A natural hybrid of Leuciscus cephalus (L.) and Chalcalburnus chalcoides (Güldenstädt) (Osteichthyes-Cyprinidae) from Lake Tödürge (Sivas, Turkey)

Abstract

Hybridization between Leuciscus cephalus and Chalcalburnus chalcoides was identified from biometrical features in 55 fish caught from Lake Tödürge, Sivas, Turkey, between April 1994 and November 1997. The hybrid index Vh for metric and meristic characters was intermediate (Vh = 45.6) compared with their parents (L. cephalus Vh = 0 or negative and C. chalcoides Vh ? 100). Morphological, metric and meristic features of L. cephalus x C. chalcoides also resembled those of the parents. The majority presented an intermediate position which was best shown by the shape of mouth, caudal fin, gill rakers and pharyngeal teeth, and also by the caudal peduncle depth, head and interorbital width, predorsal and preanal distance, height of anal fin, length of anal bass and other characters. © 2005 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.