Oxynoemacheilus kurdistanicus Kamangar, Prokofiev, Ghaderi & Nalbant, 2014 [N] — Kurdistan loach

Taxonomy. Original description: Oxynoemacheilus kurdistanicus Kamangar, Prokofiev, Ghaderi & Nalbant, 2014: 38, fig. 3 [Choman River (Tajaban, sta. 6) Baneh, Kurdistan, 35°56’53“N, 45°41’40“E, Iran; holotype: FCFUK 146].— Iraq synonyms: None.—Revisions: None.—Illustrations: Kamangar et al. (2014: 38, fig. 3).

Status in Iraq. First record from Iraq by Freyhof et al. (2021).—Iraq materials: ZFMK-ICH, FSJF.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Iraq: Tigris River drainages.—General distribution: Middle East: Tigris River drainage (Turkey and Iran).—Habitat: This species occurs in moderately fast flowing to almost standing waters of clean springs, streams, and rivers with mud or gravel substrate. Freshwater.

Economic importance. No commercial importance.

Conservation. Conservation Status in Iraq: Unknown.—IUCN: NE (2023).—Threats: Unknown.—Moderate sensitivity to human activities.—Keystone species.—Decline status: Unknown.—Moderate priority for conservation action.