[Ichthyology • 2024] Parauchenoglanis dolichorhinus, P. megalasma, P. poikilos, ... • Nine in One: Integrative Taxonomic Evidence of Hidden Species Diversity in the widespread Zambezi Grunter, Parauchenoglanis ngamensis (Siluriformes: Auchenoglanididae), from southern and south-central Africa

Parauchenoglanis spp. 

Sithole, Vreven, Bragança, Musschoot & Chakona, 2024 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae121

 saiab.AC.za 

Abstract

The Zambezi grunter, Parauchenoglanis ngamensis, is currently distributed across four (sub)basins in southern and south-central Africa, namely the Okavango, upper Zambezi, Kwanza, and Kasai. The present study used a combination of molecular (barcoding), colour pattern, and other morphological data to explore the possible existence of hidden species diversity within this species. Based on the available samples, analyses of molecular data uncovered seven well-supported (.96–1.00 Bayesian posterior probabilities) candidate species, with 1.6%−8.5% genetic divergence between them. These, in addition to two more candidate species without genetic data, exhibited a combination of consistent colour pattern and other morphological differences that supported their distinction. The present study redescribes P. ngamensis, which is confined to the Okavango and upper Zambezi (sub)basins, and describes eight new species: two from the Kwanza Basin and six from the Kasai sub-basin. The fact that some of the species occur allopatrically, whereas others are sympatric and even syntopic indicates the complex palaeogeographical history of these basins. In addition, the high species diversity discovered in the Kasai sub-basin seems to be related to its highly peculiar hydrography. Accurate delimitation of species boundaries and mapping of their distribution is crucial for conservation assessments and guiding their protection.

allopatric speciation, barcoding, catfish, colour pattern, conservation

A. Parauchenoglanis patersoni

This species is named in honour of Dr. Angus Paterson, who was the Managing Director of the NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB) the time this paper was accepted. The name acknowledges Dr. Paterson’s dedication to developing taxonomic expertise and advancing ichthyological research in the poorly explored regions of southern Africa.

B. Parauchenoglanis ernstswartzi

This species is named in honour of Dr. Ernst Swartz, recognising his significant contributions to ichthyology, including the collection of specimens used in this study. Dr. Swartz’s pioneering exploration of the Kwanza and Kasai basins was instrumental in the discovery of several new species.

C. Parauchenoglanis dolichorhinus

The name ‘dolichorhinus’ is derived from the Greek words “dolichos” meaning “long,” and “rhinus” meaning “snout”. This name refers to the notably long snout of this species compared to others in the P. ngamensis group.

D. Parauchenoglanis poikilos

The name of this species is derived from the Greek adjective “poikilos,” which means “spotted”. The numerous distinctive spots along its body are a key characteristic of its identification.

E. Parauchenoglanis megalasma

The name of this species is derived from the Greek words “mega” meaning “large,” and “melasma” meaning “black spot”. It refers to the prominent, large black blotches along its lateral line.

G. Parauchenoglanis lueleensis

The suffix “-ensis” means “lives in” and refers to the Luele River in the Kasai sub-basin, where this species is found.

H. Parauchenoglanis luendaensis

Named after the Luenda River in the Kasai sub-basin, this species also carries the suffix “-ensis,” indicating the region it inhabits.

I. Parauchenoglanis chiumbeensis

This species is named after the Chiumbe River, which is also located in the Kasai sub-basin. The name acknowledges the region as the habitat of this newly identified species.

Yonela Sithole, Emmanuel J W M N Vreven, Pedro H N Bragança, Tobias Musschoot, Albert Chakona. 2024. Nine in One: Integrative Taxonomic Evidence of Hidden Species Diversity in the widespread Zambezi Grunter, Parauchenoglanis ngamensis (Siluriformes: Auchenoglanididae), from southern and south-central Africa. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 202(3); zlae121. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae121 saiab.AC.za

Unveiling New Species: How Eight New Catfish Species Were Named

  saiab.AC.za/unveiling-new-species-how-eight-new-catfish-species-were-named/

 

