Taxonomy
Alosa fallax subsp. fallax | Killarney Shad
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
| HABITATS DIRECTIVE ARTICLE 17 REPORTING |
| Range | Favourable |
| Population | Favourable |
| Habitat | Favourable |
| Future Prospects | Favourable |
| Overal Assessment of Conservation Status | Favourable |
| Overal trend in Conservation Status* | N/A |
Source: NPWS 2013.
| IUCN Conservation Status |
| Ireland (1) | Vulnerable [D2] |
| Europe* (2) | Critically Endangered B1ab (iii) |
| Global *(2) | Critically Endangered B1ab (iii) |
* assessed as Alosa killarnensis Regan, 1916.
Sources: (1) King, J.L. et al, 2011; (2) Freyhof, J. & Kottelat, M., 2008.
Legal status
Protected by the following legal instruments:
- EU Habitats Directive [92/43/EEC] Annex II and V.
- Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) Appendix III.
- Fisheries Acts 1959 to 2006.
Native status
Native.
Species Biology
Identification
- One dorsal fin, no adipose fin.
- Barbels not present on head.
- Dorsal and caudal (tail) fins distinct and separate.
- Lateral line absent.
- Eyelids obvious.
- Lower jaw fits into notch in upper jaw.
- Keeled ridge of scales along the belly giving a spiny look and feel there.
- Colouration; Overall silvery, with green-blue tinge dorsally, mainly silver laterally, ightening considerably to white ventrally. Usually has a number of large, dark spots laterally in front half. Dark spots may be difficult to see or may be absent.
- Usually between 43 and 53 gill rakers on the first gill arch.
- Max. recorded length 22.4cm
Source: Doherty et al, 2004.
Habitat
As a species Twaite Shad (Alosa fallax) is generally anadromous however landlocked populations do occur in European lakes. The landlocked population in Ireland, variously considered a subspecies (Alosa fallax killarnensis Regan 1916) or a species (Alosa killarnensis Regan 1916), is found in Lough Leane in Killarney.
Source: Coscia, I. et al, 2013.
- Eutrophic lakes (FL5)
- Mesotrophic lakes (FL4)
Sources: Kelly, F.L. et al 2012; Fossitt, J.A. 2001.
Reproduction
Spawning reported June-July.
Spawning thought to take place on sand and gravel bars.
Lifespan thought to be less than 5 years.
Source: Doherty, D. et al, 2004.
Threats faced
| THREAT | ARTICLE 17 CODE | RANKING |
| Invasive non-native species | I01 | High |
| Discharges** | E03 | High |
**In the Article 17 Habitats Directive reporting for the period
2007-2012 this is related to the seasonal pressures on water supply and increases in waste-water production consequent on the tourist season.
Source: NPWS 2013.
Conservation actions
In the Article 17 Habitats Directive reporting for the period 2007-2012 Conservation Actions in place or being implemented during the period were;
- Continued legal protection of the species and its habitats inside and outside of Natura 2000 sites.
- Introduction of biosecurity measures at Lough Leane.
Source: NPWS 2013.
In a 2004 paper two conservation measures were suggested for the Lough Leane population of Alosa fallax killarnensis;
- Reversal of long term nutrient enrichment.
- Identification and protection of spawning sites.
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Lough Leane, Killarney Ireland. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) world mapping is not currently available for Alosa fallax killarnensis. World mapping for the species Alosa fallax Lacepède, 1803 is available at;
http://www.gbif.org/species/2412623
Accuracy of world distribution shown in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) maps will be constrained by, amongst other factors, data held but not shared by countries and organizations not participating in the GBIF.
Irish distribution
Lough Leane, Killarney. Alosa fallax killarnensis is not currently mapped as a separate taxon on the National Biodiversity Data Centre mapping system. Mapping for the species Alosa fallax Lacepède, 1803 is available at;
http://maps.biodiversityireland.ie/#/Map/NbdcTerrestrial/Species/14129
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2025
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
How can you help
The National Biodiversity Data Centre is trying to improve our knowledge on the distribution of Alosa fallax killarnensis in Ireland. Should you observe the species, please submit sightings to add to the database. Detailed observations will assist us gaining a better insight into where the species is most abundant in Ireland and we might also be able to detect regional variations. Please submit any sightings and photographs at:
http://records.biodiversityireland.ie/index.php
All records submitted on line can be viewed on Google Maps – once checked and validated these will be added to the database and made available for conservation and research.
Further information
For further information contact Dr. Liam Lysaght llysaght@biodiversityireland.ie
References
Publications
Coscia, I., McDevitt, A. D., King, J. J., Roche, W. K., McLoughlin, C. & Mariani, S.; A species-to-be? The genetic status and colonization history of the critically endangered Killarney shad. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution Volume 69, Issue 3, December 2013, Pages 1190–1195
Doherty, D., O’Maoileidigh, N., McCarthy, T.K., 2004. The biology, ecology and future conservation of twaite shad (Alosa fallax Lacepede), Allis shad (Alosa alosa L.) and Killarney shad (Alosa fallax killarnensis Tate Regan) in Ireland. In: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy – Biology and Environment 104b, pp. 93–102.
Freyhof, J. & Kottelat, M. 2008. Alosa killarnensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 19 December 2014.
Kelly, F.L., Connor, L., Morrissey, E., Wogerbauer, C., Matson, R., Feeney, R. and Rocks, K. 2012. Water Framework Directive Fish Stock Survey of Lough Leane, September2011. Inland Fisheries Ireland, SwordsBusiness Campus, Swords, Co. Dublin, Ireland
King, J.L., Marnell, F., Kingston, N., Rosell, R., Boylan, P., Caffrey, J.M., FitzPatrick, Ú., Gargan, P.G., Kelly, F.L., O’Grady, M.F., Poole, R., Roche, W.K. & Cassidy, D. (2011) Ireland Red List No. 5: Amphibians, Reptiles & Freshwater Fish. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin, Ireland.
Maitland, Peter S., 2004. Keys to the Freshwater Fish of Britain and Ireland With Notes on Their Distribution and Ecology. The Freshwater Biological Society, Cumbria.
NPWS (2013) The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. Species Assessments Volume 3. Version 1.0. Unpublished Report, National Parks & Wildlife Services. Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin, Ireland.Relevant links
Additional comments
Recent findings by Coscia et al indicate that species ranking may be appropriate, however in most literature the population has been referred to by the subspecies epithet Alosa fallax killarnensis.
Source: Coscia, I. et al, 2013.
Habitats Directive Article 17 reporting guidance for the period 2007-2012 lists Alosa killarnensis as a species and Alosa killarnensis (Regan 1916) has been Red List assessed at a European regional basis and a global basis by IUCN.