Teleostei (teleosts) >
Gobiiformes (Gobies) >
Milyeringidae (Blind cave gudgeons)
Etymology: Typhleotris: Greek, typhlos = blind + the name of a Nile fish, eleotris (Ref. 45335); madagascariensis: Named by Petit (1933) [Ref. 94243] for the country of origin (Ref. 93144).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical
Africa: Madagascar, extending from wells near Ambilahilalika, located about midway between Soalara and Efoetse in the north, southward to Nikotsy sinkhole, located just to the north of Itampolo (Ref. 93144). Its presence just north of the Linta River has to be confirmed (Ref. 93144). Also Ref. 6802, 91201.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 8.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 93144)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 24 - 25. Diagnosis: This species is distinguished from congeners by the presence of scales extending fully onto head; head is more or less fully scaled, including opercle and subopercle, cheek, snout, preorbital and interorbital regions, and nape (Ref. 93144). Typhleotris madagascariensis is further distinguished from T. mararybe by the absence of pigment on the body and fins, a shorter second predorsal length (56.2-64.1% of standard length vs. 64.9-69.0% of standard length), and a more or less rounded head and snout in dorsal and lateral view vs. strongly concave/indented in orbital region; and from T. pauliani by a pelvic count of I,5 (vs. I,4 in T. pauliani) and the absence of spines in both the second dorsal and anal fins (vs. single spine present in both fins) (Ref. 93144).
Blind and pigment-free obligate cave-dwelling species; restricted to subterranean habitats (caves, sinkholes, wells) within the Mahafaly Plateau karst formation, as well as isolated locations with Eocene limestone along the coastal plain below and to the west of the plateau, to the south of the large Onilahy River drainage basin (Ref. 93144). Apparently confined in underground waters (Ref. 6802). Attracted by disturbance of water surface (Ref. 94243). Feeds on crustaceans and insects found in caves (Ref. 91201).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturities | Reproduction | Spawnings | Egg(s) | Fecundities | Larvae
Sparks, J.S. and P. Chakrabarty, 2012. Revision of the endemic Malagasy Cavefish genus Typhleotris (Teleostei: Gobiiformes: Milyeringidae), with discussion of its phylogenetic placement and description of a new species. American Museum Novitates 3764:1-28. (Ref. 93144)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
Tools
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.6250 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00389 (0.00180 - 0.00842), b=3.12 (2.94 - 3.30), in cm total length, based on all LWR estimates for this body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.3 ±0.4 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
