Mystus misrai Anuradha, 1986, a valid species from the Orontes drainage (Teleostei: Bagridae)

Abstract

Mystus misrai from the northern Orontes drainage (Mediterranean Sea basin) is re-examined and recognised as a valid species. It is distinguished from M. pelusius from the Gulf basin by the lack of stripes on the flank, shorter fins, the eye situated below the dorsal head profile, and a K2P distance of 7.3% in its COI barcoding gene. Mystus misrai is likely Critically Endangered: only a single, spring-fed lake in Türkiye is known as its habitat. The biogeographic connection between the Orontes and the Gulf is discussed based on molecular data of 27 species native to the region.