Original paper
Use of the condition of Mediterranean barbel (Barbus meridionalis) to assess habitat quality in stream ecosystems.
Vila-Gispert, A.; Zamora, L.; Moreno-Amich, R.
Archiv für Hydrobiologie Volume 148 Number 1 (2000), p. 135 - 145
29 references
published: Apr 13, 2000
DOI: 10.1127/archiv-hydrobiol/148/2000/135
ArtNo. ESP141014801014, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
Weight-length relationships were used as a simple method to test differences in condition between several populations of Mediterranean barbel and to examine possible correlations between fish condition and ecological factors. We analysed 14 populations of Mediterranean barbel from two basins with different ecological conditions. Statistical analysis (ANCOVA) showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) in condition between populations, which could imply differences in habitat characteristics. Oxygen availability and riparian cover seem to be the main ecological factors affecting the condition of this species in the area studied. Therefore, the condition of the Mediterranean barbel may be a good indicator of habitat quality in stream ecosystems.
Keywords
Mediterranean barbel • Barbus meridionalis • stream ecosystem