Schizopygopsis younghusbandi

Schizopygopsis younghusbandi
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Cypriniformes
Family:	Cyprinidae
Genus:	Schizopygopsis
Species:	S. younghusbandi
Binomial name
Schizopygopsis younghusbandi Regan, 1905

Schizopygopsis younghusbandi is a species of ray-finned fish endemic to Tibet.^[2] It occurs in the Yarlung Tsangpo River (=upper Brahmaputra) drainage and in endorheic lakes in its vicinity.^[1] Schizopygopsis younghusbandi grows to about 50 cm (1.6 ft) in total length.^[2]

Several species and subspecies are currently considered as junior synonyms of Schizopygopsis younghusbandi. The taxonomic status of these should be re-examined as they might be distinct species.^[1]

Etymology

The Etyfish Project states that the patronym was not identified but clearly in honor of Lieut.-Col. Francis Edward Younghusband (1863-1942), who led a 1904 British expedition to Tibet, during which the type specimen was collected.^[3]

Habitat and ecology

Schizopygopsis younghusbandi inhabits swift rivers with a rocky substrate, and mountain lakes. It is locally common.^[1]

Schizopygopsis younghusbandi has been found to be the prey species that contributed most to the diet of Oxygymnocypris stewartii, a large predatory cyprinid. On average, Schizopygopsis younghusbandi made 59% of Oxygymnocypris stewartii stomach content weight, more so among larger individuals than smaller ones.^[4]

Fishery

Schizopygopsis younghusbandi is heavily used as a food fish and is among the most important commercial species in the area.^[1]

References

1. Ng, H.H. (2010). "Schizopygopsis younghusbandi". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010. IUCN: e.T168441A6492818. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T168441A6492818.en. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
2. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Schizopygopsis younghusbandi". FishBase. May 2019 version.
3. Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara (22 September 2018). "Order CYPRINIFORMES: Family CYPRINIDAE: Subfamilies ACROSSOCHEILINAE, BARBINAE, SPINIBARBINAE, SCHIZOTHORACINAE, SCHIZOPYGOPSINAE and Incertae sedis". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
4. Huo, B.; Xie, C. X.; Madenjian, C. P.; Ma, B. S.; Yang, X. F.; Huang, H. P. (2014). "Feeding habits of an endemic fish, Oxygymnocypris stewartii, in the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet, China". Environmental Biology of Fishes. 97 (11): 1279–1293. doi:10.1007/s10641-013-0213-8. S2CID 15291571.