Mustura arenaria, a new species of genus Mustura (Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae) from Myanmar, with taxonomic notes on Mustura shanensis

By

Lyu, Jian-Bing
Lin, Feng
Oo, Thaung Naing
Chen, Xiao-Yong

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2026-1-12

Original Publication

Zoosystematics and evolution

Volume

102

Series / Issue

Issue: 1

Pages

107--117

Subjects

Chindwin–Irrawaddy basin , loach , Phylogeny , species description , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia Pensoft

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.170882

 

Abstract

<br> Mustura arenaria<br> sp. nov.<br> , a new species of the genus<br> Mustura<br> , is described from the Chindwin–Irrawaddy basin in central Myanmar. It can be distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of characters: 7–15 vertical lateral blotches alternating with 9–17 saddles, distinctly narrower than the interspaces; lateral blotches more rounded in males; 8+8 branched caudal-fin rays; 8½ branched dorsal-fin rays; and a complete lateral line. Phylogenetic analysis based on combined data of Cyt<br> b<br> and RAG1 revealed that the new species represents an independent lineage and that<br> Mustura<br> is paraphyletic. Additionally, both morphological and molecular data support the transfer of<br> Mustura shanensis<br> to the genus<br> Schistura<br> . Notably, a comprehensive taxonomic revision of this genus and related taxa involving more species is required because the genetic positions of several<br> Mustura<br> species conflict with morphological characters.<br>