Capoeta Damascina Research Articles

Identification of Species Composition of Fish in the Zarivar Lake (Kurdistan Province of Iran)

Zarivar Lake is a small, freshwater body in the far west of Iran, situated in the north Kurdistan Province close to the city of Marivan, with an area of about 750 ha and average water depth of 4 - 5 meters. During a survey of Zarivar Lake from 2010 to 2011, some specimens were obtained by seasonal sampling in 5 stations. They were used for gill net sampling in the lake. Due to the results, 6 species from 2 families in Zarivar Lake were identified. Most of the fish species belonged to Cyprinidae family. Totally, 6 species (Cyprinus carpio, Ctenopharyngodon idella, Capoeta damascina, Chalcalburnus sp., Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Gambosia affinis) were identified from Cyprinidae and Poeciliidae families.

Molecular Phylogeny and Zoogeography of the Capoeta damascina Species Complex (Pisces: Teleostei: Cyprinidae).

Capoeta damascina was earlier considered by many authors as one of the most common freshwater fish species found throughout the Levant, Mesopotamia, Turkey, and Iran. However, owing to a high variation in morphological characters among and within its various populations, 17 nominal species were described, several of which were regarded as valid by subsequent revising authors. Capoeta damascina proved to be a complex of closely related species, which had been poorly studied. The current study aims at defining C. damascina and the C. damascina species complex. It investigates phylogenetic relationships among the various members of the C. damascina complex, based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences. Phylogenetic relationships were projected against paleogeographical events to interpret the geographic distribution of the taxa under consideration in relation to the area’s geological history. Samples were obtained from throughout the geographic range and were subjected to genetic analyses, using two molecular markers targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (n = 103) and the two adjacent divergence regions (D1-D2) of the nuclear 28S rRNA genes (n = 65). Six closely related species were recognized within the C. damascina complex, constituting two main lineages: A western lineage represented by C. caelestis, C. damascina, and C. umbla and an eastern lineage represented by C. buhsei, C. coadi, and C. saadii. The results indicate that speciation of these taxa is rather a recent event. Dispersal occurred during the Pleistocene, resulting in present-day distribution patterns. A coherent picture of the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of the C. damascina species complex is drawn, explaining the current patterns of distribution as a result of paleogeographic events and ecological adaptations.

Distribution of Fish Fauna in Adıyaman Region, Turkey

The distribution of the fish fauna and some diagnostic characteristics of the species in the region of Adiyaman located in the Euphrates basin were identified between July 2012 and December 2013. A total of 649 fish samples were obtained using by electroshocker and gillnets from 3 natural lakes, 1 reservoir and 10 streams. Totally, 26 taxa belonging to 7 families were identified and these are Mastacembelus mastacembelus , Cyprinus carpio , Carassius gibelio , Acanthobrama marmid , Alburnoides bibunctatus , Alburnus caeruleus , Alburnus mossulensis , Squalius berak , Cyprinion macrostomum , Garra rufa , Chondrostoma regium , Aspius vorax , Arabibarbus grypus, Carasobarbus luteus , Barbus lacerta , Luciobarbus mystaceus , Caopeta trutta, Capoeta damascina, Cobitis elazigensis, Oxynemacheilus frenatus, Oxynemacheilus kaynaki, Silurus triestegus, Glyptothorax kurdistanicus , Aphanius mento , Liza abu, Oncorhyncus mykiss . From these, Luciobarbus mystaceus, Cobitis elazigensis, Oxynoemacheilus kaynaki, Squalius berak and Arabibarbus grypus were endemic species. Arabibarbus grypus , Liza abu and Silurus triostegus were only determined in the lentic systems. Capoeta damascina , Cyprinion macrostomum and Garra rufa were the dominant fish species and they have wide distribution area in the region. However, Aphanius mento were only determined in a canal connected to lake Golbasi.

Contribution to the molecular systematics of the genus Capoeta from the south Caspian Sea basin using mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences (Teleostei: Cyprinidae).

