[Ichthyology • 2026] Oreonectes weii • A New endemic Species (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) within the Yangtze River Basin and its Monsoon-driven Evolutionary Diversification

Oreonectes weii

Luo, Ling, Cao, Zhou & Huang, 2026

 

魏氏岭鳅  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.186155 

Abstract

A new species Oreonectes weii sp. nov., is described that was collected from Shanggao County, Jiangxi Province, China, located at the upper reaches of the Yangtze River Delta. This naming honors the globally distinguished conservation biologist Fu-Wen Wei for his exceptional and pioneering contributions to biodiversity conservation and research. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of meristic and morphological characters, including fin-ray counts, body coloration, eye normal, number of lateral-line pores, and gill-raker counts. Genetically, it forms a distinct lineage in the mitochondrial Cyt b-based phylogeny and exhibits a genetic distance of 6.3% from its sister species, O. polystigmus. We further estimated divergence time within the genus Oreonectes, which indicates an origin in the Late Oligocene (~27.06 Ma) and a most recent common ancestor at ~13.91 Ma. Our biogeographic analyses suggest that the Guijiang-Hejiang River Basin likely served as a source area for the genus’ dispersal into adjacent basins, and that the new species probably originated from a dispersal event of its ancestral population from the Pearl River Basin to the Yangtze River Basin during the Late Miocene (~6.78 Ma). Lineage-divergence dynamics indicate that cladogenesis began around 28 Ma, accelerated markedly at ~18 Ma, peaked at ~6 Ma, and subsequently showed a gradual decline. The current diversity pattern of Oreonectes may have been shaped primarily by dispersal mediated by enhanced precipitation under the East Asian monsoon climate, with subsequent erosion-induced geographical isolation likely promoting speciation and diversification within the genus.

Key Words: Biogeography, cryptic species, morphology, taxonomy, phylogeny, Yangtze River

Ecological photographs and habitats.
A, B. Oreonectes weii sp. nov.; C. O. guidongensis; D. O. polystigmus;
E. Outside the cave; F. Inside the cave.

Oreonectes weii sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Oreonectes weii sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) coloration pattern present and irregular black spots scattered on the lateral body surface and caudal fin; (2) eyes normal; (3) well-developed posterior chamber of air-bladder; (4) cephalic lateral-line system with 4 + 10 infraorbital canal pores and six preoperculo-mandibular canal pores; (5) 9–10 branched pectoral-fin rays, length 16.0–24.3% SL; (6) tip of pelvic fin not reaching the anus; (7) caudal fin truncated, with 14 branched caudal-fin rays; (8) 10 inner gill rakers on the first gill arch; (9) tip of maxillary barbel not reaching the posterior margin of the operculum.

Etymology. The specific epithet “weii” is a genitive noun derived from the surname of Academician Fu-Wen Wei (魏辅文), an eminent conservation biologist. The name is given in honor of his outstanding contributions to the study and conservation of biodiversity in China. We suggest the English common name for this species is the “Wei’s Mountain Loach”, and its Chinese name is “Wèi Shì Lǐng Qiū” (魏氏岭鳅).

 Tao Luo, Wen-Qing Ling, Hai-Lin Cao, Jiang Zhou and Guang-Ping Huang. 2026. A New endemic Species Oreonectes weii sp. nov. (Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae) within the Yangtze River Basin and its Monsoon-driven Evolutionary Diversification. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(3): 751-765. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.186155 [14 May 2026]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Claea dafangensis (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) • A New Cave-dwelling Fish from the upper Wujiang River, Guizhou Province, China

(A) Claea dafangensis Wang, Luo & Zhou, sp. nov. 

(F) Habitat of C. dafangensis sp. nov.

(B) C. dabryi (E) C. scet (Lei et al. 2025). 

in J.-J. Wang, Luo, M.-Y. Xiao, Xie, Y.-L. Wang, Deng, N. Xiao et Zhou, 2026.  

