First Record of Non-Indigenous Fish Hemichromis letourneuxi (Cichlidae) From Pınarbaşı Creek (Burdur, Turkey)

Abstract

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.

Keywords

• alien
• ecological impact
• biodiversity
• endemic