[Ichthyology • 2019] Rhyacoschistura larreci • A New Genus and Species of Loach (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from Laos and Redescription of R. suber

 Rhyacoschistura larreci 

Kottelat, 2019

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4612.2.1

phakhaolao.la

Abstract

Rhyacoschistura, new genus, belongs to a group of genera (Physoschistura, Mustura, Pteronemacheilus, Petruichthys) characterised by the modified branched pectoral-fin rays of males, with a very thick first ray, usually without membranes between some of the branches and/or rays, and anterior rays and/or membranes covered by small tubercles at maturity. Rhyacoschistura is distinguished from them by the combination of: presence of a suborbital flap; emarginate caudal fin; lower lip with a wide median interruption and connected to isthmus by a frenum; body depth about equal from behind head to caudal-fin base. Rhyacoschistura larreci, new species, is described from the Mekong drainage in Xayaburi Province, Laos. It is distinguished by details of the morphology of the pelvic fin, and its colour pattern (flank with numerous narrow slanted bars, very irregularly organised and shaped, more or less connected, or sometimes covering the whole flank). Schistura suber, from Nam Ngum watershed, is redescribed on the basis of adults and placed in Rhyacoschistura.

Keywords: Pisces, Schistura, Mustura, Physoschistura

Figure 4. Rhyacoschistura larreci, MHNG 2727.011, holotype, 57.1 mm SL; Laos: Xayaburi: Nam Houng watershed.
Figure 5. Rhyacoschistura larreci, CMK 28037, paratype, 57.8 mm SL; Laos: Xayaburi: Nam Houng watershed; immediately after fixation.

Rhyacoschistura, new genus 

Type species. Rhyacoschistura larreci, new species. 

Etymology. Rhyacoschistura is derived from the Greek word ῥύαξ, -κος (rhyax, meaning a rushing stream, a torrent) and the genus name Schistura (itself based on σχιστός [schistos; divided] and οὐρά [oura; tail]). In reference to the torrent and hill stream habitat of the species placed in the genus. Gender feminine.

Included species. Rhyacoschistura larreci and Rhyacoschistura suber (Kottelat, 2000).

Rhyacoschistura larreci, new species 

Etymology. Named for LARReC, Living Aquatic Resources Research Center, Vientiane, for its 20th anniversary, and appreciation to several of its staff for 20 years of collaboration in the field. Treated as a masculine noun in genitive, indeclinable. 

Maurice Kottelat. 2019. Rhyacoschistura larreci, A New Genus and Species of Loach from Laos and Redescription of R. suber (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). Zootaxa. 4612(2); 151–170. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4612.2.1

Rhyacoschistura larreci, a new genus and species of loach from Laos and redescription of R. suber (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae)  phakhaolao.la/en/publications/rhyacoschistura-larreci-new-genus-and-species-loach-laos-and-redescription-r-suber

[Ichthyology • 2018] Schistura kottelati • A New Species of Loach (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from the Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park in central Vietnam

 Schistura kottelati

 Tuan, Thao & Quang, 2018

 RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 66 

Abstract

 Schistura kottelati, new species, is described from the Hung Dang Valley (Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park) in central Vietnam. It is distinguished from all other species of Schistura known from Vietnam and adjacent areas in Laos by a unique combination of characters, including features of lateral line and body pigmentation, counts of fin rays, and barbel and body measurements.

Key words. cypriniformes, taxonomy, morphology, Southeast Asia, karstic area

Schistura kottelati, new species

Diagnosis. Schistura kottelati differs from the other species of genus Schistura known from Vietnam and adjacent areas in Laos by the unique combination of the following characters: lateral line very short, with 5–14 pores; pelvic fin with 1 unbranched and 8 branched rays; a long maxillary barbel (reaching vertical through nape) and inner rostral barbel (reaching vertical through anterior margin of eye); body without obvious markings; caudal fin deeply forked (length of median ray 1.5–1.7 times in length of upper slobe); no external sexual dimorphism; caudal peduncle slender (its length 8.0–11.6% SL); a large eye (eye diameter 4.7–6.2% SL); and wide interorbital region (interorbital width 9.1–11.7% SL).

