Aphanius arakensis Teimori, Esmaeili, Gholami,, 2012

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 : 257

Aphanius arakensis Teimori, Esmaeili, Gholami,

Zarei and Reichenbacher, 2012 – Endemic ( Fig. 472 )

Aphanius arakensis Teimori [A.], Esmaeili [H. R.], Gholami [Z.], Zarei [N.] & Reichenbacher [B.] 2012: 62; Type locality: Small pond, Namak Lake basin, 34°00'N, 49°50'E, 5 km southeast of the city of Arak, Iran, elevation 1,786 m. Holotype: ZM-CBSU 10999. Paratypes: ZM-CBSU 110000, 11051–11118 (70).

Common name: Pr: Gormahi Arak, En: Arak tooth-carp.

Diagnosis: Distinguished by distribution and by pigmentation, males having 12–19, commonly 15–16, flank bars and females with prominent pigmentation along the mid-flank. Clearly defined flank bars in males, a more prominent pigmentation along the flank added by relatively big blotches in the middle and posterior flank segments in females.

Meristic characters: D: 11–14, A: 10–12, P: 14– 18, V: 6–8, LS: 28–32, GR: 8–10, FB: 12–19.

Distribution: Namak basin ( Fig. 473). Found in Rude-e Shur and a natural pond near Arak city.

Taxonomy.

Conservation: IUCN: Not Evaluated, PC: Endangered B2ab(i,ii,iii)c(i,ii). The type locality of this species is completely dry at the moment; therefore, no living individuals is available there. The only confirmed population of this species is found in Rud-e Shur which is highly affected by industrial and city pollution in addition to severe drought. The flow of water in the river is interrupted in the summer creating small and isolated ponds with very high salinity levels. Based on the available information the species occur in less than 500 km 2 and in fewer than five localities; therefore, we classified it as Endangered.

Figures

Fig. 472. Aphanius arakensis (above: male, below: female). Photograph from a natural pond near Arak city, Namak basin (Photographed by A. Teimori).