Mustura arenaria, a new species of genus Mustura (Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae) from Myanmar, with taxonomic notes on Mustura shanensis

Mustura arenaria sp. nov., a new species of the genus Mustura, is described from the Chindwin – Irrawaddy basin in central Myanmar. It can be distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of characters: 7–15 vertical lateral blotches alternating with 9–17 saddles, distinctly narrower than the interspaces; lateral blotches more rounded in males; 8 + 8 branched caudal-fin rays; 8 ½ branched dorsal-fin rays; and a complete lateral line.

Phylogenetic analysis based on combined data of Cyt b and RAG 1 revealed that the new species represents an independent lineage and that Mustura is paraphyletic. Additionally, both morphological and molecular data support the transfer of Mustura shanensis to the genus Schistura. Notably, a comprehensive taxonomic revision of this genus and related taxa involving more species is required because the genetic positions of several Mustura species conflict with morphological characters.