Badis pallidus

description

Description. Proportional measurements are given in Table 4; selected meristics in Tables 6 – 7. Moderately elongate, strongly compressed laterally. Predorsal contour straight or slightly curved, sloping at same angle as slightly curved prepelvic contour. Orbit situated in anterior half of head and level of midaxis of body. Jaws about equal anteriorly, lower jaw only slightly projecting before upper; maxilla reaching slightly posterior of vertical through anterior margin of orbit. Lower jaw articulation below middle of orbit. Some females distinguished by bulging abdomen, and then also generally fainter fin pigmentation and shorter pelvic and soft dorsal and anal fins. Dentary pores 3, anguloarticular pores 2, preopercular pores 7, nasal pores 2, supraorbital pores 3, extrascapular pores 2, supracleithral pores 2, posttemporal pores 2, coronalis pore 1, lachrymal pores 3 extending across gap between lachrymal and anteriormost infraorbital, 3 - 4 infraorbital pores. Scale rows on cheek 4, on opercle 4, on preopercle 1, on interopercle 1. Scales in lateral row 26 (4), 27 (7), 28 (3). Lateral-line scales 17 / 2 (1), 20 / 0 (1), 20 / 1 (2), 20 / 6 (1), 21 / 3 (1), 22 / 2 (2), 22 / 3 (4

Chameleonfishes in Bangladesh: hipshot taxonomy, sibling species, elusive species, and limits of species delimitation (Teleostei: Badidae)

diagnosis

Diagnosis. Similar to B. badis, B. chittagongis, B. ferrarisi Kullander & Britz, 2002, B. kanabos, B. khwae Kullander & Britz, 2002, B. pallidus, B. ruber Schreitmüller, 1923, B. siamensis Klausewitz, 1957, B. soraya Valdesalici & van de Voort, 2015, B. tuivaiei Vishwanath & Shanta, 2004, and different from all other species of Badis in the presence of a dark blotch on exposed cleithrum. Distinguished from B. khwae, B. ruber, and B. siamensis, by the absence of a dark blotch dorsolaterally on the caudal peduncle. Distinguished from B. ferrarisi by the absence of short black bars along the middle of the side, and the absence of a dark blotch on the gill cover. Distinguished from B. tuivaiei in the absence of a black blotch anteriorly on dorsal fin, and lower meristic values (28 – 29 vertebrae vs. 30 – 31, lateral scale row 27 – 29 vs. 26 – 32, modally 30; dorsal-fin rays XVI. 8 ½ (1), XVI. 9 (9), XVII. 8 ½ (4), XVII. 9 (2) vs. XVI. 9 – 10, XVII. 8, XVIII. 8 and modally XVIII. 9); from B. kanabos by the absence of a black spot anteriorly on the dorsal fin; from B. badis by narrower interorbital space (4.6 – 6.3 % SL vs. 6.5 – 8.3 %, not corrected for allometry); from B. soraya and B.

Chameleonfishes in Bangladesh: hipshot taxonomy, sibling species, elusive species, and limits of species delimitation (Teleostei: Badidae)

etymology

Etymology. Named pallidus, a Latin adjective meaning pallid, pale, in reference to the uniform light grey body colour of males of this species. Geographical distribution and habitats. Badis pallidus, which has a wide distribution in the Karnafuli and Sangu Rivers, was collected in small hillstreams (Figs 3, 10). At Shailopropat Falls, specimens were collected downstream of the falls where the slope lessened, and not at the foot of the falls.

Chameleonfishes in Bangladesh: hipshot taxonomy, sibling species, elusive species, and limits of species delimitation (Teleostei: Badidae)

materials_examined

Holotype. DU 9038, male, 38.7 mm SL. Bangladesh: Chittagong Division: Bandarban District: Sangu River drainage: Shailopropat Waterfall and downstream pools. 22 ° 9 ′ 6 ″ N, 92 ° 12 ′ 59 ″ E; M. M. Rahman et al., 14 May 2015 (SRL- 2015 - 029). Paratypes. All from Bangladesh, Chittagong Division: Karnafuli River drainage: DU 6189, 2, 25.7 – 28.8 mm SL; Khagrachori District, Chengi River in Khagrachori, 23 ° 6 ′ 8 " N, 91 ° 58 ′ 45 " E; M. M. Rahman, 24 Apr 2015. — DU 6243, 1; Khagrachori District, Taichala stream, 23 ° 6 ′ 14 " N, 91 ° 58 ′ 1 " E; M. M. Rahman, 26 Apr 2015. — NRM 67718, 2, 14.9 – 16.2 mm SL; Rangamati District: Kamila stream, tributary to Karnafuli River, 22 km south of Rangamati, 22 ° 31 ′ 41 ″ N, 92 ° 11 ′ 55 ″ E; M. M. Rahman et al., 28 Nov 2014 (SRL- 2014 - 006). — NRM 67780, 1; NRM 67781, 1; NRM 68029, 1, 13.5 mm SL; Bandarban District: Udalbania: small stream left bank tributary to Karnafuli River, flowing through tobacco plantation, 22 ° 19 ′ 28 ″ N 92 ° 8 ′ 20 ″ E; M. M. Rahman, 12 May 2015 (SRL- 2015 - 019). — Halda River drainage: NRM 66773, 1; Chittagong District: roadside ditch in Sultanpur, 22 ° 32 ′ 32 ″ N, 91 ° 53 ′ 59 ″ E. 29; M. M. Rahman et al., Nov

Chameleonfishes in Bangladesh: hipshot taxonomy, sibling species, elusive species, and limits of species delimitation (Teleostei: Badidae)