Egirdira, Freyhof, 2022

Freyhof, Jörg, 2022, Egirdira, a new generic name for Pararhodeus niger Kosswig & Geldiay, 1952 (Teleostei: Leuciscidae), Zootaxa 5104 (4), pp. 586-592 : 587-590

Egirdira , new genus

Fig. 1–4

Material examined. FSJF 2337 , 25 , 23–53 mm SL ; FSJF 3638 , 36 , 25–74 mm SL; Turkey: Isparta prov.: spring Karaot at shore of Lake Eğirdir, about 4 km north of Yenice , 38.1349 30.9074 .— FSJF 3097 , 2 , 56–61 mm SL; Turkey: Isparta prov.: Özdere stream at Eğirler, 8 km northeast of Gelendost , 38.1976 31.1074 .— FSJF 2475 , 1 , 46 mm SL; Turkey: Isparta prov.: lower stream Çayköy at Koysazý bridge, southeast of Eğirdir , 37.8415 30.8916 .

Diagnosis. Egirdira is distinguished from all genera of Leuciscidae except Delminichthys and Pelasgus by the male having the pectoral-fin rays 2–3 slightly slanted upward, with a conspicuous downward angle at the distal end of the thickened part (vs. pectoral fin of male not modified, identical in shape to that of the female, often longer in the male). It is distinguished from Pachychilon by lacking a median lobe in the lower lip (vs. present) and having the upper lip not covered by the overhanging rostral cap (vs. covered). Egirdira is distinguished from Tropidophoxinellus by lacking a midventral keel in front of the anus (vs. present), having only 0–4 pored lateral-line scales (vs. lateral line complete), and 6½ branched anal-fin rays (vs. 8–11½). Egirdira is distinguished from Delminichthys by having an incomplete lateral line (vs. complete) with the genital papilla of the female not protruding (vs. protruding). Egirdira is superficially similar to Pelasgus and distinguished from all species of this genus by having isolated (or patches of) silvery scales on the flank (vs. all scales equally silvery, brown or yellowish). No other unique character could be found. The following combination of characters allow Egirdira to be distinguished from the various species in Pelasgus: Body considerably compressed (vs. body thick with an ovoid section in all Pelasgus except P. thesproticus ), 41–52+2 scales in midlateral row (36–41+ 2 in P. marathonicus , 38–43 + 2–3 in P. thesproticus , 58–73 + 2 in P. prespensis , 53–58 + 2 in P. epiroticus ); scales overlapping, not deeply embedded (vs. very small, not overlapping, deeply embedded in skin in P. prespensis ), 0–4 pored lateral line scales (vs. 16–23 in P. epiroticus , 7– 14 P. thesproticus), 6½ branched anal-fin rays (vs. 7–7½ in P. minutus , P. marathonicus , P. stymphalicus and P. thesproticus ), ½11½ scale rows on caudal peduncle (vs. ½7–8½ in P. marathonicus , ½8–9½ in P. stymphalicus and P. thesproticus ), scales pockets not covering parts of exposed scales (vs. covering in P. laconicus ), a prominent midlateral stripe (vs. absent or indistinct in P. minutus , P. marathonicus , P. prespensis , P. stymphalicus and P. thesproticus ), no isolated or irregularly shaped patches of dark-brown scales along lateral midline (vs. present in P. laconicus ).

