Identification of <italic style="font-style: italic">Schizothorax</italic> species in Yarkand River, (Xinjiang, China) based on otolith morphology

Chengxin WANG; Shaowen YE; Liwei XIA; Liting YANG; Gulden SEREKBOL; Qi HOU; Xuyuan LIN; Yong SONG; Baoqiang WANG; Sheng’ao CHEN

doi:10.1007/s00343-024-3276-9

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Identification of Schizothorax species in Yarkand River, (Xinjiang, China) based on otolith morphology

Biology | Updated：2025-08-07

- Identification of Schizothorax species in Yarkand River, (Xinjiang, China) based on otolith morphology
- Journal of Oceanology and Limnology Vol. 43, Issue 4, Pages: 1298-1312(2025)
- Affiliations：
  
  1.College of Life Science and Technology/Tarim Research Center of Rare Fishes, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China
  2.Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
  3.College of Fisheries, Jimei University, Xiamen 361000, China
  4.Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Agriculture and Rural Bureau, Urumqi 830000, China
- Author bio：
  
  shengao@taru.edu.cn
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1007/s00343-024-3276-9
  CLC：
- Received：19 December 2023，
  
  Published：01 July 2025
- Accepted：
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WANG Chengxin,YE Shaowen,XIA Liwei,et al.Identification of Schizothorax species in Yarkand River, (Xinjiang, China) based on otolith morphology[J].Journal of Oceanology and Limnology,2025,43(04):1298-1312.
DOI：

WANG Chengxin,YE Shaowen,XIA Liwei,et al.Identification of Schizothorax species in Yarkand River, (Xinjiang, China) based on otolith morphology[J].Journal of Oceanology and Limnology,2025,43(04):1298-1312. DOI： 10.1007/s00343-024-3276-9.

摘要

Abstract

This study explored the morphological characteristics and differences of the otoliths in three native species

Schizothorax

biddulphi

eurystomus

and

curvifrons

in the Yarkand River of the Tarim River

Xinjiang

China. A total of 93 specimens (27

biddulphi

eurystomus

and 27

curvifrons

) were analyzed using six basic otolith morphological parameters (OA

max

min

OW) to derive six factors (

) and seven indices (RO

AR) for morphological assessment. A discriminant analysis incorporating 77 Fourier coefficients of the otoliths revealed distinct morphological differences among the species. A significant power function relationship between otolith morphology and standard length was observed across the species

with

values ranging from 0.409 to 0.749. Principal component analysis (PCA) of 7 traditional otolith morphological indicators explained 81.243% of the variance

yielding an overall species discrimination rate of 81.65%. Further PCA of 77 Fourier harmonic values enhanced the discrimination accuracy

with the first 3 components accounting for 77.49% of the total variation and an improved discrimination rate of 100.00%. Cluster analysis resulted in the grouping of

biddulphi

and

curvifrons

together and revealed their association with

eurystomus

indicating notable morphological distinctions. Both otolith shape indices and elliptical Fourier analysis have been useful in distinguishing the phenotypic units of different fish species. In this study

otolith morphology was applied for the first time to identify

Schizothorax

species

providing an in-depth description of species distribution and evolutionary history. This study provides a reference for the identification and systematic classification of

Schizothorax

species and a scientific basis for formulating effective species protection measures

for promoting the sustainable management of species and important habitats.

关键词

Keywords

references

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⁰

Identification of Schizothorax species in Yarkand River, (Xinjiang, China) based on otolith morphology

DOI：10.1007/s00343-024-3276-9

摘要

Abstract

关键词

Keywords

references