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Threatened fishes of the world: Aphanius farsicus Teimori, Esmaeili & Reichenbacher, 2011 (Cyprinodontidae)
Abstract and Figures
The killifish Aphanius farsicus Teimori, Esmaeili & Reichenbacher, 2011 (Cyprinodontidae) or the Fars endemic toothcarp, once was widely distributed in Fars water bodies, but now is dispatriating from its native region. This fish is not listed in IUCN’s Red Data Book, but it should be due to criteria such as restricted distribution, destruction of spawning grounds and environmental pollution and drought. This vulnerable species has considerable ecological importance, but there are little data on its biology. The limited available data on its systematics, distribution, ecology, reproduction and threats are summarized and discussed.
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... MBRC http://mbrc.shirazu.ac.ir 14 Aphanius species have been described from Iran, including Aphanius farsicus Teimori, Esmaeili & Reichenbacher, 2011 an endemic cyprinodont fish restricted to the Maharlu Lake basin in Fars Province, southwestern Iran [3]. However, this species has received little scientific attention to date. ...
... However, this species has received little scientific attention to date. Keivany and Esmaeili (2013) [3] suggested that the species should be in the IUCN's Red Data Book due to criteria such as restricted distribution, destruction of spawning grounds, environmental pollution and drought. Based on our observation, there are several scattered patches of this fish species in spring systems around the Maharlu lake basin isolated from each other by land or by hyper saline lake. ...
Genetic structure of an endemic tooth-carp fish, Aphanius farsicus from four different water bodies in the Maharlu Lake basin was investigated by applying five microsatellite markers. All of the five examined microsatellite loci showed polymor-phism pattern. A total of four alleles were detected at five microsatellite loci, with an average of 2.8 to 3.5 alleles per locus. Average values of observed and expected heterozygosity were 0.95±0.09 and 0.64±0.02 respectively. None of the tests of linkage disequilibrium were significant between each pair of loci and no deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were detected to test for heterozygote deficiency within populations. The Nei's genetic distance values ranged between 0.03-0.13. Analysis of pairwise genetic differentiation between each pair of the populations revealed that fixation index (FST) values ranged from 0.013 to 0.039 and RST ranged from 0.005 to 0.065. High genetic diversity observed within the populations (99%) and low diversity (1%) among them indicating probably high level of gene flow among the studied populations of Fars tooth-carp at the present time or in the past. Regarding low genetic differentiation among the studied populations and results of population assignment test, two hypotheses are suggested and supporting evidence for each hypothesis are provided.
... This hypersaline lake, located in the Shiraz valley basin in the Fars province, Southern Iran, at an altitude of about 1460 m, is otherwise fishless except for the surrounding streams and springs (Yaripour, 2014). So far A. farsicus has been found only in a few localities, including certain springs around Lake Maharlu (Coad, 2000;Keivany and Esmaeili, 2013). Habitats of the species are assumed to be threatened by drought, water pollution, habitat destruction and the recent introduction of exotic species. ...
The teleost genus Aphanius is currently composed of at least 32 species. Here, we present observational data from breeding experiments in which we studied two local populations of the Farsi tooth-carp A. farsicus in captivity. Combinations of parental fish from both populations were allowed to spawn in separate aquaria. The resulting offspring showed unpredictable variations in their dorsal and anal fin shapes, including backward extended fins, dual or singular fins, as well as normal fin forms. This variation in A. farsicus fins likely affects the swimming performance of these fish. We judge that the observed fin shape variation in A. farsicus could become an inviting trait for the ornamental fish industry, because of the potential of producing fish with elaborate and attractive fins through selective breeding procedures.
... In this paper, we provide an update on diversity of alien and invasive fishes within Iranian freshwater ecosystems and discuss their possible environmental impacts. We additionally discuss the possible management strategies to protect the native (and endemic) ichthyodiversity in the 17 drainage basins of Iran recognized in Keivany & Ghorbani (2012), Keivany & Esmaeili (2013, 2014, and . ...
