Schistura tenuraSchistura tenura

Conservation Actions

The entire Nam Leuk catchment is within the Phou Khao Khouy National Biodiversity Conservation Area, however no attention has been given to aquatic organisms. Research is urgently needed to determine whether the species occurs within in the reservoir and if it is still present elsewhere within the catchment (M. Kottelat pers, comm. 2011).

Location Information

This species is known from the Nam Leuk catchment, Lao PDR. In 1997, construction of the Nam Leuk dam began and was completed in 1999. The known geographic range of this species now occurs almost entirely downstream of the Nam Leuk dam, where very little water remains. No suitable habitat is expected to remain upstream of the dam. Based on the ecological parameters of most species of Schistura species, this species is not expected to survive in the reservoir created by the construction of the Nam Leuk dam (Kottelat 2000, M. Kottelat pers comm. 2011).

Geographic Range

Possibly Extinct

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Population Information

Known from an environmental impact assessment survey carried out in the area in 1997, and also collected in 1998 by Rainboth (W. Rainboth, pers. comm). It has not been observed again as no further research has been carried out in the area (Kottelat 2000).

Threats

The known geographic range of this species now occurs almost entirely downstream of the Nam Leuk dam (which was completed in 1999). No suitable habitat is expected to remain upstream of the dam and very little water remains downstream of the dam. Logging, deforestation and agriculture also occur in the area, with associated impacts on the aquatic environment through soil erosion, sedimentation and agricultural pollution expected.

IUCN Red List Account Link

Please click here to see the species' IUCN Red List Account page.