What makes the Zebra Pleco inherently vulnerable to localized disturbances?
Answer
Its range is exceptionally narrow, restricted to one specific river section
The conservation status of the Zebra Pleco is highly precarious because its entire wild existence is restricted to a small geographical footprint, specifically within the Volta Grande do Xingu. This lack of geographic distribution means that any significant localized disturbance—whether it be pollution affecting water quality, changes in the flow rate due to upstream alterations, or degradation of the rocky substrate—can potentially impact the entire global wild population catastrophically. This singular reliance on one specific area severely limits the species' resilience against environmental change.
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