Age Structure and Growth Characteristics of the Endemic Fish Oxynoemacheilus anatolicus (Nemacheilidae) in Düğer Creek, Mediterranean region of Turkey

Abstract

The present study reports the age and growth properties of Burdur Loach, Oxynoemacheilus anatolicus Erk'akan, Özeren & Nalbant, 2008 caught from the Düger Spring Creek (Burdur-Turkey) and is currently listed as an endangered species. 100 specimens of O. anatolicus, which ranged in size between 2.5 and 8.6 cm in total length, 0.14 and 5.90 g in total weight, were collected during the study period. Of all the O. anatolicus examined, 5 were immature, 50 were female, and 45 were male. The overall sex ratio in the populations matches the expected value of 1:1 in a normal population. The otolith readings indicated the presence of five age classes (I-V). Length-weight relationships were fitted by the equation W= 0.0082L 3.0402 (p<0.05) for both sexes combined and this indicated that growth was positive allometric. The condition factor values were calculated and ranged from 0.64 to 1.19. The obtained data was compared with available results from close species. This study provided first baseline data related to length-weight relationship, age, sex ratio and condition factor for O. anatolicus -a species whose populations have been threatened due to various ecological changes in its habitats, leading to increased concern and the need for conservation.

DNA barcoding and species delimitation of the genus Oxynoemacheilus (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) in Anatolia

“…Anatolia, having a geological history suitable for the diversification of freshwater fish species, is characterized by a high level of biodiversity and a high density of endemic species (Çiçek et al ., 2018). The loach genus Oxynoemacheilus is one of the freshwater genus in Anatolia that shows high biodiversity and endemism potential (Erk'Akan, İnnal, & Özdemir, 2013; Geiger et al ., 2014; İnnal, 2019, Turan et al ., 2019). The genus is represented by 41 species, 32 of which are endemic in Anatolia, which exhibits high species diversity (Çiçek et al ., 2018; Freyhof et al ., 2011, 2017, 2019; Froese & Pauly, 2021; Kaya et al ., 2016, 2020, 2021; Sungur et al ., 2017; Turan et al ., 2019; Yoğurtçuoğlu, Kaya, & Freyhof, 2021; Yoğurtçuoğlu, Kaya, Özuluğ, & Freyhof, 2021).…”

“…The genus is represented by 41 species, 32 of which are endemic in Anatolia, which exhibits high species diversity (Çiçek et al ., 2018; Freyhof et al ., 2011, 2017, 2019; Froese & Pauly, 2021; Kaya et al ., 2016, 2020, 2021; Sungur et al ., 2017; Turan et al ., 2019; Yoğurtçuoğlu, Kaya, & Freyhof, 2021; Yoğurtçuoğlu, Kaya, Özuluğ, & Freyhof, 2021). Therefore, this study is limited to Anatolia as it is the natural habitat of most species (Erk'akan, 2012; Freyhof et al ., 2011; İnnal, 2019; Saygun et al ., 2021). Anatolia is at the intersection point of important biogeographical regions (Şekercioğlu et al ., 2011) and forms a center of diversity for the surrounding regions (Bilgin, 2011).…”

“…Anatolia, having a geological history suitable for the diversification of freshwater fish species, is characterized by a high level of biodiversity and a high density of endemic species (Çiçek et al, 2018). The loach genus Oxynoemacheilus is one of the freshwater genus in Anatolia that shows high biodiversity and endemism potential (Erk'Akan, _ Innal, & Özdemir, 2013;Geiger et al, 2014;_ Innal, 2019.…”

“…Therefore, this study is limited to Anatolia as it is the natural habitat of most species (Erk'akan, 2012;Freyhof et al, 2011;_ Innal, 2019;Saygun et al, 2021). Anatolia is at the intersection point of important biogeographical regions (S ¸ekercio glu et al, 2011) and forms a center of diversity for the surrounding regions (Bilgin, 2011) have been described from Anatolia.…”