area name

group

remarks

AFRICA

1

crabs

Lake Tanganyika is the only East African Great Lake where endemic species of freshwater crabs occur: of the 9 species and 2 genera present, one genus and 7 species are endemic. [NC/RvS]

2

lower Congo

crabs

Diversity is marked in the Congo river basin, but appear highest in two areas, the lower parts of the basin (including Congo, Cabinda and former Zaire) and the upper reaches (including Rwanda/Burundi and parts of former Zaire). [NC/RvS]

3

Madagascar

crabs

Four genera and 10 species of freshwater crabs, all endemic, occur in Madagascar. [NC/RvS]

4

Niger-Gabon

crabs

Southeast Nigeria, southern Cameroon, and Gabon: 3 endemic genera and more than 10 endemic species of freshwater crabs (Cumberlidge, 1998). [NC/RvS]

5

upper Congo

crabs

Diversity is marked in the Congo river basin, but appear highest in two areas, the lower parts of the basin (including Congo, Cabinda and former Zaire) and the upper reaches (including Rwanda/Burundi and parts of former Zaire). [NC/RvS]

6

Upper Guinea

crabs

Upper Guinean rainforest, centred on Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and western Côte d'Ivoire (including Mount Nimba): 2 endemic genera and 5 endemic species of gecarcinucids (Cumberlidge, 1996a,b, 1998; Türkay & Cumberlidge, 1998). [NC/RvS]

7

southern Africa

fairy shrimp

2 endemic genera, 45 species, 38 endemic.South Africa proper: 34 species, 22 endemic. [DB]

8

Cape rivers

fishes

With 4 families and 33 species the fish fauna of Southern Africa is rather poor in comparison with most other parts of the continent; most species are cyprinids. However, there is marked local endemism; most rivers in the southern Cape region have three or four native endemics (several species are threatened). [WCMC]

9

Congo (Zaire) basin

fishes

General region of very high richness; second only to the Amazon basin in species richness. 25 families and 686 species have been reliably reported from the Congo/Zaire basin, excluding Lakes Tanganyika and Moero (Teugels and Guegan, 1994). Around 548 of the species present (c 70%) are endemic to this basin. The basin can be divided into four sections: Upper Lualaba, Cuvette Centrale, Luapula-Mweru, and the rapids.. [WCMC]

10

Congo 'cuvette centrale'

fishes

High richness plus marked endemism.. Around 690 species occur in the Congo system; the Cuvette Centrale section possibly has the highest species richness owing to the great diversity of freshwater habitats available. [WCMC]

11

Congo rapids

fishes

High richness plus marked endemism. The rapids between Kinshasa and the sea have a high concentration of fish species (150 species), 34 of which are endemic to this section. The caves near Thysville are fed by the Congo system and support one of Africa’s few true hypogean fishes Caecobarbus geertsi. Caecomastacembelus brichardi and Gymnanallabes tihoni, not strictly cave fishes, have been collected in the Stanley Pool in riffles under flagstones or in crevices. [WCMC]

12

Cross River

fishes

Nigeria-Cameroon. 42 families, 166 species (Teugels et al., 1992); very high species diversity compared to the relatively modest catchment area, and marked endemism. Transitional ichthyofauna between the Nile-Sudan province and the Lower Guinea province. [WCMC]

13

fishes

This small (c 4.5 km2 ) crater lake in Cameroon has 15 species (plus another two present in the inflow stream, not the lake proper). At least 12 of the species are endemic, notably the 11 cichlids that form one of the two recorded ‘species flocks’ in West Africa. 4 of the five cichlid genera are endemic: Konia, Myaka, Pungu and Stomatepia. This very important site is at risk from over-fishing, the effects of introduced crustaceans and fishes, siltation from local deforestation and water pollution. [WCMC]

14

fishes

A very small (c 0.5 km2) crater lake in southwest Cameroon with 2 non-endemic fishes and a remarkable species flock of 9 tilapiine cichlids. The cichlids are very small in size and not exploited; they are at some risk because of the very small distribution and deforestation in the surrounding area. [WCMC]

15

fishes

30,800 km2.12 families, more than 645 species, most of them endemic to the lake. Rich species flocks among Cichlidae, and a small species flock of Clariidae. [WCMC]

16

fishes

The fish fauna of this large (3,150 km2) lake includes 21 species in 4 families and is dominated by lake endemic cyprinids. The large Barbus cyprinids form one of two recorded cyprinid species flocks (the other being that of Lake Lanao in Philippines, many species of which are severely threatened). [WCMC]

17

fishes

32,000 km2. In the lake itself, 16 families, more than 165 species of cichlids and 72 non-cichlid species. Several ‘species flocks’ are present not only in Cichlidae, but also among Clariidae, Bagridae, Mochokidae, Centropomidae, Mastacembelidae. In the whole Tanganyika basin, there are 21 fish families (7 endemic to Africa), at least 185 cichlid species (180 endemic), and 145 non-cichlids (61 endemic). [WCMC]

18

fishes

6,750 km2. 51 species, 35 genera, 17 families. High family and generic diversity, many of the species are lake endemic; cyprinids form the most diverse family. [WCMC]

19

fishes

68,800 km2. 12 families, 238-288 species (many undescribed). High species diversity dominated by cichlids. The majority of species are lake endemic. [WCMC]

