A new Pseudophoxinus species (Teleostei, Cypriniformes, Leuciscidae) from the upper Jordan River basin (Israel) with comments on the status of a few other congeneric species

A taxonomic reassessment of <i>Pseudophoxinus</i> populations in the upper Jordan River basin has revealed that specimens previously identified as <i>Pseudophoxinus kervillei</i> actually represent an undescribed species. In addition, earlier taxonomic revisions have shown that <i>P. kervillei</i> is a junior synonym of <i>P. libani</i> and should no longer be regarded as a valid species. In this study, we formally describe the newly recognized species as <i>Pseudophoxinus galilaeus</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> <i>Pseudophoxinus galilaeus</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> is characterized by 39-44 scales along the mid-lateral row, 13-17 pored lateral line scales, and 20-23 predorsal scales. It has 4-5 gill rakers on the lower arch of the first gill, with two being notably short. The species possesses 33-34 vertebrae; its dorsal fin originates at vertebrae 12 or 13, and its anal fin commonly originates at vertebra 19, occasionally extending to vertebra 20 or 21. <i>Pseudophoxinus galilaeus</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> inhabits ponds, lakes, and rivers with slow to moderate currents. A unique DNA barcoding signature (mtDNA COI) revealed that it differs from any other previously bar-coded <i>Pseudophoxinus</i> species. In phylogenetic analyses, it clustered with the <i>Pseudophoxinus</i> species from neighboring countries in the Levant region, suggesting a common ancestor for these species. This analysis shows that sequences of <i>P. kervillei</i> from Turkey differ from <i>P. libani</i> from Lebanon and Syria. Further morphological examination is needed to determine the status of the species.