Cobitis amphilekta sp. nova,a new species of spined loaches (Cobitidae,Cypriniformes) from the Caspian Sea basin

We describe spined loaches from the Kyzylagach Bay (Azerbaijan) and from brackish waters of the northeastern Caspian Sea found in museum collections as a separate new species, the Khvalyn loach Cobitis amphilekta. The new species differs from other species of the Caspian basin in the following combination of characteristics: one very narrow, weakly discernible spot in the upper part of the base of the caudal fin; Canestrini’s organ in males with a wide and short plate, usually not reaching the end of the third segment of the attached ray; third Gambetta’s zone of pigmentation usually not reaching the base of the anal fin, often not reaching the end of the pectoral fin; scales of oval shape, with a relatively large central part, weakly shifted towards the anterior margin; pronounced ridges on the margins of the caudal penduncle; and short barbels.