Systomus laticeps , a new species of cyprinid fish from Kerala, India

Abstract

Systomus laticeps, a new fish species of the family Cyprinidae, is described from Kerala, India. It is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: Body elongated, round and wide; head small and wide; a prominent hump present on the post occipital region, post dorsal region convex, a distinct thin median fontanel on the dorsal surface of head in between eyes and occiput. Lateral line indistinct in the anterior and posterior regions and it is convex above anal fin origin. Operculum and body scales exceptionally soft and flexible. Possess 27 lateral line scales and 9 pre dorsal scales. Inter-radial membrane of anal fin fleshy, thick and prominent.