Aborichthys palinensis, a new species of river loach (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Himalaya, India

Abstract

A new species of nemachilid loach is described based on four adult specimens (90.9-102 mm SL) from a tributary of the Palin River, in Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India. The new species differs from all congeners by the following combination of characters: dorsal and ventral adipose crest absent, the presence of 5 rows of brown spots across dorsal fin; vent closer to the caudal-fin base (44.1-45.6% SL) than to the snout tip (52-55% SL); caudal fin broadly rounded with two concentric bars; 30-35 regular and narrow oblique stripes along the flank except anterior most part. Further can be distinguished on the following characters: pre-dorsal length (46.7-49.7% SL); pre[1]pectoral length (18.5-18.7% SL); pre-pelvic (length 43.1-46.2% SL); caudal fin (length 14.7-16.9% SL); dorsal to pectoral distance (30.5- 33.2% SL); dorsal to caudal base distance (49.1-52.8% SL); dorsal to anal distance (28.4-33.0% SL); pectoral to anal distance (54.2-61.6% SL); anal to caudal base distance (23.6-24.9% SL); and eye diameter (8.0-11.0% HL).