[Ichthyology • 2023] Betta andrei • A New Species of Black Water Fighting Fish (Teleostei: Osphronemidae) from Singkep Island, Riau Islands, Indonesia

 

Betta andrei

Tan, 2023

a, B. waseri, d, B. spilotogena and j, B. andrei. 

  RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 71

Abstract

 A new species of Betta from the B. waseri group is described based on a single specimen from Singkep Island. It appears to be closely allied to B. spilotogena. Betta andrei, new species, differs from B. spilotogena in having a different throat pattern, comprised of a black lower jaw, continuous with a large pitcher-like pattern on throat, ending with a protruding segment on buccal membrane (vs. isolated teardrop shaped black mark on throat); opercle uniform brown with dark brown spots along posterior margin; faint black transverse bars on the dorsal- and caudal-fin interradial membranes; absence of a dark distal border on anal fin. 

Keywords. Betta, new species, Indonesia, peat swamp, biodiversity

Betta andrei, ZRC 64279, 50.7 mm SL:
topmost – live fish; second from top – freshly preserved fish with white background; third from top – freshly preserved fish with black background; bottom – radiograph.

Composite of head region of Betta andrei (ZRC 64279, 50.7 mm SL),
showing oblique (top) and ventral (bottom) views.

Betta andrei, new species 

Diagnosis. Betta andrei can be distinguished from other members of the B. waseri group in having the following combination of characters: black lower jaw, continuous with large black pitcher-shaped mark on throat, ending with a protrusion on buccal membrane (see Figs. 2–3); opercle uniform brown with dark brown mottling along posterior margin, operculum without lower distal margin black; faint black transverse bars on the dorsal and caudal fin interradial membranes; absence of a dark distal border on anal fin.

Etymology. This species is named for Andre Chandra, an intrepid fish collector and enthusiast, who rendered much assistance to the author in procuring specimens and information; fishy discussions and good meals. A noun in the genitive.

Stream in which the holotype of Betta andrei was collected (Photograph: Andre Chandra).

Schematic diagrams of throat pattern of the Betta waseri group in chronological order of discovery: a, B. waseri, b, B. hipposideros, c, B. tomi, d, B. spilotogena, e, B. chloropharynx, f, B. renata, g, B. pi, h, B. pardalotos, i, B. omega, and j, Betta andrei.

 

Tan Heok Hui. 2023. A New Species of Black Water Fighting Fish from Singkep Island (Teleostei: Osphronemidae).  RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 71: 491–495.