Taxonomic notes on catfishes of travancore...jzbr copy

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ISSN No: 2349-2856
Journal of Zoological and Bioscience
Research, 2015, 2, 3:6-17
6
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Taxonomic notes on the catfishes of central Travancore of Kerala, India
Mathews Plamoottil
Asst. Professor in Zoology, Baby John Memorial Government College, Chavara, Kerala
Correspondence email: mathewsplamoottil@gmail.com
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ABSTRACT
The present study was conducted to analyze the taxonomic details of catfishes occurring in water bodies of central
Travancore of Kerala, India. Catfishes collected from different stations of various aquatic bodies of Travancore; 21
species of fishes belong to the genera Batasio, Horabagrus, Pangasinodon, Mystus, Ompok, Wallago,
Pseudotropius, Glyptothorax, Clarias, Heteropneustes and Arius were collected from various locations. They were
undergone detailed taxonomic studies.
Keywords: Freshwater fishes, Silurids, Taxonomy, Meristic counts, Metric characters.
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INTRODUCTION
The catfishes, belong to an unusually well defined order Siluriformes, constitute 1/3 of the freshwater fish fauna of
the globe. Most of them occur in abundant numbers and are the second or third fishes of abundance in India. Many
scientists have showed much interest in the study of phylogeny and taxonomy of catfishes. The publication of five
volumes on Catfishes of the world by Davis Sands is of interest to aquarists all over the world. The studies by
Bornbush [1], Ferraris and Pinna [2] and Ferraris [3] on Siluridae, Mo [4] on Bagridae and de Pinna [5] [6] on
Sisoridae are much relevant. Taxonomic works on catfishes of India by Misra[7], Jayaram & Sanyal [8] and
Jayaram [9] are authentic books indispensable for any student of ichthyology.
Batasio, Horabagrus, Mystus, Ompok, Glyptothorax, Clarias, Horaglanis, Heteropneustes, Pseudeutropius, Silurus
and Wallago are the catfish genera residing in the water bodies of Kerala. From the literature it was understood that
no detailed taxonomic works has been conducted on catfish resources of Central Travancore of Kerala, India. So it
was an endeavor to study the taxonomy of catfishes of Travancore.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Different species of catfishes were collected from selected stations of central Travancore using different types of
gears such as gill net, cast net, madavala, vattavala etc. Selection of these gears is based on its fishing efficiency in a
running water body. Collected fishes were cleaned with water and kept in 10% formalin. After fixation they were
taken out, identified and taxonomically analyzed.
Abbreviations Used:D-Dorsal fin rays; A- Anal fin rays; V- Ventral fin rays; P-Pectoral fin rays; C- Caudal fin
rays; TL- Total length; SL- Standard length; HL- Head length; BD / BDD- Body depth at rayed dorsal fin; BDA-
Body depth at anal fin; BDAD- Body depth at adipose dorsal fin; BWAD- Body width at adipose dorsal fin; BWD-
Body width at dorsal fin; BWA- Body width at anal fin; HD- Head depth; PRD- Pre dorsal length; POD- Post dorsal
length; PRP-Pre pectoral length; PRPL- Pre pelvic length; PRA-Pre anal length; LRD- Length of rayed dorsal fin;
LBRD-Length of base of rayed dorsal fin; LBAD-Length of base of adipose dorsal fin; LBA-Length of base of anal
fin; LP-Length of pectoral fin; LDSP- Length of dorsal spine; LPSP-Length of pectoral spine; LPL-Length of pelvic

Mathews Plamoottil J. Zool. Biosci. Res., 2015, 2 (3):6-17
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fin; LCP-Length of caudal peduncle; DCP-Depth of caudal peduncle; WCP- Width of caudal fin; LA-Length of anal
fin; LAD-Length (height) of adipose dorsal fin; LBPL- Length of base of pelvic fin; LBP-Length of base of pectoral
fin; DAV- Distance from anal to vent; DVV- Distance from ventral to vent; DRD & AD- Distance from rayed dorsal
to adipose dorsal fin; DP-PL- Distance from pectoral to pelvic; DPL-A- Distance from pelvic to anal; DA- C-
Distance from anal to caudal; LATA- length of adhesive thoracic apparatus; WATA- Width of adhesive thoracic
apparatus; LUCL- Length of upper caudal lobe; LLCL- Length of lower caudal lobe; ; DO- ST-Distance from
occiput to snout; DO-D- Distance from occiput to dorsal fin; HW- Head width; ED- Eye diameter; IOW-Inter orbital
width; INW- Inter narial width; STL-Snout length; WGM- Width of gape of mouth; LMB-Length of maxillary
barbels; LNB-length of nasal barbels; LOMB-Length of outer mandibular barbels; LIMB-Length of inner
mandibular barbels.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Twenty one species of catfishes were collected from various selected sites of Travancore during 2010- 2012 (Table
1 & Fig. 1 – 20). Of different species of fishes collected, species of genus Mystus outnumbered all others. Seven
new catfishes were discovered, named and described during this study; they belong to the genera Batasio,
Horabagrus, Mystus and Glyptothorax. Culturable fishes are Pangasinodon hypothalamus, Clarius gariepinus,
Wallago attu and Heteropneustes fossilis. The first two are exotic. Arius subrostratus is an estuarine fish might
have been ascended from Vembanad Lake. All the fishes except Batasio travancoria, B. flavus and Glyptothorax
elankadensis are edible.
