Pungitius platygaster (Kessler, 1859)

Pungitius platygaster View in CoL

Common name. Ukrainian stickleback.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from Gasterosteus aculeatus in West Asia by: ● 7–11 isolated spines in front of dorsal. Size up to 60 mm SL.

Distribution. In West Asia restricted to lower reaches of rivers in Azerbaijan and lower Sefid and associated wetlands in Iran. Native in lower rivers and wetlands draining to northern shores of Black, Caspian, and Aral basins. In Danube drainage as far upstream as Belgrade. Isolated populations in Axios and Aliakmon drainages ( Greece). Also in upper Tobol system (Ob drainage), Lake Issyk-Kul basin ( Kyrgyzstan), and Sarysu drainage (central Kazakhstan).

eggs to provide them with oxygenated water. Spawning behaviour very stereotyped. Eggs hatch in about 10 days, and young are guarded for a few days, after which male abandons nest. Outside spawning season, often pelagic at sea or in large lakes and reservoirs. Usually heavily infested with the tapeworm Schistocephalus solidus , especially in warm-water habitats. Feeds mainly on small invertebrates. Conservation status. LC.

Further reading. Krupp & Coad1985 (record from Syria); Gandolfi et al. 1991 (biology); Kottelat 1997 (systematics, nomenclature); Paepke 2002a (biology); Mäkinen et al. 2006 (genetics).

Habitat. Marshes and slow-flowing streams with dense vegetation, occasionally enter brackish water.

Biology. Spawns first time at 1 year in spring when temperature reaches 15°C. Territorial during spawning. Males build a nest of filamentous algae and submerged vegetation with a separate entrance and exit. Females lay about 90 eggs. Male guard nest until young swim away a few weeks later. Feeds on benthic invertebrates.

Conservation status. LC.

Further reading. Keivany & Nelson 2000 (systematics); Paepke 2002b (biology).