Scoliosis deformity in Alburnus escherichii, an endemic freshwater leuciscid (Teleostei) from the Sakarya River Basin, Türkiye: morphological description and a case study
References
- Almeida, D., Almodóvar, A., Nicola, G. G., & Elvira, B. (2008). Fluctuating asymmetry, abnormalities and parasitism as indicators of environmental stress in cultured stocks of goldfish and carp. Aquaculture, 279(1–4), 120–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2008.04.003
- Arbuatti, A., Della Salda, L., & Romanucci, M. (2013). Spinal deformities in a wild line of Poecilia wingei bred in captivity: Report of cases and review of the literature. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 3(3), 186–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60047-7
- Barčák, D., Olson, P., Orosová, M., Marková, A., Uhrovič, D., Brázová, T., & Oros, M. (2023). Morphological malformations in Glanitaenia osculata (Onchoproteocephalidea) from polluted environment. Annals of Parasitology, 69 (Suppl. 1), 12.
- Barlas, N. (1999a). A pilot study of heavy metal concentration in various environments and fishes in the upper Sakarya River Basin, Turkey. Environmental Toxicology: An International Journal, 14(3), 367–373. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1522-7278(199907)14:3<;367:AID-TOX11>3.0.CO;2-9
- Barlas, N. (1999b). Histopathological examination of gill, liver and kidney tissues of carp (Cyprinus carpio L., 1758) fish in the upper Sakarya river basin. Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, 23(2), 277–284.
- Basaran, F., Ozbilgin, H., & Ozbilgin, Y. D. (2007). Effect of lordosis on the swimming performance of juvenile sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.). Aquaculture Research, 38, 870–876. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2109.2007.01741.x
- Bayçelebi, E., Turan, D., Kaya, C., & Freyhof, J. (2020). Alburnus nasreddini, a synonym of A. escherichii (Teleostei: Leuciscidae). Zootaxa, 4894(1), 123–132. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4894.1.7
- Bektaş, Y., Aksu, İ., Kaya, C., Bayçelebi, E., Küçük, F., & Turan, D. (2020). Molecular systematics and phylogeography of the genus Alburnus Rafinesque, 1820 (Teleostei, Leuciscidae) in Turkey. Mitochondrial DNA Part A, 31(7), 273–284. https://doi.org/10.1080/24701394.2020.1791840
- Boglione, C., Costa, C., Pavlidis, M. A., & Mylonas, C. C. (Eds.). (2011). Skeletal deformities and juvenile quality. (pp. 233–294). Wiley-Blackwell. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781444392210.ch8
- Boglione, C., Gavaia, P., Koumoundouros, G., Gisbert, E., Moren, M., Fontagné, S., & Witten, P. E. (2013a). Skeletal anomalies in reared European fish larvae and juveniles. Part 1: Normal and anomalous skeletogenic processes. Reviews in Aquaculture, 5 (Suppl. 1), S99–S120 https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12015
- Boglione, C., Gisbert, E., Gavaia, P., Witten, P. E., Moren, M., Fontagné, S., & Koumoundouros, G. (2013b). Skeletal anomalies in reared European fish larvae and juveniles. Part 2: Main typologies, occurrences and causative factors. Reviews in Aquaculture, 5 (Suppl. 1), S121–S167. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12016
- Boglione, C., Marino, G., Fusari, A., Ferreri, F., Finoia, M. G., & Cataudella, S. (1995). Skeletal anomalies in Dicentrarchus labrax juveniles selected for functional swimbladder. ICES Marine Science Symposia, 201, 163–169. https://doi.org/10.17895/ices.pub.19271588
- Bogutskaya, N. G., Zuykov, M. A., Naseka, A. M., & Anderson, E. B. (2011). Normal axial skeleton structure in common roach Rutilus (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae) and malformations due to radiation contamination in the area of the Mayak nuclear plant. Journal of Fish Biology, 79, 991–1016. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2011.03078.x
- Brazova, T., Orosova, M., Šalamún, P., & Hanzelova, V. (2020). Morphological abnormalities in fish parasites: A potential tool for biomonitoring natural contaminants? Parasitology Research, 119(10), 3297–3304. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-020-06860-8
