Oxynoemacheilus kurdistanicus

Common name. Lesser Zab loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Oxynoemacheilus in Tigris drainage by: ○ suborbital groove present in male / ○ usually 9½ (rarely 8½) branched dorsal rays / ○ flank with a midlateral row of 6–12 dark-brown, irregularly shaped, vertically elongated bars / ○ last bars on caudal peduncle narrower than interspaces / ○ two distinct and prominent black blotches at posteriormost caudal base, often overlaid by a dark-brown or black chevron-shaped bar / ○ upper lip with a deep median incision / ○ pelvic axillary lobe absent or a very shallow pad / ○ suborbital groove present in male / ○ lateral line complete, terminating at caudal base / ○ body completely covered by scales / ○ caudal deeply emarginate or forked. Size up to 75 mm SL.

Distribution . Iran and Iraq: Lesser Zab drainage.

Habitat . Moderate to fast-flowing streams with gravel substrate.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. LC.

Further reading. Kamangar et al. 2014 (description).