Paraphanius mento (Heckel, 1843) [N]—Pearl-spotted killifish; Na’avit khula

Taxonomy. Original description: Lebias mento Heckel, 1843a: 1089 (99) [Mossul, northern Iraq (36°18’N, 43°18’E); possible syntypes: NMW 21699-704 (6), 59832 (21)].— Israel synonyms: Aphanius mento (Heckel, 1843) .—Revisions: Esmaeili et al. (2020: 5).—Illustration: Heckel (1843b: pl. 6, fig. 4).

Status in Israel. First record from Israel by Günther (1865: 490) as Cyprinodon mento and C. cypris, Lortet (1883: 174), Tristram (1884: 171) as Cyprinodon cypris, and Steinitz (1953) as Aphanius mento; confirmed by Goren (1974: 98) as Aphanius mento mento, Goren & Ortal (1999: 4) as Aphanius mento .—Israel material: HUJ.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Israel: Jordan River basin including the springs running to the Red Sea.— Distribution in River Basin: 2-Dead Sea Basin.—General distribution: Asia Minor and Middle East: Tigris River basin (Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, and Turkey).—Distribution in Ecoregion: 438- Jordan River.—Habitat: This species inhabits a wide range of springs, streams, lakes, and rivers. Freshwater.

Economic importance. No commercial importance. Has the potential to be used as aquarium fish.

Conservation. Conservation Status in Israel: Unknown.—IUCN: LC (IUCN 2023).—Threats: There are many threats in the area, but none seems to be strong enough to threaten this species.—High sensitivity to human activities.—Keystone species.—Decline status: Decreasing.—High priority for conservation action.