dcsimg
Image of Waterfall Climbing Cave Fish
Creatures » » Animal » » Vertebrates » » Ray Finned Fishes » » River Loaches »

Waterfall Climbing Cave Fish

Cryptotora thamicola (Kottelat 1988)

Diagnostic Description

provided by Fishbase
Absence of eyes; body naked, colorless; 15-16 branched pectoral rays; 10 branched pelvic rays; and two barbels at each corner of mouth (Ref. 37846). Lacks melanin (Ref. 42927).
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Armi G. Torres
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Migration

provided by Fishbase
Potamodromous. Migrating within streams, migratory in rivers, e.g. Saliminus, Moxostoma, Labeo. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Armi G. Torres
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Morphology

provided by Fishbase
Dorsal soft rays (total): 13; Analsoft rays: 8
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Armi G. Torres
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Biology

provided by Fishbase
Restricted to subterranean waters (Ref. 12041). Found on a ledge apparently climbing up a small waterfall about 0.6 km from the cave entrance (Ref. 37846). Prefers fast moving waters on rocky substrates (Ref. 42927). Lacks melanin, is anophthalmic and appears indifferent to light stimulus (Ref. 42927).
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Armi G. Torres
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Importance

provided by Fishbase
fisheries: of no interest
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Armi G. Torres
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Waterfall climbing cave fish

provided by wikipedia EN

The waterfall climbing cave fish (Cryptotora thamicola), also known as the cave angel fish, is a species of troglobitic hillstream loach endemic to Thailand.[1][2] It reaches a length of 2.8 centimetres (1.1 in) SL.[2] This fish is known for its fins, which can grapple onto terrain, and its ability to climb.[3] This fish is the only known member of its genus.[4][5]

The species has been recorded from eight subterranean sites within a large karst system (Pang Mapha karst formation) in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. The species has an extent of occurrence of nearly 200 km2, but an area of occupancy of 6 km2; the connectivity of this karst systems is unknown, some caves are definitely connected. The species is found in eight of the caves. It has been recorded from the Susa (from where it was first collected in May 1985) and Tham Mae Lana (Borowsky and Vidthayanon 2001). It may also occur in other submerged caves in the area. However, the species has a potential threat of agricultural pollution which could impact the whole karst system, making it one location.[1]

Like other cavefish, it is depigmented and has no visible eyes. This species coexists with another hypogean (underground-living) loach, Schistura oedipus. The species is specialized for fast subterranean flowing water in the deeper zone of the cave (more than 500m from the entrance). It depends on cave microorganisms and organic matter, and is very sensitive to disturbance, water quality and hydrographic change.[1]

The species is protected under Thai law, and is found within a National Park (Pai Basin NP), but this does not necessarily protect the species as there is little restrictions on agricultural practices and regulation of tourism is needed to reduce the potential impacts to the species habitat at some sites. Human disturbance from tourism activity (some of the habitat sites are popular for caving tourism and sightseeing) may threaten the species. Agriculture and deforestation are future major threats.[1]

In 2016 it was reported that the waterfall climbing cave fish walks with a tetrapod-like diagonal-couplets lateral sequence gait, displaying a robust pelvic girdle attached to the vertebral column.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Vidthayanon, C. (2020) [errata version of 2011 assessment]. "Cryptotora thamicola". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T41407A174782370. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T41407A174782370.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2022). "Cryptotora thamicola" in FishBase. February 2022 version.
  3. ^ a b Flammang, Brooke E.; Suvarnaraksha, Apinun; Markiewicz, Julie; Soares, Daphne (2016). "Tetrapod-like pelvic girdle in a walking cavefish". Scientific Reports. 6 (1): 23711. doi:10.1038/srep23711.
  4. ^ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Cryptotora". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  5. ^ Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2022). Species of Cryptotora in FishBase. February 2022 version.

license
cc-by-sa-3.0
copyright
Wikipedia authors and editors
original
visit source
partner site
wikipedia EN

Waterfall climbing cave fish: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

The waterfall climbing cave fish (Cryptotora thamicola), also known as the cave angel fish, is a species of troglobitic hillstream loach endemic to Thailand. It reaches a length of 2.8 centimetres (1.1 in) SL. This fish is known for its fins, which can grapple onto terrain, and its ability to climb. This fish is the only known member of its genus.

The species has been recorded from eight subterranean sites within a large karst system (Pang Mapha karst formation) in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. The species has an extent of occurrence of nearly 200 km2, but an area of occupancy of 6 km2; the connectivity of this karst systems is unknown, some caves are definitely connected. The species is found in eight of the caves. It has been recorded from the Susa (from where it was first collected in May 1985) and Tham Mae Lana (Borowsky and Vidthayanon 2001). It may also occur in other submerged caves in the area. However, the species has a potential threat of agricultural pollution which could impact the whole karst system, making it one location.

Like other cavefish, it is depigmented and has no visible eyes. This species coexists with another hypogean (underground-living) loach, Schistura oedipus. The species is specialized for fast subterranean flowing water in the deeper zone of the cave (more than 500m from the entrance). It depends on cave microorganisms and organic matter, and is very sensitive to disturbance, water quality and hydrographic change.

The species is protected under Thai law, and is found within a National Park (Pai Basin NP), but this does not necessarily protect the species as there is little restrictions on agricultural practices and regulation of tourism is needed to reduce the potential impacts to the species habitat at some sites. Human disturbance from tourism activity (some of the habitat sites are popular for caving tourism and sightseeing) may threaten the species. Agriculture and deforestation are future major threats.

In 2016 it was reported that the waterfall climbing cave fish walks with a tetrapod-like diagonal-couplets lateral sequence gait, displaying a robust pelvic girdle attached to the vertebral column.

license
cc-by-sa-3.0
copyright
Wikipedia authors and editors
original
visit source
partner site
wikipedia EN