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Vertical Distribution of Ichthyofauna in Lakes on the Western Slopes of the Subpolar and Polar Urals

  • ICHTHYOLOGY
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Abstract

Results of a study of the influence of altitude above sea level on the ichthyofauna distribution of lakes that are close to their natural state on the western slopes of the Subpolar and Polar Urals are presented. As a rule, fishless lakes are located at maximum sea-level heights within the basins of certain Pechora River tributaries. With few exceptions, the number of fish species inhabiting these water bodies decreases with an increase in the altitudinal gradient. No patterns have been revealed in the distribution of the relative fish density or in the level of diversity based on a number of standard indices in different altitudinal gradients. The maximum altitudes where certain fish species were recorded are correlated with the total height of mountain ranges in different areas of the Subpolar and Polar Urals. The composition of the ichthyofauna and dominant fish species strongly depends on the altitudinal gradient and fish confinement to a certain river basin.

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Funding

This study was carried out as part of the State Task of the Institute of Biology, Federal Research Center of the Komi Scientific Center, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, on the theme “Fauna Diversity and Spatial and Ecological Structure of the Animal Community in the European Northeast of Russia and Adjacent Areas under Conditions of Environmental Changes and Economic Development” 1021051101423-9-1.6.12;1.6.13;1.6.14.

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  1. Komi Institute of Biology, Scientific Center, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Syktyvkar, Russia

    V. I. Ponomarev

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  1. V. I. Ponomarev
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Correspondence to V. I. Ponomarev.

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Conflict of interests. The author declares that he has no conflicts of interest.

Statement on the welfare of animals. All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.

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Translated by D. Zabolotny

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Ponomarev, V.I. Vertical Distribution of Ichthyofauna in Lakes on the Western Slopes of the Subpolar and Polar Urals. Inland Water Biol 15, 149–159 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1995082922020080

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