[Ichthyology • 2019] Channa rara • A New Species of Snakehead Fish (Labyrinthici: Channidae) from the Western Ghats region of Maharashtra, India

Channa rara

Britz, Dahanukar, Anoop & Ali, 2019

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4683.4.8

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Abstract

Channa rara, new species, is described from the Jagbudi River in Maharashtra, India. It belongs to the Gachua group and differs from all its members by the possession of one or more ocelli in the posterior part of the dorsal fin in adults (vs. ocelli absent or 1, rarely 2–3 ocelli in juveniles only). It is further distinguished from most species of the C. gachua group by having 6–7 dark concentric bands on the pectoral fins. We review recent descriptions of species of the genus Channa and conclude that C. royi is a synonym of Channa harcourtbutleri, that the diagnosis of C. shingon from C. harcourtbutleri is seriously flawed and that C. torsaensis is not sufficiently diagnosed from C. quinquefasciata. The recently described C. amari is a junior synonym of C. brunnea.

Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, endemism, Western Ghats-Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot

FIGURE 2. Channa rara, live colouration.
(A) BNHS FWF 1003, holotype, 87.6 mm SL, India: Maharashthra: Jagbudi River near Khopi Village, note series of small dark spots along base of dorsal fin, large ocellus-like blotch at posterior dorsal fin.
(B) juvenile, not preserved, ca. 30 mm SL, note numerous black blotches in dorsal, anal, and caudal fins.
(C) small juvenile released from mouthbrooding male, not preserved, ca. 12 mm SL.

FIGURE 3. Channa rara, variation of live colouration.
(A) BNHS FWF 1004-1005, paratypes, 90.3 mm SL (left) and 82.1 (right), note presence of two (left) and three (right) posterior ocellus-like dorsal-fin blotches.
(B) BNHS FWF 1004-1005, paratypes, 90.3 mm SL (left) and 82.1 (right) illustrating ventral head colouration.

Ralf Britz, Neelesh Dahanukar, V.K. Anoop and Anvar Ali. 2019. Channa rara, A New Species of Snakehead Fish from the Western Ghats region of Maharashtra, India (Teleostei: Labyrinthici: Channidae). Zootaxa. 4683(4); 589–600. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4683.4.8

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[Ichthyology • 2019] Aenigmachanna gollum • A New Genus and Species of Subterranean Snakehead (Teleostei: Channidae) from Kerala, South India

Aenigmachanna gollum

Britz, Anoop, Dahanukar & Raghavan, 2019

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4603.2.10  

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Abstract

Aenigmachanna gollum, new genus and species, is described from Kerala, South India. It is the first subterranean species of the family Channidae. It has numerous derived and unique characters, separating it from both the Asian Channa Scopoli and the African Parachanna Teugels & Daget. Uniquely among channids, A. gollum has a very slender (maximum body depth only 11.1–11.3% SL), eel-like body (head length 20.8–21.6% SL), large mouth (jaw length 60.4–61.1 % HL), 43–44 anal-fin rays, 83–85 scales in a lateral series, an unusual colour pattern and it lacks pored lateral-line scales on the body and body buoyancy. In addition, it is distinguished by its DNA barcode sequence, which is 15.8–24.2% divergent from other species of the family Channidae. Morphological modifications usually associated with a subterranean life, such as reduction of eyes and enhancement of non-visual senses (taste, smell, mechanosensory systems) are absent in A. gollum. However, it shares with subterranean fishes a slight reduction of its pigmentation in comparison to epigean channids.

Keywords: Western Ghats-Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot, relict lineages, laterite, aquifer, Pisces

Ralf Britz, V.K. Anoop, Neelesh Dahanukar and Rajeev Raghavan. 2019. The Subterranean Aenigmachanna gollum, A New Genus and Species of Snakehead (Teleostei: Channidae) from Kerala, South India. Zootaxa. 4603(2); 377–388. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4603.2.10 

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[Ichthyology • 2018] Monopterus rongsaw • A New Species of Hypogean Swamp Eel (Synbranchiformes: Synbranchidae) from the Khasi Hills in Northeast India

Monopterus rongsaw

Britz, Sykes, Gower & Kamei, 2018

pfeil-verlag.de  nhm.ac.uk 

 A new species of hypogean swamp eel, Monopterus rongsaw, is described from the Khasi Hills in Meghalaya, India. It was discovered while digging rock-strewn and moist soil close to a small stream during attempts to find caecilians. The new species differs from other synbranchids by the combination of absence of skin pigmentation, the eyes being tiny and covered by skin, and a count of 92 precaudal and 69 caudal vertebrae.

