Abstract
A study was conducted from 2007 to 2010 to determine the status of the endemic loach species of Iran. So far 27 loach species belonging to two families (Nemacheilidae and Cobitidae) and eight genera have been recorded from 19 water basins of Iran. Eleven loach species are endemic to Iran. Oxynoemacheilus farsicus is considered as junior synonym of Oxynoemacheilus persus. The species Ilamnemacheilus longipinnis is known from a single specimen collected in the Tigris basin in 1978 and has to be considered as endemic but extinct in Iran. While some species like Paracobitis smithi are vulnerable due to their restricted and isolated habitat but drought, habitat alteration, extensive water extraction for irrigation and water pollution seems to be the major threatening factors to the loach survival in Iran. The Iran Department of Environment with the cooperation of Iranian Fisheries Research Organization must implement conservation programs to safeguard survival of Iran endemic loaches.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