Batasiotravancoria Hora and Law
Fig. 1.Batasio travancoria Fig. 2.Batasio flavus
Batasio travancoria Hora & Law, 1941, Rec. Indian Mus. 43 (1): 40 (type locality: Perumthenaruvi, tributary of
Pamba River at Edakadathy, Kerala).
Diagnosis: Body with a narrow dark streak along lateral line; a triangular spot present at the caudal peduncle. Many
pores and skin folding present on the head region. Barbels not extending beyond eyes; a distinct depression, shaded
by a bluish black color present on humeral region; a black line present in between humeral and caudal blotches.
Meristic counts: D- I, 7; A- 12; V-I, 5; P-I, 7; C-16.
Metric Characters: TL (mm)- 86.0; SL (mm)- 70.0; HL (mm)- 16.0.% SL: BD- 20.0; HL- 22.9; HD-17.1; PRD-
38.6; POD- 65.7; PRP-50.0; PRA-74.3; LD-14.3; LBRD-12.8; LBAD- 28.6; LBA-15.7; LP-12.8; LPL-14.3; LCP-
15.7; DCP-12.1; LA-8.6; LAD-1.4; LBPL- 4.3; LBP- 4.3. % HL: HD- 75.0; ED- 15.6; IOW- 37.5; STL- 43.8;
LMB- 43.8; LNB- 25.0; LOMB-18.8; LIMB-9.4.
Other features: Live fishes have a dark pink color; ventral side yellowish white; ventro lateral side of the body has
minute distinct black spots; all fins, except ventral, have a moderate dark shade. Pectoral spine deeply serrated
behind; its outer side granulated or only very finely serrated; caudal lobes have unequal length. Adipose dorsal
present on a thin long ridge; its length of base greatly longer compared to all other fins.

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Table 1.Synonyms. systematic position and common names of the catfishes of Central Travancore
Sl.
No.
Name of Species Synonyms Order Family Common
Name
1 Batasio travancoria Nil Siluriformes Bagridae,
Bagrinae
Travancore
Batasio
2 Batasio flavus Nil Siluriformes Bagridae,
Bagrinae
Yelow Batasio
3 Horabagrus
brachysoma
Pseudobagrus brachysoma
Pseudobagrus chryseus
Macrones chryseus
Siluriformes Bagridae,
Bagrinae
Gunther’s
catfish
4 Horabagrus
melanosoma
Bagrinae
Black
Horabagrus
5 Pangasinodon
hypothalamus
Nil Siluriformes Pangasidae
6 Mystus oculatus Bagrus oculatus
Macrones oculatus
Bagrinae
Malabar Mystus
7 Mystus gulio Pimelodus gulio
Macrones gulio
Bagrinae
Long-
whiskered
catfish,
Shadow cat fish
8 Mystus keralai Nil Siluriformes Bagridae,
Bagrinae
Long-
whiskered
Kerala catfish
9 Mystus heoki Nil Siluriformes Bagridae,
Bagrinae
Elongated
Kerala Mystus
10 Mystus menoni Nil Siluriformes Bagridae,
Bagrinae
Idukki Mystus
11 Mystus indicus Nil Siluriformes Bagridae,
Bagrinae
Central
Travancore
catfish
12 Mystus canarensis Hara malabarica Siluriformes Bagridae,
Bagrinae
Nil
13 Ompok malabaricus Silurus malabaricus
Callichrous malabaricus
Silurus goae
Siluriformes Siluridae Goan catfish
14 Ompok bimaculatus Silurus bimaculatus
Callichrous bimaculatus
Callichrousmacrophthalmus
Ompokcanio
Ompoksindensis
Siluriformes Siluridae Indian butter
catfish
15 Wallago attu Silurus attu
Wallagonia attu
W. attu valeya
Siluriformes Siluridae Boal,
Freshwater
shark,
Shark catfish
16 Pseudotropius
mitchelli
Pseudotropius sykesii Siluriformes Schilbeidae
Schilbeinae
Malabar Patashi
17 Glyptothorax
elankadensis
Nil Siluriformes Sisoridae Travancore rock
catfish
18 Clarius dussumeiri Nil Siluriformes Clariidae Valenciennes’
clariid
19 Clarius garipinus Nil Siluriformes Clariidae Burchell’s
clariid
20 Arius subrostratus Pimelodus arius
Arius buchanani
Tachysurus arius
Siluriformes Aridae Treadfin catfish
21 Heteropneustes fossilis Silurus fossilis
Sacchobranchus fossilis
Siluriformes Heteropneustidae Stinging catfish
Batasio flavus Plamoottil
Batasioflavus,Plamoottil, 2015, Journal of Research in Biology, 5 (5): 1799- 1808 (Type locality: Paduthode,
Manimala River, Kerala, India)
Diagnosis: It can be distinguished from its congeners in having a slender (BDD 16.0-18.0 % SL) body; flatter (HD
53.0-57.1 % SL) head; occipital process very small and hidden under skin; orbits widely set (IOW 27.0-31.3 % HL);

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dorsal profile nearly straight; single median longitudinal groove on head; adipose dorsal fin with a straight margin
for entire length and inserted behind a considerable distance from rayed dorsal fin.
