Phrygian Spined Loach

biology_ecology

Habitat. Flowing and standing waters of springs and streams with sandy or muddy bottoms, often with dense submerged vegetation. Biology. No data.

Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia

conservation

Conservation status. EN; largest populations in Dalaman and Eşen. Extirpated from Acıgöl basin. Other populations are confined to small areas.

Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia

diagnosis

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Cobitis in Central Anatolia and southern Aegean basin by: ○ a series of midlateral blotches in Z 4 or Gambetta zones dissociated into a pattern of many irregularly shaped small or medium-sized spots and blotches / ○ flank below Z 4, usually pigmented / ○ external part of suborbital spine simple / ○ no black spot at upper caudal base / ○ two laminae circularis in male. Size up to 120 mm SL.

Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia

discussion

Remarks. Often treated as a synonym of C. simplicispina, but both species are not closely related. The colour pattern in C. phrygica is very variable within and between populations, making it very difficult to identify. Some individuals have the flank pattern well organised in Gambetta zones; in others, the flank is covered by small spots. Also, all kinds of intermediate colour patterns are found, ranging from individuals with wellorganised Gambetta zones to others with Gambetta zones completely dissociated.

Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia