Pinda shrirangii,a new elegant species of Apiaceae from the northern Western Ghats,India

A new species, Pinda shrirangii Gosavi & Chandore, is described and illustrated from a high-elevation region of northern Western Ghats, India. The new species is closely allied to the only other species in the genus, Pinda concanensis (Dalzell) P.K.Mukh. & Constance which was also described from the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra state of India. Coloured photographs and illustrations are provided to facilitate the identification.     

Turcichondrostoma,a new genus for the Leuciscidae (Teleostei: Cypriniformes) from Southwestern Anatolia

Turcichondrostoma, a new genus, from the Southwestern Anatolia is distinguished by having fewer gill rakers on first gill arch and morphologies of premaxilla and dentary bones. In addition, as a result of the phylogenetic analyses based on combine data set (mtDNA COI + Cytb) sequences (1706 bp.), Turcichondrostoma genus was recovered with high posterior probability value (BI PP:1.0) and strong-supported bootstrap value (ML BP: 100%) among the former Chondrostoma groups. Also, high K2P mean genetic distance values (more than 7.84%) differentiated genus Turcichondrostoma from the other genera of former Chondrostoma group. The results of both morphological-osteological and molecular analyses are congruent with each other. The results of this study revealed that the genus Turcichondrostoma is easily distinguished from the genera in Chondrostoma group.     

A New Species of the Genus Tor from Yunnan, China (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

A new species of the subfamily Barbinae, Tor yingjiangensis, is recognized from Yunnan province, China. It can be distinguished from other Tor species by the following combination of characters: last simple dorsal-fin ray osseous and non-serrated; no forward directed predorsal procumbent spine; head length considerably longer than body depth; no tubercles on the snout or sides of the face; 18–20 gill rakers on the outside of first gill arch; 24–26 lateral line scales; median lobe of lower lip short, its posterior margin truncate, not extending to the vertical across the inner corners of the mouth; and the condition of the lower lip consistent in individuals of different sizes. The new species has been misidentified previously as Tor putitora (Hamilton, F. 1822. An account of the fishes found in the River Ganges and its Branches. Edinburgh & London. 405 pp), which occurs in the Ganges and Indus River basins. The new species can easily be distinguished from T. putitora by having 3–3.5 (vs. 2.5) scales from lateral line to pelvic-fin origin, shorter caudal peduncle length (13.0% vs. 17.2% of standard length), lesser body depth (26.4% vs. 24.0% of standard length) and longer caudal peduncle depth (12.0% vs. 10.9% of standard length), no longitudinal stripe present along side of body, and eyes visible in ventral view of head.     

Squalius semae,a new species of chub from the Euphrates River,Eastern Anatolia (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

In a study of the fishes of the Euphrates River (Persian Gulf basin) three species of Squalius belonging to the cephalus-group were found: The Tohma population was identified as S. seyhanensis and the Merzimen and Hilvan populations as S. berak. The comparison of 28 metric and 5 meristic parameters and morphological characters showed that the populations of the northern Euphrates River drainages are distinct and belong to a hitherto unnamed species. We describe it here as Squalius semae sp. n.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D195B69C-C6CB-4DEB-B85D-5B695F917CE5     

A new Pseudophoxinus (Teleostei,Cyprinidae) species from Asi River Drainage (Turkey)

Pseudophoxinus turani sp. n. is described from the İncesu Spring (Hassa-Hatay) drainage of Asi River, Turkey. It is distinguished from other Eastern Mediterranean Region Pseudophoxinus species by a combination of characters: lateral line incomplete, with 12–25 (commonly 16–21) perforated scales and 38–46+2-3 scales in lateral series (commonly 41–44+2-3); 10–11 scale rows between the lateral line and dorsal-fin origin; 3–4 scale rows between the lateral line and the pelvic–fin origin; dorsal fin with 7½ branched rays; anal fin commonly with 7½ branched rays; 8-11gill rakers on the first branchial arch; dorsal profile markedly convex with marked hump at the nape, ventral profile less convex than dorsal profile; a small, irregular, black blotch on the base of the caudal fin; mouth terminal, with slightly distinct chin, its corner not reaching vertical through anterior margin of eye; snout somewhat long, with rounded tip; and its length greater than eye diameter.     

Barbus xanthos,a new barbel from the Southern Aegean basin (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

Barbus xanthos, a new species, is described from the Eşen, Dalaman, Tersakan and Büyük Menderes rivers in south-western Anatolia. It differs from other Barbus species in the adjacent basins by having 53–60 lateral line scales, a weakly ossified last unbranched dorsal-fin ray (about 33–50%), numerous small irregular-shaped black or dark-brown spots smaller than scales, often forming large, black or dark-brown blotches on back and flank in juveniles and adults, and a straight or slightly convex posterior dorsal-fin margin. B. xanthos differs from its most closely related congener, B. pergamonensis, by nine nucleotide substitution sites in the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I barcode region.     

