(Ostariophysi: Nemacheilidae) from the Nepalese Himalayan foothills

Journal of Fish Biology (2011) 79, 1746–1759 

doi:10.1111/j.1095-8649.2011.03108.x, available online at wileyonlinelibrary.com 

A new species of gravel-dwelling loach (Ostariophysi: 

Nemacheilidae) from the Nepalese Himalayan foothills 

K. W. Conway*†, D. R. Edds‡, J. Shrestha§ and R. L. Mayden‖ 

*Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and Texas Cooperative Wildlife Collection, 

Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, U.S.A., ‡Department of Biological 

Sciences, Emporia State University, Emporia, KS 66801-5087, U.S.A., §Nepal Academy of 

Science and Technology (NAST), Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal and ‖Department of Biology, 

Saint Louis University, 3507 Laclede Ave, St Louis, MO 63103, U.S.A. 

(Received 22 November 2010, Accepted 19 August 2011) 

Turcinoemacheilus himalaya, new species, is described from the Koshi and Gandaki River basins 

of Nepal. The new species is distinguished from its hypothesised congener, Turcinoemacheilus 

kosswigi, from the Euphrates, Tigris and Karoun basins of the Middle East, by the presence of 

small scales on the posterior half of its body (v. absence of all scales), its shorter caudal peduncle 

(caudal peduncle length 12–15% standard length, L S v. 16–23), its shorter snout (snout length 

28–36% head length, L H v. 40–49) and by features of its colour pattern, including the presence 

of small irregularly shaped dark grey markings over the lateral body surface. Turcinoemacheilus 

himalaya is known to date only from Nepal. 

© 2011 The Authors 

Journal of Fish Biology © 2011 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles 

Key words: Cobitoidea; Cypriniformes; Physoschistura; Schistura; taxonomy; Turcinoemacheilus. 

INTRODUCTION 

Loaches of the family Nemacheilidae Regan are small, benthic freshwater fishes, 

widely distributed throughout much of Europe, Asia and the Lake Tana basin of 

Ethiopia (Kottelat, 1990). With well over 500 valid species (Eschmeyer, 2010), the 

Nemacheilidae is one of the largest families of the Cypriniformes, and many new 

species continue to be described annually, particularly from Asia (Kottelat, 2000; 

Bohlen & Ŝlechtová, 2009; Hadiaty & Kottelat, 2009, 2010; Tan & Kottelat, 2009; 

Hu & Zhang, 2010) but also from the Far East and even from Europe (Coad & 

Nalbant, 2005; Economidis, 2005; Stoumboudi et al., 2006; Erk’Akan et al., 2007). 

Although nemacheilid generic level diversity is highest in the Far East (Prokofiev, 

2009), the majority of nemacheilid species inhabit South and Southeast Asia, where 

they are particularly abundant in well-oxygenated hill streams (Kottelat, 1990). To 

date, surprisingly few nemacheilid loaches have been reported from Nepal. Shrestha 

(1981) recorded five nominal species, including Acanthocobitis botia (Hamilton 

1822), Nemacheilus corica (Hamilton 1822), Schistura beavani (Günther 1868), 

†Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel.: +1 9798452620; email: kevin.conway@ 

tamu.edu 

1746 


Journal of Fish Biology © 2011 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles

NEW NEMACHEILID LOACH FROM NEPAL 1747 

Schistura rupecula McClelland 1838 and S. r. inglisi Hora 1935. Rajbanshi (1982) 

increased the number to seven, with the addition of Schistura savona (Hamilton 

1822) and Schistura scaturigina (McClelland 1839), and Edds (1985) added one 

more, Schistura devdevi Hora 1935. Recently, Shrestha (2008) listed 12 species 

of nemacheilids from Nepal, with the addition of Schistura himachalensis (Menon 

1987), Schistura horai (Menon 1952), Schistura multifasciatus (Day 1878), Schistura 

prashadi (Hora 1921) and Schistura sikamaiensis (Hora 1921) [Shrestha (2008) made 

no mention of S. devdevi]. A number of Shrestha’s (2008) new records require further 

investigation before they should be considered part of the Nepalese ichthyofauna (e.g. 

S. prashadi, a species known otherwise only from Nagaland, India; Menon, 1987). 

During ongoing investigations of the ichthyofauna inhabiting the hill streams of 

the Koshi and Gandaki River basins of Nepal, the authors became aware of a distinctive 

new nemacheilid loach that appears to belong to Turcinoemacheilus Bănărescu 

& Nalbant 1964, a genus reported to date only from the Euphrates-Tigris drainage 

of the Middle East (Bănărescu & Nalbant, 1964; Coad, 1995; Breil & Bohlen, 2001; 

Golzarianpour et al., 2009). The purpose of this paper is to provide a formal description 

for this new species. 

