Barbus reinii
Encyclopedia
Barbus reinii is a ray-finned fish species
in the family
Cyprinidae. It is provisionally retained in Barbus
like many others, but this will almost certainly change in the foreseeable future. The IUCN for example notes that the taxonomy
of this species is in need of revision, but until a thorough study is conducted it retains the
species in its traditional genus.
It does seem to be fairly close to the core group around the typical barbels (Barbus and the doubtfully distinct Luciobarbus
and Messinobarbus) though. But it is closer still to Carasobarbus
and the yellowfish (Labeobarbus), and either is a lineage of the former, or part of a distinct genus, or included in the latter (maybe together with the former).In any case, as long as these are considered distinct, "B." reinii would have to be moved out of Barbus too prevent that genus from being polyphyletic.
It is endemic to Morocco
, where its natural habitat
is just the lower Tensift River. Though this is a major watercourse and the species is still quite plentiful, water pollution
(particularly with domestic waste) and unsustainable water extraction (particularly for irrigation
agriculture
) causes it to decline in numbers. It is therefore classified as Vulnerable
by the IUCN.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
in the family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Cyprinidae. It is provisionally retained in Barbus
Barbus
Barbus is a ray-finned fish genus in the family Cyprinidae. The type species of Barbus is the Common Barbel, first described as Cyprinus barbus and now named Barbus barbus...
like many others, but this will almost certainly change in the foreseeable future. The IUCN for example notes that the taxonomy
Taxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
of this species is in need of revision, but until a thorough study is conducted it retains the
species in its traditional genus.
It does seem to be fairly close to the core group around the typical barbels (Barbus and the doubtfully distinct Luciobarbus
Luciobarbus
Luciobarbus is a somewhat disputed genus of ray-finned fishes in the family Cyprinidae. Its species are mainly found around the Mediterranean region. Its type species is the Mangar , for which the genus was established by Heckel in 1843...
and Messinobarbus) though. But it is closer still to Carasobarbus
Carasobarbus
Carasobarbus is a small genus of ray-finned fishes in the family Cyprinidae. Its species are found around the Near East region.Like many other "barbs", it was long included in Barbus...
and the yellowfish (Labeobarbus), and either is a lineage of the former, or part of a distinct genus, or included in the latter (maybe together with the former).In any case, as long as these are considered distinct, "B." reinii would have to be moved out of Barbus too prevent that genus from being polyphyletic.
It is endemic to Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
, where its natural habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
is just the lower Tensift River. Though this is a major watercourse and the species is still quite plentiful, water pollution
Water pollution
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies . Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds....
(particularly with domestic waste) and unsustainable water extraction (particularly for irrigation
Irrigation
Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall...
agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
) causes it to decline in numbers. It is therefore classified as Vulnerable
Vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
by the IUCN.