The note on taxonomic revision and survey of population status of Barbus spp. at three major rivers from western part of Iran. (Gamasiab,Gharaso, Razavar rivers)

The native fishes of Iran are imp ortant, since the stock of population are declining and
the species of some fishes are in danger , because of industrialization, pollution, dryness,
purposeful or accidental introduction of exotic species.
The inland water species of Iran are import ant, since they have not been yet completely
identified. In order to conduct taxonomic revision and survey of population status
during three years at Gamasiab, Gharaso , Razavar Rivers (three important River of
Kermanshah Province) and th eir major drainage , ditch, branches and spring of their
watershed basin , about 4000 fish were caught by electroshoker and other apparatus.
Total length and weight of these fishes were measured. For Barbus species; 30
important lcthyological chracters measured by Lagler & Hab methods. For these
specimens average, minimum, maximum, variance and standard deviation of weight and
length wer e computed. These parameters and scientific names and Synonyms of 10
barbus species are pr esented in this paper. Tot al number of barbus specimen has been
split into two subgroups: the larg e Barbus and the others. Large Barbus includes B.
barbulus; B. esocinus; B. subquincuciatus; B. xanthopterus; B. grypus. Among th e 118
stations and average of three units of effort for catch of fish in every station (total of
354 unit of effort) about 60 sp ecimens of larg e Barbus were caught. This include about
1.5 pr ecent of 4000 fish that were caught in th is project.
The order of number of large barbus are as fallow: B. barbulus; B. xanthop terus and B.
wsocinu s; Barbus grypus. Only one specemen of B. subquinca nciatus was caught from
gamasiah river the year ago.
This project reveal ed that the stock of these fishes of Gamasiab and the Gharaso, the
largest river system of Iran are declining.