Identification of Cyprinidae (Teleostei) community structure in estuarine zone of Göksu (Silifke) and Seyhan (Tarsus) rivers

This study, has been carried out in 11 separate periods of study between November 2014 – June 2017, at 6 total stations (3 stations from each river), with different fishing gears, to determine the community structure of Cyprinidae family living in the estuary zones of Göksu and Seyhan Rivers. For this purpose; identified species have been classified according to their ecological categories, and diversity, evenness and dominancy index values have been calculated based on zone and time. 4 species, belonging to Cyprinidae family, have been identified in Göksu River throughout the study. Those are; Acanthobrama orontis, Chondrostoma toros, Carassius gibelio and Luciobarbus pectoralis. In Seyhan River, 4 species belonging to Cyprinidae family have been identified. Those are; Acanthobrama orontis, Carassius gibelio, Cyprinus carpio and Garra culiciphaga. While Carassius gibelio, found in both river systems, is an exotic species, Acanthobrama orontis is a natural species that uses both river systems. When it isevaluated according to abundance, most abundant species in Göksu River is Luciobarbus pectoralis (81,07%) and for Seyhan River it is Carassius gibelio (86,22%). According to frequency; in Göksu River, Luciobarbus pectoralis (90,9%) have been evaluated as premenant species, in Seyhan River Carassius gibelio (54,55%) have been evaluated as common species. In both river systems diversity, evenness and dominancy index values are calculated in respective order; in Göksu River; 0,6542, 0,4809 and 0,6745 and in Seyhan River; 0,5489, 0,4328 and 0,75.