New genus and species of enigmatic catfish from India

[Silurus]

Vincent, M & M Thomas, 2011. Kryptoglanis shajii, an enigmatic subterranean-spring catfish (Siluriformes, Incertae sedis) from Kerala, India. Ichthyological Research 58: 161–165.

Abstract

This is the report of a new species of catfish, Kryptoglanis shajii nov. gen. and nov. sp., distinguished from all other genera of siluriform fishes by the combination of the following morphological characters: viz. the absence of dorsal fin; the presence of four pairs of barbels; an upwardly directed mouth, with a distinctly projecting lower jaw; subcutaneous eyes; anal fin completely confluent with the caudal fin; anal and caudal fins together carry 70–74 fin rays; and no spines in any of the fins. Kryptoglanis, which has a maximum recorded size of 59.1 mm in standard length, was collected from a well fed by subterranean springs. The type locality is a well located at the extreme western part of Western Ghats, near Chalakudy in Thrissur district, Kerala State, India.

[Shovelnose]

Oh wow!!!! Looks like Horaglanis might have a serious contender on the looks front.

Any chance of a copy HH????


Thanks,

[racoll]

Silurus, which family do you think this belongs to?

[Birger]

Any chance of a copy HH????

Me too please...I have a soft spot for subterranean fish.

Birger

Balaji...did you not do some collecting in the Chalakudy...collecting in the river when you just needed to dip out of a well.

[Silurus]

Silurus, which family do you think this belongs to?

The fish actually looks like Silurichthys with the head of Amblyceps. I think it's likely to be either a very aberrant silurid or clariid (with a body form vaguely reminiscent of Heteropneustes).

In any case, I am trying to get a collaborative study started with John Lundberg (+others) to examine the osteology of this fish (with CT scans) and try to figure out where it fits on the siluriform tree with both molecules and morphology.

[Shovelnose]

Balaji...did you not do some collecting in the Chalakudy...collecting in the river when you just needed to dip out of a well.

I know!!!!! I think its tougher to collect in a well than a river though. Unless of course its peak summer and the wells are close to drying out. Else its draining most of the water out manually or using a pump. Looks like Chalakudy needs another trip soon.


HH, is this the fish from this thread??? http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... lit=kerala

[Yann]

Hi!!

I would love to have a copy as well!!
In advance many thanks!!
Cheers
Yann

[Bathycetopsis]

If somebody need full PDF of this paper, please send me request on email michal.miksik@gmail.com

[vvbinoy]

Kryptoglanis shajii is present in open water-bodies also. Please see the link

http://cs-test.ias.ac.in/cs/Volumes/102/02/0161.pdf

[Shovelnose]

Very interesting. Thanks for the paper.

Did you keep live specimens for long???

[vvbinoy]

I have live specimens with me. I am keeping them from September. All of them are healthy

[Shovelnose]

Great!!! I am guessing they are not territorial or aggressive???

[vvbinoy]

not at all..