Zayan Barbel

Diagnosis: This species differs from other species of Luciobarbus by the following combination of characters: 49-53 scales along the lateral line, 8.5-9.5 scales above lateral line, and 5.5-7.5 scales below lateral line; the last single ray of the dorsal fin is strongly ossified with a maximum width of 12-14.5% of its length; the last single dorsal fin ray is densely denticulate along its length and, in adults, the number of denticulations is maller than 23; the skull is narrow, with the width of the ethmoid bone smaller than its length; the inter-orbital distance is 1.2-1.9 times eye diameter; the pharyngeal teeth formula in adults is 4.3.2; the number of vertebrae is 41-43; large deep caudal peduncle 2.1-2.6% of anal peduncle length; and lachrymal bone with narrow posterior segment, a manubrium (Ref. 107618).Description: The body is elongated with maximum body depth 18-24% of standard length in males and 21-24% in females (Ref. 107618). The head is typically sharp and narrow; the inter-orbital distance is 1.2-1.9 times the eye diameter in males and 1.4-1.9 times in females; the skull is narrow, with the ethmoid bone longer than wide; the frontal bones are narrower relative to other reophilic barbs, notably in the anterior part; infraorbital bones are narrow, and the lachrymal bone is longer than in other reophilic barbs and possesses a long manubrium; the height of the manubrium is 10-13% the lachrymal bone length; the kinethmoid bone is more robust than the one found in other reophilic barbs (Ref. 107618). Thick lips and barbels with granular appearance; the first pair of barbels is short and positioned at the anterior extreme of the mouth, reaching the insertion of the second pair of barbels; the second pair of barbels is thick and reaches the posterior edge of the eye; the anterior barbel length is 20.1-29.9%, and the second 29.7-39.5% of head length; the snout is prominent, with preorbital length 10.9-12.1% of standard length in females and 10.6-13.2% of standard length in males; the preorbital length is greater than the postorbital length (Ref. 107618). The dorsal fin is located posteriorly on the body, with the predorsal distance being 48.9-52.5% of standard length in females and 48.5-52.5% in males; the profile of the dorsal fin is concave, with the last single ray of the dorsal fin ossified with few and strong denticulations; dorsal fin with 3-5 unbranched rays and 8 branched rays; anal fin with 3 unbranched rays and 5 branched rays; pectoral fin with 1 unbranched ray and 15-16 branched rays; ventral fin with 1 unbranched ray and 6 branched rays; the caudal fin length is 20-23% of standard length in females and 18.4-24.5% of standard length in males (Ref. 107618). Number of scales on the lateral line 49-53; 8.5-9.5 scales above lateral line; 5.5-7.5 scales below lateral line (Ref. 107618). The caudal peduncle is elongated, and the least body depth is 11-11.9% of standard length in females and 9.5-11.8% of standard length in males; the length of the anal caudal peduncle is 2.1-2.3 times the height of the anal peduncle in females and 2.1-2.6 times in males (Ref. 107618). Pharyngeal teeth in adults 4.3.2 (Ref. 107618). Number of gill rakers 13-16; number of vertebrae 41-43 (Ref. 107618).Colouration: The colouration is brownish with a paler ventral area and some black spots along the body (Ref. 107618).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 13; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 41 - 43

Found in riffle areas in headwaters of large rivers (Ref. 107618).

Found in riffle areas in headwaters of large rivers (Ref. 107618). Spawning takes place from late April to early May (Ref. 107618).

fisheries:

The Zayan barbel (Luciobarbus zayanensis) is a species of cyprinid fish endemic to Morocco found in the Oum Er-Rbia River basin.