A review of the genus Rasbora in Sri Lanka, with description of two new species (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

Recent surveys conducted in Sri Lanka show that five species of Rasbora are present in the island. The name R. dandia Valenciennes is revived for the Sri Lankan and southern Indian species previously assigned to R. daniconius. Rasbora dandia differs from topotypical R. daniconius, among other characters, by having a complete (vs. incomplete) lateral line on the body. Rasbora caverii is shown to be a junior synonym of R. dandia, while the fish previously identified as the former in Sri Lanka and the Coromandel floodplain of Tamil Nadu is referred to R. microcephalus (Jerdon). In addition to R. wilpita, two endemic new species with restricted distributions are described from southern Sri Lanka. Rasbora armitagei, new species, is distinguished from all Indian and Sri Lankan Rasbora by having a complete lateral line; a prominent symphysial knob on the lower jaw; a head depth 48.3-52.5 % head length; and a body depth of 23.2-24.4 % standard length. Rasbora naggsi, new species, is distinguished from Sri Lankan and Indian congeners by having 1/2 4 scales between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line; 31-35 pored lateral-line scales on the body; a head length of 24.1-27.2 %, a body depth of 18.1-21.7%, and a post-dorsal length of 43.8-46.5 % of standard length. The status of Leuciscus microcephalus Jerdon is stabilized by designation of a neotype. A common neotype is also designated for the following simultaneously published names authored by T. C. Jerdon: L. flavus, L. cavern and L. xanthogramme, the first of which is given precedence through first-reviser action. These, together with L. malabaricus, are considered junior synonyms of R. dandia.