Mahseer conservation in Asia: trends and insights from scientometric analysis

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.