Species Status of Poropuntius Burtoni (Mukerji 1934), (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) with a Systematic Note on Poropuntius Clavatus (Mcclelland 1845)

7 Pages·2001·3.6 MB·

by  Waikhom Vishwanath

SPECIES STATUS OFPOROPUNTIUSBURTONI(MUKERJI
1934),
(CYPRINIFORMES: CYPRINIDAE) WITH A SYSTEMATIC NOTE ON
POROPUNTIUSCLAVATUS(MCCLELLAND 1845)1
WaikhomVishwanathandLaishramKosygin2
(With oneplate andtwo text-figures)
Key words: Poropuntius burtoni P. clavatus, species validity
,
Poropuntiusclavatus burtoni (Mukerji), originally described from Myanmar, has hitherto been
considered ajunior synonym ofP. clavatus (McClelland). Based on detailed information from
the type specimens and 19 specimens presently collected from the rivers of Ukhrul district of
Manipur(Chindwindrainage),India,P. burtoniisnowestablishedasavalidspecies.Thespecies
differs from P. clavatus in having fewer lateral line scales (34-38 vs. 41-42), fewer predorsal
scales (12-13 vs.14-15), fewer scale rows between dorsal fin origin and lateral line (6 vs.7),
shallowerbody(26.3-29.4vs.29.5-32.9)andshorterdorsalspinelength(22.6-28.5vs.28.9-31.4).
PoropuntiusburtoniisendemicintheChindwin-Irrawaddydrainage,whereasP. clavatusoccurs
in the Barak-Brahmaputra drainage.
Introduction Manipur(Chindwindrainage).Thesespecimens
agreewiththedescriptionofP. clavatusburtoni
.
Mukerji(1934)describedBarbusclavatus However, on detailed examination of the
burtoni from Mali Hka river, Myanmar specimens of P. clavatus clavatus in the
(Irrawaddy drainage). He distinguished it from Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and typical
P. clavatus clavatus in size, certain body specimens in the Manipur University Museum
proportions and coloration. Jayaram (1991) put ofFishes (MUMF), which were collected from
them under Poropuntius Smith in the appendix the Barak drainage, notable differences were
while revising the genus Puntius Hamilton. found. Inviewofthedifferencesinmorphology
Smith (1931) distinguished Poropuntius from and drainages which the fishes inhabit,
Puntius in havingpores on the snout, lowerjaw P. burtoni is considered here to be a valid
with horny sheath and a rostral groove. species.
According to Rainboth (1996), the genus
Poropuntius is characterised by the presence of Materialandmethods
openpores onthe snoutandposteriorly serrated
last dorsal spine. Jayaram (1981) did not Specimens collected in the present study
recognise P. clavatus burtoni as a species, but were deposited in MUMF. Type specimens of
considered itto be a Burmese form. Talwar and Poropuntius burtoni and other specimens of
MUMF
Jhingran (1991), while describing Puntius P. clavatus inZSI andthose inthe wer£
clavatus (McClelland), did not mention examined. Measurements and counts follow
Mukerji’s specimen. Jayaram(1981).Bodyproportionsareexpressed
In the present study, 19 specimens of aspercentages ofstandard length(SL) andhead
PoropuntiuswerecollectedfromUkhruldistrict, length (HL). Lateral transverse scales were
counted as those between the lateral line and
'AcceptedApril,1999 dorsal fin origin (including mid-dorsal scale),
departmentofLifeSciences,
andthose betweenthe lateral line andpelvic fin
ManipurUniversity,Canchipur795003,
Manipur,India origin.
JOURNAL, BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY, 98(1), APR.2001 31
STATUSOFPOROPUNTIUSBURTONIWITHANOTEONPOROPUNTIUSCLAVATUS
Poropuntius burtoni (Mukerji 1934) SL, Chal ou river, Thetsi, Manipur-Nagaland
MUMF
(Plate 1, Fig. 1) state border, l.vi.1994; 3 exs.,
mm
2195-2197, 27.5-109.0 SL, Tizu river at
Barbus clavatus burtoni Mukerji, 1934, Akash Bridge, near Thetsi 15.viii.1994.
