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Barbus urmianus, from the upper Mahabad River in Lake Urmia basin, was distinguished from B. cyri based on several morphological characters. Our analysis demonstrated very small molecular (COI) differences between both species and mostly overlapping or identic morphological character states. Therefore, Barbus urmianus is treated as a junior synonym of B. cyri.

Garra rezai, new species, is described from the Chooman, a tributary of the Lesser Zab in Iran, and from headwaters of the Yanarsu, a tributary of the upper Tigris in Turkey. It is distinguished from its congeners in the Garra variabilis species group by having two pairs of barbels, a well-developed mental disc, 35–40 total scales along the lateral line, 15–19 scales along the predorsal midline, and 15–18 circumpeduncular scales. It is further characterised by having ten diagnostic nucleotide substitutions and the K2P genetic distances with the closest species i.e. G. klatti, G. kemali and G. variabilis as 11.9, 12.0, and 13.7%, respectively in the mtDNA COI barcode region.

The Oxynoemacheilus angorae species group is revised and 10 species are recognised, two of which are described herein as new. Oxynoemacheilus anatolicus, O. angorae, O. eregliensis, O. germencicus, O. isauricus, O. nasreddini, O. mediterraneus, and O. theophilii are endemic to west and Central Anatolia. Oxynoemacheilus cinicus and O. mesudae, both from Büyük Menderes River drainage, are synonyms of O. germencicus. As First Revisers, we give priority to Oxynoemacheilus germencicus over O. cinicus. Oxynoemacheilus atili described from Lake Beyşehir basin is a synonym of O. eregliensis. Oxynoemacheilus axylos, new species, from endorheic Lake Tuz basin (Cihanbeyli, Gölyazı, Melendiz, and Samsam) is distinguished by possessing an almost truncate caudal-fin, a stout caudal peduncle, and elevated dorsal and ventral adipose crests. The new species is also distinguished by a minimum K2P sequence divergence of 1.6% in the mtDNA-COI barcode region from O. eregliensis, its closest relative. Oxynoemacheilus eliasi, new species, from the Küçük Menderes and Gediz River drainages, is distinguished by having small, embedded scales on the belly, a narrow suborbital groove in male, an emarginate caudal fin, the caudal peduncle depth 1.3–1.5 times in its length, and the body depth decreasing between the dorsal and caudal-fin bases. The new species is also distinguished by a minimum K2P sequence divergence of 2.7% in the mtDNA-COI barcode region from O. theophilii, its closest relative.

Glyptothorax sardashtensis, new species, from the upper Lesser Zab in Iran, is distinguished from its congeners in the Persian Gulf basin by: a plain flank without black or brown blotches; a wide and round anterior margin of the medial pit in the thoracic adhesive apparatus; few, short median striae in the thoracic adhesive apparatus; three yellowish blotches arranged in a crescent-shaped arch on the nuchal plate in front of the dorsal-fin origin; no tubercles on the head and flank; and a short adipose fin. The new species is also distinguished by a minimum K2P sequence divergence of 2.16% in the mtDNA-COI barcode region from G. daemon and G. galaxias, its closest relatives. Glyptothorax kurdistanicus is re-discovered close to its type locality.

Five new species of Glyptothorax are described from Iran. Glyptothorax alidaeii, new species, from the Seimare in the Karkheh drainage, G. galaxias, new species, from the upper Karun drainage, G. hosseinpanahii, new species, from the Zohreh drainage, G. pallens, new species, from the Sirvan drainage, and G. shapuri, new species, from Shapur in the Helleh drainage. Glyptothorax silviae from the Jarrahi drainage is re-diagnosed. All six species are morphologically distinguishable by the structure of the thoracic adhesive apparatus, as well as morphometric characters and details in the colour pattern. They form distinct mitochondrial clades between 1.2% and 4.1% minimum K2P distance based on the mitochondrial DNA barcode region.

