Body pigmentation and meristic characteristics of Balkan golden loach (Sabanejewia balcanica) from the water catchment area of the river Sava

The taxonomic research of eight populations of Sabanejewia balcanica from the water catchment area of the river Sava included the analysis of the meristic characteristics and pigmentation of their bodies. The analyzed sample contained 98 specimens collected in the areas of the rivers Turija, Gostelja, Brka, Suturlija, Suha, Tinja and Trebačka. The aim of this paper was to specify the meristic and pigment characteristics of this species at the location of the water catchment area of the river Sava, which are frequently used in describing new taxa. The meristic traits investigation included the analysis of the number of rays in dorsal, ventral, pectoral, anal and caudal fins. In the analysis of body pigmentation, the number and arrangement of suborbital spines, blotches or spots were determined. The results of this research indicated that there were no intrapopulation differences in Sabanejewia balcanica from the water catchment area of the river Sava in terms of meristic characteristic and body pigmentation.