Metadata

Troglocyclocheilus khammouanensis

Kottelat and Brehier 1999

Troglocyclocheilus khammouanensis
Redrawn by Rod Holt from Kottelat and Brehier (1999)
ORDERSUB-ORDERFAMILY
CypriniformesCyprinoideiCyprinidae

Synonyms

None.

Country

Laos

Types

Holotype: NRM 42535, 40.4mm SL. There are no other types.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality: the resurgence of Nam Don, near Ban Phondou, Thakhek District, Khammouane Province, Laos (17o33’50”N, 104o52’20”E).

Habitat

Waltham and Middleton (2000) provide details of the whole Khammouan karst and the references therein will give further information.

Systematics

There is along discussion in the original description regarding the possible relationships of this cave restricted genus and species. However it is all based on one, undissected, specimen and even the authors suggest that “it is obviously premature to further discuss the relationships of Troglocyclocheilus”. We await further data. In a thorough phylogenetic classification of the Cypriniformes Tan and Armbruster (2018) placed Troglocyclocheilus as incertae sedis within Cyprinidae as they were unable to determine the subfamily into which to place it.

Conservation Status

MG TLO [VU D2:3.1:2011]

(Kottelat, M. 2011. Troglocyclocheilus khammouanensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T187888A8638303.en. Downloaded on 04 July 2017). This species of cavefish is only known from a single specimen collected in 1998 from Khoung Nam Don, resurgence of Nam Don stream near Ban Phandou village, Khammouan, Lao PDR. No other information is currently known, however it is assessed as Vulnerable based on it only being found in a single location. Habitat degradation and pollution are potential threats to this species and should surface pollution degrade the water quality in the cave, this species could quickly qualify for a higher threat category.

Museum Holdings

As above only.

Key References

Kottelat, M. and Brehier, F. Journal Article 1999 Troglocyclocheilus khammouanensis, a new genus and species of cave fish from the Khammouan karst, Laos (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)
Waltham, A.C. and Middleton, J. Journal Article 2000 The Khammouan karst of Laos
Besson, J.P., Deharveng, L. and Brehier, F. Book Section 2001 Laos
Brancelj, A., Boonyanusith, C., Watiroyram, S. and Sanoamuang, L. Journal Article 2013 The groundwater-dwelling fauna of Southeast Asia