فهرست مطالب عطا مولودی صالح

Models based on regression analyzes are used to express patterns of abundance and distribution of fish populations in relation to environmental parameters. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the habitat suitability indices of Oxynemachilus kiabii and O. karunensis from Alk River (sub-basin of Razavar and Karkheh basin). Sampling was done using a hand net in eight stations (each with three replicates). Five habitat variables were measured and recorded, including river width, river depth, bed slope, water velocity, and average bed size. The results showed that the most habitat preference of Kiabi loach is depth in the range of 46-<52 cm, 0.6-<0.9 m width, 5.8-<6.4% slope, and water velocity 0.52-<0.58 m/s and the size of bedrock is 0-<0.12 mm and for O. karunensis was calculated as depth in the range of 10-<16 cm, 2.1-<2.4 m width, 1.6-<2.2% slope, and water velocity 0.34-<4 m/s and the size of bedrock is 48-<60 mm. Also, the highest and lowest SI values for both species O. kiabii and O. karunensis were related to depth and average bed size for O. kiabii and velocity and depth for O. karunensis, respectively. The results showed that Alk River is a suitable habitat for O. karunensis, whereas not suitable habitat for O. kiabii. Examination of the results of their feeding habits and preferences in the digestive system showed that these favorite of fishes are Chironomidae, Simulidae, Baetidae, Gomphidae and Hydropsychidae.

This study was conducted to investigate the habitat suitability and preference of Capoeta buhsei in autumn and winter in the Jajroud River, Namak Lake basin. For this purpose, in 2013, sampling was performed in autumn (November) and winter (March) in 18 stations from downstream to upstream using an electrofishing device and environmental variables, including altitude, river width, water depth, and velocity, the average diameter of the dominant bedrock, bed slope, pH, EC, TDS, and temperature were recorded. The results showed that the preferred habitat suitability of the studied species in autumn is lower height, depth, slope, width, and velocity, and coarse bed rocks, high temperature, neutral pH, high EC, and medium TDS, and in winter medium height, depth and width, low velocity, high slope and temperature, slightly acidic to neutral pH, low EC, and TDS. The low value of the suitability index for factors of river width, flow velocity, average bedrock diameter, bed slope, water temperature, and EC show the Jajrud River has less proper habitat in autumn than in winter.

During 2020-2021, to investigate the morphological variation of Chelon auratus, a total of 170 specimens were collected using beach seine nets from the shores of Astara (23 specimens), Anzali (33 specimens), Kiashahr (23 specimens), Langaroud (27 specimens), Roudsar (7 specimens), Chalous (30 specimens), Mahmoudabad (14 specimens), and Sari (13 specimens). At the sampling sites, after imaging from the left side of the specimens, 14 landmark points were defined and digitized on the two-dimensional images using the tpsDig2 software. The obtained data, after generalized Procrustes analysis, were analyzed using multivariate statistical analyses including principal component analysis (PCA), canonical variate analysis (CVA), and cluster analysis (CA). The deformation patterns of each population were illustrated in relation to consensus shapes on the deformation grids. The results showed significant differences in the body shape of the studied populations (P<0.05). These differences, related to head length, body depth, dorsal fin position, and caudal peduncle length, suggest the separation of populations in response to environmental conditions.

This study was conducted to investigate the habitat preference of Capoeta damascina in the Sirvan River using the kernel smoothing method. For this purpose, in November 2021, eight stations each with 3 replications were sampled using an electrofishing device. A total of 135 specimens were sampled, identified and released. Ten environmental factors, including pH, temperature, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, altitude, depth, width, velocity, slope and dissolved oxygen were measured. The results showed that the habitat preference of C. damascina in the Sirvan River based on the studied factors are habitats with pH of approximately 6, temperature 9°C, total dissolved solids 200, electrical conductivity 300 μS/cm, altitude 1130m, depth 50 cm, width 9 m, velocity 0.8 m/s, slope 2% and oxygen 9 mg/liter. The SI values of altitude (0.92) and oxygen (0.79) had the highest values. The results showed, Sirvan River with HSI value of 0.69 is a suitable habitat for C. damascina.

Changes in river ecosystem conditions, including dam construction, provide new ecological conditions for the inhabitants of these ecosystems that must adapt to survive. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Taleghan Dam on the suitability indices of Barbus cyri based on the Kernel smoothing method during 2018-2019. The environmental factors, including water depth, velocity, river width, pH, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), slope, elevation, bedrock diameter, and the number of rocks larger than 15 cm are measured and recorded. The Root-mean-square deviation related to bandwidth from 1 to 1000 was examined for each environmental factor. The results showed that increasing elevation, river width, velocity, EC, and TDS decrease the suitability of the studied species, and the suitability increased by increasing depth, slope, temperature, and pH. Some factors, including depth, river width and water temperature had many changes. In conclusion, the downstream conditions of the dam were better in the habitat suitability of Barbus cyri than the upstream region.

