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💧 Freshwater 🌡️ Subtropical

Shirin tooth-carp

Esmaeilius shirini Gholami, Esmaeili, Erpenbeck & Reichenbacher, 2014
Max Length
3 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3
Depth
-
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
21.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Inhabits Khosroshirin Stream in the uppermost reaches of the Kor River Basin and its connected springs including Paselari and Pahn springs. Paselari spring is composed of muddy substrate with small gravels, and water surface covered by dense filamentous green algae. The surrounding area is vegetated with reed (Phragmatis sp.), rush (Juncus sp.), shrubs and trees. Water current is high in Khosroshirin stream while low in Paselari and Pahn springs. The following mean values of physico-chemical paramaters of three stations from Paselari spring were recorded: nitrates 1.95 mg l-1, nitrites 0.42 mg l-1, phosphates 0.59 mg l-1, ammonia 0.12 mg l-1, dissolved oxygem (DO) 8.92 mg-1, DO% 122.6, total dissolved solids 191.7 mg-1, conductivity 395 μs cm-1, salinity 0.18 0/00, pH 7.9 and water temperature 17.05°C . Collected together with Acanthobrama persidis, Alburnus mossulensis, Capoeta aculeata, Capoeta saadi (Cyprinidae) and Onchorhynchus mykiss (Salmonidae) from Khosroshirin Stream. Threatened mainly by the carnivorous exotic O. mykiss .

Scientific Name
Esmaeilius shirini
Authority
Gholami, Esmaeili, Erpenbeck & Reichenbacher, 2014
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Max Length
3 cm
Trophic Level
3
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
21.00/100
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Genus
Esmaeilius
Esmaeilius
Species
Shirin tooth-carp
Esmaeilius shirini

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 12; Anal soft rays: 10 - 11. This species can be easily diagnosed at the genetic level from all its congeners in Iran by having 17 fixed molecular apomorphies (14 transitions and three transversions) in cytochrome b gene. In addition, it differs from Aphanius sophiae by having 61 fixed molecular apomorphies (46 transitions and 15 transversions). Males are distinguished from all other Iranian species by having only 7-10 wide clearly defined white flank bars, which is the lowest number of white flank bars among the Iranian inland Aphanius species, and bright to yellowish anal fin without clear white margin. Both males and females differ from other Aphanius species in Iran by having a significantly longer caudal peduncle and a smaller dorsal fin depth (measurements relative to the standard length) . The otoliths are diagnostic because they display a distinctive combination of characters such as a straight ventral rim, an angular to rectangular posteroventral edge and a wide but short and truncated rostrum. In addition, dorsal part of this species is longer than in the other examined species .: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Shirin tooth-carp is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic. Subtropical

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Trophic Level
3±0.4

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00977 × L3.28 (TL)
Max TL
3cm
Dorsal Rays
11
Anal Rays
11

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
21.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Gholami, Esmaeili, Erpenbeck & Reichenbacher, 2014

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