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Schizothorax

Schizothorax is a genus of cyprinid fish found in southern and western China, through northern South Asia (Himalaya) and Central Asia, to Iran. They are primarily found in highland rivers, streams and lakes, although a few species occur in lower-lying locations, like Lake Balkhash and lakes of the Sistan Basin. Their scientific name means "cloven-breast", from Ancient Greek schízeïn (σχίζειν) 'to cleave' and thórax (θώραξ) 'breast-plate'. The western species are typically referred to as marinkas from their Russian name marinka (маринка), while the eastern species are usually called snowtrout. Although they do resemble trouts in habitus this is merely due to convergent evolution and they are by no means closely related apart from both being Teleostei: Cyprinids are in the teleost superorder Ostariophysi, while trouts are in the superorder Protacanthopterygii. Their ancestors must thus have diverged as early as the Triassic, more than 200 million years ago.

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Jul 17, 2026
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Schizothorax
Schizothorax sp.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Cyprinidae
Subfamily: Schizothoracinae
Genus: Schizothorax
Heckel, 1838
Type species
Schizothorax plagiostomus
Heckel, 1838
Synonyms

Racoma McClelland & Griffith, 1842

Schizothorax is a genus of cyprinid fish found in southern and western China, through northern South Asia (Himalaya) and Central Asia, to Iran.123 They are primarily found in highland rivers, streams and lakes, although a few species occur in lower-lying locations, like Lake Balkhash and lakes of the Sistan Basin.1245 Their scientific name means "cloven-breast", from Ancient Greek schízeïn (σχίζειν) 'to cleave' and thórax (θώραξ) 'breast-plate' (see also thorax). The western species are typically referred to as marinkas from their Russian name marinka (маринка), while the eastern species are usually called snowtrout. Although they do resemble trouts in habitus this is merely due to convergent evolution and they are by no means closely related apart from both being Teleostei: Cyprinids are in the teleost superorder Ostariophysi, while trouts are in the superorder Protacanthopterygii. Their ancestors must thus have diverged as early as the Triassic, more than 200 million years ago.

Schizothorax is classified within the subfamily Schizothoracinae, the snow barbels, within the family Cyprinidae, the family which includes the carps, barbs and related fishes.6 This grouping was formerly thought to include the mountain barbels now classified in the subfamily Schizopygopsinae.23

Genomics

Genome assemblies of Schizothorax oconnori (2020) and Schizothorax davidi (2026) have provided the first reference genomes for the genus. These genome assemblies provide a foundation for studies of polyploid genome evolution, high-altitude adaptation, and comparative genomics within Schizothorax.78

Species

Schizothorax intermedius source ↗
Schizothorax plagiostomus source ↗
Schizothorax waltoni source ↗

These are the currently recognized species in this genus:9

References

References

  1. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Species in genus Schizothorax". FishBase. May 2019 version.
  2. Yang, J.; J.X. Yang; and X.Y. Chen (2012). "A re-examination of the molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the genus Schizothorax (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) through enhanced sampling, with emphasis on the species in the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, China". Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research. 50 (3). doi:10.1111/j.1439-0469.2012.00661.x.
  3. Coad, B.W.; N.K. de Ville (2004). "On the systematics and distribution of the snow trout Schizothorax pelzami Kessler, 1870, in Iran (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae)". Zoology in the Middle East. 32 (1): 57–62. doi:10.1080/09397140.2004.10638044.
  4. Hammer, U.T. (1986). Saline Lake Ecosystems of the World. DR. W. Junk Publishers. p. 458. ISBN 90-6193-535-0.
  5. Coad, B.; J. Hales (2008). ""Helmand - Sistan"". Freshwater Ecoregions of the World. Archived from the original on 2017-01-16. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  6. Fricke, Ron; Eschmeyer, William N. & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Genera in the family Schizothoracinae". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  7. Xiao, Shijun; Mou, Zhenbo; Fan, Dingding; Zhou, He; Zou, Ming; Zou, Yu; Zhou, Chaowei; Yang, Ruibin; Liu, Jiaqi; Zhu, Shilin; Li, Yajuan; Liu, Yanchao; Liu, Fei; Wang, Wanliang; Zeng, Benhe; Li, Hong; Wang, Di; Liu, Haiping (2020-09-25). "Genome of Tetraploid Fish Schizothorax o'connori Provides Insights into Early Re-diploidization and High-Altitude Adaptation". iScience. 23 (9) 101497. doi:10.1016/j.isci.2020.101497. PMC 7486454. PMID 32905880.
  8. Xie, Chuanshuai; Li, Yuanhang; Zhou, Yan; Cui, Yili; Wang, Haoyu; Xu, Luohao; Liu, Haiping (2026-04-30). "Haplotype-resolved chromosome-level genome assembly of Schizothorax davidi". Scientific Data. doi:10.1038/s41597-026-07328-7. PMID 42062310.
  9. Fricke, Ron; Eschmeyer, William N. & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Schizothorax". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 3 January 2024.