Melanorivulus illuminatus
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Melanorivulus illuminatus faces severe habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and urban development throughout its limited range in southeastern Brazil. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and domestic waste significantly impacts the shallow freshwater systems this species depends on. The conversion of natural wetlands to cattle pastures and crop fields has fragmented remaining populations, while climate change threatens to alter the hydrological patterns of its seasonal breeding habitats.
Habitat
This annual killifish inhabits shallow, temporary freshwater pools, seasonal wetlands, and slow-flowing streams in the Atlantic Forest region of southeastern Brazil. It typically occurs in areas with dense aquatic vegetation and soft substrates, often in habitats that dry completely during the dry season.