Neostethus thessa, locally known as bolinao, is a species of freshwater priapium fish endemic to Lake Mainit, Mindanao, Philippines. It is classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to its highly restricted range which is threatened by pollution and the introduction of invasive species of fish.[1][3]
| Neostethus thessa | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Atheriniformes |
| Family: | Phallostethidae |
| Genus: | Neostethus |
| Species: | N. thessa
|
| Binomial name | |
| Neostethus thessa (Aurich, 1937)
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Taxonomy
editNeostethus thessa was first described as Solenophallus thessa by the German ichthyologist Horst Joachim Aurich in 1937. It is a member of the genus Neostethus in the priapium fish family Phallostethidae[2][4]
Distribution and habitat
editNeostethus thessa is only found in Lake Mainit in northeastern Mindanao in the Philippines.[1]
Description
editNeostethus thessa swim in schools and feed near the surface of the water. They are small fish, reaching a length of only around 2.6 cm (1.0 in) for males and 2.9 cm (1.1 in) for females. They are transparent to opaque gray in color. Like other priapium fish (and the origin of their common name), the males are distinguished by a muscular clasping organ from modified fins found under their "chin". These are used by the males for mating with females via internal fertilization. The females attach their eggs to surfaces by sticky filaments.[1]
Conservation and uses
editNeostethus thessa is classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The lake it inhabits is only 173.40 km2 (66.95 sq mi) and is threatened by pollution from mining and agriculture runoffs and waste from residential areas around the lake. It is also threatened by the introduction of invasive species of fish, including the Nile tilapia and the Eurasian carp.[1][3]
Neostethus thessa is caught for food with fine-meshed nets.[1][3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Neostethus thessa: Torres, A.G., Ballad, E.L., Kesner-Reyes, K., Ame, E.C., Capuli, E., Leander, N.J.S., Palla, H.P., Angeles, I.J.P., Reyes, A.T., Garcia, M.P.C., Mamalangkap, M.D., Gaerlan, R.S.P., Gonzalez, J.C.T. & Guino-o, R.S. II: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T169507A90985282". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 10 September 2020. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T169507A90985282.en.
- ^ a b Froese, R., D. Pauly (2024). Bailly N (ed.). "Neostethus thessa (Aurich, 1937)". FishBase. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ a b c Uy, Wilfredo; De Guzman, Asuncion; Acuña, Rodrigo; Roa, Rey (9 December 2015). "Aquatic Biodiversity of Lake Mainit, Southern Philippines". Journal of Environment & Aquatic Resources. 3. doi:10.48031/msunjear.2015.03.01.
- ^ Aurich, Horst Joachim (1937). "Die Phallostethiden (Unterordnung Phallostethoidea Myers)". Internationale Revue der Gesamten Hydrobiologie und Hydrographie, Leipzig. 34 (3/5): 263-286.