Pseudolaguvia moinensis, a new benthic miniature Asian catfish (Teleostei: Sisoridae) from Arunachal Pradesh, north-eastern India

Abstract

A new species of miniature sisorid catfish is described, from the upper Brahmaputra river drainage in northeastern India. The new species is distinguished from all its congeners except P. ferruginea and P. focusa by having an elongate light brown to cream marks either side on ventro-lateral margin just above anus. Further, distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: presence of a W-shaped dark brown band on caudal fin, thoracic adhesive apparatus extending closer to pelvic-fin base, smooth anterior margin of dorsal spine, a narrow V-shaped light brown to cream bands on side of the body, dorsal-spine length (10.7-14.7% SL), dorsal-fin base length (10.7-14.2% SL), pectoral-fin spine length (14.0-21.1% SL), pelvic-fin length (13.5-16.6% SL), caudal peduncle length (14.4-18.2% SL) and depth (7.8-9.9% SL), total vertebrae (30-31), caudal fin with a complete medial hyaline bands towards its anterior end, reaching outer margin of each lobe. Other combination of characters differentiating the new species from its congeners are provided in the respective diagnoses.