Meristic counts: D- I, 7; A- iv, 9- 10; V-5; P-I, 7- 8; C-17.
Metric Characters: TL (mm)- 82.0-106.0; SL (mm)- 69.0-88.0; HL (mm)- 16.0-21.0. % SL: BD- 16.0-18.0; HL-
21.0-23.8; HD- 11.1- 13.6; PRD- 32.6-35.8; POD-63.0-65.2; PRP-21.7-23.9: PRA-65.0-68.0; LRD-13.6-17.6;
LBRD-13.1-14.5; LBAD-25.0-29.0; LBA-14.2-16.0; LP-14.8-17.3; LPL-12.3-14.8; LCP- 17.2-21.7; DCP-8.6-11.6;
LA-11.1-12.5; LAD-3.0- 5.0; LBPL- 3.3-4.1; LBP-3.6-4.3.
Other Features: Body and fins yellow; a small brownish black triangular spot present in front of rayed dorsal fin
base; a triangular dark or light brownish black spot present on caudal base. A thin brownish black line passes
through mid lateral line.
Horabagrus brachysoma (Gunther)
Pseudobagrus brachysoma Gunther, 1864, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus. 5: 86 (type locality: “Cochin China” lapsuscalami
for Cochin).
Diagnosis: occipital process extends to pre dorsal plate; mouth sub terminal; a large round blotch present at the
branchial region. Maxillary barbels extend to pectoral fin base; rayed dorsal fin with a strong, feebly serrated spine;
adipose dorsal fin is short and low.
Fig. 3.Horbagrus brachysoma; Fig. 4.Horbagrus melanosoma
Meristic charaters: D- I, 6-7; P- I, 8-9; V- I, 5; A- III, 20- 25. C- 17.
Metric characters: TL (mm) - 214.0; SL (mm)- 175.0.% SL: HL- 28.4; HD- 17.4; HW- 20.9; BD- 22.7; PRD- 37.2;
POD- 60.5; PRP- 23.5; PRA- 63.1; PRPL- 52.0; LRD- 20.6; LBRD- 9.5; LBAD- 4.4; LBA- 24.6; LP- 20.0; LPL-
11.5; DCP- 12.0; LCP- 12.5; LA- 12.6; LAD- 7.4; LBPL- 4.1; LBP- 4.9. % HL: HD- 61.4; HW- 73.6; ED- 18.7;
IOW- 53.9; INW- 32.6; STL- 40.2; WGM- 48.8; LMB- 70.5; LNB- 59.3; LOMB- 65.2; LIMB- 47.6.
Other features: Color dark greenish above with golden yellow flanks; dorsal and anal fins yellowish orange; caudal
fin yellow; a semi lunar thick black patch present at the caudal fin base.
Horabagrus melanosoma Plamoottil & Abraham
Horabagrus melanosoma, Plamoottil& Abraham, 2013, Int.J. Pure Appl. Zool, 1 (4): 280-288 (Type locality: West
Venpala).
Diagnosis: Color black to grayish black, fins grey to black, pelvic fin does not reach anal fin and the latter with iii,
28- 30 rays. Lengths of head, dorsal fin, dorsal spine and pectoral spine shorter compared to the congeners.
Meristic counts: D- II, 6; P- I, 7-8; V- i, 5; A- iii, 28- 30; C- 17.

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Metric characters: TL ( mm)- 124.0-282.0; SL (mm)- 96.0-235.0. % SL: HL-21.9- 27.6; BDD-18.8- 24.0; PRD-
32.7-37.0; POD-60.7- 71.4; PRP- 21.9- 24.1; PRA- 60.2-64.7; PRPL- 45.2- 51.1; LRD- 16.2-19.5; LBRD- 7.7- 8.4;
LBAD- 3.8- 4.5; LBA- 23.1- 25.6; LP- 15.7- 20.1; DCP- 9.8- 10.6; LCP-8.7- 13.0; LA- 8.9- 11.0; LAD- 7.5- 8.0. %
HL: HD- 59.2- 80.0; HW-75.0- 102; ED-16.7-22.2; IOW-53.0- 66.7; STL-35.2- 45.6; WGM-46.3- 57.8; LMB-51.8-
77.8; LNB-46.6- 55.6; LOMB-62.1- 77.8; LIMB- 41.4- 53.4.
Remarks
It is the third species of Horabagrus discovered from Kerala; it is an edible fish endemic to Kerala.
