Beneficiary   Background   Objectives   Benefiting Regions   Species   Habitat   Project Administration  

Beneficiary:

Consejería de Agricultura, Agua y Medio Ambiente, 
c/ Catedrático Eugenio Ubeda, 3 - 3° pl., E-30071  MURCIA - España

 Project Manager:   Encarnación MUÑOZ MARTÍNEZ,  Tel: +34968228848,  Email: juanf.martinez@carm.es

 Status of Organisation: PUBLIC

Project Background

The Iberian toothcarp Aphanius iberus is a small fish species (< 5cm) that dwells typically in extremely variable environments, such as the ecotones between the inland and the marine environments, river mouths, etc. It is endemic to the Spanish coastline, and presents two discrete and quite different populations, one in the Mediterranean coast (from N Cataluña to Almería) and the other one in the Atlantic west of the Gibraltar Strait. The Mediterranean population, probably a single species itself, presents a discrete distribution made up of several populations with different genetic identities.

The overall regression has caused the disappearance of 40% of the 30 nuclei that once were recorded, a situation that is affecting the Murcian variety of the species as well, dividing its range into smaller and smaller subpopulations. It is necessary to act upon the reasons for this decay, namely the destruction of the species’ habitat or the implementation of unsuitable land uses and practices, the proliferation of exotic species that compete or predate it, and the absence of specific knowledge about the species, which impedes on proper management and awareness raising activities.

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Project Objectives

The aim of this LIFE project is to preserve the individual populations of the Iberian toothcarp present within the Murcia region, covering its entire regional distribution range. Both "in situ" and "ex situ" conservation measures are foreseen in the project. The "in situ" conservation involves habitat management and the eradication of competing alien fish species in the Upper Chícamo River and the restoration of some saltpans as important habitats for the toothcarp. For "ex situ" conservation, some facilities will be arranged and a protocol will be drafted and executed for the stocking and captive breeding of the toothcarp. Training courses for managers and awareness raising to stakeholders will complement the drawing up and adoption of the species’ recovery plan, ensuring the continuity of this conservation programme in the future.

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Benefiting Countries and Regions

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Name of Target Species

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Name of Target Habitat Types

·  Unknown (site without information)

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Project Administration

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         Última actualización: 10 de Febrero 2007

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