Early embryonic development of the vulnerable Shalyni barb,Pethia shalynius (Yazdani & Talukdar, 1975)

The present study provides the first detailed early embryonic development of the Shalyni barb, Pethia shalynius (Yazdani & Talukdar, 1975), a vulnerable cyprinid fish occurring in streams and lentic waters of Meghalaya, northeast India. Induced spawning by synthetic hormone injection in May 2019 was conducted to a pair of mature female and male P. shalynius under controlled conditions in a well-aerated aquarium. Fertilized eggs were spherical, 0.75–0.80 mm (approx.) in diameter, transparent, unpigmented and non-adhesive. A total of 22 developmental stages could be categorized under seven broad periods, viz. the zygote, cleavage, blastula, gastrula, segmentation, pharyngula and hatchling. The first cleavage occurred at 15 min post fertilization (mpf), followed by blastulation at 01:23 hr post-fertilization (hpf), gastrulation at 04:20 hpf, initial somite formation at 07:00 hpf, and pharyngula period at 19:20 hpf, respectively. Embryos hatched between 26–27 hpf and the newly-hatched larvae ranged 2.2–2.5 mm in total length. For naturally-declining populations of this vulnerable fish species, inferences drawn from the present study will help provide a baseline data for its conservation and management, and aid the research fields of developmental biology, biotechnology, molecular biology as well as taxonomy of this species.     

Phylogenetic relationships of a new genus and species of microteiid lizard from the Atlantic forest of north-eastern Brazil (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae)

A new genus and species of a short limbed and slightly elongate gymnophthalmid lizard is described from the Atlantic rain forests of north-eastern Brazil. The new genus is also characterized by short and stout pentadactyl limbs, presence of prefrontals, absence of frontoparietals, distinctive ear opening and eyelid, two pairs of genials, a distinct collar, smooth, quadrangular, dorsal scales, quadrangular ventrals, fused postfrontal and postorbital bones, and two pairs of sternal ribs. The geographical distribution of the new taxon extends from the state of Rio Grande do Norte to the northern bank of the Rio São Francisco in the state of Alagoas. All specimens were obtained in leaf litter, an observation which agrees with the fossorial habits suggested by the body shape and massive aspect of the head of this species. A phylogenetic analysis based on external morphology, osteology, and molecular data recovered the new lizard as the sister genus to Anotosaura , and Colobosauroides as the sister group to these two.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 144 , 543−557.     

Psilorhynchus nahlongthai,a new fish species (Teleostei: Psilorhynchidae) from the Brahmaputra drainage,northeast India

Psilorhynchus nahlongthai, a new psilorhynchid fish, is described from the Diyung River, a tributary to the Kopili River (itself a southern tributary of the Brahmaputra drainage) in Assam, northeast India. It is placed in the Psilorhynchus balitora species group and can be easily distinguished from all other members of this group by a combination of the following characters: dense and prominent tuberculation on the head region; thick and long pre- and post-epiphyseal fontanelles on the neurocranium; 9 + 8 caudal-fin rays; and 34 (24 + 10) vertebrae. Genetic divergence between P. nahlongthai and members of the P. balitora species group from the Brahmaputra and neighbouring drainages, with K2P distances ranging 3.7%–14.7% and 7.4%–20.7% in the mitochondrial COI and cyt b gene datasets respectively, support its report as a new species.     

Description of a new species of Mustura Kottelat (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from the Brahmaputra drainage,India

Mustura subhashi, new species, is described from the Dikal River, a north bank tributary of the Brahmaputra drainage in Arunachal Pradesh. It is distinguished from all its congeners by having a colour pattern of 14–23 dark-greyish black to dark brown irregular bars on a greyish to pale beige body; pre-dorsal bars thin, numerous, wider than interspaces, weakly contrasted, uniting dorsally at lateral one-third or midway on flank to form thicker bars, coalescing further at lateral one-fifth and continuous on dorsum with contralateral bars; bars below dorsal fin exhibiting similar condition but slightly wider than pre-dorsal bars; post-dorsal bars thicker than anterior bars, wider than interspaces, sharply contrasted, rarely coalescing on flank; and a short bar along the caudal mid-line, rarely forming a blotch. Based on re-examination of the type specimens and additional materials, Mustura dikrongensis is confirmed as a species belonging to Mustura, and M. harkishorei is not sufficiently diagnosed from 'Nemacheilus' corica.     

