Cobitis puncticulata Erk'akan, Atalay-Ekmekçi & Nalbant, 1998
Spotted spined loach

Family:  Cobitidae (Spined loaches)
Max. size:  6.2 cm SL (male/unsexed); 7.8 cm SL (female)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Europe and Asia: Lower Maritza drainage in Greece. Lakes Manyas and Ulubat drainages in Turkey. Most likey have a wider distribution (Ref. 59043).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6-6; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 5-5. Body relatively high, head small, eyes placed in anterior part. Unusual color pattern, consists of small dark-gray dots, throughout body and head. Mouth slightly arched with three pairs of long barbels. Lips finely furrowed. Mental lobes developed, with pointed tips. Appears unique in its morphological features. Pigmentation (Gambetta's longitudinal zone of pigmentation): blotches of zone Z2 and Z4 very small, indistinct or confluent; flank pigmented below zone Z4. One lamina circularis (Ref. 59043).
Biology:  Found in streams with still to moderately flowing clear water and mud bottom (Ref. 59043). Oviparous, possibly with distinct pairing during breeding similar to congeners (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 30 October 2013 (B2ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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