大方山鳅  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.172325

 Abstract

A new species of the genus Claea, Claea dafangensis sp. nov., is described from Yuchong Township, Dafang County, Guizhou Province, China. This species can be distinguished from its four congeners by a combination of the following characteristics: body pigmentation present; normal eyes with a diameter of 10.9–21.0% of head length (HL); processus dentiformis prominent, covering the lower jaw when the mouth is shut; 8–9 branched pectoral-fin rays; 16 branched caudal-fin rays; caudal-peduncle depth 6.1–8.7% of standard length (SL); interorbital width 23.6–39.0% HL; tip of maxillary barbel reaching the posterior margin of the eyes; outrostral barbel extending backward beyond the anterior nostrils; and anal-fin base length 4.0–5.5% SL. Mitochondrial Cyt b analysis further supports the distinctiveness of this population, revealing that it forms an independent phylogenetic lineage with a minimum genetic distance of 2.6% from C. wulongensis. The description of this new species suggests that Claea dabryi represents a species complex containing multiple distinct lineages, the diversity of which requires further evaluation.

Key Words: Mitochondrial, morphology, taxonomy, Wujiang basin

Holotype GZNU20241204001 (A–K) of Claea dafangensis sp. nov. in preservative.
 (A) Lateral view. (B) Dorsal view. (C) Ventral view. (D) Dorsal-fins view. (E) Anal-fins view. (F) Pectoral-fins view. (G) Pelvic-fins view. (H) Dorsal view of head. (I) Lateral view of head. (J) Ventral view of head. (K) Anterior chamber and posterior chamber. (Cephalic lateral line system highlighted as yellow dots)

Claea dafangensis Wang, Luo & Zhou, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Comparative data between new species and all four known species within the genus Claea are provided in Table 3. Claea dafangensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from C. scet by the processus dentiformis prominent, covering lower jaw when mouth shut (vs.reduced, not covering lower jaw when mouth shut), body pigmentation present (vs. reduced), eyes normal, with diameter 10.9–21.0% of head length (HL) (vs. eyes reduced, 3.8–5.9% HL); from C. minibarba by tip of maxillary barbel reaching the posterior margin of eyes (vs. extending to the middle of eye), 8–9 branched pectoral-fin rays (vs. 10), and caudal-peduncle depth 6.1–8.7% SL (vs. 9.5–11.7%); from C. wulongensis by tip of maxillary barbel reaching the posterior margin of eye (vs. extending to ansterior margin of eye), 16 branched caudal-fin rays (vs. 18), and interorbital width 23.6–39.0% HL (vs. 38.5–43.1%); from C. dabryi (Fig. 6) by outrostral barbel backward extending beyond the anterior nostrils (vs. reaching or beyond to ansterior margin of eye), tip of maxillary barbel reaching the posterior margin of eye (vs. beyond the posterior margin of eye), and anal fin base length 4.0–5.5% SL (vs. 2.8–3.4%).

Lateral view of species in the genus Claea during life and the habitat of the new species.
(A) Claea dafangensis sp. nov. (B) C. dabryi (C) C. wulongensis (Chen et al. 2021). (D) C. minibarba (Zhang et al. 2024). (E) C. scet (Lei et al. 2025). (F) Habitat of Claea dafangensis sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet “dafangensis” refers to the type locality of the new species, distributed in Dafang County. We propose the common English name “Dafang mountain loach” and the Chinese name “Dà Fānɡ Shān Qīu (大方山鳅).”

Jia-Jia Wang, Tao Luo, Ming-Yuan Xiao, Xin Xie, Yu-Ling Wang, Huai-Qing Deng, Ning Xiao and Jiang Zhou. 2026. Claea dafangensis (Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae), A New Cave-dwelling Fish from the upper Wujiang River, Guizhou Province, China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(2): 519-531.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.172325 [26 Mar 2026]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Formosania tangi • A New Species of Suck-loach (Cypriniformes: Gastromyzontidae) from the Jiulongjiang River, southeastern China

Formosania tangi 

Chen, Zhou, Chen & Yang, 2026

文乔缨口鳅  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1273.184335 

 

Abstract

For decades, populations of the suck-loach genus Formosania from the Jiulongjiang River in Fujian Province, China, have been identified as F. fascicauda, a species originally described from in a separate coastal drainage basin in Fuqing County. Employing an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses, we demonstrate that the Jiulongjiang River population represents a distinct species, formally described here as Formosania tangi sp. nov. It is diagnosed by a combination of characters: 13 rostral barbels arranged in two rows, a distinct straight, dark, longitudinal stripe along the lateral line, and an emarginate caudal fin. Phylogenetic analyses consistently recover it as a unique evolutionary lineage showing significant genetic divergence from true F. fascicauda, with a Kimura 2-parameter distance of 4.16%. The description of F. tangi clarifies the taxonomic status of the Jiulongjiang River population and enhances our understanding of species diversity and biogeography of Formosania in the coastal drainages of southeastern China.

