Identity of Labeo nigrescens Day, 1870 with descriptions of two new Labeo species from the Southern Western Ghats

Abstract

The identity of Labeo nigrescens Day, 1870 is established based on examination of syntypes and a topotype from South Canara. L. nigrescens can be distinguished from congeners by its distinct colour pattern and a unique lateral line feature. A population from the Chalakkudy River basin in Kerala, formerly considered conspecific with L. nigrescens, is described here as Labeo chekida, a new species. In addition, a species from the Chandragiri River basin in Northern Kerala and South Canara, characterised by dramatically elongated finnage, is recognised as a new species distinct from L. nigrescens and L. filiferus and is described here as Labeo uru sp. nov.