Mastacembelidae Swainson, 1839 (freshwater spiny eels)

Mastacembelus mastacembelus (Banks & Solander in Russell, 1794) [N]—Mesopotamian spiny eel; Haiet alsamak/thoaban al maa

Taxonomy. Original description: Ophidium mastacembelus Banks & Solander in Russell, 1794: 209, pl. 6 [locality unknown; no types known].—Syrian synonyms: Rhynchobdella haleppensis Bloch & Schneider, 1801; Macrognathus caudatus McClelland, 1842; Macrognathus hamiltonii McClelland, 1843; Mastacembelus manipurensis Hora, 1921; Mastacembelus marmoratus Cuvier, 1832; Rhynchobdella polyacantha Bloch & Schneider, 1801; Mastacembelus ponticerianus Cuvier, 1832; Mastacembelus venosus Valenciennes, 1838 .—Revisions: Gholamhosseini et al. (2022).—Illustration: Day (1876: pl. 73, fig. 3).

Status in Syria. Recorded from Syria in the original description of Rhynchobdella haleppensis by Bloch & Schneider (1801: 480); confirmed by Beckman (1962: 154); Ali & Saad (2002); Ali (2003).—Syrian material: ANSP, BMNH, MCZ, MSL.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Syria: Tigris and Euphrates River drainages, Kahbur River.—Distribution in River Basin: 1-Dajleh & Khabour, 2-Euphrates & Aleppo.—General distribution: Asia Minor and Middle East: Tigris River, Kor River, and Persian Gulf basins (Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran).—Distribution in Ecoregion: 441-Lower Tigris & Euphrates, 442-Upper Tigris & Euphrates.—Habitat: This species inhabits a wide range of habitats, from reservoirs and large rivers to small mountain streams. Often very abundant in rapids and riffles. Freshwater.

Economic importance. Commercially important.

Conservation. Conservation status in Syria: Unknown.—IUCN: LC (IUCN 2023).—Threats: EUT.—Moderate sensitivity to human activities.—Not considered as a keystone species.—Decline status: Stable.—Moderate priority for conservation action.