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Gilchristella

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gilchristella aestuaria
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Clupeiformes
Family: Ehiravidae
Genus: Gilchristella
Fowler, 1935
Species:
G. aestuaria
Binomial name
Gilchristella aestuaria
(Gilchrist, 1913)
Synonyms

Spratelloides aestuarius Gilchrist, 1913

Gilchristella aestuaria, the Gilchrist's round herring or estuarine round-herring,[2] is a member of the family Ehiravidae that occurs off the coasts of Southern Africa. It is the only species in its genus, which was named for John Dow Fisher Gilchrist (1866–1926).[3]

Information

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There are no indications of major threats to this species. It is considered to be of least concern for becoming an endangered species.[1]

Size

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The average length of the G. aestuaria as an unsexed male is about ten centimeters.[4]

Habitat

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The Gilchristella aestuaria can be found in a marine environment and in freshwater. The habitat is located in subtropical climates. This species is primarily found in estuaries, lagoons, lakes, and rivers.[4] It is considered an extremely important fish in estuaries of South Africa .[5] This small sardine-like fish lives in large shoals and provides an important link in the food chain as a food source to larger fish and water birds.[5] This fish does not survive in an aquarium, presumably dying from capture myopathy or stress.[5]

Distribution

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The Gilchristella aestuaria is distributed throughout the following areas:

  • Africa
  • Lake Piti
  • Mozambique
  • Southern African coast
  • Saldanha Bay
  • Orange River[4]
  • Namibia
  • South Africa
  • Eastern Cape Province
  • KwaZulu-Natal
  • Northern Cape Province [1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Bills, R. (2007). "Gilchristella aestuaria". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2007: e.T63245A12644478. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T63245A12644478.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Gilchristella aestuaria Estuarine round-herring". Animal Diversity. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  3. ^ "John Dow Fisher Gilchrist". Neglected Science. 2011. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  4. ^ a b c "Gilchristella aestuaria". Fish Base. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  5. ^ a b c Paul Skelton (1993). A Complete Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa. Southern Book Publishers. p. 390. ISBN 1-86812-350-2.
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