Journal of Animal Diversity

Journal of Animal Diversity

Fish diversity at Hirm Wetland and conservation concerns across four understudied wetlands in the Persis basin, southern Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Ali Gholamifard 1
Sasan Kafaei 2
1 Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Lorestan University, Khorramabad 6815144316, Iran
2 General Department of Environmental Protection of Kerman Province, Kerman 7618114735, Iran
10.22034/JAD.2026.8.3.1
Abstract
Wetlands are valuable aquatic ecosystems, yet many small wetlands in Iran remain poorly studied and receive limited conservation attention. This is particularly concerning in arid and semi-arid regions, where drought, water extraction, and land-use change can rapidly alter aquatic habitats. We assessed fish diversity and potential conservation concerns in four understudied wetlands—Hirm, Hood, Harm, and Karian—in the Persis basin of southern Fars Province, Iran. Field surveys were conducted in 2017 and 2018, followed by a qualitative visit on 5 October 2026. Surveys used hand nets, direct observations, and searches of springs, reed margins, shallow pools, and connecting channels. Habitat conditions, hydrology, aquatic vegetation, and visible anthropogenic pressures were also recorded. Three fish species were recorded at Hirm Wetland: the tooth-carp Aphaniops stoliczkanus (Day, 1872) and the two alien species, eastern mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki Girard, 1859, and Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758). No fish or aquatic reptiles were detected at Hood, Harm, or Karian during the surveys; however, these non-detections do not establish permanent absence. Observed and potential pressures included drought, reduced water availability, water extraction, land-use change, riparian and wetland-vegetation degradation, livestock grazing, reed burning, possible pollution, and alien fishes. In October 2026, dead Nile tilapia were observed along wetland margins, and A. stoliczkanus was observed farther from the permanent spring. Because sampling was qualitative and water chemistry was not measured, these observations do not establish the cause of mortality or demonstrate competition among species. The permanent spring at Hirm appears to provide an important local refuge for freshwater biodiversity. Conservation priorities include protecting the spring (Howba) and surrounding habitats, maintaining environmental water availability and seasonal hydrology, preventing further introductions of alien fishes, and establishing long-term monitoring.
Keywords
Aphaniops stoliczkanus
ichthyofauna
Persis basin
non-native fishes
seasonal wetlands
Subjects
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