UGROŽENE VRSTE RIBA U SVIJETU: Cobitis levantina Krupp & Moubayed, 1992 (Cobitidae)

Cobitis levantina is distributed only in the uppermost Litani and Orontes River basins in Syria and Turkey. Its populations are under threat due to several factors such as desiccation, climate change and pollution. The species is assessed as Endangered (EN) in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.Cobitis levantina je rasprostranjena u području najgornjeg dijela riječnih slivova rijeka Litani i Orontes u Siriji i Turskoj. Njezina populacija je ugrožena radi nekoliko čimbenika kao što su isušivanje, klimatske promjene i zagađenje. Vrsta se procjenjuje kao ugrožena (EN) prema IUCN Crvenom popisu ugroženih vrsta

Mapping the establishment and invasiveness potential of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Turkey: With special emphasis on the conservation of native salmonids

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) has become by far the most frequently farmed freshwater fish species in Turkey, whereas very little is known about its establishment and invasiveness potential. We explored this potential through a combination of Maxent habitat suitability model and the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK) on the river basin scale by generating an overall risk score (ORS). The outcome of this approach was also incorporated with the spatial analysis of native salmonid species by generating a relative vulnerability score (RVS) to prioritize susceptibility of native species (or populations) and to propose risk hotspots by identifying their potential geographic overlap and interaction with O. mykiss. Results suggest that the northern basins (Eastern Black Sea, Western Black Sea and Marmara basins) are the most suitable basins for O. mykiss. According to the Basic Risk Assessment (BRA) threshold scores, O. mykiss is classified as "high risk" for 3 (12.0%) of the 25 river basins screened (Western Black Sea, Eastern Black Sea and Maritza-Ergene), and as "medium risk" for the remaining basins. The climate change assessment (CCA) scores negatively contributed the overall invasiveness potential of O. mykiss in 22 (88.0%) of the river basins and resulted in zero contribution for the remaining three, namely Aras-Kura, coruh river and Eastern Black Sea. The ORS score of river basins was lowest for Orontes and highest for Western Black Sea, whereas it was lowest for Konya-closed basin and highest for Eastern Black Sea, when CCA was associated. The micro-basins occupied by Salmo rizeensis had the highest mean habitat suitability with O. mykiss. Among the all species, S. abanticus had the highest RVS, followed by S. munzuricus and S. euphrataeus. The overall outcome of the present study also suggests that the establishment and invasiveness potential of O. mykiss may decrease under future (climate warmer) in Turkey, except for the northeast region. This study can provide environmental managers and policy makers an insight into using multiple tools for decision-making. The proposed RVS can also be considered as a complementary tool to improve IUCN red list assessment protocols of species

Threatened fishes of the world: Pseudophoxinus crassus (Ladiges, 1960) Cyprinidae, from Central Anatolia, Turkey

WOS: 000273032300003

Growth and reproduction of a stream population of Cobitis turcica in central Anatolia ( Turkey)

WOS: 000333452200010Cobitis turcica is endemic to Anatolia, and being of a bottom-dwelling nature is highly influenced by habitat degradation. Due to drought and water pollution, in 2006 this species was included in the IUCN Red List as endangered. Therefore in order to develop conservation strategies, knowledge of its life history traits is important. The study presents first time data on the basic life history traits of C.turcica captured in a small stream flowing from Pnarba Springs to Kozanl Gok Lake in central Anatolia. In total, 1356 specimens were caught between March 2003 and August 2004. The overall sex ratio (M:F) was 1:0.62. Longevity in females, which reaches a maximum age of 6+, is 1year longer than for males. Females are longer and heavier than males of the same age group. Maximum observed total lengths were 103.6mm in a 5+ year-old male and 126.75mm in a 6+ year-old female. Length-weight relationships were calculated for males, females, and juveniles, with the b exponent of the relationships as 2.9068, 2.8326, and 3.6859, respectively. Spawning was fractional, beginning in April and continuing until the end of July. Mean total fecundity was 2238 at age 5+.HU-BAB (Scientific Research Centre) ProjectHarran University [0302601009]The authors thank Dr. Mehmet Ekmekci for his help during sampling. This study was supported by the HU-BAB (Scientific Research Centre) Project no: 0302601009

Frequency of black spot disease in Cobitis cf. turcica from Pinarbasi Springs (Haymana, Turkey)