More than 32 alien (exotic) fish species belonging to 10 orders and 12 families (Cyprinidae, Gobiidae, Salmonidae, Anguilidae, Mugilidae, Centrarchidae, Heteropneustidae, Gasterosteidae, Cichlidae, Poecilidae, Adrianichthyidae and Pleuronectidae) were reported from Iran of which 25 species are confirmed by specimens. Some of the alien fishes (e.g., Cyprinus carpio, Carassius auratus, Pesudorasbora parva, Xiphophorus hellerii and Gambusia holbrooki) have already established breeding populations, acting as invasive species. Some others are regularly stocked by the Iranian Fisheries Company (e.g., Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, Ctenopharyngodon idella) and few others are occasionally recorded from natural waters. Amatitlania nigrofasciata and Tilapia zillii are two alien cichlids recently reported from Iran. Aquaculture, sport fishing, control of malaria, ornamental purposes, research activities, demonstration in national fairs and accidental introduction are the main reasons for these introductions. Pseudarasbora parva was introduced accidentally along with other exotic carps and now is widely distributed in inland waters. The intentional introduction of alien species is an extraordinarily complex issue and requires taking into account a broad number of variables. Understanding the risks that alien species, especially aquatic invasive species (AIS) pose, comparative studies on the ecology and life history strategies of the introduced and invasive species and closely related indigenous species with similar ecological life traits, monitoring the rate of invasion, and the causal relation between population dynamics and species invasion and public awareness, could be effective management strategies to minimize the bio-invasion impacts.
Reproductive characteristics of Aphanius isfahanensis, an Iranian endemic Cyprinodontid fish in the Zayandehrud River were examined. Samples were taken monthly, from June 2016 to May 2017. Some 485 specimens (245 females, 240 males) were caught by a hand net. Age of males and females ranged from 0⁺ to 2⁺ years. The largest female and male in total length and weight was 5.36 cm, 2.39 g and 4.49 cm, 1.56 g, respectively. The overall sex ratio was 1 M:1F (p > 0.05). The highest mean gonadosomatic index in females and males was in May (19.19), and July (3.77), respectively. Oocyte diameter ranged from 0.12 to 1.40 mm, and monthly mean oocyte diameter were significantly different (P < 0.05). The minimum, maximum, and average absolute fecundity was 7, 250 and 120 ± 5SD, respectively. The relative fecundity was 90 ± 30 egg/g body weight. Macroscopic analysis of gonads and gonadosomatic index (GSI) values showed that spawning of A. isfahanensis occurs from April to July with a peak in May and June. Aphanius isfahanensis is a group synchronous spawner and produces more than one oocyte clutch in a single reproductive season.
This checklist aims to list all the reported Iranian inland fishes. It lists 297 species in 109 genera, 30 families, 24 orders and 3 classes reported from different Iranian basins. However, presence of 23 reported species in Iranian waters needs confirmation by specimens. The most diverse order is Cypriniformes (176 species, 59.3%), followed by Gobiiformes (42 species, 14.1%), Cyprinodontiformes (19 species, 6.4%), and Clupeiformes (11 species, 3.7%). Ninety-five endemic species (32%) in 7 families and 29 exotic species (9.76%) in 11 families are listed here.
The systematics, morphology, phylogeny, distribution, biology, economic importance and conservation of the Fars tooth-carp, Aphanius farsicus of Iran are described, the species is illustrated, and a bibliography on this endemic, critically endangered species is provided. Iran and central Anatolia show the highest diversity of Aphanius, and 14 extant (including Aphanius farsicus, an endemic species in the endorheic Lake Maharlu basin, South-western Iran) and one fossil species are known to occur in Iran based on data derived from fish morphometry and meristics, otoliths, scales and mtDNA sequences. Human-induced disturbance or anthropogenic activities, including hydrological alteration, introduction of exotic species, intensive aquaculture industry, water pollution, rapid sedimentation, natural disturbance (climate change and drought) and also limited distribution, have forced Aphanius farsicus populations to the edge of extinction. Aphanius farsicus can benefit from a combination of reintroduction, assisted colonization and capture release which potentially increase success rate of a conservation management plan. Encouraging the local communities, NGOs and media to involve voluntarily in long-term conservation programs is highly recommended.
