| Family: |
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Barbinae |
| Max. size: |
14.94 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Moulouya River in Morocco (Ref. 107618, 115559). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-8; Vertebrae: 39-41. Diagnosis: This species differs from other Luciobarbus species by the following combination of characters: 45-48 scales along the lateral line, 6.5-8.5 scales above lateral line, and 5.5 scales below lateral line; the last single ray of the dorsal fin is strongly ossified with the maximum width 6.2-9.2% of its length; the last single dorsal fin ray is densely denticulated along its length, and, in adult specimens, the number of denticulations exceeds 25; the ethmoid bone is wider than its length; most specimens possess a single pharyngeal tooth in the inner row; the number of vertebrae is 39-41; the interorbital distance is 1.7-2.2 times the eye diameter; the caudal peduncle is longer than the one seen in Luciobarbus nasus, with depth 2.1-2.6 times the length of the anal peduncle; and the posterior segment, manubrium, of the lachrymal bone is short and high (Ref. 107618).
Description: The body is elongated, relative to maximum body depth compared to other Luciobarbus species; maximum body depth is 16-19% of standard length (Ref. 107618). Head length is 25-27% of standard length and greater than body depth; the skull is wide, with the ethmoid bone width greater than its length; the interorbital distance is 1.7-2.2 times eye diameter; infraorbital bones are narrow and the lachrymal bone is short as consequence of a shorter manubrium; the height of the manubrium is 20-23% of the lachrymal length (Ref. 107618). Thick lips and barbels display granular appearance; the first pair of barbels is short and located at the anterior extreme of the mouth, reaching the insertion of the second pair of barbels; the second pair of barbels is thick and reaches the posterior edge of the eye; the anterior barbel is 23.2-29.7%, and the second 34.6-38.6% of head length; the snout is prominent, with preorbital length 10-12.6% of standard length; the preorbital length is larger than the postorbital length (Ref. 107618). The dorsal fin is posterior on the body but slightly more anterior than in other reophilic barbs, with the predorsal distance being 46.2-50% of standard length; the profile of the dorsal fin is concave, with the last single ray ossified with more than 25 deticulations; Dorsal fin with 3-5 unbranched rays and 8 branched rays; anal fin with 3 unbranched rays and 5 branched rays; in males, the anal fin is longer than the one seen in Luciobarbus nasus with its height 76-92% of anal peduncle length; pectoral fin with 1 unbranched ray and 15-16 branched rays; ventral fin with 1 unbranched and 6 branched rays; in males, the pectoral and ventral fins are long with pectoral fins usually reaching the origin of the ventral fins; the caudal fin length is 16.6-27.3% of standard length (Ref. 107618). The caudal peduncle is less deep than in Luciobarbus nasus, with a height 9.9-10.9% of standard length; the length of the anal caudal peduncle is 2.1-2.6 times its height (Ref. 107618). Number of lateral line scales 45-48; scales above lateral line 6.5-8.5; scales below lateral line 5.5 (Ref. 107618). Pharyngeal teeth in adults 4.3.1 or 4.2.1 (Ref. 107618). Number of gill rakers 13-15 (Ref. 107618).
Colouration: The colouration is silver-yellowish with a paler ventral area (Ref. 107618). |
| Biology: |
Found in large rivers, mainly in mid-stream, usually in riffle areas (Ref. 107618). It is a rare species that has been found in few places (Ref. 107618). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 17 May 2021 (B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,v)) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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