Ralf Britz, Dan Sykes, David J. Gower and Rachunliu G. Kamei. 2018. Monopterus rongsaw, A New Species of Hypogean Swamp Eel from the Khasi Hills in Northeast India (Teleostei: Synbranchiformes: Synbranchidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. IEF-1086:1-12

DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1086   pfeil-verlag.de/publikationen/monopterus-rongsaw-a-new-species-of-hypogean-swamp-eel-from-the-khasi-hills-in-northeast-india-teleostei-synbranchiformes-synbranchidae/

New species of blind eel that burrows through the soil discovered

nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2018/september/new-species-of-blind-eel-that-burrows-through-the-soil-discovere.html

[Ichthyology • 2018] Dario neela • A New Species of Badid Fish (Percomorpha: Badidae) from the Western Ghats of India

Dario neela

Britz, Anoop & Dahanukar, 2018

   DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4429.1.6 

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Abstract

Dario neela, is described from a small tributary stream of the Kabini River in northern Kerala, India. It can be distinguished from congeners by the male colouration in life, which shows wide rims of iridescent blue in all median fins and the pelvic fin. It is further distinguished from all species of Dario, except D. urops by the number of abdominal vertebrae (14 vs. 11–13), and from all Dario species except D. urops and D. huli by the presence of a conspicuous black blotch on the caudal-fin base. Dario neela is distinguished from D. urops by the absence of the horizontal suborbital stripe and presence of a series of up to eight black bars on the body; and from D. huli by 27–28 vertebrae and 27 scales in a lateral row and the absence of teeth from hypobranchial 3. Dario neela is genetically divergent from both Western Ghats congeners in the mitochondrial CO1 gene, showing an uncorrected p-distance of 5.9% with D. urops and 13.1% to D. huli.

 Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, freshwater fishes, Western Ghats–Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot

FIGURE 2. Dario neela; India: Kerala;  holotype, male [BNHS FWF 612], 31.2 mm SL, slightly oblique lateral view. 

Dario neela, new species

Etymology. The species name neela is derived from the Malayalam word mnoe, ‘Nīla’, for blue and alludes to the striking iridescent blue colour of males. A noun in apposition.

....

Ralf Britz, V. K. Anoop and Neelesh Dahanukar. 2018. Dario neela, A New Species of Badid Fish from the Western Ghats of India (Teleostei: Percomorpha: Badidae). Zootaxa. 4429(1); 141–148.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4429.1.6

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[Ichthyology • 2016] Monopterus luticolus • A New Species of Swamp Eel (Teleostei: Synbranchidae) from Cameroon

Monopterus luticolus 

Britz, Doherty-Bone, Kouete, Sykes & Gower, 2016

Monopterus luticolus, new species, is described from Cameroon. Most of the seven known individuals were discovered in inundated soil while digging for caecilian amphibians. Monopterus luticolus differs from the two other nominal African synbranchid species in the number of vertebrae and details of its osteology. The spatial dissociation of ceratobranchial 1 from hypobranchial 1 and its close association with hypobranchial 2 and ceratobranchial 2 demonstrate that M. luticolus is a member of the ‘Amphipnous group’.

Fig. 2. Monopterus luticolus, BMNH 2016.7.6.3, paratype, 158 mm TL; Cameroon: Mundame, life colouration. Note bright red colour caused by well vascularized skin. 

Etymology. The species name is derived from the Latin word for mud, lutus, and the verb colere, to dwell, referring to the habitat in which the new species was collected. A noun in apposition.

Distribution. Monopterus luticolus is known only from four localities in the proximity of Mount Cameroon at altitudes of 35-170 m above sea level (Fig. 5).

