Squalius valentinus
| Squalius valentinus | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cypriniformes |
| Family: | Cyprinidae |
| Subfamily: | Leuciscinae |
| Genus: | Squalius |
| Species: | S. valentinus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Squalius valentinus | |
Squalius valentinus, commonly known as the Valencia chub and the Levantine bagra, is a
Turia River in Valencia, hence its name. It is considered endangered. This species is differentiated from its cogenerates by having eight branched rays in its dorsal fin; eight branched rays in its anal fin; two rows of pharyngeal teeth on both sides possessing 2 and 5 teeth (2.55.2); a wide caudal peduncle; its number of gill rakers
; the number of
allozymes).[2]
Description
Squalius valentinus is a small sized species that is usually shorter than 200 millimetres (7.9 in); its head is large and similar to the maximum body depth. Its preorbital distance is similar to its eye's diameter, exhibiting a long
pectoral fin that is larger than the height of its dorsal fin.[2]
Pigmentation
Its body is silver, somewhat darker dorsally; its scales have a big black spot at their base and several small black spots on its distal border. Its peritoneum also carries small black spots. Its scales are deciduous in juveniles.[2]
Osteology
It possesses a wide and short
supraethmoid, parietal and frontal bones. The posterior process of its pterotic bone is wide and robust, while the pharyngeal bone's lower branch is very robust. Its urohyal bone is large and thin. The maxilla's anterior process is pointed, and its 4th and 5th infraorbital bones are very wide. The posterior lamina of its cleithrum is widened. It shows a short maxilla with a relatively developed coronoid process. Itd 3rd, 4th and 5th pharyngeal teeth in its external row are small or even lack a masticatory area.[2]
Distribution and habitat
Squalius valentinus inhabits rivers in the Spanish
Chondrostoma arcasii. S. valentinus inhabits the Júcar, Serpis and Vinalopó basins along with B. guiraonis.[2]
Status
The
IUCN lists this fish as being a vulnerable species because of its limited range which covers less than 10,000 square kilometres (3,900 sq mi), and due to water abstraction for the construction of dams as well as the introduction of foreign species. It is a rare species and has a restricted distribution range. The population is currently declining. S. valentinus is frequently dominant as a species in small rivers, however in wide rivers the species is local and rare.[1][2]
References
Further reading
- Doadrio Villarejo, Ignacio, Silvia Perea, and F. Alonso. "A new species of the genus Squalius Bonaparte, 1837 (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae) from the Tagus River basin (central Spain)." Graellsia 63.1 (2007): 89-100.
- Aparicio, Enric, et al. "Development and evaluation of a fish‐based index to assess biological integrity of Mediterranean streams." Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 21.4 (2011): 324-337.
- Olaya-Marín, Esther Julia, et al. "Modelling native fish richness to evaluate the effects of hydromorphological changes and river restoration (Júcar River Basin, Spain)." Science of the total Environment 440 (2012): 95-105.
- Mouton, A. M., et al. "Data-driven fuzzy habitat suitability models for brown trout in Spanish Mediterranean rivers." Environmental Modelling & Software26.5 (2011): 615-622.
- Alcaraz, Carles, et al. "Assessing population status of Parachondrostoma arrigonis (Steindachner, 1866), threats and conservation perspectives."Environmental Biology of Fishes 98.1 (2015): 443-455.