WOS: 000300036600011During a survey on the biology of Cobitis cf. turcica living in Pinarbasi Springs (Haymana district, Turkey), symptoms of black spot disease were frequently observed on the specimens. Of the 1295 loach collected, 240 (19 %) specimens were found to be infected with metacercaria of Posthodiplostomum cuticola, a common digenean parasite causing black spot disease in freshwater fish in Eurasia. During spring and autumn, the infection rate was significantly higher than during winter and summer, most probably due to the increasing density of migration of birds in this area. No statistically significant difference was found in condition, weight and length between infected and non-infected specimens; indicating low physiological effects of the encysted metacercaria on the host specimens. However, the prevalence of black spot had a tendency to decrease with age, remarking a higher mortality rate of infected specimens. This increased mortality rate seems to be the most important impact of an infection with metacercaria for a Cobitis population

LIFE-HISTORY TRAITS OF THE INVASIVE POPULATION OF PRUSSIAN CARP, CARASSIUS GIBELIO (ACTINOPTERIGI: CYPRINIFORMES: CYPRINIDAE), FROM GELINGULLU RESERVOIR, YOZGAT, TURKEY

WOS: 000317035600005Kirankaya S.G., Ekmekci F.G. 2013. Life-history traits of the invasive population of Prussian carp, Carassius gibelio (Actinopterigi: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae), from Gelingullu Reservoir, Yozgat, Turkey. Acta Ichthyol. Piscat. 43 (1): 31-40. Background. Prussian carp, Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782), is one of the successful invaders of freshwater systems of Turkey. Although, Prussian carp has rapidly expanded its area of distribution in Anatolia during the last two decades, there is limited information about its biological features in new environments. In order to determine the impact of invasive species on ecosystem, the life history characteristics of an exotic fish species in different locations should be monitored. The presently reported study provides information about the growth and reproduction of Prussian carp introduced into a reservoir in Central Anatolia. Materials and methods. Age, growth, and reproduction of Prussian carp were studied during a 3-year period in Gelingullu Reservoir, Kizilirmak River Basin. A total of 344 specimens were caught by gill nets. Age was determined from scales. Length-weight relation, von Bertalanffy equation, and specific growth rate were used to evaluate the fish growth. In order to assess growth and reproduction patterns, fecundity, GSI, and variations in oocyte size were determined. Results. Both males and females reached a maximum age of 5+ years. Fork length was 6-27 cm in males and 5.6-26.8 cm in females. Both sexes matured during their second year of life (1+ year). In the Gelingullu Reservoir population the males were predominant the overall sex ratio was 1 : 0.73 (193 males to 139 females) and differed significantly from unity. The von Bertalanffy growth equation was L-t = 32.17 (1 - e(-0.232(t-0.094))) cm for males and L-l = 36.03 (1 - e(-0.212(t-0.205))) cm for females. Growth in length was approximately 70% in males and 85% in females during the first year of life. The somatic condition of the fish increased markedly during late spring and summer. A prolonged spawning period was observed from April to August. Maximum egg diameter was 1.51 mm and maximum absolute fecundity was 174 000 oocytes. Conclusion. Compared to previously published data, the studied Prussian carp population was characterized by more rapid growth during the first year of life, earlier maturity, higher fecundity, and a shorter life span. These life history characteristics are typical of invasive species.Hacettepe University Research CenterHacettepe University [07-D-03601002]This research was funded by the Hacettepe University Research Center (project no. 07-D-03601002) and was part of S.G. Kirankaya's PhD thesis that was submitted in 2007 and supervised by F.G. Ekmekci

Frequency of black spot disease in cobitis cf. turcica from pınarbaşı springs (Haymana, Turkey)

During a survey on the biology of Cobitis cf. turcica living in Pınarbaşı Springs (Haymana district, Turkey), symptoms of black spot disease were frequently observed on the specimens. Of the 1295 loach collected, 240 (19%) specimens were found to be infected with metacercaria of Posthodiplostomum cuticola, a common digenean parasite causing black spot disease in freshwater fish in Eurasia. During spring and autumn, the infection rate was significantly higher than during winter and summer, most probably due to the increasing density of migration of birds in this area. No statistically significant difference was found in condition, weight and length between infected and non-infected specimens; indicating low physiological effects of the encysted metacercaria on the host specimens. However, the prevalence of black spot had a tendency to decrease with age, remarking a higher mortality rate of infected specimens. This increased mortality rate seems to be the most important impact of an infection with metacercaria for a Cobitis population