Turcinoemacheilus ekmekciae, a new dwarf loach from upper Tigris and Euphrates (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) Author Kaya, Cüneyt Faculty of Fisheries, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Rize, Turkey Author Yogurtçuoglu, Baran Faculty of Science, Biology Department, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey Author Aksu, Ismail Faculty of Fisheries, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Rize, Turkey Author Bayçelebi, Esra Faculty of Fisheries, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Rize, Turkey Author Turan, Davut Faculty of Fisheries, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Rize, Turkey text Journal of Fish Biology 2024 2023-10-26 104 1 227 239 http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15578 journal article 10.1111/jfb.15578 1095-8649 10928702 3.1 | Key for the genus Turcinoemacheilus 1a. Anus situated behind middle between pelvic-fin and anal-fin origins. ………………………………………………… 2 T A B L E 1 Matrix displaying the minimum interspecific genetic distances for the genus Turcinoemacheilus using the Kimura 2-parameter model, with gray shaded boxes representing the maximum intraspecies genetic variability for each species. Species T. ekmekciae T. minimus T. kosswigi T . cf. kosswigi T. saadii T. bahaii T. hafezi 1b. Anus situated at or in front of middle between pelvic-fin and anal-fin origins. ………………………………………………… 3 2a. An elongated, irregularly shaped dark blotch on sides of anal-fin base; anal-fin origin situated at vertical of tip of dorsal fin when adpressed to body. ……………………………………………… T. bahaii . 2b. No dark blotch on side of anal-fin base; anal-fin origin situated behind vertical of tip of dorsal fin when adpressed to body. ……………………………………………… T. hafezi . 3a. Lateral stripe or row of blotches absent along lateral midline, 7 – 9 distinct dark saddles on body. ……………………………………………… T. saadii . 3b. Prominent row of dark brown blotches along lateral midline, usually fused into a lateral stripe. ………………………………………………… 4 4a. Caudal peduncle length 6 – 7% SL; 4 – 5 mandibular pores in mandibular canal. ………………………………………… T. minimus . 4b. Caudal peduncle length 7% – 9% SL; 5 – 7 mandibular pores in mandibular canal. …………………………………………… 5 5a. A dark mid-lateral stripe narrower than eye diameter throughout lateral line; pre-pelvic distance 47% – 50% SL; upper caudal fin lobe 18% – 21% SL; maxillary barbel 21% – 26% HL. ………………………………… T. kosswigi . 5b. A mid-lateral stripe thicker than eye diameter present throughout lateral line, rarely possessing roundish blotches; prepelvic distance 50% – 53% SL; upper caudal fin lobe 14% – 18% SL; maxillary barbel 15% – 21% HL. ………………………………… T. ekmekciae .