Etymology. The species is named for Maurice Kottelat, in appreciation for his research on Eurasian freshwater fishes, among others those of Vietnam. A noun in genitive.

 Ho Anh Tuan, Hoang Ngoc Thao and Ngo Xuan Quang. 2018. Schistura kottelati, A New Species of Loach from the Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park in central Vietnam (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 66; 142–148.

lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/app/uploads/2018/01/66rbz142-148.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2018] Exostoma sectile • A New Glyptosternine Catfish (Siluriformes: Sisoridae) from Northern Myanmar

Exostoma sectile  Ng & Kottelat. 2018

  DOI: 10.1643/CI-17-613 
 twitter.com/ASIHCopeia

A new species of sisorid catfish in the genus Exostoma is described from the upper Irrawaddy River drainage in northern Myanmar. The new species can be distinguished from congeners by the condition of the posterior extremity of the adipose-fin base, the degree of tuberculation in the preorbital area, as well as morphometric data for the nasal barbel length, snout length, interorbital distance, adipose fin-base length, body depth at anus, caudal-peduncle length, and caudal-peduncle depth. The taxonomic status of congeners in the Irrawaddy River drainage is also discussed, and E. chaudhurii is revalidated as a distinct species.

Fig. 1. Exostoma sectile, holotype, MHNG 2767.061, 78.2 mm SL. Dorsal, lateral, and ventral views.

Exostoma sectile, new species

Distribution.— This species is known from a single locality near Putao in the upper Irrawaddy River drainage in northern Myanmar.

Etymology.— The specific epithet comes from the Latin adjective sectilis, -is, -e, meaning cut or cleft. This is used in reference to the presence of a distinct incision or notch at the posterior extremity of the adipose-fin base in this species. 

Heok Hee Ng and Maurice Kottelat. 2018. A New Glyptosternine Catfish from Northern Myanmar (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Sisoridae). Copeia. 106(1);  63-69. DOI: 10.1643/CI-17-613

ResearchGate.net/publication/323076647_A_New_Glyptosternine_Catfish_from_northern_Myanmar

 twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/962039021852549120

[Ichthyology • 2018] Amblyceps improcerum • A New Sisoroid Catfish (Siluriformes: Amblycipitidae) from Kachin State, Myanmar

Amblyceps improcerum

 Ng & Kottelat, 2018

  DOI: 10.1007/s10641-017-0712-0 

Abstract 

A new species of amblycipitid catfish is here described from the Indawgyi Lake basin of the Irrawaddy River drainage in Kachin State, Myanmar as Amblyceps improcerum, new species. It can be distinguished from congeners in having a unique combination of the following characters: lower jaw longer than upper; head length 17.4–22.3% SL; head width 13.7–15.2% SL; head depth 9.0–11.7% SL; interorbital distance 31–39% HL; eye diameter 7–10% HL; 37–38 vertebrae; lateral line incomplete; predorsal length 25.5–30.7% SL; smooth posterior margin of pectoral spine; pectoral-fin length 13.5–16.8% SL; pelvic-fin length 9.6–13.4% SL; dorsal-to-adipose distance 25.2–28.7% SL; length of adipose-fin base 19.4–23.3% SL; adipose fin separate from dorsal procurrent caudal-fin rays; preanal length 62.1–66.9% SL; body depth at anus 9.8–12.8% SL; depth of caudal peduncle 10.1–12.6% SL; length of caudal peduncle 21.4–24.0% SL, post-adipose distance 15.8–17.8% SL; weakly-forked caudal fin with short broadly, rounded lobes (length of longest ray 1.3–1.5 times length of median rays); centrally projecting hooks on proximal lepidotrichia of median caudal-fin rays absent.

Keywords: Ostariophysi, Sisoroidea, Irrawaddy river, New species 

Fig. 1 Amblyceps improcerum, holotype, MHNG 2768.061, 53.2 mm SL; Myanmar: Kachin State: Lake Indawgyi basin. Dorsal, lateral and ventral views

Amblyceps improcerum, new species

Etymology: The specific epithet comes from the Latin adjective improcerus, −a, −um, meaning "not tall" or "undersized", in reference to the relatively short caudalfin lobes and adipose-fin base of this species when compared to nearly all congeners.

