Zhang, Z-L, Y-Y Chen & C-G Zhang
A New Blind Loach, Oreonectes translucens (Teleostei: Cypriniforms: Nemacheilinae), from Guangxi, China.A new blind loach, Oreonectes translucens sp.nov.,is described based on 3 specimens (25.7-45.8 mm in standard length)collected from a cave in Xia'ao Village,Du'an County,Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of southern China.It is distinguished from all other known Oreonectes species by its well-developed crests and vestigial eyes.The new species shares with the similar O. furcocaudalis Zhu et Cao possession of dorsal and ventral crests,a forked caudal fin, and 8 (6) dorsal (anal)-fin rays, but can be distinguished from the latter by having vestigial eyes (normal in the latter),well-developed crests (dorsal crest depth of the former 78.0%-87.0% of caudal peduncle depth vs. 31.1%-38.1% in the latter), and fewer vertebrae (4+32 vs. 4+35). species shares with the similar O. anophthalmus Zheng possession of vestigial eyes,a semitransparent body when fresh,and a 4+32 vertebrae count, but differs from the latter by having crests,a forked caudal-fin (rounded in the latter), and the origin of the dorsal fin vertically opposite to those of the pelvic fins.
Zhang, Z-L, Y-Y Chen & C-G Zhang.
Zoological Studies 45: 611–615, 2006