Vol. 78 2026

ARTICLES

Morphometric and Reproductive Biology of Luciobarbus biscarensis amguidensis (Cyprinidae) from a Saharan Aquatic Refugium (Gueltates Afilal, Algeria)

Rabie Guezi1,*, Ahlem Matallah2, Bensafia Nabila3, Meriem Ouggad1, Rafik Abadli1 & Souhil Mokeddem4

More info

*1Laboratory Saharan Bio-Resources, University of Kasdi Merbah Ouargla, Algeria; E-mail: guezi.rabie@univ-ouargla.dz; Ouaggad.meriem@univ-ouargla.dz; abadlimedrafik@gmail.com
2Department of Biological Sciences, University of Kasdi Merbah Ouargla, Algeria; E-mail:matllah.ahlem@gmail.com
3Biodiversity and Ecosystem Pollution Laboratory, Department of Marine Sciences, Faculty of Natural and
Life Sciences, University of El-Tarf, 36000, El-Tarf, Algeria; E-mail: bensafianabila6@gmail.com
4Department of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (DIASD), Faculty of Computer Science, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), Bab Ezzouar, Algiers, Algeria; E-mail: souhil.mokeddem@etu.usthb.dz

https://doi.org/10.71424/azb78.2.003093

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Abstract

This study provides the first site-specific documentation and the first detailed morphometric and reproductive baseline for Luciobarbus biscarensis amguidensis, a poorly known and range-restricted Saharan cyprinid, from the permanent rock pools (gueltates) of the Ramsar site Gueltates Afilal in the Hoggar region (central Algerian Sahara), a crucial aquatic refugium in the hyper-arid Sahara. A total of 50 individuals were sampled in October 2023 and September 2024 to analyze their morphometric and reproductive traits. Females were larger than males (TL = 27.0 ± 10.0 cm vs. 19.7 ± 10.0 cm). Length–weight relationships showed positive allometric growth in females (b = 3.04) and negative allometric growth in males (b = 2.70). The sex ratio was male-biased (1.38:1.0), with notable variation across size classes. Reproductive analysis revealed a notably higher gonadosomatic index in females (26.4 ± 6.8%) compared to males (9.8 ± 1.2%), and mean absolute fecundity was 420 ± 240.5 eggs. Overall, the observed sex-specific growth patterns and reproductive investment highlight the persistence of this isolated population within a Ramsar-listed Saharan freshwater refugium.

Key words

Luciobarbus biscarensis amguidensis; Saharan aquatic refugia; Ramsar site; morphometry; reproductive biology; Algerian Sahara

How to Cite
Guezi R., Matallah A., Nabila B., Ouggad M., Abadli R. & Mokeddem S. 2026. Morphometric and Reproductive Biology of Luciobarbus biscarensis amguidensis (Cyprinidae) from a Saharan Aquatic Refugium (Gueltates Afilal, Algeria). Acta zoologica bulgarica 78.

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