Heok Hee Ng and Maurice Kottelat. 2018. Amblyceps improcerum, A New Sisoroid Catfish from Kachin State, Myanmar (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Amblycipitidae). Environmental Biology of Fishes.  DOI: 10.1007/s10641-017-0712-0

facebook.com/israquarium/photos/1662511343815458

[Ichthyology • 2017] Vanmanenia orcicampus • A New Species of Loach (Teleostei: Gastromyzontidae) from the Plain of Jars, central Laos

Vanmanenia orcicampus  Kottelat, 2017 

 Vanmanenia orcicampus, new species, is described from the Nam Ngum drainage on the Plain of Jars, central Laos. It is distinguished from its congeners by its colour pattern consisting of a midlateral row of six blotches, a middorsal row of six saddles and vermiculations between the rows of blotches and saddles and on the rest of the flank. Furthermore, it has a slender caudal peduncle (depth 1.5 times in its length, 2.5 times in body depth) and 12-14 branched pectoral-fin rays.

Fig. 1. Vanmanenia orcicampus, MHNG 2767.094, holotype, 47.5 mm SL; Laos: Nam Ngum on Plain of Jars. 

Maurice Kottelat. 2017. Vanmanenia orcicampus, A New Species of Loach from the Plain of Jars, Laos (Teleostei: Gastromyzontidae). Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters. 28(1); 87-95. 

pfeil-verlag.de/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/ief28_1_08.pdf

zenodo.org/record/886193

[Ichthyology • 2017] Schistura thavonei • A New Species of Loach (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from northwestern Laos

 Schistura thavonei  Kottelat, 2017

RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 65

  Abstract

 Schistura thavonei, new species, is described from the Nam Ma, Mekong drainage, in Louang Namtha Province, northwestern Laos. It is distinguished from all other Nemacheilidae by its unique colour pattern made of two broad dark brown stripes (one middorsal, one midlateral) and between them a pale yellowish-brown stripe (iridescent in life); a row of 12–24 short black bars are located increasingly lower on the flank from head to tail, posterior-most ones restricted to the lower half of the body or forming blotches along the ventral midline of the caudal peduncle. Besides, it has an elongate body with a hump immediately behind the head, 8+7 branched caudalfin rays; and 9–10 total pectoral-fin rays. It was found in riffles, over gravel to stone bottom. 

Key words. Cobitoidei, Schistura, Laos, Mekong basin, stone loach

Diagnosis. Schistura thavonei is distinguished from the other species of the genus by its unique colour pattern made of two broad dark brown stripes (one middorsal, one midlateral) and between them a pale yellowish-brown stripe (iridescent copper to orange in life) from the upper extremity of the gill opening to the upper half of the base of the caudal fin; overimposed to the midlateral stripe, a row of 12–24 short black bars, located increasingly lower on the flank from head to tail, posterior-most ones restricted to the lower half of the body or forming blotches along the ventral midline of the caudal peduncle. Additional characters useful for identification but not unique to the species are: body very elongate (depth 6.2–7.2 times in SL), with a marked hump behind the head; male without suborbital flap; 8+7 branched caudal-fin rays; 7½ branched dorsal fin rays; 9–10 pectoral-fin rays.

Notes on biology. A dissected female (CMK 25066, 46.6 mm SL) had unripe ovaries with white, irregular, not mature, ova about 1.0 mm diameter. The stomach of a 42.4 mm SL specimen was filled with insect larvae about 2–5 mm long. Schistura thavonei was observed in clear water [as expected for a benthic fish with bright coloration and contrasted pattern]. At all sites, S. thavonei has been collected in stretches of streams with riffles (in the sheltered parts with somewhat quieter current), over gravel to stone bottom (Fig. 7).

Distribution. Schistura thavonei is presently known only from the watershed of the Nam Ma in Louang Namtha Province, a tributary of the Mekong, in northeastern Laos (not to be confused with the Nam Ma in Houa Phan Province, which flows to Vietnam and enters the Gulf of Tonkin).