Pangasinodon hypothalamus (Sauvage)
Helicophagus hypophthalmus, Sauvage, H.-E. 1878. Bulletin de la Sociétéphilomathique de Paris (7th Séries) v. 2:
233-242.
Diagnosis: Head dorso- ventrally flattened; rest of the body laterally compressed; pelvic fins with 8 rays; maxillaries
and mandibulars short; maxillaries never reach base of pectoral or outermost part of opercle.
Fig. 5. Pangsinodon hypothalamus Fig. 6. Mystus oculatus
Meristic counts: D- I, 7; P- I, i, 9; V- i, 7; A - iv, 29; C- 18.
Metric characters: SL (mm)- 375.0; HL (mm) – 100.% SL:HL- 26.7; BDD- 40.0; BDA-34.7; BWD-18.7; BWA-
13.3; PRD-37.9; POD-61.3; PRP- 22.9; PRPL-49.3; PRA-61.3; LAD- 5.6; LPL-12.3; LA-12.0; LBRD-7.2; LBA-
29.1; LBP- 5.1; LBPL-5.9; LCP- 13.3; DCP-13.1; WCP- 6.1; DAV-1.1; DVV-9.8.% HL: HD- 65.0; HW- 58.0;
ED- 10.0; IOW- 55.0; STL- 35.0; LMB- 32.0; LOMB- 19.0.
Mystus oculatus (Valenciennes)
Bagrus oculatus Valenciennes, 1839, IN Cuvier &Valenciennes Hist. Nat. Poiss. 14: 434 (type locality: ‘Cote
de’(Kuttiadi), Malabar).
Diagnosis: Occipital process extends to basal bone of dorsal fin; median longitudinal groove on head extends to base
of occipital process; maxillary barbels extend to middle of anal fin; a dark spot is present at the origin of the dorsal
fin.
Meristic counts: D- I, 7; A- iii- iv, 8-9; P- I, 6; V- i, 5.
Metric characters: TL (mm)- 10.2; SL (mm)- 7.8; HL (mm)- 18.0.% SL: BDD- 23.1; HL-23.1; HD-21.8; PRD-38.5;
POD-64.1; PRP-50.0; PRA- 69.2; LD-24.4; LBRD-16.7; LBAD-14.1; LBA-12.8; LP- 19.2; LPL-15.4; DCP-10.3;
LCP-10.3; LA-14.1; LAD- 12.8; LBPL- 3.8; LBP- 3.8.
% HL: HD- 94.4; ED-16.7; IOW-41.7; STL-30.6.
Other features: Silvery or yellowish on the flanks and darker on the dorsal region; abdomen whitish. Adipose dorsal
fin base short; inter dorsal distance about 1.2 times in adipose dorsal fin base.

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Mystus gulio (Hamilton- Buchanan)
Pimelodus gulio Hamilton- Buchanan, 1822, Fish of Ganges: 201 (type locality: Upper parts of Gangetic Provinces).
Diagnosis: Occipital process extends to the basal bone of dorsal fin; median longitudinal groove does not extend to
the occipital process. Maxillary barbels extend to end of pelvic fins.
Meristic counts: D- I, 7; P- I, 8-9; V- i, 5; A- iii- iv, 9-11; C - 17.
Fig. 7. Mystus gulio; Fig. 8. Mystus keralai
Metric characters- TL (mm)- 156.0; SL (mm)- 125.0. % SL: HL- 27.6; HD- 17.8; HW- 21.8; BDD- 21.8; BDA-
18.9; BWD- 19.9; BWA-11.1; PRD-36.8; POD-64.1; PRP-24.7; PRPL-52.2; PRA-67.2; LRD- 21.3; LP- 18.4; LPL-
12.7; LA- 16.0; LBSOD- 11.4; LBA- 11.0; LBP-5.1; LBPL- 4.0; LCP-15.7; DCP-11.1; WCP-5.3. . % HL: ED-
15.55- 18.95; IOW-40- 43.90; INW--21.40- 24.77; STL-35- 39.63; WGM-36.58- 44.44.
Other features: Body dark on the flanks and above; dull white below; fins black. Dorsal spine strong, serrated on its
inner edge; adipose fin small, inserted considerably behind rayed dorsal fin; least height of caudal peduncle equals
its length.
Mystus keralai Plamoottil & Abraham
Mystus keralai, Plamoottil& Abraham, 2014, Int.J. Pure Appl. Zool., 2 (3): 231- 240 (Type locality: Chenapady,
Manimala River, Kerala).
Diagnosis: Mystus keralai differs from its relative species in having an elongated, wider but less deep head, smaller
eyes, deeper anterior part of frontal groove, longer adipose dorsal fin and pectoral spine, weaker pectoral spine and
longer base of rayed dorsal fin base.
Meristic counts: D- I, 7; P- I, 8; V-i, 5; A- iv, 9; C- 15.