20

Madagascar

fishes

Around 140 fish species have been recorded from brackish and freshwaters of Madagascar (Stiassny & Raminosoa, 1994), although species richness is not remarkable, endemism is high. Two endemic families (Bedotiidae and Anchariidae) have been recognised in Madagascar, as well as 13 endemic genera and 43 endemic species. Most endemic species are restricted to freshwater habitats, mainly in eastern forested regions. About one quarter of endemic species are known only from the type locality. Blind cave fishes have been described from Madagascar: the gobiid Glossogobius ankaranensis, and the elotrids Typheleotris madagascarensis and T. pauliani. [WCMC]

21

Niger basin

fishes

General region of high richness. 36 families, around 243 species, with 225 primary freshwater species (Teugels and Powell, 1993 and unpublished data). Endemism moderate: 20 species endemic to Niger. The basin includes 11 of the 13 primary freshwater families that are endemic to Africa. Teugels and Powell (1993 and unpublished data) reported 164 primary freshwater fishes from the Niger delta in Nigeria, based on reference specimens for each species; the high diversity (73 % of the freshwater species in the entire basin) in this area is seriously threatened by oil-pollution. [WCMC]

22

Ntem River

fishes

Cameroon. High richness for area, plus marked endemism. 16 families, 94 species, 8 endemic. [WCMC]

23

Ogooue (Ogowe) River

fishes

Gabon. High richness for area, plus marked endemism. 23 families, 185 species, 48 species endemic to Ogowe. A relatively small drainage basin with a very high concentration of species. Many of the families represented are endemic to Africa. Available data certainly underestimate actual diversity (several new species are now being described, resulting from a collaborative project of Tervuren Museum, the American Museum of Natural History and Cornell University). [WCMC]

24

Sanaga River

fishes

Cameroon. 21 families; high concentration of species in a small river basin; probably at least 135 (and this figure is believed to be a significant underestimate) (Teugels and Guegan). Between 10 and 18 species endemic to the Sanaga. [WCMC]

25

Upper Guinea rivers

fishes

High richness for area, plus marked endemism. The Upper Guinea province includes coastal rivers from south of the Kogon River in Guinea, to Liberia, and has faunal affinities with the lower Guinea province and the Congo/Zaire. The fauna includes many taxa endemic to the area (Lévêque et al., 1989; Lévêque et al., 1990, 1992). Many small river basins, many of them still poorly investigated. Konkoure River (Guinea): 19 families, 85 species, at least 10 endemic species. Kolente or Great Scarcies River (Guinea-Sierra Leone): 19 families, 68 species. Jong River (Sierra Leone): 20 families, 94 species. Saint-Paul River (Liberia): 19 families, 76 species. Cess-Nipoué River (Liberia-Côte d'Ivoire): 20 families, 61 species. [WCMC]

26

Volta basin

fishes

General region of high richness. 27 families, about 139 species, 8 endemic to Volta basin. High species richness with 9 of the 13 African endemic primary freshwater fish families represented (Lévêque, 1997). [WCMC]

27

moll.

Gastropods: 28 species, 16 endemic; 7 Endangered, 1 Vulnerable in 1996. Bivalves: 9 species, 1 endemic. [MSG]

28

moll.

Gastropods: 68 species, 45 endemic. 32 Endangered. Bivalves: 15 species, 8 endemic. [MSG]

29

moll.

Gastropods: 28 species, 13 endemic; 5 Endangered, 1 Vulnerable in 1996. Bivalves: 18 species, 9 endemic. [MSG]

30

Lower Congo basin

moll.

The region downstream of Kinshasa in Congo and Congo (DR) (former Zaire). Gastropods: 96 species, 24 endemic, 1 Endangered, 2 Vulnerable.Endemic Gastropods are almost all prosobranchs; 5 endemic 'rheophilous' (specialised for life in the rapids) genera, belonging to the Bithyniidae (Congodoma, Liminitesta) and Assimineidae (Pseudogibbula, Septariellina, Valvatorbis). Bivalves: no data. [MSG]

31

Madagascar

moll.

Gastropods: 30 species, 12 endemic, of which 1 Endangered. Genus Melanatria endemic. Bivalves: no data. [MSG]

32

Western lowland forest and Volta basin

moll.

Upper Guinea region in Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea. Around 28 gastropod species of which 19 endemic (and 9 near-endemic). 2 species ranked Critically Endangered in 1996. Bivalves: no data. [MSG]

AUSTRALASIA

33

New Guinea-Australia

crabs

The Mollucas, New Guinea and northern Australia: more than 30 species of freshwater crabs belonging to 5 genera, all in the Parathelphusidae. [NC/RvS]

34

SE Australia

Cray fish

large area of high richness and endemism, centred on Victoria, 35 spp. and Tasmania, 19 spp. [KC]

35

SW Australia

fairy shrimp

19 species, 12 endemic. [DB]

36

Fly River PNG

fishes

High species richness, 103 species in Fly proper, and high local endemism, 12 endemics in system. [GA]

37

Kikori River Lake Kutubu, PNG

fishes

Headwaters of Kikori and Purari systems, with Lake Kutubu. High richness, 103 species and high endemism, 16 species in Kikori; plus 14 species in Lake Kutubu. [GA]

38

Kimberley District, WA

fishes

14 endemic species (a density second only in Australia to Tasmania and equal to southwest Western Australia), including 5 species within Prince Regent Reserve and 4 in the Drysdale River area); and 47 species in total. [GA]

39

Aikwa (Iwaka) R. Irian Jaya

fishes

River near Timiki, Irian Jaya. High species richness: around 78 species. [GA]

40

SE Australia

fishes

11 endemic species occur in coastal southeast Australia, a lower count per area than the other three areas cited here, and 42 species in total. [GA]

41

SW Western Australia

fishes

There are 9 endemic species (ie. density similar to the Kimberleys), and 14 species in total. [GA]

42

Tasmania

fishes

12 endemic species, a greater number per area than anywhere else in Australia, including 6 concentrated in the Central Plateau area; and 24 species in total. [GA]

43

Vogelkop, Irian Jaya

fishes

Moderate richness with high local endemism, around 14 endemic species, including Triton and Etna Bay lakes. [GA]

44

Great Artesian basin, Australia

moll.

