New ichthyological findings in Armenia

Abstract

Three new fish species were found in southeastern Armenia. The presence of Kura gudgeon Romanogobio macropterus is reconfirmed after 80 years of absence. Kura roach Rutilus caspicus, Transcaucasian white bream Blicca bjoerkna transcaucasica, and European pikeperch Sander lucioperca were found for the first time. All three species were registered in Aras River. Kura gudgeon was caught in 2008 just before flooding of the Aras Reservoir. The other two species were found during the period of flooding in 2010. Attempts to find Kura gudgeon failed in the Aras River and its nearest tributaries in 2010 after damming and change of the hydrological regime. Probably, penetration of the species from the lower reach of the Aras River to the middle and upper reach became possible owing to subsequent appearance of a broad limnetic zone after damming. Range expansion of widely distributed cyprinid species upstream may lead to the replacement and even disappearance of local endemic forms, the Armenian roach Rutilus schelkovnikovi and the Armenian white bream Blicca bjoerkna derjavini, which inhabit the Mezamor River and its tributaries.