Seminemacheilus ispartensis

Common name. Southern pond loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Seminemacheilus by: ● a few deeply embedded scales on caudal peduncle / ● caudal–peduncle depth 1.3–1.6 times in its length / ● head length 21–24 % SL / ○ caudal truncate / ○ no black or brown dots or blotches on belly / ○ posterior naris not reaching to anterior eye margin when folded backward / ○ no central pore in supratemporal head canal / ○ 6–10 supraorbital head pores / ○ flank pattern mottled, vermiculated, or with large isolated blotches. Size up to 91 mm SL.

Distribution . Türkiye: Lake Eğirdir and Salda basins.

Habitat. Springs, streams, and lakeshores. Usually in habitats with standing water and dense submerged vegetation. Spawning begins in March.

Biology. Lives up to 4 years.

Conservation status. EN; appears to be declining within its very small range.

Remarks. Although Seminemacheilus ispartensis and S. lendlii are almost identical in their COI sequences, S. ispartensis is recognised as a valid species based on clear morphological differences, with recent introgressive hybridisation suspected. Seminemacheilus recorded from Karapınar (Lake Yarışlı basin) may belong to this species. This population has disappeared as Karapınar has dried up.

Further reading. Bănărescu & Nalbant 1964 (distribution as Nemacheilus lendlii); Erk’akan et al. 2007 (description); Yoğurtçuoğlu et al. 2020b (revision).