Channa pyrophthalmus, Britz & Hui & Rüber, 2024

Britz, Ralf, Hui, Tan Heok & Rüber, Lukas, 2024, Four new species of Channa from Myanmar (Teleostei, Labyrinthici, Channidae), Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 72, pp. 1-25 : 16-22

Channa pyrophthalmus , new species

( Figs. 14–16 )

Holotype. ZRC 64933, 97.1 mm SL, Myanmar, Taninthary Region, Lon Phaw, Kra Buri River drainage, coll. Ko Phyo Wei Latt, February 2022.

Paratypes. ZRC 64934 , 7 ex., 91.5–121.3 mm SL, same data as holotype . — MTD 40202 , 2 ex., 117.0– 125.4 mm SL, same data as holotype .

Diagnosis. Channa pyrophthalmus is distinguished from other Myanmar species of the Gachua group by the colour pattern of its head consisting of a bright orange suborbital patch combined with steel blue lips. It is further distinguished from them by generally having fewer dorsal- (32–34 vs. 34–40) and anal-fin rays (20–22 vs. 22–27) and vertebrae (40–41 vs. 41–48). It also differs substantially from all Myanmar Gachua group snakeheads by a genetic distance of 10.1–18.8% in the COI gene.

Description. See Figs. 14 , 16 for general appearance and Table 5 for morphometric information and Table 6 for select meristic characters. Body elongate, round in cross section anteriorly, laterally compressed at caudal peduncle, body depth 6.1–6.7 times in SL. Head large, length 2.9–3.2 times in SL. Head widest halfway between posterior margin of eye and that of opercle. Mouth large, maxilla extending posteriorly beyond jaw angle, lips fleshy. Premaxilla with multiple rows of small sharp, pointed teeth ( Fig. 15a ). Dentary also with several series of small teeth and an internal series of larger canines ( Fig. 15b ). Vomer with a few smaller teeth at external margin and a series of larger teeth internal to them ( Fig. 15a ). Palatine with an external series of smaller teeth and a few larger teeth internally ( Fig. 15a ). Parasphenoid with a tooth at level of pharyngobranchial 3 ( Fig. 15d ). Hypobranchial 3 with a patch of tiny teeth ( Fig. 15c ). Ceratobranchial 5 with series of large teeth with anteriorly directed tips along posterior and medial margin and smaller teeth in middle and along anterior margin ( Fig. 15c ). Pharyngobranchial 2 elongate with several series of tiny teeth ( Fig. 15d ). Pharyngobranchial 3 with prominent teeth with recurved tips ( Fig. 15d ). Upper pharyngeal toothplate 4 with larger recurved teeth anteromedially and smaller teeth posterolaterally ( Fig. 15d ).

Pectoral-fin rays 14–15. Dorsal-fin rays 32*(6), 33(3) or 34(1). Anal-fin rays 20(2), 21(3) or 22*(5). Caudal fin with 6*(8) or 7(2) + 6*(6) or 7(4) principal rays and 2(2) or 3*(8) dorsal and 2(4) or 3*(6) ventral procurrent rays. 40*(6) or 41(4) vertebrae with 35*(1), 36(6) or 37(3) abdominal and 4(8) or 5*(2) caudal vertebrae.

Predorsal scales 6–7. Lateral line with 39–41 scales extending from shoulder girdle in a horizontal line, but dropping one scale row at scale 13–15, then continuing horizontally to end of caudal peduncle. Scales above lateral line 3.5 and below 5.5–6.5 at level of anal-fin origin. Postorbital scales 6–8. Circumpeduncular scales 24, including 9 larger scales on each side and 3 tiny scales along dorsal and ventral midline. Prepelvic scales 8. One or two single scales on ventral aspect of anguloarticular.

Colouration in preservative. See Fig. 14 . Body and fins dark dark greyish-brown, slightly lighter ventrally. Dorsal, anal, and caudal fins with narrow light rim. Pelvic fins dark grey with lighter rim. Pectoral fin with dark grey base followed distally by narrow light cream band, narrow dark grey band, slightly wider second cream band and more distal area with darker grey fin rays and translucent light cream membrane.