Aim In the Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot, freshwater fishes are key biogeographic indicators, while their habitats are vulnerable to ongoing anthropogenic pressures. The freshwater blenny is a widespread endemic taxon in this area. However, our understanding of the overall diversity of specific populations and their phylogenetic relationships is sparse. Thus, we aim to investigate the genetic diversity, infer relationships among sampled populations related to major palaeoenvironmental changes and suggest insights for future research and conservation targets. Location Mediterranean Basin Methods We studied 171 Salaria specimens from 51 rivers and lakes, and from 13 countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. For assessing the phylogenetic relationships among different locations, we used mtDNA d-loop and intron S7 sequences. Furthermore, we inferred absolute divergence times and demographic changes using secondary calibrations and investigated the diversity within major lineages using haplotype networks and several geographical and genetic clustering methods. Results We found eight well-differentiated lineages, each of which being confined to a particular geographical region. The onset of the freshwater blenny radiation was dated around the Messinian salinity crisis. Further differentiation happened during the Plio- and Pleistocene with signatures of population expansion after the Last Glacial Maximum in some of the main lineages. Main conclusions Due to their unusually widespread distribution, the freshwater blennies represent an excellent model for studying phylogeographic structure across the Mediterranean basin biodiversity hotspot. The extant diversity and distribution of the freshwater Salaria species mirrors palaeoenvironmental changes in the region, but there are still large gaps in knowledge, particularly in the Levant. Even though the main lineages described are statistically well supported, the phylogenetic relationship among several of them remains poorly resolved. Despite the fact that the most widespread species, S. fluviatilis, is not globally threatened, it harbours some distinct populations that are of conservation concern.

DNA barcodes (COI) of Troglocobitis starostini, endemic to a single site in Turkmenistan, were analysed and put into the taxonomic context of the large group of nemacheilid loaches known from Western and Central Asia. All applied phylogenetic tree-based analyses place the species into the genus Paracobitis. This finding supports previous morphological studies. While the exact position of Troglocobitis starostini within Paracobitis was not resolved unambiguously, it was constantly recovered within Paracobitis, irrespective of the tree reconstruction method applied. With a minimum interspecific K2P distance of 7.19% P. persa was the closest hit in our dataset, which comprised a total of ten species of Paracobitis, which showed an average interspecific K2P distance of 5.43% (range 2.78–9.44%).

Cobitis indus, new species, from the Dalaman River drainage, is distinguished from other Cobitis species in the eastern Aegean Sea basin by having two laminae circularis, a bifurcate suborbital spine, a narrow caudal peduncle, pigmentation zone 4 with 17–24 small blotches often fused into a stripe, pigmentation below Z4 usually absent, and one black, comma-shaped spot at the upper caudal-fin base. It is further distinguished from its closest relative, C. dorademiri, by having 13 diagnostic nucleotide substitutions in the mtDNA COI barcode region and a K2P nearest–neighbour distance of 2.3–2.7%. This is the fourth Cobitis species found in the Dalaman River drainage making this river the most species-rich in spined loaches in the Middle East.

