Environmental Biology of Fishes (2006) 75:307–309 DOI 10.1007/s10641-006-0016-2 Ó Springer 2006 Brief communication Threatened fishes of the world: Aphanius iberus (Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1846) (Cyprinodontidae) Francisco J. Oliva-Paternaa, Mar Torralvaa & Carlos Fernández-Delgadob a Department of Zoology and Anthropology, University of Murcia, E-30100 Murcia, Spain (e-mail: fjoliva@ um.es) b Faculty of Sciences, Department of Animal Biology, University of Córdoba, Campus Rabanales, Edf. Charles Darwin 3ª pl., 14071 Córdoba, Spain (e-mail: ba1fedec@uca.es) Received 1 June 2005 Accepted 9 January 2006 Common names: Iberian toothcarp; Fartet (Spanish). Conservation status: DD (IUCN 2004); EN B1+2bcd in the Red List of freshwater fish from Spain (Doadrio 2002). Identification: Iberian endemism. Morphological analyses revealed the existence of different morphotypes (Garcı́a-Berthou et al. 1989, Doadrio et al. 2002), however, the degree of differentiation is similar to that detected in closely related species. A. iberus differs from all other known species of Aphanius in the combination of 8 – 9 branched rays in the anal fin, 9 – 10 branched rays in the dorsal fin, short and high caudal peduncle, and greater preorbital length than Aphanius baeticus (the most similar species). A. iberus is sexually dimorphic. Adult males show a coloration pattern characterized by narrow silver transversal bars along the body side, which are continued on the caudal fin (3 – 4 bars). Females show numerous small dark spots on the body flanks which tend to form rows, one of them along the lateral line. Males (Total lengthmax £ 45 mm) are smaller overall than females (Total lengthmax £ 60 mm). Illustration by Ana I. Torres. Distribution: The distribution range of A. iberus is characterized by a high degree of isolation among its populations, the former continuous distribution having been fragmented into small isolated areas. It is restricted to the eastern Spanish coastline and into three biogeographical areas: Catalonian, Levantine and Murcian (sensu Doadrio et al. 1996). Traditional information of its distribution range included littoral areas of the Atlantic coast of the Southern Iberian Peninsula; however, it has been observed that Atlantic and Mediterranean populations are genetically and morphometrically different and a new apecies, A. baeticus, for the Atlantic area has been described (Doadrio et al. 2002). Due to fixed genetic differences, independent conservation units have been established (Garcı́a-Marı́n et al. 1990, Fernández-Pedrosa et al. 1995, Doadrio et al. 1996, Perdices et al. 2001, Torralva & Oliva-Paterna 2002). Abundance: The species is locally abundant mainly in salt exploitation sites, but their populations are sparce and some of them are continuously decreasing in abundance. Indeed, no more than twenty wild populations exist. Habitat and ecology: A. iberus is an eurythermic and euryhaline cyprinodontid which mainly inhabits brackish water of salt marshes, coastal lagoons and river-mouths (Moreno-Amich et al. 1999, Oltra & Todolı́ 2000), although it also occurs in freshwater and/or low salinity creeks. The biology of the species is characterized by fast growth and reduced longevity (Agemax £ 2+) (Garcı́a-Berthou & Moreno-Amich 1992, Vargas & De-Sostoa 1997, Garcı́a-Berthou et al. 1999). A. iberus has not shown a wide trophic spectrum; it has an omnivorous diet with temporal variations. Preys are mainly crustaceans and insects only represented 15% of his diet (Vargas & De Sostoa 1999). Reproduction: A. iberus shows a reproductive strategy adapted to unstable environments, reaching maturity early (in the first few months of life) and showing a high reproductive effort. It is a multiple spawner that releases batches of eggs between May and August in the Ebro delta, although two moments appeared to stand out as most important (Vargas & De-Sostoa 1997). The spawning period is longer in its southern localities (Mar Menor coastal lagoon). Threats: A. iberus is threatened due to their limited and isolated distribution. During the last three decades there has been a progessive loss and alteration of its habitat especially as a result of an intensive agriculture and tourism development. Current threats to its habitats and its populations include the destruction of habitats, water pollution (e.g. nitrate input increment from golf resorts) and the introduction of exotic species, mainly Gambusia holbrooki (Agassiz, 1859) which appear to have displaced A. iberus from its habitat (Rincón et al. 2002). Inland populations are restricted to small creeks and are threatened by the depletion of water levels in local aquifers; its survival depends on strict control over the use of groundwater resources. The loss of traditional salt exploitation mines, as an important coastal habitat for the species, is another threat. 308 Conservation action: A. iberus is included into the Annexes II and III of The Bern Convention (1979) and in the Annexe II of the European Council Directive (1992/43/EEC). At a national level, it is included in the Spanish National Catalogue of Threatened Species. In Spain, when a species is considered an endangered species, regional autonomous governments are obliged to develop a Recovery Plan. In this way, since 1994 conservation plans have been developed in their first phases by different autonomous environmental agencies. Recently, a LIFE-nature project (LIFE04 NAT/ES/000035) has begun exclusive efforts to increase the survival of two defined genetic units of A. iberus in the Murcian region. Conservation recommendations: Four criteria must be satisfied to ensure the species no longer needs the protection: (1) Present wild populations must be made secure by reducing existing and potential threats to the greatest extent possible, and population size must be considered stable or increasing; (2) viable wild populations have been reestablished in the most natural habitats within the native range (sensu Hendrickson & Brooks 1991). No new population will be considered established until the population has persisted for a minimun of ten years; (3) protection and establishment of Refugium populations (Minckley & Deacon 1991); (4) correct conservation plans should recognize the established conservation units and should be managed separately, promoting the use of natural stocks as sources of genetic diversity (Perdices et al. 2001) and the use of wild stocks to initiate captive breeding programs (Schönhuth et al. 2002). Remarks: A. iberus recovery will depend on the coordination of social, economic and political actions in the Spanish Mediterranean area. The participation of conservationist organizations could be essential. Educational and information programs are strongly important, in this way it could be remarkable the edition of the Iberian Cyprinodontids Monography (Planelles 1999). Doadrio, I. 2002. Atlas y Libro Rojo de los Peces Continentales de España. 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