Seminemacheilus ekmekciae

Common name. Central Anatolian pond loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Seminemacheilus by: ○ caudal rounded / ○ no central pore in supratemporal head canal / ○ 2–4 supraorbital head pores / ○ body scaleless / ○ no black or brown dots or blotches on belly / ○ posterior naris not reaching to anterior eye margin when folded backwards / ○ flank pattern mottled, vermiculated, or with large isolated blotches / ○ caudal–peduncle depth 0.9–1.1 times in its length / ○ head length 23–26 % SL. Size up to 73 mm SL.

Distribution . Türkiye: Lake Tuz basin and Ereğli marshes.

Habitat. Springs and streams with stagnant or slow-flowing water and dense submerged vegetation.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. EN; appears to be declining within its very small range. Disappeared from Ereğli marshes as these dried up.

Further reading. Yoğurtçuoğlu et al. 2020b (description).