MATERIALS AND METHODS 

Specimens were captured in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1996 and 2008 by seine, electrofisher or 

dip net, killed by an overdose of anaesthetic, fixed in 10% formalin solution and preserved 

in 70% ethanol. Counts and measurements follow Kottelat (1990) except that the last two 

branched rays of the dorsal and anal fins, which share a single pterygiophore, are counted 

separately and that values for head length (L H ) reported here are equivalent to lateral head 

length of that author. All measurements were taken point to point on the left side of specimens 

with digital calipers and recorded to 0·1 mm. The head of one specimen was dissected, 

dehydrated with a graded series of ethanol, critical point dried (Denton DCP-1 critical point 

drier; Denton Vacuum; www.denton vacuum.com), placed on an aluminum stub and coated 

with gold (Denton Desk IV XLS; Denton Vacuum) for examination with scanning electron 

microscopy (SEM) using a Philips XL-20 SEM (Philips Electronics N.V.; www.philips.com). 

Five specimens were cleared and stained (c&s) following the protocol of Taylor & Van Dyke 

(1985). Meristic counts were obtained from c&s specimens with the aid of a Leica S8AP0 

stereomicroscope (www.leica-microsystems.com). Paired fin counts were obtained from the 

left side of c&s specimens only. Numbers in parentheses after a count indicate the frequency 

of that count. Meristic counts for Turcinoemacheilus kosswigi Bănărescu & Nalbant 1964 were 

obtained from Bănărescu & Nalbant (1964), Breil & Bohlen (2001) and Golzarianpour et al. 

(2009). All photographs were taken using a Leica DFC280 mounted on the aforementioned 

microscope. Illustrations were adapted from photographs using Abode Illustrator CS. 

A number of habitat measurements were obtained at localities sampled between 1984 and 

1986. Dissolved oxygen (DO) (ppm), pH and total hardness (mg l −1 CaCO 3 ) were determined 

with a Hach kit model AL-36B (Hach Co.; www.hach.com). Current speed (m s −1 ) was measured 

with a Gurley pygmy meter no. 625 (Gurley Precision Instruments; www.gurley.com) 

at 60% depth at 10 locations across the microhabitat where the species was captured; depth 

(cm) was determined with a metre stick. Substratum composition was qualitatively characterized 

by visually estimating the relative proportion of mud (256 mm) (Bain, 1999). Vegetation cover was visually estimated as per cent of the substratum 

covered by filamentous algae, submerged vegetation, emergent vegetation and organic 

debris. 

Specimens examined are housed at the American Museum of Natural History, New York 

(AMNH), Fischsammlung J. Freyhof, Berlin (FSJF), University of Kansas Natural History 


Journal of Fish Biology © 2011 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles, Journal of Fish Biology 2011, 79, 1746–1759

1748 K. W. CONWAY ET AL. 

Museum and Biodiversity Research Center, Lawrence (KU), Oklahoma State University 

Department of Zoology Collection of Vertebrates, Stillwater (OSUS), Texas Cooperative 

Wildlife Collection, College Station (TCWC), Tribhuvan University Zoology Collection, 

Kathmandu (TZC), University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Michigan (UMMZ), and 

the Zoological Institute and Museum, Hamburg (ZMH). Comparative materials examined are 

listed in Appendix. 

TAXONOMY 

TURCINOEMACHEILUS HIMALAYA NEW SPECIES 

(FIGS 1 AND 2) 

Nemacheilus shebbearei Hora: Edds (1989: 24, 29, 36, 38, 41, 45, 73, 76, 80, 91, 

93, 123, 125; 1993: 52, 55, 59), Edds et al. (2002: 546) 

Physoschistura elongata Sen & Nalbant in Singh, Sen, Banarescu & Nalbant: 

Shrestha (2008: 135, 331, Fig. 112) 

Holotype: KU 40558, 46·6 mm standard length L S ; Nepal: Bagmati Zone, Sindhupalchok 

District, Indrawati River at Melamchi Township, 27 ◦ 49 ′ 42·5 ′′ N; 85 ◦ 34 ′ 

37·1 ′′ E, R. L. Mayden, K. W. Conway, K. Khanal & R. Napit 28–29 October 2008. 

Paratypes: KU 40279, 1, 33·2 mmL S ; Nepal: Palpa/Syangja, Kali Gandaki at 

Ramdi, 27 ◦ 53 ′ 60·00 ′′ N; 83 ◦ 37 ′ 59·88 ′′ E, 26 April 1996, D. Edds. KU 40278, 

1, 30·8 mmL S ; Nepal: Chitwan/Nawalparasi, Narayani River at Narayangarh, 27 ◦ 

Fig. 1. Turcinoemacheilus himalaya, KU 40558, holotype, 46·6 mm standard length; Nepal: Bagmati Zone, 

Indrawati River at Melamchi township. 




