Parasikukia maculata, a New Genus and New Species of Cyprinid Fish from Peninsular Thailand

Abstract

Parasikukia maculata, a new genus and species of Cyprinidae, is described on the basis of two specimens collected from a small river in Phetchaburi Province, Thailand. The new form is similar to the species of Sikukia in having a deep body and adipose eyelids, but it differs from the latter in the cephalic lateral line system, the shape and number of gill rakers, the numbers of circumpeduncular scales and vertebrae, the position of the lateral line on the caudal peduncle, and the shape of the second hypural. Parasikukia maculata is unique among the small barbs of Southeast Asia in having a small, distinct, dark, saddle-shaped spot anterior to the origin of the dorsal fin.