[Ichthyology • 2025] Acrossocheilus dabieensis • A New Species of the Genus Acrossocheilus Oshima, 1919 (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from the Dabie Mountains, Henan, China

Acrossocheilus dabieensis Chen & Zhao,
  

in Chen, Xu, Li, Hu, Gao et Zhao, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3390/ani15050734 

Abstract

Acrossocheilus Oshima, 1919, a cyprinid genus of Cyprinidae in southern China and currently comprises 26 valid species. In this study, we describe Acrossocheilus dabieensis sp. nov. from the Dabie Mountains, China. This new species differs from its congeners by the following combination of characters: The second primary vertical bar (PB2) is situated beneath the anterior origin of the dorsal fin in females and subadult males. Vertical bars extend to the end of the ventral abdomen in juveniles, and they gradually recede above the lateral line in adult females, whereas they are absent in adult males. The last unbranched dorsal-fin ray is slender with a smooth posterior margin. Phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial DNA sequences indicate that A. dabieensis sp. nov. is a monophyletic group, and it forms a sister group with A. kreyenbergii, reinforcing the status of the new species. A key to the barred species of Acrossocheilus is also provided.

Keywords: biodiversity; Cyprinidae; Henan; new species; taxonomy

Acrossocheilus dabieensis Chen & Zhao, sp. nov.

Habitat and adult habitus of Acrossocheilus dabieensis sp. nov.
(A) Type locality in Liankangshan National Nature Reserve, Luoshan County, Henan Province, China;
(B) male subadult habitus (HENUJGT0019); (C) male adult habitus (HENUJGT0010);
(D) female subadult habitus (HENUJGT0011); (E) female adult habitus (HENULKS0012).

Diagnosis. Acrossocheilus dabieensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by the following morphological characteristics: (1) The second primary vertical bar (PB2) situated beneath the anterior origin of the dorsal-fin in females and subadult males (Figure 2B), (2) in juveniles: vertical bars are distinct and extend to the end of the ventral abdomen (Figure 2C). In adult males: vertical bars gradually vanish with increasing age. In adult females: vertical bars gradually recede above the lateral line with increasing age. (3) The last unbranched dorsal-fin ray is slender, and the posterior margin smooth. (4) Intestinal coiling is folded and elongated (Figure 2D,E).

Etymology. The name of the new species, dabieensis, is derived from the name of the mountains, Dabie Mountains, the type locality of the new species (Figure 1). The suggested common English name is “Dabie Mountains Acrossocheilus” and the Chinese name is “Dà Bié Shān Guāng Chún Yú”.

 Tian-En Chen, Jia-Xin Xu, Peng-Ju Li, Huan-Fu Hu, Kai Gao and Hai-Peng Zhao. 2025. A New Species of the Genus Acrossocheilus Oshima, 1919 (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from the Dabie Mountains. Animals. 15(5), 734. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/ani15050734 [4 March 2025] 

Simple Summary: The family Cyprinidae Cuvier, 1817 includes more than 3000 species worldwide and has an important influence on the freshwater fishery economy. Acrossocheilus Oshima, 1919 is a group of small- to medium-sized barbine species, which are widely distributed in Laos, Vietnam and southern China. One new species, Acrossocheilus dabieensis sp. nov., from the Dabie Mountains, Henan Province, China, is described and illustrated in this study.

[Ichthyology • 2025] Hampala siamensis • A New Species of Hampala (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from the Lower Tenasserim Basin of Thailand

 

Hampala siamensis 

 Panitvong & Tan, 2025

 

Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 73;  

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Abstract 

 Hampala siamensis, new species, is described from the Lower Tennasserim basin in Peninsular Thailand. This new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a saddle-like bar or inverted triangular marking on the body beneath the dorsal fin, rarely reaching the lateral-line scale row, by measurements of the head and body and scale counts. It is the fourth species of Hampala recorded from Thailand. 

Key words. aquatic biodiversity, Southeast Asia, freshwater fish, taxonomy, Cypriniformes

  Underwater photographs of Hampala siamensis documenting ontogenetic differences in colour pattern, all from Lam Ru Yai River.
From top to bottom: individual below 30 mm SL; individual below 50 mm SL; larger juvenile ca. 100 mm SL. Not collected (all photographs by N. Panitvong).

Underwater photograph of Hampala siamensis (center) in a mixed school with Barbodes lateristriga (left) and B. binotatus (right); Lam Ru Yai River.
Underwater photograph of Hampala siamensis in close association with Mastacembelus favus; Lam Ru Yai River.

(photograph by N. Panitvong). Not collected.

Hampala siamensis, new species  

Diagnosis. Hampala siamensis, new species, can be distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: lateral line scales 26–27; in adults: bar 1 saddle or inverted triangle shape, 5½–6 scales wide by 2½–3 scales deep, barely visible in preserved specimen; a faint horizontal stripe along lateral side of body, 1½–2 scales wide, visible in life only when stressed; upper and lower edges of caudal fin with a gray to black marginal band; all fins pale orange in life; head pointed, wedge-shaped, large (length 32.3–35.0 % SL). 

Etymology: Named for Siam, historical name of Thailand and of the website “siamensis.org”, run by a group of Thailand-based conservationists. 

Proposed English name: black-backed hampala, 

Thai name: ปลากระสูบหลังดำ.

Species of Hampala showing live colouration. From top to bottom:
H. siamensis (ca. 100–120 mm SL); H. ampalong (ca. 150 mm SL);
H. dispar (ca. 150 mm SL); H. macrolepidota (ca. 150 mm SL);
H. sabana (ca. 120 mm SL); H. salweenensis.

Not collected. Photographs by N. Panitvong.

Nonn PANITVONG and TAN Heok Hui. 2025. A New Species of Hampala (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Lower Tenasserim Basin of Thailand. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 73; 67–72.

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[Ichthyology • 2025] Barbodes klapanunggalensis • A New Species of blind subterranean fish (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from Klapanunggal Karst Area, West Java, Indonesia

Barbodes klapanunggalensis Wibowo, Rahmadi & Lumbantobing, 

 in Wibowo, Willyanto, Dharmayanthi, Rahmadi et Lumbantobing, 2025. Barbodes 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1229.135950 

facebook.com/Daniel Lumbantobing

Abstract

Barbodes klapanunggalensis sp. nov. is described on the basis of two specimens collected from the subterranean cave system of Klapanunggal karst area, Bogor Regency, West Java Province, Java Island, Indonesia. The new species is unique among its congeners in completely lacking eyes, its ocular vestige being marked by an orbital concavity fully covered with skin, and with no orbital rim. It also differs distinctly from most species of Barbodes by having relatively long paired fins (pectoral fin 26.0–31.4% SL; pelvic fin 21.5–24.4% SL), the adpressed tips of each overlapping the basal area of the adjacent posterior (pelvic and anal, respectively) fins; and the presence of a short pelvic axillary scale with a rounded posterior margin. Barbodes klapanunggalensis sp. nov. is further distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: head length 32.9–35.3% SL; pre-pectoral fin length 32.6–33.6% SL; pre-pelvic fin length 54.0–59.6% SL; anal-fin base length 9.7–11.8% SL; caudal peduncle depth 13.2–18.2% SL; completely nonpigmented body; and all fins with translucent interradial membranes and light cream to brownish rays. As reflected by its highly troglomorphic features, the new species is strictly adapted to cave habitats. Its small population size, coupled with a high level of potential threats to its known habitat, suggest that future conservation efforts will become necessary.

Key words: Cave-dwelling fish, coloration, endemic, morphology, silvery barbs

Photographs of the holotype of Barbodes klapanunggalensis sp. nov.
 A in situ photograph, from video; B picture 

photos taken in 2020 by M. Iqbal Willyanto.

 Barbodes klapanunggalensis Wibowo, Rahmadi & Lumbantobing, sp. nov.

  English name: Klapanunggal Blind Cave Barb 

New Indonesian name: Wader Gua Buta Klapanunggal

   

Barbodes klapanunggalensis sp. nov., 
MZB.26657, holotype, 63.8 mm SL; MZB.26656, paratype, 73.0 mm SL
A fresh B preserved C radiograph.

Diagnosis. A species of Barbodes distinguished from all its congeners by the absence of eyes, as the eye is vestigially replaced by an orbital concavity being fully closed by an epidermal layer, while lacking the orbital rim. The species is also uniquely diagnosed by having relatively long pectoral and pelvic fins, with their adpressed tips each extending past the vertical through the insertion or origin of the next fin posterior to the tip, as to further pass posteriorly about two scales in anteroposterior; and by the presence of a relatively short and rounded axillary pelvic-fin scale, with tip not reaching posterior edge of pelvic-fin base. It is further distinguished from other Barbodes species in having by the following combination of characters: head length 32.9–35.3% of SL; pre-pectoral fin length 32.6–33.6% of SL; pre-pelvic fin length 54.0–59.6% of SL; pectoral fin length 26.0–31.4% of SL; pelvic fin length 21.5–24.4% of SL; anal-fin base length 9.7–11.8% of SL; caudal peduncle depth 13.2–18.2% of SL; body without pigmentation (black dots, bars, stripes, blotches, and triangular markings all absent from lateral surface); all fins with translucent interradial membrane and light cream to brownish rays.