Springs and underground aquifers. Important area of gastropod diversity. Bivalves: no data. [MSG]

45

New Caledonia

moll.

Springs and underground aquifers. Gastropods: 81 species, 65 endemic; 40 Vulnerable, 3 Endangered, 1 Extinct. Bivalves: no data. [MSG]

46

Western Tasmania, Australia

moll.

Springs and underground aquifers. Important area of gastropod diversity. 4 species Extinct. Bivalves: no data. [MSG]

EURASIA

47

Indonesia

crabs

The area comprising Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi and the southern Philippines has the greatest freshwater crab diversity in Indo-Australia, with representatives of the Parathelphusidae (10 genera and 71 species) and the Gecarcinucidae (5 genera and 21 species). [NC/RvS]

48

Myanmar-Malaysia

crabs

Northeast India (Assam), Myanmar, Thailand, the Mekong basin in southern Indochina, to the Malaysian peninsula and Singapore. In this region there are an estimated 30 genera and over 100 species of freshwater crabs in three families, the Potamidae, the Parathelphusidae and the Gecarcinucidae (Alcock, 1910; Bott, 1970b; Ng, 1988; Ng & Naiyanetr, 1993). [NC/RvS]

49

south China

crabs

Only the Potamidae occur in China, but more than 160 species and subspecies in 22 genera are present, most of which are endemic. The southern provinces of China represent the hotspot of biodiversity for this country (Bott, 1970b; Ng & Dudgeon, 1991; Dai, Zhou, & Peng, 1995; Türkay & Dai, 1997; Dai, 1997; Dai & Türkay, 1997). [NC/RvS]

50

south India

crabs

The freshwater crabs of the Indian peninsula south of the Ganges basin are all endemic to the subcontinent and belong to two families, the Gecarcinucidae and the Parathelphusidae (Alcock, 1910; Bott, 1970b). The west coast of the peninsula and the south show most diversity: an estimated 7 endemic genera and about 20 endemic species in two families (the Parathelphusidae and the Gecarcinucidae). A third freshwater crab family, the Potamidae, is found only in northern India but is not represented in the Indian Peninsula. [NC/RvS]

51

Sri Lanka

crabs

Sri Lanka: some 16 endemic species of freshwater crabs belonging to three genera, one of which (Spiralothelphusa) is endemic to the island (Bott, 1970c; Ng, 1995). [NC/RvS]

52

Italy

fairy shrimp

16 species, 7 endemic. [DB]

53

Borneo highlands

fishes

The fish fauna of the highlands of Borneo seems to be poor in absolute number of species, but many of them have developed specialisation for hill-stream habitats and are endemic to single basins. The area is still largely unsurveyed. About 50 known endemic species, but actual figure might be over 200 (Kottelat et al., 1993). [MK]

54

Caspian Sea

fishes

Moderate species richness; although many species are shared with the Black Sea region, and/or the Aral basin, there is marked endemism, including the monotypic lamprey Caspiomyzon, around one dozen gobies, including monotypic genera Asra and Anatirostrum, also 3 Alosa. [WCMC]

55

Central Anatolia

fishes

An arid plateau with several endorheic lakes. About 20 endemic species, apparently underestimated by inadequate taxonomy. Adjacent areas also have a number of endemics. In urgent need of critical reassessment; probably one of the most poorly known fish faunas in Eurasia. [MK]

56

Coastal peatswamps and swamp forests of Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo

fishes

Includes Bangka island. Extent along eastern coast of Borneo not known. Probably formerly present on Java but apparently cleared. About 100 endemic species in peat swamp forests, an habitat type often restricted to a narrow fringe along the coasts, still largely unsurveyed. Although peat swamps are traditionally considered as an habitat with poor diversity, good data for limited areas in Malay Peninsula and Borneo indicate that up to 50 species may be found within a small area (less than 1 km2), about half of them endemic and stenotypic. Most species have small distribution ranges (some possibly only a few km2) (Kottelat et al., 1993; Ng, 1994; Ng et al., 1994; Kottelat & Lim, 1995). [MK]

57

Coastal rain forest of southeast Asia

fishes

Thailand, Cambodia and southern Vietnam. Southern extent not known accurately. This habitat is largely destroyed in Thailand, and virtually unsurveyed in Cambodia and Vietnam. Endemic species expected in peat swamp forests (Kottelat, 1985, 1989). [MK]

58

High Asia.

fishes

Boundaries not known with accuracy; includes the Tibetan plateau and probably parts of Chinese Turkestan. Distribution and ecological data are sparse outside the Chinese literature. About 150 known fish species, about half of them endemic to this area (Wu & Wu, 1992). Survey probably still superficial as a result of difficulties of access. [MK]

