| Virginia
Journal of Science.
2003. Vol 54 (3 & 4) : 151-169 |
| Predicting
Fish Species Diversity in Lotic Freshwaters of Greece Eugene G. Maurakis1, 2 and David V. Grimes2, 3, 1Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220 USA, 2Biology Dept. and School of Continuing Studies,University of Richmond, VA 23173, USA, 3Environmental Division, VA Dept. of Transportation,1200 E Broad St., Richmond, VA 23219 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, and were used to create a regression model to
predict species diversity (up to 5th 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.Keywords: freshwater fish diversity, Greece |