Research Article |
Corresponding author: An-Xiang Wen ( 2960657740@qq.com ) Corresponding author: Xiao-Ping Wu ( xpwu@ncu.edu.cn ) Academic editor: Nicolas Hubert
© 2024 Zhong-Guang Chen, Yan-Shu Guo, Yu-Ting Dai, Xiao-Chen Huang, Jun-Hao Huang, Jiao Jiang, Shan Ouyang, An-Xiang Wen, Xiao-Ping Wu.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Chen Z-G, Guo Y-S, Dai Y-T, Huang X-C, Huang J-H, Jiang J, Ouyang S, Wen A-X, Wu X-P (2024) A new species of Liobagrus Hilgendorf, 1878 (Teleostei, Siluriformes, Amblycipitidae) from the lower Changjiang River basin in southeast China. Zoosystematics and Evolution 100(2): 555-563. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.100.122472
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A new catfish species, Liobagrus chenhaojuni Chen, Guo & Wu, sp. nov., is described from the Tiaoxi River, a tributary of Taihu Lake, located in Zhejiang Province, China. This description is based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis. This species belongs to a group defined by the presence of a smooth posterior edge of the pectoral-fin spine and can be distinguished from other species in the group by a unique combination of characteristics, including: an upper jaw longer than the lower jaw; maxillary barbels reaching the middle of the pectoral fin; irregular blotches present on the lateral body; a rounded caudal-fin with a length ranging from 16.5% to 19.9% of the standard length; 39 to 41 post-Weberian vertebrae; and 15 to 17 anal-fin rays. The validity of this new species is further supported by the molecular phylogenetic analysis based on Cytb sequences.
catfish, phylogeny, taxonomy, Zhejiang Province
The genus Liobagrus comprises a group of small freshwater catfish endemic to East Asia. To date, 20 species have been described, with 12 of them found in mainland China: Liobagrus marginatus (Günther, 1892), Liobagrus nigricauda Regan, 1904, Liobagrus styani Regan, 1908, Liobagrus anguillicauda Nichols, 1926, Liobagrus marginatoides (Wu, 1930), Liobagrus kingi Tchang, 1935, Liobagrus aequilabris Wright & Ng, 2008, Liobagrus chenghaiensis Sun, Ren & Zhang, 2013; Liobagrus huaiheensis Chen, Wu & Wen, 2021; Liobagrus pseudostyani Chen & Guo, 2021; Liobagrus brevispina Xie, Cao & Zhang, 2022; and Liobagrus chengduensis Chen, Guo, Wu & Wen, 2022 (
The Tiaoxi River is a small river situated in the western part of the Hangjiahu Plain in Zhejiang Province and is one of the main tributaries of Taihu Lake. Despite its small watershed area, the Tiaoxi River boasts a diverse fish population, with a total of 84 recorded fish species (
Specimens were manually collected from the Tiaoxi River between 2022 and 2024. Thirty-six type specimens were initially preserved in 10% formalin and subsequently transferred to 70% ethanol for long-term storage. Additionally, seven type specimens were preserved in 99% ethanol for molecular phylogenetic analyses. Vertebrae and fin rays were detected and counted using X-ray imaging. Measurements were obtained using digital calipers, with values recorded to the nearest 0.1mm.
