Research Article

Growth and reproductive traits of endemic Anatolian khramulya Capoeta tinca (Heckel, 1843) (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) in the Devrez River, Türkiye

¹ Department of Biology, Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, Polatlı Faculty of Science and Letters, 06900 Polatlı, Ankara, Türkiye
² Republic of Türkiye Ministry of National Education, 06600 Ankara, Türkiye

^* Corresponding author: ozlemablakgurbuz@yahoo.com

Received: 21 August 2024
Accepted: 2 June 2025

Abstract

Nearly half of Türkiye's freshwater fish species are endemic, yet many face severe threats from anthropogenic pressures such as dam construction, pollution, habitat degradation, invasive species, and drought. Understanding the life history and reproductive biology of these species is essential for the conservation of native, particularly endemic, populations and for developing sustainable stock management strategies. The Anatolian khramulya (Capoeta tinca), an endemic benthic algae-scraping species, generally inhabits lotic systems and plays a key ecological role in riverine ecosystems. In this study, the population structure, growth, and reproductive characteristics of C. tinca were analyzed using specimens collected from the Devrez River between April 2020 and March 2021. Length–weight relationships showed positive allometric growth in females and isometric growth in males. The von Bertalanffy growth function indicated that females grew more slowly than males. Scale readings revealed maximum ages of 9+ years for females and 4+ years for males. The maturity ogives showed that 50% of females and males were sexually mature at 20.0 cm and 16.0 cm, respectively. C. tinca exhibited a protracted spawning season lasting from May to August, with a mean absolute fecundity of 10,419 ± 8811 oocytes. Fecundity was positively correlated with fork length, body weight, gonad weight, and age. The ongoing construction of the Devrez Kızlaryolu Dam represents a significant future threat to the ichthyofauna of the region. These findings emphasize the importance of incorporating species-specific reproductive and growth characteristics into regional conservation and management plans to sustain endemic fish populations in freshwater ecosystems.