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Advances in the aquatic sciences
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Mahseer conservation in Asia: trends and insights from scientometric analysis

Nur Syuhada Iskandar A , Noorashikin Md Noor https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6747-5997 A * , Zaidi Che Cob B C , Simon Kumar Das https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0628-9995 B D and Sonia Kasihmuddin B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Earth Observation Centre, Institute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM Bangi), Bangi, Selangor 43600, Malaysia.

B Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, UKM Bangi, Bangi, Selangor 43600, Malaysia.

C Marine Ecosystem Research Centre (EKOMAR), Faculty of Science and Technology, UKM Bangi, Bangi, Selangor 43600, Malaysia.

D Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture, College of Science and Engineering Academy, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia.

* Correspondence to: noor@ukm.edu.my

Handling Editor: Yong Xiao

Marine and Freshwater Research 75, MF24073 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF24073
Submitted: 27 March 2024  Accepted: 15 August 2024  Published: 20 September 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

Context

Mahseer fish, listed as Data Deficient with a decreasing population trend in The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018, is regarded as a valuable organism.

Aims

This study aims to evaluate the current state of mahseer research in Asia through scientometric analysis.

Methods

We utilised the Web of Science (WOS) database, initiated in 1970, which began collecting scientific articles on mahseer research in Asia in 1978.

Key results

Analysis of data from 1976 to 2024 showed a progressive trend in scientific publications on mahseer, with a notable increase in the number of papers published. Notably, from one publication in 1978, the number rose to 22 papers in 2021, constituting 10.63% of total scientific publications in this domain. The analysis identified 559 authors from 200 affiliations actively participating in mahseer research in Asia, accumulating 3661 citations. Cluster analysis showed eight co-citation clusters of research.

Conclusions

Mahseer research in Asia shows significant potential to emerge as an important field of study in future scientific-research endeavours.

Implications

Understanding the current state and trends of mahseer research is crucial for conservation efforts and sustainable management of this species in Asia.

Keywords: co-citation clusters, conservation efforts, mahseer fish, population trends, publication trends, scientometric analysis, sustainable management, Web of Science.

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