[Ichthyology • 2024] Enteromius cerinus & E. ruforum • Hidden Species Diversity in the Enteromius Cope, 1867 (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Aruwimi Basin (Middle Congo) in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (DR Congo)

Enteromius cerinus  &  E. ruforum

 Ilodiri, Huyghe, da Costa, Baba, Mizani & Vreven, 2024

 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15883 

 x.com/CharlotteHuygh6

 

Abstract

Two new African minnow species, Enteromius cerinus sp. nov. and Enteromius ruforum sp. nov., are described for science from the Angadiko River, a left-bank sub-affluent of first order of the Nepoko River, draining the north-eastern part of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR). Both new species belong to the group of Enteromius for which the last unbranched dorsal-fin ray is flexible and underrated. Within this morphological group, both are most similar to Enteromius kamolondoensis, especially in life colour pattern characteristics. However, Enteromius cerinus sp. nov. differs from E. kamolondoensis by its low number of circumpeduncular scales, 10–11 (vs. 12), low maximum body depth, 22.8%–25.7% standard length (Ls) (vs. 26.1%–30.0%), and long anterior and posterior barbel lengths, 32.6%–35.3% head length (LH) (vs. 23.6%–27.2%) and 41.6%–43.9% LH (vs. 30.3%–34.9%), respectively. Further, E. ruforum sp. nov. is also easily distinguished from E. kamolondoensis by its high maximum body depth, 30.6%–33.3% Ls (vs. 26.1%–30.0%), and small, isometric, eye diameter, 26.2%–28.0% LH (vs. 29.1%–31.9%). A barcoding study (mtDNA, cytochrome oxidase subunit I [COI]) revealed that specimens of both new species form lineages well differentiated from those of other available species. As such, (i) E. cerinus sp. nov. diverges from E. kamolondoensis by a K2P genetic distance (GD) of 10.3% and (ii) E. ruforum sp. nov. by a K2P GD of 11.2%. To the present day, the fish fauna of the left-bank sub-affluents of the Nepoko River, in general, remains poorly known or undocumented. Unfortunately, at the same time, multiple anthropogenic impacts are affecting this fauna, such as (i) the destruction of habitats along the river banks for agriculture and fishing and (ii) the use of illegal fishing practices, such as fishing with plant-based ichthyotoxins during ecopage, which is combined with dam building. As a result of the demographic growth, this ecopage results in overfishing and thus is threatening both new species in particular, but all other co-occurring fish species as well. Both new species, E. cerinus sp. nov. and E. ruforum sp. nov., should thus be considered Vulnerable (VU) according to IUCN criterion D2. It is therefore hoped that their discovery highlights the urgent need for a better protection and further in situ exploration of the reserve's freshwater (fish) biodiversity, in general, and that of those small sub-affluents, in particular.

Wilson Mayo Ilodiri, Charlotte E. T. Huyghe, Luis M. da Costa, Taylor Mambo Baba, Célestin Danadu Mizani and Emmanuel J. W. M. N. Vreven. 2024. Hidden Species Diversity in the Enteromius Cope, 1867 (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Aruwimi Basin (Middle Congo) in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15883

  x.com/CharlotteHuygh6/status/1843257481520394618

[Ichthyology • 2024] Parauchenoglanis stiassnyae (Siluriformes: Auchenoglanididae) • A New Species of Giraffe Catfish from Mfimi-Lukenie Basin, central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo

 

  Parauchenoglanis stiassnyae

Modimo, Bernt, Monsembula Iyaba, Mbimbi & Liyandja, 2024

DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15885

 x.com/MJBernt

Abstract

A new, distinctively short-bodied giraffe catfish of Parauchenoglanis is described from the Ndzaa River, a small left-bank tributary of the Mfimi-Lukenie basin in the Central basin of the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The new species can be distinguished from all congeners by having 29 or fewer (vs. 33 or more) total vertebrae. It can further be distinguished from all congeners, except Parauchenoglanis zebratus Sithole et al., 2023 and Parauchenoglanis ngamensis (Boulenger 1911), by having 13 or 14 (vs. 16 or more) pre-anal vertebrae. The species is endemic to the Mfimi River basin, where it has been collected mainly in blackwater tributaries.

