Cobitis takenoi sp. n. (Cypriniformes, Cobitidae): a new spined loach from Honshu Island, Japan

Photo images, 3D models and CT scanned data of loaches (Botiidae, Cobitidae and Nemacheilidae) of Japan

Background

Loach is one of the major cypriniform fishes in freshwater habitats of Japan; 35 taxa/clades have, until now, been recognised. Parallel to genetic studies, morphological examinations are needed for further development of loach study, eventually ichthyology and fish biology. Digital archiving, concerning taxonomy, ecology, ethology etc., is one of the progressive challenges for the open science of biology. This paper aimed to online publish photo images, 3D models and CT scanned data of all the known clades of loaches inhabiting Japan (103 individuals in total with several type specimens), contributing to ichthyology and public interest of biodiversity/biology.

New information

Photo images, 3D models and CT scanned data of all the known 35 taxa/clades of loaches inhabiting in Japan were online published at http://ffish.asia/loachesOfJapan and http://ffish.asia/loachesOfJapan3D.

Molecular and morphological analyses revealed a cryptic species of dojo loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (Cypriniformes: Cobitidae) in Japan

Although it has been reported that populations of the Japanese dojo loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (Cypriniformes: Cobitidae) belong to two distinct mitochondrial (mt)DNA (Type I and Type II), the taxonomic status of the species remains unresolved. To address this question, nuclear DNA and morphological analyses were performed on M. anguillicaudatus population in the Nakaikemi Wetland, where Type I and Type II lineages are sympatric. Results suggest the existence of a cryptic species (Type I) within the Japanese dojo loach.