Oncorhynchus formosanus
Encyclopedia
Oncorhynchus masou formosanus, the Formosan landlocked salmon or Taiwanese salmon, is a freshwater salmonid fish endemic to Taiwan
.
The Formosan landlocked salmon is a subspecies of the more widespread West-Pacific cherry salmon (or masu salmon). This Taiwanese subspecies is critically endangered
, being at high risk for extinction
, and is protected in its native habitat. The Formosan land-locked salmon is one of the rarest fish in the world. Once a staple of the Taiwanese aborigine diet, there are now barely more than 400 of these type of salmon left. Overfishing
has led to its decline. Conservationists are trying to save this subspecies which is threatened nowadays mainly by pollution
.
Formosan landlocked salmon are about a foot in length and inhabit cold, slow-flowing streams with gently sloping beds at elevations above 1,500 m, such as the Chichiawan Stream and the Kaoshan Stream (formerly named Hsuehshan
Stream/Wuling Stream) in the upper reaches of the Tachia River
.
The taxonomic rank of the endemic Taiwanese salmon is in dispute. Some authors consider it not distinct from the nominate cherry salmon (O. masou masou), others as a regional subspecies O. masou formosanus, and still others list is as a full species O. formosanus.
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
.
The Formosan landlocked salmon is a subspecies of the more widespread West-Pacific cherry salmon (or masu salmon). This Taiwanese subspecies is critically endangered
Critically endangered
Version 2010.3 of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 3744 Critically Endangered species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and subpopulations.Critically Endangered by kingdom:*1993 Animalia*2 Fungi*1745 Plantae*4 Protista-References:...
, being at high risk for extinction
Extinction
In biology and ecology, extinction is the end of an organism or of a group of organisms , normally a species. The moment of extinction is generally considered to be the death of the last individual of the species, although the capacity to breed and recover may have been lost before this point...
, and is protected in its native habitat. The Formosan land-locked salmon is one of the rarest fish in the world. Once a staple of the Taiwanese aborigine diet, there are now barely more than 400 of these type of salmon left. Overfishing
Overfishing
Overfishing occurs when fishing activities reduce fish stocks below an acceptable level. This can occur in any body of water from a pond to the oceans....
has led to its decline. Conservationists are trying to save this subspecies which is threatened nowadays mainly by pollution
Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light...
.
Formosan landlocked salmon are about a foot in length and inhabit cold, slow-flowing streams with gently sloping beds at elevations above 1,500 m, such as the Chichiawan Stream and the Kaoshan Stream (formerly named Hsuehshan
Hsuehshan
Xueshan or Hsuehshan or Snow Mountain is the second highest mountain in Taiwan and in East Asia. At above sea level.It is located in the Shei-Pa National Park and it is visible in good weather from Taiwan's capital -Taipei- nearby hills....
Stream/Wuling Stream) in the upper reaches of the Tachia River
Tachia River
The Dajia River is a river in north-central Taiwan. It flows through Taichung City for 124 km.The sources of the Dajia are: Hsuehshan and Nanhu Mountain in the Central Mountain Range...
.
The taxonomic rank of the endemic Taiwanese salmon is in dispute. Some authors consider it not distinct from the nominate cherry salmon (O. masou masou), others as a regional subspecies O. masou formosanus, and still others list is as a full species O. formosanus.