Genus Hemigrammocapoeta
Pellegrin, 1927

This genus comprises 5 species of which 1 is found in Iran. The genera Tylognathoides Tortonese, 1938, Neotylognathus Kosswig, 1950 and Hemigarra Karaman, 1971 are synonyms (Krupp, 1985c; Krupp and Schneider, 1989).

The genus is characterised by having a distinct rostral flap without separate lateral lobes, underslung mouth, horny covering to the upper and lower jaws, no disc on the chin behind the lower lip but this area papillose, no or up to 2 pairs of barbels (mouth and lip structures can be quite variable), short dorsal and anal fins, complete or incomplete lateral line, and pharyngeal teeth in 3 rows with somewhat hooked tips and spoon-shaped crowns, count uniquely 2,4,5-5,4,2 (but see below). Most species are found in the Levant. The genus is closely related to Garra according to Krupp (1985c).

Hemigrammocapoeta elegans
(Günther, 1868)

Common names

None.

Systematics

Originally described in the genus Tylognathus Heckel, 1843 and also placed in the genus Hemigarra Karaman, 1971. Tylognathus elegans was described from "Mesopotamia?" (sic). Six syntypes are in the Natural History Museum, London (BM(NH) 1850.10.21:31-36), one specimen (number 36) being an alizarin preparation. One of the specimens had been designated as a lectotype but was loose in the jar, and the jar contains a total of 17 fish measuring 36.0-44.5 mm standard length.

Key characters

Characters of the genus serve to identify this species in Iran, particularly around the mouth region.

Morphology

Dorsal fin with 3 unbranched and 6-8, usually 8 branched rays, anal fin with 3 unbranched and 5 branched rays, pectoral fin with 11-17 branched rays and pelvic fin with 8 branched rays. Last unbranched dorsal fin ray thickened although concave posteriorly, tapering distally to a thin ray. Unbranched ray anterior to the last one also thickened in large fish. Lateral line scales 33-38. Flank scales have a wavy anterior margin, very fine and numerous circuli, few anterior and more numerous posterior radii, posterior scale field with tubercles and a subcentral anterior focus. Pelvic axillary scale present. There is a scale between the anus and the anal fin origin. Gill rakers short, just reaching the base of the second raker below when appressed. Barbels 4, thin but moderately long. Snout projecting over inferior mouth but not strongly folded over the upper lip. Upper lip free. Lower lip thicker in the middle but no sucker, posterior edge wavy. Horny edge to lower jaw. Weakly papillose behind the lower lip. Large nasal flap and large first suborbital bone. Pharyngeal teeth in the major row quite massive and obviously hooked with a concave space below. The most anterior tooth is the largest and posterior teeth are slender. Minor row teeth are similar but smaller. Gut complexly coiled. Total vertebrae 46-48.

Meristic values for Iranian specimens are:- dorsal fin branched rays 6(1, ? deformed) or 8(7), anal fin branched rays 5(8), pectoral fin branched rays 16(2) or 17(6), pelvic fin branched rays 8(8); lateral line scales 34(1), 36(5), 37(1) or 38(1) and caudal peduncle scales 12(8); total gill rakers 17(1), 18(5), 19(1) or 20(1); pharyngeal teeth 2,3,5-5,3,2 (5) (sic); and total vertebrae 46(1), 47(5) or 48(2).

Sexual dimorphism

Unknown.

Colour

There is an indistinct silvery stripe along the flank. Dark pigment ends about 1 scale above the lateral line along the flank. Peritoneum black with some silvery patches.

Size

Reaches 10.9 cm total length.

Distribution

Found in the Tigris-Euphrates basin. Initially recorded from Harmaleh on the Dez River of Khuzestan (ZSM 25716, 25717), Abdoli (2000) maps distributions from the upper Karun, upper Dez, and upper Karkheh including the Simarreh rivers.

Zoogeography

The relatives of this species are confined to the Levant, a distribution matched by various other unrelated taxa indicating former connections between these basins (see Krupp (1985c; 1987)).

Habitat

Unknown.

Age and growth

Unknown.

Food

Unknown.

Reproduction

Unknown.

Parasites and predators

No parasites reported from Iran. One specimen examined was from the gut of a Silurus triostegus taken at Harmaleh on the Dez River.

Economic importance

None.

Conservation

This species is rare in Iran and is poorly known elsewhere. Assuming this is not the result of inappropriate collecting techniques, then the status of this species should be assessed by field surveys.

Further work

The distribution and biology of this species is very poorly documented and needs attention.

Sources

Type material: See above (BM(NH) 1850.10.21:31-36).

Iranian material: ZSM 21862, 5, 60.5-86.9 mm standard length, Khuzestan, Dez River at Harmaleh (31º57'N, 48º34'E); ZSM 25716, 2, 76.4-79.3 mm standard length, same locality as preceding; ZSM 25717, 1, 78.5 mm standard length, "from the stomach of a wels", same locality as preceding.

Comparative material: BM(NH) 1973.5.21:185, 1, 57.5 mm standard length, Iraq, Tigris River at Jadriyah, Baghdad (no other locality data); FMNH 51235, 1, 43.9 mm standard length, Iraq, Tigris River at Rustam Farm near Baghdad (no other locality data); FMNH 51236, 12, 38.7-59.5 mm standard length, same locality as preceding.

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