Showing papers in "Virginia journal of science in 2003"

Identification Key to Fishes in Fresh Waters of Greece

Abstract: ABSTRACT The European Environmental Agency formulated a biodiversity initiative in 1996 specifying a freshwater stream-monitoring program to inventory, identify and describe aquatic and terrestrial species in European Union countries. With one of the richest freshwater ichthyofaunas in Europe (126 fish taxa: 97 species and 29 subspecies of primary or secondary freshwater fishes), Greece has two extinct fish species, five listed as critically endangered, and 29 considered endangered and/or vulnerable. There are, however, no published identification guides that are available for identifying fish specimens from fresh waters in Greece. We present an English translation of the only available identification key (in Greek) to 97 fish species (20 families) in fresh waters of Greece. Our intent is to create an illustrated identification guide in the future as new species are identified and ranges of all lotic and lentic species are clarified. In the interim, we believe that the current guide can be used effectively in the field to reduce the number of voucher specimens required to authenticate inventories of the freshwater ichthyofauna of Greece as repeated heavy sampling has the potential to decimate local populations that are already vulnerable.

Predicting Fish Species Diversity in Lotic Freshwaters of Greece

Abstract: Objectives were to test the hypothesis that stream order and stream width alone account for species diversity in drainages of Greece, and to create a mathematical model that predicts fish diversity in small and medium sized freshwater streams in the southern Balkan Peninsula in accord with the stream classification system proposed by the European Environmental Agency (EEA). Thirty-seven species of fishes in 12 families (Petromyzontidae, Anguillidae, Cyprinidae, Cobitidae, Balitoridae, Mugilidae, Salmonidae, Peociliidae, Gasterosteidae, Moronidae, Centrarchidae, and Blenniidae) were collected in five stream orders (1-5) from 19 river drainages in Greece in 1993 and from 2000-2002. Numbers of species were significantly correlated with stream order ( + ), width ( + ), and depth ( + ), and elevation (-). Results of stepwise regression indicated that stream order, elevation, stream depth, and river km were significant factors associated with ichthyofaunal diversity, an~ were used to create a regression model to predict species diversity (up to 5 order streams). We conclude that geo-specific factors (i.e., small, isolated drainages with limited water budgets, geological history, dry climate, and low annual rainfall) should be included in the EEA monitoring design for lotic waters in harsh environments of southern Mediterranean countries as these features differ from those of central, eastern, and northern European countries with larger watersheds. INTRODUCTION Gretes and Maurakis (2001) examined relationships between fish species diversity and physiochemical features of freshwater streams, and hypothesized that stream order and stream width alone were the significant factors accounting for species diversity based on collections from four drainages (Strymon-Aggitis, Axios, Aliakmqn, and Aoos) in Greece. Their study is significant as it is the first attempt to systematically examine fish diversity relative to the physiochemical environment of lotic waters in small, isolated drainages in Greece. Lotic freshwater systems in Greece are relatively harsh environments with limited water budgets as a result of the country's complicated geological history, and dry climate with low annual rainfall (Hadjibiros et al., 1998; Gretes and Maurakis, 2001 ). Studies by Gretes and Maurakis (2001) and Economou et al. (1999), who investigated fish species diversity in streams of western Greece, may have significant implications for European Environmental Agency (EEA) stream 152 VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE biodiversity policies, monitoring guidelines, and management programs. For example, EEA recently formulated a freshwater stream monitoring program and a biodiversity initiative to inventory, identify and