Distribution and taxonomic relationships of spined loaches (Cobitidae, Cobitis) in the River Neretva basin, Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Published in: Folia zoologica (Brno) Vol. 57; no. 1/2; p. 20
• Main Authors: Sanda, Radek, Bogut, Ivan, Doadrio, Ignacio, Kohout, Jan, Perdices, Anabel, Perea, Silvia, Sedivá, Alena, Vukic, Jasna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Praha Institute of Vertebrate Biology 01.01.2008
• Subjects: Drainage; Field study; Fish
• ISSN: 0139-7893; 1573-1189

In July 2004 and 2006, tributaries of the River Neretva and surrounding karstic fields (polje) in Bosnia and Herzegovina were sampled, and new data on spined loaches (Cobitis) and accompanying freshwater fish fauna gathered. Spined loaches were found in the River Bregava and Hutovo blato wetland, which are directly connected to the River Neretva, in the River Trebisnjica in Popovo polje, in Lake Krenica and the River Matica in Imotsko polje, and in the River Listica drainage in Mostarsko blato. However, Cobitis were not found in karstic fields situated more westward (Livanjsko polje, Duvanjsko p., Kupresko p. and Glamocko p.), nor in karstic fields situated northward from the River Trebisnjica (Nevesinjsko polje, Fatnicko p., Dabarsko p. and Gatacko p.). Neither were they found in the River Trebizat, which lies closer to the River Neretva than does Imotsko polje. Based on morphological and molecular characters, spined loaches inhabiting the rivers Trebisnjica and Bregava, and Hutovo blato were identified as Cobitis narentana Karaman, 1928, while specimens from Imotsko polje and Mostarsko blato were classified as Cobitis sp. Until now, a single species of spined loach, C. narentana, had been recorded from the lowermost part of the River Neretva basin. Our new findings suggest that the species diversity of the spined loaches in the Neretva basin in Bosnia and Herzegovina might be underestimated and that a detailed taxonomic study is required to determine the Cobitis diversity in this area. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]