Paraschistura kessleri (Günther, 1889)

[N] — Pishin lora loach

Taxonomy. Original description: Nemacheilus kessleri Günther, 1889: 109 [Nushki, Pishin Lora River basin, Afghanistan (today Pakistan); syntypes: (8) BMNH 1886.9.21.177-180 (4), ZSI 11487-90 (now 3)].— Afghanistan synonyms: Nemacheilus kessleri Günther, 1889; Noemacheilus kessleri Günther, 1889; Schistura kessleri (Günther, 1889); Nemacheilus sargadensis Nikolskii, 1900; Noemacheilus sargadensis Nikolskii, 1900; Paraschistura sargadensis (Nikolskii, 1900); Noemacheilus lindbergi haarlovi Bănărescu & Nalbant, 1966 .—Revisions: Berg (1949: 877) as Nemachilus kessleri; Bănărescu & Nalbant (1966: 171) as Schistura kessleri .—Illustrations: Berg (1949: 878, fig. 623) as Nemachilus kessleri; Bănărescu & Nalbant (1966: fig. 11, pl. 21, figs. 3–4) as Schistura kessleri .

Status in Afghanistan. First record from Afghanistan by Bănărescu & Nalbant (1966: 171) as Schistura kessleri; confirmed by Coad [1981: 14 as Noemacheilus (Schistura) kessleri; 2014: 261: 8; 2015: 229].—Afghanistan materials: BMNH, CMN, ZMUC, ZSI.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Afghanistan: Ghazni River, Kabul River drainage.—General distribution: Middle East and South Asia: Mashkid River basin (Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan).—Habitat: This species occurs in freshwater streams with moderately to fast flowing freshwater in both mountainous and lowlands. Freshwater.

Economic importance. No commercial importance.

Conservation. Conservation status in Afghanistan: Unknown.—IUCN: LC (Daniels 2022a).—Threats: CON, CLI, ABS.—Moderate sensitivity to human activities.—Keystone species.—Decline status: Decreasing.—Moderate priority for conservation action.