- Çelik, E. S., Kaya, H., & Yılmaz, S. (2012). Effects of phosalone on mineral contents and spinal deformities in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L. 1758). Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 12, 259–264. https://doi.org/10.4194/1303-2712-v12_2_10
- Çiçek, E., Sungur, S., Fricke, R., & Seçer, B. (2023). Freshwater lampreys and fishes of Türkiye: An annotated checklist, 2023. Turkish Journal of Zoology, 47, 324–468. https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-0179.3147
- Dabrowski, K., & Hinterleitner, S. (1989). Applications of a simultaneous assay of ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid and ascorbic sulphate in biological materials. Analyst, 114(1), 83–87. https://doi.org/10.1039/an9891400083
- Fernández, I., Gavaia, P. J., Laize, V., & Cancela, M. L. (2018). Fish as a model to assess chemical toxicity in bone. Aquatic Toxicology, 194, 208–226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2017.11.015
- Freyhof, J. (2014). Alburnus escherichii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014: e.T19018485A19222778. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014.RLTS. T19018485A19222778.en. Retrieved January 21, 2021, from https://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Freyhof, J., Yoğurtçuoğlu, B., Jouladeh-Roudbar, A., & Kaya, C. (2025). Handbook of freshwater fishes of west Asia. De Gruyter. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111677811
- Froese, R., & Pauly, D. (2025). FishBase (Version 02/2024). www. fishbase.org
- Gavaia, P. J., Domingues, S., Engrola, S., Drake, P., Sarasquete, C., Dinis, M. T., & Cancela, M. L. (2009). Comparing skeletal development of wild and hatchery-reared Senegalese sole. Aquaculture Research, 40, 1585–1593. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2109.2009.02258.x
- Geldiay, R., & Balık, S. (2007). Freshwater fishes of Turkey. Ege University Publications.
- Gorman, K. F., & Breden, F. (2007). Teleosts as models for human vertebral stability and deformity. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology C, 145(1), 28–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpc.2006.10.004
- Gorman, K. F., Julien, C., & Moreau, A. (2012). The genetic epidemiology of idiopathic scoliosis. European Spine Journal, 21(10), 1905–1919. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-012-2389-6
- İlhan, A., & Balık, S. (2008). Batı Karadeniz Bölgesi içsularının balık faunası. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 25(1), 75–82.
- İnnal, D., Güzel, E. Y., Dilek, Ö.G., & Kamanlı, S. A. (2019). Kyphosis in Barbus pergamonensis from Dalaman Stream. Aquatic Sciences and Engineering, 34(2), 39–45. https://doi.org/10.26650/ASE2019545494
- Iram, S., Kanwal, S., Ahmad, I., Tabassam, T., Suthar, V., & Mahmood-ul-Hassan, M. (2013). Assessment of physicochemical parameters of wastewater samples. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 185(3), 2503–2515. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2727-5
- Jawad, L. A., Fjelldal, P., & Hansen, T. (2018). First report on vertebral abnormality in fivebeard rockling Ciliata mustela (Linnaeus, 1758) (Osteichthyes: Lotidae) from Masfjorden, Western Norway. Marine Biodiversity, 48, 957-961. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12526-016-0545-7
- Jawad, L. A., & Güçlü, S. S. (2022). Skeletal deformities in Barbus xanthos (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) collected from the Dalaman River in southwestern Turkey. Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies, 51(2), 203–211. https://doi.org/10.26881/oandhs-2022.2.08
- Jawad, L. A., & Öktener, A. (2007). Incidence of lordosis in freshwater mullet Liza abu (Heckel, 1843) collected from Atatürk Dam Lake, Turkey. Anales de Biología, 29, 105–113.
- Jawad, L. A., Thorsen, A., Ottera, H., & Fjelldal, P. (2015). Pug-headedness in farmed triploid Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua Linnaeus, 1758 (Actinopterygii: Gadiformes: Gadidae) in Norway. Acta Adriatica, 56 (2), 291–296.