Keywords: Congo basin, CT scan, DNA barcoding, morpholog,y Ndzaa River, Parauchenoglanis

  Parauchenoglanis stiassnyae sp. nov. 
Photographs of preserved (a) holotype (AMNH 278139 in lateral view) and (b–d) paratype (AMNH 278165, 68.1 mm standard length [SL], respectively, in dorsal, lateral, and ventral views).

Scale bar: 1 cm.

Parauchenoglanis stiassnyae, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: P. stiassnyae is distinguished from all congeners by having 28–29 vertebrae (vs. 33 or more). P. stiassnyae is also distinguished from all congeners by the possession of 13–14 pre-anal vertebrae (vs. 15 or more) except for Parauchenoglanis zebratus (14–17) and Parauchenoglanis ngamensis (13, holotype). The new species can further be distinguished from P. cf. punctatus_L3, P. balayi, P. longiceps, P. pantherinus, P. punctatus, and P. ubangensis by a narrower supraoccipital process–nuchal plate interdistance (1.4%–2.9% vs. >3% HL); from P. cf. punctatus_L3, P. guttatus, P. longiceps, P. pantherinus, and P. punctatus by a wider orbital HW (64.7%–76.2% vs. 54.9%–63.9% HL); from P. guttatus, P. longiceps, and P. ubangensis by a wider mouth (37.8%–50.8% vs. 25.9%–35.7% HL); from P. guttatus, P. punctatus, P. ubangensis, and P. zebratus by a wider premaxillary toothplate (12.9%–18.6% vs. 6.6%–12.5% HL); from P. guttatus, P. longiceps, P. pantherinus, and P. zebratus by a wider head (HW: 70.1%–81.1% vs. 58.9%–69.3% HL); from P. balayi and P. pantherinus by a shorter dorsal-fin spine (10.8%–16% vs. 16.1%–18.8% SL); from P. guttatus and P. pantherinus by a smaller orbital diameter (9.5%–14.2% vs. 14.4%–16.9% HL) and a wider interpectoral distance (16.7%–21.4% vs. 15.3%–16.6% SL); from P. balayi, P. ngamensis (holotype), and P. ubangensis by a shorter adipose-fin–caudal-fin interdistance (2.7%–5.2% vs. 6.2%–10.5% SL); and from P. balayi by a longer head (HL: 31.3%–35% vs. 28.1%–30.6% SL) and a narrower interorbital (IOD: 19.5%–27.1% vs. 27.3%–28% HL).

 Biology and ecology: Most specimens of P. stiassnyae were collected in forested habitats over mud and plant debris in tributaries of the Mfimi River. The rivers where specimens of P. stiassnyae have been collected are characterized by a humic, moderately acidic (pH 4.1–5.3), and dark-brown water with low conductivity (10–50 μS/cm) and low concentrations of dissolved solids (TDS: 10–30 mg/L). These observations, combined with the species body colouration, suggest that P. stiassnyae is adapted to forested habitats, muddy, humic, and dark-brown waters of the Mfimi River tributaries.

 Etymology: P. stiassnyae is named after Melanie L. J. Stiassny (MLJS) of the AMHN. MLJS is the initiator of the AMNH Congo Project that resulted in significant documentation and an improved systematic, biological, and evolutionary understanding of the Congo River basin ichthyofauna with an extensive collection deposited at the AMNH, the University of Kinshasa, and the University of Marien Ngouabi. Additionally, MLJS trained and continues to train numerous Congolese ichthyologists, including the authors of the present paper. We dedicate this species to her outstanding work and commitment to biodiscovery and conservation in the Congo River basin.

