It is a global concern to assess extinction risk and set conservation priority for threatened species. In the present study, we assessed extinction risks and conservation priorities for 64 endemic fish species in the Upper Yangtze River, which might be threatened by cascade dams in the Lower Jinsha River. Eight independent criteria were selected and scored to calculate an Extinction Risk Index (ERI) and a Conservation Priority Index (CPI) for each species with a linear rating system. These criteria reflect extinction-prone life-history traits, distribution characteristics, threat extents, and other conservation concerns. Species with high current threats, large body sizes, low fecundity, low historical occurrences and low recent-record rates had high ERIs (i.e. high risk of extinction). High CPIs (i.e. high conservation priorities) were assigned to species (e.g. Yangtze sturgeon) that represented those most in need of conservation in the impacted region given their high extinction risks, high levels of future threat from damming, high economic and genetic values. We recommend habitat protection and other conservation measures should be taken to conserve those endemic fish species with high conservation priorities.