Colouration in life. See Fig. 16 . Body light brown with bluish-grey postorbital and opercular area and bluish-grey marbling on side above anal-fin base. Lips and lachrymal margin steel blue, area anterior of eye, below eye, and posterior to eye a bright orange. Jaws and gular area light blue-grey. Dorsal fin with light brown base, blue middle, narrow dark grey subdistal band, and bright orange margin, with individual fin rays sometimes with white distalmost tips. Caudal fin with light grey fin rays showing darker markings arranged in a ladder-like fashion, with iridescent bluish interradial membrane and distal orange rim. Pectoral fin with dark blue-grey base, orange-red fin rays, and translucent

100 Channa Channapulchra cf. pulchra LR LR 06620 15520 (1) (1) Channa cf. pulchra

99 100 Channapulchra Channapulchra LR MF 06626 496885 (1)

Channapulchra

Channapulchra

LR

KJ

06629

937349

(1) Channa pulchra

100 75 Channapulchra Channapulchra MF KJ 496886 937434

100 Channaornatipinnis Channapulchra MF KJ 496871 937442

99 Channaornatipinnis MF496872

100 Channaornatipinnis Channaornatipinnis MF MF 496875 496874 Channa

89 Channaornatipinnis KJ937428 ornatipinnis

Channaornatipinnis MF496873

100

Channastiktos

Channastiktos MH

MH559825

559824 (

(2

2)

) 99 Channastiktos KX951877 (2,3)

Channastiktos KX399275 (2,3)

98 Channastiktos Channastiktos KX KX399273 399274 ((2,3 2,3))

Channastiktos KX399272 (2,3)

Channastiktos

Channastiktos

KX

KU

399271

667361

(

(

2,3

2,3

)

)

Channa stiktos

Channastiktos KU667360 (2,3)

Channastiktos KU667359 (2,3)

Channastiktos KU667358 (2,3)

Channastiktos KU667357 (2,3)

Channastiktos KJ847166 (3)

Channastiktos KJ847165 (3)

Channastiktos KJ847164 (3)

Channastiktos KJ847162 (3)

Channastiktos (2,3) KJ847163 (3) Channa sp. Chittagong 78 100 Channa sp. Channa ChittagongMK

Channa

cf. rakhinica

cf

572105

. rakhinica

LR15543

MF496920

(1)

(4)

Channa cf. rakhinica

100 Channarakhinica LR02204 (1)

93 100 Channarakhinica Channarakhinica LR08991 LR (1) 02261 (1)

100

Channarakhinica Channarakhinica MF496921 MF496919 (4) (4)

84 Channarakhinica Channarakhinica LR MF 06615 496923 (1) (4) Channa rakhinica

Channarakhinica MF496922 (4)

Channarakhinica LR06619 (1)

Channarakhinica LR02655 (1)

Channarakhinica LR02656 (1)

100 Channa gachua , Channa rara , Channa kelaartii , Channa orientalis (n=162) Channa gachua , C. rara , C. kelaartii , C. orientalis

100 Channalipor MT074046 (2)

82 Channalipor Channalipor MF MG 496918 976494 ((5 2)) Channa lipor

100 Channalipor MT Channaaurantipectoralis 074047 (2) MH559819 (2)

Channaaurantipectoralis

Channaaurantipectoralis

MH

MH

559823

559822 (

(

2

2)

)

Channa aurantipectoralis

<50 Channaaurantipectoralis MH559820 (2)

Channaaurantipectoralis MH559821 (2)

100 Channapyrophthalmus Channapyrophthalmus LR LR 15549 15550 (1) (1)

Channapyrophthalmus

Channapyrophthalmus

MF

MF496924

496926

(

(

10

10)

)

Channa pyrophthalmus

Channapyrophthalmus MF496925 (10)

Channabrunnea MK431774 (2)

Channabrunnea MK424818 (2)

94

100 Channabrunnea Channabrunnea MF MK 496702 424817 ((2 7)) Channa brunnea

Channabrunnea MF496704 (7)

Channableheri MF 496703

<50 Channableheri Channableheri MK HM 440660 1 17182 (2)

100 Channableheri Channableheri MK HM 471230 1 17186 (2)

Channableheri HM 1 17185

Channableheri HM 1 17183

Channableheri HM 1 17184

Channableheri MK303763 (2) <50 Channableheri Channableheri MF MF496701 496700 Channa bleheri

Channableheri EU924638

<50 Channableheri Channableheri EU EU 924637 924636

Channableheri MK632315 (2)

Channableheri EU342195

Channableheri

Channashingon

EU342196

LR15514 (1)

Channa shingon

100 Channarubora LR15525 (1)

Channarubora LR15528 (1)

100 Channarubora Channarubora LR MF 06634 496917 (1 () 6)

Channarubora MF 496915 (6)

Channarubora MF496916 (6) Channa rubora

Channarubora LR15526 (1)

Channarubora LR15524 (1)

Channarubora LR06635 (1)

Channarubora LR15523 (1)

Channaaristonei MN900749 (2)

<50

99 Channaaristonei Channaaristonei MN902181 (2) MN902180 (2)

Channaaristonei LR15517 (1)

Channaaristonei MN910263 (2) Channa aristonei

Channaaristonei MT040626 (2)

Channaaristonei MT040625 (2)

99 Channaaristonei Channaaristonei LR15516 MT (1)

0.03 91 Channapardalis Channapardalis MF 158324 496880 MF496878 (2)

