Journal of Threatened Taxa |
www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 July 2022 | 14(7): 21453–21457
ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893
(Print)
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.7075.14.7.21453-21457
#7075 | Received 12 January 2021 | Final
received 20 March 2022 | Finally accepted 27 June 2022
First record of Garra birostris Nebeshwar & Vishwanath, 2013 (Cypriniformes:
Cyprinidae) from Doyang and
Dikhu rivers of Brahmaputra drainage, Nagaland, India
Sophiya Ezung 1, Metevinu
Kechu 2 & Pranay Punj
Pankaj 3
1–3 Department of Zoology, Fish
Biology and Fisheries Lab, Nagaland University, Lumami,
Nagaland 798627, India.
1 sophiezung@gmail.com, 2 metevinu06@gmail.com,
3 pranaypunj@gmail.com (corresponding author)
Abstract: Garra birostris is recorded for the first time
from the Doyang and Dikhu
tributaries of the Brahmaputra drainage, Nagaland, northeastern
India. The detailed morphometric and meristic data of the specimens that forms
the basis of this new record are presented.
Keywords: Freshwater fish, meristic data, northeastern India, stone suckers, taxonomy.
Editor: Rajeev Raghavan, Kerala
University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kochi, India. Date
of publication: 26 July 2022 (online & print)
Citation: Ezung,
S., M. Kechu & P.P. Pankaj (2022). First record of Garra birostris Nebeshwar & Vishwanath, 2013 (Cypriniformes:
Cyprinidae) from Doyang and
Dikhu rivers of Brahmaputra drainage, Nagaland,
India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 14(7): 21453–21457. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.7075.14.7.21453-21457
Copyright: © Ezung
et al. 2022. Creative Commons Attribution
4.0 International License. JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and
distribution of this article in any medium by providing adequate credit to the
author(s) and the source of publication.
Funding: (a) University Grants Commission, New Delhi; (b) Ministry
of Tribal Affairs, Government of India; (c) ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow.
Competing interests: The authors
declare no competing interests.
Acknowledgements: SE & MK are grateful to the
University Grants Commission, New Delhi for financial assistance for the award
of UGC Non-NET fellowship, Nagaland University and scholarship for higher
studies of ST students under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of
India respectively. PPP gratefully acknowledges the financial support from
ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow. Authors are grateful
to Kailash Chandra (ZSI) for permission to examine materials and to B. Shangningam for encouragement and consent to examined type
specimens under her care. Authors are also grateful to L. Kosygin (ZSI) for
providing information.
Members of the labeonine genus Garra Hamilton,
1822 are widely distributed from Sub-Saharan Africa to Borneo through the
Arabian Peninsula, southern, and southeastern Asia,
and southern China (Zhang & Chen 2002). The genus Garra
is diagnosed in possessing a specialized adhesive pad or modified
lower lip forming a gular disc, that displays extraordinary variations in the
snout (Kottelat 2020a). They can also be
distinguished by their pharyngeal teeth arranged in three rows, the origin of
dorsal fin which starts slightly anterior to pelvic fins, and an anal fin
originating well behind the pelvic fins (Stiassny
& Getahun 2007).
Northeastern India, part of the Himalaya
Biodiversity Hotspot is represented by 56 nominal species of the genus Garra which are distributed in the Brahmaputra,
Barak, Kaladan, Karnaphuli,
and Chindwin drainages, respectively (Vishwanath 2017; Roni & Vishwanath
2018; Fricke et al. 2022). Rivers in the state of Nagaland harbour 13 species
of the genus Garra—G. annandalei
Hora, 1921, G. gravelyi Annandale, 1919, G.
gotyla Gray, 1830, G.
kempi Hora, 1921, G. lamta
Hamilton, 1822, G. lissorhynchus McClelland,
1842, G. mcclellandi Jerdon,
1849, G. notata Blyth, 1861, G. naganensis Hora, 1921, G. nasuta
McClelland, 1838, G. rupicola McClelland, 1839, G. chathensis Ezung, Shangningam & Pankaj, 2020 and G. langlungensis Ezung, Shangningam & Pankaj, 2021 (Ezung et al.
2020a,b,c). So far, Garra birostrisis
known to occur in Arunachal Pradesh (Nebeshwar &
Vishwanath 2013) and Assam (Basumatary et al. 2017)
as well as in neighbouring Bhutan (Thoni et al.
2016). The present study records for the first time the occurrence of Garra birostris from
two major river systems of Nagaland state—Dikhu and Doyang—are tributaries of the Brahmaputra.
Materials
and Methods
Specimens
were collected from the Doyang (26.06050N,
94.00050E) and Dikhu rivers (26.45060N,
94.70330E) of the Brahmaputra drainage, in Nagaland, India (Figure
1). Specimens were fixed in 10% formalin on site, and subsequently transferred
to 70% ethanol for permanent storage. All measurements were recorded to
the nearest 0.1 mm using digital calipers
including the first non-zero digit from the left, through the last digit.