Genomic DNA was extracted from the ventral fin of specimens preserved in 99% ethanol using the Baypure Magnetic Bead Method Animal Genomic DNA Extraction Kit (BayBio, Guangzhou, China). The quality and concentration of the DNA were checked using 1% agarose gel electrophoresis and NanoDrop 2000 (Thermo Scientific, USA). Cytb sequences were amplified using primers L14724 (GACTTGAAAAACCACCGTTG) and H15915 (CTCCGATCTCCGGATTACAAGAC). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifications of Cytb were performed in a final 25-μL volume mixture containing 1 μL of template DNA, 1 μL of each pair of primers, 12.5 μL of Green Taq Mix (Vazyme, China), and 9.5 μL ddH2O. Thermal cycling began with one cycle at 95 °C for 10 s, followed by 35 cycles of denaturation at 94 °C for 1 min, 55 °C for 1 min, and 72 °C for 1 min, with a final extension step at 72 °C for 10 min. PCR products were purified and sequenced using an ABI 3730XL analyzer by Sangon Biotech (China). Accession numbers of all newly obtained sequences are provided in Table
Species | Access number | Locality | Reference |
---|---|---|---|
Liobagrus chenhaojuni sp. nov. 1 | PP446311 | Huzhou, Zhejiang, China | This study |
Liobagrus chenhaojuni sp. nov. 2 | PP446312 | Huzhou, Zhejiang, China | This study |
Liobagrus chenhaojuni sp. nov. 3 | PP446313 | Huzhou, Zhejiang, China | This study |
Liobagrus chenhaojuni sp. nov. 4 | PP446314 | Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China | This study |
Liobagrus chenhaojuni sp. nov. 5 | PP446315 | Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China | This study |
Liobagrus chenhaojuni sp. nov. 6 | PP446316 | Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China | This study |
L. styani 1 | KY653576 | Xianning, Hubei, China | NCBI |
L. styani 2 | KY653577 | Xianning, Hubei, China | NCBI |
L. aequilabris 1 | KY653673 | Unknown | NCBI |
L. aequilabris 2 | KY653674 | Unknown | NCBI |
L. anguillicauda 1 | KY653651 | Wuyishan, Fujian, China | NCBI |
L. anguillicauda 2 | KY653652 | Wuyishan, Fujian, China | NCBI |
L. marginatus 1 | KY653578 | Chongqing, China | NCBI |
L. marginatus 2 | KY653579 | Chongqing, China | NCBI |
L. kingi | KC193779 | Unknown | NCBI |
L. huaiheensis 1 | ON638213 | Xinyang, Henan, China | NCBI |
L. huaiheensis 2 | ON638214 | Xinyang, Henan, China | NCBI |
L. obesus | DQ321752 | Korea | NCBI |
L. andersoni | DQ321753 | Korea | NCBI |
L. pseudostyani 1 | ON638209 | Chengdu, Sichuan, China | NCBI |
L. pseudostyani 2 | ON638210 | Chengdu, Sichuan, China | NCBI |
L. brevispina 1 | ON638211 | Chengdu, Sichuan, China | NCBI |
L. brevispina 2 | ON638212 | Chengdu, Sichuan, China | NCBI |
L. chengduensis 1 | ON638203 | Chengdu, Sichuan, China | NCBI |
L. chengduensis 2 | ON638204 | Chengdu, Sichuan, China | NCBI |
L. mediadiposalis 1 | KX265422 | Korea | NCBI |
L. mediadiposalis 2 | KX265423 | Korea | NCBI |
L. hyeongsanensis | MZ066608 | Korea | NCBI |
L. geumgangensis 1 | KX265431 | Korea | NCBI |
L. geumgangensis 2 | KX265433 | Korea | NCBI |
L. somjinensis | MN756661 | Korea | NCBI |
L. reinii 1 | LC333217 | Japan | NCBI |
L. reinii 2 | LC333224 | Japan | NCBI |
Xiurenbagrus xiurenensis | DQ192464 | Guangxi, China | NCBI |
Xiurenbagrus gigas | EU490936 | Guangxi, China | NCBI |
Akysis brachybarbatus | AF499603 | Yunnan, China | NCBI |
Ictalurus furcatus | KM576102 | Unknown | NCBI |
Noturus taylori | KP013089 | Unknown | NCBI |
Liobagrus styani Li & Shimatani, 2016: 165–167 (Tiaoxi River, Zhejiang, China).
Holotype. 24_NCU_XPWU_Y01, Siling Reservoir [四岭水库], Tiaoxi River [苕溪], Yuhang district [余杭区], Hangzhou City [杭州市], Zhejiang Province [浙江省], China, 30°25'42"N, 119°45'18"E, leg. Hao-Jun Chen, February 2024.
