Romanogobio persus (Günther, 1899)

Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash, Ghanavi, Hamid Reza & Doadrio, Ignacio, 2020, Fig. 4 in Fig. 4 in Fig. 3 in Fig. 21. Sesarmops mora n in Paralbunea dayriti, Zoological Studies 59 (21), pp. 1-303 : 106

Romanogobio persus (Günther, 1899) – Endemic ( Fig. 187)

Gobio persa Günther [A.] 1899: 386; Type locality: Ocksa in the Gader Chai, northwestern Iran. Syntypes: BMNH 1899.9.30.90– 96 (7).

Common name: Pr: Kapor kafzi Parsi, Kapor kafzi Oromiyeh, En: Persian gudgeon, Urmia gudgeon.

Diagnosis: Only Romanogobio species in the Urmia Lake basin. Can be distinguished by a short and thin caudal peduncle, a short snout, a short barbel and long predorsal distance.

Meristic characters: D: III–IV (III) 7–8 (7), A: II–III (III) 5–7 (6), P: 11–16, V: 6–8 (7), GR: 5–6, LL: 39–45, TV: 37–42.

Distribution: Urmia Lake basin ( Fig. 188). Reported from Talkheh, Tatavi and Zarrineh rivers.

Taxonomy: Naseka and Bogutskaya (1998) placed in Romanogobio .

Conservation: IUCN: Not Evaluated, PC: Endangered B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv). Although once abundant in the middle and lower Talkheh, lower Simine and lower Zarinehrud rivers, this speices is currently only found in reduced numbers and independent populations in Zarinehrud River. Severe droughts during recent years which affects the whole country are especially severe in Urmia basin. In addition to the climate changes, high pollution, dam construction, loss of habitat and water extraction for agricultural use have affected greatly to the observable population numbers of this species. AOO is estimated to be less than 500 km 2 and populations of this species exist at less than five locations. Hence, we classified this species to be assessed as Endangered.