Cobitis ohridana and Barbatula zetensis in the River Moraca basin, Montenegro: distribution, habitat, population structure and conservation needs.

In this paper, we report on the distribution, habitat, population structure and conservation needs of Cobitis ohridana and Barbatula zetensis in the basin of the River Moraca in Montenegro. Our data show both species to be mainly distributed in the lower stretch of the main river and some tributaries in lowland habitats. Cobitis ohridana preferred more shallow water with a higher abundance of filamentous algae, while Barbatula zetensis was more numerous in slightly deeper water with more stones as a bottom substrate. Slight differences in the habitat preference were also observed between juveniles and adults in both species. Although both species are abundant in suited habitat, they have a small distribution area in the Moraca basin due to the natural rarity of the habitat. According to our data, they are not endangered.