Paracobitis salihae • The Westernmost known Population of Paracobitis (Teleostei, Nemacheilidae), with the Description of A New Species from the Euphrates River in southern Anatolia
The Westernmost known Population of Paracobitis (Teleostei, Nemacheilidae), with the Description of A New Species from the Euphrates River in southern Anatolia.
Paracobitis salihae, new species, from the Göksu River in the western upper Euphrates drainage, is distinguished from other Paracobitis species by possessing a truncate caudal-fin, and a dark-brown vermiculate or marbled colour pattern. It is also characterised by 19 variable nucleotide substitutions, three diagnostic nucleotides and 3.6% minimum K2P distance compared to geographically adjacent and related P. zabgawraensis. Paracobitis salihae might be Critically Endangered and is threatened by dam constructions.
Distribution
Only known from the Göksu River, a tributary of the upper Euphrates (Figs. 5–6).
Etymology
Paracobitis salihae is named in honour of the Saliha Kaya (1939-2015), mother of the first author. A noun in the genitive, indeclinable.