Barbodes sellifer, Kottelat & Lim, 2021

Kottelat, Maurice & Lim, Kelvin K. P., 2021, Two new species of Barbodes from the Malay Peninsula and comments on ‘ cryptic species’ in the B. binotatus group (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 69, pp. 522-540 : 523-532

Barbodes sellifer , new species

( Figs. 1–4 )

Puntius binotatus banksi: Herre, 1940: 31 (in part: Singapore: Botanic Gardens).

Puntius binotatus (non Valenciennes, in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1842): Menon, 1954: 15 (in part: Mawai District in Johor, Singapore). – Alfred, 1963: 145 (in part: Penang Island: Bayan Lepas, Kampong Sungei Pinang, Kampong Trang, Balik Pulau, Georgetown, Ayer Itam, Sungei Burong; excluding Sungei Telok Bahang); 1966: 23 (various localities on Singapore Island). – Zakaria-Ismail, 1993: 205, pl. 3f (Pahang: Krau Game Reserve). – Tan & Tan, 1994: 353 (Riau Archipelago: Pulau Bintan).

Puntius banksi (non Herre, 1940): Ng & Lim, 1996: 110 ( Singapore: Nee Soon swamp forest, Lower Peirce forest, Sime Road forest). – Tan & Lim, 2004: 109 (Anambas Islands: Pulau Jemaja; Natuna Islands: Pulau Natuna Besar).

Systomus banksi (non Herre, 1940): Ng & Tan, 1999: 355 (Endau basin: Sungai Kahang, Sungai Kinchin, Sungai Lenggor).

Holotype. ZRC 12354 mm SL, 97.8 mm SL; Singapore: Nee Soon swamp forest; K. Yong & P. K. L. Ng, 30 April 1990.

Paratypes. All from Singapore : ZRC 12355, 1 , 69.2 mm SL; same data as holotype . — ZRC 1036 , 3 , 45.8–50.3 mm SL; Sungei Seletar, Nee Soon rifle range; E . R. Alfred , 17 February 1958 . — ZRC 9612–9614 , 3 , 22.0–33.0 mm SL; Nee Soon streams; P. K. L. Ng, May 1988 . — CMK 6027, 4, 18.4–60.4 mm SL; small streams in Nee Soon Rifle Range ; 1°24′00″N 103°49′50″E; M. Kottelat et al., 21 May 1988 . — ZRC 1242 , 22 , 13.3–78.9 mm SL; Botanic Gardens lake ; T. Oates , 20 January 1964 . — ZRC 17754, 3 , 35.2–77.7 mm SL; Lower Peirce forest ; E. Koh, 31 October 1991 . — ZRC 50405, 3 , 74.9–80.4 mm SL; Upper Peirce reservoir west arm off end of Dairy Farm Road at junction of Bukit Timah Expressway; H. H. Tan et al., 24 January 2006 . — ZRC 54462, 3 , 47.9–51.9 mm SL; Western catchment area, Pasir Laba; K. K. P. Lim & M. A. H. Chua, 19 June 2012 . — ZRC 54865, 5 , 30.1–45.2 mm SL; Western catchment, forest stream near Nanyang Technological University; D. J. J. Ng et al., 26 May 2016 .

Additional material (non-type). Singapore: ZRC 349 , 20 paralectotypes of Puntius binotatus banksi , 30.2–58.8 mm SL; pond in Botanic Gardens; A. W. C . T. Herre, March 1937 . — ZRC 1222 , 10 , 44.2–75.6 mm SL; Sungei Kallang, outlet from MacRitchie Reservoir; 2 January 1964 .