Traditionally, Capoeta populations from the southern Caspian Sea basin have been considered as Capoeta capoeta gracilis. Study on the phylogenetic relationship of Capoeta species using mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences show that Capoeta population from the southern Caspian Sea basin is distinct species and receive well support (posterior probability of 100%). Based on the tree topologies obtained from Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood methods, three main groups for the studied Capoeta were detected: Clade I) Capoeta trutta group (the Mesopotamian Capoeta group) including closely related taxa (e.g. trutta, turani, barroisi) characterized by having numerous irregular black spots on the dorsal half of the body. This clade was the sister group to all other Capoeta species and its separation occurred very early in evolution possess, so we considered it as O ld Evolutionary Group. Clade II) comprises highly diversified and widespread group, Capoeta damascina complex group (small scale capoeta group), the Anatolian-Iranian group (e.g. banarescui, buhsei, damascina, saadii), characterized by small scales and plain body (absence of irregular black spots on the dorsal half of the body, except in some juveniles) with significantly later speciation event so called Young Evolutionary Group. Clade III) Capoeta capoeta complex group (large scale capoeta group, the Aralo-Caspian group) comprises very closely related taxa characterized by large scales and plain body (absence of irregular black spots on the dorsal half of the body) distributed in Aralo-Caspian water bodies (capoeta, ekmekciae, heratensis, gracilis, sevangi) that has been recently diverged and could be considered as Very Young Evolutionary Group.

Capoeta coadi, a new species of cyprinid fish from the Karun River drainage, Iran based on morphological and molecular evidences (Teleostei, Cyprinidae).

As presently recognized, the genus Capoeta includes 24 species, nine of which are known to occur in Iran (Capoeta aculeata, Capoeta capoeta, Capoeta buhsei, Capoeta damascina, Capoeta fusca, Capoeta heratensis, Capoeta mandica, Capoeta saadii and Capoeta trutta) and are distributed in almost all Iranian basins except Sistan and Mashkid. Capoeta coadi sp. n. is a new species from the Karun River, southern Iran, draining into the Arvand Rud (Shatt al-Arab) which drains into the Persian Gulf. It is distinguished from all other species of Capoeta by the combination of the following characters: elongate and usually cylindrical body; 8–9 branched dorsal-fin rays; last unbranched dorsal-fin ray weakly to moderately ossified and serrated along 1/3–2/3 of its length; scales small; 70-84 in lateral line (total); 12–17 scales between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line; 9-11 scales between anal-fin origin and lateral line; 26–32 circum-peduncular scales; 10–13 gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch; 45–47 total vertebrae; one posterior pair of barbels; bright golden-greenish or silvery body coloration in life; length of the longest dorsal-fin ray 15–22% SL; head length 23–26% SL; mouth width 7–10% SL. Capoeta coadi is also distinguished from all other congeners in the Iranian drainages by fixed diagnostic nucleotide substitutions in the mtDNA COI barcode region and cyt b. It is nested in the Capoeta damascina species complex.

Pathological effects of sublethal diazinon on the blood, gill, liver and kidney of the freshwater fish Capoeta damascina

ABSTRACTCapoeta damascina has a large distribution in the Middle East and is one of the most abundant fishes in inland waters of Iran. Histopathological symptoms of the blood, gill, liver and kidney of C. damascina were investigated over 1, 5 and 9-day exposure to 0 (control), 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg L−1 diazinon. The data were analysed using analysis of variance and non-parametric multivariate analysis of variance. Diazinon concentration was more important than the exposure time on changes of the tissues. Diazinon decreased red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), haematocrit (Hct) and haemoglobin (Hb). The symptoms of the gill were mainly desquamation, epithelial hyperplasia, hyperplasia at the base of secondary lamella, epithelial lifting and curling. The prevalent symptoms of the liver were degeneration of nuclei, alternation in size and shape of hepatocytes, focal necrosis and pyknosis. Degeneration of Bowman's capsule, necrosis in renal tubule and haematopoietic tissue were the most common symptoms found in the kidney. In conclusion, the blood, gill, liver and kidney of C. damascina are sensitive enough to respond to low concentrations of diazinon over a short period and this species can thus be a bioindicator of diazinon.

Length-weight relationships for three species from Beheshtabad River, Karun River Drainage, Iran

The length-weight relationships for three fish species from Beheshtabad River, Karun River Drainage (Western Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Provinces, Iran) were investigated. The values of the slope parameter ( b ) in the length-weight relationship equations were determined as 2.79 for Capoeta damascina , 3.10 for Chondrostoma regium and 3.09 for Oncorhynchus mykiss , all of which were significantly different from the expected b =3 value, indicating a negative allometric growth pattern for Capoeta damascina and positive allometric growth patterns for Chondrostoma regium and Oncorhynchus mykiss ..

