| Nemacheilidae (Brook loaches) |
| 4.25 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
|
benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Asia: Sri Lanka. |
|
This species is distinguished from its congeners from Sri Lankan and peninsular India by the following characters: lateral line incomplete with 53-76 pores, ending beneath the dorsal-fin base or slightly beyond; post-dorsal bars 7-13; D 7½ branched rays; no axillary pelvic lobe; absence of a suborbital flap (Ref. 127984). |
| This species is known only from its type locality, a stream about 3-4 m wide, flowing through the palm-oil plantations of Nakiyadeniya Estate in an unprotected area of the Gin River basin, elevation ca. 80 m above sea level and where the substrate consists of small boulders and pebbles. It prefers the faster-flowing regions of the stream and was observed with Garra ceylonensis, Rasbora dandia, Belontia signata. It appears to be locally abundant when sampled during a relatively dry period in December 2017 and about 100 adults, including several gravid females, were observed in a stretch of approximately 50 m along the length of the stream. Schistura notostigma was recorded in similar habitats sampled in Udugama about 8 km from the type locality of S. scripta and as presently understood, these two species do not co-occur (Ref. 127984). |
|
Critically Endangered (CR); Date assessed: 07 August 2019 (B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
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