describe aquatic and terrestrial species in European Union (EU) countries (Nixon et al., 1996). Data from Gretes and Maurakis (200 I) and Economou et al. ( 1999) can be used to create the requisite baseline for future biodiversity inventories, water quality assessments, environmental impact statements, and a host of other ecological studies. However, EEA guidelines for collecting these baseline data are applied to all countries of the EU without consideration to unique geo-specific factors (e.g. semi-arid conditions and small drainage areas) that occur in southern European countries such as Greece. In Greece, there is a paucity of ecological and distributional data for fishes in lotic freshwater streams, many of which annually experience significant natural and anthropogenic perturbations ( e.g. desiccated stream beds in summer, water extraction for irrigation, and pollution)(Bobori, et al., 200 I, Hadjibiros et al., 1998). Natural perturbations (e.g. droughts) and anthropogenic influences (i.e., water extraction, canalization, channelization, damming, introductions of exotic species, and agricultural, industrial, and municipal waste inputs) on freshwater resources have become more pervasive over the past 40 years, resulting in elimination and degradation of surface water resources and aquatic habitats in Greece (Bobori 1996; Bobori et al., 2001; Hadjibiros, et al., 1998; Lekakis, 1998; Economidis et al., 2000; Economou et al., 1999; OECD, 2000). These perturbations have fragmented and otherwise altered freshwater fish habitats and communities and led to extirpation of some native species in both lotic and lentic environs (Economidis, 1995; Economou et al., 1999; Hadjibiros, 1998; Lekakis, 1998;). Currently, Greece is without a national action plan to monitor and manage aquatic resources (i.e., aquatic habitats, threatened fishes, and inland fisheries)(Bobori et al., 2001; Economidis, 1995; Economou et al., 1999; Hadjibiros, 1998; Lekakis, 1998; OECD, 2000). Our first objective is to test the hypothesis of Gretes and Maurakis (200 I) that stream order and stream width alone account for species diversity with a more robust set of data that includes collections from previously sampled drainages (i.e., Aliakmon, Aoos, Axios, and Strymon-Aggitis) and from 15 additional drainages (Piros-Tethreas, Pinios, Alphios, Pamisos, and Evrotas of Peloponnesos; Kalamas, Aheron, Louros, Arachthos of Epiros; Acheloos, Evinos, Sperchios and Kifissos of Sterea Hellas; and Gallikos and Loudias of Macedonia)(Fig. I). Our second objective is to present a mathematical model that predicts fish diversity in small and medium sized freshwater streams in the southern Balkan Peninsula in accord with the stream classification system proposed by the EEA. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fishes were collected with a 1.2 x 3 m seine (stretch mesh=0.64 cm), a 12 Volt Smith-Root Model VII DC backpack electroshocker or a 24 Volt Smith-Root Mode.I backpack electroshocker in June and July, 1993, and from June-July in 2000, 2001, and 2002 along with physiochemical stream data (Table I). Fishes were preserved in IO % formalin except for six collections preserved in 70 % ethanol and were deposited in the Ichthyology Laboratory of Aristotle University (Greece) and University of Richmond (USA). Collection data from 2000 are presented in Gretes and Maurakis (2001) and those from 1993 and 2001-2002 in Appendix 1. Methods for identifying stream order, gradient (m/km), elevati~n (m), stream width (m), stream depth (m), pH, water temperature (0 C), river kilometer (km), and Jaccard Coefficient follow those in Gretes and Maurakis (200 I). GREEKFRESHWATERFISHDIVERSITY 153 TABLE I. Drainage, collection number, stream order, elevation (m), stream width (m), stream depth (m), gradient (m/km), water temperature (0 C), and river kilometers from mouth to eollection location in the Acheloos, Aheron, Aliakmon, Aoos, Arachthos, Axios, Evinos, Gallikos, Kalamas, Kifissos, Loudias, Louras, Sperchios, and Strymon-Aggitis drainages on mainland Greece, and the Alphios, Evrotas, Pamisos, Pinios, and Piros drainages in Peloponne~s (P), Greece in 1993 and from 2000-2002. Correlation analyses (SAS, 2002) were performed to determine significant relationships among numbers of species, stream order, elevation, stre~ width, .stream ~epth, gradient, pH, water temperature and river kilometer in individual ~d combined drainages. A General Linear Model followed by Duncan's Multiple Range Test (SAS, 2002) was used to determine significant differences among average num~ers of species and Jaccard Coefficients per stream order. Multiple stepwise regression (forward entry at p=0.15 and backward elimination, SAS, 2002) was used to determine factors accounting for significant variation in species diversity. Backward stepwise regression began with all stream factors in the model and removed the least significant one·s un(il all remainJng :terms were statistically significant. The backward elimination method drops factors whose deletions causes the-smallest .. decrease in R. . . . RESULTS A total of 37 species was collected in five stream orders (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) from 19 river drainages in Greece in 1993 and from 2000-2002 (Tables 2a-c; Gretes and Maurakis, 2001). Twenty-six species (10 families: Petromyzontidae, Anguillidae, Cyprinidae, Cobitidae, Mugilidae, Salmon,idae, Moronidae, Peociliidae, Gasteros}eiTABLE 1. Drainage, collection number, stream order, elevation (m ), stream width (m ), stream depth (m), gradient (m/km) water temperature \"\"\"\"6 ( 0 C), and river kilometers from mouth to collection location in the Acheloos,_Aheron, Aliakmon, Aoos, Arachthos, Axio~ Evinos Gallikos, UI .&;a. Kalamas, Kifissos, Loudias, Louros, Sperchios, and Strymon-Aggitis drainages on mainland Greece, and the Alphios, 'Evrotas: Pamisos, Pinios, and Piros drainages in Peloponnesos (P), Greece in 1993 and from 2000-2002. Drainage Collection Order Elevation Width Depth pH Gradient Temp River km Number (m) (m) (m) (m/km) (OC) (km) Arachthos 485 I 559.6 9.0 0.25 5.9 20.0 < 95.5 ~ Arachthos 504 I 144.8 1.5 0.02 8.0 3.5 26.1 41.4 ~ Arachthos 484 2 517.3 7.0 0.50 5.7 17.0 90.2 ~ ~ Arachthos 486 2 555.1 8.0 0.25 5.8 22.0 94.9 z Arachthos 487 3 473.1 17.0 0.35 5.6 15.0 ~ 84.3 > Arachthos 503 3 130.8 8.0 0.21 8.0 3.4 27.2 39.0 ~ Kalamas 495 I 137.2 5.0 0.05 8.1 1.9 I 1.1 71.9 0 Kalamas 499 I 28.7 2.0 0.20 7.6 1.4 20.6 20.5 d Kalamas 493 2 422.8 9.0 0.30 8.5 4.6 6.7 91.8 ~ Kalamas 494 2 152.5 8.0 0.08 8.6 2.0 11.7 78.1 > Kalamas 496 2 114.0 5.0 0.09 8.0 2.3 19.4 50.2 t'IIC Kalamas 525 2 386.8 12.0 0.15 8.0 7.2 15.6 54.0 0 Kalamas 497 3 81.1 15.0 0.30 8.2 1.6 20.0 51.5 ~ Kalamas 498 3 34.1 30.0 0.28 8.4 1.0 20.6 32.9 00 Sperchios 518 2 IO.I 4.0 0.20 6.4 0.0 31.0 12.0 ~ Sperchios 521 2 347.2 5.0 0.20 8.0 5.4 22.7 63.9 ~ ~ Sperchios 522 3 347.2 12.0 0.30 8.0 5.4 20.6 64.5 z Sperchios 520 4 150.6 7.5 0.25 8.0 2.9 22.2 52.1 ~ Sperchios 519 5 42.7 11.5 0.04 8.0 1.3 19.4 32.9 ~ Aheron 500 I 11.3 3.0 0.11 7.8 1.3 18.3 8.4 Louros 501 3 144.8 10.0 0.03 7.8 3.5 22.2 42.0 Louros 502 3 109.4 12.0 0.22 7.6 2.9 16,,7 37.8 Louros 5011 3 198.1 15.0 0.32 8.2 4.2 15.6 46.8 continued

Creating a Geographical Information System for Freshwater Crabs and Fishes in Greece

Abstract: A geographical information system (GIS) for freshwater crabs and fishes in Greece was created in response to the European Environmental Agency's (EEA) biodiversity initiative for European Union countries. A total of 1931 collections, made with seines, dipnets, and backpack electroshockers in 32 drainages of Greece, yielded 126 species of fishes and crabs in 2,359 data records including species, latitude, longitude, drainage, prefecture, and locality; 731 also include stream order, elevation, gradient, stream width and depth, pH, temperature, and distance to river mouth. Our GIS indicates current distributions of species, species rich and poor areas, anomalous species distributions, areas warranting further sampling, and cogeneric species whose overlapping ecoJogical distributions call for taxonomic and phylogenetic investigation. In applied studies, the freshwater GIS can be an integral tool for EEA's biodiversity inventory Qfthe southern Balkan peninsula, an inland fisheries management plan, designs for environmental impact studies, and conducting gap analyses for the region.