| Family: |
Nemacheilidae (Brook loaches) |
| Max. size: |
10.51 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Asia: Iran (tributaries of the Gorgan River). |
| Diagnosis: |
This species is distinguished from its congeners in the Middle East by the following characters, of which none are unique: this species is similar to P. atrakensis, P. smithi and P. vignai by lacking scales (vs. body fully covered in scales P. longicauda, P. rhadinaea and posterior flank behind dorsal-fin origin is covered by scales in P. malapterura, P. basharensis, P. molavii, P. persa, P. zabgawraensis); it differs from P. atrakensis (which occurs in the adjacent Atrak drainage) by the colour pattern of the caudal fin, rays are dark-brown or black, and have a hyaline base and a hyaline posterior margin (vs. rays hyaline with an irregular pattern of dark brown or black spots and elongated blotches often organized in 1-3 wide, irregularly shaped bars); it differs further from P. atrakensis in having a clearly emarginate caudal fin (vs. truncate
or slightly emarginated), a well developed axillary pelvic lobe (vs. absent) and a fine marbled or vermiculate brown colour pattern on the flank (vs. coarse marbled); it differs from the hypogean P. smithi by having normally developed eyes (vs. no eyes), an emarginate caudal fin (vs. forked) and a dark brown colour pattern (vs. no colour pattern); differs from P. vignai by having an emarginate caudal fin (vs. forked) and a roundish posterior nare opening (vs. slit-like) (Ref. 103421). |
| Biology: |
The type locality of this species, Zarrin-Gol stream, is about 2 m wide, with substrate consisting of coarse gravel and boulders, fast-flowing and semi-transparent waters without submerged vegetations (Ref. 103421). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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