Etymology. The species is named for Mr. Thavone Phommavong, in appreciation for his help and companionship during several, and sometimes difficult, fish surveys in Laos. A noun in genitive.

Maurice Kottelat. 2017. Schistura thavonei, A New Species of Loach from northwestern Laos (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 65: 395–403

http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/vol65/65rbz395-403.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2017] Schistura colossa & S. klydonion, Two New Species of Loaches (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from Bolaven Plateau, southern Laos

 Schistura colossa  Kottelat, 2017

 RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 65; 341–356. 

Abstract

 Schistura colossa, new species, is described from the Xe Pian, Xe Set and Houay Champi on Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos. It is distinguished by its large size (up to at least 98 mm SL); the body has 16–21 bars, quite regularly shaped in juveniles and with increasing size becoming more irregular; in the largest individuals the bars on the caudal peduncle are broken up in irregular blotches. Schistura klydonion, new species, is described from the Xe Namnoy, also on Bolaven Plateau. It is distinguished by its relatively large size (up to at least 76 mm SL); the body has a midlateral row of 12–21 bars that do not reach the dorsal midline and that alternate with a middorsal row of saddles or small blotches, leaving a pale zigzag line between the two rows; the lips have a few sparsely-set pointed papillae. The topography of the plateau and the distribution of the endemic species suggest an earlier connection of the Houay Makchang Gnai and the Xe Katam with the Xe Pian instead of the Xe Namnoy. Both species are endemic to the Bolaven Plateau, have a limited distribution and are impacted by hydropower and agricultural activities.

 Key words. Cobitoidei, Schistura, Mekong basin, stone loach

Fig. 2. Schistura colossa, MHNG 2767.084, holotype, 98.0 mm SL; Laos: Xe Pian River on Bolaven Plateau.

Schistura colossa, new species

Distribution. Schistura colossa has been collected on Bolaven Plateau in the Xe Pian drainage, a tributary of the Xe Kong, in southern Laos (Fig. 9). A single specimen caught in the Champi and one caught in the Xe Set, both on Bolaven Plateau, cannot be distinguished from the samples from the Xe Pian.

 Etymology. The Latin adjective colossus (-a, -um) means giant. Allusion to the size of the species, a giant among Southeast Asian nemacheilids. 

Fig. 13. Schistura klydonion, MHNG 2767.085, 75.8 mm SL, holotype; Laos: Xe Namnoy on Bolaven Plateau (right side, reversed).

Schistura klydonion, new species

Distribution. Schistura klydonion has been observed only in the Xe Namnoy on the Bolaven Plateau, southern Laos. 

Etymology. From the classical Greek κλυδώνιον (klydonion) meaning small wave, ripple, undulation; allusion to the wavy stripe running along the flank between the row of saddles and the row of bars. A noun in apposition. 

Maurice Kottelat. 2017. Schistura colossa and S. klydonion, Two New Species of Loaches from Bolaven Plateau, southern Laos (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae).

 RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 65; 341–356.

http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/vol65/65rbz341-356.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2011] Fangfangia spinicleithralis • A New Genus and Species of Miniature Cyprinid Fish (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Peat Swamp Forests of Borneo

Fangfangia spinicleithralis 

Britz, Kottelat & Tan, 2011 

Fangfangia spinicleithralis, new genus, new species, is described from peat swamp forest habitats in Kalimantan Tengah, Borneo, Indonesia. It differs from all other cyprinids in having the anteroventral tip of the left cleithrum projecting into a strong anteriorly directed spine and a pointed posteriorly directed spine at the posteroventral aspect of each cleithrum. In addition, it can be diagnosed by the following characters: the base of the dorsal hemitrich of the first pectoral-fin ray with serrated margin, multicuspid pharyngeal teeth, ventrally directed lateral processes on vertebra 1, the high number of procurrent caudal-fin rays (14-18 dorsally, 11-15 ventrally), absence of scales with the exception of six or seven tubular lateral line ossicles, and the greatly elongated middle radials in the anal fin, which may reach half the length of proximal radials.

Fangfangia, new genus

Etymology. The new genus is named after the late Fang Fang, a passionate and productive cypriniform researcher, who left us too early, honouring her contribution to danionine taxonomy and phylogeny. Gender feminine.

