Turcinoemacheilus kosswigi

Common name. Hakkari dwarf loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Turcinoemacheilus in West Asia by: ○ a dark midlateral stripe narrower than eye diameter / ○ 5–7 mandibular pores in mandibular canal / ○ caudal–peduncle length 7–9 % SL / ○ body depth 1.3–1.7 times in head length / ○ caudal–peduncle depth 1.9–2.2 times in its length / ○ large, brown saddles on back connected to lateral stripe / ○ caudal slightly emarginate / ○ upper caudal lobe 18–21 % SL / ○ prepelvic distance 47–50 % SL / ○ maxillary barbel 21–26 % HL / ○ anus situated at middle or in front of middle between pelvic and anal origins / ○ no dark-brown blotch on side of anal base. Size up to 60 mm SL.

Distribution . Türkiye: Upper Greater Zab drainage.

Habitat . Fast-flowing sections of small rivers and streams, usually in rapids and riffles with coarse gravel or rocks. Inhabits interspaces in gravel.

Biology. Lives for 1 or 2 years. Feeds on benthic invertebrates.

Conservation status. CR; limited to a small area that is and will be heavily impacted by mining.

Further reading. Esmaeili et al. 2014c (revision); Kaya et al. 2024d (re-diagnosis, distribution).