Morphometric differences among populations of Tu’ini, Capoeta damascina (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), in the interior basins of Iran

Abstract

Summary Tu’ini, Capoeta damascina, is a widespread species in the interior basins of Iran. To examine the morphometric variations residing within the taxon, six isolated river systems from the west, south, southwest, and centre of Iran were investigated: Gharasu, Hanna, Bazoft, Eghlid, Abadeh, and Gamasiyab. A total of 240 adult fish specimens ≥180 mm standard length (females: 180–336; males: 186–304) were collected from March to June 2008. Based on the multivariate methods used (factor analysis, canonical variates analysis, and a classificatory discriminant analysis), the river samples were clearly separated into distinct groups. The Gharasu River sample was separated into a distinct group by differences in inter-nasal distance (iND), inter-orbital distance (iOD), and barbel length; the Hanna by iND, iOD, body depth (BD), minimum BD, caudal peduncle (CP) depth, CP width, and pectoral-anal distance; the Bazoft by head depth, iND, CP length, and preanal length; the Eghlid by anal-caudal distance; the Abadeh by postorbital length; and the Gamasiyab River by preorbital length, dorsal fin height and base, eye diameter, BD, preventral length, and pectoral-ventral distance.