 Fangfangia spinicleithralis, new species 

Distribution. Fangfangia spinicleithralis is presently known only from the type locality in Sebangau peat swamp forest, Kalimantan Tengah, Borneo, Indonesia.

Etymology. The species name spinicleithralis, an adjective, is derived from the Latin words spina, thorn, and cleithralis, belonging to the cleithrum (the main element of the dermal shoulder girdle). It refers to the unique pointed anterior and posterior spines on the cleithrum of this species.

Britz, R., Kottelat, M., & Tan, H.H. 2011. Fangfangia spinicleithralis, A New Genus and Species of Miniature Cyprinid Fish from the Peat Swamp Forests of Borneo (Teleostei: Cyprinidae).

 Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters. 22 (4): 327-335.

 ResearchGgate.net/publication/267780623_Fangfangia_spinicleithralis_a_new_genus_and_species_of_miniature_cyprinid_fish_from_the_peat_swamp_forests_of_Borneo_%28Teleostei_Cyprinidae%29

 http://pfeil-verlag.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/ief22_4_05.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2017] Speolabeo, A New Genus Name for the Cave Fish Bangana musaei (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from central Laos

Speolabeo musaei  (Kottelat & Steiner, 2011)

photo: H. Steiner DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4254.4.6

Abstract

Speolabeo, new genus, is established for Bangana musaei, a fish from caves in the Khammouan Karst in Laos. It was originally tentatively placed in the genus Bangana s.l. Besides characters related to hypogean life (absence of eyes, absence of pigment resulting in a whitish body), it is distinguished from all species of Bangana s.l. in having only 7–8½ branched dorsal-fin rays, the pelvic-fin at the vertical between the first unbranched and first branched dorsal-fin rays, and details of mouth morphology.

Keywords: Pisces, cave fish, Laos, karst, Bangana, Altigena, Labeonini

Speolabeo, new genus 

Type species. Bangana musaei Kottelat & Steiner, 2011.

 Etymology. The name is formed on the classical Greek noun σπέος (speos), which means cave, cavern, excavation; and labeo, originally a Latin noun meaning a man with thick lips, which in ichthyology became a genus name, then a vernacular name as well as the base of the family-group name as a subfamily Labeoninae or tribe Labeonini. Gender masculine.  

Maurice Kottelat. 2017. Speolabeo, A New Genus Name for the Cave fish Bangana musaei (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Zootaxa. 4254(4); 493–499.   DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4254.4.6

  Maurice Kottelat and Helmut Steiner. 2011. Bangana musaei, a new cave fish from central Laos (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. 21(4); 313-322.
http://pfeil-verlag.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/ief21_4_05.pdf

[2011] Bangana musaei, new species, is described from caves in the Xe Bangfai drainage (a tributary of the Mekong) in central Laos. It is distinguished from all other species of the genus Bangana by its whitish body and absence of eyes. Incisilabeo (type species Labeo behri) is revalidated.

[Ichthyology • 2016] The Glyptothorax of Sundaland: A Revisionary Study (Teleostei: Sisoridae)

Glyptothorax platypogonides 

 (Bleeker, 1855)

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4188.1.1

Abstract  

The species of Glyptothorax of Sundaic Southeast Asia (Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo and Java) are revised in this study. A total of 17 species are recognized, of which six (G. amnestus, G. decussatus, G. famelicus, G. keluk, G. pictus and G. stibaros) are described as new here. A lectotype is designated for G. platypogon. The Sundaic Glyptothorax species are diagnosed by combinations of color pattern, morphometry (with particular regard to the eye, head, body depth, and caudal peduncle), dorsal-spine and thoracic adhesive apparatus morphology.

Keywords: Pisces, Teleostei, Sisoridae

 Heok Hee Ng and Maurice Kottelat. 2016. The Glyptothorax of Sundaland: A Revisionary Study (Teleostei: Sisoridae). Zootaxa.   4188(1); 1–92.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4188.1.1

  

[Ichthyology • 2013] Schistura crocotula • A New Loach (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, southern Thailand

Schistura crocotula Plongsesthee, Kottelat & Beamish 2013

Schistura crocotula, a new species, is described from Khanan River, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, southern Thailand. It is distinguished from other species of Schistura in Southeast Asia by a depressed head; 6-11 dark brown bars against an orange background; the first bar is the widest, two bars are under dorsal fin; interspaces are often indistinct on posterior part of body; a thick black bar at the base of the caudal fin.

