CR

Oxynoemacheilus tongiorgii

Unknown

Overview

Oxynoemacheilus tongiorgii is a species of stone loach from the genus Oxynoemacheilus. It was found in a spring near the town of Darab in the Kul River basin of Iran. It has only been recorded once.

Oxynoemacheilus tongiorgii is a freshwater loach restricted to a small number of spring-fed streams and river systems in western Anatolia, Turkey, making it highly vulnerable to localized habitat degradation. Water abstraction for agricultural irrigation and domestic supply has reduced flow and altered stream conditions across much of its limited range. Pollution from agricultural runoff and small-scale industrial activity further degrades water quality in the few watercourses it inhabits, while damming and channelization fragment populations and block dispersal between remaining suitable habitat patches.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits small, clear, fast-flowing freshwater streams and spring-fed tributaries with gravel or rocky substrates in western Turkey, typically at low to moderate elevations.

Other threatened species in NEMACHEILIDAE

EN

Schistura quasimodo

Declining
EN

Schistura nudidorsum

Unknown
VU

Schistura kontumensis

Declining
VU

Triplophysa baotianensis

Stable

Frequently asked questions

Why is Oxynoemacheilus tongiorgii classified as Critically Endangered?
Oxynoemacheilus tongiorgii 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. Oxynoemacheilus tongiorgii is a freshwater loach restricted to a small number of spring-fed streams and river systems in western Anatolia, Turkey, making it highly vulnerable to localized habitat degradation. Water abstraction for agricultural irrigation and domestic supply has reduced flow and altered stream conditions across much of its limited range. Pollution from agricultural runoff and small-scale industrial activity further degrades water quality in the few watercourses it inhabits, while damming and channelization fragment populations and block dispersal between remaining suitable habitat patches.
Where does Oxynoemacheilus tongiorgii live?
Oxynoemacheilus tongiorgii 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 Oxynoemacheilus tongiorgii?
The main threats to Oxynoemacheilus tongiorgii 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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