Etymology: The specific epithet klapanunggalensis is derived from the type locality, the Klapanunggal karst area, which includes the Cisodong 1 Cave, Nambo Village. The name reflects the unique habitat and geological significance of the Klapanunggal karst area, where the species is likely endemic.

 Kunto Wibowo, M. Iqbal Willyanto, Anik Budhi Dharmayanthi, Cahyo Rahmadi and Daniel Natanael Lumbantobing. 2025. Barbodes klapanunggalensis, A New Species of blind subterranean fish (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae) from Klapanunggal Karst Area, West Java, Indonesia, with notes on its conservation. ZooKeys. 1229: 43-59. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1229.135950

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[Ichthyology • 2025] Moxostoma ugidatli • the Sicklefin Redhorse (Cypriniformes: Catostomidae)

 

Moxostoma ugidatli

Jenkins, Favrot, Freeman, Albanese & Armbruster, 2025

Sicklefin Redhorse  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024049

Abstract 

The Sicklefin Redhorse is perhaps the largest truly new North American species discovered in the last century, and the species is herein described as Moxostoma ugidatli, new species. Sicklefin Redhorse differ from other red-tailed redhorse based on the presence of elongate first through third dorsal-fin rays, and from all other redhorse by having plicate lips with deep, branching grooves distally (vs. lips papillose or unbranching) and by having moderately molariform pharyngeal teeth (vs. molariform or chisel-like teeth). The Sicklefin Redhorse is found in the upper Tennessee River basin of North Carolina and Georgia in the Little Tennessee and Hiwassee River subbasins. Although the species is not federally protected, it is threatened in North Carolina and endangered in Georgia. The species is known to live to 22 years, with the largest preserved female 500 mm SL, 633 mm TL, 2.561 kg and the largest preserved male 463.2 mm SL, TL unknown, 2.024 kg.

Live specimen of male, 353 mm SL (A) and female, 350 mm SL (B) Moxostoma ugidatli, AUM 86445, by S. Fraley.

Moxostoma ugidatli, new species 

Sicklefin Redhorse or Ugidatli (ᎤᎩᏓᏟ)

Diagnosis.—Moxostoma ugidatli can be separated from all other Moxostoma by having a moderate to strongly falcate dorsal fin where the first 1–3 rays of the dorsal fin generally extend beyond the last dorsal-fin ray when adpressed (vs. straight to moderately curved dorsal fin with first dorsal rays not extending beyond last dorsal-fin ray when adpressed; Figs. 1, 2) and by having plicate lower lips that branch distally and exhibit deeply branched grooves and deeply transected ridges, particularly posteriorly (vs. papillose lips or plicae that do not branch; Fig. 4). In addition, M. ugidatli can be separated from all other Moxostoma by having moderately molariform teeth on the lower portion of a heavy pharyngeal arch (vs. chisel-like teeth on a light arch in most Moxostoma and highly molariform teeth on a heavy arch in M. carinatum, M. hubbsi, and M. robustum; Fig. 3). Moxostoma ugidatli can be further separated from M. anisurum, M. ariommum, M. austrinum, M. cervinum, M. collapsum, M. congestum, M. duquesnei, M. erythrurum, M. hubbsi, M. lachneri, M. pappillosum, M. rupiscartes, and the undescribed Apalachicola Redhorse, Brassy Jumprock, and Carolina Redhorse by having a red caudal fin (vs. gray to nearly black caudal fin with maybe a slight red or wine-colored tinge as in co-occurring populations of M. duquesnei).

Etymology.—ᎤᎩᏓᏟ or ugidatli (pronounced ooh-gee-dacht'lee) is the Cherokee word for the species and means it wears a feather in reference to this being the only species in the region where the dorsal fin is exposed above the water when spawning and its feather shape. Dr. Bob Jenkins had originally proposed a species name based on the falcate fin “falcatus” and used this in reports and correspondence; however, it is a nomen nudum. We felt it important to honor the Cherokee name as it occurs on the unceded territory of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and it is right and proper to refer to the species using the name spoken by its true discoverers. Treated as a noun in apposition. Sicklefin refers to the moderately to extremely falcate shape of the dorsal fin.