Channapardalis MF 496879

99 Channapardalis Channapardalis

Channapardalis

MG MT

MT

825618 160365

160364

(

(

(2 2

2

)

)

) Channa pardalis

Channapardalis MT160363 (2)

Channapardalis MT160362 (2)

90 Channapardalis Channapardalis MG MN 825617 900750 (2 (2))

<50 100

Channa cf. bipuli MT 062519 (2,3)

<50 Channa Channa cf cf.. bipuli bipuli MT MT 062518 062517 ((2,3 2,3)) Channa cf. bipuli

78 Channabipuli Channabipuli MF MF496909 496910 ((8 8))

100 Channabipuli

Channabipuli MF MF 496908 496907 ((8 8))

Channabipuli MF496906 (8) Channa bipuli

ChannabipuliMN 900752 (2)

Channabipuli MN863381 (2)

Channabipuli MG825616 (2)

100 Channaburmanica Channabipuli MF 496707 MN900751 (2)

Channaburmanica MF 496705

100

Channaburmanica

Channaburmanica

KJ

MF

937381

496706 Channa burmanica

Channaburmanica LR09386 (1)

89 Channacoccinea LR15522 (1)

Channacoccinea

Channacoccinea

LR

LR

15556

15555 (

(1

1

)

)

Channa coccinea

<50 100

100 Channacoccinea Channacoccinea LR LR 15553 15554 ((1 1)) Channabarca LR 14768 (1)

Channabarca LR09004 (1)

Channabarca MF496699

Channabarca

Channabarca

LR

MF

14767

496698

(1) Channa barca

Channabarca LR14766 (1)

Channabarca LR14764 (1)

<50 100 Channapomanensis Channabarca MT LR 158323 14765 ((1 2))

100 Channapomanensis Channapomanensis MT MT 158322 158321 (2) (2) Channa pomanensis

Channapomanensis MW485084

91 Channamelanostigma Channamelanostigma LR 15515 KF 5 1 1545 (1)

Channamelanostigma

Channamelanostigma

KF 5 1 1545

MK913902 (2)

Channa melanostigma

<50

100

Channamelanostigma Channamelanostigma OK OK 03570520230404 03570720230404 (2,3 (2,3))

Channaaurantimaculata HM 1 17173

Channaaurantimaculata MF496671

Channaaurantimaculata MF496670

Channaaurantimaculata KJ847161

<50 Channaaurantimaculata Channaaurantimaculata KJ KJ 847159 847160

Channaaurantimaculata KJ847158

Channaaurantimaculata

Channaaurantimaculata KJ

HM

847157

1 17176 Channa aurantimaculata

Channaaurantimaculata HM 1 17175

Channaaurantimaculata HM 1 17174

Channaaurantimaculata HM 1 17172

Channaaurantimaculata KJ937387

60 Channaaurantimaculata Channaaurantimaculata MK EU 632318 342193 (2)

100 Channa

Channa Channaaurantimaculata cf cf.. quinquefasciata quinquefasciata EU KF MF 342194 742419 496914 ((3 9)) Channa

79 Channaquinquefasciata LR15580 (1) cf. quinquefasciata

98 86 Channaquinquefasciata Channaquinquefasciata Channaquinquefasciata MK386958 MN075125 (MK 2,3 610308) (2,3) (2)

Channaquinquefasciata MF 496913 (9)

90

Channaquinquefasciata

Channaquinquefasciata Channaquinquefasciata

MF

MF MH

496912

4969 627037 1 1 (

(9

9 () 2

)

) Channa quinquefasciata

98 Channaquinquefasciata Channaquinquefasciata MH KJ 627036 937384 (2 () 3)

100 Channastewartii Channaquinquefasciata MF496931 MH156956 (2,3)

Channastewartii MF496930

Channastewartii MF496927

Channastewartii KJ937449

Channastewartii KJ937420

Channastewartii KJ937416

Channastewartii MK599528 (2)

97 Channastewartii Channastewartii MK MK 599529 599530 (2 () 2)

Channastewartii MK599531 (2)

Channastewartii LR12650 (1)

Channastewartii MF 496932

Channastewartii LR15539 (1)

Channastewartii MK191833 (2)

Channastewartii MK632316 (2)

100 Channastewartii

Channastewartii

MK

MK

191834

46 1 185

(2

(

)

2)

Channa stewartii

Channastewartii KJ847151 (3)

Channastewartii KJ847150 (3)

Channastewartii KJ847149 (3)

Channastewartii KJ847147 (3)

Channastewartii KJ847148 (3)

Channastewartii HM 1 17207

Channastewartii HM 1 172 11

Channastewartii HM 1 17210

Channastewartii HM 1 17208

Channastewartii HM 1 17209

Channastewartii MF496929

Channastewartii MF 496928

Channastewartii KJ937455

Channastewartii KJ937347

100 Channastewartii Channa cf. andrao KJ 937417 HM 1 17188 (3)

Channa cf. andrao HM 1 17191 (3)