(a) 

(b) 

Fig. 2. (a)Turcinoemacheilus himalaya, KU 40557, paratype; Nepal: Bagmati Zone, Indrawati River at Melamchi 

township. (b) Turcinoemacheilus kosswigi. 

42 ′ 24·12 ′′ N; 84 ◦ 25 ′ 54·13 ′′ E, 23 April 1996, D. Edds. KU 40280, 9 (2 c&s), 

35·9–48·1 mmL S ; Nepal: Gulmi/Parbat, Gaundi River at Gumti, 28 ◦ 3 ′ 54·00 ′′ N; 

83 ◦ 33 ′ 35·99 ′′ E, 19 May 1996, D. Edds. KU 40281, 4, 20·8–39·4 mmL S ; Nepal: 

Tanahun, Seti River at Khairenitar, 28 ◦ 1 ′ 59·88 ′′ N; 84 ◦ 4 ′ 0·13 ′′ E, 15 June 1996, 

D. Edds. KU 40282, 1, 37·5 mmL S ; Nepal: Parbat, Lungdi River, purchased from 

fishermen fishing 1 h walk north of Parse, c. 28 ◦ 10 ′ 0·12 ′′ N; 83 ◦ 48 ′ 0·00 ′′ E, 

3 September 1996, D. Edds. KU 40557, 14 (2c&s), 27·3–46·6 mmL S ; same data 

as holotype. OSUS 15908, 4, 24·6–46·3 mmL S ; Nepal: Gulmi, Kali Gandaki at 

confluence with Baandigarh River, 19 August 1984, D. Edds. KU 40568, 11 (1c&s 

1SEM), 18·1–52·6 mmL S ; Nepal: Bagmati Zone, Sindhupalchok District, Melamchi 

River 4·828 km (3 miles) upstream from confluence with Indrawati River, 27 ◦ 

57 ′ 22 ′′ N; 85 ◦ 32 ′ 26.6 ′′ E, R. L. Mayden et al., 29 October 2008. OSUS 15621, 4, 

29·8–34·7 mmL S ; Nepal: Chitwan, Narayani River at Narayangarh, above irrigation 

building, 1 April 1984, D. Edds. OSUS 16314, 26, 24·7–46·6 mmL S ; Nepal: 

Gulmi, Kali Gandaki at confluence with Gaundi River near Phulbaari, 28 ◦ 3 ′ 49·00 ′′ 

N; 83 ◦ 33 ′ 38·00 ′′ E, 20 January 1985, D. Edds. OSUS 16325, 7, 34·6–46·7 mm 

L S ; Nepal: Baglung, Kali Gandaki at Jyaamri Ghat, 22 January 1985, D. Edds. 

OSUS 16744, 25, 28·6–53·4 mmL S ; Nepal: Gulmi, Kali Gandaki at confluence 

with Gaundi River, 28 ◦ 3 ′ 49·00 ′′ N; 83 ◦ 33 ′ 38·00 ′′ E, 22 May 1985, D. Edds. 

OSUS 17197, 32, 22·7–49·6 mmL S ; Nepal: Gulmi, Kali Gandaki at confluence 

with Gaundi River, 28 ◦ 3 ′ 49·00 ′′ N; 83 ◦ 33 ′ 38·00 ′′ E, 21 May 1985, D. Edds. TCZ 

uncat., 3, 36·1–45·1 mmL S ; same data as holotype. 

Diagnosis: Turcinoemacheilus himalaya is distinguished from its only congener, 

T. kosswigi, by the presence of small scales on the posterior half of its body (v. scales 




Table I. Morphometric characters of holotype (KU 40558) and 20 paratypes (KU 40280, 

40557, 40568 and TCZ uncat.) of Turcinoemacheilus himalaya n. sp. expressed as a percentage 

of standard length (L S )orheadlength(L H ) 

Holotype Range Mean ± s.d. 

L S 46·6 27·3–53·6 

As percentage of L S 

Body depth 11·4 9·2–11·9 10·8 ± 0·9 

Head length 19·3 18·3–20·7 19·7 ± 1·0 

Dorsal head length 18·2 16·6–19·8 18·5 ± 1·0 

Pre-dorsal length 54·5 53·2–57·0 55·3 ± 1·2 

Pre-pelvic length 50·4 47·8–52·5 50·3 ± 1·4 

Pre-anal length 75·5 75·5–80·1 78·4 ± 1·6 

Snout-anus 62·4 59·0–64·1 62·1 ± 1·5 

Caudal peduncle length 14·6 12·0–15·1 13·9 ± 0·9 

Caudal peduncle depth 7·9 6·6–8·5 7·8 ± 0·6 

Pectoral fin length 17·2 15·3–18·5 17·0 ± 0·8 

Pelvic fin length 14·8 13·7–16·8 14·9 ± 0·9 

As percentage of L H 

Head width 48·9 40·5–48·8 45·5 ± 2·7 

Head depth 36·7 34·2–41·5 38·4 ± 2·9 

Eye diameter 13·3 12·1–18·3 14·5 ± 1·8 

Snout length 36·7 28·1–36·7 33·9 ± 2·3 

Interorbital width 21·1 14·3–22·2 19·0 ± 2·4 

completely absent), its shorter caudal peduncle (caudal peduncle length 12–15%L S 