Robert E. Jenkins, Scott D. Favrot, Byron J. Freeman, Brett Albanese and Jonathan W. Armbruster. 2025. Description of the Sicklefin Redhorse (Catostomidae: Moxostoma). Ichthyology & Herpetology. 113(1); 27-43. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024049 (18 February 2025) 

[Ichthyology • 2025] Sinocyclocheilus xingrenensis • A New underground Fish (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from Guizhou Province, Southeastern China

  

Sinocyclocheilus xingrenensis  Luo, Xiao, Zhou, Xiao & Zhou,

in M.-Y. Xiao, Wang, Luo, J.-J. Zhou, N. Xiao et J. Zhou, 2025. 

兴仁金线鲃  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.141444

Abstract

This study describes a new species, Sinocyclocheilus xingrenensis sp. nov., collected from a cave near Xingren City, Guizhou Province, China. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from the 80 species currently assigned to the genus Sinocyclocheilus by a combination of the following characteristics: absence of horn-like structures and indistinct elevation at the head-dorsal junction; body scaleless, with irregular black markings scattered above the lateral line; tip of pectoral fin not reaching the pelvic fin origin; tip of pelvic fin not reaching the anus; lateral line complete and curved, with pores 65–77; tip of maxillary barbel reaching the anterior margin of the operculum; and six rakers on the first gill arch. Phylogenetic trees constructed based on mitochondrial genes indicate that the new species represents an independent evolutionary lineage with relatively large genetic differences of 2.8–9.0% for the mitochondrial Cyt b and 2.7–8.5% for ND4.

Key Words: Beipanjiang River, Cavefish, morphology, phylogeny, taxonomy

Live paratype of Sinocyclocheilus xingrenensis sp. nov.

 

 Sinocyclocheilus xingrenensis Luo, Xiao, Zhou, Xiao & Zhou, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Sinocyclocheilus xingrenensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characteristics: (1) absence of horn-like structures and indistinct elevation at the head-dorsal junction; (2) body scaleless, with irregular black markings scattered above the lateral line; (3) eyes large, diameter 16–21% of head length; (4) dorsal-fin rays, iii, 6–7, last unbranched ray serrate along posterior margin; (5) tip of the pectoral fin not reaching the pelvic fin origin; (6) pelvic fin rays, i, 8, tip not reaching the anus; (7) lateral line complete and curved, with pores 65–77; (8) tip of maxillary barbel reaching the anterior margin of the operculum; (9) six rakers on the first gill arch. The major diagnostic characters for new species and related species are summarized in Table 3.

Etymology. The specific epithet “xingrenensis” refers to the type locality of the new species: Xingren City, Guizhou Province, China. We propose the common English name “Xingren Golden-lined Fish” and the Chinese name “Xīng Rén Jīn Xiàn Bā (兴仁金线鲃)”.

Ming-Yuan Xiao, Jia-Jia Wang, Tao Luo, Jia-Jun Zhou, Ning Xiao, Jiang Zhou. 2025. Sinocyclocheilus xingrenensis (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae), A New underground Fish from Guizhou Province, Southeastern China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(2): 419-436. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.141444

[Ichthyology • 2025] Protocobitis longibarba • A New Species of the rib-degenerated loach, Genus Protocobitis (Cypriniformes: Cobitidae), from Guangxi, China

 

Protocobitis longibarba

Qin, Liu, Zhang, Shi, Du & Zhou, 2025 

长须原花鳅  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1228.131341  

Abstract

A new species of the genus Protocobitis is described based on morphological comparisons and molecular analyses from specimens of a subterranean tributary of the Hongshui River, Lingyun County, Baise City, and a cave in Jinya Township, Fengshan County, Hechi City, Guangxi, China. Both morphological and molecular data support the validity of Protocobitis longibarba sp. nov. The new species can be distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characteristics: whole body except for head and area between pectoral-fin and pelvic-fin origin sparsely covered with minute scales; barbels elongate; five or six branched pectoral-fin rays and four branched pelvic-fin rays; vertebrae 4+42. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian-inference phylogenetic trees exhibited congruent topological structures, exhibiting high node support for the monophyly of Protocobitis longibarba (BPP = 1; BS = 100), which was clustered with the other congeners.