This study was conducted to investigate the habitat preference of Capoeta shajariani as an endemic species in Dinorab River (Kermanshah Province), the Karkheh River drainage. For this purpose, the habitat parameters, including water depth, river width, potamal area width, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), pH and bedrock diameter were measured and recorded during sampling and counting of fish specimens. Based on the results, the range of preferred environmental factors of this species were, depth of 26-30 cm, river width of 6-7.2 m, potamal width of 4.8-6 m, temperature of 18-19°C, total dissolved solids of 580-610 mg/L, EC of 290-310μS/cm, pH of 7.22-7.44, velocity of 0.24-0.31m/s and bedrock diameter of 5-5.5cm. The results showed that the highest suitability value was for station 1 with an average depth of 25.54 cm, river width of 3.86 m, potamal width of 5.16 m, temperature of 19.1°C, total dissolved solids of 579, EC of 289 μS/cm, PH of 7.47, velocity of 0.43 m/s and bedrock diameter of 5 cm). Generally, the Dinorab River with a HIS value of 0.676 is an average habitat for C. shajariani.

In 2018, in order to study a few biological characteristics, including length-weight relationship, condition factor, fecundity, age frequency, and morphological characteristics of Salmo trutta, a total of 38 specimens were collected in three upstream stations, Grap, Gathedeh, and Dehdar (tributaries of the Taleghan River). Some of the collected samples were transferred to the laboratory after fixation in the buffer 10% formalin and 29 morphometric and seven meristic traits were measured and counted, respectively. In addition, based on the conservation importance of the studied species, a number of morphometric traits of the few specimens were analyzed using the acquired high-quality pictures by ImageJ software. The results showed that the samples have 4 age groups, including 1, 2, 3, and 4 years old. The highest and lowest frequency was one-year-old group with 73.7% and 4 with 2.6%, respectively. The sex ratio was 1.8 (male): 1 (female). Based on the results, the length-weight relationship was obtained as Y = 0.0004x2.39. The condition factor was in the range of 0.71 to 1.26, as well as absolute fecundity of the Taleghan population was 168-379. In investigating the feeding habits, a wide range of macrobenthos was observed, indicating its dependence on available food items.

Malathion and diazinon are widely used organophosphate pesticides in the agriculture fields, especially in the north provinces of Iran. In the current study, lethal concentrations of diazinon and malathion were determined based on big head carp calculated death rates at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours using probit analysis. Then, in a separate experiment and according to the obtained LC50, the effects of these toxins on fish hematological parameters was evaluated in which fish were disturbed in 10 treatments with 3 replicates (4 different doses of diazinon, 4 different doses of malathion and 1 control for each toxin) for 7 days. Fish were exposed to different sub-lethal concentrations of each toxin (12.5, 25, 37.5 and 75% of lethal concentration (LC50 96h). After 7 days, blood samples were collected and hematological parameters including hematocrit, hemoglobin, red blood cells count, the total number of white blood cells and white blood cell differential count (the percentage of lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils) were examined. The results of acute toxicity test showed that diazinon is more toxic to big head carp compared to malathion. Also, hematological studies of big head carp exposed to diazinon showed a significant reduction in red blood cells and white blood cells with increasing toxin concentration. Meanwhile, the percentage of neutrophils remarkably increased while lymphocytes significantly decreased along with increasing the concentration of diazinon.

During 2018-2019, to study the morphological diversity of Oxynoemacheilus elsae, a total of 51 specimens were collected from the Godarchai, Barandozchai, Zarrinehrood and Mahabadchai rivers, Urmia Lake basin using electrofishing. From the collected samples, 22 morphometric characteristics were measured using a digital caliper with an accuracy of 0.1 mm. Also, in geometric morphometric (GM) method, the side of the samples were photographed, and 14 landmarks were digitized using tpsDig2 software. The extracted data were analyzed to understand morphological variation between the studied populations using multivariate analysis i.e. PCA, MANOCA /CVA and cluster analysis. The results showed a significant difference between the studied populations in terms of the morphological characters (P<0.05). In traditional method, there were significant differences in 10 traits between the studied populations (P<0.05). The main differences in GM method were related to the body and head depth, mouth position and caudal peduncle height. The observed morphological variations show the high adaptability of this species, especially in the pectoral fin length and body height traits with habitat adaptation.