v. 16–23), its shorter snout (snout length 28–36% L H v. 40–49) and the presence of 

small irregularly shaped dark grey markings along the lateral side of body (v. absence 

of such markings). 

Description: general body shape as in Fig. 1. Largest specimen examined was 

53·6 mmL S (range 27·3–53·6 mm). Morphometric characters are listed in Table I. 

Body elongate, circular in cross-section anterior to dorsal-fin origin, becoming 

increasingly more ovoid in cross-section posterior to dorsal-fin origin. Body depth 

greatest midway between occiput and dorsal-fin origin, gently decreasing in depth 

towards caudal-fin base. Dorsal and ventral margins of caudal peduncle with low 

fleshy ridge. Head and eye small, snout moderate, rounded in dorsal view. Eye 

obliquely shaped, its ventral margin occluded in lateral view by a thick layer of skin. 

Mouth subterminal, strongly arched, with two pairs of rostral barbels and one pair 

of maxillary barbels (Fig. 3). Upper and lower lips fleshy, weakly papilliated. Lower 

lip with a triangular-shaped median interruption. Upper and lower jaws covered 

by a horny sheath. Processus dentiformis present on upper jaw, weakly developed. 

Deep groove between rostral fold and upper lip. Rostral fold not developed into lobes 

between barbels. Barbels weakly papilliated. Inner rostral barbel short, reaching to or 

slightly past base of outer rostral barbel when extended, outer rostral barbel reaching 

slightly past base of maxillary barbel when extended, maxillary barbel reaching to or 

slightly past horizontal through centre of eye when extended. Anterior nostril small, 

surrounded by a short flap. Posterior nostril larger than anterior, crescent shaped, 

narrowly separated from anterodorsal margin of eye by a narrow strip of skin. 




(a) 

IRB 

RC 

ORB 

UL 

LJ 

LL 

(b) 

MB 

P 

1 mm 

20 µm 

Fig. 3. (a) Scanning electron micrograph picture of the mouthparts of Turcinoemacheilus himalaya, KU 40568, 

paratype, 38·8 mm standard length; Nepal: Bagmati Zone, Melamchi River, upstream from confluence 

with Indrawati River. (b) Close up of tastebud on surface of right outer rostral barbel, highlighted (a) ( ). 

IRB, inner rostral barbel; LJ, lower jaw; LL, lower lip; MB, maxillary barbel; ORB, outer rostral barbel; 

P, sensory pore of mandibular sensory canal; RC, rostral cap; UL, upper lip. 

Dorsal fin with iii.7.i(4) or iv.7.i(1) rays. Anal fin with iii.5.i rays. Principal caudal 

rays 9+8, dorsal procurrent rays 5(1), 7(3) or 8(1), ventral procurrent rays 3(1), 4(3) 

or 5(1). Pelvic fin with i.5.i rays, pectoral fin with i.7.i rays. Paired fins horizontally 

placed with large fleshy axillary skin-flap at base. Pelvic-fin origin ranging from 

anterior to dorsal-fin origin to slightly posterior to dorsal-fin origin. Skin on ventral 

surface of unbranched pectoral- and pelvic-fin rays greatly thickened. Dorsal fin 

rounded, posterior edge straight. First dorsal-fin pterygiophore strongly bifurcated, 

inserted between vertebral centra 16/17(5). Anal fin small, rounded, posterior edge 

straight, posteriormost tip not reaching base of caudal fin when depressed. Anal-fin 

origin situated closer to caudal-fin base than dorsal-fin origin. First anal-fin pterygiophore, 

strongly bifurcated, inserted between haemal spines of vertebral centra 28/29 

(3) or 30/31(2). Caudal fin weakly forked, upper and lower lobes rounded, lower 




lobe slightly longer than upper lobe. Anus positioned slightly posterior to pelvic 

fins; the distance between anus and anal-fin origin much greater than the distance 

between anus and pelvic-fin origin. 