J. Bombay nat. Hist. Soc. 37(1): 64-67. Diagnosis: A species ofPoropuntius with
Poropuntius clavatus Jayaram, 1991, Rec. zool. 34-38 lateral line scales. 6/1/4 lateral transverse
Surv. India. Occ. Paper 135: 178. scales; 12-13 predorsal scales; body depth
Local Name: Nung-nga (Manipuri); Rar, 26.3-29.8% ofSL; dorsal finheight22.6-28.5%
Ngapeila (Tangkhul); Aasho (Chakasang). ofSL.
Material examined: Holotype, ZSLF Description: D. iv, 8; P. i, 16; V. i, 8; A.
mm
11437/1, 107.5 SL, Phungin Hka, tributary iii, 6; C. 19; L.l. 34-38; L.tr. 6/1/4, Body
of Mali Hka River, Myitkyina dist., Upper compressed.Dorsalprofilearchedfromsnouttip
Myanmar, Coll. R.W. Burton, nodate;Paratype, to dorsal fin origin, then gently sloping downto
mm
ZSI FI 1462/1, 1 ex., 155.0 SL, same data caudal fin base. Head short, conical. Snout
MUMF
as holotype; 8 exs., 2061-2068, obtusely pointed, longer than eye diameter in
mm
84.0-136.0 SL, Kongpu river, Bungpa, adults. Its tip studded with small tubercles. Eye
Ukhrul district, Manipur, Coll. L. Kosygin, moderatelylarge,notvisiblefromventralsurface.
MUMF mm
4.vi.l994, 1 ex., 2005, 95.0 SL, Inter-orbital space convex, slightly greater than
Laniye river near Jessami, Manipur-Nagaland eye diameter. Mouth horse-shoe shaped,
MUMF
stateborder,2.ii.1994;5exs., 2028-2032, sub-inferior, cleft ofmouth extending nearly to
mm
93.5-106.5 SL, Wanze stream, Khamsom, the level ofanterior margin ofthe orbit. Barbels
MUMF mm
20.v.1994; 2 ex., 2112-2113, 39-40 2 pairs, one each ofmaxillary and rostral, both
Table
1
COMPARISONOFMORPHOLOGICALCHARACTERSOFPOROPUNTIUSBURTONIANDP.CLAVATUS
P.burtoni P.clavatus
ZSIFI1462/1 Holotype Paratype Presentstudy ZSIFF ZSIF MUMF2265-2267
ZSIF ZSIF 1629 9936/1
1143/1 11462/1
N 1 19 1 1 3
%
In ofSL
Bodydepth 27.9 28.0 27.9(26.3-29.4) 32.9 31.8 30.1(29.5-30.5)
Headlength 23.7 22.3 24.5(22.6-25.7) 22.6 22.6 22.3(22.1-22.6)
Predorsallength 47.4 47.1 49.1(46.7-50.8) 48.5 49.2 48.9(47.8-49.6)
Dorsalfinheight 26.0 27.7 24.6(22.6-28.5) 31.4 30.9 29.1(28.9-29.8)
In %ofHL
Headwidth 52.9 71.0 56.1(52.1-63.3) 58.2 51.8 58.8(55.9-61.3)
Headheightatocciput 78.4 75.4 75.8(70.1-81.3) 80.0 75.0 77.8(74.3-80.8)
Snoutlength 29.8 31.9 32.1(29.8-35.1) 30.9 30.3 30.7(28.9-32.3)
Eyediameter 29.4 28.9 23.9(21.2-26.1) 29.1 30.4 27.5(26.9-28.4)
Interorbitalspace 33.3 34.8 32.8(28.9-34.9) 32.7 32.1 37.4(35.5-40.0)
Pectoralfinlength 86.3 91.3 84.1(78.7-89.3) 96.4 100.0 96.2(95.2-96.9)
Counts
Pectoralfinrays i, 16 I, 16 i, 16 i, 15 - i, 14-15
Laterallinescales 35 34 34-38 42 41 41-42
Lateraltransversescales 6/1/4 6/1/4 6/1/4 7/1/4 7/1/4 7/1/4
32 JOURNAL, BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY, 98(1), APR. 2001
STATUSOFPOROPUNTIUSBURTONIWITHANOTEONPOROPUNTIUSCLAVATUS
W. Vishwanath et al.: Poropuntius spp. Plate 1
Fig. 1: Poropuntius burtoni (Mukerji)
Fig. 2: Poropuntius clavatus (McClelland)
JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, 98(1), APR.2001 33

STATVSOFPOROPUNTIUSBURTONIWITHANOTEONPOROPUNTIUSCLAVATUS
aslongaseyediameter. Scaleslarge, 12-13 scales predorsal scales (12-13 vs. 14-15); fewer scale
infrontofdorsalfinorigin.Laterallinecomplete. rows between dorsal origin and lateral line (6
Dorsalspinestrong,osseous,serratedposteriorly, vs. 7) shallowerbody (26.3-29.4 vs. 29.5- 32.9)
its origin equidistant from snout tip and caudal and shorter dorsal fin height (22.6-28.5 vs.
