A research team from Shanghai published their latest research findings on two new species of fish in Zoosystematics and Evolution, an internationally renowned zoological journal, on July 9.
Led by Tang Wenqiao, a professor from the School of Fisheries and Life Sciences at Shanghai Ocean University, the team discovered and named two hillstream loaches from Southwest China: Beaufortia granulopinna and Beaufortia viridis.
Geographic Distribution
The two species are currently only found in mountain streams from central Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to western Yunnan Province, and are endemic to China.
Characteristics
Both species share characteristics of the Beaufortia pingi species group, including:
- Prominent vertical stripes on the lateral body.
- Pinnate-type lower lips.
These features distinguish them from other Beaufortia species.
Discovery Process
The discovery began two years ago when marine life enthusiasts found a peculiar-looking fish with a dark green body and zebra-like black stripes in a mountain stream. To classify the fish, Tang’s team conducted an investigation.
Team members collected specimens in the wild and brought them back to the school laboratory for:
- Photography
- Morphological measurements
- DNA extraction
Genetic Analysis
After mitochondrial cytb gene sequencing, the team discovered:
- The interspecific genetic distance between this fish and its closest known species is 5.2 percent. This degree of genetic differentiation indicates a new species, named Beaufortia viridis.
Meanwhile, another fish, characterized by prominent tubercles on the first six to nine pectoral fin rays in adults, was discovered in the border area between Yunnan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
- The minimum interspecific genetic distance between this fish and the Beaufortia pingi species group based on mitochondrial cytb gene sequences is 11.15 percent. This high degree of genetic differentiation led to its classification as a new species, named Beaufortia granulopinna.
Source: Chaina Daily
