[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 • 2025] Barbucca heokhuii • A New Species of loach (Teleostei: Barbuccidae) from central Borneo

 Barbucca heokhuii

 Kottelat, 2025

 

Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 73; 

Abstract

 Barbucca heokhuii, new species, is described from the Kahayan drainage in central Borneo. It is distinguished from the other species of the genus by its miniature size (the largest known specimen is 21.5 mm SL), a truncate to rounded caudal fin, an incomplete lateral line, and a distinctive colour pattern made, among others, of five pairs of irregular bars on the flank, narrower than interspaces, many of which may be dissociated into several small blotches. It occurs in syntopy with B. diabolica. Sexual dimorphism is reported for the first time for a member of the family; in males, the 2nd to 4th branched pectoral rays are thicker than the others and with a patch of small tubercles along their posterior edge. 

Key words. Cobitoidei, loach, miniature fish, sexual dimorphism, black water, peat swamp forest

 Barbucca heokhuii, ZRC 66766, 16.2 mm SL; Borneo, Kalimantan Tengah: Kahayan drainage.

(Photographs by Tan H. H.).

Barbucca heokhuii, new species  

 Diagnosis. Barbucca heokhuiiis distinguished from the other named species of Barbucca by having: a smaller adult size (the largest known specimen is 21.5 mm SL, vs. 37.2 in B. diabolica and 34.3 in B. elongata), a deeper body (depth at dorsal-fin origin 17–21 % SL, vs. 14–18 in B. diabolica and B. elongata); a truncate to rounded caudal fin (vs. emarginated); the lateral line incomplete, reaching to below posterior half of dorsal fin (vs. complete); absence of large tubercles on head and body (vs. presence on posterior part of flank, between above the tip of the pelvic fins and the base of the caudal fin); anus about halfway between pelvic-fin base ...

Etymology. Named for Tan Heok Hui (LKCNHM) in appreciation for his work on Southeast Asian fishes, and especially fishes of peat swamp forests and loaches of Borneo, and for the long lasting friendship, collaboration and companionship in the field. 

MAURICE KOTTELAT. 2025. Barbucca heokhuii, A New Species of loach from central Borneo (Teleostei: Barbuccidae). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 73; 54–66.

 Researchgate.net/publication/389338300_Barbucca_heokhuii_a_new_species_of_loach_from_central_Borneo

[Ichthyology • 2024] Redescription and Validity of Formosania gilberti Oshima, 1919 (Cypriniformes: Balitoridae), An endemic Hillstream Loach from Taiwan

 [upper & A] Formosania gilberti Oshima, 1919;

[B] F. lacustris (Steindachner, 1908)

in Yeh, Li, Han et Chen, 2024. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5550.1.29 

Abstract

For over a century, only one species of Formosania has been recognised in Taiwanese waters. However, through the use of mitogenomic analyses and the identification of morphological differences, an endemic balitorid loach was revalidated and redescribed based on specimens herein of northern Taiwan. Formosania gilberti Oshima, 1919 was previously mistreated as a junior synonym of F. lacustris (Steindachner, 1908), but the two can be clearly differentiated by their vertebral counts (26+11 vs. 26+12) and body marking patterns (intensely mottled with vermicular markings vs. cloud-like blotches or brown and blotchless). Furthermore, mitogenomic analyses also showed high intra-specific diversity among Formosania loaches in Taiwan, which not only supports F. gilberti as a valid species but also hints the presence of a species complex distributed in western Taiwan.

Pisces, Formosania, Balitoridae, taxonomy, redescription, Formosania gilberti

In situ photo of the two Formosania species from Taiwan.
A. Formosania gilberti, NTOUP2023-05-018, male, 68.80 mm SL;
B. Formosania lacustris, NTOUP2022-11-005, female, 75.49 mm SL. Markings on the lateral side of trunk slightly faded due to stress caused by bright lighting.

Dorsal, lateral and ventral view of Formosania gilberti collected from Tamshui River basin. NTOUP2023-05-018, female, 100.35 mm SL.

