Moema claudiae Rediscovered in Bolivia After 20 Years, Renewing Wetland Conservation Efforts

Rediscovery of Moema claudiae in Bolivia After Two Decades

The rediscovery of Moema claudiae , a rare South American seasonal killifish, has generated significant excitement among conservation biologists working in Bolivia’s fragile lowland ecosystems. Believed lost for more than 20 years, the species’ reappearance highlights both the resilience of nature and the urgent conservation challenges facing seasonal wetlands in the Amazon–savanna transition zone.

Species Once Thought Extinct Found Alive

Moema claudiae was last recorded over two decades ago at its original site, an area that has since been cleared for agriculture. Extensive resurveys over the years yielded no sightings, prompting fears that the fish had gone extinct. Its unexpected rediscovery has overturned these assumptions, revealing that small, isolated water bodies can still shelter vulnerable species despite growing environmental pressure.

Surviving in a Fragmented Wetland Landscape

The species was identified in a temporary pond within a farmland mosaic, confirming survival through direct observation and photographic documentation. The same pond hosted six other species of seasonal killifish, illustrating the exceptional diversity of these ephemeral aquatic systems. The site falls within the ecotone where the Amazon rainforest meets the Llanos de Moxos savannas—one of Bolivia’s most biologically rich yet threatened regions.

Ecological Importance and Scientific Collaboration

Researchers emphasised the rediscovery as a major scientific milestone for Neotropical fish studies. Seasonal killifish survive annual dry periods through diapause, a unique evolutionary adaptation that allows their eggs to remain dormant until rains return. This strategy underscores the ecological complexity of temporary wetlands and the need for deeper scientific investigation.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Moema claudiae rediscovered after 20+ years with no confirmed sightings.

• A seasonal killifish adapted to temporary ponds that dry annually.

• Rediscovery site lies in Bolivia’s Amazon–Llanos de Moxos transition zone .

• Seasonal killifish eggs survive through diapause , enabling persistence in dry periods.