Brian W. Coad

Zoogeography of the fishes of the Tigris-Euphrates Basin

Abstract The primary division ichthyofauna of the Tigris-Euphrates basin, encompassing the drainages of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and their tributaries in Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey, is listed and compared with that of neighbouring basins and with the Nile and Indus. It comprises 52 species in 7 families, dominated by the Cyprinidae with 34 species. There are no endemic families and endemism is at the species level. The fauna is a product of dispersal, principally from the north, with minor elements from Asia and possibly Africa.

Exotic fish species in the Tigris-Euphrates basin

Abstract Records of exotic and transplanted fish species in the Tigris-Euphrates basin are reviewed and new records for Pseudorasbora parva (Cyprinidae) are documented. At least 17 species have been reported although not all have established permanent populations. Large scale movements of fishes are being carried out in this basin and the spread of exotics, with all the attendant dangers to native species and their ecosystems, has increased markedly in recent years.

Co-occurrence and zoogeography of the freshwater fishes of Iran

Abstract A zoogeographic analysis of the freshwater fish fauna of Iran based on the distribution of 164 species in 19 basins shows the existence of two major faunas, one influenced by the Caspian Sea basin, the other by the Tigris River basin. A new South basin is proposed, combining three basins in south-eastern Iran.

Systematics of an isolated population of tooth-carp from northern Iran (Actinopterygii: Cyprinodontidae)

Abstract The most northerly and easterly population of tooth-carps in Iran is described. This isolated population in the Damghan basin of the Alborz Mountains is unique in colour pattern of females but other characters show overlap with populations 560–700 km to the south. Its specific distinction cannot be affirmed on current data but the population is open to human impacts and should be conserved until further studies can be carried out.

Some nematode parasites of fishes from southwestern Iran

Abstract Examinations of 76, mostly freshwater, fishes belonging to 9 species of 5 families in southwestern Iran revealed the presence of the following 5 species of nematode parasites: Rhabdochona demudata, R. fortunatowi, Proleptinae gen. sp. larvae, Contracaecum sp. larvae and Hysterothylacium sp. larvae. Most of these findings represent new host and geographical records. The freshwater fish nematodes recorded from southwestern Iran show a relationship to the Palaearctic fauna and they are known to occur as well in neighbouring countries.

A random process may control the number of endemic species

The richness of endemic species is often recognized as an indication of the distinctiveness of certain local faunas and is used for the definition of conservation hotspots as well. Faunas of different animal taxa were considered in sets of contiguous geographical units. Comparing the faunas of different units in one set, we found an exponential increase in the number of endemics when plotted against the number of non-endemics. A model of independent stochastic population dynamics under the control of environmental oscillations produces random fluctuations in the ranges of species. Ranges of endemic species are supposedly narrower than ranges of co-occurring non-endemic species. In such a case, the flow of a random process leads to an exponential relationship between numbers of co-occurring endemic and non-endemic species. This process also produces an apparent positive correlation between total species number and the percentage of endemics.

Systematics of the shah mahi, Chalcalburnus chalcoides (Güldenstädt, 1772), in the southern Caspian Sea basin (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae)

Abstract The shah mahi, Chalcalburnus chalcoides, has four nominal subspecies in the southern Caspian Sea and its basin. The systematics of this species was examined using principal components analysis on 21 morphometrjc and 12 meristic characters. C. chalcoides iranicus was found to be indistinguishable from C. chalcoides longissimus, which has priority. Analyses also indicate that both these nominal subspecies, and a third subspecies C. chalcoides latissimus, are probably not distinct from the type subspecies. The study confirms the opinion of Holcik & Jedlicka (1994) who regard subspecies designation in many cyprinid fishes as unwarranted.

Freshwater shark attacks at Basrah, Iraq

Abstract Eleven, separate shark attacks on humans in freshwater are reported from Basrah, Iraq. Two attacks were fatal. The shark species involved is probably Carcharhinus leucas.

Capoeta aculeata (Valenciennes in Cuv. & Val., 1844), a valid species of cyprinid fish from Iran (Teleostei:Cyprinidae)

Abstract Based on morphological differences, the validity of Capoeta aculeata (Val. in Cuv. & Val., 1844), which KARAMAN (1969) synonymized with C. capoeta (Guldenstadt, 1773), is reaffirmed. C. aculeato is redescribed and its distribution plotted from the six syntypes and 551 specimens from recent collections. A lectotype is designated. Scaphiodon macrolepis Heckel, 1849 is placed in the synonymy of Capoeta aculeato.

On the systematics and distribution of the snow trout Schizothorax pelzami Kessler, 1870, in Iran (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae)

Abstract The cyprinid fish Schizothorax pelzami Kessler, 1870, was found to have the westernmost distribution of any schizothoracine, reaching north-central Iran. The type locality of this species was clarified and the subspecies S. p. iranicus was found not to be distinct.