Distribution of fish species in the Van Lake Basin

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the fish species of Van Lake Basin between in 2008-2012. Van Lake Basin is a closed basin that shaped approximately 2.3 % of Turkey. Because of closed basin character, the differences indicated in species diversity. Basin is rich in endemic species diversity with plant and animal species. This richness were reflected to fish species. All of the fish species naturally occurring in the lake basin are consist of endemic species. Alburnus tarichi, Alburnus timarensis, Barbus ercisianus, Capoeta cosswigi and Oxynoemacheilus ercisianus exhibited a natural distribution. Cyprinus carpio, Carassius gibelio, Gambusia holbrooki and Aphanius mento were constituted population from various water sources. In addition, escaped from fish farm sorvaccinated to water resources Oncorhynchus mykiss was unable to create the population. Barbus ercisianus and Capoeta cosswigi shown to create hybrid fish species in Zilan and Deliçay. Cyprinus carpio and Carassius carassius shown to create hybrid fish species in Nazik Lake.