 

Myriam Y. Modimo, Maxwell J. Bernt, Raoul J. C. Monsembula Iyaba, José J. M. M. Mbimbi and Tobit L. D. Liyandja. 2024. Parauchenoglanis stiassnyae (Siluriformes: Auchenoglanididae): A New Species of Giraffe Catfish from Mfimi-Lukenie Basin, central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15885

 x.com/MJBernt/status/1818665684739535207

[Arachnida • 2024] Thiratoscirtus iyomii, T. kalisia & T. khonvoum • Three New Species of Thiratoscirtus (Araneae: Salticidae: Thiratoscirtinae) from Central African Rainforest

  

Thiratoscirtus iyomii

Pett, Iyomi & Mbende, 2024

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5399.2.4  

Researchgate.net/publication/377306059 

 twitter.com/BroganConBio/

 

Abstract

Three new species of Thiratoscirtus are described from Salonga National Park, D.R. Congo: Thiratoscirtus iyomii (♂♀), T. kalisia (♀) and T. khonvoum (♀). All species were caught on the forest floor during a rapid biodiversity inventory and represent the second report of spider collections from the largest protected tropical rainforest reserve in Africa.

Araneae, Salonga National Park, D.R. Congo, jumping spiders, leaf litter

Brogan L. Pett, Dieu Merci Mpongo Iyomi and Menard Mbende. 2024. Discovery of Three New Species of Thiratoscirtus (Araneae: Salticidae: Thiratoscirtinae) from Central African Rainforest.   Zootaxa. 5399(2); 155-162. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5399.2.4

  Researchgate.net/publication/377306059_three_new_species_of_Thiratoscirtus_from_Central_African_rainforest

  twitter.com/BroganConBio/status/1745758693696679956

[Ichthyology • 2023] Brachyalestes jackiae • Phylogenomics and Morphology of the African Fish Genus Brycinus with Revalidation of Brachyalestes (Characiformes: Alestidae) and Description of A New Species from the Congo Basin

Brachyalestes jackiae 

 Stiassny, Keane, Mbimbi & Melo, 2023

DOI: 10.1643/i2023033 

twitter.com/BrunFMelo

A time-calibrated phylogeny, based on nuclear ultraconserved elements and including representatives of all major alestid lineages, strongly supports two distantly related clades within the currently accepted concept of Brycinus. The first, which includes the type species of the genus, B. macrolepidotus (herein Brycinus), and a second, composed of taxa previously referred to as the B. nurse group (herein Brachyalestes), are both resolved as monophyletic. These results provide strong evidence for the restriction of the genus Brycinus to nine species, and for the revalidation of the genus Brachyalestes to accommodate 20 valid species. Within Brachyalestes, a new species from the Lulua River basin, initially misidentified as Brycinus kingsleyae, is described and resolved as sister to the widespread, central Congolese lowland species, Brachyalestes bimaculatus. Within Brachyalestes, a subclade mostly restricted to the Central Congo basin is estimated to have undergone diversification within the last 10 million years, suggesting that Late Neogene riverine reorganization likely influenced their allopatric speciation. The split of the new species, endemic to high elevation tributaries of the Lulua River, from its lowland sister species, Brachyalestes bimaculatus, suggests a Late Miocene/Early Pliocene colonization into the upland river ecosystems of the Katanga plateau in the southwestern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Brachyalestes jackiae 

Melanie L. J. Stiassny; Cooper Keane; José J. M. M. Mbimbi and Bruno F. Melo. 2023. Phylogenomics and Morphology of the African Fish Genus Brycinus with Revalidation of Brachyalestes and Description of A New Species from the Congo Basin (Teleostei: Alestidae). Ichthyology & Herpetology. 111(4); 597–611. DOI: 10.1643/i2023033 

twitter.com/BrunFMelo/status/1728425985798975583

[Ichthyology • 2023] Labeo mbimbii & L. manasseeae • Two New Labeo (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae: Labeoninae) Endemic to the Lulua River in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kasai Ecoregion); a Hotspot of Fish Diversity in the Congo Basin

 Labeo mbimbii & L. manasseeae

 Liyandja & Stiassny, 2023

DOI: 10.1206/3999.1 

URI: hdl.handle.net/2246/7321 

 Researchgate.net/publication/370855834

Abstract 

Labeo mbimbii, n. sp., and Labeo manasseeae, n. sp., two small-bodied Labeo species, are described from the lower and middle reaches of the Lulua River (Kasai ecoregion, Congo basin) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The two new species are members of the L. forskalii species group and are genetically distinct from all other species of that clade. Morphologically they can be distinguished from central African L. forskalii group congeners except L. dhonti, L. lukulae, L. luluae, L. parvus, L. quadribarbis, and L. simpsoni in the possession of 29 or fewer (vs. 30 or more) vertebrae and from those congeners by a wider interpectoral, among other features.

