Alburnus macedonicus Karaman, 1928

Family:  Leuciscidae (Minnows), subfamily: Leuciscinae
Max. size:  14.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Europe: Lake Doiran in Greece and Macedonia.
Diagnosis:  Differs from its congeners in Balkan Peninsula by having the following characters: body slender, body depth 17-22% SL; caudal peduncle depth 7-9% SL, 2.2-2.8 times in its length; origin of anal fin below branched dorsal ray 4-5; lateral line with 44-55 + 2-3 scales; anal fin with 14-16½ branched rays; 20-26 gill rakers; ventral keel exposed for at least 2/3 of distance from anus to pelvic fin base (Ref. 59043).
Biology:  Found along near shore of Lake Doiran. Spawns in surf zone of the lake. Pumping of water in the lake for irrigation has lowered its water level by at least 4 m since 1990 and has caused in the disappearance of subaquatic vegetation, leading to a severe ecological stress throughout the lake. If pumping continues at its present rate, there is a risk that the lake will run dry (Ref. 59043). (Ref. 59043).
IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered (CR); Date assessed: 01 January 2008 (A3c; B1ab(i,ii,iii)+2ab(i,ii,iii)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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