Luciobarbus xanthopterus Heckel, 1843

Distribution in the area. Endemic. Widespread in the Euphrates and Tigris drainages. It was also known from the Qweik River, where it is now extirpated.

Taxonomic notes. This species often occurs syntopic with L. esocinus . Mitochondrial data suggest that L. xanthopterus is partly introgressed by L. esocinus and many individuals do no longer have the specific mitochondrial bodies, but those of L. esocinus . There is no doubt that both are independent species. Luciobarbus kersin described from Syria and L. shejch described from Mossul might to be synonyms of L. xanthopterus .

Remarks. This is a major commercial species and seems to be overfished in large if not all parts of its range. However, data on population trends are very rare and based on fisheries statistics.