Peter Unmack
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 29 Sep 1996 13:01:37 -0400
From: RWLACN at aol.com
To: killies at mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: Killies Extinct in Nature
It is very difficult to find accurate information about the status of many
killifish in the wild. We can be certain that the fish fauna of Northern
Mexico has been adequately survayed and that those species listed by Peter
Unmack are indeed extinct: Cyprinodon alvarezi, Cyprinodon longidorsalis,
Cyprinodon veronicae and Megupsilon aporus. Abviously any hobbyist or
professional institution that has these species in captivity should give them
very special care.
Although there are many collectors who go to West Africa, few of them give
reports on the status of a particular species. In 1993, we learned that both
Fundulopanchax walkeri GH2 and Epiplatys chaperi schreiberi were probably
extinct in the wild. Ghana is experiencing rapid development and this has
lead to loss of habitat. Other populations of Fundulopanchax walkeri may also
be in trouble in the Ivroy Coast. Other reports (Eberl) suggest that
Epiplatys esekanus, having a very small distribution area, may be in serious
trouble due to road construction in that area of Cameroon. Due to clearing
land for farming, Aphyosemion elberti (bualanum) N'tui is extinct. Wolfgang
Eberl recently told me that the blue Chromaphyosemion LEC 93/26 or LEC 93/24
found near Libreville, Gabon will likely disappear as that city expands into
that area. This is probably a distinct species from other Chrompahyosemions
which is being studied at this time.