Cüneyt Kaya

Salmokottelati, a new species of trout from Alakır Stream, draining to the Mediterranean in southern Anatolia, Turkey (Teleostei, Salmonidae).

Abstract Salmo kottelati sp. n., is described from Alakır Stream (Mediterranean basin) in Turkey. It is distinguished from other Anatolian Salmo species by a combination of the following characters (none unique to the species): general body colour greenish to silvery in life; 7–9 parr marks along lateral line; four dark bands on flank absent in both sexes; black ocellated spots few, present only on upper part of flank in individuals smaller than 160 mm SL but in larger both males and females black spots numerous and located on back and middle and upper part of flank; red spots few to numerous, scattered on median, and half of lower and upper part of flank; head long (length 29–33% SL in males, 26–32 in females); mouth large (length of mouth gape 13–19% SL in males, 12–15 in females); maxilla long (length 10–13% SL in males, 8–12 in females); 105–113 lateral line scales; 24–29 scale rows between lateral line and dorsal-fin origin, 17–19 scale rows between lateral line and anal-fin origin; 13–15 scales between lateral line and adipose-fin insertion.

Alburnoides manyasensis (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae), a new species of cyprinid fish from Manyas Lake basin, Turkey

Abstract Alburnoides manyasensis, sp. n., is described from the Koca Stream (Lake Manyas drainage, Marmara Sea basin) in Anatolia. It is distinguished from all species of Alburnoides in Turkey and adjacent regions, Alburnoides tzanevi (Rezovska [Rezve], Istranca and Terkos streams in the western Black Sea drainage), Alburnoides cf. smyrnae (Banaz Stream, a drainage of Büyük Menderes River, Aegean Sea basin), Alburnoides fasciatus (streams and rivers in the eastern Black Sea drainage) and Alburnoides eichwaldii (Kura and Aras rivers [a drainage of Kura River], Caspian Sea basin) by a combination of the following characters (none unique to the species):marked hump at nape, especially in specimens larger than 60 mm SL; partly developed ventral keel between pelvic fin and anal fin, scaleless 1/2 to 2/3 its length; body depth at dorsal-fin origin 29−32% SL; caudal peduncle depth 11−12% SL; 45–52+ 2–3 lateral-line scales; 9–12 scale rows between lateral line and dorsal-fin origin; 4–5 scale rows between lateral line and anal-fin origin, 10½–12½ branched anal-fin rays; 40–42 total vertebrae.

Three new species of Alburnoides (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Euphrates River, Eastern Anatolia, Turkey

Three new species of Alburnoides, Alburnoides emineae sp. n., Alburnoides velioglui sp. n., Alburnoides recepi sp. n., are described from the Euphrates River drainages (Persian Gulf basin) in eastern Anatolia, Turkey. Alburnoides emineae, from Beyazsu Stream (south-eastern Euphrates River drainage), is distinguished from all species of Alburnoides in Turkey and adjacent regions by a combination of the following characters (none unique to the species): a well developed ventral keel between pelvic and anal fins, commonly scaleless or very rarely 1-2 scales covering the anterior portion of the keel; a deep body (depth at dorsal-fin origin 31-36% SL); 37-43 + 1-2 lateral-line scales, 13½-15½ branched anal-fin rays; number of total vertebrae 41-42, modally 41, comprising 20-21 abdominal and 20-21 caudal vertebrae. Alburnoides velioglui, from Sırlı, Karasu, Divriği and Sultansuyu streams (northern and northeastern Euphrates River drainages), is distinguished by a poorly developed ventral keel, completely scaled; a moderately deep body (depth at dorsal-fin origin 24-29% SL); 45-53 + 1-2 lateral-line scales, 11½ -13½ branched anal-fin rays; number of total vertebrae 41-42, modally 42, comprising 20-22 abdominal and 20-21 caudal vertebrae. Alburnoides recepi, from Merzimen Stream (southern Euphrates River drainage), is distinguished by a well developed ventral keel, completely scaleless; a deep body (depth at dorsal-fin origin 29-34% SL); 47-56 + 2-3 lateral-line scales; 13½-16½ branched anal-fin rays; number of total vertebrae 38-40, comprising 19-21 abdominal and 18-20 caudal vertebrae.

Alburnoides diclensis (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae), a new species of cyprinid fish from the upper Tigris River, Turkey

Alburnoides diclensis sp. n. is described from the Tigris River drainages (Persian Gulf basin) in southeastern Anatolia, Turkey. It is distinguished by a combination of the following characters (none unique to the species): a poorly developed ventral keel between pelvic and anal fins, completely scaled or rarely without one scale in front of anus; head short (length 24-27% SL), its upper profile markedly convex on level of nostril; mouth terminal, with marked chin; lips equal to or upper lip slightly longer than lower lip; snout with rounded tip, its length equal to or greater than eye diameter but smaller than interorbital distance; body moderately deep (depth at dorsal-fin origin 25-30% SL); anal-fin depth 1.2-1.4, mean 1.3 times in HL; 48-53 lateral-line scales, 12½-15½ branched anal-fin rays; 41-42 total vertebrae, comprising 20-21 abdominal and 20-21 caudal vertebrae.

