Paracobitis hircanica, a new crested loach from the southern Caspian Sea basin (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae)

Paracobitis hircanica, new species, from the Gorgan River drainage in the south-eastern Caspian Sea basin, is distinguished from other species of the genus occurring in the Middle East by the combination of the absence of scales on the body, a moderate to deeply emarginate caudal fin, a fine marbled or vermiculate brown colour pattern on the flank, and dark-brown caudal-fin rays with a hyaline anterior and distal margin.