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Problems of the classification and phylogeny of nemacheiline loaches of the group lacking the preethmoid I (Cypriniformes: Balitoridae: Nemacheilinae)

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Abstract

Phylogenetic relationships and classification of nemacheiline loaches belonging to the line with lost preethmoideum I are investigated. With consideration of the analysis of 29 apomorphous states of 23 characters, the following hypothesis of relationships within this line is suggested: Oxynoemacheilus + Indoreonectes + Dzihunia + (Seminemacheilus (Afronemacheilus + Nun)) + Iskandaria (Paracobitis + Troglocobitis) + Metaschistura + Paraschistura + (Schistura gr. B (Acanthocobitis + Nemacheilus s. str. + Schistura gr. A)))). Revision of the generic classification of loaches of this line inhabiting water bodies from the Near East and Ethiopia to middle Asia and the Indus upper reaches is made. Key to genera of this region is suggested. Four new genera are described: Afronemacheilus Golubtsov and Prok., g. n. (type species A. abyssinicus), Iskandaria Prok., g. n. (type species I. kuschakewitschi), Metaschistura Prok., g. n. (type species M. cristata), and Paraschistura Prok., g. n. (type species P. sargadensis). Independence of the genera Oxynoemacheilus and Troglocobitis is confirmed. The Oriental Schistura are subdivided into two groups (A and B). Schistura gr. A form a monophyletic line with the genera Acanthocobitis and Nemacheilus s. str. It is noted that the south-China genus Homatula cannot be related to Paracobitis or Schistura as it has no ventral axillar lobe, but it may turn out to be identical to the genus Oreias from the same region.

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  1. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninskii prospect 33, Moscow, 119071, Russia

    A. M. Prokofiev

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Prokofiev, A.M. Problems of the classification and phylogeny of nemacheiline loaches of the group lacking the preethmoid I (Cypriniformes: Balitoridae: Nemacheilinae). J. Ichthyol. 49, 874–898 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0032945209100051

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