Ming-Fon YEH, Hsien-En LI, Chiao-Chuan HAN, I-Shiung CHEN. 2024. Redescription and Validity of Formosania gilberti Oshima, 1919 (Cypriniformes: Balitoridae), an endemic hillstream loach from Taiwan.  Zootaxa. 5550(1); 287-304. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5550.1.29 

[Ichthyology • 2024] Vanmanenia duci • A New loach Species of the Genus Vanmanenia (Cypriniformes: Gastromyzontidae) from hill streams of Vietnam

Vanmanenia duci 

Dang, Duong, Li, Nguyen & Tran, 2024

DOI: 10.3897/aiep.54.121328 

Abstract

Recent ichthyofauna surveys in Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park, Vietnam, yielded 16 specimens of loach representing the genus Vanmanenia. These specimens were uniform in morphology and distinct from known species, leading to the designation of a new species, Vanmanenia duci sp. nov. This species is distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: pectoral fin: I, 15; pelvic fin: I, 8; lateral line scales 77–83; the distance from the anus to the posterior insertion of the pelvic fin being greater than from the anus to the anal fin origin; a lateral black stripe from the gill opening to the caudal fin base; a black spot at the caudal fin origin equal to the eye diameter; and a lower lip with three large papillae, with the middle one being larger. The new species differs from Vanmanenia caldwelli (Nichols, 1925) by its mouth soft-tissue structures and lower morphometric values and from Vanmanenia ventrosquamata (Mai, 1978) and Vanmanenia caobangensis Nguyen, 2005 by having more lateral line scales and lower body depth. Additionally, Vanmanenia duci sp. nov. has a larger eye and wider interorbital space compared to other species in Vietnam. This species is found in the Red River basin in Vietnam and the Bang Giang River flowing into China, indicating high potential for freshwater fish diversity in these river systems.

Keywords: Bang Giang River, Gam River, new species, northern Vietnam, taxonomy, Vanmanenia

Family Gastromyzontidae

Genus Vanmanenia Hora, 1932

Vanmanenia duci sp. nov., HNUE-F00293, SL = 47.6 mm in Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park, Cao Bang Province, northern Vietnam. 

 Aquarium photograph of Vanmanenia duci sp. nov. (HNUE-F00293, 47.6 mm SL) from northern Vietnam.

 Vanmanenia duci sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Vanmanenia duci sp. nov. can be distinguished from congeners by following combination of characters: pectoral fin rays: I, 15; pelvic fin rays: I, 8; lateral line scales: 77–83; anus farther posterior insertion of pelvic fin than to anal fin origin, caudal peduncle depth approximately as caudal peduncle length (8.2%–8.5%), distance from pelvic fin to pectoral fin (39.1%) larger than distance from pelvic fin to anal fin (29.8%). It has a broad midlateral black stripe running from behind head to caudal-peduncle base. Black dotted stripe stretching from base of pectoral fin to posterior end of anal fin. Lower lip with three large papillae; median wider than two lateral ones. Rostral fold divided into three triangular lobules of same size. Distinct black dot at base of pelvic and pectoral fins, and fleshy black protrusion in pelvic fin base.

Etymology: The specific name is in honor of Vietnamese ichthyologist, Prof. Nguyen Huu Duc, who had spent his whole life studying freshwater fishes in Vietnam.

Habitat of Vanmanenia duci sp. nov., in the Gam River (DO.02) and Bang Giang River (DO.05, DO.07) in Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park, northern Vietnam.

