegers 2008), but Skelton (2001) suggests it breeds in summer, laying eggs underneath stones. The juveniles are easily mistaken for tadpoles. It is preyed on by trout and probably eels (Skelton 2001). The maximum size is 19.5 cm TL (Seegers et al. 2003).

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