Estado de conservación de los peces de la familia Goodeidae (Cyprinodontiformes) en la mesa central de México / Conservation status of Goodeidae familiy fishes (Cyprinodontiformes) from the Mexican Central Plateau

To establish the conservation status and threats for Goodeidae fishes in the high plateau of Mexico, I assessed limnological descriptions,and the reduction in range and in number of localities where they are found, in 53 localities (58.8% of historically reported localities). This assessment included the comparison of current collections with historical records. A principal component analysis of limnological variables showed that most remnant Goodeid species inhabit localities characterised by low environmental degradation: few appear to have a high tolerance to environmental degradation. Overall, 65% of species suffered a reduction in number of localities where they are found. Almost all species face some conservation threat,considering the criteria and categories established by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Data suggest that one species is extinct (Allotoca catarinae), one more is extinct in the wild (Skiffia francesae), eight are critically endangered (Allodontichthys hubbsi, Allotoca goslinei, Allotoca regalis, Allotoca zacapuensi, Ameca splendens, Characodon audax,Hubbsina turneri,and Zoogoneticus tequila), eleven are endangered, eight can be regarded as vulnerable, four are "near threatened" and only two appear to under "least concern". Habitat loss, introduction of exotic fish, and being species with restricted physiographic range or ecologically specialised, are the main factors leading to the threat of extinction of the Goodeidae family. Recovery actions are needed for the conservation of this fish group.

Se estableció el estado de conservación y se identificaron los riesgos que presentan los peces de la familia Goodeidae en la Mesa Central de México. Para ello se evaluó la disminución en el número de localidades y el área de distribución, y se incorporó una descripción limnológica en 53 localidades. Esta evaluación incluyó una comparación de las colecciones actuales con registros históricos de la distribución de la familia. Un análisis de componentes principales de las variables limnológicas indicó que la mayoría de las especies de goodeidos habitan localidades caracterizadas por tener poca degradación ambiental, y sólo pocas especies parecen tener elevada tolerancia a dicho estado de contaminación. Los resultados de la disminución histórica de localidades y del área de distribución sugieren que el estado de conservación de las especies (de acuerdo con los criterios de la IUCN) es el siguiente: una especie está extinta (Allotoca catarinae), una especie está extinta en la naturaleza (Skiffia francesae, ya que existen ejemplares en cautiverio, ocho están en peligro crítico (Allotoca goslinei, Allotoca regalis, Allotoca zacapuensis, Allodontichthys hubbsi, Ameca splendens, Characodon audax, Hubbsina turneri y Zoogoneticus tequila, once están en peligro, ocho se consideran como vulnerables, cuatro se pueden considerar en riesgo próximo y sólo dos parecen no enfrentar ningún riesgo. En conclusión, la pérdida de hábitat, la introducción de especies exóticas de peces, el ámbito geográfico restringido y la especialización ecológica de las especies son los principales factores de riesgo para las especies estudiadas de la familia Goodeidae. La supervivencia de este grupo requiere acciones para su conservación.

[Conservation status of Goodeidae familiy fishes (Cyprinodontiformes) from the Mexican Central Plateau]. / Estado de conservación de los peces de la familia Goodeidae (Cyprinodontiformes) en la mesa central de México.

Conservation status of Goodeidae familiy fishes (Cyprinodontiformes) from the Mexican Central Plateau. To establish the conservation status and threats for Goodeidae fishes in the high plateau of Mexico, I assessed limnological descriptions, and the reduction in range and in number of localities where they are found, in 53 localities (58.8% of historically reported localities). This assessment included the comparison of current collections with historical records. A principal component analysis of limnological variables showed that most remnant Goodeid species inhabit localities characterised by low environmental degradation: few appear to have a high tolerance to environmental degradation. Overall, 65% of species suffered a reduction in number of localities where they are found. Almost all species face some conservation threat, considering the criteria and categories established by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Data suggest that one species is extinct (Allotoca catarinae), one more is extinct in the wild (Skiffia francesae), eight are critically endangered (Allodontichthys hubbsi, Allotoca goslinei, Allotoca regalis, Allotoca zacapuensi, Ameca splendens, Characodon audax, Hubbsina turneri, and Zoogoneticus tequila), eleven are endangered, eight can be regarded as vulnerable, four are "near threatened" and only two appear to under "least concern". Habitat loss, introduction of exotic fish, and being species with restricted physiographic range or ecologically specialised, are the main factors leading to the threat of extinction of the Goodeidae family. Recovery actions are needed for the conservation of this fish group.