The status of Garra ghorensis in Jordan: distribution, ecology and threats

Abstract

Six sites in Jordan were continuously visited during the year 2002 to study the distribution and the status of the cyprinid fish Garra ghorensis which is endemic to the southern Dead Sea area. Parameters such as temperature, conductivity, salinity, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, pH, and water current speed were used to characterise each site. The population structure for both G. ghorensis and the introduced cichlid Oreochromis aureus in Ain al-Haditha is illustrated. Current threats affecting G. ghorensis are briefly discussed.