Revision of Catfishes of the Genus Eutropiichthys, with the Description of Two New Species (Siluriformes: Schilbidae)

Schilbid catfishes of the genus Eutropiichthys are reviewed. Eutropiichthys murius occurs in Bangladesh, northern India, and southern Nepal. Eutropiichthys vacha, considered by previous authors to be distributed from Pakistan across India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar to Thailand, was found to include four species, with E. vacha limited to the rivers of eastern Pakistan, northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Eutropiichthys burmannicus, originally proposed as a variety of E. vacha but not subsequently recognized as valid, was found to be a distinct species inhabiting drainages from the Irrawaddy River of Myanmar to the lower Salween River of Myanmar and Thailand. Two additional species of Eutropiichthys are named in this paper: Eutropiichthys britzi is described from the Irrawaddy and Sittang Rivers of Myanmar; and E. salweenensis is described from the portion of the Salween River in Thailand. A lectotype is designated for Eutropiichthys burmannicus. Hypophthalmus goongwaree, which has been considered to be a member of Eutropiichthys, was found to lack the characteristics of that genus. Similarly, Pseudeutropius murius batarensis was found not to pertain to Eutropiichthys. A key to the species of Eutropiichthys is provided.

Figure 1

Dorsal view of head of Eutropiichthys burmannicus, USNM 387555, 131 mm SL (A) and E. britzi, NRM 31197, 140 mm SL (B), showing different forms of narial flap. Arrow indicates highly developed narial flap in E. britzi.

Figure 2

Eutropiichthys britzi, holotype, USNM 344657, 164 mm SL, Myanmar, Kachin State, Irrawaddy River at Myitkyina.

Figure 3

Distribution of Eutropiichthys britzi examined in this study. Star indicates type locality and dots indicate locations of other examined specimens. Symbols may represent more than one sampling locality or lot of specimens. Major river basins that are within the distribution of the genus are identified by number as follows: 1) Ganges–Brahmaputra River system; 2) Irrawaddy River; 3) Salween River.

Figure 4

Eutropiichthys burmannicus, USNM 372441, 106 mm SL, Myanmar, Yangon Division, Hliang River, Insein township.

Figure 5

Distribution of specimens of Eutropiichthys burmannicus examined in this study. Dots may indicate more than one sampling locality or lot of specimens. Major river basins that are within the distribution of the genus are identified by number as follows: 1) Ganges–Brahmaputra River system; 2) Irrawaddy River; 3) Salween River.

Figure 6

Eutropiichthys murius, KU 29184, 120 mm SL, Nepal, Jhapa, Kankai River at Raj–Marg highway.

Figure 7

Distribution of specimens of Eutropiichthys murius examined during this study; dots may indicate more than one sampling locality. For comments on reported distribution of species, see Distribution in species' account. Major river basins that are within the distribution of the genus are identified by number as follows: 1) Ganges–Brahmaputra River system; 2) Irrawaddy River; 3) Salween River.

Figure 8

Eutropiichthys salweenensis, holotype, CAS 76261, 124 mm SL, Thailand, Salween River, 20 km upriver from Mae Sam Lap.

Figure 9

Distribution of specimens of Eutropiichthys salweenensis (star) and E. vacha (dots) examined in this study; symbols may indicate more than one sampling locality or lot of specimens. For comments on reported distribution of E. vacha, see Distribution in species' account. Major river basins that are within the distribution of the genus are identified by number as follows: 1) Ganges–Brahmaputra River system; 2) Irrawaddy River; 3) Salween River.

Figure 10

Eutropiichthys vacha, NRM 40579, 220 mm SL, India, Assam, Brahmaputra River drainage, Dibrugarh Market.

Contributor Notes

Section editor: S. A. Schaefer.

Richard P Vari, (CJF) 2944 NE Couch StreetPortlandOregon 97232CJF carlferrariscomcast.net(RPV) Division of Fishes, Smithsonian Institution, P.O. Box 37012, National Museum of Natural History, WG-14, MRC 159, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012, e-mail: (RPV) varir@si.edu. Send reprint requests to RPV.

Received: 27 Dec 2006

Accepted: 01 Mar 2007