The two new species are endemic to the Lulua River and, although overlapping in geographical range and most meristic and morphometric measures, are readily differentiated by differing numbers of fully developed supraneural bones, predorsal vertebrae, snout morphology, and additional osteological features. The description of these two species brings the total of Labeo species endemic to the Lulua basin to three. The third endemic species, L. luluae, was previously known only from the juvenile holotype, but numerous additional specimens have now been identified. The cooccurrence of 14 Labeo species in the Lulua River, three of which are endemic, highlights this system as a hotspot of Labeo diversity in the Congo basin and across the continent.

Keywords: Labeo mbimbii, Labeo manasseeae, Labeo, Classification, Cyprinida, Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo, Classification, Fishes

 Labeo mbimbii, n. sp. Holotype (AMNH 277862, AMCC 249232): 
A. lateral view, immediately postmortem; B. in preservation, lateral view; C. ventral view; and D. dorsal view. Scale bar = 1 cm.
 Labeo manasseeae, n. sp. Holotype (AMNH 269110, AMCC 249240):
A. immediately postmortem; B. in preservation, lateral view; C. ventral view; and D. dorsal view. Scale bar = 1 cm

Labeo mbimbii, n. sp.

Labeo manasseeae, n. sp.

Tobit L.D. Liyandja and Melanie L.J. Stiassny. 2023. Description of Two New Labeo (Labeoninae; Cyprinidae) Endemic to the Lulua River in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kasai Ecoregion); a Hotspot of Fish Diversity in the Congo Basin. American Museum Novitates. (3999); 1-22. DOI: 10.1206/3999.1 URI: hdl.handle.net/2246/7321  

Researchgate.net/publication/370855834_Description_of_two_new_Labeo_endemic_to_the_Lulua_River_in_DR_Congo

[Herpetology • 2023] Lygodactylus kibera, L. mirabundus, L. leopardinus, etc. • Integrative Revision of the Lygodactylus gutturalis (Bocage, 1873) (Squamata: Gekkonidae) Complex unveils extensive Cryptic Diversity and Traces its Evolutionary History

 (A–D) Lygodactylus leopardinus sp. nov. in life and habitat from type locality at Équateur Province, DRC.
(F–I) L. gamblei sp. nov. in life and photo of habitat from type locality at Tanganyika Province, DRC. 

 Lobón-Rovira, Bauer, Pinto, Trape, Conradie, Kusamba, Júlio, Cael, Stanley, Hughes, Behangana, Masudi, Pauwels & Greenbaum, 2023

DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad123 

 twitter.com/JLobonRovira

Abstract

Lygodactylus is the most speciose gekkonid group in Africa, with several additional, candidate species already identified from previous studies. However, in mainland Africa, several groups remain only partially resolved, and there are several taxonomic inconsistencies. Lygodactylus gutturalis was described from Guinea-Bissau in the 1870s and since then, the species has been recorded from West to East Africa, and it is widely distributed through different biomes and ecoregions. However, this taxon has never been studied in detail. In this work, we use an integrative approach, including molecular phylogenetic analysis, morphometrics, skull osteology, and biogeography to provide the first systematic revision of the L. gutturalis species complex. The L. gutturalis complex is a subgroup within the L. picturatus group and includes nine well-differentiated species. We elevate Lygodactylus gutturalis dysmicus to full species status, recognize Lygodactylus depressus as the sister species to L. gutturalis, describe five new species (Lygodactylus kibera sp. nov., Lygodactylus karamoja sp. nov., Lygodactylus mirabundus sp. nov., Lygodactylus leopardinus sp. nov., and Lygodactylus gamblei sp. nov.), and propose an additional candidate species that requires further research. Also, in order to shed light on some taxonomic inconsistencies between the L. gutturalis and Lygodactylus angularis groups, we revisit the L. angularis group, within which we elevate Lygodactylus angularis heeneni and Lygodactylus angularis paurospilus to full species status. The L. gutturalis subgroup diversified during the Late Miocene (between 5–15 Mya), probably as a consequence of multiple vicariant events driven by the expansion of the African savannahs and the establishment of climatic refugia.

