Evaluation of population trends and genetic diversity of the critically endangered Lisbon Arched-mouth Nase (Iberochondrostoma olisiponensis)

Captive breeding of the Lisbon nase 

An ex-situ conservation pilot program was initiated in 2008, and successful reproduction in captivity has since been achieved for I. olisiponensis. The ex-situ stock of individuals has been maintained and grown to the present day. Given the encouraging results of the pilot program, the team has been working together with several partners in the development of long-term program of ex-situ conservation for the Lisbon arched-mouth nase. 

Current status of the wild populations of the Lisbon nase 

During the year 2016, we will conduct exhaustive field surveys aiming at establishing the full distribution range of the species and detecting possible additional populations of the Lisbon arched-mouth nase. Environmental data collection will be performed on all sampling sites, and individual abundances will be estimated in sites where the species is detected. These data will serve as the basis for a detailed characterization of the species distribution range and its future spatial modeling.

Additional data on individual body length, age, sex, and body condition will be collected, as well as tissue samples for molecular genetic analyses. By doing so, we aim to evaluate the demographic structure of the different populations of the Lisbon arched-mouth nase, the individual body condition in the different river drainages where the species is found, and also the species’ current genetic diversity levels and distribution.

The work described above is part of the project entitled "Evaluation of population trends and genetic diversity of the critically endangered Lisbon Arched-mouth Nase (Iberochondrostoma olisiponensis)”, funded by the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund.
 

For more information about this project, click here.