Portuguese arched-mouth nase (Iberochondrostoma lusitanicum)

Description

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Portuguese arched-mouth nase fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Portuguese arched-mouth nase description

Endemic to parts of Portugal, the Portuguese arched-mouth nase (Iberochondrostoma lusitanicum) is a small, slender freshwater fish with a relatively small head and a downturned, arched mouth ^{(2) (3) (4)}.

The dorsal fin and anal fin of the Portuguese arched-mouth nase are similar in size ^{(2) (3) (4)} and both have a slightly convex edge. The dorsal fin is positioned above or slightly behind the pelvic fins, and the tail fin has two rounded lobes ^{(2) (3)}. There is a conspicuous lateral line along the side of the body ⁽²⁾.

In 2005, the Portuguese arched-mouth nase was separated from the closely related southwestern arched-mouth nase, Iberochondrostoma almacai, which has a smaller head, relatively longer snout and larger eyes. The two species also differ in details of their scales, gills and pharyngeal teeth (modified bones in the throat, used to process food) ⁽²⁾.

Also known as

boga-portuguesa.

Synonyms

Chondrostoma lusitanicum, Chondrostoma lusitanicus, Iberochondrostoma lusitanicus, Rutilus lusitanicum, Rutilus lusitanicus.

Size

Length: up to 15.1 cm ^{(2) (3)}

Portuguese arched-mouth nase biology

The Portuguese arched-mouth nase breeds between January and May, when it groups together in spawning aggregations ^{(3) (4) (5) (8) (9)}. These aggregations may involve large numbers of individuals, but courtship behaviour and spawning usually take place between one female and one or a few males ^{(3) (8)}. The eggs of the Portuguese arched-mouth nase are adhesive, and stick to stones, gravel and vegetation ^{(5) (8)}.

The lifespan of the Portuguese arched-mouth nase is around four years ^{(4) (9)}. Individuals reach maturity at about two years old, although females may mature at a slightly larger body size than males. A female Portuguese arched-mouth nase of about 10 centimetres in length is estimated to produce around 3,999 eggs ⁽⁹⁾.

There is no information available on the diet of the Portuguese arched-mouth nase ⁽⁷⁾. However, like other members of the Cyprinidae family it is likely to feed on a range of animal and plant matter. Members of the Cyprinidae lack teeth in the jaws, instead using modified bones in the throat, known as ‘pharyngeal teeth’, to process food ⁽¹⁰⁾.

Portuguese arched-mouth nase range

The Portuguese arched-mouth nase is restricted to a small area of west-central Portugal. It is found mainly in the western tributaries of the Tejo River drainage, in the Sado drainage, and in other small river basins including the Samarra, Colares and Ossos ^{(1) (2) (3) (5)}.

Portuguese arched-mouth nase habitat

This species usually inhabits small streams, with low or medium currents and with vegetation along the banks ^{(1) (5) (6) (7)}. The Portuguese arched-mouth nase may survive the drier summer months in small pools, under the shade of vegetation ⁽⁵⁾.

Portuguese arched-mouth nase status

The Portuguese arched-mouth nase is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List ⁽¹⁾.

Portuguese arched-mouth nase threats

The Portuguese arched-mouth nase occupies a restricted range and its populations are highly fragmented, increasing its vulnerability to local extinctions ^{(1) (5) (6) (7)}. Overall, this species has undergone a population decline of over 80 percent in the past decade ^{(1) (6) (7)}, mainly due to the loss and degradation of its habitat ^{(1) (5) (6) (7)}.

The freshwater streams inhabited by the Portuguese arched-mouth nase face a range of threats, including water extraction for agriculture and other human uses, infrastructure such as dams, and aggregate extraction (the extraction of crushed rock or gravel), which can affect water quality and destroy spawning areas. Water quality is also affected by pollution and by the destruction of riverside vegetation ^{(1) (5) (6) (7) (11)}. Drought presents another serious threat, and may become worse in future with the effects of climate change ⁽¹⁾.

The Portuguese arched-mouth nase is also likely to be affected by introduced fish species, which may act as predators or as competitors for food or other resources, or which may spread disease ^{(1) (6) (7) (11)}.

Portuguese arched-mouth nase conservation

The Portuguese Red Book lists the Portuguese arched-mouth nase as Critically Endangered ⁽⁶⁾. This species is covered by national and international conservation legislation ⁽⁶⁾, including the Bern Convention ⁽¹²⁾ and EU Habitats Directive ⁽¹³⁾. However, although various sites have been listed under the Habitats Directive, they still need management and planning measures directed at the Portuguese arched-mouth nase ⁽⁶⁾.