- Kause, A., Paananen, T., Ritola, O., & Koskinen, H. (2007). Direct and indirect selection of visceral lipid weight, fillet weight, and fillet percentage in a rainbow trout breeding program. Journal of Animal Science, 85(12), 3218–3227. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2007-0332
- Kaya, C., Ekmekçi, F. G., Turan, D., Özuluğ, M., Küçük, F., Sarı, H. M., İlhan, A., Kanyılmaz, M., Atalay, M. A., Bayçebi, E., Yeğen, V., Gündüz, F., Saç, G., Kırankaya, ŞG., Gaygusuz, Ö, Aksu, S., Özdilek, ŞY., Ünlü, E., & Güçlü, S. S., et al. (2026). A Critical Checklist of Turkish Freshwater Fishes (2026). Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 26(5), Article TRJFAS29729. https://doi.org/10.4194/TRJFAS29729
- Kılıç, Y., & Şişman, T. (2024). Structural alterations in scales of Capoeta capoeta (Güldenstädt, 1773) from heavy metal-contaminated river water. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 196(9), 790. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-024-12807-8
- Köse, E., Çiçek, A., Aksu, S., Tokatli, C., & Emiroğlu, Ö. (2023). Spatio-temporal sediment quality risk assessment by using ecological and statistical indicators: a review of the upper Sakarya River, Türkiye. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 111(3), 38. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-023-03781-x
- Kottelat, M., & Freyhof, J. (2007). Handbook of European freshwater fishes. Publications Kottelat.
- Kranenbarg, S., Waarsing, J. H., Muller, M., Weinans, H., & Van Leeuwen, J. (2005). Lordotic vertebrae in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) are adapted to increased loads. Journal of Biomechanics, 38, 1239–1246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2004.06.011
- Küçük, F. (2012). Extinct endemic fishes of Turkey: Alburnus akili (Gövce) and Pseudophoxinus handlirschi (Kavinne) (Pisces: Cyprinidae). Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 12(2), 345–347. https://doi.org/10.4194/1303-2712-v12_2_21
- Mineev, A. K. (2025). Anomalies of the axial skeleton in juvenile leuciscid fish (Leuciscidae) of Saratov Reservoir. Journal of Ichthyology, 65(4), 627–637. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0032945225700134
- Okur, H., Erturaç, M. K., & Nicoll, K. (2024). Geomorphic changes and socio-environmental impacts of recent sand mining in the Sakarya River, NW Turkey. The Anthropocene Review, 11(3), 525–549. https://doi.org/10.1177/20530196231218480
- Okur, H., & Korhan Erturaç, M. (2018). Temporal monitoring of vast sand extraction at Sakarya River floodplain (NW Turkey): Implications for environmental impact and natural hazards [Conference Presentation]. In EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts (p.847).
- Özpicak, M., Saygın, S., Yılmaz, S., & Polat, N. (2021). Otolith phenotypic analysis for the endemic Anatolian fish species, Caucasian bleak Alburnus escherichii Steindachner, 1897 (Teleostei, Leuciscidae), from Selevir Reservoir, Akarçay Basin, Turkey. Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies, 50(4), 430–440. https://doi.org/10.2478/oandhs-2021-0037
- Pasnik, D. J., Evans, J. J., & Klesius, P. H. (2007). Development of skeletal deformities in a Streptococcus agalactiae-challenged male Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) broodfish and in its offspring. European Association of Fish Pathologists, 27(5), 169–176.
- Sajeevan, S., & Anna-Mercy, T. V. (2016). Morphological and osteological malformations in hatchery-bred redline torpedo fish, Sahyadria denisonii (Day 1865) (Cyprinidae). Anales de Biología, 38, 73–80. https://doi.org/10.6018/analesbio.38.07
- Şavran, G., Jawad, L. A., Küçük, F., & Güçlü, S. S. (2026). Skeletal anomalies identified by X-radiography in three freshwater fish species from Türkiye: anatomical insights. Zoomorphology, 145, 18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00435-026-00772-4
- Talay, N., & Yolcubal, İ. (2025). Hydrogeochemical characterization and determination of arsenic sources in the groundwater of the alluvial plain of the lower Sakarya River basin, Turkey. Water, 17(13), 1931. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17131931
- Torres-Dowdall, J., Karagic, N., Plath, M., & Riesch, R. (2018). Evolution in caves: selection from darkness causes spinal deformities in teleost fishes. Biology Letters, 14(6), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2018.0197
- Yavuz, V. S., Kartal, V., & Sambito, M. (2024). Comparative analysis of water quality in major rivers of Türkiye using hydrochemical and pollution indices. Water, 16(18), 2676. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16182676
Language: English
Submitted on: Jan 16, 2026
Accepted on: Mar 23, 2026
Published on: Apr 15, 2026
Published by: University of Gdańsk
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 4 issues per year
Related subjects:
© 2026 Zafer Alpaslan, Salim Serkan Güçlü, Atilla Arslan, Laith A. Jawad, published by University of Gdańsk
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.