Cobitis meridionalis Karaman, 1924

Family:  Cobitidae (Spined loaches)
Max. size:  7 cm SL (male/unsexed); 11 cm SL (female); max. reported age: 1 years
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Europe: Lake Prespa (Greece, Albania, and Macedonia).
Diagnosis:  Pigmentation (Gambetta's longitudinal zone of pigmentation): blotches of zonez Z2 and Z4 grey to olive, edges not sharply contrasted; zonesZ1 and Z3 absent or very poorly defined and present only on anterior half of body. Presence of two laminae circularis.
Biology:  Adults inhabit lakes and highland water courses, with sand or mud bottom and underwater vegetation (Ref. 59043). Feed on invertebrates. Spawn in April and May (Ref. 59043). Oviparous, with distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Threatened due to water abstraction and pollution (Ref. 26100).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 31 January 2006 (D2) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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