Cobitis troasensis

Common name. Dardanelles spined loach.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Cobitis in eastern Aegean basin by: ● 25–36, small, comma-shaped blotches in Z4 along anterior and middle part of flank / ○ focal zone of subdorsal scale small, about ⅓–⅒ of vertical scale diameter / ○ flank without pigmentation below zone Z4 / ○ body pale-yellowish or whitish / ○ blotches squarish or irregular shaped on posterior part of flank, rarely fused into short stripes / ○ one lamina circularis in male. Size up to 76 mm SL.

Distribution . Türkiye: Tuzla drainage.

Habitat. Streams and rivers, usually on sand or fine gravel in slow or moderate fast-flowing waters.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. EN; appears to be declining within its very small range.

Remarks. Cobitis troasensis is found in sympatry with C. satunini, making it one of very few cases in which two species of Cobitis with one lamina circularis occur together. Hybridisation between both should be expected.

Further reading. Freyhof et al. 2018c (description).