Type species. Pararhodeus niger Kosswig & Geldiay 1952

Included species. Egirdira nigra ( Kosswig & Geldiay, 1952)

Etymology. The name is derived from Lake Eğirdir (female)

Remarks. It was the aim of this study to find a unique morphological character state distinguishing Egirdira from all species of Pelasgus . Over a period of more than 10 years the available material was taken several times from the collection and fishes were examined but no unique character shared by all species of Pelasgus and distinguishing them from Egirdira could be detected. The only exception is the isolated (or patches of) silvery scales on the flank in Egirdira , absent in Pelasgus . The inclusion of Egirdira in Pelasgus is not supported by any of the molecular studies published so far. Perea et al. (2010) and Geiger et al. (2014) presented molecular phylogenetic analyses justifying the generic status of Egirdira , despite the absence of a unique diagnostic morphological character state. Indeed, this is not an uncommon situation in Leuciscidae : genera such as Alburnus , Alburnoides , Acanthobrama , Petroleuciscus , Ladigesocypris , Tropidophoxinellus , and perhaps others lack unique morphological characters, or these might be internal characters not studied so far.

Phoxinellus egridiri , a junior synonym of E. nigra. Kosswig & Geldiay (1952: 12) described Pararhodeus niger in a small booklet published in Turkish language about the fishes of Lake Eğirdir. The description is not very informative but Kosswig & Geldiay (1952) provide an identification key (page 14) and show a photograph of the species at the end of the publication, which clearly represents the fish usually identified as P. egridiri . The description ( Kosswig & Geldiay 1952: 12) translates as: “Another small fish species is Pararhodeus niger . The name “ niger ” of this fish, which is nearly 8–10 cm and one of the relatives of large cyprinid species, is originated from the colour particularly exhibited by males in breeding season. Out of the breeding season, the dorsum is dark-grey, and flank is dark-silvery to velvet-black, and partly with silvery blotches. Its feeding habits is similar to Yosun Balığı [ Anatolichthys ], and the diet is mostly composed of small aquatic animals and mosquito larvae. The mouth is suitable for foraging by being located at the tip of the head.” This information is sufficient for a species description to suit the criteria of availability and there is no doubt, that P. niger is an available species name. Pararhodeus is masculine and the species name “ niger ” is an adjective. When associated with Egridira (feminine), it must be declined to nigra.

Karaman (1972) was obviously not aware of this publication when he described Phoxinellus egridiri . This is surprising, as Kosswig went in 1955 from Istanbul to Hamburg, where he lived in retirement since 1969. Küçük et al. (2009:282) too, were aware that Karaman (1972) had described P. niger again: “It was first recorded as Pararhodeus niger by Kosswig and Geldiay (1952). Later, Karaman (1972) defined it as a new species in genus Phoxinellus .” Küçük et al. (2009) lists materials of P. niger in the Inland Water Fish Collection of the Fisheries Faculty Museum of the Ege University (ESFM-PISI) in Izmir (ESFM-PISI/1950-007, 1, 49 mm SL; Turkey: Lake Eğirdir. ESFM-PISI/1951- 003, 28, 20- 44 mm SL; Turkey: Lake Eğirdir). These were collected in 1950 and 1951 when Remzi Geldiay worked at ESFM-PISI. It is likely that these specimens are syntypes of P. niger . It is clear from the text (and the context) of Kosswig & Geldiay (1952) that they described the species based on their field collections. As they do not specify the number of syntypes, all specimens collected and “seen” by them are syntypes. Kosswig and Geldiay collaborated widely in zoological research after the World War II, including in ichthyology, until Kosswig relocated to Germany and settled in Hamburg in 1955. Küçük et al. (2009) list the syntypes under Pseudophoxinus egridiri not mentioning that P. niger must have priority over P. egridiri . Here we treat P. egridiri as a junior synonym of P. niger .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Egirdira nigra, captive population from spring Karaot, male, 55 mm SL; 12 hours preserved, showing diagnostic silvery scales.

FIGURE 2. Egirdira nigra, captive population from spring Karaot, male, 55 mm SL; showing enlarged pectoral-fin rays.

FIGURE 3. Egirdira nigra, from top: FSJF 2337, 35 mm SL; 40 mm SL; spring Karaot.

FIGURE 4. Egirdira nigra, captive population from spring Karaot, not preserved, top: nuptial female, about 60 mm SL; bottom: nuptial male, 50 mm SL.