Key words: Molecular phylogeny, morphology, new species, taxonomy

Lateral, dorsal, and ventral views of Formosania tangi sp. nov., holotype, adult, SHOU20251010601, 63.74 mm SL.

Formosania tangi sp. nov.
Habitat (photographed by Yong-Sheng Lin)
and live appearance. (photographed by Hao-Jun Chen).

 Formosania tangi sp. nov. 

 

Diagnosis. The new species can be distinguished from congeners by combination of following characters: rostral barbels 13, well developed, arranged in two rows (Fig. 3B) (vs one row in F. davidi, F. fasciolata, F. galericula, and F. immaculata – Fig. 3A; 12–15 rudimentary barbels in F. chenyiyui – Fig. 3C); lateral line accompanied by broad, dark, longitudinal band, margins weakly undulating or nearly straight, pale stripe between lateral line band and dark dorsal surfaces ...

Etymology. The species name honours Wen-Qiao Tang, a senior Chinese ichthyology researcher, and is derived from the latinized Chinese spelling of his family name, in recognition of his contributions to the field. We propose “Wén Qiáo Yīng Kŏu Qiū” (文乔缨口鳅) as its Chinese common name.

Yang Chen, Jia-Jun Zhou, Jing-Chen Chen, Jin-Quan Yang. 2026. Formosania tangi, A New Species of Suck-loach (Cypriniformes, Gastromyzontidae) from the Jiulongjiang River, southeastern China, with Taxonomic Notes on F. fascicauda. ZooKeys. 1273: 147-166. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1273.184335 [17 Mar. 2026]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Oreichthys elianae & Glyptothorax sentimereni • New Species (Teleostei: Sisoridae, Cyprinidae) from Nagaland, Northeast India

 

Oreichthys elianae  &

Glyptothorax sentimereni

 Praveenraj & Vijayakrishnan, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5763.2.5

Abstract

Two new species of fishes are described from the tributaries of the Brahmaputra River in Nagaland, Northeast India. Glyptothorax sentimereni, described from the Dikhu River, is distinguished from congeners in having the following combination of characters: ventral surfaces of pectoral spine and first pelvic-fin ray with plicae, serrated posterior edge of dorsal-fin spine, thoracic adhesive apparatus completely encinctured by striae, length of dorsal-fin spine 13.7–16.1% SL, body depth at anus 17.1–19.6% SL, length of dorsal-fin base 12.0–13.1% SL, post-adipose distance 20.8–22.2% SL, head depth 16.5–17.0% SL and dorsal-to-adipose distance 21.8–23.5% SL. Oreichthys elianae, described from the Tsurang River, is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters that include 19+1 scales (with 5 pored scales) in longitudinal series, ½3/1/2½ scales in transverse row, 9 predorsal scales, 14–15 pores on cheek, a black spot on the caudal-fin base, and reddish fins.

Pisces, Brahmaputra River, Cypriniformes, Diversity, endemic fish, Siluriformes

 

Glyptothorax sentimereni, a rheophilic torrent catfish from the Dikhu River, Nagaland

Oreichthys elianae, from the Tsurang River in Mokokchung, loses its coloration immediately under stress

Jayasimhan PRAVEENRAJ and Balaji VIJAYAKRISHNAN. 2026. New Species of the Genera Glyptothorax (Teleostei: Sisoridae) and Oreichthys (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Nagaland, Northeast India.  Zootaxa. 5763(2); 255-267. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5763.2.5 [2026-03-03]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Gitchak nakana • A miniature, subterranean, blind cobitid loach (Cypriniformes: Cobitidae) is the first groundwater-dwelling fish from Northeast India

