Maurice Kottelat

European freshwater fishes

An heuristic checklist of the freshwater fishes of Europe (exclusive of former USSR), with an introduction for non-systematists and comments on nomenclature and conservation

Indochinese nemacheilines : a revision of nemacheiline loaches (Pisces: Cypriniformes) of Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia and southern Viet Nam

Freshwater loaches of the subfamily Nemacheilinae are relatively common fishes in Southeast Asia, important ecologically as well as in the lucrative aquarium trade. They are also among the most diverse of fishes, with over 460 published names. Not surprisingly, the same diversity has created much confusion in their systematics. Even the spelling of the nominate genus has only recently been standardised, vacillating between Nemacheilus, Noemacheilus and Nemachilus. The same is true of their higher classification. Until Sawadas (1982) study, they had been classified in the Cobitidae, but his study indicated closer relationships with the Balitoridae (his Homalopteridae) (Kottelat, 1988).

Spatial heterogeneity in the Mediterranean Biodiversity Hotspot affects barcoding accuracy of its freshwater fishes

Incomplete knowledge of biodiversity remains a stumbling block for conservation planning and even occurs within globally important Biodiversity Hotspots (BH). Although technical advances have boosted the power of molecular biodiversity assessments, the link between DNA sequences and species and the analytics to discriminate entities remain crucial. Here, we present an analysis of the first DNA barcode library for the freshwater fish fauna of the Mediterranean BH (526 spp.), with virtually complete species coverage (498 spp., 98% extant species). In order to build an identification system supporting conservation, we compared species determination by taxonomists to multiple clustering analyses of DNA barcodes for 3165 specimens. The congruence of barcode clusters with morphological determination was strongly dependent on the method of cluster delineation, but was highest with the general mixed Yule‐coalescent (GMYC) model‐based approach (83% of all species recovered as GMYC entity). Overall, genetic morphological discontinuities suggest the existence of up to 64 previously unrecognized candidate species. We found reduced identification accuracy when using the entire DNA‐barcode database, compared with analyses on databases for individual river catchments. This scale effect has important implications for barcoding assessments and suggests that fairly simple identification pipelines provide sufficient resolution in local applications. We calculated Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered scores in order to identify candidate species for conservation priority and argue that the evolutionary content of barcode data can be used to detect priority species for future IUCN assessments. We show that large‐scale barcoding inventories of complex biotas are feasible and contribute directly to the evaluation of conservation priorities.

Fresh-water fishes of Kampuchea

Two hundred and fifteen species in 127 genera and 47 families of inland water fishes are reported from Kampuchea. For each species the following data are given: scientific name, vernacular name in Khmer, references used, distribution and comments if any. 81 species in 42 genera belong to the family Cyprinidae, for which a key is provided, and 41 species in 23 genera and 8 families belong to the order Siluriformes. Taxonomic modifications: Parachela maculicauda (Smith, 1934) and P. siamensis (Günther, 1868) are distinct of P. oxygastroides (Bleeker, 1852); Rasbora palustris Smith, 1945 and R. kobonensis Chaudhuri, 1913 are tentatively considered as synonyms of Parluciosoma daniconius (Hamilton, 1822); Rasbora espei Meinken, 1967 is distinct of R. heteromorpha Duncker, 1904. Rasbora paucisquamis Ahl, 1935 (?) is reported for the first time since its original description. Explanations of two particular zoogeographic patterns are presented.

Revision of Yunnanilus with descriptions of a miniature species flock and six new species from China (Cypriniformes: Homalopteridae)

The genus Yunnanilus Nichols, 1925 is revised; Eonemachilus Berg, 1938 is a junior subjective synonym. Yunnanilus includes at least nine described species and five undescribed species. The status of Y. salmonides Chaudhuri is still incertae sedis. Six new species arc described: Y. parvus, Y. altus, Y. pachycephalus. Y. niger, Y. macrogaster and Y. paludosus. The last three species occur sympatrically in a small endorheic basin of eastern Yunnan; they developed different feeding specializations which allowed them to use different niches. Other species also have peculiar specializations. The diversity of feeding habits and related adaptations in Yunnanilus is greater than in the whole subfamily Nemacheilinae and is one more example of supralimital specialization. Speciation of fishes on the Yunnan Plateau is discussed. Several species are endangered or possibly extinct.

Nomenclatural Status of the Fish Names Created by J.C. van Hasselt (1823) and of Some Cobitoid Genera

The nomenclatural status of the 16 genera and 42 species of fishes described by van Hasselt is reviewed. One genus is preoccupied and 4 genera and 26 species are nomina nuda. The status of some cobitoid generic names is reviewed with greater details:Noemacheilus van Hasselt is a nomen nudum;Acantophthalmus van Hasselt is a junior synonym ofCobitis Linnaeus andAcanthophthalmus Bleeker is an incorrect spelling; the fishes usually calledAcanthophthalmus arePangio Blyth;Acanthopsis Bleeker is an incorrect spelling ofAcantopsis van Hasselt;Acanthopsis Agassiz is valid and its type species isA. angustus Agassiz.

Mating Behavior of Zenarchopterus gilli and Zenarchopterus buffonis and Function of the Modified Dorsal and Anal Fin Rays in Some Species of Zenarchopterus (Teleostei: Hemiramphidae)

Anecdotal field observations are reported for the first time for the genus Zenatr chopterus. In Z. buffonis, a species with only slightly modified male dorsal and anal fin rays, male and female swim in parallel, the male flicking the posterior body part against the female. In Z. gilli, a species with highly modified male dorsal and anal fin rays, the male swims alongside the female, folding the dorsal and anal fins in her direction, to cling to her. The function of the modified fins of male Zenarchopterus had not yet been explained, and we hypothesize that in some species with dramatic modifications, the dorsal and anal fin function as a clasping mechanism.

Rasbora spilocerca, a new cyprinid from the Mekong river

within Breviraja based on anatomical structures (Pisces: Rajoidei). Ibid. 32:399-425. , AND R. E. MATHESON,JR. 1985. Polychromatism and polymorphism in Breviraja spinosa (Elasmobranchii, Rajiformes), with description of three new species. Copeia 1985:1035-1052. , AND T. MIYAKE. 1984. Comments on the skates of the tropical eastern Pacific: one new species and three new records (Elasmobranchii, Rajiformes). Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 97:773-787. , AND M. STEHMANN. 1984. A new species of skate, Neoraja carolinensis, from off the southeastern United States (Elasmobranchii, Rajoidei). Ibid. 97: 724-735. ithin Breviraja based on an tomi al structures isces: Rajo dei). Ibid. 32:399-425. ND R. E. MATHESON,JR. 1985. Polychromism and polymorphism in Brev raj spinosa (Elasobranchii, Rajiformes), with description of three e species. Copeia 198 : 035-1052. STEHMANN, M., AND B. SERET. 1983. A new species of deepwater skate, Breviraja africana sp. n. (Pisces, Batoidea, Rajidae), from the eastern central Atlantic slope, and remarks on the taxonomic status of B viraja Bigelow and Schroeder, 1948. Bull. Mus. natn. Hist. nat., Paris, Ser. 4, Sect 5, A, (3):903925.

Clarias serniosus, a new walking catfish (Teleostei: Clariidae) from Laos.

Clarias serniosus, a new Southeast Asian walking-catfish species, is described from the Bolavens Plateau in southern Laos. The new species is a member of the C. batrachus species complex, and can be distinguished from congeners in the complex in having a combination of: occipital process length 15-17 % HL, head length 28.2-28.6% SL, head width 18.5-19.2% SL, head depth 13.0-13.7% SL, distance between the occipital process and the base of the first dorsal-fin ray 8.5% SL, smooth anterior edge of pectoral spine, 67 dorsal-fin rays, body depth at anus 16.2-16.5% SL, and 57 total vertebrae.

A new species of Erethistes Müller & Troschel from Thailand and Burma (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes: Sisoridae)

Erethistes maesotensis spec. nov. is described form the Mae Nam Moei, a tributary of the Salween River, near Mae Sot on the Thai-Burmese border.