CRCritically Endangered

Ophthalmolebias perpendicularis

Declining

Overview

Simpsonichthys perpendicularis is a species of killifish in the family Rivulidae. It is found in the Jequitinhonha River basin in Brazil.

Ophthalmolebias perpendicularis faces severe threats from habitat destruction as its temporary pool habitats are drained for agricultural expansion and urban development. The species' extremely restricted range in southeastern Brazil makes it particularly vulnerable to local environmental changes and pollution from agricultural runoff. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering precipitation patterns that are critical for maintaining the seasonal pools this killifish depends upon for reproduction.
Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered killifish inhabits temporary seasonal pools and shallow wetlands in the Atlantic Forest region of southeastern Brazil. The species requires ephemeral water bodies that fill during rainy seasons and dry completely during drought periods, a specialized habitat type that is increasingly rare due to human activities.

Other threatened species in RIVULIDAE

Flame Rivulus

Cynodonichthys uroflammeus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Ophthalmolebias perpendicularis classified as Critically Endangered?

Ophthalmolebias perpendicularis 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. Ophthalmolebias perpendicularis faces severe threats from habitat destruction as its temporary pool habitats are drained for agricultural expansion and urban development. The species' extremely restricted range in southeastern Brazil makes it particularly vulnerable to local environmental changes and pollution from agricultural runoff. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering precipitation patterns that are critical for maintaining the seasonal pools this killifish depends upon for reproduction.

Where does Ophthalmolebias perpendicularis live?

Ophthalmolebias perpendicularis 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 Ophthalmolebias perpendicularis?

The main threats to Ophthalmolebias perpendicularis 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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