New record of Danio assamila Kullander (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

Danio assamila Kullander 2015 was first described from the Brahmaputra River drainage of Assam in northeastern India. Its occurrence to the Brahmaputra drainages in Arunachal Pradesh was unknown till date. Recent collections of Danio specimens from Chatjo River in Tirap district, Poma River in Papumpare district and Singen River in East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh includes the species, and it is hereby reported as a new occurrence record for the first time from the state. D. assamila is diagnosed by a unique combination characters such as: first ray of pectoral and pelvic fins projected distally from the rest of the rays, cleithral spot large and rounded or slightly oval, an anterior interstripe ‘Ia’ usually present between the two series of horizontally elongated ring shape markings along flank, ring chain pattern not extending onto the caudal peduncle and lateral line complete with 32–36 scales. Earlier records of Danio dangila from the state are merely misidentifications of D. assamila. So to validate species conformity, morphometrics and meristics variations of the species have been discussed here thoroughly.