Biodiversity Project IUCN June 2015

Manda Wilderness Bio-Diversity Project
April 2015 – March 2017
Phase 2

Between 95 and
99% of these
species are
endemic to the
Lake / Naturally
not found
anywhere else.
Lake Niassa
Our Key Biodiversity Area (KBA)
Home to an estimated 1000 freshwater fish species
≈ 15% of the world’s total.
104 of these
species are
considered
threatened by
the International
Union for the
Conservation of
Nature (IUCN).
(See our species cards for information on some of the threatened species that the Manda
Wilderness Biodiversity Project aims to protect)

…As well as a
great diversity
of small
mammals,
reptiles,
amphibians,
insects and
flora.
The Lake´s Hinterland
Home to
Africa´s flagship
species such as
the buffalo,
elephant,
leopard and
sable antelope,
to name a few…
Recognized for its local bird populations…
And its role as a staging post for migratory birds flying between Africa and Europe.

The Lake´s People
Lake Niassa has been vital to the
sustenance of the surrounding
populations' livelihoods through activities
such as fishing, agriculture, animal rearing,
hunting, trade and handicrafts.
Despite national and international efforts,
the lake continues to face severe threats,
primarily due to overharvesting and
siltation.
On one hand, because fresh and dried fish
from the lake provides the main source of
dietary protein for the human populations.
On the other, because although the civil
war in Mozambique did leave the already
remote region of the country sparsely
populated, human populations have been
returning in the past 20 years increasing
deforestation and agricultural expansion.

Our Objective:
Partner with the Lake´s people
Understand and improve their livelihood activities
Protect the Lake´s Hinterland
Protect the Lake

The Villages that we partner with:
MWAP:
CEPF Project
Headquarters

Our Approach… In a NUTShell
Ecological
Farming
Training
Enhancement
of Social
Capital
School
Garden
Programme
Economic
Assessment
Input in Long-
Term
Conservation
Plan

International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Species Designation
All of the information for the species displayed for the Manda Wilderness Biodiversity Project was compiled from the IUCN Website:
http://www.iucnredlist.org/. The IUCN Red List Terms and Conditions of Use (version 2.1) were thus accepted since the date on which the
website was first used to access the information. All of the information on the species is solely for educational purposes (non-commercial).

Aulonocara hansbaenschi Aulonocara Fort Maguire
Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family
ANIMALIA CHORDATA ACTINOPTERYGII PERCIFORMES CICHLIDAE
VU
Species Authority: Meyer, Riehl & Zetzsche, 1987
Habitat and Ecology: Occurs in the rocky
habitat at 4–6 m where it prefers to dwell
near holes and crevices formed in the
rocks. Spawning occurs in the caves. Feeds
on small invertebrates in the sand.
Major Threat(s): Restricted range. Potential
localized over-fishing
Conservation Actions: Partly enclosed
within the Lake Malawi National Park.

Aulonocara korneliae Aulonocara Chizumulu
Habitat and Ecology: Occurs over rocky habitat
but it forages over sand where it feeds on
invertebrates. It prefers water of 10 m depth.
Females congregate in foraging schools that
usually number more than 20 individuals. Males
defend territories at the edge of sand and rocks.
Territories are central around a cave among
rocks or at a horizontal space between a
suspended rock and the sand.
Major Threat(s): Fishing; aquarium trade.
Conservation Actions: No information available.
VU

Aulonocara steveni Pale Usisya Aulonocara
VU
Habitat and Ecology: Occurs at about 10 m
depth. Males are territorial while females are
solitary, or occur in groups close to male
territories. Feeds on small invertebrates from
the substrate.
Major Threat(s): Fishing; aquarium trade.
Conservation Actions: No information
available.

