The Chinese paddlefish (Psephurus gladius), one of the largest freshwater fishes in existence, was recently declared extinct by Chinese scientists. The last known sighting of this aquatic giant happened in 2003. This article will shed light on its key characteristics, habitats, and causes of extinction.
Characteristics and Habitats
Originally from the Yangtze River in China, this species had made this region its only home, earning the label of being an endemic species to this river. Like other paddlefish species, the Psephurus gladius could adapt to both freshwater and estuarine environments.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had classified it as critically endangered in their 2009 assessment. However, reports from scientists in the country of its origin now confirm its extinction.
The Yangtze River and Its Biodiversity Crisis
The Yangtze River is renowned not just for its length, being the longest river in Asia and the third-longest in the world, but also for the unique biodiversity it supports. Regrettably, the river has seen a drastic decline in its native species. The extinction of the Psephurus gladius marks another tragic loss, with half of the species native to the river’s ecosystem already gone.
Causes of Extinction
The primary causes that led to the dwindling numbers of the Chinese paddlefish since the 1970s were overfishing and habitat fragmentation caused by dam-building. Researchers estimate that by 1993, the population of the species had shrunk to such an extent that it had become functionally extinct.
| Paddlefish Species | Status |
|---|---|
| Chinese Paddlefish (Psephurus gladius) | Extinct |
| American Paddlefish | Vulnerable |
Paddlefish Species Around the Globe
The Psephurus gladius was one of only two paddlefish species known to exist. The other, the American paddlefish, is found in the Mississippi River Basin in the United States, and is currently classified as vulnerable by the IUCN.
IUCN and Extinction Criteria
The IUCN’s Red List criteria categorize the risks species face in terms of extinction levels. These include labels such as “Critically Endangered”, indicating a high probability of extinction, “Extinct in the Wild”, for species that survive only in captivity, “Locally Extinct” for species that have ceased to exist in some areas but may be present in others, “Functionally Extinct” for those with too few members to sustain their survival, and “Globally Extinct”, when there are no surviving members anywhere.
Once a species is declared extinct, it becomes ineligible for protective measures and conservation funding. The tragic case of the Chinese paddlefish serves as a grim reminder of the dire consequences of habitat destruction and overexploitation.
