- International Journal of Pure and Applied Zoology (2016) Volume 4, Issue 1

Pseudolaguvia Nepalensis, A New Catfish (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Erethistidae) from Central, Nepal

There are 18 species reported so far in the genus Pseudolaguvia from streams and rivers of the Ganges and Brahmaputra drainages in Nepal, India and Bangladesh, Ayeyarwaddy and Sittang River drainages in east central Myanmar and from rivers of Western Ghats, peninsular India. We also collected two specimens of Pseudolaguvia from a stream, Kasara near to its confluence with Rapti River in central Nepal and on closer examination it is found to be an undescribed one. Herein, we describe it as new. Pseudolaguvia nepalensis sp. nov. is distinguished from all its seventeen congeners in having longer head (32.38-33.58 vs. 6.8-33.1 %SL) and longer pre-pectoral distance (28.41-29.87 vs. 18.3-28.8 %SL). Pseudolaguvia nepalensis can be differentiated by having longer caudal fin lower lobe (30.53-33.43 vs. 19.5-30.3 %SL) except Pseudolaguvia austrina, P. viriosa, P. assula and P. virgulata. Furthermore it is distinguished from other closely related congeners by having minute black dots throughout head and body and one dark brown line runs from each nostril to anterior rim of orbit.

Author(s): Asha Rayamajhi, Arunachalam M* and Usharamalakshmi

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