Sarmarutilus rubilio (Bonaparte, 1837)

Bianco, Pier Giorgio & Ketmaier, Valerio, 2014, A revision of the Rutilus complex from Mediterranean Europe with description of a new genus, Sarmarutilus, and a new species, Rutilus stoumboudae (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), Zootaxa 3841 (3), pp. 379-402 : 393-395

Sarmarutilus rubilio (Bonaparte, 1837)

( Figs. 2 F, 3C)

Leuciscus rubilio Bonaparte, 1837 : Fauna It: fasc. XIX, Tav III (Type locality; voulcanic lakes of Nemi and Bracciano, central Italy).

Examined material. samples from the following rivers were analyzed for the study. All the examined material is from Italy and, since the species was introduced in several basins, only samples from the native distribution has been included in the description and following comparisons. IZA 8344, 6, R. Elsa (R. Albegna basin), Tuscany, G. Delmastro, 20 May 1981.— IZA 8355, 13, R. Cecina, Tuscany, G. Delmastro, 18 May 1981.— IZA 8358, 11, R. Serchio, Tuscany, 18 May 1981.— IZA 8396, 11, Fosso della Lena (R. Ombrone basin), Tuscany, P.G. Bianco, 10 April 1982.— IZA 8367, 8, R. Trasubbie (R. Arno basin), Tuscany, G. Delmastro, 19 May 1981.— IZA 8374, 5, R. Fiora, Tuscany, P.G. Bianco, April, 1975.— IZA 8363, 22, R. Mignone, Latium, P.G. Bianco, June 1974.— IZA 8390, 12, R. Tronto, Marche, C. Albertini, 22 November 1982.— IZA 8381, 20 (out of 43), R. Tavo, Abruzzo, P.G. Bianco, 12 April 1979.— IZA 8373, 14, L. Provvidenza (R. Vomano basin), P.G. Bianco, 10–15 April 1983.— IZA 8376, 16, R. Pescara, Abruzzo, F. Recchia, May 1982.— IZA 8364, 5, R. Trigno, Molise, P.G. Bianco, 10 July 1977.— IZA 8381, 12, R. Volturno, Campania, P.G. Bianco, 8 August 1981.— IZA 0 252, 20 (out of 54), R. Calore, Campania, P.G. Bianco & V. Frezza, 31 October 2001.— IZA 0 0 236, 20 (out of 84) R. Sele, Campania, P.G. Bianco, 24 April 2001.— IZA 0 0 408, 6, R. Nestore (R. Tiber basin), P.G. Bianco & M. Lorenzoni, 11 April, 1996.— IZA 0 2122, 20, R. Merse (R. Ombrone basin), Tuscany, P.G. Bianco, 2 July, 1997.— IZA 0 2183, 20, (out of 75), R. Ofanto, Campania (probably introduced), P.G. Bianco & V. Frezza, 12 February 2002.— IZA Uncatalogued, 7, L. Trasimeno, Umbria, P. Calderoni, 1984.— IZA 87146, 20 (out of 87), R. Liri, Lazio, P.G. Bianco, 7 July 1987.

Diagnosis. Corresponds to that of the genus.

Description. A small-medium sized species, not exceeding 160 mm SL, usually 80–120 mm SL. Scales of the body marked by evident crescent triangular spot on the origins, sometimes this heavy pigmentation masks a more or less evident longitudinal stripe; color of eye in living samples, yellowish; fins yellowish or pale grayish in preserved specimens; in reproductive adults are reddish; snout moderately blunt; pre-orbital distance nearly equal to the horizontal diameter of the eye; lips smooth; mouth opening oblique, the corner of maxillae placed anteriorly to the vertical crossing of the anterior border of the orbit; mouth slightly inferior; profile of dorsum convex; free margin of D and A concave; P1 and P2 longer in males, where they may reach the origin of P2 fin; caudal fin forked; peritoneal membrane blackened by several melanophores dense and fused; head length about 4.0–4.3 times the SL or more; body depth about 2.8–3.1 times the SL; origin of the D at same level or slightly below the insertion of the P2; LL complete and extending from the margin of opercular membrane to the end of caudal peduncle; 37–42 pored scales on LL; 7.5 row of scales above and 3.5 below the LL; constantly 3 un-branched rays followed by modally 8 branched rays in the D; constantly 3 un-branched rays followed by modally 9 branched rays in the anal fin; P1 with 1 un-branched and 14–15 branched rays; P2 with 1 un-branched ray and modally 8 branched rays; usually 10–11 total GR; in adult males prominent or vestigial tubercles present. For additional description and shape, see Fig. 2 F, Tables 4,5, and Bianco & Taraborelli (1985).

