Molecular validity of nemacheilid loaches from Choman River drainage, Kurdistan, Iran

Abstract

The validity of three morphologically described loach species viz. Oxynoemacheilus chomanicus, O. zagrosensis, O. kurdistanicus and one geographically newly reported species, Turcinoemacheilus kosswigi from Choman River drainage, in western Iran were evaluated using Cytochrome b gene. The results confirmed the validity of four Choman River’s loaches as distinct species and the four species were clustered well within Oxynoemacheilus and Turcinoemacheilus genera. Based on the results, Cytochrome b gene was useful tool for identification of Choman River’s loaches.