Diagnosis: Schistura crocotula is distinguished from the other species of the genus by the combination of the following characters: lateral line incomplete; 7 1/2 branched dorsal-fin rays; 8 + 8 branched caudal-fin rays; pelvic-fin origin in front of dorsal-fin origin; anterior nostril pierced on front side of a pointed flap reaching eye; body with 6-11 regular dark brown bars on an orange (in life) or gray (when preserved) background; the first bar is wider than other bars; one or two bars are under dorsal fin, 1-1.5 times wider than interspaces; bars and interspaces often indistinct posterior to anus and orange-brown in life; black basal caudal bar conspicuous, wide, reaching dorsal and ventral midlines.

Size: 48.5 mm SL

Distribution: Schistura crocotula is known only from the Khanan River in Bangsapan and Pranburi river in Pranburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, peninsular Thailand. It is possible that some of the S. robertsi samples reported by Kottelat (1990) include more than one species and that some specimens from the eastern slope of peninsular Thailand (NIFI 2071) might be S. crocotula. The juvenile specimen from Tapi drainage (CMK 5179, 22.5 mm SL) also reported as S. robertsi is plain brown and uninformative; the identity of this population requires sampling of adult specimens.

Etymology: The species name crocotula is derived from the Latin name of a saffron garment (a saffron-coloured dress) and refers to the background colour of the live fish.

facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=634650629918065

Plongsesthee, R., Kottelat, M. & Beamish, F. W. H.; 2013: Schistura crocotula, A New Loach from Peninsular Thailand (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, 24 (2): 171-178.

http://www.pfeil-verlag.de/04biol/pdf/ief_24_2_07.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2003] Parakysis notialis • A New Species of akysid Catfish (Siluriformes: Akysidae) from Borneo

Parakysis notialis

 Ng & Kottelat 2003

Abstract 

Parakysis notialis sp. nov. is described from the Barito River drainage in southern Borneo. It can be distinguished from congeners in having a unique combination of the following characters: head length 26.5–27.0% SL, conical head, presence of median concavity on margin of lower lip, presence of laterosensory canal pore between inner and outer mandibular barbels, branched outer mandibular barbels, branches of inner mandibular barbels separated, deeply forked caudal fin with pointed lobes, 5 pectoral fin rays, 10 branched principal caudal fin rays, sparsely pigmented caudal fin, and absence of light brown saddle from base of posteriormost dorsal fin ray to caudal peduncle.

Key words: Parakysis · Akysidae · New species · Borneo

Ng, Heok Hee; Kottelat, Maurice. 2003. Parakysis notialis, A New Species of akysid Catfish from Borneo (Siluriformes: Akysidae). Ichthyol. Res. 50: 48–51. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1007/s102280300006

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/42446/30500048.pdf

[Ichthyology • 1999] Carinotetraodon imitator • a new freshwater pufferfish (Teleostei: Tetraodontiformes) from India

  Carinotetraodon imitator Britz & Kottelat, 1999
(a) live male in normal coloration; (b) in courting coloration with skin keels erected; (c) live female in normal coloration.

Abstract

Carinotetraodon imitator, new species, a sexually dimorphic freshwater pufferfish, is described from Kerala, India. It has a colour pattern resembling that of Tetraodon travancoricus. The two species differ, however, in details of the colour pattern, in body spination, and the presence of an erectible dorsal and ventral keel of skin in courting males; the latter character assigns the new species to the genus Carinotetraodon. It is distinguished from C. lorteti and C. salivator, by colour pattern of both sexes, body spination, and a maximum size of less than 26 mm standard length which makes C. imitator one of the smallest known pufferfishes. The keels have not been observed in T. travancoricus but this species is hypothesized to belong to Carinotetraodon on the basis of osteological characters.

