The ichthyofauna of the Konya Endorheic Basin: an ichthyological hotspot in Türkiye

The Konya endorheic basin covers a large area, and there are many different water habitats in this basin containing a high endemic fish diversity. A total of 39 fish species have been reported in this basin, with 27 (69.2%) being endemic to Türkiye and 19 local endemics exclusively distributed within this basin. When considering the IUCN categories of fish species, it is observed that Alburnus akili is extinct (EX), one is DD, 11 are LC, one is NT, three are VU, eight are EN, five are CR, and 10 have not been evaluated (NE). Threats to fish biodiversity in this basin are more diverse and intense, including drought, changes in river regime, habitat destruction, shrinking, and loss, invasive species, illegal and unconscious hunting, and water pollution. Recently, some of the wetlands in this basin have completely dried up, while the ecosystem integrity of other wetlands has been deteriorating annually. It is of great importance to establish a master plan to put forward the situation in the basin and take protection measures.