Apricaphanius saourensis
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Apricaphanius saourensis faces severe threats from habitat degradation and water extraction in its extremely limited range within the Saharan oases of Algeria. The species is confined to a handful of spring-fed pools and shallow wetlands that are increasingly impacted by agricultural water diversion and groundwater depletion. Climate change exacerbates these pressures by reducing already scarce water sources in this arid environment, while introduced species and pollution from human settlements further compromise the remaining habitat quality.
Habitat
This endemic killifish inhabits shallow, spring-fed pools and small wetlands within the Saharan oases of the Saoura region in southwestern Algeria. The species is restricted to permanent and semi-permanent freshwater habitats with sandy or muddy substrates, typically associated with date palm oases and natural springs.
