Paraschistura kermanensis

Common name. Kerman loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Paraschistura in West Asia by: ○ dorsal origin situated above, or very slightly behind vertical of pelvic origin / ○ lateral line incomplete / ○ caudal peduncle covered by scales, no scales on predorsal back and middle and anterior part of flank / ○ suborbital flap or groove absent in male / ○ very variable colour pattern of 4–21 irregularly shaped and set, often faded bars and blotches on flank / ○ a bold black spot at base of first dorsal rays / ○ an irregularly shaped black bar at caudal base in some populations / ○ no dorsal adipose crest / ○ caudal emarginate / ○ 7½ branched dorsal rays / ○ snout blunt / ○ predorsal distance 53–56 % SL / ○ caudal– peduncle depth 1.1–1.4 times longer than deep. Size up to 68 mm SL.

Distribution . Iran: Bidkhoon in Kerman basin.

Habitat. High altitude (about 2400 m), clear, fast to slow-flowing streams with gravel substrate.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. CR; known only from a small population in a very small area. Desiccation of rivers is a major threat, and it may be at the edge of extinction.

Remarks. This species is superficially similar to P. abdolii, and both occur nearby.

Further reading. Sayyadzadeh et al. 2019b (description).