Barbodes zakariaismaili, Kottelat & Lim, 2021

Kottelat, Maurice & Lim, Kelvin K. P., 2021, Two new species of Barbodes from the Malay Peninsula and comments on ‘ cryptic species’ in the B. binotatus group (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 69, pp. 522-540 : 532-536

Barbodes zakariaismaili , new species

( Figs. 13 , 14 )

Holotype. ZRC 52347, 66.1 mm SL; Malaysia: Pahang: Pahang drainage: Cameron Highlands: Sungai Boh, 200 m upstream from Sungai Menson ; 4°26′10″N 101°29′40″E [about 700 masl]; M. Zakaria-Ismail, 26 October 1992.

Paratypes. ZRC 62315, 18 , 30.0– 67.4 mm SL; CMK 27384, 9, 24.1–67.9 mm SL; same data as holotype .

Additional material (non types). All from Pahang, Pahang drainage . ZRC 60583, 4 , 23.9–81.3 mm SL; Sungai Menson, tributary of Sungai Bertam (4.4245°N 101.5083°E); 19 August 1990 . — ZRC 60590, 1 , 60.5 mm SL; Sungai Menson, tributary of Sungai Bertam (4.4500°N 101.5057°E); 26 October 1992 . — ZRC 60584, 6 , 26.5–66.5 mm SL; Sungai So’ok near Kuala Kernip ; 28 September 1992 . — ZRC 60576, 4 , 43.5 –69.0 mm SL ; ZRC 60577, 11 , 22.9–68.9 mm SL ; ZRC 60578, 3 , 37.1–62.8 mm SL; Sungai Tersang between Bukit Talom and Sungai Koyan (4.0610°N 101.7610°E); 16 February 1993 . — ZRC 60581, 22 , 13.5 –26.0 mm SL; small stream draining to Sungai Tanom (4.6307°N 102.0640°E); 4 November 1992 . — ZRC 52348, 9 , 51.6–78.3 mm SL ; ZRC 60587, 6 , 34.1–66.1 mm SL ; ZRC 60588, 1 , 57.1 mm SL; Sungai Kenor, tributary of Sungai Lipis (3.9833°N 101.6258°E); 15 February 1993 .

Diagnosis. Barbodes zakariaismaili , new species, is distinguished from all other species of the B. binotatus group by its unique colour pattern in adults, including a faint longitudinally elongate blackish midlateral mark from the upper extremity of the gill opening to below the dorsal-fin origin; a black spot below the anterior part of the dorsal-fin base, extending downwards to the midlateral row as a narrow triangular mark; and a blackish spot at the end of the caudal peduncle. Other characters useful for identification, but not unique to the species, are: slender body (depth 2.9–3.1 times in SL); interobital area convex; eye not flush with dorsal profile, relatively small (4–5 times in head length, 1.5–1.9 times in interorbital distance); juveniles with a conspicuous reticulate pattern made of black pigments on scale pockets.

Description. General appearance is shown in Figs. 13 and 14 . Morphometric data of holotype and six paratypes are given in Table 1. A relatively slender species of Barbodes , with body depth at dorsal-fin origin about 2.9–3.1 times in standard length, and depth of caudal peduncle 2.0–2.3 times in body depth. Dorsal profile of head and body arched, with a shallow concavity at nape, and a low post-occipital hump in specimens above about 50 mm SL. Snout pointed, directed forwards. Ventral profile slightly less arched than dorsal profile. Interorbital area convex; eye not flush with dorsal profile of head, diameter 1.5–1.9 times in interorbital distance ( Fig. 5b ). Mouth subterminal, postlabial groove deep, narrowly interrupted in middle; snout slightly projecting, rostral fold covering upper part of upper lip; lower jaw not enclosed in upper lip.

