Cottus rondeleti
CR

Cottus rondeleti

Local name: Hérault sculpin

UnknownCREUCREU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cottus_rondeleti

Overview

Cottus rondeleti is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Cottidae, the typical sculpins. This species is endemic to the coastal Hérault drainage of Southern France. The total known distribution comprises three distinct short stretches of stream, and the species considered Near Threatened because of habitat destruction and potentially by climate change.

The Hérault sculpin is critically endangered due to its extremely limited range, being endemic to a small section of the Hérault River basin in southern France. The species faces severe threats from habitat degradation, water pollution, and hydrological modifications that have drastically reduced suitable spawning and nursery areas. Climate change and drought conditions further exacerbate these pressures by reducing water flow and increasing water temperatures beyond the species' tolerance levels.

Threat summary

Habitat

FRESHWATER· major

Other threatened species in Cottidae

VU

Timavo sculpin

Cottus scaturigo

Unknown

Threatened in France

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Anthophore estivaleCR

Anthophore estivale

Anthophora aestivalis

Unknown
Muscidideicus praetextatusCR

Muscidideicus praetextatus

Unknown
Adonis BlueVU

Adonis Blue

Lysandra bellargus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Hérault sculpin classified as Critically Endangered?
Hérault sculpin is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Hérault sculpin is critically endangered due to its extremely limited range, being endemic to a small section of the Hérault River basin in southern France. The species faces severe threats from habitat degradation, water pollution, and hydrological modifications that have drastically reduced suitable spawning and nursery areas. Climate change and drought conditions further exacerbate these pressures by reducing water flow and increasing water temperatures beyond the species' tolerance levels.
Where does Hérault sculpin live?
Hérault sculpin occurs in France. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Hérault sculpin?
The main threats to Hérault sculpin are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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