Hypsolebias similis
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Hypsolebias similis faces severe threats from habitat destruction as its temporary pool habitats in the Brazilian Cerrado are converted to agriculture and urban development. The species' dependence on seasonal rainfall patterns makes it particularly vulnerable to climate change-induced alterations in precipitation cycles. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and cattle ranching activities further degrades the quality of remaining breeding pools.
Habitat
This annual killifish inhabits temporary pools and seasonal wetlands in the Brazilian Cerrado savanna, particularly in areas with sandy soils that flood during the rainy season. The species requires shallow, ephemeral water bodies that dry completely during the dry season, allowing their drought-resistant eggs to survive in the substrate.