September 2022. Paratypes. 24_NCU_XPWU_Y02–16, n=15, other information same as holotype; 22_NCU_XPWU_Y01–17, n=17, leg. Zhong-Guang Chen & Hao-Jun Chen, September 2022, other information same as holotype; 22_NCU_XPWU_Y18–25, n=8, IHB-T-A0000007–8, n=2, Tiaoxi River [苕溪], Deqing County [德清县], Huzhou City [湖州市], Zhejiang Province [浙江省], China, leg. local people, September 2022.
Liobagrus chenhaojuni sp. nov. is a member of the group defined by the presence of a smooth posterior edge of the pectoral-fin spine (i.e., L. reinii, L. formosanus, L. styani, L. nantoensis, L. anguillicauda, L. marginatoides, and L. aequilabris). It can be distinguished from all other species in this group by the following characteristics: the upper jaw is longer than the lower jaw (vs. equal in L. aequilabris and L. formosanus; shorter in L. marginatoides); the maxillary barbels reach the middle of the pectoral fin (vs. reach the pectoral-fin insertion in L. styani, L. reinii, and L. nantoensis); presence of irregular blotches on the lateral body (vs. absence in L. formosanus, L. nantoensis, L. anguillicauda, L. marginatoides, and L. aequilabris); the caudal fin is rounded (vs. sub-truncate in L. marginatoides); the caudal fin length ranges from 16.5% to 19.9% standard length (vs. 13.1–16.2 in L. styani, 20.3–27.0 in L. anguillicauda and 20.1–26.9 in L. aequilabris); it possesses 39–41 post-Weberian vertebrae (vs. 35–37 in L. aequilabris), the anal-fin rays range from 15 to 17 (vs. 12 in L. nantoensis) (Table
Morphometric data for type specimens are shown in Table
Morphometrics | Holotype | Paratypes |
---|---|---|
Standard length (mm) | 70.2 | 38.8–79.3 |
% of standard length | ||
Head length | 22.4 | 20.6–23.0 |
Body depth | 18.8 | 13.6–18.4 |
Dorsa-fin base length | 10.0 | 9.1–10.0 |
Anal-fin base length | 16.5 | 12.3–19.7 |
Adipose-fin base length | 28.8 | 27.7–37.2 |
Caudal peduncle length | 20.4 | 19.3–23.1 |
Caudal peduncle depth | 17.2 | 14.0–17.7 |
Dorsal-fin spine length | 7.5 | 6.3–7.4 |
Pectoral-fin spine length | 9.3 | 7.2–9.6 |
Caudal-fin length | 18.4 | 16.5–19.9 |
Anus to pelvic-fin insertion | 3.6 | 3.4–6.4 |
Anus to anal-fin origin | 4.3 | 4.9–7.5 |
Predorsal length | 28.8 | 27.0–30.5 |
Prepectoral length | 18.4 | 17.7–21.4 |
Prepelvic length | 46.0 | 42.9–45.5 |
Preanal length | 58.4 | 57.3–60.1 |
Dorsal to adipose-fin origin | 29.3 | 25.3–31.8 |
% of head length | ||
Head width | 89.2 | 83.0–93.3 |
Head depth | 61.8 | 50.0–59.4 |
Snout length | 31.8 | 26.3–32.0 |
Mouth width | 69.4 | 68.0–76.1 |
Interorbital width | 35.7 | 33.1–40.0 |
Nasal barbel length | 73.2 | 67.6–73.9 |
Maxillary barbel length | 94.9 | 81.4–95.4 |
Inner mandibular barbel length | 61.8 | 50.0–62.1 |
Outer mandibular barbel length | 99.4 | 93.0–98.7 |
Width between anterior nares | 12.7 | 12.5–16.1 |
Width between postoral nares | 28.7 | 28.0–36.6 |
Comparisons of major diagnostic characters of Liobagrus with a smooth posterior edge of the pectoral-fin spine.
