EN

Lepidocharax diamantina

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Lepidocharax diamantina faces severe threats from mining activities in the Diamantina region of Brazil, where iron ore extraction and associated infrastructure development directly impact its freshwater habitats. Water pollution from mining runoff and sedimentation degrades the clear, fast-flowing streams this endemic characin requires. Agricultural expansion and cattle ranching in the surrounding watershed contribute additional pollution and habitat fragmentation, while climate change threatens to alter the delicate hydrological balance of its restricted range.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic characin inhabits clear, fast-flowing streams and tributaries within the Diamantina River system in Minas Gerais, Brazil. It prefers well-oxygenated waters with rocky substrates and moderate current, typically found in headwater streams of the São Francisco River basin.

Other threatened species in CHARACIDAE

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Astyanax tehuacanensis

Unknown
EN

Diapoma pyrrhopteryx

Unknown
VU

Hollandichthys taramandahy

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VU

Tetra

Hyphessobrycon arianae

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Lepidocharax diamantina classified as Endangered?
Lepidocharax diamantina is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Lepidocharax diamantina faces severe threats from mining activities in the Diamantina region of Brazil, where iron ore extraction and associated infrastructure development directly impact its freshwater habitats. Water pollution from mining runoff and sedimentation degrades the clear, fast-flowing streams this endemic characin requires. Agricultural expansion and cattle ranching in the surrounding watershed contribute additional pollution and habitat fragmentation, while climate change threatens to alter the delicate hydrological balance of its restricted range.
Where does Lepidocharax diamantina live?
Lepidocharax diamantina occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Lepidocharax diamantina?
The main threats to Lepidocharax diamantina 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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