Fishes in MZNA-VERT: anatomy of cyprinids of Spain. PhD project, Rafael Miranda

Study Extent

The specimens were captured in 31 localities dispersed through Spain between the years 1992 and 1996.

Sampling

The main sampling method was electric fishing. The samplings were focused in obtaining samples of individuals belonging to the species considered in the study. The captured individuals were sedated with 2-phenoxyethanol, identified and measured (total length in mm). Some cyprinid specimens were euthanized, studied on the laboratory and deposited on the Museum of Zoology of the University of Navarra (MZNA, Pamplona, Spain).

Quality Control

Species identification was performed by R. Miranda using suitable literature (Maitland & Linsell 1977) and scientific names were validated using the W. N. Eschmeyer’s Catalog of Fishes (Eschmeyer 2014). Specimens were returned to the river or deposited in the Museum of Zoology of the University of Navarra. Each specimen was labelled with a unique collection number. Darwin test software (v3.3 Ortega-Maqueda and Pando 2008) was used to check out possible mistakes in the coordinates, characters and the format of dates.

Method steps

1. Specimens were sampled following the procedure described in the Sampling description section. Non processed specimens are stored in labelled jars on the Museum of Zoology of the University of Navarra. From the individuals selected for the anatomical study, opercula and cleithra were prepared, as well as six scales from the anterior, mid and posterior dorsal areas of the body. Skeletal structures were prepared for the anatomical identification study and are dried preserved in zip plastic bags. Field data was revised, digitalised and incorporated to the MZNA database (Zootron v4.5, Ariño 1991). The dataset was exported to DarwinCore v1.4 format and revised to correct errors to adequate it to DarwinCore standars. Metadata information was added and the Darwin Core Archive was incorporated to the Spanish GBIF IPT.

All specimens were identified to the species level when possible. Twenty-eight species were recorded as well as some specimens of the genus Barbus non identified. Twenty-five species belong to the Cyprinidae family. The rest of the collected species belong to the families Salmonidae (Salmo trutta), Centrarchidae (Lepomis gibbosus) and Cobitidae (Cobitis paludica). In number of individuals, the most abundant family is Cyprinidae, with the 99% of the captures. Moreover, 17 species recorded in this dataset are endemic from the Iberian Peninsula and 7 are introduced.

1. Lepomis gibbosus
   common name: Pumpkinseed rank: species
2. Cobitis paludica
   common name: Southern Iberian spined-loach rank: species
3. Achondrostoma arcasii
   common name: Bermejuela rank: species
4. Alburnus alburnus
   common name: Bleak rank: species
5. Barbus sp
   rank: genus
6. Barbus haasi
   common name: Iberian redfin barbel rank: species
7. Barbus meridionalis
   common name: Western Mediterranean barbel rank: species
8. Carassius auratus
   common name: Goldfish rank: species
9. Cyprinus carpio
   common name: Carp rank: species
10. Gobio lozanoi
    common name: Pyrenean gudgeon rank: species
11. Iberochondrostoma lemmingii
    common name: Iberian arched-mouth nase rank: species
12. Luciobarbus bocagei
    common name: Iberian barbel rank: species
13. Luciobarbus comizo
    common name: Iberian long-snout barbel rank: species
14. Luciobarbus graellsii
    common name: Ebro barbel rank: species
15. Luciobarbus guiraonis
    common name: Eastern Iberian barbel rank: species
16. Luciobarbus microcephalus
    common name: Iberian small-head barbel rank: species
17. Luciobarbus sclateri
    common name: Southern Iberian barbel rank: species
18. Parachondrostoma miegii
    common name: Ebro nase rank: species
19. Phoxinus bigerri
    common name: Pyrenean minnow rank: species
20. Pseudochondrostoma polylepis
    common name: Iberian straight-mouth nase rank: species
21. Rutilus rutilus
    common name: Roach rank: species
22. Scardinius erythrophthalmus
    common name: Rudd rank: species
23. Squalius carolitertii
    common name: Northern Iberian chub rank: species
24. Squalius laietanus
    common name: Ebro chub rank: species
25. Squalius pyrenaicus
    common name: Southern Iberian chub rank: species
26. Squalius valentinus
    common name: Eastern iberian chub rank: species
27. Tinca tinca
    common name: Tench rank: species
28. Squalius alburnoides
    common name: Calandino rank: species
29. Salmo trutta
    common name: Brown trout rank: species

All specimens were collected in different rivers of the Ebro, Duero, Guadalquivir, Guadiana, Turia, Tajo and Muga basins (Spain).