Huong Thi Thanh Dang, Huyen Thi Duong, Fan Li, Huy Quang Nguyen and Hau Duc Tran. 2024. A New loach Species of the Genus Vanmanenia (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Gastromyzontidae) from hill streams of Vietnam. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria. 54: 177-187. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/aiep.54.121328 

[Ichthyology • 2024] Bashimyzon damingshanensis & B. cheni • A New Genus and Species of Sucker Loach (Teleostei: Gastromyzontidae) from South China

[A] Bashimyzon damingshanensis (Xiu & Yang, 2017)
[B] Bashimyzon cheni Gong & Zhang, 2024

DOI: 10.3897/zse.100.116535

Abstract

Bashimyzon, new genus, is here established for Erromyzon damingshanensis, and a new species of the genus is described from the You-Jiang of the Pearl River (=Zhu-Jiang in mandarin Chinese) basin in Guangxi Province, South China. This new genus has a small gill opening above the pectoral-fin base and short pectoral fins extending backwards short of pelvic-fin insertions, both characters combined to separate it from all currently-recognized gastromyzontid genera except Erromyzon and Protomyzon, but differs from the two genera in having a larger gap between the posterior edge of eye and the vertical through the pectoral-fin insertion and very small fleshy lobes posterior to the maxillary-barbel bases. It is further distinct from its most similar genus Erromyzon in having a relatively larger gill opening, fewer branched pectoral-fin rays folded against body, and more posteriorly placed pectoral fins with a shorter fin base. Bashimyzon cheni, new species, and B. damingshanensis, the single congeneric species, differ in number of lateral-line pored scales, body coloration, and cephalic contour, and also in substantial genetic divergence.

Key Words: Bashimyzon, new genus, new species, taxonomy, Zhu-Jiang basin

Lateral view of freshly captured individual of A. Bashimyzon damingshanensis, IHB 202109064259, topotype, 30.8 mm SL; China: Guangxi Province: Shanglin County: Qingshui-He at Naxue Village of Dafeng Town;
and B. B. cheni, IHB 202109064273, holotype, 28.3 mm SL; China: Guangxi Province: Mashan County: Wuming-He at Xinyang Village of Gulin Town.

 Bashimyzon gen. nov.

 

Type species: Erromyzon damingshanensis Xiu & Yang, 2017: 893
(type locality: Qingshui-He, tributary to Hongshui-He of Zhu-Jiang basin, in Shanglin County, Guangxi Province)

Diagnosis: Bashimyzon is distinct from all currently identified gastromyzontid genera except Erromyzon and Protomyzon in the presence of a gill opening restricted above pectoral-fin base (vs. gill opening elongate, extending downwards to or beyond the pectoral-fin insertion to the ventral surface of head), and pectoral fins backwards extending away from (vs. close to or beyond) pelvic-fin insertions. This new genus is separated from ....

Etymology: The generic name is derived from Bashi (岜是), the local name of the Damingshan Mountain in Zhuang nationality language, and myzon, a common suffix used in the Balitoridae. Gender masculine. The Chinese common generic name is here suggested as “岜是鳅属”.

 Bashimyzon cheni sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Bashimyzon cheni is clearly distinguished from the single congeneric species B. damingshanensis in having 8–9 teardrop-shaped black blotches wider than interspaces, with the majority portion of each blotch located above the lateral line on the flank (vs. 12 irregular black bars narrower than interspaces, and located along the lateral line on the flank; see Figs 5, 6); fewer rows of blackish spots across dorsal-fin rays (3 vs. 4); fewer lateral-line pored scales (84–86 vs. 88–95); a gradual (vs. abrupt) upward dorsal profile of head in front of nostrils (Fig. 8A); a deeply (vs. slightly) curved rostral groove, or the greater (vs. less) distance from the median point of the distal margin of the upper lip to the anterior-most tip of the snout than half of the mouth width (Fig. 8B), a distinct (vs. indistinct) incision on both side of the fleshy pad of the lower lip (Figs 2B, 7).

Etymology: The specific epithet is named after Prof. Chen Yi-Yu, a Chinese Academician, in honor for his great contribution to Chinese freshwater fish research. In particular, he discovered and named the type species of Erromyzon and Yaoshania, which are two close relatives of the genus under description. The Chinese common specific name “陈氏岜是鳅” is here suggested.

