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This study applies an adapted Living Planet Index (LPI) to assess long-term trends in fish populations in the Veleka River (southeastern Bulgaria) from 2010 to 2024. Based on standardized electrofishing data across seven stations, 11 native and naturalized species were analyzed using log-transformed abundance time series. The LPI declined from 1.0 in 2010 to 0.28 in 2024, indicating a 72% reduction in average fish abundance. Potamodromous species (e.g., Barbus cyclolepis, Chondrostoma vardarense) exhibited decline...

Hermaphroditism in the flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus), manifested as intersex conditions, is linked to various environmental factors and anthropogenic pressures. Key contributors include exposure to endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), heavy metals, and pollutants that disrupt hormonal regulation, leading to sexual development abnormalities. Research indicates that Mugil cephalus is particularly sensitive to EDCs in coastal and brackish ecosystems. Our findings reveal that 19% of male individuals from the...