Taxonomic Status of the Genus Paraschistura (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) in the Hari River Basin, with Re-validation of P. turcomana

Abstract

The genus Paraschistura in the Hari River basin is reviewed, and diagnoses are presented for all the three recognized species. Paraschistura cristata and P. turcmenica are considered valid; and P. turcomana is revalidated. Paraschistura turcomana is a poorly known species from the Kushk River in the Murghab drainage at the border of Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, its validity has been questioned and a synonymy with P. turcmenica has been suggested. In this study, we compare P. turcmenica with the syntypes of P. turcomana. A comparison with the related taxa P. cristata and P. turcmenica reveals that P. turcomana can be separated from them by 7½ branched rays in dorsal fin, scaleless body, elongated and shallow body, shallow caudal peduncle, and colour pattern including obvious dark cross bars. The presence of two additional undescribed species is suggested from the basin.