‘Henicorhynchus’ thaitui, a new species of cavefish from Central Vietnam (Teleostei, Cyprinidae)

Researchers have identified a new species of cavefish, 'Henicorhynchus' thaitui, from a subterranean stream within Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Central Vietnam. This discovery is notable for its distinct morphological traits, including a pale pink body, smaller eyes with diameters less than the length of its maxillary barbel, and two pairs of barbels, where the maxillary barbel is significantly longer than the rostral barbel. The study, published in ZooKeys, highlights the unique adaptations of this species, which sets it apart from all other congeners. The research contributes to the understanding of biodiversity within UNESCO World Heritage Sites, particularly in karst cave ecosystems.

Nguyen, D. T., Ho, A. T., Hoang, N. T., Wu, H., & Zhang, E. (2020). ‘Henicorhynchus’ thaitui, a new species of cavefish from Central Vietnam (Teleostei, Cyprinidae). ZooKeys, 965, 85–101. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.965.52751