Tightening the requirements for species diagnoses would help integrate DNA-based descriptions in taxonomic practice.

Modern advances in DNA sequencing hold the promise of facilitating descriptions of new organisms at ever finer precision but have come with challenges as the major Codes of bionomenclature contain poorly defined requirements for species and subspecies diagnoses (henceforth, species diagnoses), which is particularly problematic for DNA-based taxonomy. We, the commissioners of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, advocate a tightening of the definition of "species diagnosis" in future editions of Codes of bionomenclature, for example, through the introduction of requirements for specific information on the character states of differentiating traits in comparison with similar species. Such new provisions would enhance taxonomic standards and ensure that all diagnoses, including DNA-based ones, contain adequate taxonomic context. Our recommendations are intended to spur discussion among biologists, as broad community consensus is critical ahead of the implementation of new editions of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature and other Codes of bionomenclature.

Publisher Correction: Building a DNA barcode library for the freshwater fishes of Bangladesh.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Building a DNA barcode library for the freshwater fishes of Bangladesh.

We sequenced the standard DNA barcode gene fragment in 694 newly collected specimens, representing 243 species level Operational Barcode Units (OBUs) of freshwater fishes from Bangladesh. We produced coi sequences for 149 out of the 237 species already recorded from Bangladesh. Another 83 species sequenced were not previously recorded for the country, and include about 30 undescribed or potentially undescribed species. Several of the taxa that we could not sample represent erroneous records for the country, or sporadic occurrences. Species identifications were classified at confidence levels 1(best) to 3 (worst). We propose the new term Operational Barcode Unit (OBU) to simplify references to would-be DNA barcode sequences and sequence clusters. We found one case where there were two mitochondrial lineages present in the same species, several cases of cryptic species, one case of introgression, one species yielding a pseudogene to standard barcoding primers, and several cases of taxonomic uncertainty and need for taxonomic revision. Large scale national level DNA barcode prospecting in high diversity regions may suffer from lack of taxonomic expertise that cripples the result. Consequently, DNA barcoding should be performed in the context of taxonomic revision, and have a defined, competent end-user.

Satanoperca curupira, a new cichlid species from the rio Madeira basin in Brazil (Teleostei: Cichlidae).

Satanoperca curupira, new species, is described from the rio Madeira basin in the State of Rondônia, Brazil. It is distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: 3-7 dark-brown oblique stripes on the lachrymal (vs. 2 well-defined dark-brown stripes, or dark-brown stripes absent) and an irregular pattern of dark-brown stripes on cheek and opercular series (vs. cheek without dark-brown markings or with light-beige rounded spots). According to meristic and color pattern characters, the new species is considered a member of the S. jurupari species group, and is syntopic with S. jurupari, which is widespread in the Amazon basin. The restricted geographical range of the new species is congruent to that observed for some other Satanoperca species.

Crenicichla ploegi, a new species of pike-cichlid of the C. saxatilis group from the Rio Juruena and upper Rio Paraguai basins in Brazil, with an updated diagnosis and biogeographical comments on the group (Teleostei: Cichlidae).

Crenicichla ploegi, new species, is described based on material from the Rio Juruena (Rio Papagaio, Rio do Sangue, Rio Arinos, and Rio Juruena itself) and from tributaries of the upper Rio Paraguai (upper Rio Jauru, upper Rio Cabaçal and upper Rio Sepotuba) in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Crenicichla ploegi is the twenty-third species of the C. saxatilis group. It is distinguished from all other species of the group by the presence of dark spots and vermiculations on snout, interorbital area and dorsally on head in adults vs. dark markings absent or present only in juveniles but absent in adults, and by the presence of a deep and strongly pigmented lateral band present in both juveniles and adults, occupying a depth of 4-6 horizontal scale rows vs. lateral band narrower, occupying a depth of 2-3 horizontal scale rows, and conspicuous only in juveniles and smaller specimens, faded or absent in larger specimens. Diagnostic characteristics of the C. saxatilis group proposed in previous studies were discussed to update the diagnosis of the group, and morphological comparisons among the species included in the group, with biogeographical comments, are provided. The presence of conspicuous dark markings dorsally on the head and the presence of a prominent midlateral band are hypothesized to be paedomorphic characteristics, retained from juvenile conditions in the context of the species of the C. saxatilis group.

Laubuka tenella, a new species of cyprinid fish from southeastern Bangladesh and southwestern Myanmar (Teleostei, Cyprinidae, Danioninae).

