LIFE SaramugoConservation of the Saramugo (Anaecypris hispanica)

in the Guadiana River Basin (Portugal)LIFE13 NAT/PT/000786

Silva R., Lousa H., Silva N., Alcazar R.(1), Cardoso A., Carrapato C. (2), Ilhéu M., Matono P., Bernardo J.(3), Almeida J., Pinheiro P.(4).1—Liga para a Protecção da Natureza, Estrada do Calhariz de Benfica, 187, 1500-124 Lisboa, Portugal. 2—Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas, Parque Natural do vale do Guadiana, Rua D. Sancho II, nº 15, 7750-352 Mértola. 3—Universidade

de Évora, Colégio Luis Verney,R. Romão Ramalho, 59, 7000-671 Évora. 4—Aqualogus, Rua do Mar da China, n.º 1 Escritório 2.4, Parque das Nações, 1990-137 Lisboa.

Abstract

Saramugo (Anaecypris hispanica) is a freshwater fish endemic of the south of Iberian Peninsula, known to occur only in the middle and lower

sections of the Guadiana river basin and a tributary of Guadalquivir river. Its distribution is strongly fragmented, and a very significant reduction,

both in terms of abundance and distribution. Nowadays, in Portugal, it can only be found in 5 sub-basins of the Guadiana river basin.

Saramugo is classified as “Critically Endangered” in Portugal, and globally as “Endangered”, also it is listed in Annexes II and IV of the

Habitats Directive.

The Project LIFE Saramugo aims for the conservation of saramugo populations mainly by improving its habitat and reducing its threats.

Resumo

O saramugo (Anaecypris hispanica) é um pequeno peixe de água doce, endémico do Sul da Península Ibérica, com uma distribuição restrita à

bacia do Rio Guadiana e a um pequeno troço da bacia do Rio Guadalquivir. A sua distribuição está fortemente fragmentada e com uma elevada

tendência de redução quer em abundância quer em distribuição. Atualmente, em Portugal é detetado apenas em 5 sub-bacias da bacia do Rio

Guadiana.

O saramugo está classificado em Portugal como “Criticamente em Perigo” e “Em Perigo” a nível global, estando incluída no Anexo II e IV da

Diretiva Habitats.

O Projeto LIFE Saramugo visa a conservação das populações de saramugo com o intuito de salvaguardar a sobrevivência desta espécie,

atuando principalmente na melhoria do seu habitat e reduzindo as suas ameaças.

SaramugoSaramugo (Anaecypris hispanica, Steindachner, 1866) is a small cyprinid fish endemic of the south of

Iberian Peninsula. The individuals reach a maximum size of 7cm and usually females are bigger than males.

It’s straight and elongated body, compressed laterally, is covered with small and fine scales. The colour

varies individually although generally it has a silvery with a roseate hue background and has dark spots on

the flanks. The large eyes almost touch the dorsal profile of the relatively small head. It feeds mainly on

small bentonic invertebrates, zooplakton, and parts of plants and algae as well as some detritus.

HabitatSaramugo is a rheophilic species, found in small narrow rivers and streams with low depth where it prefers

sections characterized by medium/thick substratum granulometry, oxygenated waters and aquatic

vegetation. These mediterranean rivers and streams exhibit an intermittent character: full water flow in

winter and spring reduced to pools in summer and beginning of autumn.

DistributionThis species occurs in Guadiana river basin and Guadalquivir river basin (namely in Bembézar river). Its

distribution is strongly fragmented. In Portugal, nowadays the species was only detected in 5 sub-basins of

Guadiana: Ardila, Chança, Vascão, Foupana e Odeleite.

Population trend and conservation status

Nationwide this species population is declining and their numbers are estimated on 10.000 mature individuals accordingly to

Portuguese Red List of Vertebrates (Cabral et al., 2005). It is estimated that the population has decreased by 50% in the

last 15 years. Some subpopulations may already be below the survival threshold.

In the beginning of the year 2000 saramugo was present in 10 sub-basins of Guadiana. However nowadays it was only

detected in 5 of them.

In Portugal, saramugo is classified as “Critically Endangered”. At community level (EU) it’s a species of communitary

interest being listed on the Annex II and IV of Habitats Directive. IUCN classifies the species as “Endangered”.

Increases water turbidity;

changes substratum quality

which causes mortality and

spawning sites destruction.

Increases organic

pollutants in the water

increasing the toxicity;

Destruction of riparian

vegetation.

Fish population fragmentation; water

flow changes which induces exotic fish

species proliferation.

Increases organic and chemical

pollutants in the water,

therefeore its toxicity.

Decreases water availability and

accelerates pool drying.

Predation;

Competition for food,

shelter and oxygen.

Main threats

Distribution of saramugo in Portugal since 1980. Adapted from Cardoso et al., 2014.

Distribuição do saramugo em Portugal desde 1980. Adaptado de Cardoso et al., 2014.

LIFE Saramugo ProjectThis project is ongoing since July 2014 and will last up to three and a half years.

Actions will take place in 3 different Sites of Communitary Importance (SCI) of Natura

2000 Network, namely São Mamede, Moura/Barrancos and Guadiana.

The main objectives are:

• To update the species’ populational situation in Portuguese Guadiana river basin;

• The rehabilitation of aquatic and riparian corridors (shelter, feeding and reproduction

habitats);

• The clarification of potential impact that may derive from the co-existence of bleak

(Alburnus alburnus) in saramugo’s populations;

• The reduction of pollution in waterlines due to livestock, in order to safeguard and

improve water quality;

• The demonstration of techniques applicable to exotic species removal and control of

its expansion;

• Contribute to the long-term conservation of saramugo through the involvement of

landowners, farmers, fishermen and other stakeholders;

Exotic fish species removal.

Restrict cattleaccess in pools withsaramugo presence.

Silt removal to increase thecapacity of

waterretaining.

Implementation and test of one

type of automatic

device for the removal of exotic fish species.

Development of a prototype that demonstrates

effective barrier to the

progression of the Bleak.

Renaturation ofthe riverbanks

with nativevegetation.

Update the species’

populationalsituation.

Study of theimpact thatmay derive from the co-existence ofbleak and saramugo.

Study waysto prevent

bleakcolonization.

Raise publicawareness.

Environmentaleducation.

Co-financing: Community financing:

Saramugos in captivity. \ Saramugos em cativeiro. © Carlos Carrapato

Ribeira do Vascão, one of the mediterranean streams inhabited by saramugo. Left: winter. Right: summer. \ Ribeira do Vascão, uma das ribeiras mediterrânicas habitadas por saramugo. Esquerda: inverno. Direita: verão. © Ana Cristina Cardoso

Project Actions

Associated beneficiaries:Coordinating beneficiary:

Inertextraction

Cattleaccess to the water

course

Weirs obstructing

fish transpositi

on

Inefficienttreatment

ofeffluents

Waterabstraction

Exotic fishspecies