Simpsonichthys zonatus
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Simpsonichthys zonatus faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development in its limited range within Brazil's Cerrado savanna. The species' dependence on temporary pools that form during seasonal rains makes it extremely vulnerable to hydrological changes caused by water extraction and land use modifications. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering precipitation patterns that are critical for the species' breeding cycle.
Habitat
This annual killifish inhabits temporary pools and seasonal wetlands in the Brazilian Cerrado savanna, particularly in areas that flood during the rainy season and dry completely during drought periods. The species has adapted to these ephemeral aquatic environments, completing its entire life cycle within the brief wet season.
