The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

ISSN 2307-8235 (online)

IUCN 2008: T172330A6869612

Parapsilorhynchus discophorus, Ratnagiri Minnow

Assessment by: Dahanukar, N.

View on www.iucnredlist.org

Citation: Dahanukar, N. 2013. Parapsilorhynchus discophorus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species 2013: e.T172330A6869612. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.20111.RLTS.T172330A6869612.en
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Taxonomy
Kingdom

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Animalia

Chordata

Actinopterygii

Cypriniformes

Cyprinidae

Taxon Name:Parapsilorhynchus discophorus Hora, 1921

Common Name(s):
English:

Ratnagiri Minnow

Taxonomic Notes:
Parapsilorhynchus discophorus was described by Hora (1921) from Pophli in the Vashishti valley,
Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra. Menon (1999) considered this species as a synonym of
Parapsilorhynchus tentaculatus following Hora (1925). However, this synonymy is invalid because P.
discophorus is distinctly different from P. tentaculatus (Yazdani and Rao 1977, Talwar and Jhingran 1991,
Jayaram 1999).

Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable B1ab(iii) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2013

Date Assessed:

September 26, 2010

Justification:
Parapsilorhynchus discophorus is endemic to the northern Western Ghats. Its extent of occurrence is
around 7,500 km, and it is found in 3-5 locations. The population is threatened by habitat modification
due to recreational activities especially on the mountain tops.

Geographic Range
Range Description:
Parapsilorhynchus discophorus is endemic to the Western Ghats of India (Dahanukar et al. 2004). The
species is found in both east and west flowing rivers of northern Western Ghats (Yadav 2003). It is found
in the Koyna River east of Mahabaleshwar and further southwest in Vasisthi Valley in Ratnagiri district
(Talwar and Jhingran 1991). The estimated extent of occurrence for this fish is around 7,500 km based
on the area of the hydro-basins in which it is found.

Country Occurrence:
Native: India (Maharashtra)

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Parapsilorhynchus discophorus published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T172330A6869612.en

Population
Quantitative estimate of population trends of Parapsilorhynchus discophorus are not available. However,
the species is relatively common in the Koyana River and associated streams (Jadhav et al. 2011).
Current Population Trend:Unknown

Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)

Parapsilorhynchus discophorus is found in first, second and third order seasonal streams during
monsoon season and it prefers rapid moving shallow clear water with the bottom made up of sand or
pebbles (N. Dahanukar, pers. obs.). As the streams start drying, the species migrates downstream in the
associated river; it shows altitudinal migration for breeding. It mainly feeds on diatoms and algae
(Dahanukar et al, Unpublished). Deforestation leading to siltation and recreational activities on the
mountains can destroy the habitat of this fish and such changes are common in the area where the fish
is found.

Systems:Freshwater

Use and Trade (see Appendix for additional information)

Parapsilorhynchus discophorus is of no interest to fisheries (Talwar and Jhingran 1991). However, it is
caught unintentionally by tribal people called Katkari and sold in local markets along with loaches (N.
Dahanukar, pers. obs.). Harvesting may not be a threat to this species.

Threats (see Appendix for additional information)

Deforestation and recreational activities on the mountain lead to siltation and degrade the habitat
required by Parapsilorhynchus discophorus for reproduction. Such changes are common in the areas
where the species is found (N. Dahanukar pers. obs.).

Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)

Currently there is no specific conservation action plan directed towards Parapsilorhynchus discophorus.
However, some part of the population is expected to be conserved in Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. Further
research and monitoring is essential to understand population status and threats to this species. Habitat
and resource protection could help in conserving this endemic species.

Credits
Assessor(s):

Dahanukar, N.

Reviewer(s):

Rema Devi, K.R., Gopalakrishnan, A., Arunachalam, M., Shrikant, J., Johnson, J.A.,
Rahul, K. & Molur, S.

Contributor(s):

Molur, S.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Parapsilorhynchus discophorus published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T172330A6869612.en

Bibliography
Dahanukar, N., Raut, R. and Bhat, A. 2004. Distribution, endemism and threat status of freshwater fishes
in the Western Ghats of India. Journal of Biogeography 31: 123-136.
Hora, S.L. 1921. Notes on fishes in the Indian Museum. I. On a new genus of fish closely resembling
Psilorhynchus, McClelland. Records of the Indian Museum 22(1): 13-17.
Hora, S.L. 1925. Notes on fishes in the Indian Museum. XI. On the fishes of the genus Parapsilorhynchus
Hora. Records of Indian Museum 27: 457.
IUCN. 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 2011.1). Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org.
(Accessed: 16 June 2011).
Jayaram, K.C. 1999. The freshwater fishes of the Indian region. Narendra Publishing House, Delhi.
Menon, A.G.K. 1999. Check list - fresh water fishes of India. Records of the Zoological Survey of India,
Occasional Paper No. 175.
Talwar, P.K. and Jhingran, A.G. 1991. Inland Fishes of India and adjacent countries. Oxford-IBH Publishing
Co. Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.
Yadav, B.E. 2003. Ichthyofauna of northern part of Western Ghats. Zoological Survey of India, Occasional
Paper No. 215, Kolkata.
Yazdani, G.M. and Rao, M.B. 1977. On the validity and redescription of Parapsilorhynchus discophorus
Hora with a key to the speceis of the genus. Biovigyanam 3: 247-249.

Citation
Dahanukar, N. 2013. Parapsilorhynchus discophorus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013:
e.T172330A6869612. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T172330A6869612.en

Disclaimer
To make use of this information, please check the Terms of Use.

External Resources
For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Parapsilorhynchus discophorus published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T172330A6869612.en

Appendix
Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Habitat

Season

Suitability

Major
Importance?

5. Wetlands (inland) -> 5.1. Wetlands (inland) - Permanent

Rivers/Streams/Creeks (includes waterfalls)

Suitable

Yes

5. Wetlands (inland) -> 5.2. Wetlands (inland) Seasonal/Intermittent/Irregular Rivers/Streams/Creeks

Suitable

Yes

Use and Trade

(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
End Use

Local

National

International

Food - human

Yes

No

No

Threats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Threat

Timing

Scope

Severity

Impact Score

6. Human intrusions & disturbance -> 6.1.

Recreational activities

Ongoing

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

Stresses:

1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation

Conservation Actions in Place

(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions in Place
In-Place Research, Monitoring and Planning
Action Recovery plan: No
Systematic monitoring scheme: No
In-Place Land/Water Protection and Management
Conservation sites identified: Yes, over part of range
Occur in at least one PA: Yes
Percentage of population protected by PAs (0-100): 30-35
Area based regional management plan: No
Invasive species control or prevention: No

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Parapsilorhynchus discophorus published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T172330A6869612.en

Conservation Actions in Place

In-Place Species Management
Harvest management plan: No
Successfully reintroduced or introduced beningly: No
Subject to ex-situ conservation: No
In-Place Education
Subject to recent education and awareness programmes: No
Included in international legislation: No
Subject to any international management/trade controls: No

Research Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.2. Population size, distribution & trends
1. Research -> 1.5. Threats
3. Monitoring -> 3.1. Population trends
3. Monitoring -> 3.4. Habitat trends

Additional Data Fields

Distribution
Estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) (km): 7500
Number of Locations: 3-5

Population
Population severely fragmented: No

Habitats and Ecology

Continuing decline in area, extent and/or quality of habitat: Yes
Movement patterns: Altitudinal Migrant

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Parapsilorhynchus discophorus published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T172330A6869612.en

The IUCN Red List Partnership

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership. The IUCN
Red List Partners are: BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation
International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas
A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London.

THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES