Revalidation of the Spanish stone loach Barbatula hispanica (Lelek, 1987) (Teleostei, Nemacheilidae) according to morphological and mitochondrial data

Abstract

This study adds additional knowledges about the taxonomy of the stonel loach Barbatula spp. Several cryptic evolutionary lineages were previously highlighted by molecular data. Here we revalidate Barbatula hispanica, previously considered a junior synonym of B. quignardi. This species is found in the Ebro drainage and in Cantabria (Spain) as well as in the Adour drainage (Southwestern France). This is important for the conservation and for a region with a high rate of endemicity.