Key words: Tetraodontidae, Carinotetraodon, sexual dimorphism, skin keels

Britz, R. & Kottelat, M., 1999. Carinotetraodon imitator, a new freshwater pufferfish from India (Teleostei: Tetraodontiformes). Journal of South Asian Natural History. 4 (1): 39-47.

[Ichthyology • 1995] Carinotetraodon salivator • a New Species of Pufferfish (Teleostei: Tetraodontidae) from Sarawak, Malaysia

Carinotetraodon salivator K. K. P. Lim & Kottelat, 1995

http://www.estalens.fr/articles.php?lng=fr&pg=1183

Abstract

 Carinotetraodon salivator, a new species of freshwater pufferfish, is described from Sarawak. It differs from its only known congener, C. lorteti, in having a shallower body (depth 36-41% SL, vs. 45- 5 3), 10 anal fin rays (vs. 11), 16-17 pectoral fin rays (vs. 14-15), 17-18 (mode 18) vertebrae (vs. 15-17, mode 16), eyes situated nearer the dorsal profile of the head, a distinct pale blotch present under the lower lip, a white distal margin absent from the caudal fin, and a ventrum which is striped in females and cross-banded in mature males. A lectotype is designated for Tetraodon borneensis Regan, 1902 .

Kelvin K.P. Lim; Maurice Kottelat . 1995. Carinotetraodon salivator, a New Species of Pufferfish from Sarawak, Malaysia (Teleostei: Tetraodontidae). Japanese Journal of Ichthyology. 41(4): 359-365.  http://www.wdc-jp.biz/pdf_store/isj/publication/pdf/41/414/41401.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2013] Kryptopterus vitreolus | ปลาผี, ปลาก้างพระร่วง หรือปลากระจก • After eighty years of misidentification, a name for the glass catfish (Teleostei: Siluridae) from Thailand

Kryptopterus vitreolus Ng & Kottelat 2013

Abstract

We resolve the identity of the glass catfish, a species of Asian freshwater fish commonly encountered as an ornamental fish and an experimental subject that has long been misidentified as either Kryptopterus bicirrhis or K. minor. Our study indicates that the glass catfish is an unnamed species distinct from either, which we describe here as Kryptopterus vitreolus.

Kryptopterus vitreolus is known from river drainages in peninsular and southeastern Thailand, and is distinguished from congeners in having a combination of: transparent body in life, maxillary barbels reaching beyond the base of the first anal-fin, dorsal profile with a pronounced nuchal concavity, snout length 29–35% head length (HL), eye diameter 28–34% HL, slender body (depth at anus 16–20% standard length (SL)) and caudal peduncle (depth 4–7% SL), 14–18 rakers on the first gill arch, and 48–55 anal-fin rays.

Key words: Peninsular Thailand, Kryptopterus

Ng HH and Kottelat M. 2013. After eighty years of misidentification, a name for the glass catfish (Teleostei: Siluridae). Zootaxa 3620(2): 308-316.

http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2013/f/z03630p332f.pdf

http://facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151501847604672 via facebook: Care of Magical Creatures

[Ichthyology • 2012] Draconectes narinosus • a new genus and species of cave fish (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from an island of Halong Bay, Vietnam

Draconectes narinosus,  new genus and species, is described from a cave in Van Gio island in Halong Bay, Vietnam. Besides characters commonly observed in cave fishes such as absence of eyes and pigmentation, it is distinguished by having the pores of the lateral line system on body and head situated at the tip of small papillae, a row of papillae along each side of the base of the dorsal fin, 7+6 branched caudal-fin rays; and the nostrils adjacent, posterior one broader than anterior one, anterior one broad and situated at the tip of a short tube. The relations of this species are not known but it has some similarity with several species described from caves of Guangxi (China) that had been placed in the genus Oreonectes.

Keywords: loach - Oreonectes.

