Aldemaro Romero

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Triplophysa tianeensis (Chen, Cui & Yang, 2004)

 
Common Name:  None given.
Etymology:  tianensis (L) because it is found in Tian County.
Major Synonyms:  None
History:  Holotype collected in January 2003
   

Morphological Characteristics:  59.2 mm SL. It can be distinguished from T. gejiuensis and T. shilinensis by following characters: posterior end of pelvic fin not reaches anus vs. reaches; branched caudal fin rays 16 vs. 14 - 15. Triplophysa tianeensis can be further identified from T. aluensis by following characters : dorsal fin origin at the middle point of the body vs. dorsal fin origin closer to snout tip than to caudal fin base; dorsal fin origin posterior of pelvic fin origin vs. dorsal fin origin anterior of pelvic fin origin; anus very close to anal fin origin vs. anus some distance from anal fin origin. Triplophysa tianeensis is most closely related and sympatric to T. nandanensis, but it can be easily distinguished from T. nandanensis by following characters : branched dorsal fin ray 7 vs. 8, branched dorsal fin ray 9 vs. 10 - 11; branched pelvic fin ray 6 vs. 7; distal margin of dorsal fin truncate vs. emarginate; dorsal fin origin posterior of pelvic fin origin vs. anterior of.

Troglomorphic Characters: 

Eye Condition:  eye highly degenerated, eye diameter 16.8 - 32.8 (25.0) times in head length.
Pigmentation:  Depigmented (whitish).
Scales: scaleless.
Swim (gas) bladder:

   

Distribution:  China: Guanxi: Hunan province: Tian'e County: underground river of Hongshuihe (ca. 24o 58' N, 107o 02' E).

   
Habitat and Ecology:  Subterranean waters, 2 km, 100 m inside the cave.   Food and Feeding: 
Reproduction and Development:    Other Behaviors: 

Conservation Status:  Vulnerable.

Major Threats: 

  Conservation Plans: 
Phylogenetic Relationships:  is closely related to T. gejiuensis, T. shilinensis, T. aluensis and T. nandanensis.