The Maloti minnow Pseudobarbus quathlambae (Barnard, 1938) is not extinct in South Africa |
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Authors: | PS Kubheka A Chakona DN Mazungula |
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Affiliation: | 1. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa;2. South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Grahamstown, South Africa |
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Abstract: | Despite concerted surveys, the Maloti minnow Pseudobarbus quathlambae (Barnard 1938) had not been recorded in South African waters for almost eighty years since the original collections were made at the type locality in the upper uMkhomazana River in 1938. The species was therefore declared extinct in South Africa, whereas extant populations were considered confined to various rivers in the Lesotho highlands. In April 2017, however, this species was rediscovered in the Mzimkhulu River system in KwaZulu-Natal. The rediscovery of a species that was considered locally extinct supports the need for extensive surveys to determine its distribution range, estimate population sizes, assess conservation status and implement effective strategies to ensure its continued existence in KwaZulu-Natal. |
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Keywords: | conservation KwaZulu-Natal Mzimkhulu redfin minnow rediscovery |
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