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Schistura sijuensis Menon, 1987 |
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Common Name: None given.
Etymology: sijuensis (L)
after Siju, the name of the cave where they were discovered.
Major Synonyms: Noemacheilus
sijuensis original combination/description; Noemacheilus
Mesonoemachilus sijuensis on plate caption of original description;
Mesonoemacheilus sijuensis. Pillai & Yazdani (1977) refer to this
hypogean fish as Nemacheilus multifasciatus, yet Talwar & Jhingran
(1991) consider them separate species, and when referring to N.
multifasciatus make no mention of being found in a cave.
History: The first cave individuals belonging to this species
may have been reported by Hora (1924) who described three specimens as ‘Nemacheilus
sp.’ from the ‘Siju cave, Assam, India.’ One specimen, caught within 35 m
of the cave mouth, showed coloration comparable to the epigean forms. Two
others, netted about 550 m from the entrance of the cave, were paler in
color and apparently had reduced eyes. |
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Morphological Characteristics:
Troglomorphic Characters:
Eye Condition:
Variable.
Pigmentation: Variable.
Scales: Small and imbricate.
Swim (gas) bladder: |
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Distribution:
India: Meghalaya: Garo Hills: Siju cave (ca. 25o 25' N, 90o
30' E). |
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| Habitat and
Ecology: No information available. |
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Food and Feeding: |
| Reproduction and Development: |
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Other Behaviors: |
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Conservation
Status: Vulnerable.
Major Threats: |
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Conservation Plans: |
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