Meristic and morphometric data followed Kottelat
(2000b) and Nebeshwar & Vishwanath (2013). Gular
disc terminology followed Kottelat (2020a). Meristic
data were taken under a Leica M205A stereo-zoom microscope. ArcGIS tool was
used to map the spatial distribution of specimens (ESRI 2017). Specimens are
deposited at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkata and Nagaland
University Fish Museum (NUFM), Nagaland.
Results
Specimens
were identified as Garra birostris primarily based on the presence of a
prominent, bilobed proboscis, bearing large, tri- to tetra-cuspid acanthoid
tubercles on each lobe, a transverse lobe with small to large acanthoid
tubercles, deep transverse groove, a black spot at the upper angle of gill
opening and six lateral black stripes on the caudal peduncle (Image 1,2).
Meristic and morphometric data are presented in Table 1. Dorsal fins with two
simple and, 8½ branched rays. Pectoral fin with one simple and, 12–15 branched
rays. Pelvic fin with one simple and 8 branched rays. Anal fin with two simple
and 5½ branched rays. Predorsal scales 10–11. Lateral
line complete with 33–34 scales. Circumpeduncular
scales rows 16. Transverse scale rows above lateral line scale 4½, and, between
lateral line and pelvic-fin origin 3½.
Distribution
and Habitat
Previously
known only from the rivers in Arunachal Pradesh (Nebeshwar
& Vishwanath 2013), Assam (Basumatary et al.
2017), and Bhutan (Thoni et al. 2016), this study
extends the distribution of the species into the Doyang
and Dikhu rivers of Nagaland. Garra
birostris tends to inhabit swiftly-flowing
sections of headwaters and tributaries of large river systems, but also occurs
in some wider, lowland river channels, as well as
reservoirs. Ideal habitats comprise clear and slightly basic (pH:
7.5–8.08), oxygen-saturated water (10.02–11.38 mg/l) with a total hardness
(82.39–72.52) and total dissolved solids under the desirable limits of 500
mg/l.
Discussion
Members of the genus Garra shows varied snout morphology (Nebeshwar & Vishwanath 2017). Garra
birostris specimens collected as part of the
present study belonged to group possessing a snout with proboscis (bi-lobed)
and a prominent transverse lobe as described by Nebeshwar
& Vishwanath (2017). Garra birostris is rheophilic cyprinid
with a flat belly and the lower lip expanded at its posterior rim to form an
oval sucking pad and a greatly diminished vomero-palatine
organ. Garra biloborostris
(Roni & Vishwanath, 2017) and Garra chathensis (Ezung et al.,
2020b) are the closest congeners of Garra birostris as they belong to the ‘proboscis
species-group’ with a prominent bilobed proboscis (Nebeshwar
& Vishwanath 2017). The presence of large tri- or tetra-cuspid acanthoid
tubercles on each lobe in G. birostris, three
acanthoid tubercles on each lobe in G. biloborostris,
and large bicuspid acanthoid tubercles on each lobe in G. chathensis are the most important characters
distinguishing the three species.
In the present study, G. birostris was identified based on the large, tri- to
tetra-cuspid acanthoid tubercles on each lobe, having 4½|1|3½ transverse scale
rows and a black spot at the upper angle of the gill opening. Our specimens of G.
birostris differed to a certain extent in the
characters mentioned in the original description in having fewer dorsal fin
ii8½ (vs iii8½) and anal fin rays ii5½ (vs iii5½) which may be to the result of
differences in habitat physio-chemistry and climatic conditions.
The first record of G. birostris from Nagaland, adds yet another species to
Nagaland’s ichthyofauna. This species is locally known as Aaghungu
in Sumi Naga dialect, Angad in Ao Naga dialect and Engoro in Lotha Naga dialect. The
prevailing threats to the fish species and their habitat occur mostly due to
over exploitation including using destructive fishing methods, various anthropogenic
activities hazards, such as irrigation water for human needs and plastic waste
discharge, and sand & boulder mining. Public awareness campaigns among the
general public could be the most effective step toward preserving and
conserving native fisheries resources. Anthropogenic activities must be
regulated, especially those negatively impacting aquatic ecosystems and their
resources. It is also necessary to conduct continued research to investigate
and document the ichthyofauna in this region, especially from poorly-explored
tributaries, as to develop sustainable exploitation and for conservation plans
for the fish fauna.
Materials examined
Garra biloborostris: ZSI FF 7928, 2 paratypes,
69.1–75.6 mm; India, Assam, Chirang District, Kanamakra River, Brahmaputra basin, Sewali and Paraty.
Garra chathensis:
ZSI FF 8037,
holotype, 65.6 mm SL; India: Nagaland: Chathe River,
Brahmaputra basin, Ezung et al. (2020)
Garra birostris: Data from Nebeshwar
& Vishwanath (2013)
Table 1. Biometric
data of Garra birostris.
N—number of specimens | SD—standard deviation.
River |
Doyang river (n = 04) |
Dikhu river (n = 05) |
||||
Locality |
Liphiyan |
Longleng, Yong |
||||
Altitudes |
371 m |
371 m |
||||
|
Range |
Mean |
SD |
Range |
Mean |
SD |
Standard length (mm) |
52.7–80.5 |
|
|
113.1–138.7 |
|
|
In percent of standard length |
||||||
Head length |
24.1–27.7 |
25.7 |
1.5 |
23.3–25.3 |
24.4 |
0.7 |
Body depth at dorsal fin
origin |
21.1–23.4 |
22.2 |
1.0 |
20.1–24.9 |
22.7 |
1.7 |
Predorsal length |
45.6–47.7 |
46.4 |
0.9 |
44.5–47.4 |
46.1 |
1.1 |
Preanus length |
66.3–70.9 |
68.7 |
1.9 |
67.4–72.8 |
69.4 |
2.0 |
Preanal length |
59.8–78.3 |
72.1 |
8.3 |
75.1–78.2 |
76.1 |
1.2 |
Prepectoral length |
21.9–46.1 |
28.8 |
11.6 |
19.9–23.1 |
21.7 |
1.5 |
Prepelvic length |
48.3–53.6 |
50.7 |
2.2 |
49.1–52.3 |
50.5 |
1.2 |
Dorsal-fin base length |
15.5–18.7 |
17.8 |
1.5 |
17.1–20.1 |
18.8 |
1.1 |
Dorsal-fin length |
23.2–26.4 |
24.9 |
1.3 |
24.1–27.7 |
25.3 |
1.4 |
Pectoral-fin length |
22.2–26.4 |
23.4 |
2.0 |
19.3–23.7 |
21.9 |
1.6 |
Pelvic-fin length |
18.8–21.1 |
20.1 |
1.0 |
20.1–23.1 |
21.7 |
1.2 |
Anal-fin base length |
6.4–9.4 |
7.5 |
1.4 |
7.1–10.0 |
8.3 |
1.1 |
Anal-fin length |
18.6–20.7 |
19.6 |
1.0 |
20.3–22.0 |
21.1 |
0.8 |
Vent to anal distance |
6.2–7.1 |
6.5 |
0.4 |
5.4–7.1 |
6.4 |
0.6 |
Caudal peduncle length |
14.3–20.8 |
18.7 |
3.0 |
15.2–17.2 |
15.9 |
0.7 |
Caudal peduncle depth |
12.5–13.8 |
13.1 |
0.6 |
12.3–14.1 |
13.1 |
0.6 |
Caudal fin length (upper lobe) |
20.4–26.4 |
24.3 |
2.7 |
24.4–28.1 |
26.6 |
1.5 |
Disc length |
9.5–10.8 |
10.1 |
0.6 |
6.3–10.5 |
8.4 |
1.6 |
Disc width |
11.4–13.5 |
12.2 |
0.9 |
9.8–13.8 |
12.2 |
1.4 |
Pulvinus length |
6.4–6.6 |
6.5 |
0.1 |
3. 1–6.3 |
5.5 |
1.3 |
Pulvinuswidth |
8.3–8.6 |
8.4 |
0.1 |
5. 7–9.1 |
8.1 |
1.3 |
In percent of head length |
||||||
Head depth at occiput |
59.7–75.1 |
68.8 |
6.8 |
67.4–72.1 |
69.9 |
1.8 |
Snout length |
47.0–58.6 |
53.7 |
5.4 |
51.2–58.3 |
53.8 |
3.2 |
Interorbital width |
33.7–44.8 |
41.7 |
5.3 |
37.9–43.5 |
41.1 |
2.1 |
Eye diameter |
22.1–29.2 |
26.3 |
3.2 |
16.1–19.5 |
17.8 |
1.5 |
Disc length |
37.4–41.2 |
39.2 |
1.6 |
26.4–43.3 |
34.5 |
6.6 |
Disc width |
44.9–50.6 |
47.6 |
2.5 |
41.1–56.9 |
50.1 |
6.1 |
Pulvinus length |
23.5–27.0 |
25.3 |
1.4 |
13.2–26.2 |
22.7 |
5.3 |
Pulvinus width |
30.0–34.3 |
32.7 |
1.8 |
23.6–36.3 |
33.2 |
5.3 |
Meristic counts |
N = 04 |
N = 05 |
||||
Dorsal-fin rays |
ii8½ |
|
ii8½ |
|
||
Pectoral-fin rays |
i12–14 |
|
i14–15 |
|
||
Pelvic-fin rays |
i8 |
|
i8 |
|
||
Anal-fin rays |
ii5½ |
|
ii5½ |
|
||
Pre-dorsal scales |
10–11 |
|
10–11 |
|
||
Lateral line scales |
33–34 |
|
33–34 |
|
||
Transverse scales |
4½|1|3½ |
|
4½|1|3½ |
|
||
Circumpeduncular scale rows |
16 |
|
16 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For figure &
images - - click here (for full PDF)
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