Acrossocheilus multistriatus, a new species of barbine fish (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Zhujiang River basin, South China

Abstract

A new barbine cyprinid fish, Acrossocheilus multistriatus sp. nov., is described from the Zhujiang River (Pearl River) basin in South China. It is separated from all other barred congeners except A. monticola by its unique coloration pattern of 8-12 vs. 5-7 vertical dark bars on the dorsum and flank. Although 8 vertical black bars are also present in specimens of A. monticola, the new species is distinct from it by having a well-developed (vs. poor-developed) lower lip, with or without a median interruption (vs. with a median interruption which wider than 1/2 mouth width) on lower jaw, the lower jaw entirely covered (vs. uncoverd) by the lower lip, body depth 22.57%-25.22% SL (vs. 25.64%-32.26% SL). Additional characteristices as follows: last simple dorsal-fin ray soft without serration; dark stripes on membranes between dorsal-fin rays; dark stripes absent on membranes between anal fin rays; maxillary barbels longer than eye diameter, extending to posterior edge of eyes.