Paraschistura turcomana (Nikolskii, 1947)

[N]—Murgab loach

Taxonomy. Original description: Nemacheilus kessleri turcomanus Nikolskii, 1947: 32, fig. 3 [Kushka River near town of Kushka, Murgab River basin, Turkmenistan; syntypes: ZMMU P-5734 (3), P-5735 (1)].— Afghanistan synonyms: None.—Revisions: Kottelat (2012: 102).—Illustration: Nikolskii (1947: fig. 3) as Nemacheilus kessleri turcomanus .

Status in Afghanistan. First record from Afghanistan by Berg (1949: 878) as Nemacheilus kessleri turcomanus .— Afghanistan materials: None.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Afghanistan: Kushka River.—General distribution: Middle East, northern-central Asia and South Asia: eastern Hari River basin, Murghab drainage (Iran, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan).—Habitat: This species occurs in 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: NE (2023).—Threats: Unknown— Moderate sensitivity to human activities.—Keystone species.—Decline status: Unknown.—Moderate priority for conservation action.