Reassessment of Pinniwallago kanpurensis confirms its synonymy with Wallago attu (Siluridae)

Pinniwallago kanpurensis was described from Bara Tal in the Kanpur district, India and was distinguished from Wallago attu by the presence of a second rayed dorsal fin. Hitherto, both the genus and the species have been considered valid. Radiographic analysis revealed abnormal pterygiophores associated with the second rayed dorsal fin, indicative of a developmental anomaly. Further, the study revealed marked inconsistencies in the position and relative length of this putative structure between the type specimens. We support the earlier interpretation that P. kanpurensis was based on anomalous individuals and is herein considered a junior synonym of W. attu.