Malay Peninsula: East Coast: JOHOR: ZRC 53354, 3 , 79.6–99.8 mm SL; Tebrau River at Tebrau Waterworks ; 20 February 2007 . — ZRC 19349, 7 , 24.0– 70.9 mm SL; Layang Layang ; 6 February 1991 . — CMK 7370 , 1 , 48.9 mm SL; Sungai Mupor, about 15 km from Kota Tinggi on road to Mersing ; 1°52′N 103°56′E; 22 January 1991 . — ZRC 552 , 6 , 27.8–39.7 mm SL; Kota Tinggi District, Sedili Besar basin, drainage canals in Mawai Estate ; 15 December 1957 . — ZRC 39853, 4 , 34.4 –57.0 mm SL; Kota Tinggi District, Sedili Besar basin, Sungai Tementang ; September 1995 . — ZRC 13635, 10 , 13.4–69.7 mm SL; Kota Tinggi District, streams at foothills of Gunung Panti ; 16 September 1990 . — ZRC 14196, 21 , 22.3 –73.0 mm SL; Kota Tinggi District, streams at foothills of Gunung Panti; 20 Septemer 1990 . — ZRC 55945, 6 , 33.3–47.7 mm SL; Kota Tinggi District, Gunung Panti foothills, stream along Bunker Trail ; 8 May 1995 . — CMK 7398 , 9 , 33.6–65.5 mm SL; Northeastern foothills of Gunung Panti, about 20 km north of Kota Tinggi ; swampy creek; 22 January 1991 . — CMK 8488 , 3 , 19.2–41.9 mm SL; Sungai Ambat, 61 km north of Kota Tinggi on road to Mersing ; 24 July 1992 . — CMK 16300, 1 , 50.4 mm SL; stream on road Mersing–Batu Pahat, 53 km from Mersing, 34.4 km after turnoff from road Mersing – Johor; 12 May 2000 . — ZRC 47845, 2 , 32.7–57.3 mm SL; base of Gunung Belumut ; 23 April 2003 . — ZRC 55287, 5 , 68.3 –95.0 mm SL; Endau basin, Sungai Melayu ; 1–2 August 2016 . — ZRC 55301, 12 , 53.2–110.2 mm SL; Endau basin, tributary of Sungai Kahang flowing from Bukit Tinggi ; 5–6 August 2016 . PAHANG: ZRC 41223, 2 , 19.0– 42.7 mm SL; Pahang basin: Sungai Kla at Raub ; 10 November 1992 . — ZRC 60582, 8 , 27.8–68.1 mm SL; Pahang basin, Sungai Lompat at Krau Game Reserve ; 26 August 1991 . — ZRC 60585, 16 , 21.4–55.5 mm SL; Pahang basin, tributary of Sungai Tekam ; 28 February 1993 — ZRC 531 , 2 , 75.5–75.6 mm SL; Pahang basin, Kuala Tahan ; 1948 . — ZRC 543 , 2 , 75.6 – 72.7 mm SL; Pahang basin, Kuala Tahan ; June 1950 . — ZRC 6773 , 1 , 28.0 mm SL; Pahang basin, Kuala Tahan ; 7 March 1957 . — CMK 8435 , 1 , 65.8 mm SL ; ZRC 542 , 1 , 73.0 mm SL; Pahang basin, Tasik Bera ; October 1949 . — ZRC 8084 , 1, 118.8 mm SL; Pahang basin, Tasik Bera ; 11 December 1967 . — ZRC 60580, 3 , 30.6–37.6 mm SL; Pahang basin, tributary of Sungai Triang ; 23–25 January 1993 . TERENGGANU: ZRC 22016, 27 , 22.8–59.7 mm SL; CMK 8127, 31, 18.2–60.5 mm SL; North of Ayer Puteh, about 121 km on road from Kuantan to Kuala Terengganu; 17 March 1992 . — ZRC 21699, 7 , 22.1–42.4 mm SL; CMK 8170, 8, 19.7–48.8 mm SL; Sekayu waterfall; 18 March 1992 . — ZRC 23497, 1 , 51.5 mm SL; CMK 8186, 2, 35.6–58.7 mm SL; tributary of Sungai Terengganu immediately downriver of Sekayu Waterfall Park ; 18 March 1992 . — ZRC 43780, 20 , 17.3 –72.0 mm SL; swampy area in Sekayu Waterfall Park ; 21 October 1998 . — ZRC 41866, 3 , 70.1–85.5 mm SL; Sungai Brang outside Sekayu Waterfall Park ; October 1997 . — ZRC 59859, 3 , 51.4–70.9 mm SL; Sungai Jemeris ; 4 October 2017 .