Since the selected habitat indexes provide a description of the habitat characteristics of a species, this study was conducted to investigate the habitat preference of Garra rufa in Dinorab River (Kermanshah Province), a tributary of the Karkheh River basin. For this purpose, the habitat characteristics, including water depth, water velocity, river width, potamal area width, predominant type of bedrock cover, pH, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS) were measured and recorded in 18 sub-stations belonging to six main stations from downstream to upstream. The used and selected habitat ranges were obtained according to the availability of each habitat unit for each variable. The results showed that the most preferred water depth is 26-30 m with a suitability index (SI) of 0.779, river width of 6-7.2 m with SI of 0.7, the water velocity 0.24-0.31 m/s with SI of 0.38, bed structure with medium diameter of 5-5.5 cm with SI of 1, water temperature 18-19 °C with SI of 0.618, pH 7.32-7.44 with SI of 0.545, EC 290-310 with SI of 0.767, TDS in the range of 580-610 ppm with SI of 0.712 and potamal width 4.8-6 with SI of 0.634. The results showed that the Dinorab River is a moderately suitable habitat for Garra rufa.

This study was conducted to investigate the morphological patterns of Alburnus sellal in the sub-basins of little Zab and Sirvan rivers, Tigris river drainage using geometric morphometric method. A total of 110 specimens (60 from the little Zab River, West Azerbaijan province and 50 from the Sirvan River, Kurdistan Province) were caught using an electrofishing device. Using TpsDig2 software, 14 landmark-points were defined and digitized on the 2D images of the specimens. The data was analyzed and compared using multivariate principal component analysis (PCA), discriminant function analysis (DFA) and Hoteling t-test. The results of the DFA confirmed the morphological separation of the studied populations. Wireframe based on the consensus body shape was separated the two populations based on the head size, body depth and caudal peduncle length charatrestics. The results of this study showed a habitat-dependent morphological plasticity of A. sellal. The results showed a habitat-dependent morphological plasticity of A. sellal.

During 2006-2007, to estimate the length-weight and fork-total length relationships, growth pattern and condition factor of Alburnus chalcoides, a total of 170 specimens were collected from the Chelvand, Khalehsara, Siahdarvishan, Sefid, Pol, Tonekabon and Babol rivers. The length-weight relationship were estimated using W = aLb, length-length relationship by FL= a+ bTL and condition factor by K = (W/Lb) ×100 Formulae. The b-value was 2.5 to 3.25. Also, except Sefid and Babool rivers populations, others showed positive allometric growth pattern. Condition factor were calculated 0.72 to 0.96.

Due to the presence of taxonomic ambiguity regarding Petroleuciscus ulanus and Alburnus atropatenae and the tendency to treat them as synonyms of each other, this study was conducted to validate these two species by comparing their morphometric and meristic characters in the Mahabad-Chai River, Urmia Lake basin. A total of 64 specimens of P. ulanus and 68 specimens of A. atropatenae were sampled and were then investigated for 17 morphometric and 7 meristic characters. Measurements were standardized to eliminate the effects of size due to allometric growth pattern, then their normality and abnormality were examined. Standardized data were analyzed using t-test, Mann-Whitney, principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminative function analysis based on P-value of Hotelling's t-test (DFA/Hotelling's T-test) methods. The results showed that the two species were significantly different in 11 morphometric and 2 meristic traits (P<0.05). DFA analysis also showed significance differences between the two studied species. Our results refute the synonymy hypothesis of Petroleuciscus ulanus and Alburnus atropatenae on the basis of morphometric and meristic traits. Therefore, based on the results of this study, the taxonomic identities of these two species are valid.

This study was conducted in 2017 by sampling from 7 stations in the headwaters of the Taleghan River to study the habitat suitability of Brown trout, Salmo trutta. Sampling was carried out using an electrofishing device with three replications in each station. Eight environmental factors, including water temperature (°C), water depth (cm), river width (m), slope (degree), water velocity (m/s), average diameter of the dominant bedrock (cm), potamal width and elevations were measured. The values of suitability index of the studied factors in each station were determined and the arithmetic mean of the indices in all sampling stations was considered as the suitability index of that factor. The results showed that the most preferred temperature is in the range of 10-5-12°C, depth in 20-30cm, river width in of 2.5-3m, slope in 1.6-1.9, water velocity in 0.41-0.62m/s, elevation in 2250-300 m and average diameter of the dominant bedrock in 11-20cm, and the potamal width 1.8-3.6m were calculated. As a general conclusion, the Taleghan River had a moderate suitability for S. trutta.

