Paracobitis abrishamchianorum, Mousavi-Sabet, Vatandoust, Geiger & Freyhof, 2019Paracobitis atrakensis, Esmaeili, Mousavi-Sabet, Sayyadzadeh, Vatandoust & Freyhof, 2014

Paracobitis abrishamchianorum View Figure

Common name. Caspian crested loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Paracobitis by: ○ axillary pelvic lobe large and well developed, usually with free tip / ○ scales sparsely set on flank between dorsal origin and anal base, densely set on caudal peduncle / ○ posterior narial opening roundish / ○ caudal emarginate / ○ dorsal origin usually slightly behind a vertical through pelvic origin, rarely above or in front / ○ caudal rays hyaline with an irregular pattern of dark-brown or black spots and elongated blotches often organised in 1–2 wide, irregularly shaped bars. Size up to 110 mm SL.

Distribution View Figure . Iran: Tajan, Siyah, Talar, Babol, Haraz, and Kashpal in southern Caspian basin.

Habitat View Figure . Streams and small rivers with clear water, coarse gravel, and fast currents.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. LC.

Remarks. Originally described as P. abrishamchiani , the name needed to be declined, as the species was described for two persons.

Further reading. Mousavi-Sabet et al. 2019b (description). Paracobitis atrakensis View in CoL View Figure

Common name. Atrak crested loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Paracobitis by: ○ no scales on body, isolated scales on dorsal, adipose crest in few individuals / ○ caudal truncate or very slightly emarginate / ○ coarse mottled brown pattern on flank / ○ posterior narial opening roundish / ○ pelvic origin below vertical of last unbranched or first branched dorsal ray / ○ caudal rays hyaline with an irregular pattern of dark-brown or black spots and elongated blotches often organised in 1–3 wide, irregularly shaped bars / ○ no pelvic axillary lobe or lobe fully attached. Size up to 125 mm SL.

Distribution View Figure . Iran and Turkmenistan: Atrak drainage in southeast Caspian basin and Bidvaz drainage in Eastern Kavir basin.

Habitat. Streams with coarse gravel and moderate to fast-flowing water.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. LC; extirpated from Bidvaz.

Further reading. Esmaeili et al. 2014d (description).