Biodiversity, Abundance, and Distribution of Fishes in Gongir River, Ilam, Iran

To investigate the biodiversity, abundance, and the distribution of fishes in Gongir river, Ilam province (Iran), for about 1 year (from May 2013 to February 2014) fishes were catched and collected seasonally with electro-shocker device and sampled in 4 different stations from upstream to downstream, respectively (Siah-Gal, Saniri, Mian, Sharaf-Shah stations). The results show the catched fishes are from 3 different families (Cyprinidae, Nemacheilidae, Mastacembelidae) with 12 species: Alburnus mossulensis, Carasobarbus luteus, Capoeta damascina, Capoeta trutta, Chondrostoma regium, Cyprinion kais, Cyprinion macrostomum, Garra rufa, Squalius cephalus, Tor grypus, Oxynoemacheilus sp., and Mastacembelus mastacembelus. The highest species diversity belongs to (Cyprinidae) family. Garra rufa (or Dr. fish) is the most abundant specie among the all stations, in all seasons. Shannon-Weiner and Simpson indexes were calculated and biodiversity and distributions of the fishes in the selected stations are discussed based on these parameters. Based on our research, second station has a good potential of establishing fish spa center.

Growth and reproductive biology of Capoeta damascina (Valenciennes, 1842) from a tributary of Tigris

Growth and reproductive attributes were determined for Capoeta damascina, an endemic fish species from west of Iran. A total of 147 specimens of both sexes were sampled monthly from November 2008 to October 2009. The overall sex ratio was female biased. Males were aged 0-4 years and females 0-5 years. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were estimated as Linf=34.81 cm, k=0.27 year-1, t0=-0.65 for males plus unsexed samples, Linf =46.29 cm, k=0.22 year-1, t0 =-0.59 for females plus unsexed samples and Linf =67.52 cm, k=0.12 year-1, t0=-0.79 for whole samples. The length- weight relationships were W=0.021L2.815 for males, W=0.022L2.824 for females and W=0.020L2.836 for combined sexes, all of which exhibited a negative allometric growth. Spawning season started in May, ascending to June and ended in July for both sexes. Length at 50% maturity was estimated as 12.35 cm for males and 15.14 cm for females. Fecundity ranged from 1551 (2 years old) to 20523 (5 years old) eggs per fish. Losing of large individuals and decreasing in size at first maturity were observed in the studied population compared to data reported from other C. damascina populations, which could reflect an effect of overexploitation.

Effects of Malathion Acute Toxicity on Behavioral and Haematological Parameters in Capoeta damascina (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

The present study investigated the effects of acute toxicity of malathion on behavioral and haematological parameters in the cyprinid Capoeta damascina. The specimens were collected from the Kordan River, Karaj, Iran in August, 2014 and were exposed to different concentrations of malathion at the laboratory (24, 48, 72 mg L -1 ) based on 96h-LC (10; 30; 50; 90) which was 6.08 (5.22-7.18) mg L -1 . The animals were then exposed to 0.76, 1.00 and 1.52 mg L -1 of malathion for 10 days. Blood samples were collected in days 1, 5 and 10. Red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (PVC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were measured. Behavioral abnormalities were observed in fishes exposed to high levels of malathion. The specimens exposed to malathion had significantly lower RBC, WBC, Hb, PVC but higher MCV and MCH than those of the control group. No significant difference was detected in MCHC the exposed and control specimens. Hematological parameters (except MCHC) were significantly correlated with exposure time. In conclusion, malathion showed extensive haematological effects on C. damascina that might be used as bioindicator of this pesticide in flowing waters.

Diet and trophic niche of the endangered fish Garra ghorensis in three Jordanian populations