Total number of vertebrae 42-43, consisting of 21+21(1) 22+20(1), 22+21(2) or 

23+20(1) abdominal and caudal vertebrae. Total number of pleural ribs 12(2), 13(2) 

or 14(1), borne on vertebral centra 5-16(2), 5-17(2) or 5-18(1). Caudal fin skeleton 

with six hypurals. Second (free) uroneural of caudal skeleton and supraneurals posterior 

to the third absent. Anterior swimbladder chamber bilaterally paired, housed 

within a boney capsule formed by lateral process of second vertebral centrum and 

outer arm of os suspensorium. Boney capsule with two openings laterally and a large 

continuous flange of membrane bone along posteroventral edge. Neurocranium with 

large, irregularly shaped postepiphysial fontanelle, bordered by frontal, parietal and 

supraorbital bones. Fifth ceratobranchial with a single row of eight to nine small 

curved teeth with pointed tips (Fig. 4). 

Cephalic sensory system well-developed (Fig. 4). Supraorbital, infraorbital, preopercularmandibular 

and otic sensory canals enclosed in a series of short, tube-like 

(a) 

(b) 

K 

i 

iii 

ii 

Pmax 

Apal 

Max 

lOl 

(c) 

E 

LE 

Fr 

Asph 

Pa 

Apto 

Epo 

Soc 

Exoc 

Fig. 4. Aspects of the anatomy of Turcinoemacheilus himalaya, paratype, KU 40557, 46·6 mm standard length; 

Nepal: Bagmati Zone, Melamchi River, upstream from confluence with Indrawati River. (a) Skull in 

dorsal view, anterior to top, cephalic lateral line canal illustrated on left side only. Free sensory canal 

ossifications in dark grey, extraethmoid ossifications of right side in light grey. (b) Ceratobranchial 5, left 

side in dorsal view. Cartilage grey. (c) Stomach and anterior portion of intestine in ventral view, anterior 

to top. Scale bars equal 1 mm. Apal, autopalatine; Asph, autosphenotic; Apto, autopterotic; E, ethmoid 

complex; Epo, epioccipital; Exoc, exoccipital; Fr, frontal; K, kinethmoid; Le, lateral ethmoid; Max, 

maxilla; Pa, parietal; Pmax, premaxilla; Soc, supraoccipital; i, meseopreautopalatine; ii, 2nd preethmoid; 

iii, preautopalatine. 




ossifications. Sensory canal ossifications without contact to underlying dermal ossifications, 

excluding parietal portion of supratemporal canal. Lateral line canal incomplete, 

extending as a continuous canal along body side until point below insertion of 

last dorsal-fin ray, continued thereafter as a series of short interrupted canals before 

terminating completely on body side opposite or slightly posterior to anal-fin origin. 

Scales small, cycloid, focus large, surrounded by a small number of circuli, and 

four to five weakly developed radii along posterior margin. Scales deeply embedded 

in skin and widely separate from each other, present on posterior half of body only. 

Stomach large, sac-like, intestine straight, uncoiled (Fig. 4). 

Sexual dimorphism: no obvious sexual dimorphism. Males appear more slender 

bodied than females. Both sexes exhibit a row of small tubercles along fin membranes 

between pectoral rays 1–4, which are better developed in males. 

Colouration: In alcohol, body background colour light cream to white. Occiput 

dark grey. Dorsal surface of body with a highly variable number of dark grey-brown 

saddles (ranging from 5 to 9, often confluent) that extend ventrally to form dark 

grey-brown bars, which are often forked ventrally, along lateral side of body. Dorsal 

saddles and lateral bars more intensely developed in smaller individuals (c. 20 mm 

L S ). Posteriormost bar, situated at base of caudal fin, much darker than more anterior 

bars in all individuals examined. Entire lateral side of body, excluding area directly 

below dorsal procurrent rays and area above ventral procurrent rays, speckled with 

small irregularly shaped dark grey markings. Such markings, which are generally 

more highly developed in larger specimens (>30 mm L S ), are heavily concentrated 

along horizontal septum along posteriormost part of caudal peduncle, producing (in 

combination with posteriormost body bar) a horizontal T-shaped marking at base of 

caudal fin. Ventral surface of body without pigmentation. 

Dorsal fin with a small dark spot anteriorly, at base of unbranched rays, and two 

weak irregular strips across centre, formed by aggregations of small melanophores 

on either side of branching point in branched rays. Caudal fin with two irregular 

black vertical bars across centre, formed by aggregations of melanophores on either 

side of branching point in branched principal caudal-fin rays. Pectoral fins with weak 

scattering of small melanophores over surfaces of 4–5 anteriormost rays. Anal and 

pelvic fins immaculate. 

In life, background colour light grey-cream dorsally and white ventrally [Fig. 2(a)]. 

Dorsal saddles, lateral markings on body and markings on fins dark grey. Horizontal 

T-shaped marking at base of caudal fin prominent dark grey, highlighted by intense 

light areas without pigment dorsally and ventrally. 

