Turcinoemacheilus ekmekciae

Common name. Anatolian dwarf loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Turcinoemacheilus in West Asia by: ○ roundish blotches or a stripe thicker than eye diameter along lateral midline / ○ 5–7 mandibular pores in mandibular canal / ○ caudal–peduncle length 7–9 % SL / ○ caudal–peduncle depth 1.8–2.7 times in its length / ○ body depth 1.3–1.7 times in head length / ○ prepelvic distance 50–53 % SL / ○ upper caudal lobe 15–18 % SL / ○ interorbital distance 23–31 % HL / ○ maxillary barbel 15–21 % HL / ○ anus situated at middle or in front of middle between pelvic and anal origins / ○ no dark-brown blotch on side of anal base / ○ caudal slightly emarginate. Size up to 55 mm SL.

Distribution . Türkiye: stream Kaynarca in Euphrates, Yanarsu, Botan, Nerduş, Batman in upper Tigris drainages.

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

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. LC.

Further reading. Kaya et al. 2024d (description).