During 2019, the length-weight, length-length relationships and condition factor of Caspian kutum, Rutilus kutum  (Kamensky, 1901) were studied by catching a total of 339 specimens were collected from Chelvand, Khalehsara, Sefid, Khoshk and Shir rivers, Anzali Wetland and Turkmen Shores of the Caspian Sea basin. The equation W =aTLb was used to calculate the length-weight relationship, FL=a + bTL for the length-weight relationship, and K= (W / L3) × 100 to calculate condition factor. The b-value were estimated from 2.47 to 3.17 and condition factor from 0.85 to 1.01. Maximum and minimum parameter of b-value and condition factor were related to the Khoshk River, Torkman shore and Anzali wetland and Sefid River, respectively. In addition, the growth pattern was positive allometric for the Chelvand, Khoshk and Shir populations, isometric for the Khalesara population and negative allometric for others.

In the present study, the morphometric and meristic characteristics of 363 specimens of Rutilus kutum (Kamensky, 1901) collected from the Chelvand, Khalehsara, Sefid, Khoshk, Shir rivers and Anzali wetland, Chalous and Torkeman shores in the south Caspian Sea Basin were compared. All caught specimens were freshly transferred to the laboratory. In the Lab some 36 morphometric and nine meristic characters were measured and recorded. After standardization all data were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA, Duncan test, Canonical variate Analysis (CVA) and Cluster Analysis (CA). The results showed significant differences in 30 morphometric and two meristic traits between the studied populations (p < 0.05). The CVA was able to separate the studied populations and CA placed the Chalous populaion in a cluster separately from the others. Generally, the performance of the morphometric traits was superior to meristics in discrimination populations.Generally, the performance of the morphometric traits was superior to meristics in discrimination populations.

This study was conducted to investigate the morphological variation of Planiliza abu in the Tireh (Tigris Basin), Kor (Kor River Basin) and Jegin (Hormozgan Basin) rivers using traditional (TM) and geometric morphometric (GM) methods. For this purpose, a total of 62 specimens were collected using electrofishing device and Salik net. In the Lab, 21 morphometric traits were measured. Then, to extract the morphological data in the geometric method, 16 landmark-points were defined and digitized on the photographs taken from the left side of fish using tpsDig2 software. The results showed that the studied populations had significant differences in 7 morphometric traits (P<0.05). The differences in the geometric method were those of the head size, body depth, pectoral fin position and caudal peduncle length. Based on the results, GM method showed higher accuracy to reveal the morphological variations in the generalist species of Planiliza abu, which can inhabit a wide range of habitats.

This study was conducted to study sexual dimorphism of Caspian kutum, Rutilus kutum collected from the Rudsar coast and Anzali Wetland, Guilan Province. After collecting, the left lateral face of the fresh specimens were photographed, then 13 Landmark-points were defined and digitized using tpsDig2 software. Generalized procrustes analysis was performed to eliminate non-shape effects, including size, direction and position. Then date was analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant function analysis (DFA) based on P-value obtained from Hoteling’s t-test. The results showed a significant difference in the body shape of the male and female (P<0.05). The observed differences confirm the presence of the sexual dimorphism in the study species during reproductive season. The observed morphological can be shown presence of the sexual dimorphism in this species. Based on the findings, the females have deeper body and smaller head, which can related to reproductive performance of each sex.

This study aimed to compare morphological variation of the two populations of the Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis L., 1758) from the Anzali wetland and Chamkhaleh River downstream by sampling 20 specimens from each in 2006. A total of 38 morphometric and 13 meristic characters were measured and counted. To eliminate the effects of allometric growth patterns the morphometric characteristics were standardized. The results showed a significant difference between studied populations in some morphometric and meristic traits (P<0.05). In the morphometric, eye diameter, head length, and predorsal and post dorsal-ventral lengths and in those of meristic the lateral line scales, numbers of the unbranched rays of 2ed dorsal-, anal- and ventral fins and upper gill rakers revealed significant differences between the Anzali and Chamkhaleh populations (P<0.05). The results showed that the two studied populations are separated by morphometric and meristic characters, therefore they should be considered as separate populations in future fisheries management plans.

To study the morphological variation of Capoeta saadii, 15 specimens from Maharlu River (Maharlu lake basin), 15 from Shapour River (Persis basin) and 15 from Kor River (Kor river basin) were collected. In the Lab, a total of 20 morphometric traits were measured using a digital caliper. Then, standardized data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA analysis, Duncan grouping, principal component analysis (PCA), and canonical variate analysis (CVA) with p-value obtained from NPMANOVA and cluster analysis (CA). The results showed that the studied populations were significantly different in 8 morphometric traits (P<0.05). Body depth was the most effective character to discriminate the studied populations. Cluster analysis also separated the Shapour population from others.