Laubuka tenella is a new species characterized by the colour pattern, consisting of short dark vertical bars anteriorly on the side, and a dark lateral band posteriorly on the side, combined with a relatively short pelvic fin and 29-30 lateral-line scales. It is separated from other Laubuka analysed by minimum 9 % uncorrected p-distance in the mitochondrial COI gene. The type series is composed of specimens from small streams in the Cox's Bazar District in Bangladesh (the type locality), and the Thandwe River drainage in western Myanmar. Laubuka brahmaputraensis is strongly indicated to be a junior synonym of L. laubuca, the second known species of Laubuka in Bangladesh. Eustira ceylonensis, currently in the synonymy of Devario malabaricus, is a valid species of Laubuka.

Devario in Bangladesh: Species diversity, sibling species, and introgression within danionin cyprinids (Teleostei: Cyprinidae: Danioninae).

Four species of Devario are recorded from Bangladesh: D. aequipinnatus, D. anomalus, D. coxi, new species, and D. devario. Devario aequipinnatus has a wide distribution in northern India and Bangladesh. Devario coxi, from southeastern Bangladesh near Cox's Bazar, differs from D. aequipinnatus in mtDNA (COI, p-distance 1.8%), colouration, proportional measurements, and meristics. The minor morphological differences and low frequency of overlapping meristics suggest relatively recent separation of D. coxi from other D. aequipinnatus. Devario anomalus occurs only in southeastern Bangladesh and is here reported from localities in addition to the type locality. It differs from the similar D. xyrops in adjacent Myanmar by slender body shape and by 2.3% p-distance in the COI gene. Specimens of D. anomalus from the Sangu River were found to have the mitochondrial genome of D. aequipinnatus from Bangladesh, but agree with other D. anomalus in the nuclear RAG1 gene. Devario devario has a wide distribution on the Indian Peninsula and border regions; in Bangladesh it is restricted in distribution to the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Meghna drainages. Reports of D. assamensis and D. malabaricus from Bangladesh are misidentifications. Perilampus ostreographus M'Clelland, 1839, is tentatively synonymized with D. aequipinnatus. Phylogenetic analysis of 14 species of striped devarios based on the COI gene results in a polytomy with four unresolved clades. Devario deruptotalea from the Chindwin basin is the sister group of D. aequipinnatus+D. coxi. Devario devario is the sistergroup of D. xyrops+D. anomalus.

Devario fangae and Devario myitkyinae, two new species of danionin cyprinids from northern Myanmar (Teleostei: Cyprinidae: Danioninae).

Devario comprises 38 potentially valid species in southern Asia. Ten species of Devario have been reported so far from Myanmar, six of which belong in the group of striped devarios, with predominantly horizontal stripes in the colour pattern. Among them, records of D. aequipinnatus most likely represent misidentifications. Remaining species of striped devarios in Myanmar are known only from brief descriptions and are in need of taxonomic revision. Devario yuensis and D. deruptotalea, known previously only from India, are here reported for the first time from Myanmar. Devario fangae, new species, is described on the basis of specimens collected in 1998 from small streams in Putao in the extreme north of Myanmar. These streams drain to the Mali Hka River, a tributary of the Ayeyarwaddy River. Devario fangae shares uniquely with D. browni and D. kakhienensis an anterior expansion in width of the middle dark stripe on the side (P stripe). It differs from D. browni and D. kakhienensis in presence of a broad P stripe, wider than adjacent interstripes, vs. narrow, as wide as or narrower than interstripes. Devario fangae is further similar to other species of Devario characterized by three dark stripes (P, P+1, P-1) along the side, but differs from these in having all three stripes wide and of about equal width vs. P stripe wide and P+1 and P-1 stripes much narrower. The largest specimen of D. fangae is 61.0 mm SL. Females are significantly more deep-bodied than males. A specimen of D. aequipinnatus reported from Putao in 1919 probably represents D. fangae.        Devario myitkyinae, new species, is described on the basis of specimens collected in 1997 and 1998 from a stream and lake in the Ayeyarwaddy River drainage near Myitkyina in northern Myanmar. It is similar to D. browni and D. kakhienensis, but different from D. fangae in having horizontal stripes on side equal in width, narrow, irregular, and to some extent curved away from horizontal extension. Devario myitkyinae differs from D. browni, D. kakhienensis, and D. fangae in absence of anterior widening of the P stripe. Devario myitkyinae is similar to other species of Devario characterized by three dark stripes (P, P+1, P-1) along the side, but differs from these in having all three stripes irregular and of equal width vs. stripes regular, P stripe wide and P+1 and P-1 stripes much narrower. The largest wild specimen of D. myitkyinae is 68.7 mm SL. A specimen collected near Myitkyina and reported as D. aequipinnatus in 1929 probably represents D. myitkyinae.

