Research article

Characterisation of the nuptial colouration pattern of Phoxinus lumaireul Schinz, 1840 (Teleostei, Leuciscidae) and first record in France

¹ Unité Patrimoine Naturel – Centre d’expertise et de données (UAR 2006 OFB– MNHN – CNRS), Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, 36 rue Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire CP 41, 75005 Paris, France
² Office Français de la Biodiversité, Direction Régionale Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Unité Spécialisée Milieux Lacustres, Pisciculture de Rives, 13 Quai Georges Pianta, 74200 Thonon-les-Bains, France
³ Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, Laboratorio di Ittiologia, Via S. Francesco di Sales 188, 10022 Carmagnola TO, Italy

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Received: 4 July 2025
Accepted: 11 December 2024

Abstract

Recent molecular studies have highlighted the taxonomical complexity of the Eurasian minnows Phoxinus spp, pointing out their multiple endemic species to their respective catchments, and also the multiple translocations between drainages. Here, we report the first record of the Italian minnow Phoxinus lumaireul in France: a male specimen was caught in the Lake Geneva at Publier (Haute-Savoie department) the 31st May 2010 during an elecrofishing survey monitored by the ONEMA. The identification was done from a picture, according to morphological observations and the nuptial colouration pattern, in comparison with P. lumaireul from the Po catchment. We then attest the presence of a third minnow species in the Lake Geneva basin, in addition to P. csikii and P. septimaniae. The nuptial colouration pattern of P. lumaireul is diagnosable by very little developed nuptial tubercles on the head, pectoral fins yellowish hyaline, a green bluish stripe on Z3 until the caudal peduncle origin and black beyond, Z4 green yellowish and a belly shiny red from the throat to the caudal fin base for males, and pectoral, pelvic and anal fin bases pinkish, yellow spot on the operculum, Z4 slightly golden and Z5 white for female. Our morphological identification corroborates a molecular study from the Swiss part of the Lake Geneva basin. Phoxinus lumaireul is then the seventh and the first non-native minnow species occurring in France. Its introduction through human translocations seems to be ancient. We also discussed about ecological impacts for French and Swiss managers.