Comparing the diversity of northern Caucasian bleak (Alburnus hohenackeri) in Sistan basin

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran.

10.22059/jfisheries.2025.386463.1446

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the morphological characteristics of the northern Caucasian bleak (Alburnus hohenackeri) populations in the Sistan basin using geometric morphometric methods. A total of 170 samples were collected from the Maleki, Hamzeh-Abad, Chahnimeh 1, Chahnimeh 2, and Sistan Zapasheh rivers. Images were taken from the left lateral side of the specimens, and 13 landmarks were digitized using tpsDig2 software. The data were analyzed using Procrustes analysis and multivariate statistical methods, such as PCA, CVA, and cluster analysis. PCA results indicated a high overlap among the populations, while CVA results showed that the Chahnimeh 1 population had no overlap with the Maleki and Sistan Zapasheh populations. Additionally, cluster analysis revealed that the Sistan Zapasheh population formed a separate group, exhibiting the greatest distinction from other populations. These findings suggest that while PCA may not capture finer distinctions observed in other methods, the results of CVA and cluster analysis demonstrate significant morphological differences among various populations, particularly in the Sistan Zapasheh area. These differences are likely due to geographical isolation and distinct habitat conditions, which significantly impact population morphology.

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