A new Pseudophoxinus species (Teleostei, Cypriniformes, Leuciscidae) from the upper Jordan River basin (Israel) with comments on the status of a few other congeneric species

A taxonomic reassessment of Pseudophoxinus populations in the upper Jordan River basin has revealed that specimens previously identified as Pseudophoxinus kervillei actually represent an undescribed species. In addition, earlier taxonomic revisions have shown that P. kervillei is a junior synonym of P. libani and should no longer be regarded as a valid species. In this study, we formally describe the newly recognized species as Pseudophoxinus galilaeus sp. nov.

Pseudophoxinus galilaeus sp. nov. is characterized by 39–44 scales along the mid-lateral row, 13–17 pored lateral line scales, and 20–23 predorsal scales. It has 4–5 gill rakers on the lower arch of the first gill, with two being notably short. The species possesses 33–34 vertebrae; its dorsal fin originates at vertebrae 12 or 13, and its anal fin commonly originates at vertebra 19, occasionally extending to vertebra 20 or 21.

Pseudophoxinus galilaeus sp. nov. inhabits ponds, lakes, and rivers with slow to moderate currents. A unique DNA barcoding signature (mtDNA COI) revealed that it differs from any other previously bar-coded Pseudophoxinus species. In phylogenetic analyses, it clustered with the Pseudophoxinus species from neighboring countries in the Levant region, suggesting a common ancestor for these species.

This analysis shows that sequences of P. kervillei from Turkey differ from P. libani from Lebanon and Syria. Further morphological examination is needed to determine the status of the species.