Gitchak nakana

Britz, Marak, Velentina, Lokeshwor, Raghavan, Pinion & Rüber, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-40425-6  

  x.com/Meenkaran1

Abstract

Subterranean animals are commonly met with considerable fascination, by both laymen and biologists. While most of these animals have been reported from caves, some species have adapted to other underground habitats. One special subterranean aquatic habitat are aquifers, which are home to a number of invertebrates and fishes. Of the more than 300 known subterranean fishes, fewer than 10% have been recovered from aquifers and are encountered only rarely and serendipitously. Here we report the discovery of a tiny, blind loach of the family Cobitidae from a dug-out well in Assam, India, which exhibits a number of characters commonly associated with subterranean life, so-called troglomorphies. This loach, described here as Gitchak nakana, represents a new genus and species, differing from all other genera of cobitids by a number of unique characters. The most unusual among these is the complete lack of a skull roof with the brain covered dorsally only by skin. Gitchak nakana is the first aquifer-dwelling (phreatobitic) fish from Northeast India, and marks the first discovery of a previously unknown subterranean fauna in this part of Asia.

Gitchak nakana. (a) ZSI FF11123, holotype, 20.8 mm SL, in life, sides reversed, showing overall appearance, note presence of large eggs in body cavity and numerous fat globules (reflective spheres) along dorsal midline and postanal ventral midline. (b) same specimen, after preservation. (c) same specimen, µCT-image to illustrate presence of eight large eggs arranged in a longitudinal series. (d) same specimen, in life, actively swimming in the water column; note large yellow eggs and blood red liver. (e) KUFOS2025.F.11.51, non-type, 16.4 mm SL, in life, close-up of lateral head and body; note swimbladder visible through body wall. (f) KUFOS:2025.FT.11.6, paratype, 20.0 mm SL, frontal view of head to illustrate crown of barbels; note large-calibre red blood vessels supplying rostral (rb), maxillary (mxb) and mandibular (mdb) barbels and small-calibre vessels supplying nasal (nb) and tiny mental barbels (marked by arrow).

Taxonomy 

Gitchak, new genus 

Diagnosis. Gitchak is a member of the family Cobitidae as evidenced by (i) the modification of lateral ethmoid into a bifurcated subocular spine, which articulates with the orbitosphenoid, (ii) the reduction of the endopterygoid into a rod-like element, (iii) the absence of contact between orbitosphenoid and pterosphenoid and (iv) the outer arm of the os suspensorium completely surrounding anterior swimbladder chamber.

Etymology. The genus name is derived from the Garo word gitchak, meaning red, alluding to the striking red life colour of this loach. Treated here as a noun in the feminine gender.

Gitchak nakana, new species.

 

Etymology. The specific name is derived from the Garo words na·tok, fish, and kana, blind, referring to the absence of eyes in this species, a noun in apposition.

 

Ralf Britz, Wimarithy K. Marak, Kangjam Velentina, Yumnam Lokeshwor, Rajeev Raghavan, Amanda K. Pinion and Lukas Rüber. 2026. A miniature, subterranean, blind cobitid loach, Gitchak nakana, new genus and species, is the first groundwater-dwelling fish from Northeast India. Scientific Reports. 16: 7746. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-40425-6 [26 February 2026]

  x.com/Meenkaran1/status/2027384099984519338

[Ichthyology • 2026] Hongshuia wangi & H. boulobos • Two New Species of the Cyprinid Genus Hongshuia (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from the Pearl River Basin, Southwest China, with a Re-evaluation of the Taxonomic Status of H. paoli

 

 (A) Hongshuia wangi; (B) H. boulobos 

Zeng & Zhang, 

 

in Zeng, Tan, B.-L. Zhang et E. Zhang, 2026. 

 https://zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/issue.php?id=2047

Two new species of the labeonin cyprinid genus Hongshuia, H. boulobos and H. wangi, are here described from tributaries of the Pearl River Basin, Southwest China. Both share with H. brevibarba the presence of a lower lip with a sector-shaped median lobe (the maximum width positioned at anterior potion of median lobe), distinguishing them from H. microstomata and H. megalophthalmus, which have a roughly rounded median lobe. Hongshuia wangi is distinct from H. brevibarba and H. boulobos in having wider median lobe of lower lip (width 47.8–57.6% of head width vs. 40.5–43.4% in H. brevibarba and 38.5–44.0% in H. boulobos). Hongshuia boulobos further differs from all other congeners in having a lower lip with larger lateral lobes (width more vs. less than one-third of the median lobe width). The study also considers H. paoli as a junior synonym of H. megalophthalmus based on morphological and molecular evidence.