Copadichromis geertsi
VU
Species Authority: Konings, 1999
Habitat and Ecology: Occurs in intermediate habitats
at depths ranging between 25–50 m. Rarely found in
shallower waters. Females sometimes observed
foraging in groups in the open water and single
individuals can be found in between males'
territories. Feeds on particulate matter taken from
the water column. Males build cave crater nests in
the intermediate habitat at depths greater than 25
m.
Mouthbrooding females swim to shallow water
where they release their offspring among the schools
of juvenile utaka commonly found above nests of
kampango (Bagrus meridionalis).
Major Threat(s): Potentially over-
fishing. Sedimentation.
Conservation Actions: None.

Copadichromis nkatae
cichlide38.free.fr
VU
Species Authority: (Iles, 1960)
Habitat and Ecology: Occurs in both rocky
and sandy areas. Feeds mainly on
zooplankton, but also ingests
phytoplankton. Regularly caught on sandy
shores by beach seines (July to
September).
Major Threat(s): Beach seines - use of
small meshes.
available.

Copadichromis verduyni
VU
Habitat and Ecology: Common in rocky
and intermediate habitats at depths
between 7–40 m.
Females and breeding males are found in
large schools feeding on plankton in the
mid-water. This species also feeds from
rocky and sandy substrates.
Males do not construct a nest but rather
defend territories over rock and sand.
Breeding occurs throughout the year.
Major Threat(s): Potentially over-
fishing. Collection for the aquarium
trade.

Copadichromis trewavasae
malawicichlids.com
VU
Habitat and Ecology: Occurs in the
intermediate habitat at depths of 10–30 m.
Frequently found in sediment rich areas
with muddy deposits covering the substrate.
Feeds on particulate matter from the water
column.
This species constructs a cave crater nest
under and against a small rock. This species
is very popular among aquarists.
Major Threat(s): Potential Over-
trade.
Conservation Actions: None

Pseudotropheus tursiops
Species Authority: Burgess & Axelrod, 1975
VU
Habitat and Ecology: Observed in the upper part
of the sediment free rocky shore habitat on the
more exposed shores at a mean depth of 5 m.
Feeds in a horizontal position biting off loose
algae from the rock surface. Its pointed snout
allows it to penetrate narrow spaces and cracks
inaccessible to other fishes.
Territorial males are seen throughout the year
defending their territories aggressively against all
intruders. Some females are solitary while others
are territorial. Spawning occurs inside the male's
nest, which consists of a shelter between some
rocks. Its max. size: 11 cm.
Major Threat(s): Restricted range.
Localised over-fishing.
available.

Pseudotropheus saulosi
VU
surf zone of the sediment free rocky
shore habitat. Females are often seen
in large feeding groups consisting of
more than 50 individuals.
Feeds on algae, which it nibbles from
the rock surface.
Males are aggressive in defending
their territories against conspecific
males.
Major Threat(s): Restricted range.
Localized over-fishing.
available.

Melanochromis johannii
www.aquariumdomain.com
VU
Species Authority: (Eccles, 1973)
Habitat and Ecology: Found in the
intermediate habitat mostly near rocks
at about 5 m depth. Feeds from both
rocky and sand substrate as well as on
suspended matter in the water column.
Breeding may occur in the cold season
(May–July). Males do not show
territoriality but chase conspecific males
in breeding colouration from the
foraging ground.
Major Threat(s): Subsistence
trade. Competition from
translocated species.

Melanochromis perileucos
africancichlidforum.com
VU
Species Authority: Bowers & Stauffer, 1997
Habitat and Ecology: Occurs in rocky
habitats as well as the intermediate
habitat. Feeds on algae growing on
substrate as well as on plankton.
Major Threat(s): Subsistence fishing.
Competition from translocated
species. Sedimentation.

Opsaridium microlepis Lake salmon
en
ANIMALIA CHORDATA ACTINOPTERYGII CYPRINIFORMES CYPRINIDAE
Species Authority: (Günther, 1864)
Habitat and Ecology: A lacustrine species, living in the pelagic zone of the lake.
Juveniles remain close inshore and near the river mouths. The adults are
piscivourous, feeding on small pelagic fishes. Young fish feed on plankton, insects
and other small organic matter. It migrates up rivers from the lake to spawn during
the rainy season.
Spawning mainly takes place at night and
requires well-oxygenated flowing waters and
silt free gravel. Spawning takes place in very
shallow water and occurs over an extended
period during and after the rains.

