CRCritically Endangered

Hypsolebias tocantinensis

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Hypsolebias tocantinensis faces severe threats from agricultural expansion and cattle ranching activities that destroy and fragment its specialized seasonal pool habitats in the Tocantins River basin. The species' extremely restricted range and dependence on temporary water bodies makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat modification and hydrological changes. Mining activities and infrastructure development further compound these pressures, while the species' annual life cycle leaves no buffer against complete habitat loss during critical breeding periods.
Threat summary

Habitat

This annual killifish inhabits temporary seasonal pools and shallow wetlands in the Tocantins River drainage system of central Brazil. The species depends entirely on ephemeral water bodies that form during the rainy season and dry completely during drought periods, requiring specialized adaptations for survival in these highly variable aquatic environments.

FRESHWATER· major

Other threatened species in RIVULIDAE

Flame Rivulus

Cynodonichthys uroflammeus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Hypsolebias tocantinensis classified as Critically Endangered?

Hypsolebias tocantinensis 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. Hypsolebias tocantinensis faces severe threats from agricultural expansion and cattle ranching activities that destroy and fragment its specialized seasonal pool habitats in the Tocantins River basin. The species' extremely restricted range and dependence on temporary water bodies makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat modification and hydrological changes. Mining activities and infrastructure development further compound these pressures, while the species' annual life cycle leaves no buffer against complete habitat loss during critical breeding periods.

Where does Hypsolebias tocantinensis live?

Hypsolebias tocantinensis 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 Hypsolebias tocantinensis?

The main threats to Hypsolebias tocantinensis 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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