Keywords: Biogeography, Cyprinidae, Morphology, Speciation, Taxonomy

Freshly collected specimen of (A) Hongshuia wangi, IHB 202402146680 and (B) H. boulobos, IHB 202405026699.

Distribution of species of Hongshuia.

Habitat of (A) Hongshuia wangi: the Zhangbu River (the surface section) and

 (B) H. boulobos: the Dongsai Subterranean River (the outlet).

 Hongshuia wangi Zeng & Zhang, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Hongshuia wangi, new species, shares with H. brevibarba and H. boulobos, new species, the presence of a lower lip with a sector-shaped median lobe (the maximum width positioned at anterior potion of median lobe), by which they are separated from H. microstomata and H. megalophthalmus, which have a roughly rounded median lobe of lower lip. It is distinct from H. brevibarba and H. boulobos through a wider median lobe of lower lip (width 47.8–57.6% of corresponding head width vs. ...

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the family name of the collector (Guo-Fu Wang), in honor of his contribution in protecting the Zhangbu River and discovering the new species.

 

Hongshuia boulobos Zeng & Zhang, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Hongshuia boulobos, new species, is distinct from all congeneric species in having a lower lip with larger lateral lobes (width more than vs. less than one-third of the median lobe width). It is similar to H. wangi and H. brevibarba in having a sector-shaped median lobe of lower lip, a character used to separate them from H. microstomata and H. megalophthalmus where the median lobe of lower lip is roughly rounded. ...

Etymology: The epithet, used as a noun, is derived from the Greek words ‘bou-’ (large) and ‘lobos’(lobe), in allusion to the two large lateral lobes of the lower lip. The common Chinese name proposed for the new species is ‘大叶红水鲮’. 

 

Zhi-Xuan Zeng, Cheng-Jiang Tan, Ben-Lin Zhang and E Zhang. 2026. Descriptions of Two New Species of the Cyprinid Genus Hongshuia (Pisces: Cypriniformes) from the Pearl River Basin, Southwest China, with a Re-evaluation of the Taxonomic Status of H. paoli. Zoological Studies 65:05. DOI: 10.6620/ZS.2026.65-05

 https://zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/issue.php?id=2047

[Ichthyology • 2026] Magnischistura khaokrajom • A New Genus and Species of Loach (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from the Pachi River drainage in Western Thailand

Magnischistura khaokrajom  Page, Pawangkhanant & Cagle,

in Page, Pawangkhant, Tangjitjaroen, Cagle, Williams et Randall, 2026. 

Krajom Mountain Stream Loach | ปลาค้อปิศาจ ||  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.6.7 

 facebook.com:  R I M 

 

Abstract

Magnischistura khaokrajom, new genus and species, is described from a small tributary of the Pachi River in the Suan Phueng region of the Tenasserim Hills in western Thailand. Magnischistura shares with several recently described genera of nemacheilids a globulous suborbital flap with tubercles at its extremity and a highly modified pectoral fin on mature males, but molecular data failed to support a close relationship to any of them. Morphologically, the new genus is distinguished by the presence of a suborbital flap in the female. The highly modified pectoral fin of males is hypothesized to facilitate juxtaposition with a female during spawning.

Taxonomy, Phylogeny, Southeast Asia

(A-C) Magnischistura khaokrajom.
(A) UF 248549, paratype, 74.1 mm SL, female, live, (B) UF 248549, paratype, 68.4 mm SL male, live, (C) THNHM-F023975, holotype, 74.0 mm SL male, preserved,
(D) Mustura maepaiensis, UF 188267, 42.3 mm SL, live.

Magnischistura, Page, Pawangkhanant & Cagle, new genus 

Diagnosis. Magnischistura is distinguished from all other genera of Nemacheilidae by the combination of: (a) in adult males, a pectoral fin that is rigid, curved upward, and has a thick tuberculated pad on the dorsal surface and epidermal flanges on the narrow membranes (Figure 4B); a large, vertically oriented, globulous suborbital flap with tubercles on its underside and distal edge (Figure 4A); (b) in adult females, a pectoral fin with a thick pad on the dorsal surface and epidermal flanges on the membranes (Figure 4D), and a small suborbital flap (Figure 4C); and (c) large size—to at least 98 mm SL.

