Freyhof, J, P. Ráb & J. Bohlen

The valid names of some European species of genus Cobitis

Folia Zoologica 49 Suppl. 1: 3-8

Folia Zoologica 49 Suppl. 1: 3-8 (2000)

The valid names of some European species of the genus Cobitis (Teleostei, Cobitidae)

FREYHOF J., P. RÁB & J. BOHLEN

Abstract

Three of the most widespread European loach fishes of the genus Cobitis have experienced a confusing nomenclatural handling during recent times. The present paper wants to explain the different points of view of former authors, to add some new information and to evaluate the correct nomenclature of the species according to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (IV edition). Depending on whose description the identification base on, that species occurring in the Baltic area and European Russia with a chromosome number of 2n=48 should be called C. taenia sensu Nalbant or sensu Vasil’eva. The valid name for the Danubian spined loach is C. elongatoides Băcescu & Maier, 1969, and the species in north-west Black Sea area has to be called C. tanaitica Băcescu & Maier, 1969.

Key words: spined loaches, nomenclature, International Code of Zoological Nomenclature