CURRENT STATUS OF THE RIVERINE FISHES OF THE FRENCH MEDITERRANEAN BASIN

We have undertaken a study of current knowledge on the distribution an d abundance of 10 freshwater fish species with a restricted geographic al range, recorded since 1950 from French rivers flowing into the Medi terranean, including those in Corsica. In order of decreasing abundanc e these are: Leuciscus (Telestes) souffia, Chondrostoma toxostoma, Bar bus meridionalis, Zingel asper, Blennius fluviatilis, Aphanius fasciat us, Alosa fallax rhodanensis, Aphanius iberus, Valencia hispanica and Cottus petiti. Distribution maps for the first seven taxa have been pr oduced on the basis of 3124 fisheries surveys included within Fisherie s Orientation Schemes carried out in French departements. These taxa a re distributed in three different zoogeographical regions: a northern mainland region, a southern mainland region and the island of Corsica. The distribution of these taxa in the major rivers is shown on maps b y means of lines of varying thickness and for the minor river courses by shading. The detailed habitat preferences of the first three specie s have been determined, showing a succession of Barbus meridionalis, L euciscus (Telestes) souffia, and Chondrostoma toxostoma going downstre am within the southern mainland region. Following a discussion of the requirements of each of these species and of the threats that they fac e within the study area, their status is defined according to the Inte rnational Union for the Conservation of Nature definitions.