Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 230531876

A vital renewal for "Global status and conservation of Tucacas killifish in the coastal plains of Venezuela"

A vital renewal for "Global status and conservation of Tucacas killifish in the coastal plains of Venezuela" 

Goals: Designation of global status of the distribution and populations for Tucacas killifish and contributing to the conservation of their habitat.

Background: The Tucacas Kllifish distribution is one of the smallest and most restricted geographically in all the continental drainages of Venezuela. It has only been collected from two sites, despite the fact that the plains have been sampled on several occasions (Taphorn & Rodri­guez-Olarte 2008, 2015). The distribution of Tucacas Killifish may be underestimated due to the ephemeral condition of its habitat, which disappears in the dry season. For this reason, to cover this information gap, it is necessary to apply sampling with adequate techniques and times. During project 212528182 we have applied inspections and sampling but we have not yet found the species.

Objectives: Objective 1. To conduct an assessment of habitat of Tucacas Killifish. Activity 1. Finish: Identify and map aquatic habitats with field surveys and remote sensing... Activity 2. Finish: Sample the habitats and their spatio-temporal variation with field analysis... Objective 2. Determine the global status of the distribution and populations of the species. Activity 3. Finish: Sample with counts, littoral transects, nets and traps... Activity 4. Finish: Produce a photographic and video database on each aquatic habitat... Objective  3. Develop a training workshop for the monitoring of aquatic environments and the fish and generate scientific and awareness reports. Activity 5. Apply a training workshop to park rangers. Activity 6. Prepare scientific and awareness reports. 

Results and considerations: 

a) Field and laboratory activity showed that the species has a very restricted distribution, even more so than previously estimated. The absence in 70% of the initially conceived sampling sites demonstrates this.

b) The habitat of the species is at risk and in accelerated destruction. The assessment of natural and anthropogenic cover during 2015-2025 (undergraduate thesis) is indicative.

c) The populations of the species are very localized and their situation suggests a threat category of Endangered. The analysis of IUCN criteria indicates this.

d) The temporality of the habitat (seasonal ponds) limited the monitoring of the spatio-temporal variation in the short term.

e) The species has potential occurrence in protected areas, but these do not necessarily guarantee adequate protection of aquatic environments.

f) Field data and reviews allowed the species to be classified in accordance with application of IUCN criteria, Austrofundulus leohoignei was considered as “Endangered” species, being included in the criteria Endangered EN B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii).

g) The support of the Fund has contributed to the development of an environmental dissemination and training strategy through various means, with videographies, flyers and presentations at events, which have promoted outreach to different audiences and sectors.

h) Our research and action team considers the objectives and activities of the project “A vital renewal for Global status and conservation of Tucacas killifish in the coastal plains of Venezuela” (Project number 230531876) and its first phase (“Global status and conservation of Tucacas killifish: the rarest and most restricted fish in the coastal plains of Venezuela” Project number 212528182) to be accomplished. Our results are and will be visible and accessible in terms of reporting, provision of scientific and technical publications, as well as actions for dissemination on the conservation of the species on social networks and dedicated pages on the internet. We would like to express our full gratitude to The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund for sponsoring and supporting our actions for the conservation of biological diversity. 

Project document

• This is the first report on the occurrence of Xiphophorus maculatus in natural environments of Venezuela. These coastal streams are situated in a zoogeographic transition zone between regional freshwa




Project 230531876 location - Venezuela, South America