Fish Assemblage Structure of the Köprüçay River Estuary (Antalya-Turkey)

The spatial and temporal fish species assemblages were analyzed in the Köprüçay River Estuary. Fish were sampled monthly by different nets from October 2006 and March 2008. A total of 2419 individuals distributed in 12 families and 23 species were collected. The most numerically abundant species were Mugil cephalus (32,9%) and Liza aurata (17,4%). The fish comprised 11 freshwater, 9 marine, 1 estuarine and 2 migrant. Evenness and diversity index showed a consistent seasonal pattern. Canonical correspondence analysis indicated that salinity correlated with the seasonal pattern in the fish assemblage. Key words: Community composition, Salinity, Estuary, Köprüçay River, Mediterranea

Alien fish species in reservoir systems in Turkey: a review

Turkey’s natural river systems have been anthropogenically altered in the past century. Native fish communities of river systems have comeunder increasing pressure from water engineering projects, pollution, overfishing and the movements of alien fish species. Introduction ofalien fishes is one of the main threats to the survival and genetic integrity of native fishes around the world. In Turkey, alien freshwater fish are continuing to increase in number of species, abundance, and distribution. The present paper reviews fish stocking studies in Turkey’s reservoirs

New localities of scardinius elmaliensis bogutskaya, 1997 (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) and its phylogenetic relationship based on mt DNA cytb region sequences

This study was conducted to report five new localities out of its type locality for Scardinius elmaliensis in the Western Mediterranean Basin of Turkey by providing their morphological characteristics, and their phylogenetic relationship based on mtDNA Cytb region. The results revealed significant differences of all studied populations in terms of the morphometric characters despite their low genetic differences, but their meristic characters were not different. All six studied populations of S. elmaliensis including that of type locality formed a monophyletic group with S. erythrophthalmus as sister group. The molecular result confirmed distinction of S. elmaliensis from S. erythrophthalmus based on Cytb genetic distance of 1.6-1.8%. The occurrence of S. elmaliensis out of type locality was firstly reported in this study. Such knowledge is important for future conservation strategies and habitat management of this species

First record of non-indigenous fish hemichromis letourneuxi (cichlidae) from pınarbaşı creek (Burdur, Turkey)

Freshwater habitats of Anatolia have been subject to the impacts of many invasive alien fish species. African jewelfish, Hemichromis letourneuxi Sauvage, 1880 is an ornamental freshwater fish which is widely distributed throughout northern half of Africa. In this study, H. letourneuxi was collected from Pınarbaşı Creek, Burdur Province, Turkey. Introduced specimens of H. letourneuxi in this area may be the result of escapes from fish farms, intentional releases from nearby ornamental fish farms or aquariums. This study discusses the potential ecological impacts of H. letourneuxi upon native fish fauna and ecosystem in the area.Anadolu’daki tatlısu habitatları çok sayıda istilacı yabancı balık türünün etkilerine maruz kalmıştır. Afrika mücevher balığı, Hemichromis letourneuxi Sauvage, 1880, Afrika'nın kuzey yarısı boyunca yaygın olarak bulunan bir tatlı su süs balığıdır. Bu çalışmada, H. letourneuxi türü Burdur İli Pınarbaşı Deresi'nden toplanmıştır. Bu bölgedeki yabancı H. letourneuxi bireylerinin girişi balık çiftliklerinden kaçmalar veya süs balık çiftlikleri ile akvaryumlardan kasıtlı olarak salınma şeklinde sonuçlanmış olabilir. Bu çalışma, H. letourneuxi'nin bölgedeki yerli balık faunası ve ekosistemi üzerindeki potansiyel ekolojik etkilerini tartışmaktadır

Distribution and impacts of Carassius species (Cyprinidae) in Turkey: a review

Biological invasions have caused considerable disruption to native ecosystems throughout the world through predation, habitat alteration, competition and hybridisation with native species and introduction of diseases or parasites. Species of the genus Carassius [C. auratus (Linnaeus, 1758), C. carassius (Linnaeus, 1758) and C. gibelio (Bloch, 1782)] were transported to numerous inland water bodies throughout Turkey. Species are now considered a threat factor for native species. The purpose of this study is to review the current distribution and ecological impacts of species in the inland waters of Turkey.Las invasiones biologicas han causado considerable disrupciones a los ecosistemas nativos de todo el Mundo mediante la predación, alteración del hábitat, la competencia e hibridación y por la introducción de enfermedades o parásitos. Las especies del género Carassius [C. auratus (Linnaeus, 1758), C. carassius (Linnaeus, 1758) and C. gibelio (Bloch, 1782)] han sido instroducidas en numerosos cuerpos de agua por toda Turquía. Estas especies son ahora consideradas un factor de amenaza para las especies autóctonas. En este estudio se revisa la distribución actual y los impactos ecológicos de estas tres especies en aguas continentales de Turquía

Distribution and impacts of Carassius species (Cyprinidae) in Turkey: a review

Biological invasions have caused considerable disruption to nativeecosystems throughout the world through predation, habitat alteration, competition and hybridisation with native species and introduction of diseases or parasites. Species of the genus Carassius [C. auratus (Linnaeus, 1758), C. carassius (Linnaeus, 1758) and C. gibelio (Bloch, 1782)] were transported to numerous inland water bodies throughout Turkey. Species are now considered a threat factor for native species. The purpose of this study is to review the current distribution and ecological impacts of species in the inland waters of Turkey

Status of Endemic Freshwater Fish Fauna Inhabiting Major Lakes of Turkey under the Threats of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Disturbances: A Review

Due to its peculiar geographical position and its environmental heterogeneity, Turkey represents an important biodiversity hotspot for freshwater fish fauna. Unfortunately, native fish communities of Turkey, mainly from lentic ecosystems, have been massively altered in the past decades. Furthermore, these species, especially the endemic species, are now threatened by several human activities in addition to the global issue of climatic changes. The aim of this paper is to provide an updated review on the current status of endemic fish species from main lakes of Turkey including major threats affecting fish assemblages. By gathering data from the literature and authors’ personal observations, 62 endemic fish species were reported to occur in the considered 37 Turkish Lakes. The presence of non-native species, agriculture activities, climatic drought, and decreasing water level were found to be the threats that most affect the fish communities of the considered Turkish Lakes