Silurus glanis Linnaeus, 1758 [I]—Wels catfish

Taxonomy. Original description: Silurus glanis Linnaeus, 1758: 304 [Orient, less frequently in European lakes; syntypes: BMNH 1853.11.12.168 (1, skin), NRM 59 (1)].— Iraq synonyms: None.—Revisions: Berg (1949: 904).—Illustration: Berg (1949: 904–905, figs. 656–657); Jawad et al. (2021a).

Status in Iraq. First record from Iraq by anecdotal reports of S. glanis in an unspecified locality in Iraq exist; confirmed by Jawad et al. (2020).—Iraq materials: None.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Iraq: unspecified locality in Iraq exists.—General distribution: North America; Eastern Europe to central Asia. Widely introduced elsewhere.—Habitat: This species inhabits large and medium-sized lowland rivers, backwaters, and well-vegetated lakes. Spawns in shallow, warm, and well vegetated riverine habitats without current. Freshwater.

Economic importance. Commercially important.

Reasons of introduction. Fisheries: enhancement of wild stocks and sports fishing.

Conservation. Conservation Status in Iraq: Unknown.—IUCN: LC (IUCN 2023).—Threats: HAB.—Low sensitivity to human activities.—Not considered a keystone species.—Decline status: Unknown.—Low priority for conservation action.