Lake minnow, Eupallasella percnurus (Pall.), in Lubelskie Voivodeship in Poland – occurrence, threats, and protection [RESEARCH ARTICLE]

Abstract

This paper presents updated information on the past and present occurrence of the endangered cyprinid lake minnow, Eupallasella percnurus (Pall.), in Lubelskie Voivodeship in Poland. It includes an approximate assessment of threats to its existence and perspectives for its protection. The area of today’s voivodeship was the largest national sanctuary for this species as early as in the 1950s; however, of 52 known historical sites, only seven are currently extant. Wide-ranging field inventories conducted in the voivodeship in 2002-2010 revealed the existence of 40 previously unknown sites. The present state of E. percnurus occurrence was assessed for 44 sites, nearly half of which are located in the Dorohuskie Depression mesoregion around the village of Siedliszcze. Only one site was confirmed in Poleski National Park. The sites in this region appear to be less endangered in comparison to those located in other Polish voivodeships with nearly 50% classified as threatened to a low degree. At present, 18 sites, or 40.9%, are under various forms of protection, mainly under the auspices of the European Ecological Natura 2000 Network.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:

J. Wolnicki [+], J. Sikorska
Pond Fishery Department in Żabieniec
Inland Fisheries Institute in Olsztyn
Główna 48, Żabieniec, 05-500 Piaseczno, Poland
Tel. +48 22 756 74 86; e-mail: jawol@infish.com.pl
Marcin Kolejko
Department of Landscape Ecology and Nature Conservation, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland