Mathews Plamoottil and Nelson
Abstract
Mystus keralai, a new species of the family Bagridae, is described from Chenappady of Manimala River of Kerala, India. It is distinguished from its relative species by the following combination of characters: head longer; eyes smaller; median longitudinal groove on head narrow, long and reaching base of occipital process, the latter reaching basal bone of dorsal fin; maxillary barbels very long, extending beyond base of caudal fin; pectoral spine longer; base of rayed dorsal fin greater; adipose dorsal fairly long, commencing a little behind the posterior base of rayed dorsal fin; a light brownish green line goes through lateral line in between elongated humeral and triangular caudal spots. The new fish is described and compared with its relatives.