Metadata

Speonectes tiomanensis

(Kottelat 1990) Kottelat 2012

Speonectes tiomanensis
Illustration drawn by Rhian Kendall from photograph in Kottelat (1990)
ORDERSUB-ORDERFAMILY
CypriniformesCobitoidei Nemacheilidae

Synonyms

Sundoreonectes tiomanensis  Kottelat 1990

Noemacheilus sp. nov.   (Day and Mowbray 1990)

Country

Malaysia

Types

Holotype: BMNH 1989.2.23.1. 58.2mm SL Paratype: BMNH 1989.2.23.2 48.9mm SL.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality: An unnamed cave in Mount Gunung Kajang (alt. 900m), Pulau Tioman, Malaysia (2°50'N, 104°10'E).

Habitat

The cave in which the animals were collected is reported to be developed in granite. Up to twelve specimens were seen in pools 4 inches deep with a substrate of rock and sand and with a gentle flow of water. Air temperature was 15oC but the water was cold to the touch (suggesting a long underground flow?). Tadpoles and crabs were also found in the water. Other caves and surface streams in the area were investigated but no other fishes were seen. Some details of Pulau Tioman are provided by Jasmi (1999), Ng, Yong and Sodhi (1999) and Ng, Tan and Lim (1999).

Systematics

Unpublished molecular data (of V. Slechtova and J. Bohlen) shows that Speonectes tiomanensis belongs to a lineage very distinct from Oreonectes, Lefua and Sundoreonectes (Kottelat 2012:139). This is no surprise for a freshwater, high altitude species limited to a small off-shore island.

Conservation Status

MG TLO [VU D2:2.3:1996]

(Kottelat, M. 1996. Sundoreonectes tiomanensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 1996: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T21168A9254395.en. Downloaded on 14 July 2017). R (IUCN 1990, 1993).

Museum Holdings

As above only.

Key References

Day, M. and Mowbray, T. Journal Article 1990 University of Bristol Tioman Archipelago expedition, Peninsular Malaysia - Final report
Kottelat, M. Journal Article 1990 New species and populations of cave nemacheilines in south and south-east Asia (Osteichthyes, Balitoridae)
Ng, H. H., Tan, H. H. and Lim, K. K. P. Journal Article 1999 The inland fishes of Pulau Tioman, Peninsular Malaysia
Ng, P. K. L., Yong, H. S. and Sodhi, N. S. Journal Article 1999 Biodiversity research on the island of Pulau Tioman, Peninsular Malaysia: A historical perspective
Abdul, J. Journal Article 1999 An introduction to Pulau Tioman