Silurus glanis Linnaeus, 1758

[N]—Wels catfish

Taxonomy. Original description: Silurus glanis Linnaeus, 1758: 304 [prient, less frequently in European lakes; syntypes: BMNH 1853.11.12.168 (1, skin), NRM 59 (1)].— Afghanistan synonyms: None.—Revisions: Berg (1949: 904).—Illustration: Berg (1949: 904-905, figs. 656–657).

Status in Afghanistan. First record from Afghanistan by Berg (1949: 906); confirmed by Nikolskii and Tzentilovich (1951), Moravec and Amin (1978), Coad (1981: 8; 2014: 290; 2015: 229).—Afghanistan materials: None.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Afghanistan: Kunduz and Murgab Rivers.—General distribution: North America; Eastern Europe to central Asia. Widely introduced elsewhere.—Habitat: This species inhabits large and medium-sized lowland rivers, backwaters, and well-vegetated lakes. Spawns in shallow, warm, and well vegetated riverine habitats without current. Freshwater.

Economic importance. Commercially important.

Conservation. Conservation status in Afghanistan: Unknown.—IUCN: LC (Freyhof & Kottelat 2008h).— Threats: HAB.—Low sensitivity to human activities.—Not considered as a keystone species.—Decline status: Unknown.—Low priority for conservation action.