Luciobarbus zayanensis Doadrio, Casal-López & Yahyaoui, 2016
Zayan barbel

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Barbinae
Max. size:  17.8 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater,
Distribution:  Africa: Oum er Rbia River basin in Morocco (Ref. 107618).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-8; Vertebrae: 41-43. Diagnosis: This species differs from other species of Luciobarbus by the following combination of characters: 49-53 scales along the lateral line, 8.5-9.5 scales above lateral line, and 5.5-7.5 scales below lateral line; the last single ray of the dorsal fin is strongly ossified with a maximum width of 12-14.5% of its length; the last single dorsal fin ray is densely denticulate along its length and, in adults, the number of denticulations is maller than 23; the skull is narrow, with the width of the ethmoid bone smaller than its length; the inter-orbital distance is 1.2-1.9 times eye diameter; the pharyngeal teeth formula in adults is 4.3.2; the number of vertebrae is 41-43; large deep caudal peduncle 2.1-2.6% of anal peduncle length; and lachrymal bone with narrow posterior segment, a manubrium (Ref. 107618). Description: The body is elongated with maximum body depth 18-24% of standard length in males and 21-24% in females (Ref. 107618). The head is typically sharp and narrow; the inter-orbital distance is 1.2-1.9 times the eye diameter in males and 1.4-1.9 times in females; the skull is narrow, with the ethmoid bone longer than wide; the frontal bones are narrower relative to other reophilic barbs, notably in the anterior part; infraorbital bones are narrow, and the lachrymal bone is longer than in other reophilic barbs and possesses a long manubrium; the height of the manubrium is 10-13% the lachrymal bone length; the kinethmoid bone is more robust than the one found in other reophilic barbs (Ref. 107618). Thick lips and barbels with granular appearance; the first pair of barbels is short and positioned at the anterior extreme of the mouth, reaching the insertion of the second pair of barbels; the second pair of barbels is thick and reaches the posterior edge of the eye; the anterior barbel length is 20.1-29.9%, and the second 29.7-39.5% of head length; the snout is prominent, with preorbital length 10.9-12.1% of standard length in females and 10.6-13.2% of standard length in males; the preorbital length is greater than the postorbital length (Ref. 107618). The dorsal fin is located posteriorly on the body, with the predorsal distance being 48.9-52.5% of standard length in females and 48.5-52.5% in males; the profile of the dorsal fin is concave, with the last single ray of the dorsal fin ossified with few and strong denticulations; dorsal fin with 3-5 unbranched rays and 8 branched rays; anal fin with 3 unbranched rays and 5 branched rays; pectoral fin with 1 unbranched ray and 15-16 branched rays; ventral fin with 1 unbranched ray and 6 branched rays; the caudal fin length is 20-23% of standard length in females and 18.4-24.5% of standard length in males (Ref. 107618). Number of scales on the lateral line 49-53; 8.5-9.5 scales above lateral line; 5.5-7.5 scales below lateral line (Ref. 107618). The caudal peduncle is elongated, and the least body depth is 11-11.9% of standard length in females and 9.5-11.8% of standard length in males; the length of the anal caudal peduncle is 2.1-2.3 times the height of the anal peduncle in females and 2.1-2.6 times in males (Ref. 107618). Pharyngeal teeth in adults 4.3.2 (Ref. 107618). Number of gill rakers 13-16; number of vertebrae 41-43 (Ref. 107618). Colouration: The colouration is brownish with a paler ventral area and some black spots along the body (Ref. 107618).
Biology:  Found in riffle areas in headwaters of large rivers (Ref. 107618). Spawning takes place from late April to early May (Ref. 107618).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 17 May 2021 (B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.