The Fish Fauna of the Lesser Zab River (Tigris River System) with Five First Records, and Note on Climate Change and Anthropogenic Effects on Fish Diversity in Zab River Basin (Pyransaher, Iran)

Valiallahi, Jalal; Shakiba, Mohammad

doi:10.2478/trser-2025-0015

Abstract

The aim of this study is to describe the biodiversity and current status of ichthyofauna in the Lesser Zab River. Through the examination of more than 1,500 samples collected from various river stations between May and August 2014 and June and August 2016, 35 fish species belonging to six families have been identified. The fish identified belong to the orders Cypriniformes, Siluriformes, and Synbranchiformes, which include Cyprinidae, Balitoridae, Sisoridae, and Mastasembelidae. Both meristic and morphological analyses were conducted on the specimens. Some of these species are reported for the first time in this part of the Zab River. Additionally, the study mentions the effects of anthropogenic and climate changes on fish biodiversity in this basin.

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The Fish Fauna of the Lesser Zab River (Tigris River System) with Five First Records, and Note on Climate Change and Anthropogenic Effects on Fish Diversity in Zab River Basin (Pyransaher, Iran)

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