Leuciscus vorax (Heckel, 1843) [N]—Mesopotamian asp; Brak

Taxonomy. Original description: Aspius vorax Heckel, 1843a: 21 (24), pl. 9 [Heri Rud River near Herat, Syria; syntypes: NMW 16527 (1, dry), 76776 (1)].—Syrian synonyms: None.—Revisions: Lelek (1987: 150) as Aspius vorax; Perea et al. (2011: 15).—Illustration: Heckel (1843b: pl. 10, fig. 3) as Aspius vorax .

Status in Syria. First record from Syria by Gruvel (1931); as Aspius vorax; confirmed by Beckman (1962: 93); Krupp & Schneider (1991b: 73); Ali (2003); Saad et al. (2006) as Aspius vorax .—Syrian material: BMNH, MNHN, MSL.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Syria: Orontes, Euphrates and Tigris River basins.—Distribution in River Basin: 1-Dajleh & Khabour, 2-Euphrates & Aleppo, 4-Orontes.—General distribution: Asia Minor and Middle East: Orontes, Euphrates and Tigris River basins (Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria).—Distribution in Ecoregion: 437-Orontes, 441-Lower Tigris & Euphrates, 442-Upper Tigris & Euphrates.—Habitat: This species inhabits large rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Migrates from lakes and reservoirs into inflowing rivers or streams to spawn. Sensitive to pollution. Freshwater.

Economic importance. Commercially important.

Conservation. Conservation status in Syria: Unknown.—IUCN: LC (IUCN 2023).—Threats: EUT, FIT.—Moderate sensitivity to human activities.—Not considered as a keystone species.—Decline status: Unknown.—Low priority for conservation action.