Garra birostris Nebeshwar & Vishwanath, 2013

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Labeoninae
Max. size:  10.2 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Asia: India.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 32-32. This species is distinguished from its congeners in the Ganga-Brahmaputra River system by the following snout morphology: the transverse lobe with 11-19 small- to large-sized uni- to tetracuspid acanthoid tubercles; distinct prominent bilobed proboscis, moderately elevated upwards, with each lobe forwardly protruding and tapering; the tip of each lobe with a large, anteriorly-directed tri- or tetracuspid acanthoid tubercle; anterior margin of the proboscis sharply delineated by a deep groove from the depressed rostral surface; 1-2 small tubercles on the lateral margin of the proboscis. It differs from G. arunachalensis and G. quadratirostris in having fewer lateral-line scales 33-34 (vs. 35-37), total vertebrae 32 (vs. 33-36), more transverse scale rows between lateral line and anal-fin origin 4-4 1/2 (vs. 3 1/2) and circumpeduncular scale rows 16 (vs. 12), a smaller adhesive disc with length 36-42 % HL (vs. 43-53), central callous-pad width 32-41 % HL (vs. 38-48) and length 22-28 % HL (vs. 28-38), and having (vs. none) a black spot at the upper angle of the gill opening; differs from G. gotyla in having more branched pectoral-fin rays 14-15 (vs. 11-13), a longer snout 55-60 % HL (vs. 48-55) and pelvic to anal distance 25.7-30.0 % SL (vs. 22.8-25.9), with a narrower interorbital distance 39-46 % HL (vs. 46-51), with (vs. without) multicuspid tubercles on the snout, lacking (vs. with) more distinct upper lip as a band of papillae arranged in two transverse ridges; differs from G. arunachalensis in having (vs. lacking) an anterolateral lobe of the lower lip; differs G. quadratirostris in having a more posteriorly-situated anus (distance from anus to anal fin 22-30 % of pelvic-anal distance (vs. 37-44) (Ref. 94542). Description: unbranched dorsal-fin rays 3; unbranched anal-fin rays 3; branched pectoral-fin rays 14-15; pre-dorsal scales 10-12; lateral-line scales 33-34; proboscis prominent bi-lobed (Ref. 96640); anal scale rows 3-4; and subcutaneous scales well developed on chest (Ref. 96639).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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