Salmo murathani, Turan, Kottelat & Kaya, 2022

Salmo murathani View Figure

Common name. Sarıkamış trout.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Salmo in Caspian basin by: ○ background colour greyish on back and upper part of flank, yellowish on lower part of flank and belly in life / ○ black spots numerous in male, and in female larger than 230 mm SL, irregularly shaped, small to medium (smaller than pupil), ocellated, surrounded by a large white ring, scattered on back, middle and upper part of flank, and anterior part of lower flank / ○ number of black spots increasing with increasing size / ○ adipose of moderate size, not reaching caudal base / ○ 114–122 lateral-line scales counted until end of hypural complex / ○ 12–14 parr marks, distinct up to about 200 mm SL, vertically elongate on anterior, roundish on posterior part of flank / ○ four dark bands on flank in female larger than 230 mm SL. Size up to 255 mm SL.

Distribution View Figure . Türkiye: Lake Çıldır, upper Aras, Keklik, Kızılçubuk, Arpaçay, and Maksutçuk in Aras drainage.

Habitat. Clear and relatively slow-flowing water with stony and pebbly bottom.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. LC.

Remarks. This species is most likely conspecific with S. caspius ; see the discussion there.

Further reading. Turan et al. 2022b (description).