Mapping endemic freshwater fish richness to identify high-priority areas for conservation: An ecoregion approach.

Freshwater ecosystems are experiencing accelerating global biodiversity loss. Thus, knowing where these unique ecosystems' species richness reaches a peak can facilitate their conservation planning. By hosting more than 290 freshwater fishes, Iran is a major freshwater fish hotspot in the Middle East. Considering the accelerating rate of biodiversity loss, there is an urgent need to identify species-rich areas and understand the mechanisms driving biodiversity distribution. In this study, we gathered distribution records of all endemic freshwater fishes of Iran (85 species) to develop their richness map and determine the most critical drivers of their richness patterns from an ecoregion approach. We performed a generalized linear model (GLM) with quasi-Poisson distribution to identify contemporary and historical determinants of endemic freshwater fish richness. We also quantified endemic fish similarity among the 15 freshwater ecoregions of Iran. Results showed that endemic freshwater fish richness is highest in the Zagros Mountains while a moderate level of richness was observed between Zagros and Alborz Mountains. High, moderate, and low richness of endemic freshwater fish match with Upper Tigris & Euphrates, Namak, and Kavir & Lut Deserts ecoregions respectively. Kura - South Caspian Drainages and Caspian Highlands were the most similar ecoregions and Orumiyeh was the most unique ecoregion according to endemic fish presence. Precipitation and precipitation change velocity since the Last Glacial Maximum were the most important predictors of endemic freshwater fish richness. Areas identified to have the highest species richness have high priority for the conservation of freshwater fish in Iran, therefore, should be considered in future protected areas development.

Turcinoemacheilus inexpectatus, a new nemacheilid loach from the Tigris drainage (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae).

Turcinoemacheilus inexpectatus, new species, is described from the Greater Zab, Lesser Zab, and Sirvan drainages, all tributaries of the middle Tigris. It belongs to the T. kosswigi species group. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by an indistinct or prominent midlateral stripe broader than the eye diameter often overlaid by a row of dark-brown blotches, greater pre-pelvic distance, deeper caudal peduncle, and wider interorbital distance.

Barbus urmianus, a synonym of Barbus cyri (Teleostei: Cyprinidae).

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.

The evolutionary journey of freshwater crabs of the genus Potamon (Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamidae).

AIM: Freshwater ecosystems host a rich biodiversity, including freshwater crabs. The family Potamidae is a diverse group of freshwater crabs with a Palearctic and Oriental distribution. Specifically, the genus Potamon is found in the Middle East, Southern Europe, and Northern Africa. Potamon species are considered true freshwater crabs due to their total independence from the marine environment, which makes them idea organisms to study historical freshwater connectivity dynamics. In this study we aim to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Potamon and discuss the historical freshwater connectivity in the Mediterranean region. METHODS: Here we use up to eleven genetic markers to reconstruct a robust phylogenetic tree of the group and use Bayesian methods to time-calibrate the tree. We further use historical biogeography methods implemented in a Bayesian framework to assess the ancestral distribution ranges of the group. RESULTS: In this study we generate the most complete dataset for the group, covering practically the whole distribution range of the genus. We obtained a robust phylogenetic hypothesis and evaluated the times of divergence of the group. The result of the historical biogeography shows the evolution of historical distribution ranges of species of Potamon. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: The Mediterranean Sea is placed in a key intersection for the exchange of fauna and flora. Here we present evidence for the potential of freshwater fauna exchange, through the Mediterranean Sea after a period of desiccation and the loss of contact with the ocean. The origin of Potamon genus is found to be in Western Asia, probably Eastern Iran.

Cabdio occidentalis, a new species from Lake Mashkid basin and the Makran region (Teleostei: Danionidae).

Cabdio occidentalis, new species, is described from the Lake Mashkid basin and the Makran region of Iran. It is distinguished from other species of the genus by a combination of characters: 3842+12 total lateral-line scales, 1923 predorsal scales, 911 pectoral-fin rays, and the absence of a keel between the pelvic-fin base and the genital papilla. The cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence separates C. occidentalis from C. morar, its closest congener, by a p-distance of 5.5%.