Generic assignment of Leuciscus kurui Bogutskaya from the upper Tigris drainage, and a replacement name for Alburnus kurui Mangit & Yerli (Teleostei: Leuciscidae)

The generic position of Leuciscus kurui Bogutskaya, 1995 is reviewed through a comparison of morphological and molecular characters (COI). The molecular data place L. kurui in Alburnus, close to Alburnus timarensis from the Lake Van basin. Alburnus kurui (Bogutskaya) is distinguished from this species by lacking a ventral keel and possessing both a very low number of gill rakers and midlateral scales. Alburnus selcuklui, from the upper Tigris drainage, cannot be distinguished from the widespread A. sellal and is therefore treated as a synonym of this species. Alburnus kurui Mangit Yerli, 2018 is a junior secondary homonym of A. kurui (Bogutskaya, 1995) and A. carianorum is proposed as its replacement name. Several specimens of Alburnus caeruleus and Alburnus heckeli shared the same haplotypes as some A. sellal and therefore these species cannot always be distinguished by mitochondrial molecular characters. Alburnus caeruleus and A. heckeli are treated as valid species. Other individuals of A. caeruleus have haplotypes very different from A. sellal, and A. heckeli is well distinguished from A. sellal by having more gill rakers. The Lake Van basin as a separate freshwater ecoregion and the treatment of several species of Alburnus in synonymy of A. mento are discussed.

Barbus anatolicus , a new barbel from the Kızılırmak and Yeşilırmak River drainages in northern Anatolia (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

Barbus anatolicus, new species, is described from the Kızılırmak and Yeşilırmak River drainages in the southern Black Sea basin. It is distinguished from other Barbus species in the Middle East by having 58-71 total lateral line scales, a moderately ossified last simple dorsal-fin ray, serrated along about 70-80% of its posterior margin, many small irregular shaped black or brown spots, smaller or as large as scales, often forming large, dark-brown blotches on the head, back and flank in adults and juveniles, and a concave posterior dorsal-fin margin. In addition, DNA barcode data reject the hypothesis that it belongs to one of the other species of the B. barbus species group. Barbus bergi from Bulgaria and adjacent Turkey is treated as synonym of B. tauricus. Barbus tauricus was previously believed to be restricted to the Crimean Peninsula but is found to be widespread in the Black Sea basin.

Redescription of Alburnus kotschyi Steindachner, 1863, with comments on Alburnus sellal adanensis Battalgazi, 1944 (Teleostei: Leuciscidae)

Alburnus kotschyi is re-described and a neotype is designated. It is found in a small isolated coastal stream at Arsuz at the eastern Mediterranean coast as well as in the Ceyhan and Seyhan River drainages in southern Anatolia. Alburnus adanensis, from the Seyhan River, seems not to have been found again since its first description in 1944 and might be extinct.

Three new species of Alburnoides from the southern Black Sea basin (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

Three new Alburnoides species are described from the southern Black Sea basin. Alburnoides kurui, new species, from the Yeşilırmak drainage, is distinguished from other species of Alburnoides in the southern Black Sea basin, the Marmara basin and the Anatolian Aegean basin by having a scaleless keel between the posterior pelvic fin base and the anus or with rarely 1 scale covering the anterior part of the keel; 50-59 total lateral-line scales; 13½-15½ branched anal-fin rays and 7-9 gill rakers. Alburnoides freyhofi, new species, from the Kızılırmak drainage, is distinguished by having a scaleless keel between the posterior pelvic fin base and the anus, 44-53 total lateral-line scales; 14½-16½ branched anal-fin rays and 5-7 gill rakers. Alburnoides kosswigi, new species, from the Sakarya drainage, is distinguished by having a scaleless keel between the posterior pelvic fin base and the anus or rarely with 1-3 scales covering the anterior part of the keel; 43-57 total lateral-line scales; 11½-13 (14)½ branched anal-fin rays and 5-7 gill rakers.

Oxynoemacheilus kentritensis , a new species from the upper Tigris drainage in Turkey with remarks on O. frenatus (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae)

Oxynoemacheilus kentritensis, new species, is described from the Botan drainage, a tributary to the upper Tigris. It is distinguished from other Oxynoemacheilus species in the Tigris drainage by having a complete lateral line, long barbels, flank and back completely covered by scales and flank behind dorsal-fin base with large, dark-brown, vertically elongated blotches or bars.

Gobio baliki , a new gudgeon from Turkey (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

Gobio baliki, new species, is described from the stream Büyük Melen in the northwestern Anatolian Black Sea basin. The new species is distinguished from other gudgeons in Anatolia by the breast being completely covered by scales, scales extending slightly behind the isthmus; 5-6 scales between the posterior extremity of the pelvic-fin base and the anus; the distance between the anus and the anal-fin origin 7-10% SL; the postorbital distance equal to or greater than the snout length; the depth of the anal-fin approximately equal to the length of the pelvic-fin; 8-9 midlateral black blotches, usually separated from each-other.