Highland Splitfin
Hubbsina turneri
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubbsina
Overview
The Highland splitfin is a species of splitfin endemic to Mexico where it is found in the Lerma River basin. This species grows to a length of 5 centimetres (2.0 in) TL. It is the only known member of its genus, although some authorities have Hubbina as a subgenus of Girardinichthys and add Girardinichthys ireneae to the subgenus, even treating this taxon as a synonym of G.
ireneae. This species was described by Don Fernando de Buen y Lozano in 1940 with the type locality given as Cointzio, Michoacán. The name of the genus honours the American ichthyologist Carl Leavitt Hubbs (1894-1979) while the specific name honours Clarence Lester Turner (1890-1969), thus honouring two ichthyologists who worked on a review of the Goodeidae in 1939.
Hubbsina turneri faces severe threats from groundwater extraction and aquifer depletion in its limited desert spring habitat. Urban development and agricultural expansion in the Mojave Desert region have dramatically reduced water availability in the isolated spring systems this species depends upon. Climate change exacerbates these pressures by increasing evaporation rates and reducing natural recharge of the underground water sources.
Habitat
This critically endangered species is endemic to isolated desert springs and associated wetland habitats in the Mojave Desert region of California. It requires permanent flowing water with specific temperature and chemical conditions found only in these rare spring ecosystems.
Conservation measures underway
Other threatened species in GOODEIDAE
Threatened in Mexico
Frequently asked questions
Why is Highland Splitfin classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Highland Splitfin live?
What are the main threats to Highland Splitfin?
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