The Oxynoemacheilus bergianus species group is revised based on tree topology (ML, NJ, MP), distance (K2P and ASAP) and Poisson tree process analyses of DNA barcode data tested against morphometric and morphological characters including colour patterns. The O. bergianus species group is distinguished from other Oxynoemacheilus groups based on morphological characters: its constituent species have a slender caudal peduncle, a suborbital flap in the male, a mottled or blotched colour pattern, and lack bold, black spots on the caudal-fin base. It is also supported as a monophyletic unit in our molecular analysis. The O. bergianus group includes 10 molecular clades following congruently well-supported NJ, MP and ML based entities. Species described as O. bergianus, O. banarescui, O. erdali, O. fatsaensis, O. samanticus, and O. simavicus from Turkey, O. lenkoranensis from Azerbaijan, and O. longipinnis and O. parvinae from Iran belong to this species group. The group includes also four unnamed molecular clades. We were unable to detect external differences between any of the molecular clades in colour pattern or any morphometric or morphological characters examined. In the 10 molecular clades in the O. bergianus species group, the intraclade K2P distance ranges from 0.0–1.8% while the distances between molecular clades ranges from 0.6–5.9%. To resolve the species diversity of this group, we also analysed the intraspecific and interspecific variability in the K2P distance of DNA barcode data from 53 other Oxynoemacheilus species. Here, the intraspecific variability ranges from 0.0–2.4% while the interspecific K2P distance ranges from 1.2–20.8%. In the O. bergianus species group, only four groups are detected by the mPTP species delimitation approach distinguished by a K2P distance of 2.9% or more. We treat these four groups as valid species, corresponding to O. banarescui, O. bergianus, O. fatsaensis, and O. simavicus. Oxynoemacheilus samanticus from the Kızılırmak and Seyhan drainages, O. lenkoranensis from the Caspian basin, O. erdali from the Euphrates, and O. longipinnis and O. parvinae from the Tigris drainage are treated as synonyms of O. bergianus. Fishes from an unnamed molecular clade from the upper Tigris, and from a second unnamed clade from the upper Euphrates, are both identified as O. bergianus. Oxynoemacheilus bergianus might be a junior synonym of O. bergi from the Kura. The distribution range of O. simavicus, described from the Simav drainage in the Marmara basin, is expanded to the east and two molecularly differentiated population groups occur in the Sakarya drainage, the Büyük Melen River and potentially in other adjacent coastal streams. Oxynoemacheilus fatsaensis, described from the coastal stream Elekçi in northern Anatolia, is also widespread in the Yeşilırmak drainage. Morphological characters proposed to distinguish O. fatsaensis from the other species of the O. bergianus group could not be confirmed by our data on fishes from the Yeşilırmak. This study also discusses the theoretical background, our reasons for conducting this revision in the way we did, and what the alternatives would be.

Egirdira, new genus, is proposed for Pararhodeus niger from Central Anatolia based on its position in molecular phylogenetic analyses and its morphological characters. It is distinguished from all other genera of Leuciscidae except Delminichthys and Pelasgus by having the unbranched part of pectoral rays 2–3 thickened and slanted upward, with a conspicuous downward angle at the distal end of the thickened part, no or an incomplete lateral line, and the genital papilla of the female not protruding. An unambiguous, unique morphological character distinguishing Egirdira from Pelasgus has not been identified, except that Egirdira has numerous isolated silvery scales (or patches of such scales) on the flank. A combination of characters distinguishes Egirdira from individual species of Pelasgus. Phoxinellus egridiri is a junior synonym of Pararhodeus niger.

Freshwater biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate. Freshwater conservationists and environmental managers have enough evidence to demonstrate that action must not be delayed but have insufficient evidence to identify those actions that will be most effective in reversing the current trend.\ud Here, the focus is on identifying essential research topics that, if addressed, will contribute directly to restoring freshwater biodiversity through supporting ‘bending the curve’ actions (i.e. those actions leading to the recovery of freshwater biodiversity, not simply deceleration of the current downward trend).\ud The global freshwater research and management community was asked to identify unanswered research questions that could address knowledge gaps and barriers associated with ‘bending the curve’ actions. The resulting list was refined into six themes and 25 questions.\ud Although context-dependent and potentially limited in global reach, six overarching themes were identified: (i) learning from successes and failures; (ii) improving current practices; (iii) balancing resource needs; (iv) rethinking built environments; (v) reforming policy and investments; and (vi) enabling transformative change.\ud Bold, efficient, science-based actions are necessary to reverse biodiversity loss. We believe that conservation actions will be most effective when supported by sound evidence, and that research and action must complement one another. These questions are intended to guide global freshwater researchers and conservation practitioners, identify key projects and signal research needs to funders and governments. Our questions can act as springboards for multidisciplinary and multisectoral collaborations that will improve the management and restoration of freshwater biodiversity.

