Garra lorestanensis, a new cave fish from the Tigris River drainage with remarks on the subterranean fishes in Iran (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

Abstract

The Iranian subterranean species are reviewed, diagnoses are presented for Garra typhlops and Paracobitis smithi, and a new species is described. Garra lorestanensis, new species, from Loven Cave, the Tigris River drainage in Iran, is distinguished from its congeners by the combination of characters, including lacking pigment and eyes, having a well-developed mental disc, two pairs of barbels, and naked body.