Tuesday, November 23, 2021

[Ichthyology • 2020] Typhlachirus lipophthalmus, A Rare Eye-less Sole from Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo (Teleostei: Soleidae)

 

  Typhlachirus lipophthalmus (Károli, 1882)
 from Sungai Kuap (Sarawak River basin)

in Tan & Grinang, 2020. 

An example of the eye-less sole, Typhlachirus lipophthalmus, was collected from a tidal section of the Sadong River in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, in January 2018. It is apparently the second known record of this species since its description in 1882. A description based on selected meristic and morphometric data gathered from the specimen, supported by radiographs and photographs of it, as well as notes on its capture and habitat, are presented.


 Fresh coloration of Typhlachirus lipophthalmus (right side), ZRC 59653. 61.2 mm SL, shortly after capture.

Live coloration of Typhlachirus lipophthalmus (ca. 15 cm total length) from Sungai Kuap (Sarawak River basin), showing both right (pigmented) and left side of the fish [copyright Chien Lee, first published in Atack (2006)].

Typhlachirus lipophthalmus (Károli, 1882)

 
Distribution. Typhlachirus lipophthalmus is presently known only from Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, having been recorded from the lower reaches of Sungai Sadong of the Sadong River basin (Tan & Grinang, 2018 and present study) and from Sungai Kuap of the Sarawak River basin (Atack, 2006). The range of Typhlachirus lipophthalmus is expected to be wider, pending further surveys of estuarine habitats in Borneo. See Figure 7 for the distribution of all three species of Typhlachirus.


 Tan Heok Hui and Jongkar Grinang. 2020. Typhlachirus lipophthalmus, A Rare Eye-less Sole from Borneo (Teleostei: Soleidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. IEF-1150. DOI:  10.23788/IEF-1150