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Paedocypris species
"Belitung Island" |
 |
 |
| Family: Cyprinidae (Minnows &
Carps) /
Order: Cypriniformes (Carps) |
|
|
Common names |
Distribution |
Environment |
Fish |
|
| |
UK: (Dwarf Cypris)
DK: (Dværg Cypris) |
Asia:
Belitung Island, Indonesia |
Freshwater
25+ºC / pH 3-4 |
Max Size: <1 cm |
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|
Paedocypris progenetica comes from highly acidic (pH4 or less) peatwater
swamps in forests in Sumatra. It was described by Maurice Kottelat
and Tan Heok Hui with further research carried out by Ralf Britz
and Kai-Erik Witte. At
only 7.9mm it is thought to be the smallest species of
vertebrate yet known to science. Males have strangely-shaped pelvic fins
which are thought to be an adaptation used to grasp females
during mating, although this is not as yet confirmed (aquarium studies will
be the best way to establish this). They were first imported into the
UK over 2 years ago as an unknown species, unfortunately in insufficient
numbers to make any meaningful observations.
At least one
other species is known, Paedocypris micromegethes from Sarawak which grows
to the huge size of 8.8mm.
As a result
of the extensive forest fires across South-east Asia during 1997 several
populations have already been wiped out,
some of which may actually have represented separate unknown species.
Maurice Kottelat, Ralf
Britz, Tan Heok Hui & Kai-Erik Witte, 2006. Paedocypris, a new genus of
Southeast Asian cyprinid fish
with a remarkable sexual dimorphism, comprises the world's smallest
vertebrate.
Proc. R. Soc. B.
doi:10.1098/rspb.2005.3419.
