Physoschistura ranikhetensis, A NEW LOACH (CYPRINIFORMES: NEMACHEILIDAE) FROM UTTARAKHAND, INDIA

A new loach, Physoschistura ranikhetensis, is described from the Ganga River basin near Ranikhet, Uttarakhand, India. It is distinguished from all other known species of Physoschistura by the following combination of characters: elongate body (depth at dorsal-fin origin 12.0–13.4% SL), an incomplete lateral line extending slightly beyond posterior base of anal-fin, 14–15 oblique black bars on the body, no suborbital flap, short caudal peduncle (39.5–60.0% HL), no axillary lobe on pelvic fin base, and an emarginate caudal fin. The genus Physoschistura is reported here for the first time from Ganga River drainage.