Taxonomic review of the Chondrostoma (Teleostei, Leuciscidae) species from inland waters of Turkey: an integrative approach

Abstract

The genusChondrostoma(Leuciscidae: Leuciscinae), composed of small to medium-sized fish with a scraper feeding characteristic, is distributed in the West and Middle East, Caucasus, Europe and Northern Mediterranean drainages. This genus spreads across Anatolia and Thrace, with the exception of Göksu and Eşen rivers in Turkey’s Mediterranean basin. It is also difficult to understand the systematics ofChondrostoma, which is complicated morphologically. Therefore, in this study, an identification key was made by evaluating external morphology, osteology (some jaw bones and 5thceratobrachial) and molecular features together. A total of 13 valid species have been so far recorded from Turkish inland waters, among which areC. beysehirense,C. ceyhanensis,C. colchicum,C. cyri,C. holmwoodii,C. kinzelbachi,C. meandrense,C. nasus,C. regium,C. smyrnae,C. toros,C. turnaiandC. vardarense.Our molecular data showed thatC. angorense(Kızılırmak and Sakarya rivers) is a synonym ofC. colchicum(Çoruh and Yeşilırmak rivers). In addition,C. angorensewas morphologically similar toC. colchicum. Therefore, we explored the systematic position ofC. vardarense(from Meriç River) andC. nasus(from Simav River) in this study.