Threatened fishes of the world: Capoeta antalyensis (Battalgil, 1943) (Cyprinidae)

Abstract

Common name: Antalya barb (English), Antalya Saribaligi (Turkish). Conservation status: Vulnerable VU D2 (Crivelli 2006). Identification: D III/8–9, A III/5, P I/15–17, V I/7–8 and Ll. 50–56. Reachs 195 mm TL. Body elongated and fusiform. The mouth is ventral and like a half-moon, two pairs of barbels. Body covered by moderate scales. Last unbranched ray of the dorsal fin thickened, slightly emarginated and denticulated up to 2/3 of its length. Grey to blackish coloration on dorsal and sides, and silver-grey ventrally (Karaman 1969; Erk’akan and Kuru 1983). Distribution: The Antalya barb has a very restricted distribution. There are three populations, Aksu, Koprucay and Boga Streams (Kucuk and Ikiz 2004). Abundance: It is abundant in the Aksu, but is rare in the Koprucay and Boga (Kucuk and Guclu 2006). Habitat and ecology: This species prefers upper reaches, with high flow, clear and cold water, and inhabits shallow streams with sandy and pebbly bottom, being concurrently with Salmo trutta macrostigma (Kucuk and Ikiz 2004). Reproduction: Very few data are available. Breeding takes place from May to June (Kucuk and Ikiz 2004). Threats: C. antalyensis is threatened due to its limited distribution. Furthermore, river damming for hydroelectricity resulted in destruction of shallow water habitats and in the decline of their populations. Conservation action and recommendations: Besides the inclusion in the IUCN International Red List, no specific legal protection or conservation actions have yet been taken. In order to implement future management and protection programs, further research addressing the biology, ecology, genetic diversity and population status of the species is required. However, future conservation efforts should include the protection of the species natural habitats. Remarks: C. antalyensis is highly endemic with restricted distribution.