Conservation status of freshwater fish of Albania

Analysis of both uni‐(two mtDNA gene sequences) and bi‐parentally (seven microsatellite loci) inherited genetic markers, together with analysis of 40 morphological characters, described Salmo ohridanus as a highly divergent member of the genus Salmo. Based on comparative substitution rate differences at the cytochrome b gene, and a rough estimated age of the Salmo trutta complex (i.e. at least 2 million years), the S. ohridanus and Salmo obtusirostris clade probably split from a common ancestor of brown trout Salmo trutta >4 million years ago, overlapping with minimum age estimates of the formation of Europe's oldest freshwater habitat, Lake Ohrid. Comparative analysis with Lake Ohrid brown trout (known regionally as Salmo letnica), supported the notion that these fish have more recently colonized the lake and phylogenetically belong to the Adriatic lineage of brown trout. It is further suggested that species‐specific saturation in the mtDNA control region underestimated the divergence between S. ohridanus and S. trutta. Evidence of rare hybridization between S. ohridanus and Lake Ohrid brown trout was seen at both mtDNA and microsatellite markers, but there was no support for extensive introgression.

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“…Successful artificial hybridization between female S . ohridanus and male Lake Ohrid brown trout has been reported (Rakaj & Flloko, 1995).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic and morphological characterization of a Lake Ohrid endemic, Salmo (Acantholingua) ohridanus with a comparison to sympatric Salmo trutta

Sušnik

Knizhin

Snoj

et al. 2006

Journal of Fish Biology

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“…However, a more detailed investigation should be made regarding the food chain of the fish to draw conclusions. Heavy metal concentrations should be measured also for the species they feed on, like zooplankton, benthic invertebrates, fish larvae, freshwater prawns for S. ohridanus, or other fish such as bleak for S. letnica (Rakaj and Flloko 1995). Furthermore, other organisms, especially bottom feeders, can be more representative of the heavy metal transfer from sediments to the biota of the lake.…”

Section: Loss On Ignitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Near-shore distribution of heavy metals in the Albanian part of Lake Ohrid

Malaj

Rousseau

Laing

et al. 2011

Environ Monit Assess

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The heavy metal contamination in Lake Ohrid, a lake shared between Albania and Macedonia, was studied. Lake Ohrid is believed to be one of the oldest lakes in the world, with a large variety of endemic species. Different anthropogenic pressures, especially heavy metal influxes from mining activities, might have influenced the fragile equilibrium of the lake ecosystem. Heavy metal concentrations in water, sediment, emergent vegetation, and fish were investigated at selected sites of the lake and a study of the heavy metals in five tributaries was conducted. The lake surface water was found to have low levels of heavy metals, but sediments contained very high levels mostly near river mouths and mineral dump areas with concentrations reaching 1,501 mg/kg for Ni, 576 mg/kg for Cr, 116.8 mg/kg for Co and 64.8 g/kg for Fe. Sequential extraction of metals demonstrates that heavy metals in the sediment are mainly present in the residual fraction varying from 75% to 95% in different sites. High heavy metal levels (400 mg/kg Ni, 89 mg/kg Cr, and 39 mg/kg Co) were found in plants (stem of Phragmites australis), but heavy metals could not be detected in fish tissue (gill, muscle, and liver of Salmo letnica and Salmothymus ohridanus).

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“…gibelio is present in all Balkan countries neighboring to Greece: Albania (Rakaj and Flloko 1995;Shumka et al 2008), Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) (Talevski et al 2009), Bulgaria (Stefanov 2007), Turkey (Kalous et al 2004;Oezulug et al 2004;Innal and Erk'akan 2006;Ozcan 2007) and practically in most of the transboundary inland waters (Rivers Evros, Nestos, Strymonas and Axios and Lakes Doirani and Prespes) (Economou et al 2007) (Fig. 1).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Carassius gibelio in Greece: the dominant naturalised invader of freshwaters

Perdikaris

Ergolavou

Gouva

et al. 2011

Rev Fish Biol Fisheries

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Ichthyofauna in the Hellenic freshwaters is quite diverse consisted of 161 species (including 28 non-natives), out of the 546 native species in PanEuropean level. However, the status of many aquatic ecosystems is currently degraded as a result of a variety of anthropogenic impacts. This has direct reflection on the conservation status of the indigenous and native fish species whose populations are in many cases declining in favor of the invasive ones. Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) is probably the most dominant invasive species and currently is considered as naturalized in about 26 lake and river basins. Its successful adaptation and proliferation is mainly attributed to its dual reproductive mode (allogynogenetic and gonochoristic), the opportunistic-omnivorous feeding habits and the ability to withstand and flourish in adverse ecological conditions. Accordingly, it exerts competitive, as well as destructive effects upon the indigenous fish species (sperm parasitism, antagonism for food, spawning grounds and spawning substrates) and therefore, efforts are needed to sustain a relative balance of the populations. This review aims to critically discuss the status of C. gibelio in Greece, the intrinsic causes of establishment and the observed impacts on ecosystems. Finally, reasonable actions are proposed related to exploitation of C. gibelio stocks and a path model for the protection of native fish species and their ecosystems.

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Conservation status of freshwater fish of Albania

Cited by 24 publications

References 1 publication

Genetic and morphological characterization of a Lake Ohrid endemic, Salmo (Acantholingua) ohridanus with a comparison to sympatric Salmo trutta

Genetic and morphological characterization of a Lake Ohrid endemic, Salmo (Acantholingua) ohridanus with a comparison to sympatric Salmo trutta

Near-shore distribution of heavy metals in the Albanian part of Lake Ohrid

Carassius gibelio in Greece: the dominant naturalised invader of freshwaters

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