Body shape variation of Garra rufa (Teleostei, Cyprinidae) populations in the Tigris basin in Iran using geometric morphometric analysis

Shape variation Phenotypic plasticity Geometric morphometric Iran.

Authors

  • Maryam Saemi-Komsari Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Guilan, Sowmeh Sara, Guilan, Iran.
  • Hamed Mousavi-Sabet Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Guilan, Sowmeh Sara, Guilan, Iran.
  • Masoud Sattari Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Guilan, Sowmeh Sara, Guilan, Iran.
  • Soheil Eagderi Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
  • Saber Vatandoust Department of Fisheries, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran.
  • Ignacio Doadrio Biodiversity and Evolutionary Group, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
August 12, 2021

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Geometric morphometric method was used to examine the body shape variations among the six populations of Garra rufa, in Iranian part of Tigris basin. A total of 15 landmark-points was used for 170 specimens to hypothesize population differentiation of G. rufa in the six rivers and reservoir. In discriminant function analysis, 85.9% of original grouped cases correctly classified. Principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical variates analysis (CVA) confirmed the significant difference between the populations. The results revealed that the studied populations are divided into three clades based on differences in body depth, caudal peduncle length, backward moving of anal fin. Caudal peduncle showed shortening trend in five populations. Narrower body shape was dominated among specimens of four regions. Studies on body shape provide supporting data on fisheries, stock management, and conservative programs.