Distribution, habitat, abundance and associated species: specimens were collected 

from large rivers (>10 m width) and medium-sized (5–10 m wide) tributaries of 

the Koshi and Gandaki River systems of eastern and central Nepal (Fig. 5). At the 

type locality in the Koshi basin (Fig. 6), the Indrawati River is a pristine, fast to torrential 

flowing river, over a cobble and boulder substratum, with a well-developed 

gravel shoreline. At this site, T. himalaya was collected close to shore, together 

with juveniles of Psilorhynchus pseudecheneis Menon & Datta 1964 (Psilorhynchidae) 

and an unidentified species of Schistura McClelland 1838 (Nemacheilidae), 

by sifting a dip net or small seine through gravel. Other species collected at the 

type locality, in adjacent habitats, included Botia almorhae Gray 1831 (Botiidae); 

Barilius vagra (Hamilton 1822), Opsarius bendelisis (Hamilton 1807), Schizothoraichthys 

sp., Schizothorax richardsonii (Gray 1832), Tor putitora (Hamilton 1822) 




80 

82 84 86 88 90 

30 

30 

28 

28 

100 km 

26 

80 

26 

82 84 86 88 90 

Fig. 5. Distribution of Turcinoemacheilus himalaya ( ). Type locality represented with an open symbol ( ). 

(Cyprinidae); Myersglanis blythii (Day 1870) and Pseudecheneis cf. crassicauda Ng 

& Edds 2005 (Sisoridae). 

In the Gandaki basin, specimens were collected (during each season of the year) 

in well-oxygenated, shallow riffles and runs with moderate to swift flow over clean, 

mainly pebble and cobble substratum (Table II). In 1984–1986, 140 specimens were 

Fig. 6. Indrawati River at Melamchi township. Type locality of Turcinoemacheilus himalaya. 




Table II. Habitat characteristics at sites of 16 collections of Turcinoemacheilus himalaya in 

Nepal’s Gandaki River drainage in 1984–1986 

Environmental factor Mean ± s.d. Range 

Physicochemistry 

Temperature ( ◦ C) 18·2 ± 1·2 12–25 

Dissolved oxygen (mg l −1 ) 11·1 ± 0·5 8–15 

pH 8·1 ± 0·1 7·5–8·5 

Total hardness (mg l −1 ) 146·0 ± 5·4 103–171 

Current velocity (m s −1 ) 0·5 ± 0·1 0·2–0·9 

Water depth (cm) 27·6 ± 4·2 13–66 

Substratum composition 

Silt (256 mm) 6·2 ± 2·1 0–35 

Vegetation cover (%) 

Filamentous algae 11·5 ± 3·1 0–30 

Submerged


1991 (Sisoridae); Xenentodon cancila (Hamilton 1822) (Belonidae); Pseudambassis 

baculis (Hamilton 1822) and Pseudambassis ranga (Hamilton 1822) (Ambassidae). 

In 1996, 19 individuals were captured in six collections at 56 sites sampled, with one 

to nine individuals per collection. Other species not previously collected at Gandaki 

basin sites of T. himalaya occurrence included Anguilla bengalensis (Gray 1831) 

(Anguillidae); Semiplotus modestus Day 1870 (Cyprinidae); Glyptothorax gracilis 

(Günther 1864), Glyptothorax telchitta (Hamilton 1822) and Pseudecheneis eddsi 

Ng 2006 (Sisoridae). 

Etymology: From the Sanskrit (Hima-Alaya), meaning ‘adobe of snow’, in 

reference to the Himalayan Mountain Range to which the species is endemic. 

DISCUSSION 

Bănărescu & Nalbant (1964) provided a very brief diagnosis for Turcinoemacheilus 

in their review of the loaches of Turkey: ‘Körper niedrig, gestreckt und dick, 

vollständig schuppenlos. Die Seitenlinie sehr kurz. Afteröffnung weit nach vorn 

gedrängt, näher der Bauchflossenbasis als dem Ansatz der Afterflosse gelegen. Ansatz 

der Rückenflosse hinter dem Hinterrand der Bauchflossen. Schwanzflosse schwach 

eingebuchtet; alle Flossen sind klein und mehr oder weniger abgerundet.’ [Body narrow, 

elongate and thick, entirely scaleless. The lateral line very short. Anus displaced 

far anteriorly, closer to the pelvic fins than to the anterior base of anal fin. Anterior 

base of dorsal fin behind posterior tip of pelvic fins. Caudal fin slightly emarginated; 

all fins small and more or less rounded.]. Turcinoemacheilus himalaya exhibits all 

these diagnostic characteristics except for the presence of scales along the posterior 

half of the body, which serves to distinguish the new species from its only congener, 

T. kosswigi. The two species of Turcinoemacheilus are further distinguished by a 

number of morphometric characters, including caudal peduncle length (12–15% L S 

in T. himalaya v. 16–23 in T. kosswigi) and snout length (28–36% L H in T. himalaya 

v. 40–49 in T. kosswigi), and by differences in pigmentation (entire lateral side of 

body speckled with small irregularly shaped dark grey markings in T. himalaya v. 

absence of such markings in T. kosswigi). 