This checklist aims to reviews and summarize the results of the systematic and zoogeographical research on the Iranian inland ichthyofauna that has been carried out for more than 200 years. Since the work of J.J. Heckel (1846-1849), the number of valid species has increased significantly and the systematic status of many of the species has changed, and reorganization and updating of the published information has become essential. Here we take the opportunity to provide a new and updated checklist of freshwater fishes of Iran based on literature and taxon occurrence data obtained from natural history and new fish collections. This article lists 288 species in 107 genera, 28 families, 22 orders and 3 classes reported from different Iranian basins. However, presence of 23 reported species in Iranian waters needs confirmation by specimens. The most diverse order is Cypriniformes (171 species, 59.40%), followed by Gobiiformes (42 species, 14.60%), Cyprinodontiformes (17 species, 5.90%), and Clupeiformes (11 species, 3.82%). Eighty-eight endemic species (30.56%) in 7 families and 26 exotic species (9.03%) in 9 families are listed here. Among 288 reported species, 163 (56.6%) species are Not Evaluated (NE), 93 (32.3%) Least Concern (LC), 11 (3.8%) Vulnerable (VU), 8 (2.8%) Data Deficient (DD), 7 (2.4%) Critically Endangered (CR), 3 (1%) Near Threatened (NT), 1 (0.3%) is Endangered (EN) and 1 (0.3%) Extinct in the Wild (EW) of the red list of IUCN. The only reason for this high number of not listed and least concern species in the IUCN Red List is lack of information about the species at national and global levels. This shows the necessity of reconsideration of global categories and application of the IUCN Red List criteria at the national level. Considering the number of endemic fishes (88, 30.56%) in Iran, the first step should be preparing an endemic national assessment for inclusion on the IUCN Red List. Over the last ten years, some native and exotic fishes have been translocated or introduced into natural water bodies. Aquaculture, sport fishing, control of malaria, ornamental purposes, research activities, demonstration in national fairs and accidental introduction are the main reasons for these introductions. Here, we report presence of the Alligator gar, Atractosteus spatula, as an introduced predatory fish from Marivan Lake which seems to have been released from an aquarium. In this checklist, additional, problematic species are also listed, the English/common name of each species is provided, the etymology of each genus is given, the conservation status of each species is given and the bibliographic list of most of published literature on the systematics of inland fishes is mentioned. The provided information will be necessary for the development of competent and pragmatic management plans and effective conservation policies.
The systematics, morphology and biology of an endemic fish, the Mond tooth-carp, Aphanius pluristriatus (Jenkins, 1910) (Cyprinodontidae) are summarized. A. pluristriatus is a poorly known species from Fasa, located in the Mond River drainage system (Bushehr Basin). This fish is not listed in IUCN’s Red Data Book, but it should be included due to criteria such as restricted distribution, destruction of spawning grounds and environmental pollution. Since its first description, its validity has been questioned and a synonymy with A. sophiae (Heckel, 1849) has been suggested. For this reason, its biology has been neglected. However, recently, its validity was confirmed. In this study, the limited data on this fish and its threats are summarized and discussed.
Iran inland basins include two major basins in northern and southern Iran and several smaller ones in central and eastern Iran. Taking into account the newly described species of cyprinids and loaches, the freshwater and brackish water fishes of Iran exceed the number of 200 species, among which some 163 species occur in inland waters. Inland water fishes include the freshwater residents or migratory fish to upstream. Thus, Caspian Sea or estuarine species are not included. Some 20 species are present in southern Caspian Sea and some species are reported in early 20th century with no confirmed specimens since then. Amongst the 166 species reported here, cyprinids with 87 species, balitorids with 22 species and gobiids with 10 species, are the more specious families in inland waters of Iran. Thirteen families contain only one species each, and 4 families only two.