AbstractGarra ghorensis is a small riverine cyprinid fish endemic to the southern Dead Sea that is endangered through habitat loss and invasive species. Here, their diet and trophic niche were assessed in three Jordanian populations: an allopatric population, a population sympatric with native Capoeta damascina and a population sympatric with invasive Oreochromis aureus. Stomach content analyses of samples collected between February 2011 and January 2012 revealed that detritus and algae were prominent food items in their diets, with low dietary contributions of animal material. The most frequent and abundant macro‐invertebrates in intestines were Odonata nymphs and gastropod species. The calculation of trophic niche size from the stomach content data revealed that the niche of G. ghorensis (0.10) was generally smaller than sympatric C. damascina (0.24), with an overlap of 72%, whereas they had a larger trophic niche than sympatric O. aureus (0.20–0.13), with a niche overlap of 54%. These outputs were generally supported by stable isotope analyses of δ13C and δ15N completed on samples collected at the end of the 2011 growth season, although these indicated a greater contribution of animal material to assimilated diet. They also indicated that the trophic niche breadth [as standard ellipse area (SEA)] of C. damascina (4.18‰2) was higher than G. ghorensis (2.48‰2) and overlapped by 26%. For G. ghorensis, their SEA was slightly larger than O. aureus (4.33–4.00‰2), with an overlap of 27%. Although both methods indicated some sharing of food resources between sympatric fishes, there was no evidence suggesting detrimental outcomes for G. ghorensis and thus was not considered as a constraint on the status of their populations.

The Study on Effect of Temperature Stress on Occurrence of Clinical Signs Caused by Aeromonas hydrophila in Capoeta damascina in In Vitro Condition

The Study on Effect of Temperature Stress on Occurrence of Clinical Signs Caused by Aeromonas hydrophila in Capoeta damascina in In Vitro Condition

ICHTHYOFAUNA AND ITS CONSERVATION STATUS OF B�Y�K KARA�AY STREAM, HATAY, TURKEY

This study was conducted to determine ichthyofauna of the Buyuk Karacay stream of the River Orontes drainage in Turkey (eastern Mediterranaen basin). As the result of examination of the 911 individuals collected between June 2012 and May 2013, eight fish species belonging to five families have been recorded. Of these, African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822), yellow barbel Carasobarbus luteus (Heckel, 1843) and two spot loach Oxynoemacheilus argyrogramma (Heckel, 1847) are new species reported for the ichthyofauna of the Buyuk Karacay stream. Red garra Garra rufa is found to be the predominant species of the stream. Endemic fish species of the stream are Tigris barb Capoeta barroisi, yellow barbel Carasobarbus luteus, red garra G. rufa and two spot loach O. argyrogramma. Three fish species, i.e. European eel Anguilla anguilla, Mesopotamian barb Capoeta damascina, African catfish C. gariepinus are native. Besides native and endemic species, there is an alien fish species, namely eastern mosquitofish Gambusia affinis, occupying the habitat. Main threats for the fishes of the stream are mostly habitat loss, pollution, water abstraction and alien species.

Ichthyofauna of Gahar Lake and Gahar River, Lorestan Province, Iran

During a survey of Gahar Lake and Gahar River from 2008 to 2009 some specimen obtained by seasonal sampling in 6 stations, 3 stations in the lake and 3 stations in the river. Three different methods were used for sampling, gill net and hook in the lake and electrofishing in the river. Due to the results 3 species from 2 families in Gahar Lake and 12 species form 3 families in Gahar River were identified. Most of the fish species belonged to Cyprinidae and Salmonidae families. Distribution and abundance of species were recognized. Oncorhynchus mykiss in Gahar Lake and Capoeta damascina in Gahar River had the most abundance.

Fish Species Assemblages in Two Riverine Systems of Mujib Basin in Jordan and the Effects of Impoundment

Mujib and Haidan rivers were sampled in July 2011 to identify fish populations in the riverine system, and to investigate the impact caused by the existence of two dams. Fishes were sampled by electofishing gear through 14 sampling points distributed along the two rivers. The Mujib Dam lake was sampled by gillnets. A total of 2,854 fish specimen were caught during the study of which most consisted of native species but included small numbers of invasive species. The native Capoeta damascina and Oxynoemacheilus insignis were found in both rivers but Garra rufa was only recorded below their confluence to the west. Four invasive species were recorded. The cichlids Oreochromis aureus and Tilapia zillii were sampled along Mujib River, and the African Catfish Clarias gariepinus and the Common Carp Cyprinus carpio were observed only in the lake of Mujib Dam but were not sampled. The construction of the two dams has led to significant changes in the habitats, water flow, and hydrology of the two rivers both upstream and downstream, and enhanced the colonisation of invasive species. There is, therefore, an urgent need to review the management of the system across all stakeholders and to continue monitoring on a regular basis.

