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<p>Freshwater taxa with narrow geographic ranges face elevated extinction risk. The critically endangered Draa trout <i>Salmo multipunctatus</i> persists as only two isolated populations in the karst headwaters of Morocco’s central High Atlas. Despite its precarious status, foundational demographic data remain scarce. Using baseline electrofishing data, we assessed populations in N’Ougouni (NOG) and Aflafal (AFL), two headwaters facing anthropogenic degradation and climate change. Length-frequency analysis revealed relatively contrasting life history patterns between populations. NOG displayed characteristics of a slower strategy lower growth coefficient, a larger asymptotic length, reduced mortality, longer lifespan with higher densities, and stronger recruitment across its extensive habitat. AFL exhibited patterns suggesting a faster strategy accelerated growth, elevated mortality, shorter lifespan yet better body condition despite restricted distribution. Individual condition appeared to respond more strongly to reach-scale habitat heterogeneity than broad altitudinal gradients. Despite apparently divergent strategies, Von Bertalanffy models did not differ significantly, maturity occurred at approximately 1.5–2 years, and generation time and optimum length were comparable between populations. Life history traits appear to reflect cumulative environmental pressures, while body condition indicates local resource availability. Conservation priorities for the Draa trout should include thermal refugia protection, riparian restoration, and long-term monitoring of this unique North African lineage.</p>

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Population characteristics and life-history traits of the endemo-relict Draa trout Salmo multipunctatus in the karst headwaters of the Draa River, SE Morocco

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月7日

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  • M. Naimi,
  • Souhaib Hanfouri,
  • M. Znari,
  • A. Guechchani,
  • F.-E. El Aaoud,
  • Z. Hanfouri

摘要

Freshwater taxa with narrow geographic ranges face elevated extinction risk. The critically endangered Draa trout Salmo multipunctatus persists as only two isolated populations in the karst headwaters of Morocco’s central High Atlas. Despite its precarious status, foundational demographic data remain scarce. Using baseline electrofishing data, we assessed populations in N’Ougouni (NOG) and Aflafal (AFL), two headwaters facing anthropogenic degradation and climate change. Length-frequency analysis revealed relatively contrasting life history patterns between populations. NOG displayed characteristics of a slower strategy lower growth coefficient, a larger asymptotic length, reduced mortality, longer lifespan with higher densities, and stronger recruitment across its extensive habitat. AFL exhibited patterns suggesting a faster strategy accelerated growth, elevated mortality, shorter lifespan yet better body condition despite restricted distribution. Individual condition appeared to respond more strongly to reach-scale habitat heterogeneity than broad altitudinal gradients. Despite apparently divergent strategies, Von Bertalanffy models did not differ significantly, maturity occurred at approximately 1.5–2 years, and generation time and optimum length were comparable between populations. Life history traits appear to reflect cumulative environmental pressures, while body condition indicates local resource availability. Conservation priorities for the Draa trout should include thermal refugia protection, riparian restoration, and long-term monitoring of this unique North African lineage.