59

Karstic basins of Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi

fishes

Boundary not known with accuracy. About 14 known species of cave fishes. Survey is still superficial and numerous additional species are expected (Chen & Yang, 1993, updated). [MK]

60

L. Baikal, Siberia

fishes

A species flock of 36 species of the family Cottidae (sculpins) (including the endemic "family" Comephoridae), 4 "ecologically differentiated stocks" (many probably endemic species using western concepts) of Coregonus, 2 of Thymallus, 2 of Lota (Smith & Todd, 1984). Endemic molluscs, gammarids, sponges, and Baikal seal. [MK]

61

L. Biwa, Japan

fishes

Reportedly 4 endemic species (counted in Masuda et al., 1984). [MK]

62

L. El'gygytgyn, Siberia

fishes

An old lake formed on the site of a meteorite crater. 113 km2. Total fish diversity: 5 species, including an endemic genus and species (Salvethymus svetovidovi), an endemic species (Salvelinus elgyticus), and one species endemic to eastern Siberia (Salvelinus boganidae). Endemic diatom species and apparently endemic invertebrate(s) (Chereshnev, 1992; Chereshnev & Skopets, 1990). [MK]

63

L. Inle Myanmar/Burma

fishes

About 25 native fish species, about 10 of them endemic, including 3 endemic genera (Annandale, 1918; Kottelat, 1986). [MK]

64

L. Lindu, Sulawesi

fishes

Very limited information. One native and endemic species; others might be expected (Kottelat, 1990a). [MK]

65

L. Poso, Sulawesi.

fishes

10 native and endemic species, 2 endemic genera (both extinct ?) and with lake Lindu comprises the entire known distribution of the subfamily Adrianichthyinae (Kottelat, 1990a-c, 1991). Additional species might still be expected. [MK]

66

L. Thingvalla, Iceland.

fishes

5 native fish species, including 3 endemic Salvelinus (recent summary in Kottelat, 1997). [MK]

67

Lakes of British Isles.

fishes

A number of lakes host 1 or 2 species of Salvelinus, although information on individual lakes is usually inadequate. At the beginning of the century up to 14 species were recognised; although generally not accepted under later systematic conceptsmostly, recent work suggests that this figure may be underestimated. Also at least 5 endemic Coregonus, 1 endemic Clupeidae and potential for endemic Salmo (recent summary in Kottelat, 1997). [MK]

68

Lakes of Central Yunnan, China

fishes

Lakes Dianchi, Fuxian, Er Hai, Yangling, Yangzong, Xingyun, etc. have a distinctive fauna; despite the lakes being now in different river basins (Mekong, Yantgtze, Nanpangjiang), they have similar fauna, characterized by numerous endemic species in the genera Cyprinus, Schizothorax, Anabarilius and Yunnanilus. Exact up-to-date figures of the number of species are difficult to extract from the Chinese literature, but we have the following data: Dianchi: 25 native species, 11 endemic of which apparently all but 2 are extinct. The lake basin has 2 other endemics (Kottelat & Chu, 1988, updated); Fuxian: 25 native species, 12 endemic, + 2 endemic shared only with lake Xingyun (Yang & Chen, 1995); Er Hai: 17 native species, 9 endemic, several apparently extinct (Li, 1982, updated);Yangzong has (had) at least two endemics, Yangling and Xingyun at least one each. [MK]

69

Lough Melvin, Ireland.

fishes

Three endemic species of Salmo (recent summary in Kottelat, 1997). [MK]

70

lower Danube

fishes

The lower Danube basin has a relatively richer fauna (especially more diverse communities) than any European river. Endemics: about 6, possibly underestimated (counted in Kottelat, 1997). [MK]

71

Mainland South East Asian hills.

fishes

Northern boundary not clear as published data on actual fish distribution (and actual ground surveys) in southern China are too scanty. Could be subdivided into a) upper Song Hong (includes hills of Hainan and southern Nanpang Jiang); b) Annamite cordillera; c) upper Mekong, Chao Phraya and Mae Khlong basins; d) Salween, upper Irrawaddy, and southeastern Assam (including Tenasserim). Recorded fish fauna estimated to be over 1000 species (with an estimated 200-500 species still awaiting discovery), with 500 endemic to this area. Includes about some 400 known species endemic to head waters of individual sub-basins. The fauna of the lower reaches of the main rivers (excluded from this polygon) is richer (in terms of the number of species which can be observed at a given locality) but most have wide distributions crossing several river basins (Kottelat, 1989, 1990d, 1998). [MK]

72

Malili lakes, Sulawesi.

fishes

Most important single site for aquatic biodiversity in Asia. A complex of 5 lakes (Towuti, Matano, Mahalona, Wawontoa, Masapi) with endemic radiations of fishes of the families Telmatherinidae (3 genera, 15 species, all but one endemic), Hemiramphidae (3 endemic species), Oryziidae (3 endemic species), Gobiidae (at least 8, all but one endemic), prawns (about 12 species ?), crabs (4 species ?), molluscs (about 60 endemic species), etc. The distribution of the fishes is not uniform within the lakes, all but one of the species of lake Matano are endemic, while the others (and 2 genera) are endemic to Towuti, Mahalona, Wawontoa. Masapi has not yet been surveyed. Only 2 species of the Telmatherinidae are known outside this area. [MK]

73

Maros karst, Sulawesi

fishes

One endemic genus (possibly an artefact of limited collection; more surveys might show it to be present outside this area) and about 6 endemic species, including a cave species (Kottelat et al., 1993, updated). [MK]

