Lakes Kutubu & Sentani - A Global Ecoregion
Lake Kutubu, a wetland of International Importance
Snapshot: Ecoregion 187
Size:
12,000 sq. km (4,700 sq. miles)
Habitat type:
Small Lakes
Geographic Location:
Southeast Asia, in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea
Conservation Status:
Relatively Stable/Intact
Quiz Time!
What is so unique about the Kikori Basin?
Answer:
The Kikori Basin is home to the world's longest lizard, largest egg-laying mammal (the echidna), largest pigeon, largest moth, and the second-largest butterfly.
Answer:
The Kikori Basin is home to the world's longest lizard, largest egg-laying mammal (the echidna), largest pigeon, largest moth, and the second-largest butterfly.
About the Area
This ecoregion is located within one of the least populated areas of Papua New Guinea. Its relatively small Lake Kutubu contains 11 endemic fish species, a phenomenon rarely seen in tropical lakes outside of those in the Rift Valley of Africa.
It plays such a big role in maintaining the Earth's natural diversity that in 1998 it was declared a Wetland of International Importance. As for Lake Sentani, besides having its own species of rainbowfish, it is also home to another unique species called the Sentani gudgeon. Invertebrates are poorly known for this ecoregion.Local Species
Endemic fish species include Kutubu tandan (Oloplotosus torobo), Lake Kutubu rainbowfish (Melanotaenia lacustris), Kutubu hardyhead (Craterocephalus lacustris), Adamson's grunter (Hephaestus adamsoni), Lake Kutubu mogurnda (Mogurnda kutubuensis), blotched and variegated mogurndas (M. spilota and M. variegata), and Sentani rainbowfish (Chilatherina sentaniensis).
Threats
Lake Kutubu is threatened by over fishing and oil developments nearby, with associated road-building activities and potential for oil spills. Introduced fish species could be very harmful to the endemic species found in these lakes.
Resources
• NationalGeographic.com
