The Identity Of Rasbora Neilgherriensis (Teleostei: Danionidae), With A Re-Description

Rasbora neilgherriensis Day, long considered a synonym of Rasbora daniconius or Rasbora dandia, is re-described and shown to be a valid species based on an examination of type and recently-acquired topotypical specimens from the Western Ghats of India. The species is characterised by a complete lateral line with 32-34 pored scales on body, 1/25-6/1/21/2 scales in transverse line on body, a mid-lateral stripe that is 21/2 scales wide anterior to the pelvic fin and 1-11/2 scales wide on the caudal peduncle, and a caudal fin that is emarginate to forked with broadly rounded lobes. The species was recorded from the Cauvery River Basin in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, India, at elevations ranging from 710 m to 2015 m above sea level, in stream stretches with relatively denser riparian canopy cover.