Tristramella

Freyhof, JÖrg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 798

Tristramella

Tristramella , which is endemic to the Levant, comprises only two species. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that Tristramella is related to Iranocichla . Some authors have proposed that T. magdalenae from the Damascus basin and T. intermedia from Lake Hula basin should be considered distinct species. However, we could not identify distinguishing characteristics that would allow us to differentiate these from T. simonis . Consequently, we have treated them as conspecific. Both populations and T. sacra are extinct. Both species are mouthbrooders, but the details of their breeding behaviour have not been described. There is some doubt whether T. sacra should be recognised as a species distinct from T. simonis , given that large nuptial male T. simonis also have a strongly projecting lower jaw. It would be beneficial to re-examine the original materials of both species to test whether T. sacra represents a valid species. Further reading. Steinitz & Ben-Tuvia 1960 (revision of genus); Dunz & Schliewen 2013 (phylogeny).