Freshwater Fish Survey in the Garden Route
CapeNature Fauna Ecologist Dr. Martine Jordaan recently collaborated with the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) research group on a field trip to the river systems of the Garden Route. Dr. Albert Chakona and Prof Paul Skelton, freshwater fish experts at SAIAB have focused on resolving redfin taxonomy for the past decade, and their work has resulted in the description of several new redfin species.
The Western Cape Province is located in the Cape Fold Ecoregion, home to a group of fish known as the redfins or rooivlerkies. Except for one species, redfins are endemic to the Cape Fold Ecoregion. Ongoing research indicates that most redfin species have high levels of genetic and morphological diversity between populations and that this divergence may be enough to warrant the status of separate species.
The survey aimed to collect voucher specimens and DNA samples to use in the description of two new redfin species in the rivers of the Garden Route. The two candidate species belong to the redfin genus Pseudobarbus and were discovered through recent genetic studies, but to date, there are no formal species descriptions for these taxa.
The biological material collected during this survey will enable the completion of formal species descriptions. CapeNature will build on this process by collecting additional distribution data to enable an accurate conservation status assessment of these taxa once they are described.
The most recent National Biodiversity Assessment (2018) indicates that freshwater fish are the most threatened vertebrate group in the country. South Africa is diverse in terms of having several distinct aquatic ecoregions, each with its own freshwater fish fauna.
Dr Albert Chakona and Dr Pedro Braganca sampling in the Homtini River in search of the elusive redfins of the Garden Route.
Successful sampling makes for happy researchers and good collaborations: Drs Pedro Braganca, Albert Chakona and Martine Jordaan celebrating collecting the specimens that will be used for describing a new redfin species for the Western Cape. Photo by Prof Paul Skelton
Related News
Western Cape marks World Wildlife Day as CapeNature highlights climate resilience and sustainable living
The Western Cape is marking World Wildlife Day on 3 March, a day proclaimed by the United Nations, by reaffirming its commitment to biodiversity protection, climate resilience and sustainable development, with CapeNature playing a central role in conserving the province’s natural heritage.
CapeNature Cubs Club Connect 2026 makes a splash with water-themed family fun
Scores of children and their families flocked to Jonkershoek Nature Reserve over the weekend to take part in a day of learning, laughter and connection in nature as part of CapeNature’s Cubs Club programme. Around 70 children and their families took part in the Cubs Club Connect 2026 event to celebrate this year’s theme, Water.
JOINT STATEMENT: Final Action Plan for baboons includes a sanctuary, fencing, and more
The Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT) consisting of representatives from SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town, welcomes the judgment from the Western Cape High Court which allows the three authorities to continue with the implementation of the Action Plan for the management of the Chacma baboon population.
Reforest Fest returns to tackle climate action in the Western Cape
As the Western Cape recovers from one of its worst fire seasons on record, with over 132,000 hectares burned across the region in January alone, Greenpopʼs Reforest Fest returns this Easter weekend with a sense of renewed urgency. The four-day restoration festival at Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat aims to plant 5,000 indigenous trees in degraded forest patches as part of Greenpopʼs ongoing work in the region.
CapeNature rangers praised for heroic rescue of stranded UK tourist
A visit to the iconic Robberg Nature Reserve and Marine Protected Area — one of the Garden Route’s most celebrated gems — turned into a life-threatening ordeal for a London tourist, and a powerful reminder of humanity of CapeNature’s field rangers. For Ms Rosalind Innes, Robberg had been a long-awaited addition to her South African travel itinerary.
CapeNature bust - R500,000 fine for illegal reptile trafficking in the Western Cape
On Thursday, 12 February 2026, a Spanish citizen Mr David Navarro Roman (41) was convicted in the Vredendal Regional Court for the illegal possession and importation of 22 Armadillo Girdled lizards (Ouroborus cataphractus) and one speckled dwarf tortoise (Chersobius signatus) from Northern Cape to the Western Cape.