A Taxonomic Revision of the Indo-Burmese Species of Danio Hamilton Buchanan (Pisces: Cyprinidae)

The cyprinid fish genus Danio Hamilton Buchanan are of common occurrence in many watercourses of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaya Peninsula, Sumatra, Yannan province in China. These small sized fishes which do not grow more than 110 mm. (4.5 inches) in total length are aquarium pets and are eaten by the poorer classes mostly in dry and salted condition. These fishes do not constitute any major fishery in Indian waters, and are only of secondary value. However, taxonomically these are mostly interesting since the extensive use of the fishes in aquarium trade has cast much confusion in nomenclature, systematics and zoogeography. The most comprehensive classic work on the Danio Hamilton Buchanan and Brachydanio Weber & de Beaufort is by Hora and Mukerji (1934a). Subsequent to this important work not much attention seems to have been given to this group of fishes. Hora and Mukerji (1934a) gave a synopsis of the Indian and Burmese species key then known belonging to Danio and Brachydanio for the identification. Subsequent additional records of species and discovery f some more new species under the genus warrant more critical evaluation of the Indian danios as it now appears. The said synopsis lacks any illustrations, which are very essential for identification. Further the concept of species themselves and the taxonomic characters utilized have changed with the modern advanced knowledge and therefore, it is felt necessary to undertake a thorough revision of the genus Danio Hamilton Buchanan. The present effort is therefore, to document systematic account of the Indian Danios and Brachydanios along with suitable illustrations and descriptions and to review the general taxonomy of the Indian Danios and Brachydanios in the light of the current taxonomic development. The emphasis in this work has all through been to project a comprehensive systematic account of the fishes belinging to genera and subgenera Danio and Brachydanio, especially those inhabiting the Indian regionh and to advance our taxonomic knowledge of the Danios and Brachydanios of India.