Morphometric and meristic characters and biological parameters comparison of Urmia bleak Alburnus atropatenae (Berg, 1925) from rivers of Lake Urmia basin.

This study was conducted to compare the morphometric and meristic characters and biological parameters including length-weight relationship parameters and condition factor comparison of Urmia bleak (Alburnus atropatenae) from Mahabad-Chaie, Ghale-Chaie and Gedar-Chaie rivers of Lake Urmia basin.  A total of 20 morphometric and 7 meristic traits were measured. Morphometric data was standardized to eliminate the effects of allometric growth. One-way ANOVA analysis were used for comparison of traits. The results of morphometric data showed a significant differences in all traits except fork length, ventral- pectoral and ventral- anal distance, pre and post dorsal length, head length and eye diameter. PCA, CVA and Cluster analysis were performed with these traits. CVA showed that Gedar-Chaie population distinguished from other populations, confirming by Cluster analysis. Also, studied population in terms of meristic traits showed a significance differences in branched rays of dorsal and anal fins lower gill rakers. Also, length-weight (LWRs) parameters and condition factor were estimated. Based on the results, the b values was 3.26 and 2.75 also condition factor were calculated 1.02 and 1.18 for the Mahabad-Chaie and Ghale-Chaie populations, respectively. Higher condition factor reflects the relatively favorable condition of their habitat in the studied rivers.