Red List of South African Species

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Notes

DNA-based studies have shown that there are two genetic lineages within Sandelia bainsii; a southern lineage that is distributed in the Kowie, Great Fish and Keiskamma river systems, and a northern lineage that occurs in the Igoda and Buffalo river systems (Roos 2005, Chakona et al. unpublished. Samples from the Xulu and Nahoon river systems have not yet been analysed genetically. Morphological assessments and additional genetic analyses are being done to determine whether or not the northern and southern lineages of S. bainsii represent two distinct species. Both lineages will be included in this assessment, pending findings from the ongoing taxonomic evaluation of this species.

habitat_narrative

Freshwater (=Inland waters)

Occurs in rocky streams, favouring marginal habitats where the current is slow (Mayekiso 1986, Skelton 2001). A predator on insects, crabs and small fish, it holes up in crevices and waits for prey to pass by. Breeds in summer, males make a nest and after spawning guard the developing eggs and young fish (Mayekiso & Hecht 1990, Cambray 1997).

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