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| ARTICLE INFORMATION: Author: Stefan vd Voort Title: Betta aurigens Summary: A description, with illustration, of a newly discovered species of Betta from Indonesia. Contact for editing purposes: email: stefanhome@ilse.nl Date first published: 2004 Publication: IGL's Der Makropode Reprinted from Aquarticles: |
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Betta aurigans TAN & LIM, 2004 by Stefan vd Voort
Betta aurigans, a new species, is found in the lowland swamp forest streams of Pulau Natuna Besar. It belongs to the Betta akarensis species group (B. akarensis, B. aurigans, new species, B. balunga, B. chini, B. pinguis) and is distinct from the other taxa in having a greenish-gold opercle, and gold scales on the belly. Also, B. aurigans has a lump behind the head just above the eye in large males, which is absent in the other taxa. Furthermore the new species differs from the other taxa in anal fin-ray counts and lateral scales count. Etymology - The name "aurigans" is Latin for 'with gold iridescence'. It refers to the iridescent golden scales on its body and belly. Size - The largest specimen caught was 73.5 mm SL. Distribution and habitat - Betta aurigans seems to be endemic to Pulau Natuna Besar of the Natuna Archipelago (Indonesia: Sumatra). The new species thrives in heath-peat swamp forest habitats. B. aurigans usually lives in blackwater pools and streams among submerged leaf litter and roots. The only syntopic, the only other species that was found sympatrically with the new species, is Luciocephalus pulcher. Literature cited © Stefan vd Voort, 2004 |
