| Salmo aphelios | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Salmoniformes |
| Family: | Salmonidae |
| Genus: | Salmo |
| Species: | S. aphelios |
| Binomial name | |
| Salmo aphelios Kottelat, 1997 | |
Salmo aphelios is a species oftrout, asalmonid fishendemic toLake Ohrid inNorth Macedonia andAlbania in theBalkans.[2][1]
Salmo aphelios is one of four different forms of theOhrid trout complex within the single lake, along withS. balcanicus,S. letnica, andS. lumi. The various trout forms, which have been suggested to be different species,[2] are distinguished by their breeding time and habitat, by which they in practice are thought to be reproductively isolated from each other. Genetic data have not supported their distinction, though.[3][4]
Salmo aphelios specifically spawns from May to July near the underwater springs on the eastern shore of the lake, at the Macedonian-Albanian border area. Its flesh is typically of orange colour. Overall, the Ohrid trouts are silvery in colour, with black dots. Red dots occur along thelateral line.S. aphelios can grow to 40 cm (16 in) long.[2]