74

Mindanao, Philippines

fishes

About 30 endemic species of cyprinids fishes, including about 18 endemic species of Puntius in Lake Lanao (all but 2 or 3 reportedly extinct) (Myers, 1960; Kornfield & Carpenter, 1984). Cyprinids are fishes which live only in freshwater and cannot disperse in marine environment; several other families also occur in the island's freshwaters, but all are able to disperse through the seas. [MK]

75

terranean drainage

fishes

Includes Spain, Portugal, southern France and northern Italy. The total diversity in the whole area is quite low, the communities are quite poor, but this area holds 55 endemics, many with small distribution ranges. 3 of the Rhône endemics extend almost to the northern extremity of the basin. Endemics: 1 Petromyzonidae, 1 Acipenseridae, 1 Clupeidae, 34 Cyprinidae, 5 Cobitidae, 6 Salmonidae, 1 Valenciidae, 1 Cyprinodontidae, 2 Cottidae, 1 Percidae, and 4 Gobiidae (counted in Kottelat, 1997). [MK]

76

Palawan, Philippines

fishes

About 10 recorded species of cyprinid fishes, actual figure probably higher. [MK]

77

southwest Balkans

fishes

The total diversity in the whole area is quite low, the communities are quite poor, but the area holds 84 endemics, most of them with restricted or very restricted distribution ranges: 1 Petromyzonidae, 2 Clupeidae, 48 Cyprinidae, 8 Cobitidae, 1 Balitoridae, 1 Siluridae, 13 Salmonidae, 1 Valenciidae, 1 Gasterosteidae, 1 Percidae, and 7 Gobiidae. The systematics of many groups is still very poorly known and more species will be be recognised or even discovered in the future (possibly 10-20). Noteworthy are lake Ohrid with apparently 4 endemic Salmo, lake Prespa with apparently 7 endemic species and the Vardar basin with at least 8 endemic species (Kottelat, 1997). [MK]

78

southwest Sri Lanka

fishes

28 of the 91 native fish species of Sri Lanka are endemic to this area. Several of the species traditionally given the same name as Indian species are being revised and turn out to be specifically distinct, so that the figure will rise (Pethiyagoda, 1991, 1994). [MK]

79

Subalpine lakes

fishes

Stretches from lake Bourget in the West to Traunsee in the East. Numerous endemic Coregonus (possibly >27, several already extinct), at least two endemic Salvelinus and possibly some endemic Salmo. Some lakes have more complex communities, e.g. lake Konstanz with 4 Coregonus, 2 Salvelinus, 1 Salmo and several other species (recent summary in Kottelat, 1997). [MK]

80

Sundaic foothills and floodplains

fishes

Probably formerly present on Java, but is mostly cleared. About 400 known species. Most of the floodplain species are widely distributed over the whole area, while those of foothill streams have a more localised distributions and are of greater interest in terms of endemicity. Northern limit: Tapi basin in Peninsular Thailand (Kottelat et al., 1993; Kottelat, 1989, 1995). [MK]

81

Western Ghats, India

fishes

About 100 endemic fish species (estimated from Talwar & Jhingran, 1991, updated; Pethiyagoda & Kottelat, 1994, ms.). Difficult to give accurate figures. Many wide ranging "species" of fishes in South Asia in fact are complexes of species, so that the actual number of species is likely to increase significantly after adequate systematic revision. [MK]

82

Balkans region

moll.

Former Yugoslavia-Austria-Bulgaria-Greece. Springs and underground aquifers. Gastropods: c 190 species, some 180 endemic; 3 Extinct, 9 Critically Endangered, 10 Endangered, 3 Vulnerable. Bivalves: no data. [MSG]

83

Chilka Lake [brackish water]

moll.

Gastropods: 28 species, c 11 endemic. Bivalves: 43 species, 25 endemic. [MSG]

84

Lake Baikal

moll.

Gastropods: 147 species, 114 endemic. Bivalves: 3 species, 13 endemic. [MSG]

85

Lake Biwa

moll.

Gastropods: 38 species, 19 endemic. Bivalves: 16 species, 9 endemic. [MSG]

86

Lake Inle

moll.

Gastropods: 25 species, 9 endemic. Bivalves: 4 species, 2 endemic. Bivalves: 4 species, 2 endemic. [MSG]

87

Lake Ohrid and Ohrid basin

moll.

Gastropods: 72 species, 55 endemic, 1 Extinct. Bivalves: no data. [MSG]

88

Lake Poso and Malili Lakes system

moll.

Sulawesi. Gastropods: c 50 species , c 40 endemic. 1 Extinct. Bivalves: 5 species, 2 endemic. 1 Extinct. [MSG]

89

Lower Mekong River

moll.

Lower Mekong in Thailand-Laos-Cambodia. River habitat. Only ca. 500 km of the lower Mekong main course (with the tributary Mun River) has been well-studied. Gastropods: 121 species, 111 endemic. Two rissoacean groups dominate this entirely prosobranch assemblage of over 120 species, the pomatiopsid Triculinae (92 endemic species, 11 endemic genera) and the Stenothyridae (19 endemic species). Bivalves: 39 species, 5 endemic. [MSG]

90

north Western Ghats

moll.

