Romanogobio benacensis
The Po - gudgeon ( Romanogobio benacensis ) is a highly endangered species of fish in the carp family. The originally used in rivers of northern Italy and Slovenia type is from their ancestral habitat of an entrained relative, the gudgeon ( gobio Gobio ) displaced.
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the Po gudgeon was originally limited to the river basins of the Po in northern Italy and the Isonzo and the Reka River in Slovenia. However, it was also introduced to central Italy in the river basins of the Arno and Ombrone. The species lives next to the large main currents, channels, hot streams and ponds. Po - gudgeons are found usually on a sandy bottom, but avoid strong currents.
Appearance
With a standard length of up to tens of centimeters, and species typical physique of Po - Gudgeon to distinguish externally from its European relatives by the number of scales between the anal fin and anus. The type has only the two or three scales, while other members of the genus Romanogobio and also the gudgeon (G. gobio ) carry four to eight scales in this area. The ventral scales range from the base of the pectoral fin to the pelvic fins.
Way of life
Living in small groups Po gudgeon feeds primarily on small invertebrates. The mating season lasts from April to June is spawned in several portions over a sandy bottom. Seven to eight days after oviposition, the larvae hatch. The offspring planted himself at the age of one to two years for the first time on. Po - gudgeons experience one or two reproductive periods and reach an age of four years.
System
The Po - gudgeon was transferred from Kottelat and Freyhof of the genus Gobio in the genus Romanogobio 2007. Bianco sees this change is not covered by the results of genetic tests.
Status
The ancestral distribution area of the Po gudgeon is relatively large, but the remaining deposits are limited to relatively few sites and the population is highly fragmented. The main reason is probably the purposes of sport fishing extensively introduced gudgeon (G. gobio ), which competes with native species and replacing them in their habitat. Other threats are out of water pollution and hydraulic engineering measures. The IUCN leads the Po - gudgeon therefore as " critically endangered " ( endangered ).