Frontiers in Marine Science (Nov 2015)
Biodiversity and conservation status of fish of Ceyhan River basin in Osmaniye, Turkey
Abstract
In this study, It was investigated biodiversity and conservation status of fish of Ceyhan River basin in Osmaniye province. Ceyhan River flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The fish specimens were obtained by elektroshocker from rivers and streams, with trammel nets from lakes and reservoirs. Conservation status of each fish was given based on IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Anguilla anguilla, Cyprinus carpio, Carassius gibelio, Acanthobrama marmid, Alburnus orontis, Pseudophoxinus zekayi, Squalius kottelati, Garra rufa, Chondrostoma regium, Luciobarbus pectoralis, Capoeta angorae, Capoeta erhani, Cobitis evreni, Oxynemacheilus ceyhanensis, Oxynemacheilus evreni, Silurus glanis, Clarias gariepinus, Aphanius mento, Capoeta antalyensis, Hemigrammocapoeta culiciphaga, Gambusia holbrooki and Salaria fluviatilis were determined in the study. Capoeta angorae, Garra rufa and Alburnus orontis showed a wide distribution of Ceyhan river systems. Pseudophoxinus zekayi, Capoeta erhani, Schistura ceyhanensis and Cobitis evreni described in recent years were reported as endemic species for Ceyhan river basin. Capoeta antalyensis which is an endemic species to Anatolia determined in this study for the first time in Ceyhan Basin. Out of 22 species, 1 species are critically endangered (CR), 1 species are endangered (EN), 1 species are near threatened (NT), 4 species are vulnerable (VU), 11 species are at least concern (LC), 3 species data is deficient (DD) according to IUCN Red List category (Version 2015-4). Cyprinus carpio, Carassius gibelio, Clarias gariepinus, Gambusia holbrooki have been determined as invasive species. These species, according to GISP (Global Invasive Species Programme) claim one of the worst 100 invasive species in the world, constitutes a major threat to endemic species belonging to the Ceyhan River basin. Carassius gibelio were determined in this study for the first time in Ceyhan basin. Carp (Cyprinus carpio) is accepted as native species to Anatolia at the present time. The conservation measures suggested in this river basin must include strict regulation and control over removal of sand, controlling pollution and minimizing the threats caused by the increasing number of exotic species.
Keywords