River habitat. Gastropods: c 60 species,10 endemic.2 endemic genera Turbinicola, Cremnoconchus. The succineid genus Lithotis is known from two species: L. tumida not collected since its description in 1870, and L. rupicola only known from a single locality. The highly localised genus Cremnoconchus is the only littorinid living in a freshwater/terrestrial environment. Bivalves: 11 species, 5 endemic. [MSG]

91

Zrmanja River, Croatia

moll.

Gastropods: all are hydrobioid snails, 11 species, 5 endemic. Bivalves: no data. [MSG]

NORTH AMERICA

92

southeast USA

fish

large area of high richness and endemism at generic and species level; including the eastern and southern Mississippi drainage (Ohio R, Tennessee R, to Ozark and Ouachita Mtns); 72 species in Alabama, 71 Tennessee. [KC]

93

western USA

fairy shrimp

26 species, 13 endemic. [DB]

94

Bear Lake

fishes

This lake is part of the Bonneville river basin and contains 1 local endemic (Prosopium gemmiferum); and 2 species that are now restricted to this site (Prosopium spilonotus and P. abyssicola) (Minkley et al, in Hocutt & Wiley, 1986). [WCMC]

95

Colorado basin

fishes

The largest basin of the west USA, this has high species richness and endemism, including 5 endemic genera of which only Plagopterus is monotypic (Bânârescu, P. 1991). About one third of the ichthyofauna of the Colorado is threatened, endangered or extinct due to dams and introduced species (Carlson, C.A., Muth, R.T. in Dodge, D.P. ed. 1989); 8 species appear in the 1996 IUCN Red List. [WCMC]

96

Cumberland Plateau (Cumberland +Tennessee rivers)

fishes

This area, consisting of the Tennessee and Cumberland river systems, has both the highest species richness and local endemism in North America. It is part of the highly diverse Mississippi basin, with some 240 species in total, 160 of which are present in both the Tennessee and Cumberland drainages, and 14 of these are endemic to the two basins. Of these 14, 10 are darters, 3 are minnows and 1 is a topminnow. The Tennessee has the greatest species diversity with 224 species including 25 endemics (as well as 64 not found in the Cumberland). The Cumberland has 176 native species, including 9 endemics and 16 species not shared with the Tennessee (Starnes& Etnier, in Hocutt & Wiley, 1986). [WCMC]

97

Death Valley region

fishes

There is a high level of local endemism associated with the dispersed pattern of springs and marshes. 4 families are present (Cyprinidae, Catostomidae, Cyprinodontidae and Goodeidae) with 9 species including an endemic species of Catostomidae (Minckley et al, in Hocutt & Wiley, 1986). Several are globally threatened, including 2 out of the 5 Cyprinodon species (Cyprinodom radiosus and C. diabolis) which are listed as endangered and vulnerable respectively in the 1996 IUCN Red List. [WCMC]

98

eastern USA

fishes

This is a general area of high species richness and endemism which, with the possible exception of the incompletely known East Asian fish species, represents the most diverse of all the freshwater faunas of the temperate zone (Bânârescu, P. 1991). This includes a) the Ozark Plateau, b) the Ouachita Mountains, c) the South Atlantic Central Plain and d) The Tennessee-Cumberland Plateau. [WCMC]

99

Klamath-upper Sacramento

fishes

The Klamath river basin contains 28 species in total with relatively high endemism. The 6 endemic species include 2 Catostomus, one Chasmistes and one Gila (Minckley et al, in Hocutt & Wiley, 1986). The ichthyofauna of the Sacramento differs from that of the Klamath and contains 4 genera that are confined to this river and a few neighbouring drainages (Bânârescu 1991). [WCMC]

100

Ouachita Mtns

fishes

This area includes parts of the lower Red and Ouachita rivers, each containing 133 species. The Ouachita and the Red River system both contain 18 endemic species (Cross, F.B. et al in Hocutt & Wiley, 1986). [WCMC]

101

Ozark Plateau

fishes

The Ozark Plateau is an area of high species diversity and particularly high local endemism in the southeast USA; it represents a concentration of the species-rich southwestern Mississippi drainage (more than 30 endemic fish species) (Bânârescu, P. 1991). [WCMC]

102

Rio Grande-Pecos confluence

fishes

The Rio Grande basin overall has over 60 endemic species (Bânârescu, P., 1991) and the Pecos, a tributary, has 5 (Smith, M.L, Rush Miller, R. in Hocutt & Wiley, 1986). Many of the endemics occur at the confluence of the two rivers, and many are listed as globally threatened in the 1996 IUCN Red List. [WCMC]

103

S Oregon-California rivers

fishes

These rivers share few family similarities with the eastern USA and have about 25% of the number of species but the region is high in local endemism. [WCMC]

104

southern Atlantic coastal plain

fishes

This includes the Alabama-Tombigbee river basin with a species-rich fauna, including about 40 endemic taxa (Swift, C.C. et al. in Hocutt & Wiley, 1986). This region also contains the Pearl River, with 106 species (Swift et al in Hocutt & Wiley, 1986), and the species rich lower Mississippi. [WCMC]

105

arid/semi-arid Western USA

moll.

Springs and underground aquifers. Gastropods: all are hydrobioid snails, c 100 species, at least 58 endemic. Great radiation in genus Pyrgulopsis. 3 extinct species, and all other are candidates for listing by USFWS. Bivalves: no data. [MSG]

106

Cuatro Cienegas basin, Mexico

moll.