Distribution: The species was endemic to the Tuscany-Latium ichthyogepgraphic district, including an area limited on the Tyrrhenian side between River Magra to the north and River Sele to the south. The species range on the Adriatic side extends from River Tronto (north) to River Trigno (south) ( Bianco & Taraborelli, 1985). The species was introduced in most of the southern Italian basins, from where we have the following documented materials: IZA 83127, 75, L. Campotosto, Abruzzo, L. G. Albertino, June 1982.—IZA 8347, 26, R. Bussento, Campania, P.G. Bianco, 24 June 1977.—IZA 8384, 54, R. Mingardo, Campania, P.G. Bianco, 25 June 1978.- IZA 8393, 17, R. Cavone, Basilicata, P.G. Bianco, 31 July 1978.—IZA 83104, 7, R. Bradano, Basilicata, P.G. Bianco, 11 August 1981.- IZA 83107, 30, R. Crati, Calabria P.G. Bianco, 1 August 1978.- IZA 83141, 2, R. Neto, Calabria, July 1982, A. Marconato.- IZA 87156, 122, R. Basento, Basilicata, P.G. Bianco, 14 July 1987.- IZA 0 0 244, 70, R. Bussento, Campania, P.G. Bianco, 25 march 2001.- R. Agri, IZA 87130, 761, Basilicata, P.G. Bianco, 13 August 1987.—IZA 87151, 49, R. Sinni, Basilicata, P.G. Bianco 1987.—IZA 87153, 131, R. Lao, Calabria, P.G. Bianco, 10 August 1987.—IZA 0 0 225, 109, R. Mingardo, Campania, 12 June 1989.—IZA 87164, 17, R. Cavone, Basilicata, P.G. Bianco, 13 August 1987.—IZA 87172, 23, R. Noce, Calabria, P.G. Bianco, 9 August 1987. In Sicily it was introduced in 1985 ( Tigano & Ferrito, 1986).

Lectotype designation. The type series of this species includes 11 syntypes, 66–121 mm SL, ANSP 6509- 6519. The Bonaparte description and illustration are based on a single specimen, of “ 6 inches and 9 lines” (about 17 cm TL), from Lake Nemi (the type locality) which cannot be recognized from the series. Hence, a lectotype is here selected: the specimen ANSP 6509, 93 mm SL ( Fig. 3 C), owing to its very good condition, is designated as lectotype. It has 38 scales on LL; 8 branched rays in D and 9 in A; 7.5 rows of scales above and 3 below LL; total GR, 10; 14 circum-peduncular scales; 5-5 pharyngeal teeth. The 10 paralectotypes, ANSP 6510-6519, 66– 121 mm SL: LL, 36–40; 7.5–8.5 rows of scales above and 2.5–3.5 below LL. D constantly with 8 branched rays, A with 9 (10 in one case) and 9–11 total GR. Pharyngeal teeth formula is 5-5.

Remarks on ecology biology and conservation. Preferential habitats: running waters. Not well adapted in still waters where it is easily excluded by the introduced Leucos aula , Rutilus rutilus and possibly other introduced, still water-adapted species such as rudds and bleaks. In southern Italian rivers, however, where it was introduced, detrimentally affected or eliminated the populations of the less riverine well-adapted species as the endemic Alburnus albidus ( Bianco & Ketmaier, 2001) .

The reproductive season extends from March to June with sporadic case in February and July. Sexual maturity is reached at age 1+ or 2+ in males and 2+ in females. Maximum age observed, 6 years for females and 5 for males.

Maximum length reached, 160 mm SL a female of age 5+, and weight of 45 g. ( Bianco & Taraborelli, 1985; Bianco & Santoro, 2004). According to Bianco et al. (2013), and IUCN (2013), Sarmarutilus rubilio , throughout its native range, is placed in the category of “Nearly Threatened”, while wherever it is introduced it has become invasive.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Native species of the Rutilus complex in southern Mediterranean Europe: A) Leucos aula, 115 mm SL, R. Bacchiglione, northern Italy, April 1996 (IZA 0425); B) Leucos basak, 95 mm SL, Lake Ohrid, FYROM, August 1987, (IZA 0429); C) Leucos ylikiensis, 120 mm SL, Lake Yliki, April 1987 (IZA 8733); D) Leucos panosi, 130 mm SL, canal to Lake Trichonis, May 1987 (IZA 8766); E) Leucos albus, 98 mm SL, River Moraca, Montenegro, November 1999 (IZA 0421); F) Sarmarutilus rubilio, 100 mm SL, River Ofanto, southern Italy, February 2002 (IZA 02183); G) Rutilus pigus, 230 mm SL, Lake Major, northern Italy, (IZA 0474); H) Holotype of Rutilus stoumboudae new species, 148 mm SL, October 1998, Lake Volvi, Greece (IZA 02107).

FIGURE 3. A) Lectotype of Leucos aula, 74 mm SL (ANSP 6434), Padua Province, northern Italy; B) Lectotype of Leucos basak, 117 mm SL (NMW 50723 - 1), Vergoraz and Lake Drusino near Imotsky, Croatia; C) Lectotype of Sarmarutilus rubilio, 93 mm SL (ANSP 6509), Lake Nemi, Central Italy.