Fish morphology and mitochondrial phylogeny reveal translocations of a native Aphanius Nardo, 1827 (Teleostei: Cyprinodontidae) in Iran

Species of the genus Aphanius are known for their attractive color pattern. They are also suitable biological tool for controlling of mosquito. For that reason, they could be potential candidates to be translocated from natural environments to artificial man-made environments such as aquarium, canals and pools. In present paper, morphometric, morphological and molecular evidences suggest the translocation of native Aphanius populations (belong to A. dispar group) between different drainages in Iran. The results indicate that A. dispar found in a man-made pool in Kahnuj city, and in man-made canals in Bandar Abbas city had been introduced. It has already been documented that populations from south, southeastern and southwestern Iran probably are distinct; therefore, translocation of the individuals between these genetically divergent populations probably have adverse effects through the loss of genetic diversity, and also make their taxonomic relationships difficult to understand.