The Effect of Anthropogenic Activities on the Fish Fauna of the Devrez Stream (Turkiye)

Abstract

In this study, fish species diversity and protection criteria, habitat evaluation, and threat elements of the ichthyofauna of the Devrez Stream were examined monthly between April 2020 and March 2021. Eight fish taxa (7 natives, 1 non-native) belonging to four families (Cyprinidae, Gobionidae, Leuciscidae, Gobiidae) were identified. Chondrostoma angorense Elvira, 1987 (endemic) from the mentioned species was reported for the first time in the Devrez Stream. Squalius sp. (32.5%), Chondrostoma angorense (24.4%), Capoeta tinca (23.9%), and Alburnoides freyhofi (11.1%) were the most common and abundant species while Pseudorasbora parva (0.5%), Barbus anatolicus (1.2%), Alburnus goekhani (2.4%) and Neogobius fluviatilis (4%) were the most rarely encountered species in the stream. According to our observations, drought, agricultural irrigation, and Devrez Kızlaryolu Dam, which is under construction, were considered major threats to the fish fauna.