Gobio lepidolaemus Kessler, 1872

[N]—Central Asian gudgeon

Taxonomy. Original description: Gobio fluviatilis lepidolaemus Kessler, 1872: 59 [Serafshan (Zarafshan) River basin, Uzbekistan; Syr-Darya River at Khodzhent (Leninabad), Tajikistan; syntypes: (about 50) BMNH 1872.5.30.78-79 (2), 1872.5.30.80-82 (3),1897.7.5.26 (1) Khodzhent, ZIN 2076 [or 2706] (25)].— Afghanistan synonyms: None.—Revisions: Vasil’eva et al. (2004: 767).—Illustration: None.

Status in Afghanistan. First record from Afghanistan by Günther (1889) as Gobio gobio lepidolaemus; confirmed by Berg (1948 – 1949), Saadati (1977), Coad (1981: 10; 2014: 169; 2015: 228).—Afghanistan materials: None.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Afghanistan: Amu Darya drainage, Murgab and Koshk Rivers.—General distribution: North Asia, Middle East: Aral Sea basin (Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Iran).—Habitat: This species inhabits a wide range of streams, rivers, and lakes, including canals and reservoirs. Freshwater.

Economic importance. Locally consumed, but of no commercial importance.

Conservation. Conservation status in Afghanistan: Unknown.—IUCN: LC (Mamilov & Karimov 2020a).—Threats: CLI, CON, ABS, HAB, COM, EUT.—Low sensitivity to human activities.—Not considered as a keystone species.—Decline status: Stable.—Low priority for conservation action.