Alburnus battalgilae Özuluğ & Freyhof, 2007 from the Gediz River drainage in western Anatolia is a junior synonym of A. attalus Özuluğ & Freyhof, 2007, from the adjacent Bakır River drainage. We were unable to confirm the morphological differences originally proposed. As both species have been described in the same publication, as First Reviewers, we prioritise of A. attalus over A. battalgilae.

It was reported that the complex geological history of the southern Balkans caused diversification of terrestrial species. On the other hand, knowledge of the evolutionary history of freshwater biota is scarce. In order to contribute to an understanding of the historical biogeography of the region’s freshwaters, as well as to describe intraspecific diversity and structure of a species distributed in the Ionian Ecoregion, we have analysed the population genetic structure and evolutionary history of Telestes pleurobipunctatus. Analyses were based on the mitochondrial gene for cytochrome b from samples covering the whole distribution range of this species. A high level of intraspecific structuring was revealed inside T. pleurobipunctatus. Its evolutionary history corroborates the complexity of historical geologic events in the area. Telestes pleurobipunctatus comprises two main clades (northern and southern), which have been separated from each other for about seven million years and that are further divided. The Louros and Arachthos Rivers were denoted as ancestral geographic ranges of the northern clade. The distribution range of the ancestor of the southern clade seems to comprise rivers flowing into the Patraikos Gulf. Structures within the two main clades, as well as timing of diversification events are different, implying separate evolutionary courses.

Oxynoemacheilus isauricus, new species, from the Lakes Beyşehir and Suğla basins in Central Anatolia is distinguished from all other species of the O. angorae group by having a very slender caudal peduncle (its depth 2.2–2.6 times in its length). The new species is further distinguished by having a short head (head length 21–24% SL), and a midlateral series of irregularly shaped blotches on the flank. Oxynoemacheilus isauricus is also distinguished by a minimum K2P sequence divergence of 7.5% and 8.0% in the mtDNA-COI barcode region from O. eregliensis and O. atili, its closest relatives.

Oxynoemacheilus nasreddini, new species, from Lake Akşehir, Eber, Eğirdir, and Ilgın basins in Central Anatolia is distinguished from other species of Oxynoemacheilus in Central Anatolia by having irregularly shaped blotches on flank; 2–4 dark-brown bands on caudal fin; a slender body, and an emarginate caudal fin in which the shortest middle caudal-fin ray is 76–91% of the longest ray of the upper caudal-fin lobe. Molecular data suggest that the new species is closely related to O. mediterraneus from the Aksu and Köprüçay drainages. Although the two species are separated by only a minimum K2P distance of 1.2% in the mtDNA COI barcode region, they are well distinguished morphologically. The situation is complicated by loaches from Lake Eğirdir basin that are identified as O. nasreddini by their morphological character states but are only distinguished from O. mediterraneus by a minimum K2P distance of 0.2% in the mtDNA COI barcode region.

The Glyptothorax species inhabiting the Euphrates and Tigris drainages are reviewed and six species are recognised, one of which is described herein as new species. Glyptothorax armeniacus is endemic to headwater streams in the Euphrates drainage. Glyptothorax kurdistanicus is endemic to the upper Tigris downstream to the Lesser Zab drainage. Glyptothorax cous and G. steindachneri are riverine species widespread in both the Euphrates and Tigris drainages. Glyptothorax silviae is endemic to Iran. Glyptothorax daemon, new species, from the Greater Zab and Yanarsu in the upper Tigris drainage, is distinguished by having the thoracic adhesive apparatus strongly elevated, 1.1–1.2 times longer than wide, without tubercles on the head, well developed anteromedial striae, the medial pit without striae, and a short adipose fin. Glyptothorax daemon is separated into two mitochondrial lineages, externally indistinguishable and separated by a minimum K2P distance of 2.0% in the DNA barcode region. These lineages are paraphyletic in our analysis indicating past introgressive hybridisation with G. cous. All six species are diagnosed and all, except unstudied G. steindachneri, form distinct mitochondrial clades with between 1.2% and 3.4% minimum K2P distance between them. Species from the Euphrates and Tigris form a monophyletic mitochondrial group separated from 53 other Glyptothorax species studied from India and areas further east.

