Barbus pergamonensis, Karaman, 1971

Barbus pergamonensis View in CoL View Figure

Common name. Pergamon barbel.

Diagnosis. Distinguishedfromotherspeciesof Barbus inWest Asia by: ○ 50−62 total lateral-line scales / ○ last unbranched dorsal ray ossified / ○ 8–11, usually 9, gill rakers / ○ 41−42 total vertebrae / ○ head length 24−26 % SL / ○ lower lip with a median lobe / ○ numerous irregular dark-brown blotches on back, flanks and head / ○ last unbranched dorsal ray 52–72 % ossified / ○ posterior margin of dorsal slightly convex / ○ anal longer in female than in male. Size up to 172 mm SL.

Distribution. Türkiye:KaramenderessouthtoMadra,Bakırçay and Gediz ( Aegean basin). Also, on Lesbos Island ( Greece).

Habitat. A wide range of streams and rivers, usually in fast to moderately fast-flowing waters. Inhabit reservoirs where inflowing streams provide spawning habitat. Spawns in fast-flowing waters in riffles on gravelly substrate.

Biology. Matures at about 2−4 years, males one year earlier than females. A fractional spawner. Feeds mainly on aquatic invertebrates and algae.

Conservation status. LC;Still widespread, but range greatly reduced during 20 th century due to massive pollution.

Remarks. Between the ranges of B. pergamonensis in north and B. xanthos in south, a third molecular cluster occurs in Tahtalı and Küçük Menderes drainages, which may represent an undescribed species. On the other hand, B. pergamonensis and B. xanthos are already very similar, and further studies may show that the characters distinguishing the two species are not be confirmed. They may represent a case similar to the B. lacerta group (see above).

Further reading. Karaman 1971 (description); Güçlü et al. 2020 (morphology, distribution).