This study aimed to find morphological traits to discriminate four species of the genus Cobitis in Iran using geometric morphometric method. For this purpose, a total of 65 specimens were captured from Sefid (C. saniae), Siah (C. faridpaki), Maloosjan (C. linea) and Gamasiab (C. avicennae) rivers using electrofishing device. To extract the body shape data of the studied taxa, 14 Landmarks-point were defined and digitized using tpsDig2 software. Data after generalized procrust analysis were analyzed using principal component analysis, multivariate analysis of variance /canonical variate analysis and cluster analysis.  The results showed a significant difference in the body shape between the studied species (p < 0.001). Cluster analysis positioned C. avicennae in one clade, distinguish from others. The results also revealed that the members of this genus can adapt themselves to the environmental parameters of their habitats by alternations in the body depth, head size and snout position, length of the caudal peduncle and positions of the dorsal, anal and pectoral fins.

Understanding the habitat preference of riverine species is important in their management to protect their habitat. This study aimed to investigate the habitat preference of the Sefid river loach, Oxynemacheilus bergianus in Jajroud River by comparing its preference in autumn and winter. For this purpose, elevation, depth, water current velocity, river width, slope, average diameter of the bedrock, type of predominant bedrock cover, EC, TDS, pH, water temperature and beach vegetation were measured and investigated in autumn and winter. The preferred habitat of this species in autumn had lower elevation and depth, faster water current, medium rock bed, lower slope, higher temperature, medium EC and TDS and river bank with shrub-tree cover, but in winter the selected habitat changed to areas with higher elevation, depth and water current, and bed with medium-sized rocks, medium temperature, medium EC, less TDS and the river bank with tree cover i.e. the results showed that the preferred habitat of this species in winter changes to areas with greater depth, width, elevation and slope.

This work was conducted to evaluate the morphological variations of eleven species of the genus Alburnoides in Iran using geometric morphometric method. For this purpose, all species were sampled from different stations of six inland water basins. After photographing from their left side, 16 landmark-points were digitized on their images using tpsDig2 software. The data after Procrustes analysis were analyzed by multivariate statistical analysis including PCA, CVA and cluster analysis. Mantel test was used to investigate the relationship between morphological and geographical variations. The results showed significant differences among the studied Alburnoides species in terms of morphology (p < 0.05). Based on the results of PCA, A. samiii and A. nicolausi have higher morphological variations than others. CVA analysis also significantly differentiated A. nicolausi and A. qanati from others. Based on the cluster analysis, Alburnoides species were divided into two groups i.e. A. nicolausi and A. qanati in a cluster and others in another one. The greatest Mahahlanobis distance were obtained between A. holciki and A. nicolausi. The results of this study revealed the better ability of the Landmark-based geometric morphometric technique than that of the traditional one to show morphological differences in the members of the genus Alburnoides.

Oxynemacheilus bergianus is found in several inland water basins of Iran. Due to its wide distribution, this study was conducted to investigate its morphological variation in basins of Caspian Sea and Namak Lake of Iran using geometric morphometric technique. For this purpose, a total of 115 specimens from five river (Sefid and Ghezel Ozan (Caspian Sea basin), Jajrood, Kordan, Qom (Namak Lake basin)) were caught and compared using geometric morphometric method. The results indicated a completely different body shape patterns in the studied populations. The results also showed a significant difference between the body shape of the studied and groups the most differences were related to tail length and depth, body depth, head length and position of the dorsal, anal and pectoral fins. The observed shape patterns can indicate habitat-dependent morphological separation and geographical distances that the geometric morphometric method was highly capable of separating morphological features due to their high capability.

The Turkestan barbel, Luciobarbus conocephalus (Kessler, 1872), is documented from the Iranian Part of Hari River basin by providing its morphometric and molecular characteristics based on the nine collected specimens in July 2016. In addition, the ichthyofauna of the Hari river basin was discussed and an up-to-date inventory was provided. Based on the results, L. conocephalus was clustered in a clade as sister group of L. capito with K2P genetic distance of 1.8% in the mtDNA cytb region. Luciobarbus conocephalus probably has entered the Hari River from the Karakum Canal in Turkmenistan (diversion from the Amu Darya River) that in recent years was connected to the channels collecting the Hari River water. Also, a misidentified specimen of L. conocephalus sequence in the GenBank sequences is discussed.