Threatened fishes of the world: Ptychobarbus chungtienensis Tsao 1964 (Cyprinidae)

Abstract

Common name: Chungtien schizothoracin (English). Local name: Zhongdian Chongchunyu (Chinese). Conservation status: EN—China Species Red List, Vol. 1 Red List (Wang and Xie 2004). Identification: D III 7-8; A II 5; LL 100–110; pharyngeal teeth two rows, 3,4–4,3; one pair of barbels. Sides of body above lateral line is brown with a golden shine and densely covered with black speckles, sides below lateral line are yellowish and densely covered with black speckles, and the abdomen is silver. Illustration by Bao-Rong Wu. Distribution: Endemic to Zhongdian Plateau of Jinsha River drainage including Lake Bita, Lake Napa, Lake Shudu, Nayahe River, Xiaozhongdian River and Gezan River (Huang and Chen 1986; Chen 2010). Abundance: Since 1986, populations have declined or disappeared in most areas. Species is now extirpated from Lake Napa. Most remaining individuals are in Lake Bita with a few in Xiaozhongdian River and Naya River (Wang and Xie 2004). Habitat and ecology: Juveniles occur in the littoral zone of the lake and streams; the adults inhabit the middle and lower water layers of the lake. Reproduction: Individuals return from the lake to streams to spawn in June. Males dig pits with anal fin rays and lays eggs in the pit. Parental fishes spawn several times from July to September every year. Threats: Habitat degradation, water pollution, over-exploitation and exotic species. Most notably, Micropercops swinhonis invasion is a critical threat. Conservation actions: Lake Bita and primary forest around the lake have been well protected since 1984 by establishing Bitahai Provincial Natural Reserve. A population status monitoring of Chungtien Environ Biol Fish (2010) 89:1–2 DOI 10.1007/s10641-010-9654-5