Barbodes binotatus

Barbodes aff. binotatus (Valenciennes 1842)

Barbodes binotatus: Ahmad et al., 2014: 18 (Sungkai Wildlife Reserve); Ahmad & Zakaria-Ismail, 2014: 413 (Sg. Cha Chor; Sg. Kejar; Sg. Mes; Sg. Purun; Sg. Tiang)

Barbodes aff. binotatus (Valenciennes 1842): Authors' data (Air Kuning; Gopeng; Kledang; Pondok Tanjung; Sg. Bernam; Sg. Ulu Kampar; Sg. Ulu Kenas; Sg. Kampar).

Remarks. The genus Barbodes, previously recognized as Puntius or Systomus in Peninsular Malaysia has several species and Barbodes binotatus is involved in the unstable "catch-all" Puntius species complex which members are typically differentiated by markings on the body. Specimens encountered in Peninsular Malaysia are commonly cited as Barbodes binotatus but we hesitate to give it the full recognition following Kottelat (2000) that reported the holotype is of Javan origin. The species is stated to be restricted to Java, Bali, Lombok and the highlands of Sumatra. Initially, we speculated that specimens found in Perak may be associated with the congener B. rhombeus found in southern Thailand. Yet, the holotype of B. rhombeus figured in Kottelat (2000) did not prominently exhibit a large black patch on dorsal-fin base found in our specimens (Fig. 3). The dark spot on caudal peduncle in our specimens is also evidently larger than B. rhombeus and the distal black margin of the anal-fin is absent. Therefore, we are open to the possibility that specimens encountered in Perak may be un-described. Until its taxonomic position is investigated and solved by the authorities, we are citing this species as B. aff. binotatus as a caution to checklist users that future taxonomic revision may occur.