Capoeta damascina (Valenciennes, 1842), a new host of Contracaecum sp. and Capillaria sp. (Nematoda) from the Kor River Basin, southwestern Iran

To investigate the parasitic infection status of cyprinid fish, Capoeta damascina in Gomban spring-stream, Kor River Basin, Fars Province, southwestern Iran. A total of 12 cyprinid fish (7 females and 5 males) were collected from Gomban spring-stream, Kor River Basin, Fars Province, southwestern Iran. The collected fish were dissected carefully and their internal organs such as liver, gonad, muscle, abdominal lobes, whole viscera and digestive tract were surveyed parasitologically. One female cyprinid fish out of 12 fish was infected with three nematodes. Two nematodes (larvae) were identified as Contracaecum sp. which were attached firmly to the outer part of intestine and another adult helminth was recognized as Capillaria sp. which was recovered from digestive content. This study is the first record indicating that cyprinid fish acts as a new host for recovered nematodes. Further helminthological investigations are highly recommended in different parts of Iran in order to expand our knowledge about helmintic parasites of cyprinid fish and their role in transmission of diseases to human and animal.

Length-weight relationships for three fish species (Capoeta damascina, Garra rufa, and Nemacheilus insignis ) native to the Mujib Basin, Jordan

Summary The relationship between length and weight are described for three native fish species (Capoeta damascina, Garra rufa, and Nemacheilus insignis) of the Mujib Basin, Jordan. The fish communities were sampled using electric fishing and gill netting in 2011, enabling the collection of fish samples that were not biased regarding length or weight. The data represent the first description of length-weight data for N. insignis, although the data set is limited by a narrow size-range.

Length-weight relationships of three cyprinid fishes from Sirwan River, Kurdistan and Kermanshah provinces in western Iran

The length–weight relationships (LWR) for three fish species collected in Sirwan River, located in Kurdistan and Kermanshah provinces, western Iran, were estimated. The values of the slope parameter (b) in the length–weight relationship equations were determined as 3.086 for Alburnus mossulensis, 3.382 for Alburnus filippii and 3.425 for Capoeta damascina, all significantly different from the expected b = 3 value, indicating a positive allometric growth pattern for all the three species.

New host records for fish nematodes from Iran

This study investigated the infections of nematodes in fish. A total of 244 fish specimens were examined in four stations (Halil, Shur, Konarooieh and Jafar Abad) of Kerman province southeastern Iran from June 2009 to June 2010. The fish under investigation were: Capoeta damascina (109 specimens), Cyprinion watsoni (79 specimens), Schistura sargadensis (34 specimens) and Channa gachua (22 specimens). The detected parasites were Rhabdochona macrostoma, Rhabdochona denudata, Contracaecum micropapillatum and Hepaticola petruschewkii. Of these C. damascina, C. watsoni, S. sargadensis and C. gachua were introduced as new hosts for these nematodes. The parasites R. macrostoma and C. micropapillatum were the first to be recorded for these nematodes in Iran. The overall prevalence and the mean intensity of infections were 69.67 and 11.17%, respectively. Nematode parasites are frequent in freshwater fish of different regions in Iran and must be taken into consideration for aquaculture. Key words: Parasites, Kerman Province, rhabdochonidae, anisakidae, capillaridae, cyprinidae, chanidae.

The discovery of Neoechinorhynchus zabensis (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) from cyprinid fishes in Turkey and Iran, with special reference to new morphological features revealed by scanning electron microscopy

Neoechinorhynchus zabensis Amin, Abdullah, and Mhaisen, 2003 was described from Capoeta damascina (Valenciennes, 1842) and Capoeta trutta (Heckel, 1843) in the Greater and Lesser Zab rivers of northern Iraq. It is reported here from C. trutta in the Dez River, Iran, and from Capoeta barroisi Lortet, 1894 (new host record) in the Murat River, Turkey (both are new locality records). Neoechinorhynchus zabensis appears to be restricted to the Tigris-Euphrates basin in Iraq, Turkey, and Iran, where it infects native fishes of the genus Capoeta Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1842 (Cyprinidae). Other fishes of the same genus from nearby river systems and fishes of other genera from the Tigris-Euphrates basin were negative for N. zabensis infections. The specimens from Iran and Turkey were similar to those described in Iraq; those from C. barroisi in the Murat River, Turkey, were somewhat larger. Scanning electron microscopy examination revealed a slightly different size of anterior hook at the anterior and posterior levels, sensory pits at the base of the proboscis, epidermal pores at the surface of the integument that become larger in the middle of trunk, and the oblong shape of the filamented sperms.