Walter J. Rainboth, Chavalit Vidthayanon, and Mai Dinh Yen
Miscellaneous Publication 201University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, 6/1/2012
This book lists and illustrates all 2541 species of fishes known to occur within the Greater Mekong Ecosystem and includes an overview of basin geology and biogeography. The illustrations are vouchers for the species listed and can help identification of any species encountered in the basin, whether from fisherman’s net or market. The target audience includes biologists across multiple disciplines including systematics, taxonomy, ecology, biogeography, conservation, and fisheries.
Although the size of its basin is smaller, the Mekong’s freshwater fish diversity approaches estimates for the Amazon or the Congo. That diversity supports significant fisheries, but is now seriously threatened by industrialization, especially dam construction. By providing the first comprehensive reference of the Mekong’s rich ichthyofauna, this publication may facilitate rational conservation planning for one of the planet’s great river biotas.