 

 Xiong Gong and E. Zhang. 2024. Bashimyzon cheni, A New Genus and Species of Sucker Loach (Teleostei, Gastromyzontidae) from South China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 100(1): 309-324. DOI: 10.3897/zse.100.116535

[Ichthyology • 2023] Resolving Phylogenetic Relationships and Taxonomic Revision in the Pseudogastromyzon Genus (Cypriniformes: Gastromyzonidae): Molecular and Morphological Evidence for A New Genus, Labigastromyzon

  

 in J. Chen, Y. Chen, Tang, Lei, Yan et Song, 2023. 

 

DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12761

Researchgate.net/publication/373874401

 

Abstract

The Pseudogastromyzon genus, consisting of species predominantly distributed throughout southeastern China, has garnered increasing market attention in recent years due to its ornamental appeal. However, the overlapping diagnostic attributes render the commonly accepted criteria for interspecific identification unreliable, leaving the phylogenetic relationships among Pseudogastromyzon species unexplored. In the present study, we undertake molecular phylogenetic and morphological examinations of the Pseudogastromyzon genus. Our phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial genes distinctly segregated Pseudogastromyzon species into two clades: the Pseudogastromyzon clade and the Labigastromyzon clade. A subsequent morphological assessment revealed that the primary dermal ridge (specifically, the second ridge) within the labial adhesive apparatus serves as an effective and precise interspecific diagnostic characteristic. Moreover, the distributional ranges of Pseudogastromyzon and Labigastromyzon are markedly distinct, exhibiting only a narrow area of overlap. Considering the morphological heterogeneity of the labial adhesive apparatus and the substantial division within the molecular phylogeny, we advocate for the elevation of the Labigastromyzon subgenus to the status of a separate genus. Consequently, we have ascertained the validity of the Pseudogastromyzon and Labigastromyzon species, yielding a total of six valid species. To facilitate future research, we present comprehensive descriptions of the redefined species and introduce novel identification keys.

Keywords: Labigastromyzon, mitochondrial genome, phylogeny, Pseudogastromyzon, taxonomy

 

Jingchen CHEN, Yiyu CHEN, Wenqiao TANG, Haotian LEI, Jinquan YAN and Xiaojing SONG. 2023. Resolving Phylogenetic Relationships and Taxonomic Revision in the Pseudogastromyzon (Cypriniformes, Gastromyzonidae) Genus: Molecular and Morphological Evidence for A New Genus, Labigastromyzon. Integrative Zoology. DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12761

 Researchgate.net/publication/373874401_phylogenetic_relationships_and_taxonomic_revision_in_Pseudogastromyzon_et_Labigastromyzon

This research elucidates the marked geographical delineation between Pseudogastromyzon and Labigastromyzon genera, with a limited overlapping region. The evolution of labial structures from elementary to intricate morphologies aligns with mitochondrial genome phylogenetics. Notably, the labial adhesive apparatus in Pseudogastromyzon exhibits unimodal and bimodal morphotypes, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of species identification within this genus.

[Ichthyology • 2023] Formosania immaculata • A New Species of Hillstream Loach (Cypriniformes: Gastromyzontidae) from the Ou-Jiang River, Southeast China

Formosania immaculata  

 Sun, Zhou & Yang, 2023

无斑缨口鳅  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1182.104240

Abstract

Formosania immaculata, a new species, is described from the Ou-Jiang basin in Zhejiang Province, Southeast China. It is distinguished from other species of the genus by having a combination of the following characteristics: body without obvious mottling; snout length longer than postorbital length; abdominal scaleless area extending to middle of pectoral-fin base; shorter rostral barbels, the outermost pair length 112.9%–140.0% of eye diameter; and shorter lower lip papillae, length 19.9%–24.4% of eye diameter. Its validity is also affirmed by its distinct Cytb gene sequence divergence from all congeners and its monophyly recovered in a Cytb gene-based phylogenetic analysis.

Key words: cytochrome b, freshwater fish, key, molecular phylogeny, morphology, taxonomy

Lateral (A) dorsal (B) and ventral (C) views of Formosania immaculata sp. nov.
, holotype, adult, SHOU2021060325.