 Ralph Britz, Thomas Doherty-Bone, Marcel Kouete, Dan Sykes and David Gower. 2016. Monopterus luticolus, A New Species of Swamp Eel from Cameroon (Teleostei: Synbranchidae). Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters. 27(4); 309-323. 

http://www.pfeil-verlag.de/04biol/pdf/ief27_4_04.pdf

   

  

[Ichthyology • 2015] Description of Danio absconditus and Redescription of D. feegradei (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), from the Rakhine Yoma Hotspot in south-western Myanmar

Danio absconditus Kullander & Britz, 2015

Danio feegradei Hora, 1937

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3948.2.5

Abstract

Danio feegradei Hora is redescribed based on recently collected specimens from small coastal streams on the western slope of the Rakhine Yoma, ranging from the Thade River drainage southward to slightly north of Kyeintali. Danio absconditus, new species, is described from the Kyeintali Chaung and small coastal streams near Gwa, south of the range of D. feegradei. Both species are distinguished from other Danio by the presence of a dark, elongate or round spot at the base of the caudal fin and a cleithral marking composed of a small black spot margined by a much smaller orange spot. Danio feegradei is characterized by the colour pattern, with series of white spots along the otherwise dark side; D. absconditus by about 7-–11 dark vertical bars on the abdominal side. Within Danio, the presence of a complete lateral line, cleithral spot, and 14 circumpeduncular scales is shared with D. dangila and similar species, but these character states may be plesiomorphic as suggested by the shared presence of cleithral spot and complete lateral line in Devario and Betadevario. In other Danio the cleithral spot is absent, the lateral line is short or absent, and the circumpeduncular scale count is lower (10–12). Twenty teleost species are reported from streams on the western slope of the Rakhine Yoma, all probably endemic. The parapatric distribution of D. absconditus and D. feegradei is unique within the genus, and may be partly explained by changes in eustatic sea levels.

Keywords: colour pattern, freshwater fish, morphology, species discrimination, taxonomy

Kullander, Sven O. & Ralf Britz. 2015. Description of Danio absconditus, new species, and Redescription of Danio feegradei (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), from the Rakhine Yoma Hotspot in south-western Myanmar.
Zootaxa. 3948(2): 233–247. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3948.2.5

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2015/f/zt03948p247.pdf

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:AF652D3A-05D0-4781-86A7-0813B4CE8E47

[Ichthyology • 2015] Badis britzi • A New Percomorph Fish (Teleostei: Badidae) from the Western Ghats of India

Badis britzi

Dahanukar, Kumar, Katwate & Raghavan, 2015

Abstract

Badis britzi, the first species of the genus endemic to southern India, is described from the Nagodi tributary of the west-flowing Sharavati River in Karnataka. It is distinguished from congeners by a combination of characters including a slender body, 21–24 pored lateral-line scales and a striking colour pattern consisting of 11 bars and a mosaic of black and red pigmentation on the side of the body including the end of caudal peduncle, and the absence of cleithral, opercular, or caudal-peduncle blotches, or an ocellus on the caudal-fin base. Badis triocellus Khynriam & Sen is considered a junior synonym of B. singenensis Geetakumari & Kadu.

Keywords: freshwater fish, Karnataka, Perciformes, Sharavati

 Dahanukar, N., Kumar, P., Katwate, U. & Raghavan, R. 2015. Badis britzi, A New Percomorph Fish (Teleostei: Badidae) from the Western Ghats of India. Zootaxa. 3941 (3): 429–436. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3941.3.9

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A4916102-7DF3-46D8-98FF-4C83942C63C9

[Ichthyology • 2015] Dario huli • A New Species of badid (Teleostei: Percomorpha: Badidae) from Karnataka, southern India

Dario huli Britz & Ali, 2015

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3911.1.9

Abstract

Dario huli, new species, is described from a small tributary stream of the Tunga River in southern Karnataka, India. It can be distinguished from all its congeners except D. urops by the presence of a conspicuous black caudal-fin blotch and by anterior dorsal-fin lappets in males not being produced beyond fin spines. It is readily distinguished from Dario urops by the absence of the horizontal suborbital stripe (vs. presence), the presence of a series of up to eight black bars on the body (vs. 2–3 black bars restricted to caudal peduncle), 25 scales in a lateral row (vs. 28), 3–5 tubed lateral-line scales (vs. tubed lateral-line scales completely absent), 13+13=26 vertebrae (vs. 14+14–15=28-29), and the presence of teeth on hypobranchial 3 (vs. absence of teeth).

