Morphological variations of the endemic Sasanidus kermanshahensis (Bănărescu & Nalbant, 1966) in Karkheh River drainage

This study was conducted to investigate the morphological variations of Sasanidus kermanshahensis, in the Karkheh river drainage. For this purpose, a total of 162 specimens of the Gardekaneh, Bojin, Dinoarab, Doab, Khoramroud, Maran and Sartang rivers were collected. A total of 30 morphometric traits were measured using digital calipers. After standardization, data were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov analysis, One-way ANOVA and Duncan grouping, Kruskal-Wallis, principal component analysis (PCA), and Multivariate analysis of variance / canonical variate analysis (MANOVA / CVA). The results showed significant differences in 27 morphometric traits out of 30, and the characteristics, including pre anal length, distance between pectoral and anal fins, pre ventral, distance between pectoral and ventral fins, caudal peduncle length and pectoral fin length were effective traits in separating the studied populations. The results revealed high Phenotype plasticity ability of Sasanidus kermanshahensis in different habitats. Also based the results, this species adapts to the environmental conditions of different habitats by shifting the position of its fins throughout the body.