Salmo peristericus | |
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Salmo peristericus in Greece | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Salmoniformes |
Family: | Salmonidae |
Genus: | Salmo |
Species: | S. peristericus |
Binomial name | |
Salmo peristericus S. L. Karaman, 1938 |
Salmo peristericus, or the Prespa trout[2] is a variety of trout, a freshwater fish in the family Salmonidae. It is endemic to the Lake Prespa watershed at the border area of Greece and North Macedonia.[2][1]
Four populations are known: one in the Agios Germanos stream in northwestern Greece, and the others in the Brajcinska and Kranska rivers and the Leva Reka stream of North Macedonia.[2]
The Prespa trout is morphologically difficult to separate from other trouts of the region.[2] Genetic data show it is close to and derived from the Adriatic lineage of brown trout, and do not support a distinct species status.[3] Nevertheless, its protection as an Evolutionary Significant Unit is justified regardless of the taxonomic status.[2][3]