Schizothorax

Genus: Schizothorax

Species: S. esocinus

Diagnostic characters ( Table 1 and Figure 3 View Figure 3 )

Head: The head is tapered to form a long snout. The head length and the snout length were found to be greatest as compared to the other three Schizothorax species. The head length varied from 4.5 to 7.2 cm (5.7 ± 0.8 cm) and the snout length varied from 1.3 to 2.7 cm (1.9 ± 0.3cm). Mouth position and size: The position of the mouth is sub-terminal as compared to the other three Schizothorax species. The mouth is very wide as depicted in Table 1, wherein, horizontal and vertical mouth width was found to be greater than the other three Schizothorax species. Horizontal mouth width ranged from 1.0 to 2.1 cm (1.4 ±

0.4 cm) and the vertical mouth width ranged from 1.0 to

2.0 cm (1.5 ± 0.4 cm).

Lower lip: The lower lip fold is less fleshy as compared to other Schizothorax species. The lower lip seems to be expanded on lateral sides towards the gills whereas, the central part is not much expanded and is restricted towards the tip of the snout. The lower lip length varied from 2.0 to 3.5 cm (2.7 ± 0.5 cm).

Upper lip: The upper lip is less fleshy and smooth and varies from 2.5 to 4.4 cm in length (3.6 ± 0.5 cm). S. esocinus is specifically characterized by a much longer upper lip and the lower lip.

Meristic attributes: ( Table 2)

The dorsal fin rays vary from 8 to 9; pectoral fin rays vary from 16 to 19; pelvic fin rays vary from 10 to 11; anal fin rays vary from 6 to 7 and caudal fin rays vary from 18 to 19. The scales on the lateral line vary from 95 to 124. The gill rakers were found to be short and very uniformly spaced. The gill rakers of S. esocinus were found to be lesser in number i.e., 12 to 17 as compared to other Schizothorax species.

4) Schizothorax curvifrons Heckel, 1838 Local name (Kashmiri): Satter gad Classification:

Domain: Eukarya

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Osteichthyes

Order: Cypriniformes

Family: Cyprinidae

Genus: Schizothorax

Species: S. curvifrons

Diagnostic characters ( Table 1 and Figure 4 View Figure 4 )

Head: The head is non-tapering and resembles in appearance with that of S. labiatus . The head length varied from 3.0 to 6.4 cm (4.7 ± 0.8 cm) and the snout length varied from 0.8 to 1.9 cm (1.5 ± 0.3 cm).

Mouth position and size: The mouth is crescent-shaped and sub-inferior like that of S. labiatus . The horizontal mouth width ranged from 0.7 to 1.2 cm (1.1 ± 0.2 cm) and the vertical mouth width ranged from 0.5 to 1.0 cm (0.9 ± 0.2 cm).

Lower lip: Lower lip fold is sharp-edged, non-keratinised but not expanded. The lower lip length varied from 1.4 to

1.6 cm (1.5 ± 0.03 cm).

Upper lip: Upper lip is smooth, thin, and less fleshy. The length of the upper lip varied from 2.0 to 2.2 cm (2.0 ±

0.1 cm).

Meristic attributes: ( Table 2)

The number of dorsal fin rays varies from 8 to 10; pectoral fin rays vary from 16 to 17; pelvic fin rays vary from 9 to 11; anal fin rays vary from 6 to 7 and caudal fin rays vary from 18 to 19. The lateral line scale count varied from 107 to 130. The gill rakers were found to be very long (as compared to all other three Schizothorax species) and are less spaced. This fish has been found to contain the highest gill raker count and the number of gill rakers varies from 14 to 31.

5) Schizothorax niger Heckel, 1838

Local name (Kashmiri): Ale gad Classification:

Domain: Eukarya

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Osteichthyes

Order: Cypriniformes

Family: Cyprinidae

Genus: Schizothorax

Species: S. niger

Diagnostic characters ( Table 1 and Figure 5 View Figure 5 )

Head: Head is usually short and resembles in appearance with that of S. curvifrons . The head length varied from 3.9 to 6.4 cm (4.9 ± 0.945 cm) and the snout length varied from 1.1 to 2.2 cm (1.5 ± 0.4 cm). The head possesses a hump-like elevation above the operculum on the dorsal side right at the start of its trunk.

Mouth position and size: The mouth sub inferior like that of S. curvifrons . The horizontal mouth width ranged from

1.0 to 1.5 cm (1.3 ± 0.1 cm) and the vertical mouth width ranged from 0.8 to 1.2 cm (1.0 ± 0.1 cm).

Lower lip: The lower lip possesses structural similarities with that of S. curvifrons but it is thicker than that of S. curvifrons and is not expanded. The lower lip length

A handy note on the basic taxonomic features of five Schizothorax species of Kashmir Himalaya, India varied from 1.5 to 1.8 cm (1.6 ± 0.1 cm).

Upper lip: The upper lip is smooth and less fleshy. The length of the upper lip varied from 2.0 to 2.3 cm (2.1 ±

0.1 cm).

Meristic attributes: ( Table 2)

The number of dorsal fin rays varies from 8 to 9; pectoral fin rays vary from 14 to 19; pelvic fin rays vary from 9 to 11; anal fin rays vary from 6 to 7 and caudal fin rays vary from 16 to 19. The lateral line scale count varied from 84 to 109. The gill rakers were found to be moderately long and less spaced. The number of gill rakers varies from 15 to 21.

Overall, it was seen that five Schizothorax species can be quickly and easily recognized on a simplified set of mouth characters especially the shape of lower lips ( Figure 6 View Figure 6 ).