2025/06/20 by Zhi-Xia Chen, Tao Luo, Zeng Qi Zhao +3 · 1 voice
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · #Fish Biology and Ecology Studies #Fish Ecology and Management Studies #Genetic diversity and population structure
paper · pdf · doi:10.3897/zse.101.153338
openalex publication_date 2025/06/20 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/02
We describe a new species, Sinocyclocheilus panzhouensis sp. nov. , from Panzhou City, Guizhou Province, China, using morphological and genetic evidence. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cyt b ) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) sequences reveals distinct genetic divergence from related species, with genetic distances ranging from 1.7–14.2% in Cyt b and 1.2–12.6% in ND4. Morphologically, S. panzhouensis sp. nov. is characterised by absence of a horn-like structure and indistinct elevation at the head-dorsal junction; body covered with tiny scales, with irregular black markings; wide mouth, 7.8–9.3% of standard length and longer pectoral fin 17.9–30.6% of standard length; last unbranched ray of dorsal-fin with weak serrations along posterior margin; tip of pectoral fins not reaching the pelvic-fin origin; lateral line complete and curved, with pores 71–79; and eight rakers on the first gill arch. This discovery raises the number of Sinocyclocheilus species in Guizhou to 19, with five species found in the Beipanjiang River. This study highlights the need for further surveys in Guizhou to explore the full species diversity of the genus.