Taxonomic Revision and Conservation Review of <i>Sinocyclocheilus grahami</i> (Regan, 1904), the Only Known Cavefish Applied Both in the Traditional Medicine and Aquaculture
<i>Sinocyclocheilus grahami</i> (Regan, 1904) is the only known cavefish used both in traditional medicine and aquaculture in the world, and it is also a national protected animal. However, its taxonomy and distribution remain ambiguous, hindering effective conservation and resource util...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-02-01
|
| Series: | Fishes |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/10/3/99 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850205417703997440 |
|---|---|
| author | Wuyang Liu Yahui Zhao Jinqing Huang |
| author_facet | Wuyang Liu Yahui Zhao Jinqing Huang |
| author_sort | Wuyang Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Sinocyclocheilus grahami</i> (Regan, 1904) is the only known cavefish used both in traditional medicine and aquaculture in the world, and it is also a national protected animal. However, its taxonomy and distribution remain ambiguous, hindering effective conservation and resource utilization. This study clarifies the taxonomy of <i>S. grahami</i> through field surveys, specimen examination, and literature reviews, combined with principal component analysis (PCA) for morphological comparison. The results indicate that <i>S. grahami</i> and <i>S. guanduensis</i> show no significant morphological differences, supporting the recognition of <i>S. guanduensis</i> as a junior synonym of <i>S. grahami</i>. <i>Sinocyclocheilus huanglongdongensis</i>, and <i>S. hei</i>, once synonyms of <i>S. grahami</i>, should be valid. The species faces a significant population decline, and its distribution is now restricted to a few unpolluted streams around Dianchi Lake. While artificial breeding has been successful, further studies are needed to determine the medicinal efficacy of these individuals. To address the conservation and sustainable use of this species, habitat restoration should be prioritized, particularly in protecting cave environments and maintaining groundwater connectivity. Additionally, artificial breeding and release in restored habitats are essential to establish a sustainable ecological governance system that supports biodiversity and regional development. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cee6cb56d72c4788b5badc83c4bd6edc |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2410-3888 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Fishes |
| spelling | doaj-art-cee6cb56d72c4788b5badc83c4bd6edc2025-08-20T02:11:05ZengMDPI AGFishes2410-38882025-02-011039910.3390/fishes10030099Taxonomic Revision and Conservation Review of <i>Sinocyclocheilus grahami</i> (Regan, 1904), the Only Known Cavefish Applied Both in the Traditional Medicine and AquacultureWuyang Liu0Yahui Zhao1Jinqing Huang2College of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, ChinaKey Laboratory of the Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, ChinaCollege of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China<i>Sinocyclocheilus grahami</i> (Regan, 1904) is the only known cavefish used both in traditional medicine and aquaculture in the world, and it is also a national protected animal. However, its taxonomy and distribution remain ambiguous, hindering effective conservation and resource utilization. This study clarifies the taxonomy of <i>S. grahami</i> through field surveys, specimen examination, and literature reviews, combined with principal component analysis (PCA) for morphological comparison. The results indicate that <i>S. grahami</i> and <i>S. guanduensis</i> show no significant morphological differences, supporting the recognition of <i>S. guanduensis</i> as a junior synonym of <i>S. grahami</i>. <i>Sinocyclocheilus huanglongdongensis</i>, and <i>S. hei</i>, once synonyms of <i>S. grahami</i>, should be valid. The species faces a significant population decline, and its distribution is now restricted to a few unpolluted streams around Dianchi Lake. While artificial breeding has been successful, further studies are needed to determine the medicinal efficacy of these individuals. To address the conservation and sustainable use of this species, habitat restoration should be prioritized, particularly in protecting cave environments and maintaining groundwater connectivity. Additionally, artificial breeding and release in restored habitats are essential to establish a sustainable ecological governance system that supports biodiversity and regional development.https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/10/3/99cavefishdistributionprotected animalutilization |
| spellingShingle | Wuyang Liu Yahui Zhao Jinqing Huang Taxonomic Revision and Conservation Review of <i>Sinocyclocheilus grahami</i> (Regan, 1904), the Only Known Cavefish Applied Both in the Traditional Medicine and Aquaculture Fishes cavefish distribution protected animal utilization |
| title | Taxonomic Revision and Conservation Review of <i>Sinocyclocheilus grahami</i> (Regan, 1904), the Only Known Cavefish Applied Both in the Traditional Medicine and Aquaculture |
| title_full | Taxonomic Revision and Conservation Review of <i>Sinocyclocheilus grahami</i> (Regan, 1904), the Only Known Cavefish Applied Both in the Traditional Medicine and Aquaculture |
| title_fullStr | Taxonomic Revision and Conservation Review of <i>Sinocyclocheilus grahami</i> (Regan, 1904), the Only Known Cavefish Applied Both in the Traditional Medicine and Aquaculture |
| title_full_unstemmed | Taxonomic Revision and Conservation Review of <i>Sinocyclocheilus grahami</i> (Regan, 1904), the Only Known Cavefish Applied Both in the Traditional Medicine and Aquaculture |
| title_short | Taxonomic Revision and Conservation Review of <i>Sinocyclocheilus grahami</i> (Regan, 1904), the Only Known Cavefish Applied Both in the Traditional Medicine and Aquaculture |
| title_sort | taxonomic revision and conservation review of i sinocyclocheilus grahami i regan 1904 the only known cavefish applied both in the traditional medicine and aquaculture |
| topic | cavefish distribution protected animal utilization |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/10/3/99 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT wuyangliu taxonomicrevisionandconservationreviewofisinocyclocheilusgrahamiiregan1904theonlyknowncavefishappliedbothinthetraditionalmedicineandaquaculture AT yahuizhao taxonomicrevisionandconservationreviewofisinocyclocheilusgrahamiiregan1904theonlyknowncavefishappliedbothinthetraditionalmedicineandaquaculture AT jinqinghuang taxonomicrevisionandconservationreviewofisinocyclocheilusgrahamiiregan1904theonlyknowncavefishappliedbothinthetraditionalmedicineandaquaculture |