Dabarsko dace

The Dabarsko dace is one of two steno-endemic Telestes species previously classified as T. metohiensis (together with T. miloradi) (Bogutskaya et al. 2012). Limited to < 4 km2 of habitat on the Konavosko Polje/Lujta River area (Jelić & Jelić 2015); the authors thus recommend an IUCN assignment of critically endangered. Presumed to previously occupy a much larger range, direct habitat degradation and the introduction of invasive species (such as rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss) are the major threats. Dabarsko dace, together with Delminichthys ghetaldii, found in some nearby springs were both thought to be extinct. The phylogenetic relationships and zoogeographical history of this group of karstic daces (Telestes) has most recently been reported in Buj et al. (2017).

An underground hydropower scheme at the Ombla spring threatens the hydrological stability of the area (see Delminichthys ghetaldii). Any form of hydrological disturbance would most likely result in the extinction of this newly described species.