Ichthyofauna of Sultan Marshes (Turkey) and Possible Effects of Fish Invasion from Seyhan Basin on Diversity and Conservation

Abstract

Ichthyofauna of the Sultan Marshes and its drainage based on an extensive survey are presented. In addition, the suggestion of the IUCN criteria of the recently described fish species and the ecological quality of the marshes based on the EurAsian Fish Index (EAFI) were estimated. Furthermore, Capoeta damascina, Garra turcica, Squalius seyhanensis, and Oxynoemacheilus seyhanensis are reported for the first time in the Sultan Marshes, entered from the Seyhan basin via the Zamanti Tunnel. Based on the results, a total of 16 species belonging to 6 families have been identified with 9 translocated ones (58.3%).The estimated EAFI value for different parts of the marshes differs from 4 (Bad) to 30 (High) with a mean of 21.0 (Good) that shows the negative effect of both anthropogenic deterioration and occurrence of translocated species.