Salmo obtusirostris | |
---|---|
Softmouth from the Upper Neretva | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Salmoniformes |
Family: | Salmonidae |
Genus: | Salmo |
Species: | S. obtusirostris |
Binomial name | |
Salmo obtusirostris (Heckel, 1851) | |
Subspecies | |
|
Salmo obtusirostris, commonly known as the softmouth trout, [2] also known as the Adriatic trout, [3] or Adriatic salmon, [1] is a species of salmonid fish endemic to a handful rivers spilling into Adriatic in the Western Balkans, in southeastern Europe, namely in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro. The scientific name has changed several times through history; synonyms include Thymallus microlepis, Salmothymus obtusirostris and Salar obtusirostris. [3]
This species spawns in the early spring and is an obligatory freshwater fish. [2] They are an important game fish in the region. [3]
Salmo obtusirostris is found naturally in four drainages of the Adriatic Sea, in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro: the Neretva-Vrljika system, the Jadro, the Morača-Zeta system, and possibly the Krka river drainage around Knin although it is presumed extinct for some time now. [3] [2]
In addition, sometimes during 1960's, it has been introduced from the Jadro river to the nearby Žrnovnica river, both being small karst, single river drainages, of very short course, in vicinity of Split. [3]
Although the Vrljika belongs to the Neretva River drainage it's a sinking river, divided into several surface and underground segments, hence separated from the Neretva River in significant manner regarding the softmouth trout populations. However, the Vrljika softmouth trout is apparently most similar to the Neretva's subspecies, while some autapomorphies exist in the Vrljika population. The Vrljika softmouth trout appears to have originated from a vicariance that split a common ancestral population into large (Neretva) and small (Vrljika) fragmented populations. [4]
The different populations are sometimes classified into subspecies: [2]
The most obvious characteristic of the Adriatic trout is an elongated snout. It also has a small and fleshy mouth, relatively large scales and high body depth. [2] The color of the body varies between subspecies, it is mostly green with red and black dots. There are no vertical stripes that are common in brown trout of the Adriatic Sea drainages that can be found.[ citation needed ]
Adriatic trout are threatened by excessive damming, hybridization with introduced species and overfishing. [1] In the river Neretva, natural hybrids (named kosor by locals) between Adriatic and brown trout can be found. Hybridization was also confirmed experimentally. [9] Adriatic trout prefers rivers with more water and wide riverbed. Adriatic and brown trout have different spawning times that overlap only slightly every few years, which is why natural hybridization is not widespread and both species live sympatrically in the same rivers.[ citation needed ]
The Dinaric Alps, also Dinarides, are a mountain range in Southern and Southcentral Europe, separating the continental Balkan Peninsula from the Adriatic Sea. They stretch from Italy in the northwest through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and Kosovo to Albania in the southeast.
The Neretva, also known as Narenta, is one of the largest rivers of the eastern part of the Adriatic basin. Four hydroelectric power plants with large dams provide flood protection, electricity and water storage. The Neretva is recognized for its natural environment and diverse landscapes.
Salmo is a genus of ray-finned fish from the subfamily Salmoninae of family Salmonidae, and is part of the tribe Salmonini along with the sister genera Salvelinus and Salvethymus. Almost all Salmo species are native only in the Old World, the only exception being the Atlantic salmon, which is also naturally found across the North Atlantic in eastern North America.
Salmo obtusirostris salonitana is an endemic trout subspecies found in the Jadro River in the vicinity of Solin, and in the nearby Žrnovnica River, where it was introduced in 1964. The upper reaches of the Jadro River including Jadro Spring, covering an area of 7.8 hectares, have been protected as an ichthyological reserve since 1984, for the purpose of preserving this endangered fish species, S. o. salonitana.
The Buna is a short river in Bosnia and Herzegovina; it is a left-bank tributary of the Neretva. Its source, Vrelo Bune, is a strong karstic spring located near the village of Blagaj, southeast of Mostar. Vrelo Bune is one of the strongest springs in Europe and has extremely cold water. The Buna flows west for approximately 9 km, starts at Blagaj and, meandering through the villages of Blagaj, Kosor, Malo Polje and Hodbina, joins the Neretva near the settlement Buna. The site of confluence is called Buna Canals. The Bunica river is the main left-bank tributary of the Buna. The Buna is major habitat for an endemic trout species known under its vernacular name as Softmouth trout.