Oxynoemacheilus sarus, new species, is described from the lower Ceyhan and Seyhan drainages in southern Anatolia. It is distinguished from other Oxynoemacheilus species in Cilicia (including the Göksu, Seyhan and Ceyhan drainages) by possession of a series of irregularly shaped midlateral blotches, 3–5 dark-brown bands on the caudal fin, a complete lateral line, a forked caudal fin (shortest middle caudal-fin ray is 56–70% of longest ray of the upper caudal-fin lobe), the caudal peduncle depth 1.4–1.8 times in its length, and a suborbital groove in male individuals. The new species occurs in sympatry with superficially similar O. seyhanicola and O. evreni, and is distinguished by colour pattern as well as morphometric and molecular characters. Molecular data suggest that the closest relatives to the new species in our dataset are O. euphraticus and O. shehabi, which is characterised by a minimum K2P distance of 3.6% and 3.8%, respectively, in the COI mtDNA barcode region.

Garra orontesi, new species, is described from the Orontes River drainage in the eastern Mediterranean Sea basin in Turkey and Syria. It is distinguished from its congeners in the Mediterranean Sea basin and adjacent Mesopotamia by possessing 17-21 gill rakers on the lower part of the first gill arch, the pelvic-fin origin usually below the second branched dorsal-fin ray, 8½ branched dorsal-fin rays, usually 2-3 scales between the tip of the pectoral and pelvic-fin origins, and no tubercles behind the upper posterior eye margin. It is also distinguished by a minimum K2P distance of 2.7% in its COI barcode region against G. rufa, and 3.9% against the geographically adjacent G. turcica.

Oxynoemacheilus phasicus, new species, is described from the Rioni and Enguri River drainages in Georgia. It is distinguished from other Oxynoemacheilus species in the O. brandtii group by a mottled or marbled flank pattern in adults, a slightly emarginate caudal fin, and a deep caudal peduncle. Molecular data suggest that the new species is characterized by a minimum K2P distance of 7.5% from O. brandtii from the Kura drainage in the mtDNA COI barcode region. Oxynoemacheilus brandtii and O. elsae are re-diagnosed. A very slender Oxynoemacheilus from the Aras drainage clusters as sister to O. elsae in our molecular analysis and not with O. brandtii from the Kura River. However, it is identified as O. brandtii as it is indistinguishable from this species in morphological characters.

This study aims to complement existing fish-based assessment approaches by classifying European lampreys and fish species according to their probability of occurrence in six different longitudinal river regions and five types of floodplain water bodies under unimpaired conditions. The main objective was to provide for the first time harmonized occurrence traits for European lampreys and fishes in both longitudinal and lateral dimensions of floodplain river systems in a Fish Region Index (FRI) and Floodplain Fish Index (FFI), respectively. Altogether 163 lamprey and fish species established in European rivers have been scored according to their longitudinal and lateral occurrence probabilities. The species-specific Fish Region and Floodplain Fish indices and their variances inform about species’ occurrence probabilities, dispersal traits and potential species inventories of different river regions and floodplain waters. The final scores allow identifying characteristic fish assemblages, i.e. a set of type-specific species for the different longitudinal river regions and lateral floodplain water bodies. The species-specific index values and variances serve to calculate summary metrics for the total fish assemblage (FRItotal and FFItotal) as macro-scale indicators for the deviation of the total fish assemblage from a reference state. The resulting index values indicate degradation as well as rehabilitation success at the level of fish assemblages, i.e. at an ecologically relevant macro-scale. Both species-specific and total assemblage indices are directly comparable among all biogeographic regions of Europe independent of the local species pool. As such, the indices serve as assemblage indicators for the fish-based assessment of the ecological status of water body types and river regions in floodplain river systems, which are required in particular for the assessment of large floodplain rivers info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Oxynoemacheilus amanos, new species, is described from İncesu spring in the upper Hupnik drainage, a northern tributary of the lower Orontes in Turkey. It is distinguished from the other Oxynoemacheilus species in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea basin by possession of an incomplete lateral line with 23–45 pores, terminating between the vertical through the dorsal fin origin and the anus, 10–13 pores in the infraorbital canal, a deeply emarginate caudal fin, no suborbital groove in the male, and a series of irregularly shaped and set dark-brown bars on the flank, not connected to saddles on the back.