Maurice Kottelat. 2012. Draconectes narinosus, a new genus and species of cave fish from an island of Halong Bay, Vietnam (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). Revue suisse de Zoologie / Swiss Journal of Zoology, 119 (3): 341-349.  http://www.ville-ge.ch/mhng/pdf/rsz119_3.pdf

New Eyeless, Scaleless Cave Fish Found http://www.livescience.com/25175-new-eyeless-scaleless-cave-fish-found.html  

[Ichthyology • 2005] Puntius exclamatio from southern Kerala State of India • A review of the barbs of the Puntius filamentosus group (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) of Southern India and Sri Lanka

Puntius exclamatio, new species, described from the Kallada River, southern Kerala State of India

Abstract

The Puntius filamentosus (Valenciennes) group of medium-sized (< 115 mm SL) cyprinids from southern India and Sri Lanka is reviewed. The group is characterised by adult males of most species developing filament-like extensions to the branched dorsal-fin rays and the distinctive ontogenic colour pattern of three black bars on the side of the body. Puntius singhala (Duncker), P. arulius (Jerdon), P. srilankensis (Senanayake) and P. tambraparniei (Silas) are considered valid species within this group. The name Puntius assimilis (Jerdon), hitherto in the synonymy of P. filamentosus, is re-validated and P. lepidus Day, and P. maderaspatensis (Jerdon) are treated as junior synonyms of P. assimilis and P. filamentosus, respectively. A new species, P. exclamatio, is described from the Kallada River, southern Kerala State; adults of this species differ from all other Indian and Sri Lankan Cyprinidae by their unique colour pattern: a black blotch 2–3 scales wide commencing on and above scale 6 or 7 of lateral-line series; and another horizontally-elongate, black, tear-shaped blotch about 1½ scales high commencing on lateral line slightly anterior to or above anal-fin origin, on about lateral-line scale row 13 and continuing to base of caudal fin. Puntius filamentosus is shown to have a wide distribution throughout the lowlands of southern India, while P. assimilis is known from disjunct populations in the Netravati River, southern Karnataka State, and the Chalakudy and Kallada Rivers, Kerala State. Puntius singhala and P. srilankensis are endemic to Sri Lanka.

Key words: Puntius filamentosus, India, Sri Lanka, Kerala, Cyprinidae, taxonomy.

Pethiyagoda, R. & M. Kottelat. 2005. A review of the barbs of the Puntius filamentosus group (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) of Southern India and Sri Lanka. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplement 12: 127-144.

http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/s12/s12rbz127-144.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2005] The identity of the south Indian barb Puntius mahecola (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) • redescribe based on recent collections from Kerala, India

Puntius mahecola photo by segrestfarms.com

Abstract

Leuciscus mahecola Valenciennes has long been placed in the synonymy of Leuciscus filamentosus Valenciennes (both species are currently referred to Puntius Hamilton). An examination of the syntype series of P. mahecola together with specimens collected recently in Kerala, India, shows however, that it is a valid species that has been referred in the current literature to P. amphibius (Valenciennes). Puntius mahecola is distinguished from other southern Indian and Sri Lankan Puntius species by having the last simple dorsal ray smooth; body depth 27.2–32.0% SL; a single pair of (maxillary) barbels, about ½ eye diameter long; and a horizontally-elongate black blotch about 1½ times as wide as it is high across 3½ scales of the lateral line immediately behind the anal-fin base. Lectotypes are designated for Leuciscus mahecola and Capoeta amphibia, and the former species redescribed based on the type specimens and a recently-collected series. A lectotype is designated for Barbus melanostigma Day, which is a junior subjective synonym of P. mahecola.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BarbusMahecola.png

Pethiyagoda, R. & M. Kottelat. 2005. The identity of the south Indian barb Puntius mahecola (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplement 12: 145-152. http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/s12/s12rbz145-152.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2008] Araiocypris batodes • a new genus and species of cyprinid fish (Ostariophysi: Cyprinidae) from Northern Vietnam

Araiocypris batodes

Conway & Kottelat, 2008

Araiocypris batodes is a very small cyprinid fish endemic to Vietnam.
It is the only known member of its genus.

Conway WK, Kottelat M (2008) Araiocypris batodes, a new genus and species of cyprinid fish from Northern Vietnam (Ostariophysi: Cyprinidae). Raffles Bull Zool. 56(1): 101– 105. http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/56/56rbz101-105.pdf