Etymology. Magni- refers to the large size of the type species relative to most species of nemacheilids in Indochina, and Schistura McClelland 1838 is a widespread genus of nemacheilids. Gender feminine.

Magnischistura khaokrajom, Page, Pawangkhanant, and Cagle, new species

Krajom Mountain Stream Loach

ปลาค้อปิศาจ [Pla Kor Pi Saad]

Etymology. Khaokrajom, meaning Krajom Mountain in Thai, where this species lives.

 

Lawrence M. PAGE, Parinya PAWANGKHANT, Weerapongse TANGJITJAROEN, David K. CAGLE, Basil R. WILLIAMS and Zachary S. RANDALL. 2026. Magnischistura khaokrajom, A New Genus and Species of Loach (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from the Pachi River drainage in Western Thailand. Zootaxa. 5757(6); 583-599. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.6.7 [2026-02-11]

 facebook.com/100088301342746/posts/885864071033630

  

[Ichthyology • 2026] Oreonectes jinxiuensis • A New Species of Oreonectes (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from Guangxi, China

 

Oreonectes jinxiuensis 

 Chen, Huang, Zou, Du & Lin, 2026

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.172439

Abstract

Fishes of the genus Oreonectes inhabit complex karst landscapes, and additional cryptic species may be present within Oreonectes. Specimens previously identified as O. platycephalus and collected from Fenzhan Village, Jinxiu County, Guangxi, may represent a new species, Oreonectes jinxiuensis. It is distinguished from all congeners by a degenerated swim bladder, adjacent anterior and posterior nostrils, 13 inner gill rakers on the first gill arch, a dorsal-fin origin posterior to the pelvic-fin origin, 10 branched pectoral-fin rays, 14–15 branched caudal-fin rays, a preanal length of 73.7%–77.3% of SL, and a caudal-peduncle length of 13.3%–16.4% of SL. Its validity is further supported by its recovered monophyly in a molecular phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial COI and Cyt b gene sequences, as well as by species-level genetic divergence between the new species and its closest relatives.

Key Words: Cryptic species, karst region, mitochondrial gene, Oreonectes, taxonomy

Oreonectes jinxiuensis sp. nov.
A–C. Lateral, dorsal, and ventral views of the holotype KIZ2005006221 (♀);
D–F. Lateral, dorsal, and ventral views of the paratype KIZ2005006226 (♂);
G. Living photo of Oreonectes jinxiuensis sp. nov., taken by Liu Caixin.

 Oreonectes jinxiuensis

Zhuo-Ni Chen, Shi-Rong Huang, Tong-Xiang Zou, Li-Na Du, Feng Lin. 2026. Description of A New Species of Oreonectes (Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae) from Guangxi, China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(1): 119-130. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.172439 [13 Jan 2026] 

[Ichthyology • 2026] Balitora tiandengensis • A New Species of Cave-dwelling Loach (Cypriniformes: Balitoridae) from Guangxi, China

 

Balitora tiandengensis Nong & Wei,   

in Nong, Fang, Li, Q.-J. Wei, Xu et G.-Y. Wei, 2026. 

天等爬鳅  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1267.166354

Abstract

Balitora tiandengensis (Teleostei, Balitoridae), a new species collected from a karst cave at Dukang Town, Tiandeng County, Guangxi, China is described and illustrated on the basis of morphological and molecular evidence. Phylogenetic trees reconstructed based on 70 sequences of two mitochondrial (COI and Cyt b) and three nuclear genes (RAG1, IRBP, and EGR2B) show that the new species represents an independent evolutionary lineage. Morphologically, Balitora tiandengensis Nong & Wei, sp. nov. can be distinguished from the other species currently assigned to the genus Balitora by its dorsal fin iii-9, anal fin i-6, pectoral fin v-12, and caudal-fin 19 branched rays. The lips exhibit no complex folding or thickening, maintaining a relatively thin and simple structure. Upper and lower lips connected at corner of mouth, upper lip with a row of inconspicuous papillae, and lower lip thin. Dorsal fin long, 16.7–19.4% of standard length (SL), anal fin short, 15.0–16.7% of SL, distal margin truncated, origin close to the anus and far from the caudal-fin base, pectoral fin 18.4–20.5% of SL, pelvic fin moderately developed, distal margin rounded, 15.1–16.7% of SL. Anus 72.5%–73.3% distance from posterior end of the pelvic fin base to the anal fin origin. The new species will help to define the new distribution of the genus Balitora in Guangxi, China.

