Akysis fontaneus, a new species of catfish (Siluriformes: Akysidae) from Sumatra

Abstract

Akysis fontaneus, new species, is described from a spring-fed stream in the Batang Hari drainage in central Sumatra. It is distinguished from congeners in having a unique combination of the following characters: weakly emarginate caudal fin, convex dorsal surface of neurocranium making predorsal profile appear steeply sloping, presence of 4 large serrations on posterior edge of pectoral spine that are more than half width of spine, predorsal length 34.5% SL, pectoral-fin length 21.7% SL, length of adipose-fin base 18.7% SL and interorbital distance 42.3% HL. Akysis fontaneus is most similar to A. heterurus, also from the Batang Hari River drainage, but the differing morphology of the predorsal area (particularly the neurocranium) and shorter pectoral fin distinguishes it from A. heterurus.