Pelecus cultratus

A recent survey of the Tugay forests within the Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve, Tajikistan, confirms the presence of Pelecus cultratus, a fish species previously documented in the Syr Darya and Amu Darya river basins. The study, conducted between 2003 and 2018, recorded specimens in floodplain lakes and riverbeds of the lower Vakhsh River, extending its known distribution to include this UNESCO-listed wetland area. While no preserved specimens were collected, the findings suggest that P. cultratus remains widespread across these ecosystems, with potential implications for conservation efforts. The research relies on field observations, reinforcing its ecological significance in Tajikistan’s biodiversity.

Artaev, O., Thoni, R., Mirzoev, N., & Levin, B. (2025). Pelecus cultratus. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.20514687