Keywords: taxonomy, freshwater fishes, Western Ghats–Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot

Ralf Britz and Anvar Ali. 2015. Dario huli, A New Species of badid from Karnataka, southern India (Teleostei: Percomorpha: Badidae). Zootaxa. 3911(1): 139–144 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3911.1.9

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A9B26D5D-2AAF-40AF-A7A1-CA0A53EEC083

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[Ichthyology • 2014] Trichopodus poptae • A New Anabantoid Fish (Teleostei: Osphronemidae) from Borneo

Trichopodus poptae, new species, is distinguished from all other species in the genus by an almost non-discernible colour pattern, except for a single black blotch at the base of the caudal fin; fewer lateral scales (34-38, vs. 40-65); fewer total dorsal-fin rays than T. pectoralis (14-16, vs. 17-18); more total dorsal-fin spines than T. microlepis (6-7, vs. 3-4); fewer total anal-fin rays than T. microlepis and T. pectoralis (38-41, vs. 44-50). An artificial key to the genus is provided.

  Bi Wei, Heok Hui Tan and Ralf Britz. 2014. Trichopodus poptae, A New Anabantoid Fish from Borneo (Teleostei: Osphronemidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. 25(1): 69-77.

http://www.pfeil-verlag.de/04biol/pdf/ief25_1_06.pdf

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265964427_Trichopodus_poptae_a_new_anabantoid_fish_from_Borneo_(Teleostei_Osphronemidae)

[Ichthyology • 2013] Channa andrao • A New Species of Dwarf Snakehead (Teleostei: Channidae) from West Bengal, India

Channa andrao Britz 2013

photos: Paul Jones (upper) & Nilanjan Mukherjee (lower)
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Channa andrao, new species, from Lefraguri swamp, West Bengal, India, differs from all its congeners except, C. asiatica, C. bleheri and C. burmanica and the recently described C. hoaluensis and C. ninhbinhensis by the absence of pelvic fins. It can be distinguished from all other pelvic fin-less species of snakeheads by its colour pattern, and differs further in its number of vertebrae, dorsal- and anal-fin rays, and lateral-line scales from individual snakehead species in this complex Channa andrao raises the number of snakehead species endemic to the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot to ten, representing almost one third of the known species in the genus. 

Key words: taxonomy, endemism, Himalayan mountain range, Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot

 Channa andrao, Holotype & Paratype

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RALF BRITZ. 2013. Channa andrao, A New Species of Dwarf Snakehead from West Bengal, India (Teleostei: Channidae). Zootaxa. 3731(2): 287–294. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3731.2.9

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2013/f/z03731p294f.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 • 2008] Odessa barb | Puntius padamya • a new species of cyprinid fish (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Myanmar

photo by segrestfarms.com

Abstract

Puntius padamya, new species, is described from the type locality near Mandalay, in the Ayeyarwaddy River drainage, Myanmar. Referred specimens are reported from the lower Chindwin River. Puntius padamya is distinguished from other species of the P. conchonius species group above all by the colour pattern. Males possess a broad red band from the head to the base of the caudal fin, abdominal scales with dark margins, and hyaline dorsal, anal and pectoral fins with conspicuous black spots and black distal margins. Both sexes possess a vertically elongate dark humeral blotch and a small, inconspicuous dark blotch on the side of the caudal peduncle. Puntius padamya is a well known aquarium fish, commercialized as “Odessa barb”. 

Keywords: Cypriniformes – Taxonomy – Odessa barb – Ayeyarwaddy River – Chindwin River

Etymology:  Padamya is the Burmese word for ruby, given here with reference to the name ruby barb used in the ornamental fish trade, and to the bright red colour of the males. It is to be treated as a noun in apposition.

Geographical distribution: Known only from the type locality, an artificial pond in Toe Gyi village, situated just above the Anisakan Falls, near Pyin Oo Lwin, on the road Mandalay-Hsipaw, and from the lower Chindwin River.

