A new record of Cottus spinulosus in the Talas River watershed Kazakhstan Central Asia

Abstract

A population of Turkestan sculpin Cottus spinulosus Kessler, 1872 was discovered in the Talas River watershed in Kazakhstan in April 2012, and sampled in July and October 2013. The dorsal head and sides and back of all specimens were densely covered by small pricles which distinguishes this species from the Chatkal sculpin C. gobio jaxartensis Berg, 1916. The maximum age of examined fish was four years with a maximum total length of 84.2 mm. Stomach contents included larvae of Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, Plecoptera, and Simuliidae; and Gammaridae, and Planariidae. Juveniles and individuals at different stages of sexual maturity were captured, indicating a reproducing population. The examined males ranged from maturity stage IV to V, and females from V to VI in October, egg diameter was 2–3 mm. The Turkestan sculpin is a repeat spawner in the Talas River watershed, as confirmed by morphological and analysis of ovaries. The Turkestan sculpin is a native species in freshwaters of Central Asia and is here reported as a new record in the Talas River watershed.