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| Carasobarbus doadrioi, Carasobarbus hajhosseini & Carasobarbus saadatii Jouladeh-Roudbar, Kaya, Vatandoust & Ghanavi, 2024 |
Abstract
Fishes from the genus Carasobarbus, widely distributed throughout the river systems of North Africa and West Asia, are commonly referred to as Himris. In the Persian Gulf basin, they are widespread and are also found in fast-flowing rivers or the deeper regions of lakes. In this region, representation of these fishes in scientific collections is scarce, and except for C. luteus, the other species are very poorly documented and frequently misidentified due to their similarities. In this study we analysed the relationships among Carasobarbus species using mitochondrial genes (Cyt b, COI) and present morphological characters based on examinations. Our results revealed three new species which we describe here. Carasobarbus doadrioi, new species, is distinguished by 40–44 scales on the lateral line and a prominent black blotch on end of caudal peduncle in specimens < 85 mm SL. Carasobarbus hajhosseini, new species is distinguished by 32–34 scales on the lateral line and long head length (20–24% SL). Carasobarbus saadatii, new species, is distinguished by 38–40 scales on the lateral line and short head length (19–20% HL). In the Persian Gulf basin, Carasobarbus species exhibit uncorrected genetic distances of 1.6 to 5.5% in the COI barcode region and 2.6% to 9.9% in the Cyt b gene. This study highlights the importance of investigating the unexplored diversity that exists within poorly sampled and understudied freshwater fish group. Such investigations are essential for developing a comprehensive understanding of the true extent of biodiversity, which is critical for informing effective conservation and protection strategies.
Keywords: Himri, Freshwater fish, Morphology, Integrative taxonomy, Western Asia, Phylogeny
Carasobarbus doadrioi, new species
Distribution: Known from the lower Dez and Karun drainages.
Etymology: This species name derives from the name of the Spanish ichthyologist Ignacio Doadrio Villarejo, in honour of his invaluable contribution to the study of the fishes of the world.
Carasobarbus hajhosseini, new species
Distribution: The new species is known from the Gamasiab, Kahman, Kashkan and Seymareh in Karkheh drainage.
Etymology: The species is named in honour of Haj Hossein Javadi Pour (HHJP), who is the father of the first author of this study (Arash Jouladeh-Roudbar).
Carasobarbus saadatii, new species
Distribution: The new species distributed in the lower Karun drainage as well as the Great Zab in the Tigris drainage.
Etymology: The species is named in honour of Mohamadali Saadati (Mashhad), acknowledging his significant contributions to the taxonomy of freshwater fishes in Iran. He holds the distinction of being the first Iranian Ichthyologist, conducting a systematic study on the taxonomy and distribution of freshwater fishes in Iran in 1977. To this day, his findings continue to be utilized by several Ichthyologists in Iran.
Arash Jouladeh-Roudbar, Cüneyt Kaya, Saber Vatandoust and Hamid Reza Ghanavi. 2024. New insights into the Phylogeny of Carasobarbus Karaman, 1971 (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae) with the Description of Three New Species. Scientific Reports. 14: 21801. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-71463-7
