Abstract:

Aims Fish are an important component of river ecosystems, playing a significant role in maintaining their stability and functioning. Assessing fish biodiversity is important for understanding environmental changes and evaluating the overall health of river ecosystems. Despite the rich river network and diverse freshwater fish population in the Nanling region, comprehensive studies on fish diversity and distribution are still lacking.

Methods This study systematically compiles and analyzes data on fish species in the Nanling region from historical literature and relevant sources up to January 10, 2024.

Results The updated checklist identified 261 freshwater fish species, classified into 11 orders, 29 families, and 121 genera. Among these, 248 species were indigenous and 13 were aliens. The region’s fish fauna was dominated by Cyprinidae and Balitoridae, which accounted for 56.7% and 7.3% of the total species, respectively. Notably, 19 threatened species (7.3% of the total) were documented, with 11 of them listed in the List of State Key Protected Wild Animals (2021). Additionally, 28 species were classified as National Key Protected Economic Aquatic Animals.

Conclusion Fish diversity in the Nanling region faces significant challenges primarily due to human activities such as river pollution, hydraulic infrastructure development, and overfishing. These factors have escalated the prevalence of threatened and invasive species in the area. To mitigate these challenges, it is imperative to enhance river pollution control, safeguard fish habitats, and implement scientifically based stock enhancement programs in the future. This comprehensive inventory of fish species in the Nanling region provides a reference for future conservation efforts aimed at preserving fish biodiversity in this area.

Key words: freshwater fish, species diversity, geographical distribution, threatened species, Nanling region