Two new Mystus
Posted: 09 Nov 2013, 09:01
Plamoottil, M & NP Abraham, 2013. Mystus indicus and M. heoki, two new catfishes from Kerala, India. Biosystematica 7: 43–58.
Abstract
Mystus indicus, a new species of the family Bagridae, is described from Kuttoor of Manimala River in Kerala, India. It is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: snout longer; median groove on head appear as double cephalic fontanels; occipital process reaches to basal bone of dorsal fin, on both sides of occipital process a thick layer of flesh present, which conceals the former from side view; rayed dorsal base prominently swollen on both sides. Mystus heoki, new species, differs from its relative species in having a markedly elongate body, shorter head and smaller eyes; occipital process short and it never reach basal bone of dorsal fin and the former is not visible as it is concealed under a thick layer of flesh; adipose dorsal fin small, its base short, and it is located fairly away from rayed dorsal fin. The new species of fishes are described and compared with related species.
Abstract
Mystus indicus, a new species of the family Bagridae, is described from Kuttoor of Manimala River in Kerala, India. It is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: snout longer; median groove on head appear as double cephalic fontanels; occipital process reaches to basal bone of dorsal fin, on both sides of occipital process a thick layer of flesh present, which conceals the former from side view; rayed dorsal base prominently swollen on both sides. Mystus heoki, new species, differs from its relative species in having a markedly elongate body, shorter head and smaller eyes; occipital process short and it never reach basal bone of dorsal fin and the former is not visible as it is concealed under a thick layer of flesh; adipose dorsal fin small, its base short, and it is located fairly away from rayed dorsal fin. The new species of fishes are described and compared with related species.