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Cobitis mellaria Doadrio & Perea, 2023 Gibraltar spined loach |
| Family: | Cobitidae (Spined loaches) | |||
| Max. size: | 4.52 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | benthopelagic; freshwater | |||
| Distribution: | Europe: Spain. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-7; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 5-5. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: low peduncle depth (CPL/BLD > 3.5; APL/BLD 1.2-1.7); lamina circularis at the base of the second pectoral fin ray and with convex outer edge. Well-developed lateral ethmoid (suborbital spine) with short laterocaudal process; narrow skull with elongated frontoparietal fontanel; less variable pigmentation pattern; well-developed pigmentation in the four Gambetta’s zones and no ventral pigmentation in adults; Gambetta’s fourth row has 1015 blotches, Median = 11; caudal fin base with two spots; lamina circularis at the base of the second pectoral ray present in males; and large upper caudal spot present (Ref. 137754). | |||
| Biology: | ||||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||