Badis autumnum species group

Diagnosis. Species in this group are characterised by and distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters and character states: presence of a conspicuous median black blotch on caudal peduncle; presence of a curved bar 1, broader medially, displaying as a partially absorbed second caudal peduncle blotch, often fusing with bar 1; the presence of twelve vertical bars across caudal peduncle, flank and nape; the absence of a cleithral blotch and somewhat elongate body shape.

Included species: B. autumnum, B. andrewraoi, B. kyanos.

Remarks. Species groups within the genus Badis were originally defined by Kullander & Britz (2002) based on external morphological characters and colour pattern. Five species groups were diagnosed, and this presumed classification received supplementary support through molecular analyses (Rüber et al. 2004). Badis autumnum, B. andrewraoi and B. kyanos do not possess the diagnostic characters or character states of any of those groups (see diagnoses of each newly described species herein), and instead appear to be closely related to each other, thus we diagnose a new species group. The B. autumnum group is based on three characters that we consider synapomorphic because of their presence in all members of the group (viz. bar 1 plus the double caudal peduncle blotch; twelve vertical bars across sides). We consider these three synapomorphic characters to be homologous because although they are shared across all units comprising the group, suggesting they share a most recent common ancestor, we presently cannot resolve whether or not these traits have retained similarity of structure. In addition, the group is defined by the absence of a conspicuous blotch covering the superficial part of the cleithrum above the pectoral-fin base, a character that is present in members of the B. badis species group, which with its seven members currently represents the largest species group of the genus.