Key words: Cavefish, mitochondrial gene, Pearl River, taxonomy

Morphometric characters of Protocobitis longibarba sp. nov.
 A–C lateral, dorsal and ventral views of male, holotype KIZ2024000004
D–F lateral, dorsal and ventral views of female, paratype KIZ2024000003
G ventral view of mouth H live male
I lateral and ventral views of skeleton, paratype ZJFRF2402010
J, K suborbital spines (Abbreviations: Pmc, Processus mediocaudalis; Pl-c, Processus latero-caudalis; Pm, Processus medialis; Pm-l, Processus medio-lateralis; Pl-r, Processus latero-rostralis; Pm-r, Processus medio-rostralis).

Protocobitis longibarba sp. nov. 

 Diagnosis: Protocobitis longibarba can be distinguished from all other species of Protocobitis by the following combination of characteristics: whole body, except for head and abdomen, sparsely covered with minute scales (vs scaleless in P. anteroventris, scales present along midline of body in P. typhlops; barbels elongate; 5–6 branched pectoral fin rays (vs seven in P. anteroventris, P. longicostatus, and P. polylepis); four branched pelvic-fin rays (vs five in other Protocobitis species); caudal-peduncle height 34.9%–58.6% of its length (vs 64.1%–65.7% in P. polylepis, 27.9%–43.3% in P. anteroventris); head width 7.3%–10.3% of SL (vs 5.4%–6.6% in P. anteroventris); head height 50.2%–80.6% of lateral head length (vs 45.7%–49.5% in P. longicostatus, 43.8%–46.8% in P. anteroventris).

Etymology: The specific epithet is a combination of the Latin words long- (long) and -barba (barbel), indicating its long maxillary barbel, which extends almost to the vertical line at the junction of the head and dorsal body, feminine. We suggest the common Chinese name “Cháng Xū Yuán Huā Qiū (长须原花鳅)” and English name “long-barbal protocobitis”.

 Zhi-Xian Qin, Ye-Wei Liu, Si-Yu Zhang, Jing-Song Shi, Li-Na Du and Jia-Jun Zhou. 2025. 

A New Species of the rib-degenerated loach, Genus Protocobitis (Cypriniformes, Cobitidae), from Guangxi, China. ZooKeys. 1228: 185-195. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1228.131341  

[Ichthyology • 2025] Homatula gelao • A New nemacheiline Species of loach (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from the upper Yangtze River basin in Guizhou Province, southwestern China

Homatula gelao Xiao,

in G.-B. Xiao, Guo, Cao, Lin, WeXi Deng, Q.-Q. Xiao, Zhou, Zhang et Fang, 2025. 

仡佬荷马条鳅  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.141973 

 Abstract

Homatula gelao, a new species, is here described from the Wu-Jiang of the Yangtze River basin in Guizhou province, southwestern China. This new species belongs to the elongate-bodied group of Homatula defined by having a complete lateral line, sparsely scales hidden in skin on the predorsal body, and a slender body with a uniform depth. It, along with H. variegata, is distinguished from all other species of this group in having a broadly rounded caudal fin and a small number of scales sparsely scattered over the predorsal body. Both differ in body coloration, striped pattern on the predorsal body, and caudal-peduncle length. The validity of the new species is corroborated by distinct genetic distance divergence with closely related congeneric species and its monophyly recovered in a mtDNA COI gene-based phylogenetic analysis. It is separated from other Homatula species by a minimum of 8.2% Kimura 2-parameter distance in the COI gene.

Key Words: Homatula gelao, new species, morphological comparison, taxonomy, Yangtze River basin

Lateral (A), dorsal (B), and ventral (C) views of Homatula gelao, holotype, ZVTC 20200601, 127.6 mm SL, caught from Furong-Jiang, a tributary flowing into Wu-Jiang of the Yangtze River basin, at Huaiping Village, Daozhen Gelao and Miao Autonomous County, Guizhou Province, P. R. China.

 Homatula gelao Xiao, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: A member of the elongate-bodied group of Homatula defined by having a slender body with a uniform depth (9.2%–14.4% of SL), a complete lateral line, and a scarcely scaled or scaleless predorsal body. H. gelao resembles H. variegata in the presence of a broadly rounded (vs. truncate or obliquely truncate) caudal fin and scales sparsely scattered on the predorsal body (vs. predorsal body unscaled or sparsely scaled on the dorsum and flank), which distinguishes both from all other species of this group (H. berezowskii, H. guanheensis, H. laxiclathra, H. longidorsalis, H. oxygnathra, and H. tigris). It differs from H. variegata in possessing a body coloration of 17–18 brown vertical bars narrower than interspaces, particularly on the Caudal peduncle flank (vs. dense, undulating vertical bars slightly wider or equal to interspaces); a thick brown-black stripe running along dorsal midline from behind head to dorsal fin origin; and symmetrical black vertical bars on sides of body (vs. light brown spots on the dorsum and irregular markings on the sides of the body); and a longer (vs. equal) distance from the origin of the anal fin to the origin of the pelvic fin than the distance from the origin of the anal fin to the base of the caudal fin.