Metric characters: TL (mm)-72-78; SL (mm)- 58-59. % SL: HL-27.1- 27.6; HD-18.1- 18.9; HW-18.1- 18.9; BDD-
21.0- 22.4; BDA-18.6- 18.9; BWD-15.8- 17.0; BWA-10.3- 11.2; PRD-36.2- 38.9; POD-67.2- 67.8; PRPL-48.3-
54.2; LRD- 22.4- 23.7; LC-29.8- 32.2. % HL: ED-21.9- 25.0; IOW-34.3- 34.4; INW-20.0- 25.0; STL-37.5; WGM-
37.5-45.0.
Mystus heoki Plamoottil& Abraham
Mystus heoki, Plamoottil& Abraham, Biosystematica, 2013: 7(1): 43-58 (Type locality: Elankadu, Idukki Dt, Kerala,
India).

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Fig. 9.Mystus heoki. Fig. 10. Mystus menoni
Diagnosis: The new species can be differentiated from all its congeners in having a markedly elongated body,
shorter head, smaller eyes, shorter rayed dorsal fin and shorter pectoral fin.
Meristic counts: D- II, 7; P- I, 7; V- i, 5; A- ii- iii, 8; C-15.
Metric characters: TL (mm) - 105.5- 167.0; SL (mm)-85.5- 137.0.% SL: HL-18.9- 22.5; HD-10.9- 12.5; HW-14.8-
17.4; BDD-15.0- 16.9; BDA-13.3- 16.4; BWD- 12.5- 15.2; PRD-31.7- 34.2; POD-59.7- 67.2; PRPL-43.3- 45.9;
LRD-14.3- 15.4; LC-22.7- 24.5.% HL: ED- 16.7- 20.4; IOW-32.4- 38.6; STL- 36.4- 41.7; WGM- 41.7- 48.7.
Mystus menoni Plamoottil & Abraham
Mystus menoni Plamoottil & Abraham, Int. J. Pure Appl. Zool., 2013, 1(4): 315-325 (type locality: Elankadu,
Manimala River, Kerala, India).
Diagnosis: Mystus menoni can be diagnosed from all its congeners in having an elongated snout, widely set eyes,
short inter dorsal distance and a thick bluish green band present in the mid lateral line.
Meristic counts: D- II, 7; P- I, 7; V- I, 5; A- iii, 8; C- 15- 17.
Metric characters: TL (mm)-128.5- 139.0; SL (mm)-101.0- 109.0.% SL: HL-22.9- 24.3; HD-13.9- 15.7; HW-17.8-
18.4; BDD-21.1- 23.6; BDA-16.8-18.8; BWD-17.3- 19.6; PRD- 33.0- 36.9; POD-59.8- 67.9; PRPL-46.3- 51.4;
LRD-16.7- 20.8.% HL: ED-22.9- 25.0; IOW-36.0- 40.4; STL- 34.6- 41.7; WGM-42.3- 50.0
Mystus indicus Plamoottil & Abraham
Mystus indicus, Plamoottil & Abraham, Biosystematica,2013: 7(1): 43-58 (type locality: Kuttoor, Manimala River,
Kerala, India).
Fig. 11.Mystus indicus. Fig. 12.Mystus canarensis

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Diagnosis: The new species can be differentiated from its congeners in having an elongated snout, a thick layer of
flesh present on both sides of occipital process, pectoral spine with more teeth, greater pre pelvic length, rayed
dorsal fin base prominently swollen on both sides and wide caudal peduncle.
Meristic counts: D- I, 7; P- I, 6-8; V-i, 5; A- iii, 7-8; C- 15-17.
Metric characters: TL (mm)-102.5-136.0; SL (mm)- 81.0-107.0.% SL: HL-22.4-26.0; HD-14.4-16.2; HW-16.7-20.2;
BDD-18.8- 25.3; BDA-17.8- 21.2; BWD-16.7-19.2; PRD-30.8-36.0; POD-64.5-70.8; PRPL-50.6-55.5; LRD-15.8-
21.8.% HL: ED-24.0- 29.2; IOW-36.3- 45.0; STL-36.2- 42.5; WGM-34.8- 40.9.
Mystus canarensis (Grant)
Mystus canarensis Grant, S. 1999, Aqua. J. Ichthyol.& Aquatic Biol, 3 (4): 169- 174.
Diagnosis: A prominent dark brown spot present on the humeral region; length of base of adipose dorsal fin fairly
short; caudal fin lobes overlap each other; pectoral fin with 9 branched rays and caudal fin with 18 rays.
Meristic counts: D- I, 7; P- I, 9; V-i, 5; A- iii, 8; C-18.
Metric characters: TL (mm)-107.0- 126.0; SL (mm)- 87.0-101.0.% SL: HL-22.8-24.3; HD-11.2-13.0; HW-15.0-
17.8; BDD-17.2-20.8; BDA-16.6-18.1; BWD-14.7-16.8; PRD-36.2-38.1; POD- 62.0-65.8; PRPL-48.7-49.7; LRD-
15.8-17.8.% HL: ED-20.4-27.5; IOW-30.2-35.0; STL-31.7- 36.3; WGM-39.0- 40.8.