Dorsal fin with 3 (3) or 4 (4*) visible unbranched and 8½ branched rays; origin above lateral line scale 7 (1), 8 (5*), or 9 (1); distal edge straight to slightly convex; last unbranched ray moderately thick, with 17–25 serrae along most of posterior edge of stiff portion, space between serrae narrower than width of serrae. Pectoral fin rounded, with 15 (4*) or 16 (3) rays (including anterior unbranched ray); reaching almost to pelvic-fin base. Pelvic fin with slightly rounded posterior edge, with 9 (6*) or 10 (1) rays (including anterior unbranched ray); reaching to about 2 scales in front of anus; pelvic axillary scale present, about ¼ of fin length. Anal fin with 3 unbranched and 5½ branched rays; posterior edge straight. Caudal fin with 10–11 + 9 principal rays (of which 8+8 (1) or 9+8 (6*) branched), forked, lobes rounded, tip slightly pointed. Depth of caudal peduncle 1.2–1.4 times in its length.

21+3 (1), 22+2 (5*), or 23+2 (1) scales along lateral line, 8 (1), 9 (5*), or 10 (1) predorsal scales, ½3/1/4½ (1) or ½4/1/4½ (6*) rows of scales from dorsal-fin origin to about 2 scales in front of pelvic-fin base, ½2/1/2½ scales rows in transverse line on caudal peduncle, 3 scale rows between lateral line and pelvic-fin origin. Posteriormost scale on each lobe of caudal fin larger than preceding ones ( Fig. 6b ). Two pairs of maxillary barbels; anterior one reaching about middle of postorbital area of head; posterior one reaching posterior edge of opercle.

Colouration. Preserved specimens: specimens above 35 mm SL: body and head yellowish brown, darker on back, yellowish on belly. No reticulate pattern on body. On scale row +1 and on anterior 3–5 scales of row 0, scale pockets covered by dark pigments, centre of scales dark brown, posterior fourth of scales paler brown and with sparse black pigments; sometimes appearing as a midlateral row of dark spots. In anterior third, these scales superimposed on a faint longitudinally elongate blackish midlateral mark (made of deeper pigments) from upper extremity of gill opening to below dorsal-fin origin. On row +2, centre of scales less dark and mark on scale pocket narrower. On lateral line row and rows –1 and –2, only dark scale pocket pigmentation. A faint dark grey spot at end of caudal peduncle. A black spot on sheath scales of dorsal fin or on upper part of row +4, at base of branched dorsal-fin rays 1–2; area of spot equal to about one scale; a faint triangular extension, about 1–1.5 scale wide, reaching to row +3 or +2 (then in contact with midlateral row of dark scales). All fins hyaline; in a few specimens, distal edge of anal fin blackish.

Juveniles. Only three small specimens available, 27.8–33.7 mm SL ( Fig. 14a–c ). Body with conspicuous reticulate pattern made of black pigments on scale pocket, on rows +4 to –2. Elongated blotch on anterior third of body present, made of pigments in deeper layer. An elongated patch of pigments under scales on row +1, extending from below end of dorsalfin base to end of anal-fin base, vaguely forming two or three spots. Roundish black spot at posterior extremity of caudal peduncle. Black spot at dorsal-fin base as in adults. Black spot on body, at base of anal fin. Distal margin of anal fin black. Dorsal fin: black pigments along edges of branched rays near branching point.

Distribution. Barbodes zakariaismaili is presently recorded only from Peninsular Malaysia, in tributaries of the Sungai Jelai of the Pahang drainage in north-western Pahang State ( Fig. 7 ). The type locality, Sungai Boh, is a small and shallow hill stream about 4–6 metres wide, under forest canopy. It has clear and cool water flowing over rock and sand substrate (Khaironizam M. Z., pers. comm.).

Etymology. The species is named for Mohd. Zakaria-Ismail in appreciation for his work on the fish fauna of Malaysia. A noun in the genitive, indeclinable.

Remarks. Barbodes zakariaismaili , new species, has a relatively slender body, with the ventral profile only slightly less curved than the dorsal one, and the tip of the snout about level with the axis of the body. This body shape is unusual in the B. binotatus group; among the named species presently recognised as valid, we have seen it only in B. binotatus .