Opsaridium microlepis Lake salmon (continued)
en
ANIMALIA CHORDATA ACTINOPTERYGII CYPRINIFORMES CYPRINIDAE
Species Authority: (Günther, 1864)
Major Threat(s): Over-fishing: extremely high mortalities of adults during spawning runs due to
total blocking of rivers with gill nets and weirs as well as drifting gillnets. This prevents upstream
migration in low rainfall years. Fish poisoning is widely practised although illegal. Deterioration of
spawning grounds due to siltation from soil erosion (bad land practice as well as deforestation
along rivers). Water abstraction for irrigation purposes during dry season hampers downstream
movement of young fish.
Conservation Actions: One major river where this species breeds is the Bua river, which runs
through the Nkhota Kota game reserve (Central Malawi). This is the only river where the spawning
grounds are protected (as the surrounding woodlands are protected from deforestation). The
headwaters of the North Rukuru river are also protected within the Nyika National Park — there is
however increasing land clearance between the park and the spawning grounds. The Linthipe river,
a major spawning river, is unprotected, receiving untreated effluent from Lilongwe. The status of
'mpasa' rivers in Tanzania and Mozambique is Unknown.

Oreochromis karongae Chambo / Tilapia
en
Species Authority: (Trewavas, 1941)
Major Threat(s): Over-fishing: the chambo
(tilapia) are the most valuable food fishes in
Malawi. Populations collapsed in the 1990s
as a result of over-fishing.
available.

Oreochromis karongae (coninued)
en
Habitat and Ecology: This is one of the three 'Chambo' species endemic to Lake Malawi. Like
other species of the subgenus Nyasalapia, males of O. karongae develop long branched
genital 'tassels' that serve as egg dummies. Territorial male O. karongae are jet black, with a
white dorsal fin margin.
O. karongae can be seen in loose shoals in many areas of the lake. They feed by rasping the
surfaces of rocks and weeds and by sifting sediment and also feeding in the water column.
They eat mainly algae, detritus and zooplankton. Max. size: 37 cm TL (Total Length).
The breeding season runs from July to March, peaking around September and again in
February. In Lake Malombe there is just a single peak around July to October. Like other
Oreochromis they are maternal mouthbrooders. Males dig large spawning platforms in
waters ranging from the shallows down to depths of at least 28 m. Like other chambo, they
construct a slightly raised bowl-shaped central spawning cone inside the larger pit.

Oreochromis lidole Chambo / Tilapia
en
Habitat and Ecology: O. lidole is believed to be the chambo species most adapted
to deep water and feeding in the water column. It feeds on algae, detritus and
zooplankton.
The breeding season runs from September to March, peaking from October to
February. Like other Oreochromis, they are maternal mouthbrooders. Males dig
large spawning pits at depths of 17 m (50 feet) or more. These spawning pits can
be up to 3 m in diameter, with central platforms as much as 75 cm wide. Breeding
starts at about 28 cm TL at three years old.
The spawning areas are located in deeper water than for the other two species, off
clean sandy or rocky shores. Max. size: 38 cm TL.

Oreochromis lidole (continued)
en
Major Threat(s): Over-fishing. As O.
karongae its population has been declining
since 1990.
available.