Ompok malabaricus (Valenciennes)
Silurus malabaricus Valenciennes IN Cuvier &Valenciennes, 1839, Hist. Nat. Poiss. 14: 353 (type locality:
Malabar).
Diagnosis: Mouth somewhat oblique and its gape wide; maxillary barbels extend beyond pelvic fin origin;
mandibular barbels extending posteriorly no farther than hind border of eye; pectoral spine strong, serrated on its
inner edge.
Meristic counts: D- I, 3; P- I, 11- 12; V- i, 7; A- iii, 63- 69.
Metric characters: TL (mm)- 179.0; SL (mm)- 161.0. % SL: HL- 18.6; HD-14.3; HW-11.8; BDD- 19.8; BDA-19.2;
BWD-13.0; BWA- 11.8; PRD-27.3; POD-59.6; PRP-20.5; PRPL-33.0; PRA-34.8; LP-11.2; LPL- 5.6; LA-11.2;
LBP- 5.0; LBPL-2.5; LC- 11.2; DP-PL-15.0; DPL-A- 5.6; ED- 2.2; IOW-9.3; INW-6.2; STL-6.8; WGM-11.8.
Fig. 13.Ompok malabaricus Fig. 14.Ompok bimaculatus
Other features: Teeth in broad villiform bands on jaws medially interrupted; teeth on vomer in two large, crescent-
shaped patches, separated from each other by a distance equal to half length of one patch. Colour: Grayish brown
shot with purple, which becomes paler yellow; the membrane of fin elements mottled with minute black dots.
Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch)
Silurus bimaculatus Bloch, 1797, Nat. Hist. Poiss. 17 (2) (type locality: Malabar).

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Diagnosis: Lower border of eyes on the level of edge of mouth; anal fin not confluent with caudal fin; the latter is
forked with round lobes; a black humeral blotch present.
Meristic counts: D- 4; P- I, 9; V- I, 6; A- 64; C-14.
Metric characters: TL (mm)- 119.0; SL (mm)- 105.0. % SL: HL- 22.4; HD-15.2; HW-12.4; BDD-20.2; BWD-9.5;
PRD-36.2; POD- 68.6; PRP-21.4; PRPL- 30.5; PRA- 39.5; LP- 14.8; LPL-7.6; LA-7.1; LBP-4.8; LBPL-1.1; LC-
13.3; DP- PL-11.0; DPL-A- 9.0; IOW-9.0; STL- 9.0; WGM- 1 1.2.
Other features: Lateral line complete, extending from head to tail; various small grooves present on the ventral
region of head. Maxillary barbels extend to the base of pectoral fin; a diffused black spot present on the lowest part
of pectorals; pelvic fin extend to anal fin origin and a little longer; no space between anal and caudal fin.
Wallago attu (Bloch & Schneider)
Silurus attu Blotch &Scheiner, Syst. Ichthyol. 378 (type locality: Malabar).
Diagnosis: Mouth is oblique and cleft of mouth extends beyond the orbit. Maxillaries extend well beyond origin of
anal fin; pectoral spine weak, poorly serrated on its inner edge. Caudal fin deeply forked and its upper lobe longer.
Fig. 15.Wallago attu Fig. 16. Pseudotropius mitchelli
Meristic counts: D- 5; P- I, 13- 15; V-i, 7- 9; A-iii, 74- 93.
Metric characters: TL- 303.0; SL- 270.0; HL- 5.9.% SL: HL-21.8; HD-14.1; HW-11.8; BDD-16.3; BDA-14.4;
BWD-9.6; PRD-27.4; POD-68.5; PRP-20.4; PRPL-33.0; PRA-40.7; LD-14.8; LP-14.8; LPL-7.0; LA-3.0; LC-11.0;
LBD-1.5; LBP-3.3; LBPL-2.6; LBA-57.4; LBC-4.4; LCP-1.8; DCP-4.4; WCP-1.1; DP- PL-14.1; DPL-A-7.4; DA-
C-59.3; LUCL-12.2; LLCL-9.6; DO- ST-14.1; DO-D-16.0.% HL: HD- 64.4; HW-54.2; ED-11.8; IOW-44.1; INW-
20.3; WGM-47.5.
Pseudeutropius mitchelli Gunther
Pseudeutropius mitchelli Gunther, 1864, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus. 5: 59 (type locality: Madras presidency).
Diagnosis: Maxillaries extend to middle of pelvic fin; adipose dorsal fin very small and located far back on the
body; body height at dorsal origin 5.7- 6.2 in SL.
Meristic counts: D- I, 6-7; P- I, 8-9; V- i, 5; A- 37; C- 16-18.
