Aldemaro Romero

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Triplophysa rosa Chen & Yang, 2005

Dongba blind loach
Common Name:   (E).
Etymology:  From Latin, rose, gender feminine, refers to the Hongmeigui (Red Rose) Caving Club.
Major Synonyms:  None.
History:  Members of the Hongmeigui Caving Club collected the only one specimen on 26 November 2002.		    

Morphological Characteristics:  SL: 56mm.  Snout pointed and head slightly depressed. Dorsal head length and head length larger than head width.  Maximum head width 1 2 times head depth at nape and larger than body width.  at dorsal-fin origin. Head shorter than maximum length of pectoral and caudal fins, longer than length of dorsal, pelvic and anal fins.

 

It can be distinguished from its congeners by possessing the following combination of characters:  9 branched dorsal-fin rays; 12 branched pectoral-fin rays; 7 branched pelvic-fin rays; 6 branched anal-fin rays; 7þ7 branched caudal-fin rays; distal margin of dorsal-fin concave; tip of pelvic-fin surpasses vertical level of anus; caudal-fin deeply forked. Troglomorphic Characters: 

Eye Condition:  Eyes vestigial.
Pigmentation:  Depigmented.
Scales:  Scaleless.
Swim (gas) bladder: 

  

Distribution:  China: Chongqing City; Wulong County; Tianxing Town, Jiangkou Town; (29o 13' 40-44"N; 107o

55' 16-46"E). Altitude of cave entrance 895 m; Wu Jiang drainage.

    
Habitat and Ecology: From a small pool 581m underground of Dongba Cave, cave entrance.  Altitude of the pool 314m above sea level.  The pool is c. 10m long and 0 5m deep. Air temperature 16–17 oC, water temperature c. 13 oC.  About 12 individuals were seen in another adjacent
pool.		   Food and Feeding: 
Reproduction and Development:    Other Behaviors: 

Conservation Status:  Vulnerable.

Major Threats: 

  Conservation Plans: 
Phylogenetic Relationships: