Translocation and new geographical distribution of the invasive Redbelly Tilapia, Coptodon zillii (Gervais, 1848) (Teleostei: Cichlidae) in southern Iran

Azad Teimori,Majid Askari Hesni,Mina Motamedi

doi:10.15560/13.1.2051

Abstract

A new geographical distribution record of the invasive species of Redbelly Tilapia, Coptodon zillii, is reported here from a drainage in southern Iran, based on the discovery of a population at Howba spring. The locality of the new record is now completely dominated by this exotic fish; this location was previously inhabited by native fishes. As tilapia species have a high resilience to harsh environmental conditions, they can easily be translocated to, and establish in, new habitats. Thus, ecological monitoring of this exotic fish species is highly recommended.

Highlights

Introduction of fish species into theIranian freshwater ecosystems has been well documented, with the introduction of Gambusia holbrooki Girard, 1859 (Poeciliidae) in the 1920s and Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758 (Cyprinidae) in the late 1930s (Coad & Abdoli 1993; Coad 1996)
The locality of the new record is completely dominated by this exotic fish; this location was previously inhabited by native fishes
Coptodon zillii has been reported from Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon as a native fish, and from Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq, and recently Iran as an introduced species (Job 1967; Coad 2012; Khaefi et al 2014; Roozbhfar et al 2014)

Summary

Introduction

Introduction of fish species into theIranian freshwater ecosystems has been well documented, with the introduction of Gambusia holbrooki Girard, 1859 (Poeciliidae) in the 1920s and Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758 (Cyprinidae) in the late 1930s (Coad & Abdoli 1993; Coad 1996). Abstract: A new geographical distribution record of the invasive species of Redbelly Tilapia, Coptodon zillii, is reported here from a drainage in southern Iran, based on the discovery of a population at Howba spring. The locality of the new record is completely dominated by this exotic fish; this location was previously inhabited by native fishes.

Results

Conclusion