Biometric Traits and Ecology of Sichel, Pelecus cultratus (Linnaeus, 1758) with Notes on its Recent Status in the Middle Flow of the Danube River Tributaries (Slovenia and Croatia)

Biological Parameters and Spermatogenesis in Razorfish (Pelecus cultratus) Population Inhabiting the Largest Shallow Lake of Central Europe (Lake Balaton): Studies for In Vitro Conservation Purposes

“…Raczyński et al [3] presented a shifted proportion of males and females (∼1 : 4) based on samples collected in Vistula Bay, Poland. Furthermore, the dominance of males over females (∼3 : 1) was recorded by Sliskovic et al [4] in razorfish originating from the River Mur (Slovenian section of the river close to Ceršak). Former studies and our findings suggest that the sex ratio shows high variability in various razorfish populations across Europe including those inhabiting rivers, estuaries/ bays, and lakes.…”

“…The razorfish (Pelecus cultratus) is a rheophilic, anadromous species endemic to the waters of the Ponto-Caspian and Baltic regions [1][2][3][4]. Its distinctive body shape, such as the elongated pectoral fin, resembles that of flying fish species found in tropical waters rather than other cyprinids native to Europe [5].…”

“…Its distinctive body shape, such as the elongated pectoral fin, resembles that of flying fish species found in tropical waters rather than other cyprinids native to Europe [5]. Razorfish is the sole member of the European subfamily Leuciscinae that inhabits large rivers, lakes, estuaries, and brackish sea basins [4,6,7]. Natural populations of the species have significantly declined in several European countries, leading to its protected status in Baltic states (Annex II of the International Association for the Protection of Species of the European Commonwealth of the Baltic States, Fauna Flora Habitat Directive).…”

“…Natural populations of the species have significantly declined in several European countries, leading to its protected status in Baltic states (Annex II of the International Association for the Protection of Species of the European Commonwealth of the Baltic States, Fauna Flora Habitat Directive). Additionally, it is classified as critically endangered in Poland according to The Red List of lampreys and fish of Poland (as of 2009); code: CR) [4,[8][9][10][11]. Furthermore, razorfish is listed in the IV Appendix of the EU Bird and Habitat Directive [1,12].…”

“…The morphological variability originates from the phenotypic plasticity and adaptability [3,30]. Morphological and morphometric studies of razorfish in various biotopes can contribute to understanding of the adaptation and development of the local population [3,4]. The testis of razorfish has been previously investigated from the perspective of environmental toxicology, particularly mercury content, as well as metabolic indicators, including total moisture, dry matter, lipids, proteins, ash, and nitrogenfree extractive substances [24,31].…”