Three new fish species discovered in Brazil face extinction risk

Researchers have identified three new species of annual killifish, known as cloudfish, in temporary pools within the rural area of Paracatu, Minas Gerais. The species, named Hypsolebias rosai, Hypsolebias baptistai, and Hypsolebias maylermartinsi, were formally described in the scientific journal Neotropical Ichthyology.

Despite their recent discovery, the scientists recommend classifying all three species as Critically Endangered according to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) metrics. The species face imminent threats from environmental degradation caused by the expansion of soy cultivation and livestock farming in the São Francisco River basin.

These fish possess a unique life cycle adapted to the Cerrado's dry seasons. They live for only a few months in seasonal pools, depositing eggs in the mud before the water evaporates. While the adults die during the dry period, the embryos enter a state of dormancy in the soil, hatching only when rains refill the pools.