Sampling locality of Homatula gelao in the Huaixi-He, tributary to the Furong-Jiang in Huaiping Village, Jiucheng Town, Daozhen Gelao and Miao Autonomous County, Zunyi City, Guizhou Province, P. R. China; 2 June 2020, photographed by Guibang Xiao. 

The view of perched states of a fresh individual of Homatula gelao in Daozhen Gelao and Miao Autonomous County, Guizhou, P. R. China. The white arrow indicates the backwater areas. Red arrow indicates the natural habitat state of H. gelao. White square indicates the inhabitant situation of H. gelao.

Etymology: The specific epithet is named after Gelao (in Chinese spelling) nationality. The type specimens of the new species were collected from the Huaixi-He in Daozhen Gelao Autonomous County, northern Guizhou Province. The Chinese common name for H. gelao is suggested as “仡佬荷马条鳅”.

Gui-Bang Xiao, Qi-Wei Guo, Liang Cao, Jia Lin, Wei-Xi Deng, Qi-Qi Xiao, Lin Zhou, Hao-Ran Zhang and Ding-Zhi Fang. 2025. Homatula gelao (Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae), A New nemacheiline Species of loach from the upper Yangtze River basin in Guizhou Province, southwestern China. Zoosystematics and Evolution .101(1): 257-271. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.141973 

[Ichthyology • 2025] Hongiastoma gen. nov., Angustistoma gen. nov. & Scaphostoma gen. nov. • Generic Revision of the Southeast and East Asian Torrent Carp Subfamily Acrossocheilinae (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) With Description of Three New Genera and a New Species from Vietnam

 

 Hongiastoma gen. nov., 
Angustistoma gen. nov., 
Scaphostoma gen. nov., S. annamense sp. nov.

in Hoang, Jang-Liaw, Pham, Tran, Durand, Nguyen, Pfeiffer et Page, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1155/jzs/8895501 

  Researchgate.net/publication/387861867

Abstract

Molecular data from 35 of the 50 Acrossocheilinae species suggest that the species-level diversity in the subfamily has been overestimated, likely due to inadequate taxon and geographic sampling and reliance on morphological characters that vary intraspecifically. Three new genera, one resurrected genus, two resurrected species, and one new species are diagnosed and described herein. Nine synonyms of three valid species of Acrossocheilinae are recognized from the Yangtze, Xijiang, Song Hong, Annamite, and Mekong ecoregions in East and Southeast Asia. Thirty-two valid and six putative new species are indicated by molecular data and a key to the genera is provided. As more molecular and morphological data become available, additional taxonomic changes in this widespread and generally poorly known subfamily are likely.

Keywords: Angustistoma gen. nov., Cyprinidae, Hongiastoma gen. nov., molecular and morphological systematics, Scaphostoma annamense sp. nov., Scaphostoma gen. nov.

Order: Cypriniformes

Family: Cyprinidae Rafinesque, 1815

Subfamily: Acrossocheilinae Yang [Yang, et al. 2015.]

Hongiastoma Hoàng and Nguyễn, new genus

Type species: Varicorhinus argentatus Nguyễn and Đoàn, 1969. 

Lectotype RIAH 67, 147 mm, Suối Rút, Hòa Bình, Vietnam.

Etymology: The name is from the Vietnamese prefix hong- meaning the Song Hong or Red River where the type species occurs, and the Greek suffix -stoma meaning mouth and referring especially to the horny sharp sheath on the lower lip. Gender neuter.

Angustistoma Hoàng, new genus

Type species: Onychostoma elongatum (Pellegrin and Chevey, 1934): 340. 

Holotype: MNHN 1934-026, 142 mm, Ngòi-Thia—tributary of Red River, Nghĩa-Lộ, Yên-Bái, Vietnam.

Etymology: The name is from the classical Latin prefix angusti- meaning narrow, and the Greek suffix -stoma meaning mouth and referring especially to the horny sharp sheath on the lower lip. Gender neuter.

