Phoxinus abanticus, a new species from the Lake Abant drainage in Türkiye (Teleostei: Leuciscidae)

Abstract

AbstractPhoxinus abanticus, a new species, is described from the Lake Abant basin. It is distinguished from Phoxinus species in Türkiye and adjacent waters by the presence of fewer lateral line scales (60–69, vs. 75–91 in Phoxinus colchicus, 75–90 in Phoxinus strandjae); a deeper caudal peduncle (caudal peduncle depth: 1.8–2.3 times in length, vs. 2.4–2.9 in P. colchicus; 2.5–3.2 in P. strandjae); the absence of scales in the breast of males (vs. present); and ventral body reddish in nuptial colouration pattern for male (vs. brackish). The new species, P. abanticus, is also distinguished from its closest relative, P. strandjae, by a minimum of 3.40% genetic distance in the mtDNA cytochrome b (cyt b) gene.