Rediscovery of the critically endangered annual killifish Leptopanchax itanhaensis (Costa, 2008) in a temporary pool and roadside ditch from the Atlantic Forest of Southeast Brazil

Redescoberta do killifish anual criticamente ameaçado Leptopanchax itanhaensis (Costa, 2008) em uma poça temporária e vala de estrada da Mata Atlântica do Sudeste Brasileiro

Abstract

We report new records of the critically endangered Leptopanchax itanhaensis in a temporary pool near its type locality and in a roadside ditch from the same sub-basin. Despite extensive collection efforts over the years to find the species and concerns of potential regional extinction, five individuals were successfully sampled in February and March 2024. However, those newfound records raise concerns regarding the urgent necessity for conservation efforts in the species’ habitat. The current area, where the species was rediscovered, is under imminent threat of deforestation, emphasizing the imperative for ongoing monitoring.

Keywords:
Temporary environments;; Rivulidae; Itanhaém; Rio Preto; conservation