Age Structure and Growth Characteristics of the Endemic Fish Oxynoemacheilus anatolicus (Nemacheilidae) in Düğer Creek, Mediterranean region of Turkey

Abstract

The present study reports the age and growth properties of Burdur Loach, Oxynoemacheilus anatolicus Erk'akan, Özeren & Nalbant, 2008 caught from the Düger Spring Creek (Burdur-Turkey) and is currently listed as an endangered species. 100 specimens of O. anatolicus, which ranged in size between 2.5 and 8.6 cm in total length, 0.14 and 5.90 g in total weight, were collected during the study period. Of all the O. anatolicus examined, 5 were immature, 50 were female, and 45 were male. The overall sex ratio in the populations matches the expected value of 1:1 in a normal population. The otolith readings indicated the presence of five age classes (I-V). Length–weight relationships were fitted by the equation W= 0.0082L3.0402 (p<0.05) for both sexes combined and this indicated that growth was positive allometric. The condition factor values were calculated and ranged from 0.64 to 1.19. The obtained data was compared with available results from close species. This study provided first baseline data related to length-weight relationship, age, sex ratio and condition factor for O. anatolicus – a species whose populations have been threatened due to various ecological changes in its habitats, leading to increased concern and the need for conservation.

Keywords

• Burdur Loach,Freshwater,Endemic,Karstic spring

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