ABSTRACT
Sicyopterus garra Hora, 1925 from the insular streams of South Andaman Islands was synonymized with Sicyopterus microcephalus described from Java, South East Asia and has retained this taxonomic status since then. Recent collections of Sicyopterus from the type locality of S. garra and the examination of syntypes of this species revealed significant morphological and genetic differences from S. microcephalus and the other Sicyopterus species with papillae on upper lip. S. garra is thus a valid species and not a synonym of S. microcephalus. S. garra differs from S. microcephalus in having fewer lateral scales 53-59 vs. 57-68, fewer zigzag series (12-14 vs. 13-16), a longer caudal peduncle length (16-21 vs. 13-17), and by having a high percentage of divergence in COI gene (5.5%-5.8%).
Subject(s)
Cyprinidae , Perciformes , Animals , Cyprinidae/anatomy & histology , Perciformes/anatomy & histology , India , IslandsABSTRACT
A new species of Pethia from Nagaland, northeastern India is distinguished from all its congeners in the Ganges-Brahmaputra drainage, Kaladan drainage and the Chindwin- Ayeyarwady drainage by the following combination of characters: lateral line complete with 22-23 pored scales up to tail-fin base, 3rd and 4th lateral line scales with minute humeral spot, a large elliptical to rounded black blotch covering 16th to 18th, or 17th to 19th lateral-line scales; live male specimens with reddish-green body above lateral line and reddish-orange beneath; dorsal, pectoral, pelvic, anal and caudal fins reddish-orange; dorsal fin in both sexes with broad black submargin. Genetic analysis based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase unit I (cox1) suggests that the species is distinct from other known species of Pethia for which data are available.