Thermal response curves that depict the probability of occurrence along a thermal gradient are used to derive various species’ thermal properties and abilities to cope with warming. However, different thermal responses can be expected for different portions of a species range. We focus on differences in thermal response curves (TRCs) and thermal niche requirements for four freshwater fishes (Coregonus sardinella, Pungitius pungitius, Rutilus rutilus, Salvelinus alpinus) native to Europe at (1) the global and (2) European continental scale. European ranges captured only a portion of the global thermal range with major differences in the minimum (Tmin), maximum (Tmax) and average temperature (Tav) of the respective distributions. Further investigations of the model-derived preferred temperature (Tpref), warming tolerance (WT = Tmax − Tpref), safety margin (SM = Tpref − Tav) and the future climatic impact showed substantially differing results. All considered thermal properties either were under- or overestimated at the European level. Our results highlight that, although continental analyses have an impressive spatial extent, they might deliver misleading estimates of species thermal niches and future climate change impacts, if they do not cover the full species ranges. Studies and management actions should therefore favor whole global range distribution data for analyzing species responses to environmental gradients.

Oxynoemacheilus shehabi, new species, is described from the upper Orontes in southern Syria. It is distinguished from other Oxynoemacheilus species in the Levant by possession of a complete lateral line, a deeply emarginate caudal fin, a narrow caudal peduncle, a suborbital groove in male individuals, a well-developed pelvic axillary lobe, and 5–7 dark-brown bars on the flank. Molecular data suggest that the new species is characterised by a minimum K2P distance of 3.8% to O. “seyhanicola” in the COI mtDNA barcode region.

