Garra lorestanensis

Common name. Lorestan cave garra.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Garra in Persian Gulf and endorheic basins in Iran by: ○ eye reduced and invisible externally / ○ whitish or pink, without colour pattern / ○ body without scales / ○ lateral line on body well developed, with 6−31 pores / ○ 9+8 branched caudal rays / ○ 7−8½ branched dorsal rays / ○ 10−12 gill rakers / ○ rostral cap poorly developed, partly covering upper lip / ○ gular disc fully developed longer than wide / ○ two pairs of normally developed barbels. Size up to 74 mm SL.

Distribution . Iran: Loven spring in Ab-e Sirum (or Ab-e Serum) valley near Tang-e Haft, and springs around Tuveh in Dez system of Tigris drainage. Probably more widespread.

Habitat . Underground waters.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. LC; as with all subterranean species, distribution and threats are difficult to understand.

Remarks. Coexists with Garra typhlops and the cave loach Eidinemacheilus smithi .

Further reading. Hashemzadeh Segherloo et al. 2012 (genetic difference of sympatric Garra); Mousavi-Sabet & Eagderi 2016b (description).