Abstract:
The loach tribe Yunnanilini from China is reviewed here using morphological characters and complete mitochondrial genomes of select species. Molecular data suggest that the tribe Yunnanilini is not monophyletic and can be divided into three clades. Species of the
Yunnanilus nigromaculatus group form an independent genus and are placed in
Eonemachilus. In the phylogenetic tree,
Y. jinxiensis clusters with
Paranemachilus genilepis, and
Y. pulcherrimus clusters with
Micronemacheilus cruciatus, indicating that
Y. jinxiensis and
Y. pulcherrimus belong to
Paranemachilus and
Micronemacheilus, respectively. Based on morphological data,
Y. bailianensis and
Y. longibarbatus are placed in
Heminoemacheilus, while
Y. jinxiensis and
Y. pulcherrimus, are placed in
Paranemachilus and
Micronemacheilus, respectively.
Yunnanilus niulanensis and
Y. qujinensis are treated as junior synonyms of
Eonemachilus caohaiensis.
Eonemachilus,
Micronemacheilus, and
Yunnanilus are show short separation between anterior and posterior nostrils. The genera can be distinguished from each other by mouth structure, lateral line and cephalic lateral-line canals, and papillae on median part of both lips. The anterior and posterior nostrils of
Heminoemacheilus and
Paranemachilus are closely set.
Paranemachilus and
Micronemacheilus are distinguished by cheeks covered with scales and lips with papillae, respectively. Our phylogenetic tree and morphological characters support
Traccatichthys as a valid genus, which can be distinguished from
Micronemacheilus by anterior and posterior nostrils closely set (vs. clearly separated). Four species are placed in
Traccatichthys.