The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
ISSN 2307-8235 (online)
IUCN 2008: T182964A8012469
Aphanius saourensis, Sahara aphanius
Assessment by: Azeroual, A.
View on www.iucnredlist.org
Citation: Azeroual, A. 2010. Aphanius saourensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010:
e.T182964A8012469. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T182964A8012469.en
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THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Animalia
Chordata
Actinopterygii
Cyprinodontiformes
Cyprinodontidae
Taxon Name: Aphanius saourensis Blanco, Hrbek & Doadrio, 2006
Common Name(s):
• English:
• French:
• Spanish:
Sahara aphanius
Aphanius saharien
Afanius sahariano
Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria:
Critically Endangered B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) ver 3.1
Year Published:
2010
Date Assessed:
October 17, 2007
Justification:
The species is endemic to the Oued Saoura basin, and was once thought to occur throughout it. It is now
only known from one remnant population (Oued Saoura basin near Mazzer) in the Sahara desert, having
known to have disappeared from numerous other localities (Oued Zousfana basin at Igli, El Ouata and
Kerzaz - all in the greater Saoura basin). Numerous attempts have been made to record from these
localities and no specimens were found. The major threats are the introduced Gambusia species, which
currently outnumber Aphanius 100 to one. Excessive groundwater extraction (for agriculture), drought
and water pollution are also threatening the species. Its survival in the wild is unlikely, but a small
captive breeding program is under way. It has an extent of occurrence of less than 100 km² and an area
of occupancy of less than 10 km².
Geographic Range
Range Description:
The species is endemic to the Oued Saoura basin, and was once thought to occur throughout it. It is now
only known from one remnant population (near Mazzer) in the Sahara desert, having known to have
disappeared from numerous other localities (Oued Zousfana basin at Igli, El Ouata and Kerzaz - all in the
greater Saoura basin). Numerous attempts have been made to record from these localities and no
specimens were found.
Recorded from Mazzer (30° 19'N, 2°16'W) inside the Oued Saoura basin, Villwock and Scholl (1982)
analyzed specimens from Igli Oasis, Oued Zousfana basin, a tributary basin to the Saoura. Specimens
from El Ouata (MRAC 83-002-P-0082-0111) and Kerzaz (MRAC A3-045-P-0906) are deposited in Royal
African Museum in Tervuren, both of which are within the greater Oued Saoura basin and in geographic
proximity to Mazzer; Kerzaz is the most distant locality, approximately 120 km away.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Aphanius saourensis – published in 2010.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T182964A8012469.en
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Country Occurrence:
Native: Algeria
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Aphanius saourensis – published in 2010.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T182964A8012469.en
2
Distribution Map
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Aphanius saourensis – published in 2010.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T182964A8012469.en
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Population
No information available.
Current Population Trend: Unknown
Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)
It is a benthopelagic species with preferred subtropical climate.
Systems: Freshwater
Use and Trade (see Appendix for additional information)
This species is part of the aquarium trade.
Threats (see Appendix for additional information)
Introduced Gambusia holbrooki poses a serious threat, with current densities of Gambusia to Aphanius
being more than 100 to one. In addition, excessive groundwater withdrawal for agricultural purposes,
the drying of wetlands, and water pollution are also main threats to the species.
Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)
A small captive breeding program is underway. More research is needed for this species, and it would
benefit from habitat restoration, and the development of a Protected Area within its range.
Credits
Assessor(s):
Azeroual, A.
Reviewer(s):
Kraïem, M. & Smith, K.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Aphanius saourensis – published in 2010.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T182964A8012469.en
4
Bibliography
Pan-Africa freshwater assessment references. Currently, full citations for references used in the PanAfrica biodiversity assessments are unavailable on the Red List web site. These will be added to the site
in 2011. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes.
IUCN. 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 2010.3). Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org.
(Accessed: 2 September 2010).
Citation
Azeroual, A. 2010. Aphanius saourensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010:
e.T182964A8012469. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T182964A8012469.en
Disclaimer
To make use of this information, please check the Terms of Use.
External Resources
For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Aphanius saourensis – published in 2010.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T182964A8012469.en
5
Appendix
Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Habitat
Season
Suitability
Major
Importance?
5. Wetlands (inland) -> 5.1. Wetlands (inland) - Permanent
Rivers/Streams/Creeks (includes waterfalls)
-
Suitable
Yes
5. Wetlands (inland) -> 5.9. Wetlands (inland) - Freshwater Springs and
Oases
-
Suitable
-
Use and Trade
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
End Use
Local
National
International
Pets/display animals, horticulture
Yes
Yes
Yes
Threats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Threat
Timing
Scope
Severity
Impact Score
7. Natural system modifications -> 7.2. Dams & water
management/use -> 7.2.8. Abstraction of ground
water (unknown use)
Ongoing
-
-
-
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
2. Species Stresses -> 2.3. Indirect species effects ->
2.3.2. Competition
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
8. Invasive & other problematic species & genes ->
8.1. Invasive non-native/alien species -> 8.1.2.
Named species (Gambusia holbrooki)
9. Pollution -> 9.1. Domestic & urban waste water ->
9.1.3. Type Unknown/Unrecorded
9. Pollution -> 9.2. Industrial & military effluents ->
9.2.3. Type Unknown/Unrecorded
9. Pollution -> 9.3. Agricultural & forestry effluents ->
9.3.4. Type Unknown/Unrecorded
11. Climate change & severe weather -> 11.2.
Droughts
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Aphanius saourensis – published in 2010.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T182964A8012469.en
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
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Conservation Actions in Place
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions in Place
In-Place Species Management
Subject to ex-situ conservation: Yes
Conservation Actions Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions Needed
1. Land/water protection -> 1.1. Site/area protection
2. Land/water management -> 2.3. Habitat & natural process restoration
Research Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.2. Population size, distribution & trends
1. Research -> 1.3. Life history & ecology
1. Research -> 1.5. Threats
1. Research -> 1.6. Actions
3. Monitoring -> 3.1. Population trends
Additional Data Fields
Population
Population severely fragmented: No
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Aphanius saourensis – published in 2010.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T182964A8012469.en
7
The IUCN Red List Partnership
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership. The IUCN
Red List Partners are: BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation
International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas
A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London.
THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™