Danio htamanthinus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), a new species of miniature cyprinid fish from the Chindwin River in Myanmar.

Danio htamanthinus, new species, is described from small streams in the vicinity of Htamanthi on the middle Chindwin River. It is most similar to D. choprae and D. flagrans from the Ayeyarwaddy River drainage, sharing the same elaborate colour pattern with dark vertical bars and a red interstripe along the posterior side, but is distinguished by the absence of a P+1 stripe and presence of a P stripe represented only by small spots. The uncorrected p-distance in the mitochondrial COI gene separates D. htamanthinus from D. choprae by 4.3% and from D. flagrans by 7.5%. The largest specimen is only 22.9 mm in standard length (male holotype), but the holotype and one other male, 19.5 mm SL, feature sex-specific pectoral-fin tubercles, and a female as small as 16.6 mm SL has ripening ova. In a phylogenetic analysis based on COI sequences, D. htamanthinus is sister taxon of D. flagrans+D. choprae, and those three species are sister group of D. margaritatus+D.erythromicron.

G. J. Billberg's (1833) 'On the ichthyology, and description of some new fish species of the pipefish genus Syngnathus'.

Gustaf Johan Billberg's review of ichthyology, published in Swedish in 1833 in the Linnéska samfundets handlingar, mentions 92 fish taxa at genus and species level, 41 of which represent new taxa, unnecessary replacement names, or unjustified emendations. Billberg presents his own classification of fishes, in which five new family names are introduced: Ballistidae, Diodontidae, Ooididae, Chironectidae, and Macrorhyncidae. Diodontidae has priority over Diodontidae Bonaparte, 1835. Macrorhyncidae was published earlier than Gempylidae Gill, 1862, but the latter has priority by prevailing usage.        Billberg mentions 61 genera of fishes, 41 of them listed only by name. Six generic names proposed by Billberg are available as unjustified emendations: Myxinus, Petromyzus, Scylia, Mustellus, Zyganna, and Ballistes. Brachionus is an unnecessary replacement name. Aphrus, Capriscus, Exormizus, Enneophthalmus, and Oedaus are nomina nuda. Eight new genera of fishes are proposed: Anodon, Posthias, Orbis, Sphaeroides, and Ooides are junior synonyms; Cotilla is a nomen oblitum in relation to Sufflamen Jordan, 1916; Tropigaster a nomen oblitum in relation to Aracana Gray, 1835; and Tetragonizus a nomen oblitum in relation to Lactoria Jordan & Fowler, 1902.        Billberg lists 31 species of fishes. Three represent new combinations; two are nomina nuda. The following 14 new species are described based on literature: Raja forskohlii, Cephaloptera dumerillii, Myliobatis lacepedei, Scylia russelii, Anodon macropterus, Cotilla frenata, Monacanthus blochii, M. sebae, M. cuvieri, M. marcgravii, Tetraodon striatus, Orbis psittacinus, Orbis punctulatus, and Orbis guttatus. All of those are invalid, except Scylia russelii, which is a species inquirenda. The following nine species group names are unnecessary replacement names and consequently invalid: Raja arabica, Myliobatis rissoi, Scylia isabellina, Anodon cirrhosus, Anodon cornutus, Zyganna voracissima, Centrina broussonetii, Acipenser vulgaris, and Acipenser ichthyocolla.        Three species of pipefishes of the family Syngnathidae are described and figured by Billberg from drawings of specimens observed on the Swedish West Coast. Syngnathus virens and S. pustulatus are junior synonyms of S. typhle Linnaeus, 1758. Syngnathus palmstruchii is a junior synonym of Entelurus aequoreus (Linnaeus, 1758).

Why is Pseudosphromenus cupanus (Teleostei: Osphronemidae) reported from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Pakistan?

