[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 • 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 • 1980] Revision of the Asian Mastacembelid Fish Genus Macrognathus

3 species of Macrognathus

• Macrognathus aculeatus — the southern Malay peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo and Java

• Macrognathus aral — the Indian subcontinent, including Sri Lanka and Burma

• Macrognathu siamensis — the Chao Phrya and Mekong basins of Thailand and Kampuchea (Cambodia)

Abstract

The highly specialized Asian mastacembelid genus Macrognathus, hitherto considered monotypic, comprises three morphologically distinct species with nearly contiguous ranges: M. aral, from the Indian subcontinent, including Sri Lanka and Burma; M. siamensis, from the Chao Phrya and Mekong basins of Thailand and Kampuchea, and the northernmost part of the Malay peninsula; and M. aculeatus, from the southern Malay peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo and Java. The species differ sharply in number of rostral toothplates and other meristic characters as well as in coloration. The specific status of M. aculeatus from Java, and that of M. dhanashorii from Assam (placed here as a synonym of M. aral), should be reconsidered when adequate study material becomes available. Mastacembelidae form two groups, possibly phyletic, based on structure of the rim of the anterior nostril. All or almost all African Mastacembelus and several Asian species (usually the larger species, including M. mastacembelus) have the nostril rim with two flaps and two fimbriae, whereas Macrognathus and several smaller species of Asian Mastacembelus (including M. pancalus and M. circumcinctus) have the nostril rim with six fimbriae.

Roberts, Tyson R. (1980). "A Revision of the Asian Mastacembelid Fish Genus Macrognathus". Copeia (American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists) 1980 (3): 385–391. doi:10.2307/1444512. JSTOR http://jstor.org/stable/1444512.

[Ichthyology • 2005] ปลาหลดพรุ | Macrognathus tapirus • Kalimantan Barat (Borneo), Indonesia

ปลาหลดพรุ | Macrognathus tapirus

Kottelat & Widjanarti, 2005

Occurs in rivers among leaf litter or dense vegetation, over muddy substrate.

Feeds on insects and crustaceans

Kottelat, M. and E. Widjanarti. 2005. The fishes of Danau Sentarum National Park and the Kapuas Lakes area, Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia. Raffles Bull. Zool. Supplement (13):139-173.

http://www.eol.org/pages/1156355

http://www.fishbase.gr/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=62647

[Ichthyology • 2008] Macrognathus pentophthalmos Gronow | Sri Lankan spiny eel (Teleostei: Mastacembelidae), and its enigmatic decline

Macrognathus pentophthalmos

Abstract

The Sri Lankan population of the spiny eel previously assigned to Macrognathus aral Schneider (Teleostei: Mastacembelidae) is shown to be a distinct species, for which the name M. pentophthalmos Gronow is available. Macrognathus pentophthalmos is distinguished from its closest congener, M. aral, by having 14–16 dorsal spines and a pre-dorsal length of 43.3–46.8% of standard length (SL) (vs. dorsal spines 18–22 and pre-dorsal length 35.5–40.8% SL in M. aral). Macrognathus pentophthalmos differs from its only other Indian congener, M. guentheri Day, among other characters, by having 24 pairs of rostral tooth plates (vs. rostral tooth plates absent). With the present designation of a neotype, Rhynchobdella orientalis Bloch & Schneider (type locality East Indies to Sri Lanka) becomes an objective junior synonym of M. aculeatus Bloch. Although assessed as ‘common’ in 1980, the population of M. pentophthalmos suffered a precipitous decline in the following decade, the causes of which are unknown. The species may now be extinct.

Key words: Macrognathus aral, Macrognathus guentheri, Macrognathus malabaricus, Macrognathus ocellatus, Macrognathus orientalis, neotype

Pethiyagoda, R. Silva, A. Maduwage, K & Kariyawasam, l. 2008. The Sri Lankan spiny eel, Macrognathus pentophthalmos (Teleostei: Mastacembelidae), and its enigmatic decline. Zootaxa, 1931: 37-48.: http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2008/f/z01931p048f.pdf

http://mczbase.mcz.harvard.edu/SpecimenDetail_body.cfm?collection_object_id=1777808

[Ichthyology • 2009] Macrognathus pavo • from Rakhine Yoma mountain range in western Myanmar

Macrognathus pavo differs from all other Asian mastacembelids by the presence of only 4-6 dorsal-fin spines (vs 11-42).