Key words: Karst cave, loach, morphology, phylogeny, taxonomy

Morphological characters of holotype (WGY2024121901) of Balitora tiandengensis sp. nov. 
A. Lateral view; B. Dorsal view; C. Ventral view; D. Ventral side view of head; E. Dorsal side view of head; F. Close up photo of the mouth.

Habitat and photographs of Balitora tiandengensis sp. nov. in life.

Balitora tiandengensis Nong & Wei, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Balitora tiandengensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) two pairs of maxillary barbels; (2) dorsal fin rays iii, 9; (3) pectoral fin rays v, 12; (4) pelvic fin rays ii, 7; (5) anal fin rays i, 6; (6) lateral-line scales 69–75; and (7) 6–7 indistinctly separated transversely oval blotches on the dorsal side.

Etymology. The specific epithet tiandengensis is in reference to the type locality of the new species: Duoru Village, Dukang Town, Tiandeng County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. We propose the common English name “Tiandeng cave loach” and the Chinese name “tiān děng pá qiū (天等爬鳅)”.

 You Nong, Yuan Fang, Jin-Yue Li, Qiu-Jun Wei, Chuan-Gui Xu and Gui-Yuan Wei. 2026. Balitora tiandengensis (Teleostei, Balitoridae), A New Species of Cave-dwelling Loach from Guangxi, China. ZooKeys. 1267: 373-390. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1267.166354 [30 Jan 2026]

[Ichthyology • 2025] Niwaella tigrina • A New Species of Spined Loach (Cobitidae) from the Poyang Lake System of Jiangxi Province, East China

 

Niwaella tigrina

H.-X. Zhang, Y.-P. Zhang, W.-J. Chen & E. Zhang, 2025

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.5

 

Abstract

A new species of the spiny loach genus Niwaella is described herein from the Xiu-Shui river, an affluent of Lake Poyang in Jiangxi Province, China. This species is distinguished from all other congeneric species in China due to having a unique body coloration, comprising 20-25 transverse black bars on the dorsum and upper part of the flank. Other characteristics, though not exclusive to this species, include an indistinct blackish mid-dorsal stripe from the nape to the caudal-fin base, a lower jaw fully covered by the lower lip; 17-20 black vertical bars on the lower part of flank, a short suborbital spine with a shorter processus latero-caudalis that is less than one-fifth the length of the processus medio-caudalis, and seven branched dorsal-fin rays. The validity of the new species is corroborated by its monophyly, as evidenced by phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene.

Pisces, Taxonomy, Cobitidae, new taxon, middle Chang-Jiang basin

HAI-XIN ZHANG, YAN-PING ZHANG, WEN-JING CHEN and E. ZHANG. 2025. Niwaella tigrina, A New Species of Spined Loach from the Poyang Lake System of Jiangxi Province, East China.  Zootaxa. 5583(1); 101-112. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.1.5 [2025-01-31]

[Ichthyology • 2025] Sinocyclocheilus changlensis • A New eyeless Cavefish Species of the Genus Sinocyclocheilus (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from Guangxi, China

 

Sinocyclocheilus changlensis Liu, Mao & Yang, 

in Liu, Mao, Sudasinghe, Zhou, Chen, Yang & Meegaskumbura, 2025 

Changle Golden-line Barb | 长乐金线鲃  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.72370