Habitat and live specimen of Formosania immaculata sp. nov.

Family Gastromyzontidae Hora,1950

Genus Formosania Oshima,1919

 Formosania immaculata Sun, Zhou & Yang, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Formosania immaculata sp. nov. resembles the Formosania davidi species group (F. davidi, F. galericula and F. fasciolata) in having 13 well-developed rostral barbels arranged in one irregular row (Fig. 2A), while other congeners arranged in 2 rows (Fig. 2B). It is distinguished from the three species in the Formosania davidi species group by having no obvious blotches or stripes (vs. having blotches or stripes) on the body and snout length longer than (vs. equal to) postorbital length (see Fig. 3 and Table 3). The new species differs from F. davidi in having shorter rostral barbels [outermost pair 112.9%–140.0% (average 122.2) vs. 128.3%–175.4% (average 159.0%) of eye diameter], shorter lower lip papillae [19.9%–24.4% (average 22.8) vs. 47.0%–61.9% (average 53.0%) of eye diameter] and narrower abdominal scaleless area (extending to middle of pectoral-fin base vs. extending slightly behind pectoral-fin axil) (see Table 3); from F. fasciolata in having shorter rostral barbels [outermost pair 112.9%–140.0% (average 122.2) vs. 119.8%–167.5% (average 145.6%)] of eye diameter, shorter lower lip papillae [19.9%–24.4% (average 22.8) vs. 40.3%–51.0% (average 47.0%) of eye diameter] and shorter depth of caudal peduncle [91.0%–101.9% (average 97.8%) vs. 107.9%–130.6% (average 118.8%) of caudal peduncle length]; and from F. galericula in having narrower abdominal scaleless area (extending to middle of pectoral-fin base vs. extending slightly behind pectoral-fin axil).

Etymology: The specific epithet is the Latin form of the word immaculate here referring to the unique body of no blotches or stripes. We propose the Chinese common name Wú Bān Yīng Kǒu Qiū (无斑缨口鳅).

 Wei Sun, Jia-Jun Zhou, Jin-Quan Yang. 2023. Formosania immaculata, A New Species of Hillstream Loach (Teleostei, Cypriniformes, Gastromyzontidae) from the Ou-Jiang River, Southeast China. ZooKeys. 1182: 207-221. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1182.104240

[Ichthyology • 2021] Vanmanenia marmorata • A New Species of Loach (Teleostei: Gastromyzontidae) from the middle Chang-Jiang Basin in Guizhou Province, south China

Vanmanenia marmorata 

Deng & Zhang, 2021

DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.9.e72432

Abstract

Background: 

The gastromyzontid genus Vanmanenia was established by Hora in 1932, based on the type species Vanmanenia stenosoma. The genus is a loach group adapted to running waters of streams from southern China, northern Vietnam and Laos. Currently, 19 valid species of the genus have been recognised. The northernmost distribution of the genus is the Yangtze River (= Chang-Jiang in Chinese) Basin and five species (V. maculata, V. intermedia, V. stenosoma, V. pseudostriata and V. gymnetrus) have been reported from the Basin.

New information: 

Vanmanenia marmorata, a new hillstream species of loach, is here described from the middle Chang-Jiang Basin in Guizhou Province, south China. It is distinguished from its congeners by having a combination of the following characters: three triangular-shaped rostral lobules; postdorsal saddles wider than interspaces; a more backwards-placed anus (the vent to anal distance 30.5–36.9% of the pelvic to anal distance); a larger gill opening with its upper extremity reaching the level of the middle of the orbit; anal-fin base length 5.6–6.4% of SL; caudal-peduncle length 11.6–12.9% of SL; prepelvic length 51.1–53.4% of SL. Its validity is also affirmed by its distinct cyt b gene sequence divergence with all sampled congeners and its monophyly recovered in a cyt b gene-based phylogenetic analysis.