Barbodes binotatus ( Fig. 11 ) is distinguished from the other species of the group by the presence of a midlateral stripe from the upper extremity of the gill opening to the spot at the end of the caudal peduncle, in both juveniles and adults; B. sellifer , new species, by the large triangular to rectangular blotch below the dorsal-fin base, B. banksi by the narrow slanted bar under the dorsal-fin origin, and B. rhombeus has only a small black spot at the origin of the dorsal fin, at the end of the caudal peduncle, and a midlateral row of 3–5 spots sometimes connected by a thin stripe.

Barbodes zakariaismaili , new species, is distinguished from B. sellifer , new species, in having, in adults, a faint longitudinally elongate blackish midlateral mark from the upper extremity of the gill opening to below the dorsal-fin origin (vs. absence), a black spot below the anterior part of the dorsal-fin base, extending downwards to the midlateral row as a narrow triangular mark (vs., in adults, a large triangular to rectangular blotch extending downwards from in front of and beneath the base of the dorsal fin, sometimes incomplete or narrower), a more pointed snout ( Fig. 5 ), and a smaller eye (diameter 21–25% HL vs. 26–30). Our morphometric data, based on a few specimens of both species in the size range 66–98 mm SL, suggest that B. zakariaismaili differs from B. sellifer in having a shorter (27–28% SL vs. 28–32) and shallower head (depth 20–22% SL vs. 22–24), a smaller predorsal length (53–58% SL vs. 58–63) and a more slender body (depth at dorsal-fin origin 32–35% SL vs. 37–42; depth of caudal peduncle 15–16% SL vs. 16–17). However, we have not measured a sufficient number of specimens from enough localities to be certain that all these differences would hold for all populations.

Presently, we include in B. zakariaismaili material from the Sungai Jelai watershed only. Its presence in the headwaters of adjacent drainages is not impossible. We are aware of B. sellifer -like fish from the Kelantan drainages, but have not seen fresh or well-preserved specimens to be able to determine their identity; they may be B. zakariaismaili . It is noteworthy that B. zakariaismaili is recorded in hilly areas, while B. sellifer occurs in the lowlands, in areas then covered by forest.

Figures

Fig. 13. Barbodes zakariaismaili, new species, Malaysia: Pahang: Cameron Highlands; a, ZRC 52347, holotype, 66.3 mm SL; b, ZRC 62315, paratype, 58.3 mm SL. (Photographs by M. Kottelat).

Fig. 14. Barbodes zakariaismaili, new species, Malaysia: Pahang: Cameron Highlands; a, b, CMK 27384, paratypes: 27.8 mm SL (a) and 33.7 mm SL (b); c, d, ZRC 62315, paratypes: 30.1 mm SL (c) and 35.5 mm SL (d). (Photographs by M. Kottelat).

Fig. 5. a, Barbodes sellifer, new species, CMK 6027, paratype, 59.5 mm SL; b, B. zakariaismaili, new species, ZRC 52347, holotype, 66.3 mm SL. Note differences in snout shape, and in size and position of eye. (Photographs by M. Kottelat).

Fig. 6. Scales at caudal-fin base in: a, Barbodes sellifer, new species, ZRC 12355, 69.2 mm SL; and b, B. zakariaismaili, new species, ZRC 62315, 67.4 mm SL. Edge of posteriormost scales enhanced. (Photographs by M. Kottelat).

Fig. 7. Distribution of Barbodes sellifer, new species (green marks) and B. zakariaismaili, new species (orange marks) on Malay Peninsula and Sumatra, based on examined material. Stars are type localities. Each mark may consist of more than one locality. (K. K. P. Lim).

Fig. 11. Barbodes binotatus, CMK 8976, 43.0 mm SL; Java: Ciliwung at Cilebut. (Photograph by M. Kottelat).