Bohlen, J., V. Šlechtová, R. Šanda, L. Kalous, J. Freyhof, J. Vukic & D. Mrdak
Cobitis ohridana and Barbatula zetensis in the River Morača basin, Montenegro: Distribution, habitat, population structure and conservation needs
olia Biologica (Krakow) 51 Suppl.: 147-153
Folia Biologica (Krakow) 51 Suppl.:147-153 (2003)
Cobitis ohridana and Barbatula zetensis in the River Morača basin, Montenegro: Distribution, habitat, population structure and conservation needs
Bohlen, J.1, V. Šlechtová1, R. Šanda2,3, L. Kalous1,4, J. Freyhof5, J. Vukic6, D. Mrdak7
Summary
In this paper, we report on the distribution, habitat, population structure and conservation needs of Cobitis ohridana and Barbatula zetensis in the basin of the River Morača in Montenegro. Our data show both species to be mainly distributed in the lower stretch of the main river and some tributaries in lowland habitats. Cobitis ohridana preferred more shallow water with higher abundance of filamentous algae, while Barbatula zetensis was more numerous in slightly deeper water with more stones as bottom substrate. Slight differences in the habitat preference were observed also between juveniles and adults in both species. Although both species are abundant in suited habitat, they have a small distribution area in the Morača basin due to the natural rarity of the habitat. According to our data, they are not endangered.
Key words: Balitoridae, Cobitidae, Mediterranean, conservation, habitat preferences, autecology
1 Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 277 21 Libĕchov, Czech Republic, bohlen@iapg.cas.cz; 2 Charles University, Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology, Viničná 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic; 3 Czech National Museum, Department of Zoology, Václavské náměstí 68, 115 79 Prague, Czech Republic; 4 Czech University of Agriculture in Prague, Department of Zoology and Fisheries, 165 21 Prague, Czech Republic; 5 Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Department Biology and Ecology of Fishes, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin, Germany; 6 Charles University, Faculty of Science, Department of Hydrobiology, Viničná 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic; 7 Belgrade University, Department of Zoology, Studentski trg 3, 11000 Belgrade, Yugoslavia