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<p>Dams are crucial for water management, however, hydrological alterations caused by damming are known to disrupt riverine ecosystems, particularly in arid regions where endemic freshwater species are highly vulnerable. This study investigates the morphological and physiological responses of two endemic Moroccan cyprinids—<i>Luciobarbus zayanensis</i> and <i>Carasobarbus fritschii</i>—to environmental changes induced by the Bin El Ouidane dam in the El Abid watershed. A total of 216 specimens were sampled from four sites along an altitudinal gradient, upstream and downstream of the dam. Geometric morphometric analysis using 29 anatomical landmarks and the scaled mass index (SMi) were employed to assess body shape variation and somatic condition, respectively. Results revealed significant morphological divergence between upstream vs. downstream populations, with downstream fish exhibiting larger body dimensions but lower SMi values. Water quality indices declined markedly downstream, particularly at B’zou, where elevated levels of chloride, COD, and ammonium were recorded. These environmental stressors were strongly correlated with reduced body condition in both species. Our findings suggest that river fragmentation and pollution are driving phenotypic plasticity and physiological stress in native fish populations. Conservation strategies should prioritize restoring longitudinal connectivity, mitigating pollution, and protecting critical habitats to preserve the ecological integrity of the El Abid watershed and its endemic species.</p>

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Morphological and body condition variations of two endemic barbels: assessing the effect of hydrological alterations in the El Abid watershed, Morocco, North Africa

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月8日

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  • Fayçal Ait Boumallassa,
  • Abdelilah Ahnich,
  • Fatima M’hamdi,
  • Fatima Ezzahra Aroumy,
  • Mohamed Ghamizi,
  • Mohamed Naimi

摘要

Dams are crucial for water management, however, hydrological alterations caused by damming are known to disrupt riverine ecosystems, particularly in arid regions where endemic freshwater species are highly vulnerable. This study investigates the morphological and physiological responses of two endemic Moroccan cyprinids—Luciobarbus zayanensis and Carasobarbus fritschii—to environmental changes induced by the Bin El Ouidane dam in the El Abid watershed. A total of 216 specimens were sampled from four sites along an altitudinal gradient, upstream and downstream of the dam. Geometric morphometric analysis using 29 anatomical landmarks and the scaled mass index (SMi) were employed to assess body shape variation and somatic condition, respectively. Results revealed significant morphological divergence between upstream vs. downstream populations, with downstream fish exhibiting larger body dimensions but lower SMi values. Water quality indices declined markedly downstream, particularly at B’zou, where elevated levels of chloride, COD, and ammonium were recorded. These environmental stressors were strongly correlated with reduced body condition in both species. Our findings suggest that river fragmentation and pollution are driving phenotypic plasticity and physiological stress in native fish populations. Conservation strategies should prioritize restoring longitudinal connectivity, mitigating pollution, and protecting critical habitats to preserve the ecological integrity of the El Abid watershed and its endemic species.