Springs and underground aquifers. Gastropods: all are hydrobiids; 12 species, more than 9 endemic, 1 Critically Endangered, 3 Vulnerable in 1996. 5 genera (Nymphophilus, Coahuilix, Paludiscala, Mexithauma, Mexipyrgus) are endemic to this small area of 30 x 40 km. Bivalves: no data. [MSG]

107

Florida, USA

moll.

Springs and underground aquifers. Gastropods: mostly hydrobiid snails. 84 species, c 43 endemic. No bivalves. [MSG]

108

Mobile Bay basin

moll.

Tombigbee-Alabama rivers. River habitat. Gastropods: 118 species, 110 endemic; 6 endemic genera; greatest species richness (76 spp) in Pleurocercidae. 38 of the gastropod species believed extinct, 1 Endangered, 70 candidates for listing by USFW. Bivalves: 74 species, 40 endemic, 25 extinct. [MSG]

109

Ohio-Tennessee rivers

moll.

Eastern Mississippi drainage. River habitat. High species richness and endemism. 16 Extinct bivalves. [MSG]

SOUTH AMERICA

110

Central America

crabs

The freshwater crabs of Central America belong to families (the Pseudothelphusidae and the Trichodactylidae) both of which are exclusively Neotropical. The region of Central America from Mexico to Panama, including some of the Caribbean islands holds at least 22 genera and over 80 species of pseudothelphusid crabs, and 4 genera and about 10 species of trichodactylids. The Isthmus of Tehuantepec in central Mexico is a hotspot of biodiversity for freshwater crabs in Central America (Alvarez & Villalobos, 1991; Rodriguez, 1986), and richness declines toward to the south and north. The seven species of freshwater crab belonging to a single genus found in Cuba are all endemic to that island (Chace & Hobbs, 1969). [NC/RvS]

111

S America

crabs

Two freshwater crab families (Pseudothelphusidae, Trichodactylidae) endemic to the Neotropics occur in South America. The former family includes air-breathing forms restricted to cooler stream habitats, often in mountain regions; the latter are gill-breathing and flourish in warmer lowland rivers. Freshwater crabs do not extend to southern Chile or southern Argentina. There are an estimated 17 genera and over 90 species of pseudothelphusids, found mainly in the highland regions of Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and the Guianas, and on the islands of the southern Caribbean, and 12 genera and over 40 species of trichodactylids found in the Amazon basin. The Cordilleras of Colombia (Rodriguez & Campos, 1989; Rodriguez & Pereira, 1992), coastal Venezuela and the Guianas (Rodriguez, 1986; Rodriguez & Pereira 1992), and the highland areas of Ecuador and Peru (Rodriguez & Sternberg, 1998) are all diversity hotspots for freshwater crabs. The Amazon basin is rich in species(Rodriguez, 1982, 1992; Magalhães & Türkay, 1996a,b,c), but most are widespread in the basin, and it is not possible yet to delimit special areas. [NC/RvS]

112

southern S America

fairy shrimp

18 species, 14 endemic. [DB]

113

Altiplano of the Andes

fishes

Species flock of Orestias with 43 or more species, representing an endemic subfamily, Orestiinae, of the Cyprinodontidae. [SK]

114

Amazon River basin

fishes

The Amazon (with adjacent Tocantins) basin probably has about 3000 species, and is one gigantic hotspot. The Amazon fauna equals or exceeds other continental faunas in species richness. Endemism in tributaries and subtributaries makes up most of the overall diversity, rather than the main Amazon itself. Only a few of the constituent rivers have been studied in any detail. [SK]

115

Aripuanã River, a tributary of the Madeira

fishes

A tributary of the Madeira; known to have a highly endemic but still little studied fauna upstream of the lowermost falls, with at least 10 endemic species, some restricted to rapids. [SK]

116

Central America between the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and Isthmus of Panama

fishes

280 freshwater fish species, all endemic. [SK]

117

Iguaçu River

fishes

Rio Iguaçu, on the border between Argentina and Brazil, tributary to the Rio Paraná. Its fish fauna is separated from the Rio Paraná by the Iguaçu Falls, which do not permit any migration. The fish fauna is highly endemic, with about 50 endemic species out of a total of 65 species (ca 80%). There are considerable difficulties with the nomenclature and systematic status of the Iguaçu fish species, most belonging to groups that have never been revised. Nonetheless, the high endemism will probably remain above 50%. The endemic fauna, mainly a running water one, is highly endangered by hydroelectric power projects, pollution and introduced species. The fauna is not protected. Basic information can be obtained from Agostinho and Gomes (1997). [SK]

118

La Plata basin, comprising the Uruguay, Paraguay and Paraná rivers

fishes

Comprising the Uruguay, Paraguay and Paraná rivers, with mainly endemic species, including numerous local endemics, and marked by numerous waterfalls providing isolation. Number of species unknown, but estimated fewer than 1000, possibly about 600. Taken together, the tributaries of the Paraná down to about Encarnación have a very high number of local endemics, often restricted to a single river, most of which are separated from the Paraná by one or more waterfalls near the mouth. Many of these have not been described or examined by a specialist, but are known only from occasional collections made before the Itaipu, Acaray and Yacyretá dams were constructed. Unfortunately, EIA for those dams did not result in any significant collections to show what species were in the area before the dams were built. A lesser collection of pre-dam fishes is available in MNHNP (Paraguay) and the Muséum d'Histoire naturelle de Genève (Switzerland). [SK]