Cynotilapia zebroides Mini-zebra
Habitat and Ecology: Occurs in rocky
habitats in shallow water. It excavates
tunnels in the substratum and carries
pebbles to guard the entrance of these
tunnels.
Major Threat(s): Potential over-fishing.
Collection for the aquarium trade.
Conservation Actions: None in place.
Species Authority: (Johnson, 1975)
VU

Labidochromis chisumluae
VU
Species Authority: Lewis, 1982
Habitat and Ecology: This species occurs in
the sediment rich intermediate habitats in
depths ranging from 3–20 m.
Its diet consists of invertebrates.
Spawning occurs at any site in the habitat.
Max. size: Males attain a maximum length
of about 8 cm and females approximately
6 cm.
Major Threat(s): Sedimentation.
Collection for the aquarium trade;
and, potentially, over-fishing.

Labidochromis flavigulis Chisumulu pearl
VU
Species Authority: Lewis,1982
intermediate habitat in shallow water.
Territorial males dig spawning nests
underneath small rocks heaping sand in
front of the entrance.
Females and juveniles move around in
small foraging groups or singly. This
species feeds on algae from the rock
surface. Max. size: 8 cm.
Collection for the aquarium trade; and,
potentially, over-fishing.

Labidochromis freibergi
VU
Species Authority: Johnson, 1974
rocky habitat, in turbulent waters at
depths of between 2–10 m. Feeds on
aufwuchs attached to rocks by using
its slender long teeth to graze algae.
Territorial males occur all year round
defending small caves in the rocky
habitat. Females and immature males
move through the biotope feeding on
the aufwuchs from different localities.
Max. size: 7 cm.
Collection for the aquarium trade; and,
potentially, over-fishing.

Labidochromis gigas
VU
Species Authority: Lewis,1982
Habitat and Ecology: Common in the
sediment free rocky habitat preferring
depths of 5-20 m. It can, however, occur to
depths of 30 m. Feeds from the biocover on
algae. Males are territorial, defending small
caves among rocks and feeding within their
territories.
Major Threat(s): No information available.
available.

Labidochromis lividus
VU
Habitat and Ecology: Occurs in the shallow
water in the intermediate habitat. A
secretive species that feeds on algae from
the biocover. Territorial males have been
observed throughout the year defending
caves among the rocky habitat.
Major Threat(s): Sedimentation. Fishing.
Conservation Actions: None known.

Labidochromis zebroides
VU
Habitat and Ecology: Occurs in sediment
free habitat, especially the wave beaten
upper part.
Occurs at a depth of 3 m. Feeds on algae
and insects. Males are territorial and defend
sites inside caves or cracks. Females are
rarely seen: they remain between rocks.
Major Threat(s): Sedimentation; Fishing.

Maylandia aurora
Species Authority: (Burgess, 1976)
Habitat and Ecology: Occurs in the intermediate
zone in shallow water and is common along the
sand interface.
Occasionally found in purely rocky habitat. This
species is numerous between 2–5 m depth and
has not been recorded below 8 m depth.
Males are territorial throughout the year. Male
territories consist of a site on the sand near a rock
where they dig tunnel nests beneath the rocks
where spawning occurs. Females and non-
breeding males occur singly or in foraging groups.
Diet includes loose algae from the substrata as
well as plankton. Max recorded size: 11 cm (TL).
Major Threat(s): Collection for the
aquarium trade, subsistence fishing, and
sedimentation.
VU

Maylandia callainos
ANIMALIA CHORDATA ACTINOPTERYGII PERCIFORMES CICHLIDAE VU
Habitat and Ecology: Occurs along the
rocky shores and rock outcroppings. Feeds
on loose algae, which it scrapes from the
rocks. It is a polymorphic cichlid known as
"Cobalt Zebra" in the aquarium trade. Max.
size: 8.01 cm (SL – Standard length,
excluding the caudal fin).
Major Threat(s): Sedimentation. Collection
for the aquarium trade. Subsistence fishing.