Characters | Liobagrus chenhaojuni sp. nov. | L. nantoensis a | L. reinii a | L. styani b |
---|---|---|---|---|
Upper/lower jaw in length | >1 | >1 | >1 | >1 |
post-Weberian vertebrae | 39–41 | Unknown | Unknown | 39–41 |
Anal-fin rays | 15–17 | 12 | 17 | 17–19 |
Caudal-fin length as % of standard length | 16.5–19.9 | Unknown | Unknown | 13.11–16.2 |
Caudal-fin shape | Rounded | Rounded | Rounded | Rounded |
Maxillary barbels | Reaching middle of pectoral fin | Reaching pectoral-fin insertion | Reaching pectoral-fin insertion | Reaching pectoral-fin insertion |
Irregular blotches on body lateral | Present | Absent | Present | Present |
Characters | L. anguillicauda b | L. aequilabris a | L. formosanus b | L. marginatoides c |
Upper/lower jaw in length | >1 | =1 | =1 | <1 |
Post-Weberian vertebrae | 38–40 | 35–37 | 38–39 | Unknown |
Anal-fin rays | 15–17 | 15–17 | 15 | 13–15 |
Caudal-fin length as % of standard length | 20.3–27.0 | 20.1–26.9 | 17.7–20.0 | 18.1–20.1 |
Caudal-fin shape | Rounded | Rounded | Rounded | Sub-truncate |
Maxillary barbels | Reaching middle of pectoral fin | Reaching pectoral-fin insertion | Reaching pectoral-fin insertion | Reaching middle of pectoral fin |
Irregular blotches on body lateral | Absent | Absent | Absent | Absent |
Dorsal fin II, 5–6 rays, with a convex distal margin; tip of adpressed fins does not reach the pelvic-fin insertion. Dorsal-fin spine covered by thick, straight skin with smooth anterior and posterior margins, slightly shorter than the pectoral-fin spine. Adipose fin high, with its base longer than the anal-fin base, confluent with the caudal fin without a marked incision at the confluence. Pectoral fin I, 7–8 rays, with its origin at the vertical through the edge of the operculum, partially covered by the opercular membrane. Pectoral-fin spine long and sharp, with smooth anterior and posterior margins (Fig.
Body generally dark brown to brownish red, adorned with irregular yellowish blotches that fade to light yellow ventrally. All barbels grayish white to light yellow, while dorsal fins dark brown, and adipose and caudal fins grayish white to light brown. All fins exhibit narrow, grayish white to light yellowish distal margins (Fig.
This species is named after Mr. Hao-Jun Chen, who assisted in the field survey.
浙江䱀 (Pinyin: zhe jiang yang).
Liobagrus chenhaojuni sp. nov. is exclusively found within the Tiaoxi River basin (Fig.
A dataset consisting of 33 Cytb sequences and five outgroup taxa was employed for phylogenetic analyses (Table
The placement of the new species within Liobagrus is supported by both its morphology and phylogeny. Species of Liobagrus can be divided into two groups based on the possession of a smooth or serrated posterior edge of the pectoral-fin spine.
The discovery of Liobagrus chenhaojuni sp. nov., as well as Zacco tiaoxiensis in the Tiaoxi River, shows that fish diversity in this area has been underestimated. There is a need for systematic fish surveys in the basin to uncover cryptic species diversity and generate data essential for conservation efforts. Unlike most congeners distributed in streams within sparsely populated regions, the new species was found in the Yangtze River Delta region, which is the economic hub of China. Given its distribution, the new species is exposed to greater risks from human activities compared to other congeners. Therefore, it is imperative to closely monitor and protect it to ensure its survival.
We thank De-Kui He (Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences) for his assistance in preserving type specimens and conducting x-ray imaging; Hao-Jun Chen (Linhai); Yi-Jun Li (The University of Sydney, Sichuan Agricultural University); Xin Liu (Sichuan Agricultural University); Yi Feng (Chengdu); and Wei Lei (Chengdu) for their assistance in collecting specimens. This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos. 31772412 and 32360132.
Genetic distances of Cytb sequences computed by MEGA 6 of Liobagrus
Data type: xlsx