100 Channa Channa cf cf.. andrao andrao HM HM 1 1 17190 17187 ((3 3)) Channa cf. andrao

Channa cf. andrao HM 1 17189 (3)

Channaandrao EU342198 (3)

Channaandrao EU 342197 (3)

99 Channaandrao Channaandrao

Channaandrao

MF MF

MF

496662 496661

496660

Channa andrao

<50 Channaandrao Channaandrao KJ937393 KY (3 563773) (2)

100

Channa limbata , Channa harcourtbutleri (n=241) Channa limbata , C. harcourtbutleri interradial membranes. Anal fin bluish, with dark subdistal rim and white distal margin. Pelvic fins light grey.

Distribution. The new species is known from the area around Lon Phaw, Kra Buri River drainage, southern Tanintharyi Region, close to the border with Thailand.

Etymology. The species name is derived from the Greek words πῦρ (pyr), fire, and ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmos), eye. It was inspired by the bright orange area under the eye, a colour reminiscent of that of glowing embers. Used as a noun in apposition.

Remarks. This species has been traded as an ornamental fish since 2009 under the name “ Channa sp. ice & fire” or “ Channa sp. fire and ice” and has been referred to as Channa sp. Tenasserim in Conte-Grand et al. (2017) and Rüber et al. (2020). Aquarium reports suggest that this is a mouthbrooding species. Among the Gachua group species in Myanmar, C. pyrophthalmus is readily distinguished from all other species by its colour pattern which includes a bright orange are around the eye combined with light blue lips and throat and a light blue margin of the anterior infraorbitals. Among Myanmar Gachua group snakehead fishes, it has the lowest dorsal- (32–34) and anal-fin ray (20–22), as well as vertebral counts (40–41).

Lectotype designation for Channa stewartii : During our study, we checked the type material of Channa stewartii , which consists of two syntypes registered as BMNH 1867.2.14.19–20. The larger, 204 mm SL, syntype is the specimen illustrated on Plate III in Playfair (1867), reproduced here ( Fig. 17 ). It has 40 dorsal-fin rays, 27 anal-fin rays, 47 (42+5) vertebrae, and 49 lateral line scales with 4.5 scales above and 8.5 below the row of lateral line scales. It also still shows the characteristic series of black spots on the body ( Fig. 17 ), as in the illustration in Playfair (1867). The other, smaller, 90.4 mm SL specimen ( Fig. 17 ) has only 35 dorsal-fin rays, 23 anal-fin rays and only 41 (37+4) vertebrae, 41 lateral line scales and 3.5 scaled above and 7.5 scales below the row of lateral line scales. It thus belongs to a different species with its characters matching those of Channa gachua , and we consider this smaller syntype to be a specimen of this latter species. For the sake of stability and to avoid any future nomenclatural confusion we fix the name Channa stewartii to the specimen illustrated on Plate III in Playfair (1867), following Recommendation 74b of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, by designating the 204 mm SL syntype as the lectotype of this species.

Molecular data and phylogenetic analysis. The final alignment of 1092 sequences of snakeheads was 654 bp long and the resulting NJ tree is shown in Figure 18. A summary of the intra- and interspecific p-distances for the Myanmar species of the Gachua group is provided in Table 7.

Figures

Figure 16. Channa pyrophthalmus, colouration in life, ZRC 64934, 121.3 mm SL; Myanmar, Tanintharyi Region, Lon Phaw, tributary of Kra Buri.

Fig. 14. Channa pyrophthalmus, ZRC 64933, 95.6 mm SL; holotype, in dorsal (top), lateral (middle) and ventral (bottom) view; Myanmar, Taninthary Region, Lon Phaw, tributary of Kra Buri.

Fig. 15. Channa pyrophthalmus, MTD 40202 paratype, 106.4 mm SL. Volume rendered 3D models illustrating dentition on premaxilla, vomer and palatine, in ventral view (a), lower jaw (b) in dorsal view, ventral branchial arches (c) in dorsal view, and upper pharyngeal jaws and parasphenoid patch (d) in ventral view. Note presence of caniniform teeth on palatine and dentary. Abbreviations: cb 5, ceratobranchial 5; de, dentary; hb3, hypobranchial 3; pal, palatine; pb2, pharyngobranchial; pb3, pharyngobranchial 3; pmx, premaxilla; ps, parasphenoid up4, upper pharyngeal toothplate 4. Scale bars 1 cm.

Fig. 17. Specimens of type series of Channa stewartii. Illustration of larger syntype (top) from Playfair (1867). BMNH 1867.2.14.19, 204 mm SL, larger syntype (middle), designated as lectotype here, and BMNH 1867.2.14.20, 90.4 mm SL, paralectotype (bottom), actually a specimen of C. gachua.