Barcoding and species delimitation of Iranian freshwater crabs of the Potamidae family (Decapoda: Brachyura).

Freshwater ecosystems are under multiple threats in modern times such as water extraction for human consumption, industries and agricultural activities, water contamination and habitat destruction for example. At the same time the biodiversity of these ecosystems are often poorly studied, especially in arid countries such as Iran. In this work, we study one of the ecologically important members of Iranian freshwater fauna, freshwater crab species of the genus Potamon. Here, we barcoded the different populations occurring in the country and delimited the species to allow for a better understanding of their distribution and taxonomy. In this study, we evaluated the taxonomical statues of Potamon species in Iran using genetic data. In addition, we created the first barcoding reference for Iranian freshwater crabs, which is an important resource for future environmental and conservation studies.

Ichthyofauna From Iranian Freshwater: Annotated Checklist, Diagnosis, Taxonomy, Distribution and Conservation Assessment.

This is an annotated checklist of all the recognized and named taxa of freshwater fishes in Iran. It documents recent changes and controversies in the nomenclature and includes primary synonyms updated from the Jouladeh-Roudbar et al. (2015b) checklist. We provide an updated comprehensive listing of taxonomy, diagnostic and meristic characters, names, and conservation status, including detailed distribution maps. We strive to record the most recent justified taxonomic assignment in a hierarchical framework, providing annotations, including alternative possible arrangements, for some proposed changes. We provide common English and Persian names, and detail distributional data for all taxa, listing occurrence by basins, including indications of native, endemic, and translocated populations. We used the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria for classifying species at high risk of global extinction. This checklist consists of 274 recognized species in 100 genera, 33 families, 20 orders and 3 classes. We also report and confirm for the first time the presence of seven species from Iran's basins: Aphanius kruppi, Capoeta kaput, Luciobarbus conocephalus, Oxynoemacheilus veyselorum, O. gyndes, O. hanae and Squalius latus. The confirmed freshwater fishes of Iran comprise 264 species in 97 genera, 33 families, 20 orders and 3 classes. The 241 endemic and native fish species can be divided into the following conservation statuses: 1 Extinct in the Wild (EW), 17 Critically Endangered (CR), 12 Endangered (EN), 15 Vulnerable (VU), 9 Near Threatened (NT), 148 Least Concern (LC) and 39 Data Deficient (DD). Forty-four fish species (18.3% of the 241 species listed) are officially regarded as globally Threatened (Critically Endangered [CR], Endangered [EN], or Vulnerable [VU]). These numbers and percentages of Threatened species have increased since the last checklist.

A new species of the genus Capoeta Valenciennes, 1842 from the Caspian Sea basin in Iran (Teleostei, Cyprinidae).

A new species of algae-scraping cyprinid of the genus Capoeta Valenciennes, 1842 is described from the Kheyroud River, located in the southern part of the Caspian Sea basin in Iran. The species differs from other members of this genus by a combination of the following characters: one pair of barbels; predorsal length equal to postdorsal length; maxillary barbel slightly smaller than eye's horizontal diameter and reach to posterior margin of orbit; intranasal length slightly shorter than snout length; lateral line with 46-54 scales; 7-9 scales between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line, and 6-7 scales between anal-fin origin and lateral line.

Cobitis keyvani, a junior synonym of Cobitis faridpaki (Teleostei: Cobitidae).

The validity of C. keyvani and C. faridpaki is assessed based on morphological and molecular (COI) data from fishes collected from the type localities of both species. No diagnostic character was found to distinguish both species. Therefore, we treat C. keyvani as a junior synonym of C. faridpaki.

Alburnoides recepi, a junior synonym of Alburnus caeruleus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae).

Alburnoides recepi was described from the stream Merzimen, a tributary of the Euphrates in Turkey. Morphometric, meristic and molecular (Cyt b) characters of A. recepi are largely overlapping or even identical with those of Alburnus         caeruleus, a species known from the Qweik, Euphrates and Tigris River drainages. Alburnoides recepi is treated as a synonym of A. caeruleus.