ABSTRACT

The extensive limestone landscapes of southwestern China form one of the world's largest karst regions, providing ideal conditions for cavefish evolution. Within this region, Sinocyclocheilus, the most speciose cavefish genus globally, comprises 84 species adapted to dark environments. Despite the many species, the region is still poorly explored, with new species currently being added to the total. Here, using integrative taxonomic methods involving morphological and molecular analyses, we describe Sinocyclocheilus changlensis, a new troglobitic species discovered in a cave in central Guangxi, China. This species is characterized by the absence of eyes, an unpigmented and complete scaled body, and a forked, horn-like structure at the dorsal posterior edge of the head. Morphologically, S. changlensis differs from its congeners by having pelvic-fin rays that do not reach the anus when extended, 42–46 lateral line scales, and a posterior operculum margin reaching the base of the pectoral fin at vertical. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using mitochondrial markers (cytb and ND4), genetic distances, and geometric morphometric analysis further confirmed S. changlensis as a distinct species. The description of this new species contributes to the understanding of cave-dwelling fish diversity in China and underscores the importance of further exploration of stygomorphic species across this poorly explored karstic landscape.

Keywords: blindness, cavefish, Hongshui River, landmarks, molecular systematics, morphology, Sinocyclocheilus, stygomorphic

Sinocyclocheilus changlensis, GXU2020000041, HOLOTYPE, 137.8 mm SL.
(a) Lateral view of preserved specimen; (b) dorsal view of head in preserved specimen; (c) live specimen.

Sinocyclocheilus changlensis Liu, Mao & Yang, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Sinocyclocheilus changlensis can be distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters: eye absent (eyeless); pelvic-fin rays tip not reaching the anus when pelvic-fin rays are extended backward; having a forked horn-like structure at the dorsal posterior edge of the head; albinotic body without pigmentation; lateral line scales 42–46; posterior margin of operculum close to the base of pectoral-fin origin; a distinct hump in the predorsal profile; rostral barbel not reaching the depression after eye degeneration; maxillary barbel not reaching the posterior margin of preoperculum; pharyngeal teeth pattern 1,3,4–3,3,1; vertebrae 4 + 35–36; 11 outer rakers on the first gill arch.

Yewei Liu, Tingru Mao, Hiranya Sudasinghe, Jiajun Zhou, Rongjiao Chen, Jian Yang, Madhava Meegaskumbura. 2025. Description of A New Eyeless Cavefish Species Using Integrative Taxonomic Methods—Sinocyclocheilus changlensis (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae), From Guangxi, China. Ecology and Evolution.15(11); e72370.  DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.72370 [19 November 2025]

 

[Ichthyology • 2025] Rhodeus tugbae • Integrated molecular and morphological evidence reveals a new Rhodeus species (Cyprinidae: Acheilognathidae) from the Turkish Aegean Basin, with a redescription of Rhodeus meridionalis

Rhodeus tugbae

Kalaycı, Kurtul, Bayçelebi, Kaya & Turan, 2025

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70236  

 Researchgate.net/publication/396424187

 

Abstract

Rhodeus tugbae new sp. is described from some streams and rivers on the Turkish Aegean Sea coast. The new species is distinguished by a slightly sub-inferior mouth, a sharped predorsal keel, a body strongly compressed laterally and 3–4 scale rows between the anal-fin origin and the lateral series. This study contributes to understanding biodiversity and endemism in the freshwater ecosystems of the Aegean region. Rhodeus tugbae was compared to R. amarus and R. meridionalis, distributed in adjacent basin, using principal component analysis (PCA), and the results confirmed that R. tugbae differs from R. amarus and R. meridionalis. R. tugbae sp. nov. differed from its most closely related congener, R. meridionalis, by 14 diagnostic nucleotide substitution sites based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cyt b sequences. A revised description of R. meridionalis is also included due to the limited diagnostic features in the original description.

Keywords: Aegean region, Anatolian fresh water, fish morphology, phylogenetic, species description, taxonomy

 

Rhodeus tugbae:
(a) about 66 mm standard length (SL), inlet water of Tahtalı Dam Lake;
(b) about 55 mm SL, Stream Koca;
(c) about 62 mm SL; Stream Gördes, Gediz.

Gökhan Kalaycı, Irmak Kurtul, Esra Bayçelebi, Cüneyt Kaya and Davut Turan. 2025. Integrated molecular and morphological evidence reveals a new Rhodeus species (Cyprinidae: Acheilognathidae) from the Turkish Aegean basin, with a redescription of Rhodeus meridionalis. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70236 [11 October 2025]

 Researchgate.net/publication/396424187_a_new_Rhodeus_species_from_the_Turkish_Aegean_basin