The native distribution of the small labyrinth fish species Pseudosphromenus cupanus includes southern India and Sri Lanka. According to literature it has a range including also Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Indonesia (Sumatra) but there are no voucher specimens or reliable observations from those areas. The distribution record of P. cupanus was inflated partly by including P. dayi as a synonym. Pseudosphronemus dayi is native to the Western Ghats in India, but the origin of the aquarium importation in 1907 was reported as both Cochin (=Kochi) and Malacca (=Malaysia), the latter locality obviously in error. The basis for the Sumatra record is an obviously mislabeled sample of P. dayi from Pulau Weh close to Sumatra. The basis for reporting the species from Pakistan, Myanmar or Bangladesh could not be located. Misidentified museum specimens from Myanmar and Pakistan identified as P. cupanus were never published on. Pseudosphromenus cupanus has been considered recently to be extinct in Bangladesh, but in fact it never occurred there.

Danio annulosus, a new species of chain Danio from the Shuvolong Falls in Bangladesh (Teleostei: Cyprinidae: Danioninae).

Danio annulosus, new species, is described from a small pool below the Shuvolong Falls in the Kaptai Lake system in Bangladesh. It shares with chain danios (D. assamila, D. dangila, D. catenatus, D. concatenatus, and D. sysphigmatus) a colour pattern consisting of series of dark rings with light interspaces along the side, complete lateral line, 14 circumpeduncular scales, a produced first ray in the pectoral fin, and a black humeral spot. It differs from other chain danios in possessing much shorter pectoral and pelvic fins, and a humeral spot that is slightly wider than deep instead of round or deeper than wide. The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence separates D. annulosus from the most similar species, D. catenatus by a p-distance of 3.4%. Although recorded from only a single locality, Danio annulosus is expected to have a wider distribution in the Karnafuli River drainage.

Description of Danio absconditus, new species, and redescription of Danio feegradei (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), from the Rakhine Yoma hotspot in south-western Myanmar.

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.

A new colorful species of Geophagus (Teleostei: Cichlidae), endemic to the rio Aripuanã in the Amazon basin of Brazil

Geophagus mirabilis, new species, is endemic to the rio Aripuanã drainage upstream from Dardanelos/Andorinhas falls. The new species is distinguished from all other species of the genus by the presence of one to five large black spots arranged longitudinally along the middle of the flank, in addition to the black midlateral spot that is characteristic of species in the genus and by a pattern of iridescent spots and lines on the head in living specimens. It is further distinguished from all congeneric species, except G. camopiensis and G. crocatus, by the presence of seven (vs. eight or more) scale rows in the circumpeduncular series below the lateral line (7 in G. crocatus; 7-9 in G. camopiensis). Including the new species, five cichlids and 11 fish species in total are known only from the upper rio Aripuanã, and 15 fish species in total are known only from the rio Aripuanã drainage.

Geophagus mirabilis, espécie nova, é endêmica da drenagem do rio Aripuanã, a montante das quedas de Dardanelos/Andorinhas. A espécie nova se distingue de todas as outras espécies do gênero pela presença de uma a cinco manchas pretas grandes distribuídas longitudinalmente ao longo do meio do flanco, em adição à mancha preta no meio do flanco característica das espécies do gênero, e por um padrão de pontos e linhas iridescentes sobre a cabeça em espécimes vivos. Além disso, se distingue de todas as espécies congêneres, exceto G. camopiensis e G. crocatus, pela presença de sete (vs. oito ou mais) séries de escamas na série circumpeduncular abaixo da linha lateral (7 em G. crocatus; 7-9 em G. camopiensis). Com a espécie nova existem cinco ciclídeos, e ao todo 11 espécies de peixe conhecidas somente do alto rio Aripuanã, e ao todo 15 espécies de peixe conhecidas apenas da bacia do rio Aripuanã.

Apistogramma ortegai (Teleostei: Cichlidae), a new species of cichlid fish from the Ampyiacu River in the Peruvian Amazon basin.

Apistogramma ortegai, new species, is described from small streams tributaries of the Ampiyacu River near Pebas, in eastern Peru. It belongs to the Apistogramma regani species group and is distinguished from all other species of Apistogramma by the combination of contiguous caudal spot to bar 7, presence of abdominal stripes, short dorsal-fin lappets in both sexes, absence of vertical stripes on the caudal fin, and reduced number of predorsal and prepelvic scales.

Chalinochromis cyanophleps, a new species of cichlid fish (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from Lake Tanganyika.