Maylandia estherae Red Zebra
acuarioadictos.com
Species Authority: (Konings, 1995)
Habitat and Ecology: Occurs in sediment
free rocky habitats, with the highest
population density in water less than 10 m
deep.
Males are territorial and defend areas
about 1 m in diameter. Feeds on algae
from the rock surface at an angle of 90
degrees with the substrate. It is a
polymorphic cichlid. Max. size: Largest
recorded individual is 9.77 cm in total
length.
Subsistence fishing.
VU

Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos
Species Authority: Bowers & Stauffer, 1997
Habitat and Ecology: Observed over small to
medium sized rocks at between 5–10 m
depth. Feeds on zooplankton and epibenthic
invertebrates.
Competition from translocated species.
VU

Melanochromis joanjohnsonae Pearl of Likoma
Habitat and Ecology: Inhabits
rocky biotopes preferring the
upper 4 m of the rocky habitat.
It feeds on invertebrates from the
biocover as well as algae.
Breeding males occur all year
round. The males possess a
foraging territory of about 3 m in
diameter.
Competition from translocated species.
VU

Panthera pardus Leopard
NT
ANIMALIA CHORDATA MAMMALIA CARNIVORA FELIDAE
Species Authority: (Linnaeus, 1758)
Habitat and Ecology: The leopard has the widest habitat
tolerance of any Old World felid, ranging from rainforest to
desert.
In Africa, they are most successful in woodland, grassland
savanna and forest but also occur widely in mountain habitats,
coastal scrub, swampy areas, shrubland, semi-desert and desert.
They range from sea level to as much as 4,600 m on Mt Kenya
(Hunter et al.).
Leopards have extremely catholic diets including more than 90 species in sub-Saharan Africa,
ranging from arthropods to large antelope. Densities vary with habitat, prey availability, and degree
of threat, from fewer than one per 100 km² to over 30 per 100 km², with highest densities obtained
in protected East and southern African mesic woodland savannas (Hunter et al.).

Panthera pardus Leopard (continued)
NT
ANIMALIA CHORDATA MAMMALIA CARNIVORA FELIDAE
Species Authority: (Linnaeus, 1758)
Major Threat(s): Throughout Africa, the major threats to Leopard are habitat
conversion and intense persecution, especially in retribution for real and
perceived livestock loss (Ray et al.2005. Nonetheless, Leopard are somewhat
tolerant of habitat conversion, and may persist close to large human
populations provided they have suitable cover and prey (Hunter et al. in press).
Leopard come into conflict with people across their range. A rapidly increasing
threat to Leopards is the poisoning of carcasses targeting carnivores, either as
a means of predator control or incidentally.
The impact of trophy hunting on populations is unclear, but may have impacts at the demographic and population
level, especially when females are shot. In Tanzania, which allows only males to be hunted, females comprised 28.6%
of 77 trophies shot between 1995 and 1998 (Spong et al. 2000).
Skins and canines are still widely traded domestically in some central and West African countries where parts are
used in traditional rituals and sold openly in villages and cities (Hunter et al.). Djibouti is an important conduit for
Leopard skins from East Africa that are bought mainly by French military personnel and carried illegally to Europe.

Lycaon pictus African wild dog
en
ANIMALIA CHORDATA MAMMALIA CARNIVORA CANIDAE
Species Authority: (Temminck, 1820)
Habitat and Ecology: African Wild Dogs are generalist predators, occupying a range of
habitats including short-grass plains, semi-desert, bushy savannas and upland forest.
While early studies in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, led to a belief that African
Wild Dogs were primarily an open plains species, more recent data indicate that they
reach their highest densities in thicker bush (e.g., Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania;
Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe; and northern Botswana). Several relict
populations occupy dense upland forest (e.g., Harenna Forest, Ethiopia; Malcolm and
Sillero-Zubiri 2001). African Wild Dogs have been recorded in desert (Lhotse 1946)
(although most desert populations are now extirpated), but not in lowland forest. It
appears that their current distribution is limited primarily by human activities and the
availability of prey, rather than by the loss of a specific habitat type.
African Wild Dogs mostly hunt medium-sized antelope. Whereas they weigh 20–30 kg, their prey average around 50 kg, and may be
as large as 200 kg. In most areas their principal prey are Impala (Aepyceros melampus), Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros),
Thomson's Gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii) and Common Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus). They will give chase of larger species,
such as Common Eland (Tragelaphus oryx) and African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer), but rarely kill such prey. Small antelope, such as Dik-
dik (Madoqua spp.), Steenbok (Raphicerus campestris) and Duiker (tribe Cephalophini) are important in some areas, and warthogs
(Phacochoerus spp.) are also taken in some populations. African Wild Dogs also take very small prey such as hares, lizards and even
eggs, but these make a very small contribution to their diet.