fin base. Pectoral fins slightly shorter than head 28.9-31.4). Thus, P. burtoni is given specific
length, not reaching pelvic fin origins. Caudal statusinthepresentstudy. Figs 1 and2compare
fin forked. the body depths and spine lengths of the two
Proportional measurements (in species.
percentage): Body depth27.9 (26.3-29.4); head
length 24.5 (22.6-25.7); predorsal length 49.1 Poropuntius clavatus (McClelland 1845)
(46.7-50.8); dorsal fin base length 14.9 (Plate 1, Fig. 2)
(14.0-16.0); dorsal fin height 24.6 (22.6-28.5);
and caudal fin length 27.4 (25.0-29.8)% ofSL. BarbusclavatusMcClelland, 1845. Calcutta
Head width 56.1 (52.1-63.3); head height at J. nat. Hist., 280, pi. 21 (type locality: Sikkim
occiput 75.8 (70.4-81.3); snout length 32.1 mountains on the northern frontier ofBengal).
(29.8-35.1); eye diameter 23.9 (21.2-26.1); Puntius clavatus Menon, 1974, Inland
:
interorbital space 32.8 (28.9-34.9); pectoral fin Fisheries Soc. ofIndia, Spl. Pub. 1:38.
length 84.1 (78.7-89.3); and caudal peduncle Poropuntiusclavatus Jayaram, 1991,Rec.
:
length 90.2 (85.5-98.0)% of HL. Dorsal fin zool. Surv. India 135: 172.
,
height 88.8 (82.0-100.0)% of body depth. Local name: Nung-nga (Manipuri).
%
Caudal peduncle height 52.2 (48.9-58.8) of Material examined: 1 ex., ZSIFF 1629,
mm
its length. 121.5 SL, Jatindariver, Assam, India, Coll.
Colour: Body silvery with darker dorsal S.C. De,no date; 1 ex., ZSIF9936/1, 124.0mm
surface.Afewrowsofscalesaredottedwithfine SL, Karong, Naga Hills, Manipur, Coll. S.L.
MUMF
blackishpigment.Allthefinslightorange. Outer Hora, no date; 3 ex., 2265-2267,
mm
edge ofcaudal fin tipped withblack. 168.8-195.5 SL,Barakriver, SekjangTuifai,
Distribution: india: Manipur (Chindwin Manipur, India, Coll. Ch. Bashuda, 14.ii.1997.
basin);Myanmar: MyitkyinaDistrict,Irrawaddy Diagnosis: A species ofPoropuntius with
drainage. 41-42 lateral line scales; 7/1/4 lateral transverse
Remarks: Mukeiji (1934) emphasised the scales; 14-15 predorsal scales; body depth
size ofthe fishes while separating the Chindwin 29.5-32.9% of SL; dorsal fin height 28.9-31.4
%
formofPoropuntius fromtheBrahmaputraform, SL.
