Journal Article
Sex Ratio Variation and Environmental Correlates in Aphaniops spp. Across the Wadi Systems of Northern Oman: A Preliminary Conservation Assessment
Aziza S. Al Adhoobi; Saud M. Al Jufaili; Said M. Al Barwani; Syed Ariful Haque; Alyasa N. Al-Hasni; Waheeb A. Al Waheibi; Alhussain M. Alhussaini; Abdullah N. Al-Hinai; Mohammed S. Al-Shehhi; Humaid D. Al Mamari
Fishes · Vol. 11, Issue 8 · pp. 452 · 2026
Abstract
Sex ratio skew in wild fish populations may indicate environmental stress; however, this remains poorly understood in Omani wadi-endemic killifish. This study investigates sex ratio variation, environmental correlates, sexual dimorphism, and conservation implications in Aphaniops spp. across seven wadi sites in northern Oman. A total of 1417 individuals were collected in spring 2023, while 30 physicochemical variables were recorded over five seasons from spring 2022 to spring 2023. The pooled sex ratio was strongly female-biased (73.4% female; χ2 = 310.21, p