The westernmost known population of Paracobitis (Teleostei, Nemacheilidae), with the description of a new species from the Euphrates River in southern Anatolia

Abstract

Paracobitis salihae, new species, from the Goksu 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 R zabgawraensis. Paracobitis salihae might be Critically Endangered and is threatened by darn constructions.