Turcinoemacheilus moghbeli, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Vatandoust, Doadrio & Ghanavi, 2023

3.2.3. Turcinoemacheilus moghbeli , New Species

( Figures 11–13 View Figure 11 View Figure 12 View Figure 13 )

Holotype. BIAUBM 5-H, 54.2 mm SL; Iran: Kermanshah prov., Leyleh River at Sepidbarg, tributary of Sirvan drainage, 34.87334, 46.35020 GoogleMaps .

Paratypes. AJRPC 1635–1636, 2, 40–47 mm SL; MNCN-ICTIO 297.329–297.331, 3, 38–51 mm SL; Kermanshah prov., Goleyn River at Goleyn Village, 34.25603, 45.96339. GoogleMaps FSJF 4123, 1, 48 mm SL; Kermanshah prov., Alvand River near Shirinab Village, 34.48136, 45.75623. GoogleMaps MZLU L021/00007-L021/00009, 3, 44–50 mm SL; AJRPC 15-P, 2, 56–59 mm SL; data same as holotype. FSJF 4124, 1, 44 mm SL; Kermanshah prov., Zemkan River near Siyah Taher Village, 34.73312, 46.20455 GoogleMaps .

Diagnosis. Turcinoemacheilus moghbeli is distinguished from any of the species of the T. hafezi group ( T. hafezi , T. bahaii , T. cristtofferi , T. ansari ) by the anus situated at or in front of the midpoint of the pelvic-fin and anal-fin origins (vs. behind the middle)( Tables 5 View Table 5 and 6 View Table 6 ).

This new species is distinguished from T. kosswigi by having the dark stripe broader than the eye diameter along the lateral midline (vs. narrower) and a greater pre-pelvic distance (50–55 vs. 47–50% SL). It is further distinguished from T. minimus by possessing a deeper caudal peduncle (6–7 vs. 9–10% SL), a deeper head (47–58 vs. 37–47% HL), and 5–6 mandibular pores in the mandibular canal (vs. 4–5). This species can be distinguished from T. ekmekciae by often having 7½ branched rays (vs. 6½) and a smaller caudal peduncle length to its depth (1.5–2.3 vs. 2.6–3.2). Turcinoemacheilus moghbeli can be distinguished from T. saadii by a prominent row of dark brown blotches along the lateral midline, usually fused into a lateral stripe (vs. 7–9 distinct dark saddles or blotches on the body) and is superficially similar to Turcinoemacheilus sp. and can be distinguished by the caudal fin deeply emarginate (vs. truncate or slightly emarginate).

Description. For general appearance, see Figures 11–13 View Figure 11 View Figure 12 View Figure 13 ; morphometric data are provided in Table 3 View Table 3 . Small-sized and slender species. Head short, 1.2–1.8 times body depth at dorsal-fin origin. Pre-dorsal profile convex, pre-pelvic profile slightly convex. Body deepest and widest at mid-point of pre-dorsal distance, depth decreasing towards caudal-fin base. A small hump at nape. Section of head roundish, flattened ventrally, interorbital straight or slightly convex, straight on snout. Snout pointed. Caudal peduncle compressed laterally, 1.5–2.3 times longer than deep. Pelvic axillary lobe present, oval shape; in specimens larger than 40 mm SL, its tip not attached to body. Pelvic-fin origin in front of dorsal-fin origin. Pectoral fin reaching 32–48% of the distance from pectoral-fin origin to pelvic-fin origin. Tip of pelvic-fin reaching beyond anus. Distance from anus to anal-fin origin 1.8–2.7 times the distance from pelvic-fin to anal-fin origins. Anal-fin origin behind vertical of tip of dorsal fin when adpressed to body. Anal fin not reaching to middle of caudal peduncle. A shallow and incomplete adipose crest under and below caudal peduncle. Margin of dorsal fin straight. Caudal fin emarginate. Largest known specimen: 59 mm SL.

Three to five pores in supratemporal canal, 10–11 pores in anterior infraorbital canal and 7–10 supraorbital canal. No suborbital flap or groove in male. Dorsal fin with 6½–7½ (usually 7½) branched rays. Anal-fin with 5½ branched rays. Caudal fin with 8+8 or 8+7 branched rays. Pectoral fin with 7–9 and pelvic-fin with 6–7 branched rays. Body without scales. Lateral line incomplete, 16–32 pores, often interrupted in posterior part, reaching midpoint between tip of pectoral fin and dorsal-fin origin to midpoint between dorsal-fin insertion and anal-fin origin. Anterior nostril opening at end of a pointed flap-like tube. Posterior nostril oval, posterior tip of anterior nostril not or just overlapping posterior nostril when folded backwards. Mouth small, slightly arched. Lips moderately thick. A median interruption in lower lip. Upper lip with a shallow median incision. Processus dentiformis small and blunt. No median notch in lower jaw. Barbels short, inner rostral barbel not reaching base of maxillary rostral barbel, outer one reaching to base of maxillary barbel. Maxillary barbel reaching vertical of anterior part or middle of eye. No external sexual dimorphism observed.

Coloration. In fresh and ethanol-fixed specimens, body yellowish or cream. In specimens from the Alvand and Zemkan drainages, a distinct dark stripe runs from the head to the caudal peduncle; some individuals change to a marmorated pattern on posterior part of body. In contrast, in specimens from the Sirvan drainage, midlateral blotches on their flanks tend to fuse into a stripe. Additionally, a series of saddles or blotches on their backs and a marmorated pattern on the upper flank, positioned between the saddles and the midlateral stripe. Lateral blotches behind the dorsal and anal fin extend below the midlateral stripe. A distinct, irregularly shaped dark brown or black at the caudal-fin base. In front of this bar, a whitish or yellowish triangular patch on upper and lower caudal peduncles. The cheeks dark olive or dark brown; the ventral surface of the head white or cream. The area above the cheeks dark brown. The pectoral and pelvic fins yellowish, anal-fin hyaline, and the caudal and dorsal fins’ shades ranging from olive to dark brown. Black spots on caudal fin rays, creating a mottled pattern, with a single dark brown vertical row in approximately the middle of the rays. Dark brown pigments on the rays of the distal and median parts of the dorsal fin and the anterior half of the pectoral fin.

Etymology. This species is named after Jasmin Moghbeli, a NASA astronaut of Iranian descent, in recognition of her contributions to space exploration and her achievements in the field of aerospace. Her accomplishments and dedication serve as a beacon of hope and encouragement for Iranian women. A noun in apposition.

Distribution. This species is distributed in the Goleyn, Alvand, Zemkan, and Leyley Rivers in the Sirvan drainage and potentially in other headwaters of the Sirvan drainage ( Figure 14 View Figure 14 ).

Habitat. These species are typically found in fast-flowing, clear, and cold-water parts of rivers and streams, frequently occupying areas with rapids and riffles containing coarse gravel or rocks. They tend to inhabit the interstices within gravel substrates. In the proximity of their native habitat, such as the Leyleh River ( Figure 14 View Figure 14 ), there are rainbow trout farms. Escaped fish from these farms predate on T. moghbeli , exerting a detrimental impact.