Drought has severely threatened the life of aquatic organisms in the last several years and in summer, due to water abstraction for agricultural purposes, only a trace of many large rivers are left. Pollution, overfishing, dam constructions and habitat destruction are other causes for fish reduction. However, it seems that fishes have been able to adapt to these new conditions and continue to survive.
In this book, which is the result of a research project undertaken for Iran Department of Environment, we tried our best to update the information and distribution maps of the species during the last two years. Most of the photos presented here are from our own recent work, some from earlier works taken by us and a few, which mostly belong to rare or endangered species, are borrowed from others or taken from the literature, which are properly acknowledged. Our field and laboratory works were compared with the present available literature and the most updated information is presented. Some of the information presented here is original, not published elsewhere. Despite our efforts, our knowledge on some rare species is still incomplete and we hope to gain more information until the next edition.
In the last two centuries, many ichthyologists have studied the freshwater and inland water fishes of Iran. Among them, Bruun & Kaiser (1944), Banarescu & Nalbant (1967) and Bianco & Banarescu (1982), could be mentioned. One of the most comprehensive works on freshwater fishes of Iran, belongs to the famous Russian ichthyologist, Berg (1948-49; 1948). He named many species from the region which were later considered at subspecific level or synonyms. Nevertheless, his book is still a reference on the fishes of the region. Also, the freshwater fishes of Iran, have been the subject of two theses abroad (Saadati, 1970; Armantrout, 1980). The freshwater fishes of Iran have been more extensively studied by the Canadian ichthyologist, Brian W. Coad (1970-2013), from the Canadian museum of Nature, Ottawa. He is an international referee on freshwater fishes of Iran and his web site is the most comprehensive reference on the subject.
Fortunately, recently, several works have been carried out on Iran freshwater fishes, many of them listed in the “References” section. Among the recent works on inland water fishes of Iran, Abdoli (2000), Abbasi et al. (1999), Naderi-Jelodar and Abdoli (2004), Abdoli and Naderi (2008) should be mentioned. Abdoli (2000) is the first comprehensive and pictorial book on the subject in Persian. He introduced and photographed some 140 species from Iran. This book still is the most referred Persian book, both by experts and students.
The beautiful design of the book is the result of communication and discussion with several colleagues and experts. In this book we did our best to use the minimum text and present our work in a more pictorial manner. The signs and icons used for this purpose are explained in the prefatory pages. The text organization is as follows; a heading for English name(s), Persian name(s), local name(s) (in the Persian section), biology and distribution. Morphological and ecological information is briefly described in “Biology” heading. It should be mentioned that the description of the color is based on the more commonly observed color, but this characteristic is highly influenced by ecological conditions and could vary in different situations. Although the distribution of the species is indicated on the provincial map, the distribution of the species based on basins, is also noted in the “Distribution” heading. In the references, we mostly presented the literature published after year 2000 to keep the book pages in a manageable size.
Gaudant (2011) has shown that Brachylebias Priem, 1908 is a junior synonym of Aphanius Nardo, 1827 and that therefore the new name for the Late Miocene species Brachylebias persicus Priem, 1908 is Aphanius persicus (Priem, 1908). In addition, he stated that a new name has to be assigned to the extant A. persicus (Jenkins, 1910). However, before a new species name can be assigned, it is necessary to demonstrate that the two species, currently named A. persicus, are different. Here we show that slight differences are present in the meristic characters between the fossil A. persicus (Priem, 1908) and the extant A. persicus (Jenkins, 1910), and that clear differences are present with regard to the size and morphology of the scales and also with regard to the shape of the jaw teeth. We demonstrate that the epithets blanfordii and pluristriatus, both introduced for Aphanius species by Jenkins (1910), do not represent alternative names, and we introduce A. farsicus as replacement name for A. persicus (Jenkins, 1910).
