Alburnoides damghani

Common name. Damghan spirlin.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Alburnoides in Iranian endorheic basins by: ○ horizontal eye diameter smaller than interorbital distance / ○ 8½ branched dorsal rays / ○ 10–13½ branched anal rays / ○ ventral keel completely without scales or covered by scales for up to 3/4 of its length / ○ mouth terminal, upper and lower lips equally projecting / ○ snout slightly pointed / ○ tip of mouth cleft situated at a horizontal line with lower margin of eye / ○ 40–46+2–3 lateral-line scales / ○ 6–8 gill rakers. Size up to 90 mm SL.

Distribution . Iran: Cheshmeh Ali spring in Western Kavir basin.

Habitat. Spring with coarse gravel and boulders, dense riparian vegetation, and clear, well-oxygenated, fast-flowing water.

Biology. No data.

Conservation status. VU; drought and introduction of non-native species (e.g. Oncorhynchus mykiss) are threats.

Further reading. Jouladeh-Roudbar et al. 2016b (description).