There are no specific conservation measures currently focusing on this endemic freshwater fish ⁽⁵⁾. Recommended actions include protecting and restoring its habitat, including maintaining minimum water levels during the dry season, and minimising the impacts of dam construction, water harvesting and aggregate extraction ^{(5) (6) (7)}. Non-native species introductions also need to be controlled ^{(6) (7)}.

Although the genetics and reproductive behaviour of the Portuguese arched-mouth nase have been studied, further research is needed into other aspects of its biology. It would also benefit from population monitoring and from the development of a species action plan ^{(6) (7)}. The Portuguese arched-mouth nase has been shown to breed successfully in captivity, suggesting that captive breeding programmes could be a potential conservation tool for this species ^{(5) (7) (8)}.

Genetic studies have suggested that populations of the Portuguese arched-mouth nase from the Tejo River and adjacent streams are distinct from those in the Sado basin. Further investigations may be needed to determine whether they are separate species ⁽⁵⁾.

Find out more

Find out more about the Portuguese arched-mouth nase and its conservation:

• FishBase - Iberochondrostoma lusitanicum:
  http://fishbase.org.cn/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?genusname=Iberochondrostoma&speciesname=lusitanicum
• Livro Vermelho dos Vertebrados de Portugal - Chondrostoma lusitanicum:
  http://portal.icnb.pt/NR/rdonlyres/CB478D55-FC7C-4EE2-AEFC-84B423307566/3109/LVVP_Peixes_Chondrostomalusitanicum.pdf (In Portuguese)

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Glossary

Anal fin

In fish, an unpaired fin on the under surface of a fish, behind the anus.

Dorsal fin

The unpaired fin found on the back of the body of fish, or the raised structure on the back of most cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises).

Endemic

A species or taxonomic group that is only found in one particular country or geographic area.

Lateral line

A row of receptors that can detect movement via vibrations in water. The receptors are typically embedded in the skin, and in fish they form a line along the sides of the body.

Pelvic fins

In fish, the pair of fins found on the underside of the body.

Spawning

The production or depositing of large quantities of eggs in water.

References

1. IUCN Red List (May, 2011)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org/
2. Coelho, M.M., Mesquita, N. and Collares-Pereira, M.J. (2005) Chondrostoma almacai, a new cyprinid species from the southwest of Portugal, Iberian Peninsula. Folia Zoologica, 54(1-2): 201-212.
3. FishBase - Iberochondrostoma lusitanicum (May, 2011)
   http://fishbase.org.cn/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?genusname=Iberochondrostoma&speciesname=lusitanicum
4. Carta Piscícola Nacional - Chondrostoma lusitanicum (May, 2011)
   http://www.cartapiscicola.org/dgf/species.cfm?codspecies=clus
5. Robalo, J.I., Sousa-Santos, C. and Almada, V.C. (2009) Threatened fishes of the world: Iberochondrostoma lusitanicum Collares-Pereira, 1980 (Cyprinidae). Environmental Biology of Fishes, 86: 295-296.
6. Cabral, M.J., Almeida, J., Almeida, P.R., Dellinger, T., Ferrand de Almeida, N., Oliveira, M.E., Palmeirim, J.M., Queiroz, A.L., Rogado, L. and Santos-Reis, M. (2005) Livro Vermelho dos Vertebrados de Portugal. Instituto de Conservação da Naturaleza e da Biodiversidade, Lisbon. Available at:
   http://portal.icnb.pt/ICNPortal/vPT2007/Valores+Naturais/Livro+Vermelho+dos+Vertebrados/#A1
7. Plano Sectorial da Rede Natura 2000 - Chondrostoma lusitanicum (May, 2011)
   http://www.icn.pt/psrn2000/caracterizacao_valores_naturais/FAUNA/PEIXES/Chondrostoma%20lusitanicum.pdf
8. Carvalho, V., Robalo, J.I. and Almada, V.C. (2003) A description of the reproductive behaviour of the endangered Iberian cyprinid Chondrostoma lusitanicum Collares-Pereira 1980 in captivity. Etologia, 10: 23-25.
9. Magalhães, M.F., Schlosser, I.J. and Collares-Pereira, M.J. (2003) The role of life history in the relationship between population dynamics and environmental variability in two Mediterranean stream fishes. Journal of Fish Biology, 63(2): 300-317.
10. Campbell, A. and Dawes, J. (2004) Encyclopedia of Underwater Life. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
11. Almaça, C. (1995) Freshwater fish and their conservation in Portugal. Biological Conservation, 72: 125-127.
12. Council of Europe: Bern Convention (May, 2011)
    http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/EN/Treaties/Html/104.htm
13. EU Habitats Directive (May, 2011)
    http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1374