What are the most effective biotic and abiotic factors affecting fatty acid composition of Garra rufa (Heckel, 1843)?

Abstract

Specimens of Garra rufa were collected from a warm river and a cool stream in the Bingöl Province, Turkey, once a month over a period of one year. The effects of month, season, gender and location on the fatty acid composition in the muscle and the lipid content were investigated and dietary marker fatty acids were used to obtain dietary preferences in different locations (Ilıcalar, Garip) and periods. Total lipid change was seasonally significant (ANOSIM-R=0.49) at both locations and 18:1ω9, 20:5ω3 and 20:6ω3 were the most abundant dietary fatty acids. Although G. rufa are predominantly herbivores, they can also feed omnivorously on mixed diets depending on the presence and absence of their primary diet. The effect of season was significant on fatty acid composition, regardless of the location (Pperm=0.001). Significant seasonal changes in all the fatty acid compositions could be attributed to seasonal changes in the abundance and diversity of dietary sources in the environment due to the effect of temperature.