First record of the vulnerable freshwater fish Lobocheilos falcifer (Valenciennes, 1842) (Teleostei, Cyprinidae) in Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

Lobocheilos falcifer (Valenciennes, 1842) is a freshwater fish endemic to the island of Java, Indonesia, and has been assessed as Vulnerable according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature criteria. In May 2022, a male specimen of L. falcifer was collected in the Way Sekampung River, Lampung Province, Sumatra, Indonesia. This represents the first record of this species outside of Java. This new record expanded the species distribution about 300 km to the north, and to an additional island within the Indonesian archipelago. The occurrence of this species on the island of Sumatra likely changes its conservation status; thus, new conservation actions may be more appropriate for the species and its known populations. The presence of L. falcifer on separate islands indicates that biogeographic interpretations of Indonesian fishes may change and highlights the need for urgent study of freshwater biodiversity in the region.