A redescription of Schistura jarutanini (Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae) from the Mae Klong River Basin in western Thailand

Abstract

Although originally described as a cave-inhabiting species, Schistura jarutanini is an epigean species rarely found in caves. Recent collections in the Mae Klong and Ataran River basins provide a more complete description of the species, type locality, relationships, and distribution. Among species for which molecular sequence data are available, S. jarutanini is mostly closely related to S. mahnerti with which it is sympatric. The two species are easily distinguished by color pattern and number of branched anal-fin rays. Headwater stream capture, or possibly underground dispersal, explains variation across lineages in S. jarutanini better than does dispersal within drainages.