Current Conservation Status of Some Freshwater Fishes and Their Habitats in Mexico.

Authors: Maria De Lourdes Lozano Vilano, Armando J. Contreras-Balderas, Gorgonio Ruiz-Campos, Maria E. Garcia-Ramirez

Year: 2018

Abstract

We present new information regarding the status of some endemic freshwater fishes of México from eight states and 24 localities. From earlier descriptions summarized in 1991, two fishes were known extinct, but by 2017, the total increased to 15 taxa either extinct or gone from the wild and present only in captive populations. Species in the genus Cyprinodon are the most threatened taxa at the sites we visited. Main reasons for rapid declines or extinctions are spring drying due to increased water consumption by domestic, industrial, and agricultural practices, and negative effects of nonnative species. The destruction of aquatic habitats occurs everywhere in Mexico and requires more protected areas for fishes. The future of this group of vertebrates, especially in arid zones, is in jeopardy of disappearing forever. The number of species declining or extinct continues to rise, increasing the importance of protection by Mexican laws.