Malay Peninsula: West Coast: JOHOR: CMK 9261, 14, 20.0– 37.4 mm SL; Gunung Pulai reservoir; 4 March 1992. — CMK 7912, 1, 45.0 mm SL; Sungai Machap , bridge on road between Ayer Hitam and Simpang Renggam; 18 August 1992 . — ZRC 55697, 4 , 32.7–51.9 mm SL; Pekan Nanas, Kampung Melayu Raya, Hutan Lipur Gunung Pulai; 28 December 2016 . — ZRC 52352, 5 , 54.8–107.8 mm SL; Muar basin, Sungai Labis near Bukit Kepong; 8 September 1993 . — ZRC 523 , 1 , 83.2 mm SL; Relau, Mount Ophir ; August 1905 . MELAKA: ZRC 6798 , 5 , 62.2–67.8 mm SL; Melaka; November 1968 . NEGERI SEMBILAN: ZRC 551 , 13 , 37.0–71.0 mm SL; Sungai Mertang at Kuala Pilah; 23 April 1931 . KUALA LUMPUR: ZRC 19445, 1 , 89.0 mm SL; forest stream in campus of Universiti Malaya; 20 November 1989 . — ZRC 38424, 2 , 47.9–51.5 mm SL; forest stream in campus of Universiti Malaya; 22 December 1994 . SELANGOR: ZRC 5842 , 1 , 74.8 mm SL; Subang 25 th mile; 1960s . — ZRC 541 , 1 , 84.0 mm SL; Sungai Buloh; March 1956 . PERAK: ZRC 38423, 2 , 55.2–70.6 mm SL; Taiping at base of Bukit Larut; 21 December 1994 . — ZRC 41126, 2 , 53.2–80.9 mm SL; Taiping at base of Maxwell Hill; 16 February 1997 . PENANG: ZRC 618 , 9 , 64.1–92.2 mm SL; Pulau Pinang, Sungai Bayan Lepas; 19 October 1961 . — ZRC 1585 , 22 , 33.1 –91.0 mm SL; Pulau Pinang, Sungai Air Terjun at Georgetown Christian Cemetery; 5 November 1961 . — ZRC 32101, 5 , 19.0– 81.6 mm SL; Pulau Pinang, Sungai Relau at Kampung Darat; 9 June 1993 .

Indonesia: Sumatra: RIAU: ZRC 14035, 8 , 11.2–53.8 mm SL; Pulau Batam : north-west part; 25 February 1991 . — ZRC 22265, 6 , 14.7 –55.0 mm SL; Pulau Batam: east coast north of Kabil Pier ; 29 January 1992 . — ZRC 32631, 1, 111.3 mm SL; Pulau Bintan: reservoir near Gunung Bintan Besar ; 14 May 1993 . — ZRC 32897, 2 , 50.2–67.5 mm SL; Pulau Bintan: northern part, stream along road to Pasir Panjang ; 11 May 1993 . — ZRC 33957, 2 , 42.7–48.5 mm SL; Pulau Bintan : northern part; 10 May 1993 . — ZRC 37565, 1 , 86.8 mm SL; Pulau Bintan: Ekang Laut at 62 km on highway from Tanjung Uban to Tanjung Pinang ; 27 April 1994. — CMK 11929 , 4, 26.8–67.3 mm SL; Pulau Bintan, km 63 on road to Tandjung Pinang ; 26 June 1995 . — ZRC 31410, 3 , 23.0– 73.9 mm SL; Pulau Lingga: Daik ; 28 March 1993 . — ZRC 31486, 2 , 32.3–45.7 mm SL; Pulau Lingga: Daik, Sungai Tanda ; 28 March 1993 . — CMK 9705, 18, 25.0–47.0 mm SL; Indragiri Hulu: Kec. Seberida; Sungai Sekuyam, north of Kelasa, Pangkalan Kasai ; 18 August 1991 . — CMK 9707, 3, 17.4–65.9 mm SL; Kab. Indragiri Hulu: Desa Seberida ; 20 September 1991 . ANAMBAS: ZRC 60528, 15 , 47.0– 97.6 mm SL; Anambas Islands: Pulau Jimaja, Teluk Tiru , Air Neraja waterfalls; 12 March 2002 . NATUNA: ZRC 55184, 1 , 32.5 mm SL; Pulau Natuna Besar: outskirts of Ranai ; 2 November 2002 . — ZRC 55250, 1 , 48.8 mm SL; Pulau Natuna Besar: Sungai Air Tayan at Ranai ; 30 October 2002 . — ZRC 60507, 3 , 60.1–80.6 mm SL; Pulau Natuna Besar: Bunguran Timur , peat swamp between Desa Harapan Jaya and Desa Binjai; 2 November 2002 .

Diagnosis. Barbodes sellifer , new species, is distinguished from all other species that have been placed in the B. binotatus group by the presence in adults of a large triangular to rectangular blotch extending downwards from in front of and below the base of the dorsal fin in adults (sometimes incomplete or narrower); juveniles have a midlateral row of 3–5 black spots, with the second spot vertically elongated, contacting a small spot below branched dorsal-fin rays 1–2.

Description. General appearance is shown in Figs. 1–3 . Morphometric data of holotype and 8 paratypes are given in Table 1. A relatively deep-bodied species of Barbodes , with body depth at dorsal-fin origin about 2.4–2.7 times in standard length, and depth of caudal peduncle 2.3–2.6 times in body depth. Dorsal profile of head and body arched, with a shallow concavity at nape. Snout rounded to pointed. Ventral profile less arched than dorsal profile. Interorbital area flattened; eye almost flush with dorsal profile of head, diameter 1.2–1.4 times in interorbital distance ( Fig. 5a ). Mouth subterminal, postlabial groove deep, narrowly interrupted in middle; snout slightly projecting, rostral fold covering upper part of upper lip; lower jaw partly enclosed in upper lip.

Dorsal fin with 3 (1) or 4 (8*) visible unbranched (anterior one very small, often hidden under scales) and 8½ (8*) or 9½ (1) branched rays; origin above lateral line scale 8 (8*) or 9 (1); distal edge straight to slightly concave; last unbranched ray massive, with 15–20 serrae along most of posterior edge of stiff portion; in specimens about 50–60 mm SL, space between serrae about half of length of serrae near base of ray, about equal to length of serrae near tip; in larger specimens, spaces becoming narrower; in holotype, base of serrae broader and becoming adjacent. Pectoral fin slightly rounded, with 15 (3*), 16 (5), or 17 (1) rays (including anterior unbranched ray); reaching to or almost to pelvic-fin base. Pelvic fin with straight to slightly convex posterior edge, with 9 rays (including anterior unbranched ray); reaching to about 2 scales in front of anus; pelvic axillary scale present, about ¼–⅓ of fin length. Anal fin with 3 unbranched and 5½ branched rays; posterior edge slightly concave. Caudal fin with 10+9 principal rays (of which 9+8 branched), forked, lobes rounded to pointed at tip. Caudal peduncle 1.1–1.3 times longer than deep.

21+2 (6*), 21+3 (1), or 22+2 (2) scales along lateral line, 9 (4) or 10 (5*) predorsal scales, ½4/1/4½ rows of scales from dorsal-fin origin to about 2 scales in front of pelvicfin base, ½2/1/2½ scales rows in transverse line on caudal peduncle, 3 scale rows between lateral line and pelvic-fin origin. Posteriormost scale on each lobe of caudal fin larger than preceding ones ( Fig. 6a ).

Two pairs of maxillary barbels; anterior one reaching about posterior margin of eye; posterior one reaching beyond middle of postorbital part of head, almost to posterior edge of opercle.

Colouration. Preserved specimens: Adults (over about 40 mm SL): body and head dark yellowish brown, darker on back, pale yellowish on belly. Faint (usually) blackish reticulate pattern on body, made of a crescentic mark on scale pocket and a band of pigments (on 2–5 rows) along posterior scale margin; crescentic marks more conspicuous anteriorly. A conspicuous black blotch on body below base of dorsal fin rays, from triangular to rectangular, extending downwards from row +5 to row +1 or +2; 4–6 scales wide on row 4; 2.5–4.5 on row +2, 0–2 on row +1; extending forward one or two scales in front of dorsal-fin origin and reaching backwards between base of 4 th branched ray and end of fin base. A faint rounded spot at mid-height of body, above base of last unbranched and first two branched anal-fin rays (usually missing in specimens above about 35–40 mm SL). A roundish to slightly longitudinally elongated spot at mid-height on caudal peduncle, immediately in front of caudal-fin base. Fins dusky. Posterior edge of anal fin lined with a narrow band of black pigments.

Juveniles and ontogenetic changes, 13–30 mm SL ( Fig. 2 ). Body pale brown. In smallest specimens (about 13–20 mm SL), a small spot at base of dorsal, on sheath scales at base of first two branched dorsal-fin rays, extending on simple rays, branched rays 1–2 and membranes in between ( Fig. 2a, b ); extension on rays and membranes disappear at around 25 mm SL. A black spot above base of branched anal-fin rays 1–3, becoming faint or disappearing in adults.

Typically, a midlateral row of four black spots on flank. Spot 1 faintest, slightly vertically elongated, disappearing at around 20 mm SL. Spot 2 vertically elongated, reaching ventrally about halfway between lateral line and pelvic-fin base; connected to black spot at dorsal-fin base (around 13–16 mm SL; Fig. 2a, b ); downwards extension disappearing around 20 mm SL; upwards extension widening after reaching about 30 mm SL ( Fig. 2c ). Spot 2 disappearing in adults.

Spot 3 (and sometimes an additional spot close behind) above anal-fin origin, disappearing around 35–40 mm SL. Last black spot roundish, at mid-height of caudal peduncle, immediately in front of caudal-fin base.

In life ( Figs. 4 , 8b ), body silvery to pale brownish, with markings (as described above) black with bluish hue. Fins usually pale yellow to dusky; dorsal, caudal, and anal fins may have a reddish tinge. Dark triangular blotch not always obvious when viewed from the sides, often obscured by light reflecting off the scales.

Distribution and habitat. Singapore; Malay Peninsula: Johor, Pahang in the Endau and Pahang (except the Sungai Jelai watershed) basins; Indonesia: Sumatra in Riau, and islands of Riau (Lingga, Batam, Bintan), Anambas and Natuna ( Fig. 7 ).

We have also seen material from many localities elsewhere in the Malay Peninsula. Most of these samples included only a few specimens, only incomplete ontogenetic series, or specimens that had not been optimally preserved; at this stage we prefer to consider these identifications as tentative only. This includes localities in Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, southern Perak, Penang (east slope), and Terengganu.

Recent research in Peninsular Malaysia recognised the presence of ‘ Barbodes banksi ’ in Johor (including Segamat), Pahang (including Tasek Bera), Perak (Pangkor, Pondok Tanjung and Sungai Bongkok), Penang (including Balik Pulau and Teluk Bukit) and Kelantan (Gua Musang and Lata Janggut) (see Fahmi-Ahmad et al., 2015: 32; Ng et al., 2019: 521; Fahmi-Ahmad et al., 2020: 537; Ahmad Sobri et al., 2021: 657; Ng & Tan, 2021: 13 as Barbodes cf. banksi ). Although we have not examined their material, it seems that most are B. sellifer , or tentatively that species.

Most B. sellifer habitats are situated in low-lying areas, in forest and freshwater swamps with clear or turbid water. The species is not known to inhabit environments with highly acidic black-water, such as peat swamps. It is gregarious and usually occurs in large, loose congregations at all levels of the water column ( Fig. 8 ).

Etymology. Sellifer is a Latin adjective meaning ‘bearing a saddle’ (feminine: sellifera, neuter: selliferum).

