Paracapoeta, Turan & Kaya & Aksu & Bektaş, 2022

Turan, Davut, Kaya, Cueneyt, Aksu, Ismail & Bektas, Yusuf, 2022, Paracapoeta, a new genus of the Cyprinidae from Mesopotamia, Cilicia and Levant (Teleostei, Cypriniformes), Zoosystematics and Evolution 98 (2), pp. 201-212 : 201

Paracapoeta gen. nov.

Type species.

Scaphiodon trutta Heckel 1843 [actual status of the type species is Paracapoeta trutta (Heckel, 1843)].

Diagnosis.

The new genus Paracapoeta is distinguished from other genus of Capoeta and Luciobarbus by having a strong ligament between the base of the last simple and the first branched rays of the dorsal-fin (Fig. 1a, b ) (vs. no or a very weak ligament in Capoeta and Luciobarbus (Fig. 1c, d )). The new genus is further distinguished from Capoeta and Luciobarbus by the distribution of melanophores on the flank scales (Fig. 2 ). In Paracapoeta , the posterior part of the scales is covered by more or less melanophores that are irregularly scattered. In Luciobarbus and Capoeta , there are melanophore rows on the posterior edge of the flank scales, and there are no or numerous irregularly scattered melanophores pigments behind the melanophore rows (Fig. 2 ). It further differs from the genus Capoeta by the last simple dorsal-fin ray strongly ossified in adult specimens (more than % 75, vs. less than % 75) (Fig. 3 ), a well-developed naked keel in front of dorsal-fin (except P. anamisensis , vs. absent in Capoeta ) and the body with numerous irregular-shaped small black spots on the back and flank (except P. anamisensis , vs. absent in Capoeta , except C. pestai ) (Figs 4 , 5 ). It further differs from Luciobarbus by having the lower lip with horny layer (vs. with fleshy lips) and lips without papillae (vs. lips with papillae). Additionally, based on the combined dataset, twenty-three diagnostic and eleven distinctive nucleotide positions for genera Paracapoeta and Capoeta are shown in bold font and on gray backgrounds respectively in Table 1 .

Included species.

Paracapoeta anamisensis , P. barroisi , P. erhani , P. mandica , P. trutta .

Distribution.

Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria: Seyhan, Ceyhan and Orontes rivers, Levant drainages; Tigris, Euphrates, Mond and Minab River, Persian Gulf drainages.

Etymology.

The name of the new genus is formed by combining the words “Para” and " Capoeta ". “Para” means “beside” or “near”, and " Capoeta " is the available name of the closest genus of Paracapoeta , deriving from the local vernacular name “kapwaeti” used in Georgia and Azerbaijan.

Figures

Figure 1. Presence (a, b) and absence (c, d) of strong ligament between the base of the last simple and the first branched rays of the dorsal-fin; a. Paracapoeta trutta, 227 mm SL, Euphrates River; b. P. erhani, 265 mm SL, Ceyhan River; Capoeta damascina, 250 mm SL, Euphrates River; Luciobarbus pectoralis, 227 mm SL, Orontes River.

Figure 2. Melanophores on the free part of the flank scales: upper row from left, P. trutta 146 mm SL; P. erhani, 201 mm SL; P. barroisi, 155 mm SL; middle row from left, C. capoeta; 198 mm SL; C. banarescui; 181 mm SL; C. damascina, 181 mm SL; lower row from left, Luciobarbus lydianus, 192 mm SL; L. barbulus, 155 mm SL; L. capito, 220 mm SL.

Figure 3. The last simple dorsal fin rays of some Paracapoeta and Capoeta species: from left, P. trutta, 200 mm SL; P. barroisi, 190 mm SL; P. erhani, 190 mm SL; C. damascina, 205 mm SL; C. tinca, 190 mm SL; C. pestai, 195 mm SL.

Figure 4. Lateral view of Paracapoeta erhani; a. Not preserved, about 155 mm SL, stream Aksu at Kuyumcular, Ceyhan drainage; b. FFR 1952, 201 mm SL, stream Aksu at Pazarcik, Ceyhan drainage; c. Not preserved, about 200 mm SL, stream Uecuerge at Karaisali, Seyhan drainage; d. FFR 1955, 130 mm SL, stream Cakit at Salbas (type locality of C. turani), Seyhan drainage.

Figure 5. Lateral view of some Paracapoeta species: From top, P. trutta, FFR 1873, 225 mm SL; P. barroisi, FFR 1725, 174 mm SL; P. erhani, FFR 1878, 150 mm SL.