Cobitis takenoi sp. n. (Cypriniformes, Cobitidae): a new spined loach from Honshu Island, Japan

Abstract. A new species of spined loach, Cobitis takenoi sp. n., is described based on the holotype and ten paratypes collected from Tango District, Honshu Island, Japan. The new species is distinguished by a combination of the following character states: 1) the lamina circularis at the base of the pectoral fin in adult male having a simple roundish plate form; 2) a narrowing of the upper segments of the first branched ray of the pectoral fin; 3) a short maxillary barbel whose length equals diameter of the eye; 4) 14 prepelvic myotomes, and 5) L3 and L5 well developed, forming longitudinal obvious stripes in males during the spawning season.