During our Yunnan 2009 trip to the Mekong and Red River basins we fished intensely in the Mengyejiang River, a right hand tributary to the Lixianjiang River, which in turn empties into the Red River. With the help of local Hani people we yielded extremely rich; from the current understanding 23 different species were collected.

Among these species there were three nemacheilid loach species;

Schistura callichromus (Zhu & Wang, 1985)

Schistura laterivittata (Zhu & Wang, 1985)

Physoschistura sp. N3

In the field Physoschistura sp. N3 were identified as S. callichromus. Back home the full collection underwent a thorough examination, which unveiled three specimens belonging to a not yet described species of Physoschistura showing typical synapomorphies of this genus, such as a deeply arched mouth with lower lips as triangular pads.   

So far two species of Physoschistura are known from Chinese waters, viz. Physoschistura meridionalis (Zhu, 1982) and Physoschistura raoi (Hora, 1929). The genus contains seven species hitherto. This new species’ original description is in preparation.

ME, 2010-07-09