Squalius berak Heckel, 1843 [N]—Mesopotamian chub; None

Taxonomy. Original description: Squalius berak Heckel, 1843a: 1078 [88] [Aleppo, Syria; syntypes: NMW 48915 (6), SMF 469 [ex NMW] (3)].—Syrian synonyms: Squalius orientalis Heckel, 1847; Leuciscus cephalus orientalis Heckel, 1847 .—Revisions: Doadrio & Carmona (2006: 200).—Illustration: Heckel (1843b: pl. 10, fig. 1).

Status in Syria. Recorded from Syria in original description by Heckel (1843a: 1079) as Squalius berak; subsequently reported by Beckman (1962: 130) as Leuciscus cephalus orientalis .—Syrian material: BMNH, MCZ, NMW, SMNS, MSL.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Syria: Euphrates and Tigris River basin.—Distribution in River Basin: 1-Dajleh & Khabour, 2-Euphrates & Aleppo.—General distribution: Asia Minor and Middle East: Euphrates and Tigris River basin (Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran).—Distribution in Ecoregion: 441-Lower Tigris & Euphrates, 442-Upper Tigris & Euphrates.—Habitat: This species lives in small to medium-sized streams, mostly in mountains and hilly areas. Freshwater.

Economic importance. Locally consumed, but of no commercial importance.

Conservation. Conservation status in Syria: Unknown.—IUCN:LC (IUCN 2023).—Threats: There are many threats in the area, but none is serious enough to really impact this species.—Low sensitivity to human activities.— Not considered as a keystone species.—Decline status: Unknown.—Low priority for conservation action.