Previous studies on the phylogenetic relationships between lamprey species relied either on a low number of morphological characters related to the feeding apparatus, or on a low number of molecular mitochondrial DNA markers. Here, we apply a multilocus approach to assess the phylogenetic relationships of northern hemisphere lampreys, with a special emphasis on the 17 European species. The study comprises two mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene—DNA barcodes, and cytochrome b gene) a nd t wo n uclear (internal transcribed spacers I and II) markers to investigate species' phylogenetic affinities. The phylogeny obtained with mitochondrial markers revealed a clear and highly supported separation of all northern hemisphere lampreys. Among those, our multilocus results show several polyphyletic genera, stressing the need for a taxonomic revision in a near future. Lampetra morii (Berg, 1931) from East Asia, often included in Eudontomyzon, is placed in the genus Lethenteron. Lampetra richardsoni Vladykov & Follett, 1965 and Entosphenus hubbsi (Vladykov & Kott, 1976) should be placed in a new genus, as well as the southern populations of Lethenteron camtschaticum (Tilesius, 1811) and Lethenteron reissneri (Dybowski, 1869). Considering European species, our results argue for a taxonomic revision of Eudontomyzon, with emphasis on Eudontomyzon vladykovi Oliva & Zanandrea, 1959. RESUMEN: Estudios anteriores sobre las relaciones filogenéticas entre especies de lampreas, se basan en un escaso número de caracteres morfológicos relacionados con las estructuras de alimentación, o en un bajo número de marcadores moleculares de ADN mitocondrial. Aquí aplicamos un enfoque multilocus para evaluar las relaciones filogenéticas de las lampreas del hemisferio norte, con especial énfasis en 17 especies europeas. Este estudio comprende dos marcadores mitocondriales (citocromo oxidasa c subunidad 1 —ADN barcodes, y citocromo oxidasa b) y dos marcadores nucleares (espaciadores transcritos internos I y II (ITS) ) para investigar la afinidad filogenética de las especies. La filogenia obtenida con losmarcadores mitocondriales reveló una separación clara y altamente apoyada de todas las lampreas del hemisferio norte. Entre ellas, nuestros resultados multilocus muestran varios géneros polifiléticos, lo que resalta la necesidad de una revisión taxonómica en el futuro. Lampetra morii (Berg, 1931) de Asia oriental, a menudo incluida en Eudontomyzon, se sitúa en el género Lethenteron. Lampetra richardsoni Vladykov & Follett, 1965 y Entosphenus hubbsi (Vladykov & Kott, 1976) deben colocarse en un nuevo género, así como las poblaciones meridionales de Lethenteron camtschaticum (Tilesius, 1811) y Lethenteron reissneri (Dybowski, 1869). Considerando las especies europeas, nuestros resultados abogan por una revisión taxonómica de Eudontomyzon, con énfasis en Eudontomyzon vladykovi Oliva & Zanandrea, 1959. Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCT info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The fishes of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers are reviewed and 242 is the total species from 58 families are recognized. From these, and 126 are coastal species, many just entering the lower Shatt Al-Arab during salt water intrusion. Additional 107 species are anadromous (Tenualosa ilisha) or restricted to freshwaters including one species (Aphaniops stoliczkanus) found in freshwater, brackish water, and marine habitats. Three families (Cyprinidae: 30 species, Leuciscidae: 22 species, Nemacheilidae: 37 species) dominate the freshwater fish fauna. The largest genus is Oxynoemacheilus with 24 species in the area. Endemic to the Euphrates and Tigris are 87 species (77%) of freshwater species. Most non-endemic freshwater species occur also in the Iranian rivers of the Gulf, while six species are shared with the Mediterranean and one each with the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea basins.

Alburnus nasreddini described from Lake Eber in Central Anatolia is a junior synonym of A. escherichii, a widespread species in adjacent Sakarya River drainage. We found no morphological characters to distinguish Alburnus nasreddini from A. escherichii and both are poorly distinguished on a molecular level also.

International audience; The Convention on Biological Diversity’s post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework will probably include a goal to stabilize and restore the status of species. Its delivery would be facilitated by making the actions required to halt and reverse species loss spatially explicit. Here, we develop a species threat abatement and restoration (STAR) metric that is scalable across species, threats and geographies. STAR quantifies the contributions that abating threats and restoring habitats in specific places offer towards reducing extinction risk. While every nation can contribute towards halting biodiversity loss, Indonesia, Colombia, Mexico, Madagascar and Brazil combined have stewardship over 31% of total STAR values for terrestrial amphibians, birds and mammals. Among actions, sustainable crop production and forestry dominate, contributing 41% of total STAR values for these taxonomic groups. Key Biodiversity Areas cover 9% of the terrestrial surface but capture 47% of STAR values. STAR could support governmental and non-state actors in quantifying their contributions to meeting science-based species targets within the framework.

Following an exhaustive review of published molecular data and morphological characters, we propose a new generic classification for the Cyprinodontiform family Aphaniidae. The generic concept applied is based on monophyly, reasonable compactness, and morphological diagnoses. The proposed genera are monophyletic and compact groups that can be diagnosed by a combination of morphological characters. All species in Aphaniidae are morphologically homogeneous and have similar scale patterns, fin positions, and meristic characters. However, only a handful of morphological characters, including colour patterns, permit identification. We propose separation of Aphaniidae into eight monophyletic genera: Anatolichthys, Aphaniops, Aphanius, Kosswigichthys, Paraphanius, and Tellia, in addition to the new genera Esmaeilius and Apricaphanius, which are described for the species of the A. sophiae and A. iberus species groups, respectively. The original description of Aphanius hormuzensis does not fulfil the criteria of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, therefore this taxon is re-described as A. teimorii. Esmaeilius arakensis, E. kavirensis, E. mesopotamicus, and E. pluristriatus are treated as synonyms of E. sophiae. Esmaeilius farsicus is a junior synonym of E. persicus (Jenkins, 1910). The fossil genus Brachylebias is considered as incertae sedis since it lacks diagnostic characters which would permit it to be assigned to any of the extant genera recognised in this study.

