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Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-9; Vertebrae: 34-37. Diagnosis: Pseudobarbus verloreni can be distinguished from its congeners by distinct linear speckles above and below the lateral line, anterior barbels minute and much smaller than eye diameter, lips unretracted, and cartilaginous plate absent (Ref. 98574). It is distinguished from all other species of Pseudobarbus, except P. skeltoni, P. burchelli and P. burgi, by the presence of two pairs of oral barbels (Ref. 98574). It is distinguished from P. skeltoni, P. burchelli and P. burgi by having a deeper body relative to standard length, smaller anterior barbels and a shorter snout relative to head length (Ref. 98574). Further, Pseudobarbus verloreni is distinguished from P. skeltoni by having a sub-terminal mouth vs. terminal in P. skeltoni and a smaller head relative to standard length; it is distinguished from P. burchelli and P. skeltoni by a deeper head, wider distance between the eyes, larger eye relative to head length, shorter posterior barbel relative to head length, wider post-orbit distance, shallower caudal peduncle and generally fewer scales along the lateral line; it is distinguished from P. burchelli and P. burgi by lack of cartilaginous plate on lower lip and having unretracted lips; and it is distinguished from P. burgi by its longer head, longer predorsal length, shorter caudal peduncle and larger eye (Ref. 98574).
Description: The body is fusiform, more or less laterally compressed, with a conspicuous lateral stripe from the posterior edge of the head terminating in a dark spot at the base of the caudal peduncle; the lateral band is more pronounced in juveniles and sub-adults, but is less conspicuous in adults; distinct linear speckles are present on the abdomen (Ref. 98574). The head is relatively small and slightly depressed; head length is almost equal to body depth (Ref. 98574). Two pairs of barbels; rostral barbels minute and much smaller than eye diameter; maxillary barbels rooted at the corner of the mouth are longer than rostral barbels and are equal or smaller than eye diameter (Ref. 98574). Eyes are relatively large, located dorsolaterally, closer to the tip of the snout than the caudal margin of the operculum, interorbital space is flat (Ref. 98574). Mouth is sub-terminal, lower lip is unretracted and lacks a cartilaginous plate (Ref. 98574). Snout is relatively short, only few nuptial tubercles present or tubercles are completely lacking (Ref. 98574). Dorsal fin with 3 unbranched and 7-8 branched rays, distal margin almost straight, anterior base of dorsal fin inserted directly above or slightly in front of the origin of pelvic fins; origin of dorsal fin inserted almost midway between tip of snout and base of caudal fin; pectoral fins with 13-16 rays, shorter than head length, reaching beyond halfway to pelvic fin origin; pelvic fin with 7-9 rays, shorter than head, posterior edge gently rounded, reaching the anus in males and within one or two scale rows to the anus in females; anal fin with 3-4 unbranched and 5 branched rays, distal margin almost straight or gently rounded, origin inserted closer to origin of pelvic fin than base of caudal fin; caudal fin forked, shorter than head length (Ref. 98574). Genital opening situated adjacent to anterior base of anal fin (Ref. 98574). Scales moderately large; lateral line complete, 29-36 scales along lateral line; 5-6 scale rows between dorsal fin origin and lateral line; 4-5 scale rows between pelvic fin origin and lateral line; 4-5 scale rows between lateral line and anal fin origin; 12-16 circumpeduncular scale rows (Ref. 98574). Predorsal scale rows 13-18, embedded in skin, smaller than flank scales; patch between head and posterior base of pectoral fins naked; scales between posterior base of pectoral fins and anterior base of pelvic fins smaller than flank scales and embedded; pelvic fins lack prominent or elongate axillary scales; scales radiately striated (Ref. 98574).
Colouration: Live colouration is golden-tan dorsally and laterally, becoming lighter and more silver ventrally; in adults, base of fins is pale red or yellowish-orange in some specimens (Ref. 98574). Alcohol preserved specimens have conspicuous linear speckles above and below the lateral line (Ref. 98574). |