Remarks. Barbodes sellifer , new species, has long been identified as B. banksi ( Fig. 9 ), a species endemic to western Borneo. Barbodes banksi was originally described on the basis of material from four localities: Singapore (Botanic Gardens), Johor (5 miles north of Kota Tinggi; 16 miles north-east of Kota Tinggi), and Sarawak (18 miles east of Kuching) ( Herre, 1940: 31). All these specimens are syntypes; Böhlke (1953) designated a lectotype (specimen CAS-SU 33900, from Sarawak: 18 miles east of Kuching) and this fixes the name B. banksi for the species from Borneo. We have seen material of B. banksi from Sarawak (northwards to Sungai Larut drainage) and Kalimantan Barat (Sambas and northern part of Kapuas drainage).

Barbodes sellifer , new species, is distinguished from B. banksi in having the blotch below the dorsal fin much more conspicuous, broadly triangular to rectangular, occupying 4–6 scales along the back and on row 4, and 2.5–4.5 on row 2 (vs. blotch linear, slightly slanted forwards, uniformly about 1–2 scales wide, upper anterior extremity located entirely under dorsal-fin base), the dorsal profile of head and snout rounded, more convex than ventral profile (vs. dorsal profile only slightly more convex than ventral one). We have not seen juveniles of B. banksi in the size range of the examined juveniles of B. sellifer . The smallest available B. banksi specimens (CMK 8419, 27.0 mm SL; CMK 6636, 27.9 mm SL, Fig. 9a ) have the same narrow mark below the dorsal fin as do the adults, ending in a black spot on scale row 0; and one or two faint black spots on the same row above the anal-fin origin.

There is some variability within the material that we identify as B. sellifer . Occasional specimens or populations have a paler colouration and the blotch below the dorsal fin may appear narrower and fainter. While some are possibly individual variation, most of these specimens have been obtained from disturbed areas with murky water and without canopy. The material from Johore, Pahang, Riau, and Anambas largely agree with the Singapore populations. In our material from drainages in Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Perak, Penang, and Terengganu, the dark subdorsal blotch is often more rectangular than triangular; the spot located on scale row 0 at the vertical of the anal-fin origin in juveniles may be retained in adults. In some of the specimens from Kelantan and Terengganu there is a faint and irregular stripe on row +1, behind the subdorsal mark; this stripe is faint in preserved specimens ( Fig. 3 ). Specimens in ZRC 60582 and 60585 from the middle section of the Pahang River drainage have scales with dark edges. In the Malay Peninsula, on the east coast, we identify material from localities northwards to the Terengganu drainage. On the west coast, we have seen material northwards to about Taiping (Sungai Larut watershed; Perak). In Penang we have seen material of B. sellifer only from the east slope (another species of the B. binotatus group is present on the west slope, at least in material collected in 1961).

Barbodes rhombeus ( Fig. 10 ) is a second species of the B. binotatus group present in Singapore ( Tan et al., 2020: 157). The earliest collection we are aware of was made in 1967 (ZRC 7775). This was after the publication of Alfred (1966) in which material of Barbodes consists only of B. sellifer . The existence of two forms of B. binotatus on Singapore was first published by Ng & Lim (1996: 110, 115, as Puntius banksi and P. binotatus ). No explanation is available regarding their introduction, but it seems likely that they were imported as contaminants with species of high aquaculture value, possibly from Peninsular Malaysia or Thailand. In Singapore, B. sellifer seems confined to the streams under forest canopy while B. rhombeus is found in streams in disturbed, open areas. It is assumed that B. rhombeus may have replaced B. sellifer in exposed habitats in which they once occurred. We are not aware of any hybridisation that might have taken place.

Several species are apparently confused under the name B. rhombeus . They are known from the Indochinese area and the Malay Peninsula (pers. obs., manuscript). Adult B. sellifer is distinguished from adult B. rhombeus in having, among others, a large triangular to rectangular blotch under the dorsal fin (vs. a small spot below base of branched rays 1–2 and a faint and irregular midlateral stripe), and the interorbital area flattened (vs. convex).

