A new fish: Hemigrammocapoeta menderesensis,

The week ends with another new fish species: The genus Hemigrammocapoeta is likely among the leaders when it comes to the length of the genus name. Hemigrammocapoeta is not only quite a mouth full but also a small genus of the family Cyprinidae. So far it comprises of just four species. This new description makes if five. 

All of the species are threatened by habitat loss, particularly due to water pollution and unsustainable water extraction for agriculture.

The new name was derived from the Büyük Menderes River, the type locality.

For the experts: Hemigrammocapoeta menderesensis is distinguished from all other species of Hemigrammocapoeta in Anatolia by the following combination of characters (none unique to the species): lateral line incomplete; 6–17 perforated scales and 36– 41 +1–2 scales in lateral series; 7½–8½ scale rows between lateral line and dorsal-fin origin, 3–4 scale rows between lateral series and anal-fin origin; dorsal fin commonly with 7½ branched rays; anal fin with 5½ branched rays; 15–17 gill rakers on the first brachial arch; pharyngeal teeth 2.4.5–5.3.3; mouth small, subterminal, horseshoe shaped and without barbel; lips developed and somewhat fleshy; upper lip not covering nostril gape; lower lip with two lateral lobes and median pad; lateral lobes smaller and shorter than half width of median pad; numerous papillae on lower and upper lips.