The fish fauna of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Singapore

Abstract

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (BTNR) holds the largest remnant patch of primary rainforest in Singapore and its hill streams supports many native and threatened freshwater fauna. As the last comprehensive survey of freshwater fishes in BTNR was published nearly two decades ago, a series of surveys was carried out at 12 streams permeating BTNR and the Singapore Quarry to update the status of the fishes. Of the 27 species documented, 16 are native to Singapore and 11 are introduced. Two native species known from other parts of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve are recorded for the first time in BTNR. Species distribution, richness and abundance have been qualitatively assessed in relation to habitat characteristics. Potential threats and mitigation measures are discussed, which are important in the formulation of conservation and management strategies to safeguard the current diversity of freshwater fishes, many of which are threatened in rapidly developing Singapore.

Physicochemical characteristics of streams in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Singapore

“…These factors play out through the expected interactions between soil, groundwater and rainfall. In turn, the physicochemical characteristics of the individual streams may be linked in part to the freshwater decapod crustaceans (Khoo et al, 2019), dragonflies and damselflies (Cai et al, 2019), and fishes (Li et al, 2019) that occur within each of them.…”

Synthesis of results from the Comprehensive Biodiversity Survey of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Singapore, with recommendations for management

“…The synthesis of the results of the survey reaffirms that biodiversity research in Singapore as illustrated in this survey has matured and has attained another quantum level. We now not only record occurrences of species but also place emphasis on quantitative counts (Cai et al, 2019;Cheong, 2019;Karam & Chong, 2019;Khew & Tan, 2019;Koh & Court, 2019;Li et al, 2019;Lim, 2019;Teo & Thomas, 2019), document ecological interactions (Ascher et al, 2019;Cai, 2019;Cai et al, 2019;Cheong, 2019;J.K.I. Ho et al, 2019;Khew & Tan, 2019;Khoo et al, 2019;Koh & Court, 2019;Lim, 2019;Seow-Choen et al, 2019), carry out DNA-barcoding (Grootaert & Foo, 2019;J.K.I.…”

“…Stream acidification is one of the conservation concerns, as are total water flow, the amount of residual water remaining during very dry weather, and bank erosion. Concerns over freshwater crustaceans (Khoo et al, 2019) are very similar to those applying to dragonflies (Cai et al, 2019) and fishes (Li et al, 2019).…”

“…Ng & Lim (1997) listed 17 species from BTNR. Of the 27 freshwater fish species documented by the 2014-2018 survey, 16 are native to Singapore and 11 are introduced (Li et al, 2019). Two native species known from other parts of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve were recorded for the first time in BTNR.…”

“…Stream enhancement initiatives should mirror those for the terrestrial habitat, for the survival of freshwater fish, decapods, dragonflies and other aquatic plant and animal species (Cai, 2019;Cai et al, 2019;Khoo et al, 2019;Li et al, 2019;Nguyen & Cai, 2019).…”