Lefua torrentis, a new species of loach from western Japan (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae)
Authors
Kazumi Hosoya*, Taiki Ito** and Jun-Ichi Miyazaki***
Lefua torrentis, new species, is described from western Japan. Lefua torrentis is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: eyes located dorsally on the head (vs. dorsolaterally on the head), presence of a narrow conspicuous dark brown band between the base of the outer rostral barbel and the eye (vs. absence, or light and/or indistinct if present), absence of a rhomboid or triangular dark blotch on the middle of the caudal-fin base (vs. presence), and absence of dark spots on the dorsal and caudal fins, or sparse if present (vs. presence). Lefua torrentis is mainly distributed in areas surrounding the Seto Inland Sea, and partly in areas near the Sea of Japan coast. It is also unique in inhabiting only mountain streams, whereas its congeners have a preference for more lentic waters in swampy streams and ditches.