Assessing age, growth, and reproduction of Alburnus mossulensis and Acanthobrama marmid (Cyprinidae) populations in Karakaya Dam Lake (Turkey)

Authors: AYSEL ALKAN UÇKUN, DİDEM GÖKÇE

Abstract: In total, 626 individuals of Alburnus mossulensis and 586 individuals of Acanthobrama marmid were collected monthly from Karakaya Dam Lake on the upper Euphrates River. The gonadosomatic index, somatic condition, oocyte size, and fecundity were calculated on a monthly basis. Reading of scales indicated that the maximum age was 4+ years for A. mossulensis and A. marmid. The estimated length-weight relationships were W = 0.206 × FL^{2.065} for females and W = 0.119 × FL^{2.138} for males in A. mossulensis, and W = 0.029 × FL^{2.678} for females and W = 0.030 × FL^{2.631} for males in A. marmid. Growth in length equations were L_{t} = 19.6[1 - e^{-0.14(t + 1.39)}] for females and L_{t} = 20.1[1 - e^{-1.40(t + 1.04)}] for males in A. mossulensis and L_{t} = 17.3[1 - e^{-1.37(t + 1.04)}] for females and L_{t} = 16.6[1 - e^{-1.29(t + 1.04)}] for males in A. marmid. This study investigated oocyte size and fecundity for A. mossulensis and A. marmid in Turkey for the first time. The spawning period was between May and August for A. mossulensis and between May and June for A. marmid. These 2 species usually play a key role in the food web of temperate freshwater systems. In addition to water quality, biological data of these 2 species are very important in terms of future water management of the basin of Karakaya Dam Lake.

Keywords: Acanthobrama marmid, Alburnus mossulensis, age, growth, reproduction, Karakaya Dam Lake, upper Euphrates River

Full Text: PDF