Some aspects of the reproductive biology of the Persian Tooth-carp Aphanius persicus, an endemic cyprinodontid fish species from Maharlu Lake basin, Fars province, southern Iran, were studied by regular monthly collections throughout one year. Significant differences were observed between the total number of females and males, females being more abundant. Based on the pattern of the gonado-somatic index and Dobriyal Index, it was concluded that this fish has a prolonged active reproductive period which is a type of adaptation by short-lived small fishes to environmental conditions. Very small fish having mature and hydrated eggs were observed, indicating early sexual maturation. The average egg diameter was 0.53 mm. The absolute and relative fecundity was 115.7 and 90.01 respectively and it was related to fish size (total length and total weight) and also to gonad weight.
The karyotypes of 2 endemic tooth-carps of Iran, Aphanius persicus (Jenkis, 1910) and Aphanius sophiae (Heckel, 1849), were investigated by examining metaphase chromosomes spreads obtained from gill epithelial and kidney cells. The diploid chromosome numbers of both species were 2n = 48. The karyotypes consisted of 11 pairs of submetacentric and 13 pairs of subtelocentric chromosomes in A. persicus and 14 submetacentric and 10 subtelocentric chromosomes in A. sophiae. The arm numbers in A. persicus and A. sophiae were NF = 70 and NF = 76, respectively. Sex chromosomes were cytologically indistinguishable in both tooth-carps.
Some aspects of the reproductive biology of the Persian Tooth-carp Aphanius persicus, an endemic cyprinodontid fish species from Maharlu Lake basin, Fars province, southern Iran, were studied by regular monthly collections throughout one year. Significant differences were observed between the total number of females and males, females being more abundant. Based on the pattern of the gonado-somatic index and Dobriyal Index, it was concluded that this fish has a prolonged active reproductive period which is a type of adaptation by short-lived small fishes to environmental conditions. Very small fish having mature and hydrated eggs were observed, indicating early sexual maturation. The average egg diameter was 0.53 mm. The absolute and relative fecundity was 115.7 and 90.01 respectively and it was related to fish size (total length and total weight) and also to gonad weight. Kurzfassung Im Rahmen von regelmäßigen Aufsammlungen über ein Jahr hinweg wurde die Fortpflanzungsbiologie des Persischen Zahnkärpflings, Aphanius persicus, im Becken des Maharlu-Sees in der Fars-Provinz im Südiran untersucht, der dort endemisch vorkommt. Im Geschlechtsverhältnis wurden signifikante Unterschiede gefunden, wobei Weibchen deutlich häufiger sind. Aus dem Muster des gonado-somatischen Index und des Dobriyal-Index wurde geschlossen, dass diese Art eine verlängerte Reproduktionsperiode besitzt, die als Anpassung der kurzlebigen und kleinen Art an Umweltbedingungen gedeutet werden kann. Sehr kleine Individuen wurden mit reifen und hydrierten Eiern beobachtet, was auf frühe sexuelle Reifung hinweist. Der durchschnittliche Durchmesser der Eier betrug 0.53 mm. Die absolute und relative Fruchtbarkeit betrug 115.7 bzw. 90.01 und war mit der Größe der Fische (Gesamtlänge und Gesamtgewicht) sowie dem Gonadengewicht korreliert.
Iran inland basins include two major basins in northern and southern Iran and several smaller ones in central and eastern Iran. Taking into account the newly described species of cyprinids and loaches, the freshwater and brackish water fishes of Iran exceed the number of 200 species, among which some 163 species occur in inland waters. Inland water fishes include the freshwater residents or migratory fish to upstream. Thus, Caspian Sea or estuarine species are not included. Some 20 species are present in southern Caspian Sea and some species are reported in early 20th century with no confirmed specimens since then. Amongst the 166 species reported here, cyprinids with 87 species, balitorids with 22 species and gobiids with 10 species, are the more specious families in inland waters of Iran. Thirteen families contain only one species each, and 4 families only two.
Drought has severely threatened the life of aquatic organisms in the last several years and in summer, due to water abstraction for agricultural purposes, only a trace of many large rivers are left. Pollution, overfishing, dam constructions and habitat destruction are other causes for fish reduction. However, it seems that fishes have been able to adapt to these new conditions and continue to survive.
