Parachiloglanis bhutanensis Thoni & Gurung, 2014

Family:  Sisoridae (Sisorid catfishes), subfamily: Glyptosterninae
Max. size:  10.15 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Asia: Khalingchhu stream and an adjacent, unnamed stream in the headwaters of the Dangmechhu River, in the Brahmaputra drainage, Bhutan.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-7; Anal soft rays: 7-7. Parachiloglanis bhutanensis is distinguished from its only congener P. hodgarti in having 35-40 large lateral-line pores running the length of the body from the posterior edge of the head to the caudal base (vs. lateral-line pores greatly reduced or absent), large fleshy adipose fin 4.2-4.6% SL in height (vs. 2.2-4.3% SL), a deep head 47-59% HL (vs. 36-45% HL), longer inner- and outer-mandibular barbels (11.0-16.5% HL vs. 5.2-11.0% HL, and 23.9-31.8% HL vs. 14.2-23.6% HL, respectively), truncate caudal fin (vs. indented to lunate), and absence of black and white markings on caudal fin (vs. presence). It can be diagnosed from all other genera in Glyptosterninae by the lack of a post-labial grove on the lower lip (vs. presence (Ref. 97387). Description: dorsal-fin rays i,6; anal-fin rays i,6 (Ref. 97387).
Biology:  Occurs in streams with clear, cold-water environments, sourced from mountain springs, precipitation runoff, and snowmelt and which have little algal growth and frequent high-flow events. Observed to adhere to the bottom side of boulders, favoring areas of cascades and white water rather than pools. Found associated with large rocks with deep undercut areas versus rocks with only small refuge from the current. Adapted to a high-velocity environment with its adhesive striations on the leading rays of the paired fins for clinging to rocks and inferior mouth adapted for scraping algae and invertebrates from the substrate (Ref. 97387).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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