Changes in Diversity of Fish Fauna of the Chu River Basin (Central Asia)

Changes in Diversity of Fish Fauna of the Chu River Basin (Central Asia)

Blog Article

The Chu River originates in the Central Tien Shan Mountains and dissipates into the Muyunkum desert.The first information about the fish of the river was received in the middle 19-th century.Several expeditions collected data during 20-th century.

Results of our investigations last decade in comparison with previous data allow tracking changes in the fish fauna after growing human impact.In the main, our Exterior Parts data concern of the Kazakhstan part of the river.About 34 species and subspecies were discovered here; about 19 species between them are native.

Origin or taxonomy of some species are disputable.In the last publications of the XX-th century 38 fish species and subspecies were mentioned.Native fish species as Aral barbel Barbus brachycephalus and Bulatmai barbel Barbus capito, Chu sharpray Capoetobrama kuschakewitschii and alien Sea trout Salmo trutta, Sevan trout Salmo ischchan were not found last decade in the Kazakhstan part of the river.

Distribution area of native Balkhash marinka Schizothorax argentatus and alien Balkhash perch Perca schrenkii were reduced.The most widespread and numerous fish species are native roach, carp, dace, gudgeon and alien stone moroco.Native fishes like pike, asp, Aral ide, striped bystranka, golden spiny loach, southern ninespine stickleback and others were found only in certain sites.

Fish species composition for each investigated site was not stable during recent years.Significant variations in fish composition were observed between different BRANCHED CHAIN AMINO ACIDS water bodies of the basin too.It reflects diversity of human impacts and unsteady water regimen here.