Evaluation of morphological flexibility of Khajoo fish (Schizotorax pelzami Kessler 1870) in Eastern Iran using geometric morphometric method

Khajoo fish is one of native fishes existing in the northeast of country. Regarding the ability of this species to live in the different habitats, 124 fishes from Tajan and Kavir basins were caught in seven different locations in the northeast of Iran. The left side of the samples was shot and 17 landmarks (sign mark) were digitized to extract body shape data. There was a significant difference between the bodies shapes of all five populations studied. Most of these differences were related to changes in the muzzle region, head depth, chest and thoracic position, indicating the flexibility of these parts in response to the environmental conditions of the habitat of the populations under study. Having a mouth with abdominal position, head shape, spindly body shape were common features among members of this species, which could indicate the generality of the shape of the body of this species, which for species that are found in variable environments such as rivers life, can be an advantage.