A characteristic feature of spiny eels is their long snouts or trunks which are highly sensitive and are used to probe around for insects and worms. © Ralf Britz

Macrognathus pavo make alert and attractive aquarium subjects. © Ralf Britz

Macrognathus pavo is only known from this mountain stream, Kyeintali Chaung in the Rakhine Yoma mountain range in western Myanmar. © Ralf Britz

ปลาหลดลายนกยูง: Macrognathus pavo

Macrognathus pavo : nhm.ac.uk Species of the day

The first images of live individuals of 4 new spiny eels from Myanmar and India identified by Museum scientist Dr Ralf Britz. From the top they are Macrognathus pavo, M. dorsiocellatus, M. obscurus and M. lineatomaculatus. © Photo of M. obscurus courtesy of Ye Hein Htet

First images of 4 new spiny eels | http://t.co/uQoIAY6 via Natural History Museum

Four new spiny eels described: http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=2650

Abstract

The species of the Macrognathus aculeatus group from Myanmar are reviewed and three new species are described. Macrognathus dorsiocellatus, new species, previously identified as M. aral, is distinguished by rostral tooth plates 19-23, dorsal fin spines 14-22, 7-11 small ocelli along soft dorsal fin, with ventrally open, incomplete white rim; M. obscurus, new species, is distinguished by rostral tooth plates 8-10, dorsal fin spines 20-22, ocelli along dorsal fin developed as small irregularly arranged dark spots or absent, M. pavo, new species, is distinguished by the presence of only 4-6 dorsal-fin spines, only 6-8 rostral tooth plates and details of the colour pattern. In addition, M. lineatomaculatus, new species, is described from India and Nepal and it is distinguished by rostral tooth plates 15-17, dorsal fin spines 19-22, and large black blotches along dorsal fin. The systematic position of M. caudiocellatus is reviewed and the species is retransferred to Mastacembelus.

Britz, R. 2009. Species of the Macrognathus aculeatus group in Myanmar with remarks on M.caudiocellatus (Teleostei: Synbranchiformes: Mastacembelidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. 20: 295-308.

http://www.pfeil-verlag.de/04biol/pdf/ief20_4_02.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2009] Macrognathus lineatomaculatus • Ayeyarwaddy, Myanmar

Macrognathus lineatomaculatus Britz, 2009

ปลาหลด: Macrognathus lineatomaculatus

The first images of live individuals of 4 new spiny eels from Myanmar and India identified by Museum scientist Dr Ralf Britz. From the top they are Macrognathus pavo, M. dorsiocellatus, M. obscurus and M. lineatomaculatus. © Photo of M. obscurus courtesy of Ye Hein Htet

First images of 4 new spiny eels | http://t.co/uQoIAY6 via Natural History Museum

Four new spiny eels described: http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=2650

Abstract

The species of the Macrognathus aculeatus group from Myanmar are reviewed and three new species are described. Macrognathus dorsiocellatus, new species, previously identified as M. aral, is distinguished by rostral tooth plates 19-23, dorsal fin spines 14-22, 7-11 small ocelli along soft dorsal fin, with ventrally open, incomplete white rim; M. obscurus, new species, is distinguished by rostral tooth plates 8-10, dorsal fin spines 20-22, ocelli along dorsal fin developed as small irregularly arranged dark spots or absent, M. pavo, new species, is distinguished by the presence of only 4-6 dorsal-fin spines, only 6-8 rostral tooth plates and details of the colour pattern. In addition, M. lineatomaculatus, new species, is described from India and Nepal and it is distinguished by rostral tooth plates 15-17, dorsal fin spines 19-22, and large black blotches along dorsal fin. The systematic position of M. caudiocellatus is reviewed and the species is retransferred to Mastacembelus.