Previous authors have considered specimens of T. himalaya to belong to either 

N. shebbearei (McClelland 1839) (Edds, 1989, 1993; Edds et al., 2002) or 

P. elongata (Shrestha, 2008). Turcinoemacheilus himalaya is easily distinguished 

from N. shebbearei (currently placed in the synonymy of S. scaturigina, following 

Menon, 1987) and P. elongata by the position of its anus, which is situated close 

behind the pelvic fins (v. situated closer to the anal fin than pelvic fins in both 

N. shebbearei and P. elongata; Hora, 1935; Singh et al., 1982). Turcinoemacheilus 

himalaya is further distinguished from N. shebbearei by the position of the pelvic 

fins in relation to the dorsal fin (pelvic fins inserted anterior or directly opposite 

dorsal-fin origin in T. himalaya v. pelvic fins inserted posterior to dorsal-fin origin 

in N. shebbearei) and by the absence (v. presence) of a sexually dimorphic suborbital 

flap in males (Hora, 1935). It is further distinguished from P. elongata by the 

absence (v. presence) of the posterior chamber of the swimbladder and the absence 

(v. presence) of an intestinal coil (Singh et al., 1982). Turcinoemacheilus himalaya 

is distinguished from all other members of the Nemacheilidae reported from Nepal 

to date (Shrestha, 1981, 2008) by the anterior position of its anus. 




Turcinoemacheilus himalaya appears to be endemic to Nepal and is known, to 

date, only from the upper reaches of the Koshi River basin and the hills and Inner 

Tarai of the Gandaki River basin. Like its congener, it appears to be relatively rare, 

found in only 22 of 212 collections in the Gandaki system in 1984–1986 and 1996, 

much less common than most other loaches in Nepal, and is typically present in low 

abundance at sites where it is found. This small benthic fish appears to be sensitive to 

pollution, as it was absent in sampling from areas where it had previously occurred in 

the Narayani River, Nepal, following dumping of paper mill effluent that decreased 

dissolved oxygen and increased alkalinity, silt substratum and plant fibre detritus 

(Edds et al., 2002). This raises concern for conservation of the species, given the 

deterioration of Nepal’s riverine ecosystems (Edds, 2007). 

The discovery of T. himalaya is noteworthy not only because it represents a new 

generic record for Nepal but also because it represents the first record of Turcinoemacheilus 

outside of the Tigris-Euphrates drainage. Given the specific habitat 

requirements of Turcinoemacheilus (i.e. gravel beds with a strong current in the 

upper reaches of rivers; Breil & Bohlen, 2001; Golzarianpour et al., 2009), it is 

possible that additional populations of Turcinoemacheilus await discovery in remote 

regions of Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. 

The authors thank R. Thiel and I. Eidus (ZMH) for access to radiographs and images of 

the type series of T. kosswigi, and A. Bentley (KU), J. Freyhof (FSJF), T. Echelle (OSUS), 

D. Nelson (UMMZ) and B. Brown (AMNH) for access to museum specimens under their 

care. The authors are particularly grateful to J. Bohlen and J. Freyhof for sharing information 

and images of T. kosswigi, R. Britz for translating German text and examining specimens of 

T. kosswigi, M. Kottelat, J. Bohlen and R. Britz for discussions about nemacheilid genera, 

G. W. Lange (St Louis, MO) for photographing the holotype (Fig. 1), A. Conway for help 

in collecting morphometrics and D. Siegel (Saint Louis University) and D. Sever (Southeastern 

Louisiana University) for access to, and help with, SEM facilities (equipment time 

on which was funded via NSF DEB-0809831 to D. Sever). The authors are particularly 

grateful to J. Freyhof for valuable comments and suggestions on an earlier version of this 

manuscript. Finally, the authors thank those who provided field assistance in Nepal, including 

A. B. Gurung, K. Khanal and R. Napit, and the Nepalese Department of National Parks and 

Wildlife Conservation for granting permits. This research was supported by funds from the 

National Geographic Society Committee for Research and Exploration, Wildlife Conservation 

International, the Explorers Club, the Fulbright program, Oklahoma State University, 

the University of Kansas Natural History Museum, the Emporia State University Faculty 

Research and Creativity Committee (all to D.R.E.), the National Science Foundation (NSF 

DEB-0808446 to R.L.M. and KWC and EF 0431326 to R.L.M.) and Texas Agrilife Research 

(to K.W.C.). This is publication number 1418 of the Texas Cooperative Wildlife Collection. 

