Capoeta svanetica (Teleostei, Cyprinidae), a New Species from the Luchunis River (Rioni River Drainage) in Georgia

Recent Georgia’s fish fauna includes four Capoeta species: C. capoeta (Kura River basin), kaput (Araxes and its left tributaries, the Akhuryan Mezamor rivers), sieboldii (East South–East Black Sea river basins), banarescuii (Chorokh basin). Based on morphological data analysis new species of genus — svanetica sp. n. is described. It more similar to damascina complex group (Anatolian–Iranian group) which also banarescui, baliki, spread at East South-East coastal rivers. The Anatolian–Iranian group, known as small-scales well distinguished from Aral-Caspian (C. in Georgia) by highest scales number lateral line. other basin rivers Georgia adjacent waters combination characters: two pairs barbels are present oguzelii have one pair); no spots body has small black spots); lower lip keratinised edge without fringe characterized fringed lips); small, 70–74 total line (in only 52–60 scales); 10–12 scale rows above baliki than 12 rows) 7–8 below 10 rows); 12–15 gill rakers first arch then 16); last unbranched fin ray soft, serrae it 7–9 adult 0 juvenile samples (all ossified with high number); anal base length 7.4–9.4 % SL (more shorter tinca); mouth width (25.4–29.4 HL); eye diameter (19.0–28.7 HL) biggest same tinca.