Chalinochromis cyanophleps is described from nine specimens, the largest 129 mm SL, from Namansi. It differs from other species of Chalinochromis in plain trunk colouration, absence of black stripes on the head, relatively narrow lips, presence of tricuspid jaw teeth, and presence of five rather than four dentary lateralis foramina. The blue iridescent stripe below the eye is shared with other lamprologin cichlids, but is broader and more conspicuous in C. cyanophleps. Chalinochromis cyanophleps occurs at depths between 6 and 45 m in rocky habitats along the Tanzanian coast of Lake Tanganyika, from Mvuna Island south to Kalala Island, a stretch of about 90 km. Field observations were made of specimens up to 18 cm total length. The COI DNA barcode sequence differs by 1.8% from that of C. popelini.

Crenicichla gillmorlisi, a new species of cichlid fish (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from the Paraná river drainage in Paraguay.

Crenicichla gillmorlisi, new species, is described from the río Acaray, a right bank tributary to the río Paraná. It is most similar to C. mandelburgeri in proportional measurements and meristics, but differs in colour pattern, adults having the body covered with small spots.

Glyptothorax igniculus, a new species of sisorid catfish (Teleostei: Siluriformes) from Myanmar.

Glyptothorax igniculus, new species, is described from the Chindwin River system (part of the Irrawaddy River drainage) in northwestern Myanmar. It differs from other species of Glyptothorax in the Irrawaddy drainage except G. burmanicus in having a thoracic adhesive apparatus with a lanceolate central depression that is nearly enclosed posteriorly by skin ridges, vs. having an adhestive apparatus that is open caudally. In G. burmanicus the adhesive apparatus is oval in outline and completely closed. Glyptothorax chindwinicus Vishwanath & Linthoingambi, 2007 is shown to be a junior synonym of G. burmanicus Prashad & Mukerji, 1929. Glyptothorax rugimentum is reported for the first time from the Chindwin drainage.

Dario kajal, a new species of badid fish from Meghalaya, India (Teleostei: Badidae).

Dario kajal, new species, is described from Seinphoh stream in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, India. It can be distinguished from all other congeners by the presence of a postorbital stripe that continues behind the eye in line with the preorbital stripe and by the presence in males of a series of double bars restricted to the upper half of the body. The discovery of D. kajal in the Meghna River drainage raises the number of Dario species to five and raises interesting questions about the biogeography of the genus.

Crenicichla chicha, a new species of pike cichlid (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from the rio Papagaio, upper rio Tapajós basin, Mato Grosso, Brazil

Crenicichla chicha, new species, occurs in clear, fast-running waters with rocky substrates in the rio Papagaio and tributaries. It is distinguished from all other Crenicichla species by the combination of two character states: infraorbitals 3 and 4 co-ossified (vs. separated) and 66-75 scales in the row immediately above to that containing the lower lateral line (E1 row scales). Crenicichla chicha shares a smooth preopercular margin, co-ossification of infraorbitals 3 and 4, and some color features with C. hemera from the adjacent rio Aripuanã drainage, rio Madeira basin. It differs from Crenicichla hemera in more E1 scales (66-75 vs. 58-65) and presence of a conspicuous black narrow stripe running from infraorbital 3 obliquely caudoventrad toward the preopercular margin vs. a rounded and faint suborbital marking present on infraorbitals 3-4. Examination of the type series and additional material from the rio Aripuanã confirms that Crenicichla guentheri Ploeg, 1991 is a junior subjective synonym of C. hemera Kullander, 1990.

Crenicichla chicha, espécie nova, ocorre em águas claras, correntes e com substrato rochoso, no rio Papagaio e tributários. É distinta de todas as outras espécies de Crenicichla pela combinação de dois estados de caracteres: ossos infraorbitais 3 e 4 co-ossificados (vs. separados) e 66-75 escamas na série imediatamente superior àquela que contém a linha lateral posterior (série E1). Crenicichla chicha compartilha o pré-opérculo liso, a co-ossificação dos infraorbitais 3-4 e aspectos do colorido com Crenicichla hemera do rio Aripuanã, bacia do rio Madeira. Difere de C. hemera por possuir mais escamas na série E1 (66-75 vs. 58-65) e uma listra suborbital preta e estreita, bem evidente, percorrendo obliquamente desde o infraorbital 3 até a margem do pré-opérculo vs. uma mancha suborbital arredondada e fraca situada nos infraorbitais 3-4. O exame da série típica e de material adicional proveniente do rio Aripuanã confirma que C. guentheri Ploeg, 1991 é um sinônimo júnior de C. hemera Kullander, 1990.