Scaphostoma Hoàng and Phạm, new genus

Type species: Gymnostomus lepturus (Boulenger, 1900): 961. 

Holotype: BMNH 1899.11.30.21, 159.2 mm, Five-fingers Mountains, Hainan Island, China.

Etymology: The name is from the classical Greek prefix σκαφό (scapho) meaning bow-shaped, and the Greek suffix -stoma meaning mouth and referring especially to the horny sharp sheath on the lower lip. Gender neuter.

Huy Duc Hoang, Nian-Hong Jang-Liaw, Hung Manh Pham, Ngan Trong Tran, Jean-Dominique Durand, Tao Dinh Nguyen, John Pfeiffer and Lawrence M. Page. 2025. Generic Revision of the Southeast and East Asian Torrent Carp Subfamily Acrossocheilinae (Pisces: Teleostei) With Description of Three New Genera and a New Species From Vietnam. Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research. DOI: doi.org/10.1155/jzs/8895501 

  Researchgate.net/publication/387861867_Generic_Revision_of_Acrossocheilinae_with_Description_of_Three_New_Genera

[Ichthyology • 2025] Cobitis beijingensis • A New spined loach (Cypriniformes: Cobitidae) from northern China

Cobitis beijingensis  Sun & Zhao, 

in Sun, X.-Y. Li, X.-J. Li, Hao, Sheng et Zhao, 2025. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.137363  

Abstract

A new spined loach, Cobitis beijingensis, is described from Beijing, China. The new species can be distinguished from other congeners by a combination of characters: 1) Lamina circularis on pectoral fin of male elongated, posterior margin slightly serrated; 2) possessing 14–18 (mode 15) pre-pelvic myotomes; 3) pelvic fin inserted below 3rd–5th branched dorsal-fin ray; 4) total vertebrae 4+ 36–38 (mode 37); 5) L2 of the Gambetta’s pattern does not exist or is fused with L1. The molecular phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial Cyt b also support C. beijingensis to be a new species.

Key Words: Beijing, freshwater fish, molecular phylogeny, morphology, taxonomy

Cobitis beijingensis sp. nov., holotype, ASZIB 240630, 55.0 mm standard length;
A. Lateral view; B. Dorsal view; C. Ventral view; D. Original drawing.

Live individuals of Cobitis beijingensis sp. nov.
A. Holotype, ASIZB 240630, male; B. Uncatalogued, female;
C. Paratype, ASIZB 240682, male, photographed in aquarium.

 Cobitis beijingensis Sun & Zhao, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: The new species can be distinguished by the combination of the following characters: Lamina circularis on pectoral fin elongated, posterior margin slightly serrated; 14–18 (mode 15) prepelvic myotomes; pelvic fin inserted below 3rd–5th branched dorsal-fin ray; total vertebrae 4+ 36–38 (mode 37); the second Gambetta line (L2) does not exist or is fused with the first line (L1).

Zhi-Xian Sun, Xue-Yuan Li, Xue-Jian Li, Jun-Yuan Hao, Dong Sheng and Ya-Hui Zhao. 2025. Cobitis beijingensis, A New spined loach from northern China (Cypriniformes, Cobitidae). Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(1): 55-67. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.137363  

[Ichthyology • 2025] Pseudobarbus kubhekai • A New Redfin (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

 

Pseudobarbus kubhekai 

Zarei, Mathebula & Chakona, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.134080

Abstract

A recent phylogeographic analysis of the remnant populations of Pseudobarbus quathlambae from Lesotho and South Africa revealed the existence of three allopatrically distributed lineages: (i) one in eastern Lesotho, (ii) one in Mohale, central Lesotho, and (iii) a third lineage in the Umzimkhulu (= Mzimkhulu) River, KwaZulu-Natal, adjacent to the Mkhomazana River (type locality), where the species has gone extinct. The present study provides morphological and osteological evidence corroborating the distinctiveness of the Umzimkhulu River population from all other populations (extant and extinct) of P. quathlambae, supporting their recognition as distinct species. Herein, we describe the Umzimkhulu River population as a new species, Pseudobarbus kubhekai. The new species, a single barbeled redfin, differs from all currently recognized congeners by having 51–56 scales in lateral-line series (vs. 60–72 in P. quathlambae and 25–45 in the other species). Proposed steps to resolve the taxonomic status of P. quathlambae from other localities (Mkhomazana population, Eastern Lesotho Highlands, and Mohale lineages) are presented.

