Paraschistura abdolii

Paraschistura abdolii View in CoL View Figure

Common name. Sirjan loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Paraschistura in West Asia by: ○ caudal peduncle covered by deeply embedded, often isolated scales, in some populations, scales also present immediately in front of dorsal origin / ○ pelvic origin below first or second branched dorsal ray / ○ lateral line incomplete / ○ caudal emarginate / ○ 7½ branched dorsal rays / ○ 11–19 regularly or irregularly shaped pale- or dark-brown bars on flank, often dissociated into a marmorate pattern / ○ suborbital flap or groove absent in male / ○ dorsal adipose keel usually absent, if present, then without procurrent rays / ○ predorsal distance 49–53 % SL / ○ body depth at dorsal origin 10–14 % SL. Size up to 65 mm SL.

Distribution View Figure . Iran: Haji Abad and upper Minhab in Persian Gulf basin, Baft in Sirjan basin, and western tributaries of Jazmurian and Lut basins.

Habitat View Figure . Fast to slow-flowing streams with gravel substrate.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. LC.

Remarks. Individuals from the Jazmurian and Sirjan basins lack dorsal scales, as do most individuals from the Kol drainage. In Kol drainage, there are some individuals that have scales on the dorsum, just in front of dorsal origin.

Further reading. Freyhof et al. 2015 (description).