Ngan Trong Tran

Molecular data from 35 of the 50 Acrossocheilinae species suggest that the species‐level diversity in the subfamily has been overestimated, likely due to inadequate taxon and geographic sampling and reliance on morphological characters that vary intraspecifically. Three new genera, one resurrected genus, two resurrected species, and one new species are diagnosed and described herein. Nine synonyms of three valid species of Acrossocheilinae are recognized from the Yangtze, Xijiang, Song Hong, Annamite, and Mekong ecoregions in East and Southeast Asia. Thirty‐two valid and six putative new species are indicated by molecular data and a key to the genera is provided. As more molecular and morphological data become available, additional taxonomic changes in this widespread and generally poorly known subfamily are likely.

Molecular data from samples encompassing 22 nominal species of Poropuntius indicate that the species-level diversity in the genus has been vastly overestimated, likely due to inadequate taxon and geographic sampling and reliance on morphological characters that vary intra-specifically. The latter includes discrete mouth morphologies related to alternate feeding strategies (ecomorphs) within populations. One new species is described, Poropuntius anlaoensis Hoàng, Phạm & Trần, sp. nov., and 17 synonyms of six valid species names of Poropuntius, P. krempfi, P. alloiopleurus, P. huangchuchieni, P. laoensis, P. kontumensis, and P. deauratus, are recognised. Additional taxonomic changes in this widespread and generally poorly known genus are likely as more molecular and morphological data become available.

To improve our knowledge of the migration pathway of a highly threatened fish species along the Mekong River, strontium isotope ratios (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) and 18 trace element concentrations were measured in the water and in the otoliths of an anadromous catfish, Pangasius krempfi, to infer its natal origin and potential migration pathways. Water was sampled at 18 locations along the mainstream, tributaries and distributaries of the Mekong River. To check for accuracy and precision, measurements of the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios and trace element concentrations were then compared in two laboratories that use different analytical methods. Differences in trace element concentrations between locations were not significant and could not, therefore, be used to discriminate between migration pathways. However, the Mekong mainstream, tributaries and distributaries could all be discriminated using Sr isotopes. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr profiles recorded in P. krempfi otoliths showed that there were three contingents with obligate freshwater hatching and variable spawning sites along the Mekong mainstream, from Phnom Penh (Cambodia) to Nong Khai (Thailand) or further. After hatching, the fish migrated more or less rapidly to the Mekong Delta and then settled for most of their lifetime in brackish water. Spawning habitats and migration routes may be threatened by habitat shifts and the increasing number of hydropower dams along the river, especially the contingents born above Khone Falls (Laos). The conservation of P. krempfi, as well as other migratory fish in the Mekong River, requires agreements, common actions and management by all countries along the Mekong River. This study highlighted the importance of using both Sr/Ca and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios to understand life history of anadromous fishes as the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio in the water was shown to be less effective than the Sr/Ca ratio in identifying movements between different saline areas.

Pangasius krempfi is a commercially important catfish in the Mekong River and is believed to migrate along the Mekong River basin. To verify this migration, elemental concentrations were measured in the water and in otoliths to infer the salinity of the water through the fish’s lifetime. In 2017, eight element concentrations were measured along the Mekong Delta using solution-based inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Concentrations of Sr, Li and Rb were strongly and positively correlated with salinity. Otoliths were taken from P. krempfi caught in the brackish waters of the lower Mekong Delta and seven element : Ca ratios were measured from the core to the otolith edge using laser ablation ICP-MS. The Sr : Ca, Ba : Ca, P : Ca and Mn : Ca ratios varied through the lifetime of the fish, but only Sr : Ca was suitable for estimating ambient salinity. The Sr : Ca profiles in otoliths were analysed and significantly correlated between individuals, with all fish hatched in water with very low levels of salinity, indicating a single freshwater spawning ground, and then living in waters with higher salinity, with two types of migration behaviour. Some individuals may return to low-salinity waters when older. These conclusions were supported by the Ba : Ca and Mn : Ca ratios. These migration patterns may have implications for fishery management.

Two new species and two new basin records of mahseers in the genera Tor and Neolissochilus are described from the upper Krong No and middle Đồng Nai drainages of the Langbiang Plateau in southern Vietnam. These new species and new records are known from streams and rivers in montane mixed pine and evergreen forests between 140 and 1112 m. Their populations are isolated in the Sre Pok River of the Mekong basin, the middle of the Đồng Nai basin, and the An Lão River. Both new species are differentiated from their congeners by a combination of the following characters: 23–24 lateral scales, 9–10 predorsal scales, 2/7 or 1/8 pelvic-fin rays, mouth position, median lobe of lower lip, rostral hood, colour in life and by divergent mitochondrial DNA. Tor mekongensis sp. nov. is differentiated from Tor dongnaiensis sp. nov. by the number of transverse scale rows (3/1/2 vs. 4/1/2), number of pelvic-fin rays (2/7 vs. 1/8), a blunt rostral hood vs. pointed, caudal-fin lobes that are equal vs. unequal, and by mitochondrial DNA (0.7% sequence divergence). Molecular evidence identifies both species as members of the genus Tor and distinct from all congeners sampled (uncorrected sequence divergences >1.9% for all Tor species for which homologous COI sequences are available). Tor sinensis is recorded in the Krong No and the Sre Pok rivers, further south of its known distribution. Polymorphism is described in Neolissochilus stracheyi with a Tor-like morph and a Neolissochilus-like morph.

Two new species of large shovel-jaw carps in the genus Onychostoma are described from the upper Krong No and middle Dong Nai drainages of the Langbiang Plateau in southern Vietnam. These new species are known from streams in montane mixed pine and evergreen forests between 140 and 1112 m. Their populations are isolated in the headwaters of the upper Sre Pok River of the Mekong basin and in the middle of the Dong Nai basin. Both species are differentiated from their congeners by a combination of the following characters: transverse mouth opening width greater than head width, 14−17 predorsal scales, caudal-peduncle length 3.9−4.2 times in SL, no barbels in adults and juveniles, a strong serrated last simple ray of the dorsal fin, and small eye diameter (20.3−21.5% HL). Onychostoma krongnoensis sp. nov. is differentiated from Onychostoma dongnaiensis sp. nov. by body depth (4.0 vs. 3.2 times in SL), predorsal scale number (14−17 vs. 14−15), dorsal-fin length (4.5 vs. 4.2 times in SL), caudal-peduncle length (3.9 vs. 4.2 times in SL), colour in life (dark vs. bright), and by mitochondrial DNA (0.2% sequence divergence). Molecular evidence indicates that both species are members of Onychostoma and are distinct from all congeners sampled (uncorrected sequence divergences at the 16S rRNA gene of >2.0% for all Onychostoma for which homologous 16S rRNA sequences are available).