Oxynoemacheilus cilicicus, new species, is described from the Göksu, Seyhan and Ceyhan rivers in southern Turkey. It is distinguished from other Oxynoemacheilus species in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea basin by possession of an incomplete lateral line, terminating before the vertical of the dorsal-fin origin or slightly behind the dorsal-fin base, a deeply emarginate caudal fin, no suborbital groove in male individuals, and a series of dark-brown bars on the flank not interrupted along the lateral line. Molecular data suggest that Oxynoemacheilus cilicicus is characterised by 22 variable nucleotide substitutions and a minimum K2P distance of 4.09% with O. panthera in the mtDNA COI barcode region.

The nemacheilid genus Seminemacheilus is revised. Six species are recognised, three of them described herein as new. All species are endemic to Central Anatolia. Seminemacheilus lendlii from the Sakarya River drainage and the endorheic Lake Aksehir and Eber basins, S. ispartensis from Lake Eğirdir basin and S. ahmeti from Sultan Sazlığı are valid species. Although Seminemacheilus lendlii and S. ispartensis have almost identical COI sequences, they are distinguished by the shape of the caudal peduncle and the presence of scales on the caudal peduncle in S. ispartensis (vs. absent in S. lendlii). Seminemacheilus attalicus, new species, from Kırkgöz drainage, is distinguished by having a slightly emarginated caudal fin, a central pore in the supratemporal canal and a marbled flank pattern. Seminemacheilus ekmekciae, new species, from Lake Tuz basin is distinguished by having a roundish caudal fin, a short post-dorsal length and large brown blotches fused into stripes on the flank. Seminemacheilus tubae, new species, from Lake Beyşehir basin, is distinguished by having a truncate caudal fin and 2–5 (6) supraorbital head pores. Seminemacheilus dursunavsari from the Göksu River drainage is not a valid name and this population is identified as S. tubae.

The Garra species inhabiting the Hajar Mountains are revised and five species are recognised, two of which are newly species described herein. Garra barreimiae, from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Northern Oman, is distinguished from other Garra species in the Hajar Mountains by a strongly mottled flank pattern with individual or series of midlateral orange scales, a white dorsal-fin tip, an orange spot at the upper operculum, and more gill rakers on the lower limb of the first gill arch. Garra barreimiae shawkahensis is a synonym of G. barreimiae. Garra gallagheri, from the Wadi Bani Khalid drainage in Oman, is distinguished by flank-scale margins the same colour or slightly darker than the centre of the scales. Garra longipinnis, from the interior wadis in the Central Hajar Mountains in Oman, is distinguished by flank-scale margins being clearly darker than the centre of scales. The original description of G. longipinnis was based on a few individuals with very large fins, which are here considered aberrant. Garra shamal, new species, from the coastal drainages around Muscat in Oman, is distinguished by a strongly mottled flank pattern usually without orange midlateral scales, a white dorsal-fin tip, no orange spot at the upper operculum, and middle caudal-fin rays and membranes the same colour or slightly darker than the rest of the fins in colouration. Garra sharq, new species, from the Wadi Kabbah drainage and a few interior springs in Oman, is distinguished by a strongly mottled flank pattern with individual or series of orange midlateral scales, no orange spot at the upper opercle, and dorsal-fin tip and membranes between central caudal-fin rays the same colour as the rest of the fins. All five species are well differentiated genetically and form distinct mitochondrial clades with between 2.1 and 9.2% differences (p-distances) in the mitochondrial COI.