In this book, which is the result of a research project undertaken for Iran Department of Environment, we tried our best to update the information and distribution maps of the species during the last two years. Most of the photos presented here are from our own recent work, some from earlier works taken by us and a few, which mostly belong to rare or endangered species, are borrowed from others or taken from the literature, which are properly acknowledged. Our field and laboratory works were compared with the present available literature and the most updated information is presented. Some of the information presented here is original, not published elsewhere. Despite our efforts, our knowledge on some rare species is still incomplete and we hope to gain more information until the next edition.
In the last two centuries, many ichthyologists have studied the freshwater and inland water fishes of Iran. Among them, Bruun & Kaiser (1944), Banarescu & Nalbant (1967) and Bianco & Banarescu (1982), could be mentioned. One of the most comprehensive works on freshwater fishes of Iran, belongs to the famous Russian ichthyologist, Berg (1948-49; 1948). He named many species from the region which were later considered at subspecific level or synonyms. Nevertheless, his book is still a reference on the fishes of the region. Also, the freshwater fishes of Iran, have been the subject of two theses abroad (Saadati, 1970; Armantrout, 1980). The freshwater fishes of Iran have been more extensively studied by the Canadian ichthyologist, Brian W. Coad (1970-2013), from the Canadian museum of Nature, Ottawa. He is an international referee on freshwater fishes of Iran and his web site is the most comprehensive reference on the subject.
Fortunately, recently, several works have been carried out on Iran freshwater fishes, many of them listed in the “References” section. Among the recent works on inland water fishes of Iran, Abdoli (2000), Abbasi et al. (1999), Naderi-Jelodar and Abdoli (2004), Abdoli and Naderi (2008) should be mentioned. Abdoli (2000) is the first comprehensive and pictorial book on the subject in Persian. He introduced and photographed some 140 species from Iran. This book still is the most referred Persian book, both by experts and students.
The beautiful design of the book is the result of communication and discussion with several colleagues and experts. In this book we did our best to use the minimum text and present our work in a more pictorial manner. The signs and icons used for this purpose are explained in the prefatory pages. The text organization is as follows; a heading for English name(s), Persian name(s), local name(s) (in the Persian section), biology and distribution. Morphological and ecological information is briefly described in “Biology” heading. It should be mentioned that the description of the color is based on the more commonly observed color, but this characteristic is highly influenced by ecological conditions and could vary in different situations. Although the distribution of the species is indicated on the provincial map, the distribution of the species based on basins, is also noted in the “Distribution” heading. In the references, we mostly presented the literature published after year 2000 to keep the book pages in a manageable size.
Length-weight relationships were estimated for 16 populations
of six Iranian toothcarp species. Differences between sexes
were statistically significant for two of the species.
Populations of tooth-carps of the genus Aphanj'us isolated in springs and streams by the hypersaline Lake Maharlu, Fars Province, southern Iran show no differentiation. The Lake Maharlu fish differ significantly in female coloration and in a suite of meristic and morphometric characters from Aphanius sophiae found in the neighbouring Kor River basin. The taxonomy and nomenclature of tooth-carps in this part of Iran are reviewed and it is concluded that the Lake Maharlu fish are a distinct species whose correct name is Aphanius persicus.
Gaudant (2011) has shown that Brachylebias Priem, 1908 is a junior synonym of Aphanius Nardo, 1827 and that therefore
the new name for the Late Miocene species Brachylebias persicus Priem, 1908 is Aphanius persicus (Priem, 1908). In
addition, he stated that a new name has to be assigned to the extant A. persicus (Jenkins, 1910). However, before a new
species name can be assigned, it is necessary to demonstrate that the two species, currently named A. persicus, are different. Here we show that slight differences are present in the meristic characters between the fossil A. persicus (Priem, 1908)
and the extant A. persicus (Jenkins, 1910), and that clear differences are present with regard to the size and morphology
of the scales and also with regard to the shape of the jaw teeth. We demonstrate that the epithets blanfordii and pluristriatus, both introduced for Aphanius species by Jenkins (1910), do not represent alternative names, and we introduce A.
farsicus as replacement name for A. persicus (Jenkins, 1910).