Barbodes sellifer , new species, is distinguished from B. binotatus (from Java; Fig. 11 ) by having, among others, the large blotch on the upper half of the body below the dorsal fin (vs. only a small black spot on part of row +4 and sheath scales, at base of branched dorsal-fin rays 1–2 [total area about equal to size of one scale]); the absence of a blackish midlateral stripe at all stages (vs. a midlateral stripe from upper extremity of gill opening to spot at end of caudal peduncle in juveniles; in adults, stripe straight, narrow, usually wider and more distinct anteriorly, sometimes faint, interrupted or missing in posterior half of body).

Barbodes bunau ( Fig. 12 ) is another species with a large triangular blotch below the dorsal fin ( Rachmatika, 2005). The species does not belong to the B. binotatus group but is related to B. lateristriga and is known only from two drainages in northern Kalimantan Timur (Borneo). Barbodes bunau is easily distinguished from B. sellifer in having a larger and conspicuously wider subdorsal blotch that spans the entire dorsal fin base; in lacking a dark spot on the caudal peduncle; in having three to five rows of black spots on the flank, particularly on the anterior part; and in having a dusky dorsal fin.

Figures

Fig. 1. Barbodes sellifer, new species, Singapore; a, ZRC 12354, holotype, 97.8 mm SL; b, ZRC 54462, paratype, 47.9 mm SL. (Photographs by M. Kottelat).

Fig. 2. Barbodes sellifer, new species, ZRC 1242, paratypes, Singapore; a, 13.3 mm SL; b, 21.1 mm SL; c, 30.8 mm SL; d, 33.6 mm SL; e, 42.7 mm SL. (Photographs by M. Kottelat).

Fig. 3. Barbodes sellifer, new species, ZRC 21699, 42.4 mm SL; Malaysia: Terengganu: Sekayu. (Photograph by M. Kottelat).

Fig. 4. Barbodes sellifer, new species, about 60 mm SL; Singapore: Nee Soon swamp forest (type locality). Live specimen, in situ, January 2005, not preserved. (Photograph by Nick Baker).

Fig. 5. a, Barbodes sellifer, new species, CMK 6027, paratype, 59.5 mm SL; b, B. zakariaismaili, new species, ZRC 52347, holotype, 66.3 mm SL. Note differences in snout shape, and in size and position of eye. (Photographs by M. Kottelat).

Fig. 6. Scales at caudal-fin base in: a, Barbodes sellifer, new species, ZRC 12355, 69.2 mm SL; and b, B. zakariaismaili, new species, ZRC 62315, 67.4 mm SL. Edge of posteriormost scales enhanced. (Photographs by M. Kottelat).

Fig. 8. The forest stream (a) inhabited by Barbodes sellifer, new species, in the type locality, Nee Soon swamp-forest in Singapore; and a view from the surface (b) showing a congregation of many individuals of B. sellifer (with the distinct black subdorsal blotch) with a few Rasbora elegans (with the two black spots on the side). (Photographs by K. K. P. Lim, March 2005).

Fig. 7. Distribution of Barbodes sellifer, new species (green marks) and B. zakariaismaili, new species (orange marks) on Malay Peninsula and Sumatra, based on examined material. Stars are type localities. Each mark may consist of more than one locality. (K. K. P. Lim).

Fig. 9. Barbodes banksi, a, CMK 6636, 27.9 mm SL; Borneo: Kalimantan Barat: Singkawang; b, CMK 11512, 65.9 mm SL; Borneo: Sarawak: Batang Ai. (Photographs by M. Kottelat).

Fig. 10. Barbodes rhombeus, ZRC 40316, 83.9 mm SL; Singapore. (Photograph by K. K. P. Lim).

Fig. 11. Barbodes binotatus, CMK 8976, 43.0 mm SL; Java: Ciliwung at Cilebut. (Photograph by M. Kottelat).

Fig. 12. Barbodes bunau, Borneo: Indonesia: Kalimantan Timur: a, b, CMK 9535, 20.2 (a) and 28.3 mm SL (b), Sungai Sebuku; c, ZRC 49867, paratype, 67.5 mm, Sungai Sesayap. (Photographs by M. Kottelat (a, b) and Tan H. H. (c)).