Echinops sahyadricus sp. nov. (Asteraceae: Cardueae), from the northern Western Ghats,Maharashtra, India

The new species Echinops sahyadricus is discovered and described from northern Western Ghats, India. It is endemic to the Maharashtra state and probably restricted to few high mountain peaks in Western Maharashtra. The new species is distinguished from the related E. echinatus by adaxially glabrous to sparsely elgandular hairy leaf surfaces, larger non-cornigerous synflorescences up to 9 cm in diameter and numerous (19–24) glabrous phyllaries up to 27 mm long. An identification key to all Indian taxa of Echinops, illustration and colour plates are provided.     

A new species of Beilschmiedia (Lauraceae) from the Western Ghats,India

Beilschmiedia tirunelvelica is described and illustrated as a new species from the Western Ghats of Agasthiyamalai Biosphere Reserve, India. The differences to similar taxa are provided with dichotomous key and table.     

A new species of Eugenia (Myrtaceae) from the Western Ghats, India

Eugenia shettyana, is described and illustrated as a new species from the Western Ghats, India. The differences to similar taxa are discussed.     

Phylogenetic relationships of the newly described species Chondrostoma olisiponensis (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

Phylogenies were generated using mitochondrial cytochrome b and nuclear ß‐actin gene DNA sequences to infer the phylogenetic relationships of the newly described Chondrostoma olisiponensis. Results indicate that the species is monophyletic with species of the lemmingii‐group in mtDNA phylogenies, while it is monophyletic with species of the arcasii‐group in the nuclear ß‐actin trees. This is in agreement with the morphological resemblance of C. olisiponensis to both species groups. Results from nuclear but not mitochondrial DNA indicate that one population could be currently hybridizing with sympatric Chondrostoma lusitanicum. Based on a relaxed clock calibration of cytochrome b, it is estimated that C. olisiponensis split 12·5–7·9 million years ago (middle–upper Miocene) from its most recent ancestor, which coincides with a period of endorrheism in the Iberian Peninsula.     

Biogeography and molecular phylogeny of the genus Schizothorax (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) in China inferred from cytochrome b sequences

Aim To test a vicariant speciation hypothesis derived from geological evidence of large‐scale changes in drainage patterns in the late Miocene that affected the drainages in the south‐eastern Tibetan Plateau. Location The Tibetan Plateau and adjacent areas. Methods The cytochrome b DNA sequences of 30 species of the genus Schizothorax from nine different river systems were analysed. These DNA sequences were analysed using parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. The approximately unbiased and Shimodaira–Hasegawa tests were applied to evaluate the statistical significance of the shortest trees relative to alternative hypotheses. Dates of divergences between lineages were estimated using the nonparametric rate smoothing method, and confidence intervals of dates were obtained by parametric bootstrapping. Results The phylogenetic relationships recovered from molecular data were inconsistent with traditional taxonomy, but apparently reflected geographical associations with rivers. Within the genus Schizothorax, we observed a divergence between the lineages from the Irrawaddy–Lhuit and Tsangpo–Parlung rivers, and tentatively dated this vicariant event back to the late Miocene (7.3–6.8 Ma). We also observed approximately simultaneous geographical splits within drainages of the south‐eastern Tibetan Plateau, the Irrawaddy, the Yangtze and the Mekong–Salween rivers in the late Miocene (7.1–6.2 Ma). Main conclusions Our molecular evidence tentatively highlights the importance of palaeoriver connections and the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau in understanding the evolution of the genus Schizothorax. Molecular estimates of divergence times allowed us to date these vicariant scenarios back to the late Miocene, which agrees with geological suggestions for the separation of these drainages caused by tectonic uplift in south‐eastern Tibet. Our results indicated the substantial role of vicariant‐based speciation in shaping the current distribution pattern of the genus Schizothorax.     

A new genus and species of deep demersal fish (Teleostei: Stephanoberycidae) from the tropical eastern North Atlantic

A novel stephanoberycid genus and species, Abyssoberyx levisquamosus Merrett & Moore is reported from bottom‐trawl abyssal captures in 4490–4640 m depth. It has cycloid scales, differing from Stephanoberyx , Acanthochaenus and Hispidoberyx with spinoid scales; has 1–2 dorsal fin spines, differing from Acanthochaenus and Malacosarcus with 0, Gibberichthys with 5–6 and Hispidoberyx with 3–5 spines; has 5–7 + 14–15 gill rakers, differing from Stephanoberyx with 12–15 + 25–27 and Acanthochaenus and Malacosarcus with 8 + 17–20 gill rakers. Selected aspects of the osteology of A. levisquamosus are described, to confirm that it shares several features in common with other stephanoberycid genera and allied stephanoberycoids. Aspects of its biology and ecology are discussed.