Key Words: Cyprinidae, endemic species, freshwater fish, systematics, Umzimkhulu redfin

Fresh specimens of Pseudobarbus kubhekai sp. nov. from the Umzimkhulu River system.
A. SAIAB 246079 (tag number F86), paratype, 62.4 mm SL;
B. SAIAB 246079 (tag number F90), paratype, 54.3 mm SL.

 Pseudobarbus kubhekai sp. nov.

  

Pseudobarbus quathlambae (non-Barnard)

—Kubheka et al. 2017: 303; Swartz et al. 2023: 301.

Proposed common name: Umzimkhulu Redfin (English); 

Umzimkhulu Rooivlerkie (Afrikaans).

Diagnosis: Pseudobarbus kubhekai sp. nov. is easily distinguishable from P. burchelli, P. burgi, P. skeltoni, and P. verloreni by possessing a single pair of oral barbels (vs. two pairs). The new species differs from all currently recognized congeners by having 51–56 scales in lateral-line series (vs. 60–72 in P. quathlambae and 25–45 in other species). It further differs from its closest relative, P. quathlambae, by having fewer vertebrae (36–37 vs. 38–40) and lacking dark spots on its back (vs. presence of 2–4 rows of dark spots on back; Figs 5–7 for comparison).

Etymology: Pseudobarbus kubhekai sp. nov. is named after Skhumbuzo Kubheka from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, who, through extensive sampling efforts in search of Pseudobarbus quathlambae from its type locality and headwater tributaries of the Umkhomazi and adjacent river systems, discovered this new species from the Umzimkhulu River system. This discovery was significant because it helped to resolve a longstanding debate on the natural occurrence of redfin minnows in the KwaZulu Natal Province of South Africa. The discovery also highlights the conservation significance of the headwater tributaries of rivers draining the Drakensberg Mountain.

 Fatah Zarei, Xiluva Mathebula and Albert Chakona. 2025. Pseudobarbus kubhekai sp. nov., A New Redfin (Teleostei, Cyprinidae) from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(1): 1-16. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.134080

[Ichthyology • 2024] Kapuasia, A Genus Name for ‘Nemacheilus’ maculiceps (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from the Kapuas Drainage on Borneo

Kapuasia maculiceps (Roberts, 1989)
 Kapuasia gen. nov.     

Kottelat & Tan, 2024   

  Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 72   

Researchgate.net/publication/379044298

 Abstract

 Kapuasia, new genus, is created to accommodate ‘Nemacheilus’ maculiceps, from the Kapuas drainage on Borneo. It is distinguished by the presence of a large suprapectoral flap above the pectoral fin, and its unique lip morphology. The lower lip has a continuous anterior edge, and its median part has 8–10 ridges on each side, radiating at the anterior extremity, across the whole lip, resulting in a crenulated inner edge of the lip. 

Key words. Cobitoidei, Nemacheilidae, Schistura, Borneo, stone loach

 Maurice Kottelat and Tan Heok Hui. 2024. Kapuasia, A Genus Name for ‘Nemacheilus’ maculiceps (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 72; 105–109. 

 Researchgate.net/publication/379044298_Kapuasia_a_genus_name_for_'Nemacheilus'_maculiceps

[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] Oreichthys warjaintia • A New Species of cyprinid fish (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from Meghalaya, India

 

Oreichthys warjaintia

Dann, Dahanukar & Raghavan, 2024 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.16001 

 facebook.com: Rajeev Raghavan

 

Abstract

Oreichthys warjaintia, new species, is described from the Pyrngang stream (Surma–Meghna basin), Meghalaya, northeast India. It can be distinguished from all known species within the genus Oreichthys in having the following combination of characters: complete lateral line with 25–27 pored scales, 13 branched pectoral-fin rays, 5–5½ branched anal-fin rays, 14 rows of papillae on suborbital, ½3/1/2½ scale rows in transverse line on body, presence of a black blotch on caudal-fin base, and in the coloration of dorsal, caudal, and anal fins. Oreichthys warjaintia is distinct from all known Oreichthys species for which mitochondrial cox1 sequence data are available by a raw genetic distance ranging from 8.3% to 11.1%.

Keywords: Cox1 gene, eastern Himalaya, high-fin barb, Surma–Meghna, taxonomy

Oreichthys warjaintia sp. nov.

 

Lekiningroy Dann, Neelesh Dahanukar and Rajeev Raghavan. 2024. Oreichthys warjaintia, A New Species of cyprinid fish from Meghalaya, India (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae). Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.16001

  facebook.com/RajeevRaghavan98/posts/385262360937