Troglonectes canlinensis sp. nov. (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae), a New Troglomorphic Loach from Guangxi, China

A new species of the genus Troglonectes is described based on specimens from a karst cave in Andong Town, Xincheng County, Liuzhou City, Guangxi, China. Troglonectes canlinensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congener species by the following combination of characteristics: eye degenerated into a black spot; whole body covered by scales, except for the head, throat, and abdomen; incomplete lateral line; forked caudal fin; 8-10 gill rakers on the first gill arch; 13-14 branched caudal fin rays; 8-9 branched dorsal fin rays; 5-6 anal fin rays; 9-10 pectoral fin rays; upper adipose keel depth mostly 1/2 of the caudal peduncle depth; and caudal fin forked.

Automated summary

A new species of cave fish, Troglonectes canlinensis sp. nov., was discovered in a karst cave in Andong Town, Xincheng County, Liuzhou City, Guangxi, China. This species can be distinguished from its close relatives by its degenerated eye, scales covering the entire body except for the head, throat, and abdomen, incomplete lateral line, forked caudal fin, and other characteristics.