CR

Cnesterodon pirai

Unknown

Overview

Cnesterodon pirai, the Almeida toothcarp, is a species of poeciliid that is only know from its type locality, the arroyo Almeida, an affluent of the arroyo Cuñá-Pirú, in the Río Paraná basin, Aristóbulo del Valle, Misiones in Argentina.

Cnesterodon pirai faces severe threats from habitat degradation and water pollution in its restricted range within the Paraná River basin. Agricultural runoff, urban development, and industrial activities have significantly impacted the water quality of the small streams and tributaries where this species occurs. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes, with any single catastrophic event potentially affecting the entire population.

Threat summary

Habitat

This small freshwater fish inhabits shallow, slow-flowing streams and tributaries within the Paraná River system in South America. It typically occurs in areas with dense aquatic vegetation and soft substrates, preferring waters with moderate temperatures and specific chemical parameters.

Wetlands (inland) - Permanent rivers/streams· majorRocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionHabitat & natural process restorationSpecies recovery

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Threatened in Argentina

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Striped Smoothhound

Mustelus fasciatus

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Copper Shark

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Cnesterodon pirai classified as Critically Endangered?
Cnesterodon pirai 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. Cnesterodon pirai faces severe threats from habitat degradation and water pollution in its restricted range within the Paraná River basin. Agricultural runoff, urban development, and industrial activities have significantly impacted the water quality of the small streams and tributaries where this species occurs. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes, with any single catastrophic event potentially affecting the entire population.
Where does Cnesterodon pirai live?
Cnesterodon pirai occurs in Argentina. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Cnesterodon pirai?
The main threats to Cnesterodon pirai are 2.1, 5.3, 7.2, and 8.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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