119

Lago Titicaca

fishes

Lago Titicaca and smaller lakes of the Altiplano extending from Chile to Peru, hold a large number of species of the genus Orestias (Cyprinodontidae), 23 are endemic to Titicaca. The genus, with a total of 43 species has a narrow range from northern Chile to southern Peru. The lake species flocks may not be monophyletic (Parenti 1984), but the group certainly attained its present species richness in the area. The sister group are the North American Cyprinodontidae. Other highland Andean fish families include the Astroblepidae, ranging from Bolivia across Peru and Ecuador into Colombia, and many trichomycterid fishes (Trichomycteridae) occur. Lago Titicaca with its Orestias fauna is the only identifiable 'hotspot'. [SK]

120

Marowijne/Maroni River drainage

fishes

Marowijne/Maroni River drainage in Guyana and Surinam: known to have many endemic species above the falls, with the same genera as in the rest of the Guianas area. [SK]

121

Mata Atlántica.

fishes

The Mata Atlántica has numerous endemic species, in small mountain streams or in the few major river systems, most incompletely known. The Rio Ribeira has 77 species, and similar numbers appear to be in the other rivers. The Jequitinhonha is notable for several endemic species, including one of Rhamdia, which is otherwise represented by only a few widespread species in South America. The Mata Atlantica fauna extends to eastern Uruguay and southeastern Paraguay as numerous fragmented habitat patches, and although not high in species richness (perhaps around 150), has a large number of locally restricted species, with related species replacing each other from one river to another. [SK]

122

Mazaruni and Potaro Rivers in the Guyana highlands

fishes

Mazaruni and Potaro Rivers in the Guyana highlands: separated from the rest of the Essequibo system by falls, with several endemic species, but little explored. [SK]

123

Mesa Central, Mexico

fishes

Endemic subfamily Goodeinae of family Goodeidae with about 36 species. [SK]

124

Mexican Plateau

fishes

125

Negro River and upper Orinoco River

fishes

Negro River and upper Orinoco River in Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela, with at least 700 species, probably nearer to 1000, many of which are endemic to the clear and black waters distinguishing the basin. [SK]

126

Nicaraguan lakes

fishes

The Nicaraguan Great Lakes (Nicaragua and Managua) in the San Juan Basin do not have great numbers of species (about 16 cichlids), but endemism is high (9 endemic species, 2 endemic genera). [SK]

127

Orinoco River basin

fishes

More than 1000 species, most of which may be endemic. There is much local endemism as habitats vary considerably, including lowland inundation savannahs, fast flowing mountain rivers, etc. Includes thus different biogeographic regions. [SK]

128

Oyapock River

fishes

Shared between Brazil and French Guiana, known to have many endemic species, especially rheophilic, from the lowermost falls upstream. Still little studied. [SK]

129

Pacific Coast of Colombia and Ecuador

fishes

Although a high-rainfall region there are few large rivers. The fauna is poor, but species are highly endemic to the region and to particular rivers or portions of rivers. In particular, the Baudó River and San Juan River in Colombia seem to have numerous endemics. Possibly the Atrato River should be included. [SK]

130

Patagonia

fishes

Argentina and Chile, from around the R Negro southward (except the most arid areas). Low diversity but endemic relict fauna of more general southern hemisphere type, with families such as Geotriidae and Galaxiidae, and also the endemic catfish family Diplomystidae with six species, the monotypic catfish family Nematogenyidae, and four species of the percoid family Percicihtyidae. This is not a hotspot of species richness, but a region of considerable local endemism, and a fauna completely different from that of the rest of South America. The Nematogenyidae are related to the Loricariidae and Trichomycteridae of northern South America (the Brazilian fauna), but the Diplomystidae are the most primitive living catfish family. The scaleless characid Gymnocharacinus bergii represents the Brazilian fauna, but lives isolated in one Patagonian locality in the Sumuncurá mountain which maintains about 22.5°C water temperature year-round. [SK]

131

Rio Panuco Basin

fishes

A small drainage with about 75 species, c 30% endemic, including several closely related species of Herichthys (Cichlidae). eastern Mexico, about 25 endemic out of about 75 known species. [SK]

132

Upper Uruguay River

fishes

The river is relatively well known from collections made by teams of the Museu de Zoologia of the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul during environmental impact assessment in the area, which is destined for numerous hydroelectric power plants. The MCP collections concern the middle and upper portions, located in Brazil. More than 130 species of fish are recorded from the middle and upper Uruguay, and the number is likely to rise to over 150 at least. About half of those may be endemic. Lucena & Kullander described 11 species of Crenicichla from the Uruguay River, and noted that this is double the number of a similar Amazonian river. Six of the species form a species flock originating on site and diversifying by trophic adaptation similar to cichlids of East African Lakes. The lower Uruguay river, along the Argentinian-Uruguayan border is very little studied, and may have fewer endemics. [SK]

133

Western Amazonia

fishes

Lowland Amazonian Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, and parts of Brazil, representing a large expanse of lowland Amazonia, very rich in species, but not well studied. Work in Peru and Ecuador suggest that there may be at least 1000 species in the area, and at least half may be endemic. [SK]

134

Lake Titicaca

moll.

Gastropods: 24 species, 15 endemic. Bivalves: no data. [MSG]

Lower Uruguay River and Rio de la Plata

moll.

Argentina-Uruguay-Brazil. Gastropods: 54 species, 26 endemic. Bivalves: 39 species, 8 endemic. [MSG]

136

Parana River

moll.

More the 7 species, 7 endemic, of which 3 are extinct in the wild. Bivalves: no data. [MSG]