Metadata

Schistura kaysonei

Vidthayanon and Jaruthanin 2002

ORDERSUB-ORDERFAMILY
CypriniformesCobitoidei Nemacheilidae

Synonyms

None.

Country

Laos

Types

Holotype: NIFI 3131 75.21mm SL (male). Paratypes: NIFI 3132 (3 specimens) 37.45 – 49.56mm SL.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality: Phu Tham Nam, Ban Don Yom, Khammouan karst, Laos PDR (18o45’-18o30’N, 104o45’-105o00’E). Waltham and Middleton (2000) provide details of the Khammouan karst.

Habitat

The type specimens, and some others, were collected in deep and shallow waters 600m from the cave entrance. A second species has also been observed in this cave, possibly Troglocyclocheilus khammouanensis. If confirmed this will be another case where two troglomorphic fishes co-exist in one cave.

Systematics

No details available.

Conservation Status

TLO [VU D2:3.1:2011]

(Vidthayanon, C. 2011. Schistura kaysonei. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T180902A7654836.en. Downloaded on 14 July 2017). This fish is only known from subterranean streams in caves in Kham Muan Province, Lao PDR. Given the single location, the nature of the hydrological system, and the likely limited extent of occurrence, the species is assessed as Vulnerable (D2). Current and potential threats are tourism development and degradation of the surrounding watershed and water quality.

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
Vidthayanon, C and Jaruthanin, K Journal Article 2002 Schistura kaysonei, (Teleostei: Balitoridae) a new cave fish from the Khammouan karst, Laos PDR
Marak, W.K. and Singh, Y.L. Journal Article 2023 Osteology of incomplete lateral lined schisturid loaches of Meghalaya: a comparative account