INTER-RELATIONSHIP OF PUNTIUS HAMILTON-BUCHANAN (CYPRINIDAE: CYPRININAE) FOUND IN MANIPUR, INDIA

Inter-relationship of 12 species of the genus Puntius Hamilton-Buchanan were investigated based on certain osteological characters. Fishes under study consists of three phylectic groups: sophore, conchonius and sarana. The sophore group is characteristic in having a cranial fontanel; smooth last simple dorsal spine; slender 3+4 infraorbital; eight predorsal vertebrae and less number of vertebrae, and conchonius group, by absence of barbels; cranial fontanel and in having finely serrated last simple dorsal spine; greatly enlarged 3+4 infraorbital; slender pharyngeal bone with pointed dorsal limb. Sarana group consists of larger sized fishes having less body colour markings; presence of two pairs of well-developed barbels; a pair of uroneurals on the dorsal tip of the urostyle; higher total vertebral counts (35-36) and predorsal vertebral counts (10).