Metric characters: TL (mm)- 125.0; SL (mm)- 106.0; HL (mm)- 20.0.% SL: HL-18.8; HD-12.3; HW-11.3; BDD-
16.0; BDAD-11.3; BWD-11.3; BWAD-7.5; PRD-25.5; POD-72.6; PRP-18.8; PRPL-37.8; PRA-48.1; LRD-14.2;
LAD-4.7; LP- 12.3; LPL-7.5; LA-9.4; LDSP-11.2; LPSP-10.4; LBRD-7.5; LBAD-0.9; LBP-2.8; LBPL- 2.8; LBA-
35.0; DP-PL-17.9; DPL- A- 10.4; LCP-14.2; DCP-8.5; WCP-2.8; DRD & AD-44.3; LMB-38.7; LNB- 2.8; LOMB-
18.8; LIMB- 18.8; LUCL- 18.8; LLCL-17.0.% HL: HD-65.0; HW-60.0; ED-30.0; IOW-40.0; INW-20.0; STL-35.0;
WGM-30.0.

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15
Glyptothorax elankadensis Plamoottil & Abraham
Glyptothorax elankadensis, Plamoottil, M. & Abraham, N. P, 2012, Biosystematica, 6 (2): 17- 25 (type locality:
Elankadu, Idukki dt, Kerala).
Fig. 17. Glyptothorax elankadensis Fig. 18. Heteropneustes fossilis
Diagnosis: A round yellowish spot in between eyes. Median fontanel on the dorsal side of the head very faint and
indistinct. Occipital process does not reach basal bone of dorsal fin. Eyes very minute.
Meristic counts: D- iii, 4-6; P- i, 8- 10; . V- i, 5; A- i-iii, 7-10; C- 17.
Metric characters: TL (mm)- 124- 137; SL (mm)- 101- 115; HL (mm)- 25.0- 26.0.% SL: HL- 22.6- 24.7; HD- 13.0-
15.0; HW- 19.1- 21.8; BDD- 15.6- 18.2; BDA- 12.2- 16.3; BWD- 13.9- 18.8; BWA- 10.4- 13.8; PRD- 31.0- 36.4;
POD- 54.4- 69.8; PRP- 19.5- 21.8; PRPL- 45.2- 49.5; PRA- 63.5- 67.4; LRD- 19.1- 21.8; LP- 20.9- 21.9; LPL-
17.3- 17.4; LA- 16.8- 17.4; LAD- 8.7- 16.4; LBRD- 10.4 -12.3; LBAD- 10.0- 15.4; LBA- 13.0- 13.6; LBP- 7.8- 9.1;
LBPL- 4.3- 6.4; DRD & AD- 23.5- 40.0; LCP- 16.9- 19.8; DCP- 7.8- 8.2; WCP- 5.4- 6.4; DAV- 4.9- 5.5; DVV-
11.3- 13.6. % HL: HD-57.7- 63.5; HW- 84.6- 88.5; ED- 4.0- 7.7; STL- 50.0- 54.0; IOW- 23.8- 30.8; INW- 16- 2.1;
WGM- 36.0- 42.3; LMB- 84.8- 96.2; LBMB- 15.4- 23.1; LNB- 15.4- 26.9; LOMB- 38.0- 46.2; LIMB- 23.1- 26.9;
LATA- 57.7- 60.0; WATA- 38.5- 44.0.
Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)
Silurus fossilis, Bloch, 1794, Naturg.Ausland Fische 8; 46 (type locality: Tranquebar).
Diagnosis: Median frontal groove on head limited to a round depression between and backwards of eyes; occipital
process short and not extending to base of dorsal fin; rayed dorsal fin is short and without a spine; anal fin long
based, separated by a distinct notch from caudal fin.
Meristic counts: D- 6-7; P- I, 7; V- i, 5; A- 60- 70.
Metric characters: TL (mm) - 171.0; SL (mm) - 150.0; HL (mm)- 29.0. % SL: HL- 19.3; HD-10.0; HW-16.0; BDD-
20.0; BWD-15.3; PRD-32.7; POD-68.7; PRP-16.7; POD-68.7; PRP-16.7; PRPL-35.3; PRA-40.7; LD-11.3; LP-
13.3; LPL-8.7; LA-10.7; LC-14.0; LBD-40.0; LBP- 26.7; LBPL-18.0; LBA- 48.7; LBC-40.0; DP-PL-21.3; DPL-A-
40.0. % HL:ED-13.8; IOW-48.3; INW-27.6; WGM-38.0; DO-ST-82.8; DO-D-86.2.
Other features: Body yellow above and on lateral sides, lighter below; dorsal located a little in front of pelvic;
pectoral never reach pelvic fin, the latter reach behind anal origin; anal never fused to caudal
Clarias dussumieri Valenciennes
Clarias dussumieri Valenciennes IN Cuvier &Valenciennes Hist. Nat. Poiss, 1840, 15: 382 (type locality:
Pondicherry and Malabar).

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16
Diagnosis: Head depressed snout broad; occipital process broadly rounded; anal and dorsal fins are long based.
Pectoral fin with a strong spine, which is serrated on its outer edge, but only a few small teeth present in the middle
of its inner margin.
Meristic counts: D- 66- 69; P- I, 10- 14; V- I, 5; A- 45- 59.