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=4609

Kullander S.O. & Britz, R. 2008. Puntius padamya, a new species of cyprinid fish from Myanmar (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Electronic Journal of Ichthyology, 2008 (2): 56-66.

http://ichthyology.tau.ac.il/2008/KullanderBritz.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2009] Danionella priapus • a new species of miniature cyprinid fish (Teleostei: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from West Bengal, India

Abstract

Danionella priapus, a new species of sexually dimorphic miniature cyprinid from the Brahmaputra drainage in India, is distinguished from the other three species in the genus by the presence in adult males of a conical projection of the genital papilla situated between funnel-shaped pelvic fins, the number of anal- and pectoral-fin rays, and the position of insertion of the last anal-fin pterygiophore. It differs further from D. translucida and D. mirifica in details of the colour pattern, from D. dracula and D. mirifica in number of procurrent caudal-fin rays, from D. translucida in number of vertebrae and from D. dracula in several skeletal characters. Like the other species in the genus, D. priapus shows a developmentally truncated skeleton that is associated with several evolutionary morphological novelties. The present distribution of the Danionella species may be the result of a vicariance event in the early Miocene, when the tectonicuplift of eastern Tibet and the Indo-Burman ranges lead to the interruption of the palaeo-connection between the Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) and the upper Irrawaddy Rivers.

Key words: miniature fishes, developmental truncation, evolutionary novelty, vicariance

Dorsal and ventral view of the colour pattern of Danionella priapus head and anterior body. Holotype: BMNH 2009.9.9.1, male, 14.4mm SL. (Images: Ralf Britz, Natural History Museum)

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/species-of-the-day/collections/collecting/danionella-priapus/index.html

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/species-of-the-day/collections/collecting/danionella-priapus/taxonomy/index.html

http://ig-bssw.org/?p=1584

Britz, R. 2009. Danionella priapus, a new species of miniature cyprinid fish from West Bengal, India (Teleostei: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae). Zootaxa, 2277: 53–60.: http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2009/f/z02277p060f.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2009] Danionella dracula • Spectacular morphological novelty in a miniature cyprinid fish from northern Myanmar

Abstract

Danionella dracula is a new species of sexually dimorphic, miniature and highly developmentally truncated cyprinid fish. Compared with its close relative, the zebrafish Danio rerio, it lacks 44 bones or parts thereof and represents one of the most developmentally truncated vertebrates. Absence of the majority of bones appears to be due to developmental truncation via terminal deletion. In contrast to these larval-like features, D. dracula also shows several hyperossifications. Uniquely, among carp-like fishes, male D. dracula have a series of long, pointed odontoid processes on the jaws greatly resembling the jaw dentition of teleosts with true teeth. The anterior-most process in each jaw is extended as a canine-like fang projecting through the epithelium. True jaw teeth are absent from all 3700 species of cypriniforms and were lost at least in the Upper Eocene. It remains to be investigated, however, whether the conserved pathways to regulate tooth development in cypriniforms have been used in D. dracula to form and pattern the odontoid processes. This new species represents a remarkable example linking progenetic paedomorphosis via heterochronic change in developmental timing to the evolution of morphological novelties.

Keywords: Danionella, Cypriniformes, jaw teeth, miniaturization, developmental truncation, evolutionary novelty

Ralf Britz, Kevin W. Conway, Lukas Rüber. 2009. Spectacular morphological novelty in a miniature cyprinid fish, Danionella dracula n. sp. . The Royal Society. : http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2009.0141

NHM Species of the Day: Danionella dracula  

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/species-of-the-day/collections/collecting/danionella-dracula/index.html

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/research-curation/staff-directory/zoology/r-britz/index.html

http://www.baanmaha.com/community/thread33829.html

[Ichthyology • 2003] Danionella mirifica • a new species of miniature fish (Ostariophysi: Cyprinidae) from Upper Myanmar

An undescribed Danionella. Picture by Choy Heng Wah.
http://budak.blogs.com/the_annotated_budak/2006/01/paedocypris_pro.html

Danionella mirifica, new species, is distinguished from its only congener D. translucida in having a more elongate body (body depth 12.2-14.8 % SL vs. 18.5-24.4 % SL), 36-37 vertebrae (vs. 32-33), 17-20 anal-fin rays (vs. 12-14), a single ventromedian row of large melanophores between pelvic fins and tips of cleithra (vs. paired ventral paramedian rows of smaller melanophores between pelvics and tips of cleithra), and in lacking scattered small melanophores on ventrolateral side of abdomen (vs. presence of these melanophores). Although slightly larger than D. translucida, D. mirifica is still one of the smallest freshwater fishes.

Britz, Ralf. 2003. Danionella mirifica, a new species of miniature fish from Upper Myanmar (Ostariophysi: Cyprinidae). Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters 14 (3): 217–222.  http://www.pfeil-verlag.de/04biol/pdf/ief14_3_03.pdf