Nemacheilus rueppelli | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Cypriniformes |
Family: | Nemacheilidae |
Genus: | Nemacheilus |
Species: | N. rueppelli
|
Binomial name | |
Nemacheilus rueppelli (
Sykes, 1839)
| |
Synonyms [2] [3] | |
|
Nemacheilus ruppelli, also known as the mongoose loach is a species of fish in the genus Nemacheilus. This fish is endemic to the Western Ghats of India. Recent evidence shows that there is only a marginal raw mitochondrial genetic distance between Nemachilichthys shimogensis and N. ruppelli. [2] Although morphometric difference occur at the population level, Keskar et al. conclude that there are no significant differences separating the two species. [2] Therefore they treat N. shimogensis as a synonym of N. ruppelli. The Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes follows this treatment. [4]
Nevertheless, Nemachilichthys shimogensis is listed as a separate species by the IUCN and Fishbase to this day. [1] [5] [6]
N. ruppelli is presently reported from the Krishna River system in the Western Ghats, India. Specimen where found in the following rivers: Thunga, Mula-Mutha, Krishna River, Indrayani, Hiranyakeshi, Nira River and Koyna. [2]
N. ruppelli lives in moderate to fast-flowing rivers, usually on the bed. N. ruppelli prefers mud, small rocks, silt and pebbles. It frequently occurs in association with submerged roots of riparian plants and aquatic vegetation. [2]