Britz, R. 2009. Species of the Macrognathus aculeatus group in Myanmar with remarks on M.caudiocellatus (Teleostei: Synbranchiformes: Mastacembelidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. 20: 295-308.

http://www.pfeil-verlag.de/04biol/pdf/ief20_4_02.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2009] Macrognathus dorsiocellatus from Upper Ayeyarwaddy Drainage, Myanmar • Species of the Macrognathus aculeatus group (Synbranchiformes: Mastacembelidae) in Myanmar

Macrognathus dorsiocellatus Britz, 2009

Abstract

The species of the Macrognathus aculeatus group from Myanmar are reviewed and three new species are described. Macrognathus dorsiocellatus, new species, previously identified as M. aral, is distinguished by rostral tooth plates 19-23, dorsal fin spines 14-22, 7-11 small ocelli along soft dorsal fin, with ventrally open, incomplete white rim; M. obscurus, new species, is distinguished by rostral tooth plates 8-10, dorsal fin spines 20-22, ocelli along dorsal fin developed as small irregularly arranged dark spots or absent, M. pavo, new species, is distinguished by the presence of only 4-6 dorsal-fin spines, only 6-8 rostral tooth plates and details of the colour pattern. In addition, M. lineatomaculatus, new species, is described from India and Nepal and it is distinguished by rostral tooth plates 15-17, dorsal fin spines 19-22, and large black blotches along dorsal fin. The systematic position of M. caudiocellatus is reviewed and the species is retransferred to Mastacembelus.

Macrognathus dorsiocellatus

Paratype: NRM 58205

MYANMAR: Barlar Chaung, approximately 40 km (25 miles)

on the way from Yangon northeast to Bago

Date collected: 15 Mar 2008

Artist: Kajrup, B

http://artedi.nrm.se/nrmfish/rest_images_client.php?val=Macrognathus+dorsiocellatus

The first images of live individuals of 4 new spiny eels from Myanmar and India identified by Museum scientist Dr Ralf Britz. From the top they are Macrognathus pavo, M. dorsiocellatus, M. obscurus and M. lineatomaculatus. © Photo of M. obscurus courtesy of Ye Hein Htet

First images of 4 new spiny eels | http://t.co/uQoIAY6 via Natural History Museum

Four new spiny eels described: http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=2650

Britz, R. 2009. Species of the Macrognathus aculeatus group in Myanmar with remarks on M.caudiocellatus (Teleostei: Synbranchiformes: Mastacembelidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. 20: 295-308.

http://www.pfeil-verlag.de/04biol/pdf/ief20_4_02.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2009] Macrognathus obscurus • from Upper Ayeyarwaddy Drainage, Myanmar

Macrognathus obscurus Britz, 2009

Macrognathus obscurus

HOLOTYPE: NRM 36330

MYANMAR: Ayeyarwaddy River drainage: Hpa Lap Chaung just S of Yuzana Myaing village (8 km left from Myitkyina-Myitzon rd km 11)

Date collected: 1 Apr 1997

Artist: Kajrup, B

http://artedi.nrm.se/nrmfish/rest_images_client.php?val=Macrognathus+obscurus

ปลาหลด Macrognathus lineatomaculatus

from catalogue-of-fishes.pantown.com

The first images of live individuals of 4 new spiny eels from Myanmar and India identified by Museum scientist Dr Ralf Britz. From the top they are Macrognathus pavo, M. dorsiocellatus, M. obscurus and M. lineatomaculatus. © Photo of M. obscurus courtesy of Ye Hein Htet

First images of 4 new spiny eels | http://t.co/uQoIAY6 via Natural History Museum

Four new spiny eels described: http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=2650

Abstract

The species of the Macrognathus aculeatus group from Myanmar are reviewed and three new species are described. Macrognathus dorsiocellatus, new species, previously identified as M. aral, is distinguished by rostral tooth plates 19-23, dorsal fin spines 14-22, 7-11 small ocelli along soft dorsal fin, with ventrally open, incomplete white rim; M. obscurus, new species, is distinguished by rostral tooth plates 8-10, dorsal fin spines 20-22, ocelli along dorsal fin developed as small irregularly arranged dark spots or absent, M. pavo, new species, is distinguished by the presence of only 4-6 dorsal-fin spines, only 6-8 rostral tooth plates and details of the colour pattern. In addition, M. lineatomaculatus, new species, is described from India and Nepal and it is distinguished by rostral tooth plates 15-17, dorsal fin spines 19-22, and large black blotches along dorsal fin. The systematic position of M. caudiocellatus is reviewed and the species is retransferred to Mastacembelus.