i.e. P. clavatusclavatus ofthegenus. Hereported Distribution: india: Assam, Manipur
thatthemaximumsize ofthe Chindwin formwas (Brahmaputra basin), Sikkim, West Bengal;
mm
172 SL and that ofBrahmaputra, only 120 Bangladesh.
mm. Sen (1985) mentioned that the largest Remarks:McClelland(1845)describedP.
specimenrecordedforthelatterwas7inches(=178 clavatus from Sikkim, India. Menon (1974)
mm), while the specimens collected from Barak considered P. burtoni a junior synonym of
river(MUMF) measure about 195 mmin SL. clavatusandextendedthedistributionofthefish
Thus, the comparative sizes cannotbe the toMyanmar. However, fromthepresentstudy it
basis for separating the two forms. P. burtoni is is clear that they are two distinct species. Thus,
distinguished from P. clavatus in having fewer P. clavatusisdistributedonlyinthenorth-eastern
lateral line scales (34-38 vs. 41-42); fewer part ofIndia and Bangladesh.
JOURNAL, BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY, 98(1), APR.2001 35
STATUSOFPOROPUNTIUSBURTONI WITHANOTEONPOROPUNTIUSCLAVATUS
34.00
32.20
30.40
Q.
®
TJ 28.60
>»
X5
O
CD
26.80
25.00 1 -i 1 1 i
80.0 93.5 105.0 109.0 126.0 190.7
Standard length (mm)
H
P. burtoni P. cfavatus
Fig. 1: Relationship between body depth and standard length ofP. burtoni and P. clavatus
31.40 h
29.52 -
27.64
22.00
25.76
23.88
—
—
L L 1 1 1 1
80.0 89.1 95.1 106.5 121.5 126.0 168.8
Standard length (mm)
P. burtoni P. clavatus
Fig. 2: Relationship between dorsal spine length and standard length ofP. burtoni and P clavatus
36 JOURNAL, BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY, 98(1), APR. 2001
STATUSOFPOROPUNTIUSBURTONIWITHANOTECWPOROPUNTIUSCLAVATUS
Acknowledgements examine the type and other specimens in the
Museum; Dr. Maurice Kottelat of Switzerland,
We are grateful to Dr. J.R.B. Alfred for literature and the Ministry of Environment
(Director),Mr. T.K. SenandDr.A.K. Karmakar & Forests, New Delhi (Project No. 114 1 /
ofZoological Survey ofIndia, forpermissionto IF13197), for financial assistance.
ReferENCES
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Bangladesh, Burma and Sri Lanka. Handbook, collectedbyLt. Col. R.W. Burtonfrom thetributary
ZoologicalSurveyofIndia,Calcutta.475pp. streamsofMaliHkaRiverofMyitkyinaDistrict(Upper
Jayaram, K.C. (1991): Revision ofthe genus Puntius Burma)2.J. Bombaynat. Hist. Soc. 37(1): 38-80.
Hamilton from the Indian region (Pisces: Rainboth,W.J.(1996):FishesoftheCambodianMekong.
Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae, Cyprininae). Rec. zool. Food and Agriculture Organisation ofthe United
Surv. India,Occ.Paper135: 178. Nations,Rome,265pp,27pis.
Menon, A.G.K. (1974): A checklist of fishes ofthe Sen, T.K. (1985): The fish fauna of Assam and the
Himalayan and the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Inland neighbouringnortheastern statesofIndia.Rec. zool.
Fisheries SocietyIndia (Specialpublication No. 1), Surv. India, Occ.paper64:216.
136pp. Smith,H.M.(193 1).Descriptionofnewgeneraandspecies
McClelland,J.(19451845):Descriptionoffourspecies ofSiamesefishes.Proc. U.S. Natn. Mus. 79(7): 1-48.
offishes from the rivers at the foot ofthe Boutan Talwar,P.K. &A.G.Jhingran(1991): InlandFishesof
Mountains.J. Nat. Hist. Calcutta5(18): 274-282,pi. Indiaandadjacentcountries,Vol 1,Oxfordand IBH
21. Publ.Co.Pvt.Ltd.,NewDelhi,541 pp.
JOURNAL, BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY, 98(1), APR.2001 37