Lycaon pictus African wild dog (continued)
en
ANIMALIA CHORDATA MAMMALIA CARNIVORA CANIDAE
Species Authority: (Temminck, 1820)
Major Threat(s): The principal threat to African Wild Dogs is habitat fragmentation, which increases their contact with people and domestic
animals, resulting in human-wildlife conflict and transmission of infectious disease. The important role played by human-induced mortality
has two long-term implications. First, it makes it likely that, outside protected areas, African Wild Dogs may be unable to coexist with
increasing human populations unless land use plans and other conservation actions are implemented. Second, African Wild Dog ranging
behaviour leads to a very substantial "edge effect", even in large reserves. Simple geometry dictates that a reserve of 5,000 km² contains no
point more than 40 km from its borders – a distance well within the range of distances travelled by a pack of African Wild Dogs in their usual
ranging behaviour. Thus, from an African Wild Dog's perspective, a reserve of this size (fairly large by most standards) would be all edge. As
human populations rise around reserve borders, the risks to African Wild Dogs venturing outside are also likely to increase. Under these
conditions, only the very largest unfenced reserves will be able to provide any level of protection for African Wild Dogs. In South Africa,
“predator proof” fencing around small reserves has proved reasonably effective at keeping dogs confined to the reserve, but such fencing is
not 100% effective (Davies-Mostert et al. 2009) and is unlikely to be long-term beneficial for wildlife communities.
Even in large, well-protected reserves, or in stable populations remaining largely independent of protected areas (as in northern Botswana),
African Wild Dogs live at low population densities. Predation by Lions, and perhaps competition with Spotted Hyaenas, contribute to keeping
African Wild Dog numbers below the level that their prey base could support. Such low population density brings its own problems. Such
small populations are vulnerable to extinction. "Catastrophic" events such as outbreaks of epidemic disease may drive them to extinction
when larger populations have a greater probability of recovery – such an event seems to have led to the local extinction of the small African
Wild Dog population in the Serengeti ecosystem on the Kenya-Tanzania border. Problems of small population size will be exacerbated if, as
seems likely, small populations occur in small reserves or habitat patches. As discussed above, animals inhabiting such areas suffer a strong
"edge effect". Thus, small populations might be expected to suffer disproportionately high mortality as a result of their contact with humans
and human activity.

Nectarinia neergardi
ANIMALIA CHORDATA AVES PASSERIFORMES NECTARINIIDAE
Species Authority: (Grant, 1908)
NT
Habitat and Ecology: This species is a sometimes common, but nomadic,
species of woodland, especially dry, dense forest on sandy soil. It also
inhabits coastal scrubland and has been recorded in isolated trees in
clearings and villages (Cheke and Mann 2001).
It is found only at low elevations and apparently avoids fragmented coastal
forest (Clancey 1985). It consumes nectar, small insects and spiders (Cheke
and Mann 2001). The nest, in which a clutch-size of two has been
recorded, is suspended from a tree and made of cream-coloured fibrous
material, feathers and down, and camouflaged with insect larvae and
other debris. Observations suggest that breeding activity occurs in
September-January and possibly July (Cheke and Mann 2001).
Major Threat(s): In southern Mozambique, the species's coastal forest habitat is highly threatened,
particularly by commercial logging and afforestation with non-native tree species (Parker 1999).

Biodiversity Project IUCN June 2015

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