Aldemaro Romero

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Sinocyclocheilus hyalinus Chen & Yang in Chen, Yang & Zhu, 1994

Hyaline fish

Common Name:  Translucent golden-line barbel (E, translation from Chinese); hyaline fish (E, translation from Chinese).
Etymology: Sino (L) from China; cyclo (Gr) circle; cheilus (Gr) lip;   Late Latin hyalinus, from hyalinos (Gr) of glass, referring to the transparency of the fish.
Major Synonyms:  None.
History:  Two specimens were collected in June 1991. This may have been the first troglomorphic fish ever reported in print (Romero 2001).
   

Morphological Characteristics: 

Troglomorphic Characters: 

Eye Condition:  No externally visible eyes.

Pigmentation:  Depigmentated.

Scales:  Scaleless.

Swim (gas) bladder:

   

Distribution:  China: Yunnan: Luxi county: Alu limestone caves (24°33' N, 103°45' E).

   
Habitat and Ecology:  In an underground river (Yusun River) of a cave of 625 m in length at an elevation of 1712.87 m a.s.l. Feeds on microscopic animals and aquatic insects.    Food and Feeding: 
Reproduction and Development:    Other Behaviors: 

Conservation Status:  Vulnerable.

Major Threats: 

  Conservation Plans: 
Phylogenetic Relationships:  May be related to the epigean S. angustiporus and to S. rhinocerous (Xiao et al. 2005).