Metric characters: TL (mm)- 270.0; SL (mm)- 235.0.% SL: BDD-15.3; HL-24.2; HD- 12.0; PRD-36.2; POD-77.4;
PRP 49.0; LD-4.3; LBAD-60.0; LBA-30.6; LP-12.3; LPL-10.2; LCP-4.7; DCP-7.2.
Other features: Body color dark above, lighter ventrally; dorsal, anal and caudal fins are tinged with red.
Clarias gariepinus (Burchell)
Diagnosis: Cephalic groove divided into two fontanels; of this, anterior one is elongated and posterior one is round
and deep; in addition to this a small groove present on occiput also; occipital process never reach dorsal fin front;
nasal barbels short and never reach occiput; maxillaries and outer mandibulars reach just behind pectoral base, inner
mandibulars never reach pectoral base. Tip of pelvic fin reach behind the origin of anal fin. Dorsal and anal fin
long but never fused to caudal.
Meristic counts: D- 63; P- I, 8; V- 6; A- 52; C- 19.
Fig. 19. Clarius gariepinus Fig. 20. Arius subrostratus
Metric characters: TL (mm)- 352.0; SL (mm)- 307.0; HL (mm)- 66.0.% SL; HL- 21.5; HD-11.4; HW-18.6; BDD-
14.0; PRD-30.5; POD-63.5; LD-3.3; LBA-44.0; LP-10.7; LPL-11.1; LA-5.2; LC-14.6; DP- PL- 22.1; DPL- A- 9.4;
DAV- 3.3; DVV- 4.6.% HL: HD-53.0; HW-86.4; ED-10.6; STL-37.8; IOW-48.5; INW-34.8; LMB-92.4; LNB-47.0;
LOMB-74.2; LIMB-55.3.
Arius subrostratus Valenciennes
Arius subrostratus Valenciennes, Hist. nat. Poiss., 15, P.62 (Type locality: Malabar)
Diagnosis: Cephalic frontal groove narrow, considerably deep and reach to occiput; occipital process reaches dorsal
front; distal half of last undivided ray of rayed dorsal fin extremely long, filamentous and extends up to or very near
to origin of adipose dorsal fin; anal tip reach caudal base.
Meristic counts: D- I, 7; V- i, 6; P- I, 12; A- VI, 14; C- 16.
Metric characters: TL (mm)- 252.0; SL (mm)- 216.0.% SL; HL- 20..5; HD-1.1; HW-16,2; BDD-12.0; PRD-28.5;
POD-60.5; LD- 6.7; LBA-41.0; LP-11.7; LPL-10.0; LA-4.2; LC-13.6; DP- PL- 20.1; DPL- A- 7.4.% HL: HD-59.2;
HW- 65.3; ED-22.4; STL-44.8; IOW-34.7; INW-14.3.
Other features: Upper caudal lobe longer than the lower one; dorsal spine serrated on inner and outer sides; pectoral
spine finely serrated on outer side and moderately serrated on inner side. Maxillary barbels reach just behind the

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17
front border of orbit and also reach half way between maxillary base and pectoral base; outer mandibulars shorter
than maxillary; it never reach orbit; inner mandibulars shorter than outer mandibulars; no nasals.
CONCLUSION
Even though many scientific studies are being conducted on the freshwater fishes of central Travancore, detailed
taxonomic studies are very rare. Ichthyodiversity was found to be greater in this region; moreover, some species are
abundantly distributed in the low level regions. But total number of many species has greatly been reduced; many
fishes were not collected from some sites from where they were recorded in the past. Aquatic bioinvasion and
habitat destruction are major reasons for the decline of biodiversity of fishes.
Acknowledgement
The author acknowledges Principal, Baby John Memorial Government College, Chavara, Kerala for providing the
facilities. I am grateful to anonymous reviewers for comments that helped to improve the manuscript.
REFERENCES
[1] Bornbush, A. H. Zool. J. Limn. Soc.1991,101: 105- 120.
[2] Ferraris, C. J. Pinna, M. C. C. de.Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. 1999, 51 (1): 1- 17.
[3] Ferraris, C. L. Zootaxa, 2007, 1418: 441.
[4] Mo, T. Anatomy and Systematics of Bagridae (Teleostei) and siluroid phylogeny. Koeltz, scientific books,
Koenigstein, Germany, 1991, 125.
[5] de Pinna, M.C.C. Higher level phylogeny of Siluriformes (Teleostei, Ostariophysi) with a new classification of
the order. Ph.D dissertation.City University of New York.American Museum of Natural History, 1993.
[6]de Pinna, M. C. C.Fieldiana Zoology New Series, 1996, 84: iv+ 83.
[7] Misra, K. S. The fauna of India and Adjacent countries.Siluri, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata,1976, 3:109.
[8] Jayaram, K. C. Sanyal, A. A taxonomic revision of the fishes of the genus MystusScopeli.Records of Zoological
Survey of India, Occational Paper No. 207,2003, 136.
[9] Jayaram, K. C. Cat fishes of India, Narendra Publishing House, Delhi,2006, 41- 145.

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Taxonomic notes on catfishes of travancore...jzbr copy