Jablaničko Lake is a large artificially formed lake on the Neretva River, right below Konjic where the Neretva expands into a wide valley. The river provided a lot of fertile, agricultural land there before the lake flooded most of it. The lake was created in 1953 after the construction of Jablanica Dam near Jablanica in central Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Salmo ohridanus, also known by the local name as the belvica in North Macedonia or belushka in Albania, is a species of freshwater salmonid fish, endemic to Lake Ohrid in Albania and North Macedonia.
Salmo dentex is a variety of trout, a freshwater fish in the family Salmonidae, found in the western Balkans. Until recently the identity, biological distinctness and species status of the dentex trout were not properly clarified, but genetic data now suggest it is not a monophyletic unit that could be distinguished from other salmonids as a separate species.
Salmo marmoratus, the marble trout, is a species of freshwater fish in the family Salmonidae. It is characterized by a distinctive marbled color pattern and high growth capacity. The marble trout is found in only a handful of drainages and rivers of the Adriatic basin in Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, while in Albania, the species is considered most likely extirpated.
Salmothymus is a genus name of fish in the family Salmonidae, established for the Adriatic trout. More commonly, however, the species is considered a member of the wider genus Salmo, i.e. Salmo obtusirostris. Salmothymus thus is a junior synonym of Salmo, not in current use.
The Jadro is a watercourse in Dalmatia, Croatia, that discharges into the Adriatic Sea. The upper reaches of the Jadro River, as well as its source, Jadro Spring, are protected as an ichthyological nature reserve, partly due to the presence of an endemic species of soft-mouthed trout. The headwaters of the Jadro River were the original water supply for the ancient city comprised by Diocletian's Palace. Contemporary studies indicate favourable water quality levels of the river near the headwaters at Jadro Spring.
Konjic is a city located in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of two entities that make up Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is located in northern Herzegovina, around 60 kilometres (37 mi) southwest of Sarajevo, in a mountainous, heavily wooded area, and is 268 m (879 ft) above sea level. The municipality extends on both sides of the Neretva River. According to the 2013 census, the city of Konjic has a population of 10,732 inhabitants, whereas the municipality has 25,148.
Rakitnica is the main tributary of the first section of the Neretva river, also called Upper Neretva (Bosnian: Gornja Neretva). It meets Neretva from the right, flowing from north to south, between Bjelašnica and Visočica mountains.
Glavatičevo is a small village in Konjic Municipality, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is a central village to a group of villages of a wider Glavatičevo, positioned 30 km southeast of Konjic, within a wide Župa Valley straddling the Neretva river. The village and its wider areal, with surrounding villages and the valley, is also referred to as Župa Glavatičevo, or Komska Župa, or simply Župa (transl. parish).
Upper Neretva, is the upper course of the Neretva river, including vast mountainous area surrounding the Neretva, with numerous human settlements, peaks and forests, numerous streams and well-springs, three major glacial lakes near the river and even more scattered across the mountains of Treskavica and Zelengora, in a wider area of the Upper Neretva with its flora and fauna.
The fish fauna of the Neretva river basin in the western Balkans is representative of the Dinaric karst region and characterized by several endemic and endangered species.
The Vrljika is short sinking river in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, belonging to Neretva River basin. Its source is located on the outskirts of village Proložac near town of Imotski, Croatia. The Vrljika River is home of endangered endemic Softmouth trout, also known as Adriatic trout.
Žrnovnica is a river in Croatia that springs at the foot of the Mosor, near Dvori village, in Split municipality, and in its short course flows through Žrnovnica and Podstrana settlements, in the wider area of city of Split, in the Split-Dalmatia County. The total length of the river is 4,800 meters. Its basin is a direct Adriatic Sea watershed.
Salmo farioides, commonly known as the West Balkan trout, the Adriatic brown trout, or the Balkan brook trout, is a species of ray-finned fish found in the Balkans, including Albania, Croatia, North Macedonia, among others. It is an important fish in numerous rivers and lakes throughout the region. Identification of Salmo farioides is difficult due to the high degree of endemism in the western Adriatic and Mediterranean area, particularly among salmonid species, and because of high phenotypic diversity among trout populations specifically.
Salmo taleri, also known as the Zeta trout, is a species of freshwater fish in the salmon family. It is found in the Upper Zeta river and Moraca drainage in Montenegro.