Dynamics of Diversity of Spined Loaches of Genus Cobitis (Cobitidae) of Trans-Caucasus in the Anthropogenic Period According to the Data of Museum Collections. II. Morphokaryological Variation, Taxonomic Status, and Diagnostic Characteristics of Adjaran Spined Loaches

Abstract

The variability of external morphological characters, coloring features, craniological and karyological characteristics of spined loaches from Adjara were studied to clarify the taxonomic diversity of spined loaches of Transcaucasia. The study was based on materials from the collection of the Zoological Museum of Moscow State University, including the type series of Cobitis satunini, and original results. The morphogenetic homogeneity of the studied populations and their species isolation from other known Transcaucasian species were confirmed. Based on the data obtained, a modern species diagnosis of C. satunini sensu stricto is presented, whose range is limited to the water bodies of Adjara.