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Identity and Description of Garra mcclellandi (Jerdon, 1849) from the Type Locality, and a Neotype Designation from Cauvery River Basin, Southern India.

Abstract

Gonorhynchus mcclellandi was described from Bhavani River at the foothills of Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu and Manantawady River in Wayanad (Kerala), of Western Ghats (Jerdon, 1849). As there are no types available for all the species described by Jerdon from southern India, Gonorhynchus mcclellandi was redescribed by Silas (1958) and placed in the genus Garra. However, the species description and figure provided for G. mcclellandi seems to be doubtful as per the original description of this species. We collected one specimen from the type locality and upon close examination we found that the specimen was consistent in features as outlined in the description by Jerdon. Garra mcclellandi is part of the group of species of Garra in India having 16 circumpeduncular scales. This species is distinguishable from closely related species, Garra platycephala and Garra jerdoni, and diagnosed from all other species of Garra reported from Peninsular India. With the findings reported herein and the absence of any types for Garra mcclellandi (Jerdon) we designate a neotype for the species.

Muthukumarasamy Arunachalam, Subramaniyam Nandagopal and Richard L Mayden

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