2 NEW SPECIES OF THE COBITID GENUS BOTIA FROM THE LAO-MEKONG BASIN

Two new cobitid species, Botia longidorsalis and B. caudipunctata, are described from the Lao Mekong basin. These species are fell into mode sta-group of subgenus Hymenophysa in having short rostral and maxillar y barbels, relatively large mental lobes, each with a pair of fleshy p apillae at its anterior end, ordinary premaxillae not surrounding a ca vity and a fontanelle on the top of the cranium. B. longidorsalis is t he most similar to B. morleti, but is distinguishable from it and othe r species of modesta-group by the combination of the following charact ers: 9-10 branched dorsal fin rays, 30-31 total vertebrae, 13-18 narro w, irregular, brownish bars on the body sides, a broad, brownish bar o n the caudal peduncle, and numerous small brownish spots on the caudal fin lobes. B. caudipunctata shows morphological similarities to B. le contei and B. modesta, but differs from them and all other species by the combination of the following characters: 8 branched dorsal fin ray s, 32-33 total vertebrae, brownish, saddle-shaped bands on the body be hind the dorsal fin, a large, blurred blotch on the caudal peduncle, a nd pale dorsal, anal, pectoral and pelvic fins. The caudal fin has num erous small, brownish spots.