Nemacheilus pezidion, a new species of loach from southern Laos (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae).

ABSTRACT

Nemacheilus pezidion, new species, is described from the Xe Kong watershed, Mekong drainage, in Attapeu province, southern Laos. It is distinguished from all other Nemacheilidae in Southeast Asia by its unique colour pattern consisting of a black midlateral stripe and a middorsal row of 1115 narrow saddles. Besides, the male has a globulous suborbital flap with tubercles along its posterior edge, and the pectoral fin with thickened anterior rays, and branched rays 14 and unculiferous pads behind them covered by small tubercles. It was found in habitats with moderate flow, on mud to gravel bottom. Nemacheilus pezidion was earlier misidentified as N. longistriatus.