Britz, R. 2010. Species of the Macrognathus aculeatus group in Myanmar with remarks on M.caudiocellatus (Teleostei: Synbranchiformes: Mastacembelidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. 20: 295-308.

http://www.pfeil-verlag.de/04biol/pdf/ief20_4_02.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2011] Monopterus ichthyophoides • Scaled swamp Eel from Mizoram, northeastern India

Monopterus ichthyophoides

Britz, Lalremsanga, Lalrotluanga & Lalramliana, 2011

• Scaled swamp Eel from Mizoram, northeastern India

Abstract

Monopterus ichthyophoides is described from specimens collected from the Sawleng River and a public well at Luangmual, both in the Barak River drainage in Mizoram, India. The new species differs from all other synbranchids in having only two, instead of five or six branchiostegal rays. It belongs to the Amphipnous species group characterized by possession of scales on the body and can be readily distinguished from all other species of this group by the lower number of vertebrae (114–117 vs 126–188).

Key words: taxonomy, freshwater fishes, Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot

Britz, R., Lalremsanga, H.T., Lalrotluanga and Lalramliana. 2011. "Monopterus ichthyophoides, a new species of scaled swamp eel (Teleostei: Synbranchiformes: Synbranchidae) from Mizoram, India." Zootaxa. 2936: 51-58.: http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2011/f/z02936p058f.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2002] Blind eel | Monopterus digressus • Subterranean Synbranchid fish from the Western Ghats in Kerala, India

Blind eel | Monopterus digressus

• Subterranean Synbranchid fish from Kerala, Peninsular India

Abstract

Foraging behaviour was studied in five specimens of the eyeless, cord-like eel Monopterus digressus collected from wells charged from subterranean streams, situated at the western periphery of the Western Ghats in Kerala, India. Feeding experiments were conducted using two types of live prey, and indicated the absence of visually oriented predatory movement. Dependence on olfactory as well as tactile stimuli for foraging in the absence of visual cues was evidenced.

Keywords: Predation, Monopterus digressus, Blind eel, Extra-visual orientation

References:

• Gopi, K.C. 2002. "A new Synbranchid fish, Monopterus digressus from Kerala, Peninsular India." Records of Zoological Survey of India. 100.1-2: 137-143.

• Moncey Vincent and John Thomas. 2002. Observations on the foraging behaviour of a subterranean fish Monopterus digressus (Synbranchiformes: Synbranchidae). Ichthyological Research. 58 (1): 95-98. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-010-0194-y

[Ichthyology • 1998] Two new synbranchid fishes: Monopterus roseni from Peninsular India & M. desilvai from Sri Lanka

Monopterus roseni from Peninsular India

[Ichthyology • 1998] Two new synbranchid fishes:

Monopterus roseni from Peninsular India and M. desilvai from Sri Lanka

Monopterus desilvai from Sri Lanka

Bailey, R.M. and Gans, C. 1998. "Two new synbranchid fishes, Monopterus roseni from Peninsular India and M. desilvai from Sri Lanka." Occ. Pap. Mus. Univ. Michigan 726: 1-18.: http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/handle/2027.42/57162

[Ichthyology • 2010] Macrognathus aureus • from Upper Ayeyarwaddy Drainage, Myanmar

Macrognathus aureus Britz, 2010

Abstract: Macrognathus aureus, new species, from the upper Ayeyarwaddy River Drainage, northern Myanmar, is distinguished from all other species of the M. aculeatus species group by the following combination of characters: rostral tooth plates8–10, dorsal-fin spines 21–22, and a unique colour pattern consisting of a series of large white-rimmed, dark-brown toblack blotches along the dorsal fin and even larger blotches along the lateral line, of which some are confluent with thedorsal series.

Key words: Taxonomy; freshwater fish; Irrawaddy; Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot

Britz, R., 2010. Macrognathus aureus, a new spiny eel of the Macrognathus aculeatus species group from the Upper Ayeyarwaddy River Drainage, Myanmar (Teleostei: Synbranchiformes: Mastacembelidae). Zootaxa, 2514: 55–60.: http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2010/f/z02514p060f.pdf

New species of spiny eel identified: http://www.mmtimes.com/2010/news/532/news017.html