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APPENDIX. COMPARATIVE MATERIAL EXAMINED 

Acanthocobitis botia: KU 40367, 1, 40 mm standard length, L S ; Nepal: Mechi, 

Jhapa, Mechi River at Karkarvitta, at bridge crossing at border with India, 26 ◦ 38 ′ 

45·50 ′′ N; 88 ◦ 9 ′ 44·30 ′′ E. KU 40408, 1, 40·5 mmL S ; Nepal: Mechi, Jhapa, Biring 

River at highway, 26 ◦ 38 ′ 30·60 ′′ N; 87 ◦ 56 ′ 14·30 ′′ E. KU 40433, 1, 30·2 mmL S ; 

Nepal: Kosi, Morang, Lohandra River at Belbari town, 26 ◦ 39 ′ 46·40 ′′ N; 87 ◦ 24 ′ 

29·30 ′′ E. KU 40459, 40, 37·7–72·5 mmL S ; Nepal: Kosi: Sunsari, Koshi River 

diversion 1 km north of highway around 2 km before bridge crossing Koshi, 26 ◦ 

36 ′ 14·50 ′′ N; 87 ◦ 1 ′ 26·80 ′′ E. KU 40489, 9, 40·8–52·7 mm L S ; Nepal: Kosi, 

Sunsari: Sunsari River at Inarua, 26 ◦ 36 ′ 38·60 ′′ ;87 ◦ 7 ′ 38·80 ′′ E. KU 40507, 8, 

32·4–63·1 mmL S ; Nepal: Bheri, Bardiya, main stem of Karnali River downstream 

of Chisapani, 28 ◦ 37 ′ 59·60 ′′ N; 81 ◦ 16 ′ 30·40 ′′ E. 

Barbatula barbatula: AMNH 78212, 2, 67·0–83·0 mmL S ; Sweden: Uppland, 

Solna, stream by Ulriksdal. TCWC 14520.01, 74, 25.0-80.0 mm Ls; Poland: Lubrzanka 

River, near Kielce. 

Micronemacheilus taeniatus: AMNH 227982, 1, 83·0 mmL S ; Vietnam: Ha Tinh 

Province, Huong Son District, Rao An Region, 18 ◦ 22 ′ 0·0 ′′ N; 105 ◦ 13 ′ 0·0 ′′ E. 

Schistura devdevi: KU 40378, 13, 24·4–27·4 mmL S ; Nepal: Jhapa, Mechi River 

at Karkarvitta, at bridge crossing at border with India, 26 ◦ 38 ′ 45·50 ′′ N; 88 ◦ 9 ′ 

44·30 ′′ . UMMZ 244566, 12, 22·0–32·0 mmL S ; India: West Bengal, Relli River and 

tributaries at Relli, Tista River basin, 27 ◦ 3 ′ 50·00 ′′ N; 88 ◦ 31 ′ 39·00 ′′ E. UMMZ 

244570, 1, 22·0 mmL S ; India: West Bengal, Pala River, tributary of Relli River, 

after Relli town on Kalimpang-Relli road, Tista River basin, 27 ◦ 2 ′ 42·00 ′′ N; 88 ◦ 32 ′ 

9·00 ′′ E. UMMZ 244573, 13, 26·0–46·0 mmL S ; India: West Bengal, Rishi Khola 

River at Rishi (on West Bengal and Sikkim border), Tista River basin, 27 ◦ 9 ′ 56·00 ′′ 

N; 88 ◦ 38 ′ 7·00 ′′ E. 

Schistura savona: KU 40379, 3, 20·0–26·5 mmL S ; Nepal: Jhapa, Mechi River 

at Karkarvitta, at bridge crossing at border with India, 26 ◦ 38 ′ 45·50 ′′ N; 88 ◦ 9 ′ 

44·30 ′′ E. KU 40389, 15, 21·7–30·1 mmL S ; Nepal: Jhapa, Palia River (tributary of 

the Mechi) at bridge crossing highway west of Karkarvitta, 26 ◦ 39 ′ 2·70 ′′ N; 88 ◦ 8 ′ 

13·20 ′′ E. 

Schistura sp.: AMNH 211268, 2, 57·1–65·9 mmL S ; Vietnam: Ha Giang Province, 

Yen minh district, du gia stream. 

Turcinoemacheilus kosswigi: ZMH 1884, 1, holotype (images and radiographs 

examined only); Turkey, Tigris basin, Kapozik Kadun, Hakkari. ZMH 1885, 5, 

paratypes (images and radiographs examined only); same data as holotype. FSJF 

2454, 4 ex., not measured; Turkey: Adıyaman province, Upper River Göksu, 5km 

northeast of Gölbaşı, 37 ◦ 50 ′ 0·00 ′′ N, 37 ◦ 41 ′ 0·00 ′′ E.

(Ostariophysi: Nemacheilidae) from the Nepalese Himalayan foothills

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