Keywords: freshwater fish, new taxon, morphology, cyt b gene, phylogenetic analysis

Vanmanenia marmorata, IHB2017060069, holotype, 68.8 mm SL;
Guizhou Province: Jiangkou County.
Lateral (a),dorsal (b) and ventral(c) views of body.

Vanmanenia marmorata Deng & Zhang 2021, sp. n.

Diagnosis: Vanmanenia marmorata resembles the four species (V. caldwelli, V. maculata, V. intermedia and V. stenosoma) in having three triangular-shaped rostral lobules whose apical portions are in the barbel-like form, but not modified into secondary rostral barbels. It is distinct from these species in having postdorsal dark black saddles wider (vs. narrower) than their interspaces, further from V. caldwelli in having no longitudinal black stripe extending from the snout tip to the caudal-fin base along the lateral line on flank (vs. present) and a more backwards-placed anus [the vent to anal distance 30.5–36.9% (mean 34.6) vs. 60.0–70.3% (mean 68.5) of the pelvic to anal distance]; from V. maculata in having a dark black vermiculated mark (vs. large brown blotch; see Yi et al. 2014: Page 90, fig. 2) on the submargin of the gill cover and a more backwards-positioned anus [the vent to anal distance 30.5–36.9% (average 34.6) vs. 36.4–48.4% (average 43.0) of the pelvic to anal distance] (see Table 3); and from V. intermedia in having a larger gill opening with its upper extremity reaching the level of the middle of the orbit (vs. smaller, closer to the level of the lower margin of the orbit; see Deng and Zhang 2020 : Page 117: fig. 2), a shorter (vs. longer) anal-fin base [length 5.6–6.4 (mean 6.0) vs. 7.5–9.5 (mean 8.3) % of SL) and a longer (vs. shorter) caudal peduncle [length 11.6–12.9 (average 12.0) vs. 8.4–11.1 (average 9.9) % of SL]; and from V. stenosoma in having a longer (vs. shorter) caudal peduncle [length 11.6–12.9 (mean 12.0) vs. 9.0–11.1 (mean 10.0) % of SL] and a more forwards-positioned pelvic fin [prepelvic length 51.1–53.4 (mean 51.7) vs. 54.7–59.2 (mean 57.2) % SL].

Etymology: The specific epithet is from the Latin word marmor referring to the unique body colouration of irregular marbled markings.

Distribution: This new species is presently known from the upper reaches of the Chen-Shui, a stream tributary to the Yuan-Jiang of the Dongting Lake system in the middle Chang-Jiang Basin, at Jiangkou County, Guizhou Province, south China (Fig. 3). It inhabits fast-flowing waters with a gravelly and pebbly substrate (Fig. 4). Co-existing species are Discogobio yunnanensis (Regan, 1907), Onychostoma barbatum (Lin, 1931) and Rhinogobius cliffordpopei (Nichols, 1925).

 

 Shuqing Deng and E. Zhang. 2021. Vanmanenia marmorata, A New Species of Loach (Teleostei: Gastromyzontidae) from the middle Chang-Jiang Basin in Guizhou Province, south China. Biodiversity Data Journal. 9: e72432. DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.9.e72432

[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 • 2016] Liniparhomaloptera macrostoma • A New Hillstream Loach (Teleostei: Gastromyzontidae) from Hunan Province, China

 Liniparhomaloptera macrostoma Wu, Xiu & Yang, 2016

Photograph by Jiahu Lan 

Liniparhomaloptera macrostoma, new species, is described from Hunan Province, south China. It is distinguished from its congers by having 8 branched dorsal-fin rays, more lateral line scales (82-100), relatively wider mouth and lower lip separated into two parts.

 Liniparhomaloptera macrostoma

Photograph by Jiahu Lan

Wu, Tiejun, Lihui Xiu and Jian Yang. 2016. Liniparhomaloptera macrostoma, A New Hillstream Loach from Hunan Province, China (Teleostei: Gastromyzontidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, An international journal for field-orientated ichthyology. 27(3); 275-282. 

http://www.pfeil-verlag.de/04biol/pdf/ief27_3_07.pdf