Keywords: Africa, biogeography, climatic refugia, CT-scan, Gekkonidae, Miocene, phylogeny, systematics

Geographical distribution of the Lygodactylus gutturalis complex in Africa, on a hybrid map of the major vegetation divisions (Sayre et al. 2013) and 1 arc-second elevation map across tropical Africa (NASA 2000). Different colours depict records of different species within the L. gutturalis subgroup; see inset for explanations of symbols. White circles denote records of L. cf. gutturalis that cannot be assigned to any of the nominate taxa. Black stars represent the type localities of each nominate taxon within the L. picturatus subgroup (1– L. picturatus, 1S– L. picturatus sudanensis, 1U– L. picturatus ukerewensis, 2– L. inexpectatus, 3– L. keniensis, 4– L. kimhowelli, 5– L. manni, 6– L. mombasicus, 7– L. scorteccii, 8– L. tsavoensis, 9– L. wojnowskii, 10– L. williamsi).

Specimens of L. gutturalis in life from (A–C) Guinea Bissau

Photographs by J.F.T. (A–C and F).

LYGODACTYLUS GUTTURALIS S.S. (Bocage, 1873)

LYGODACTYLUS DYSMICUS Perret, 1963

LYGODACTYLUS DEPRESSUS Schmidt, 1919

Specimens of Lygodactylus kibera sp. nov. in life or freshly euthanized from (A) Mpishi (holotype: UTEP 22566), near Kibira National Park, Bubanza Province, Burundi, (B) N'Komo River (UTEP 22586), South Kivu Province, DRC, and (C) Bujumbura city, Bujumbura Mairie Province (UTEP 22576), Burundi. Photo of habitat at (D) Mpishi, Bubanza Province, Burundi.

Photographs by E.G. (A–C) and C.K. (D).

LYGODACTYLUS KIBERA SP. NOV.

Etymology: The name ‘kibera’ derives from the word ‘kibira’ or ‘kibera’ in Kinubi—a Sudanese Arabic-based creole language spoken in some regions of Burundi, Kenya, and Uganda—that means ‘forest’, the main habitat type associated with the species.

Specimens of Lygodactylus karamoja sp. nov. in life from (A–B) Agoro Town (holotype: UTEP 22590), Imatong Foothills and (D–E) Nakapiripirit (UTEP 22594), Mount Kadam, Northern Region, Uganda. Photo of habitat at (C) Imatong Foothills, and (F) Mount Kadam, Northern Region, Uganda.

Photographs by D.F.H.

LYGODACTYLUS KARAMOJA SP. NOV.

Etymology: The name ‘karamoja’ is a noun in apposition and refers to the Karamoja region in north-eastern Uganda where many individuals of this species have been found. The species is named in honour of this arid region, which is occupied by the Karamojong people who are mostly nomadic pastoralists related to the Maasai in Kenya.

LYGODACTYLUS MIRABUNDUS SP. NOV.

Etymology: The name ‘mirabundus’ is a Latin adjective that means ‘astonishing or surprising’. The species is only known from a unique location in a transition zone between dry savannah and the Congolian Rainforest.

A–B, Holotype (UTEP 22577) and (C–D) paratype (UTEP 22596) of Lygodactylus leopardinus sp. nov. in life and photo of habitat from (E) type locality at Balolombo Village, Busira River, Équateur Province, DRC.
F–G, Holotype (UTEP 22587) and (H–I) paratype (UTEP 22584) of L. gamblei sp. nov. in life and photo of habitat from (J) type locality at Manono, Tanganyika Province, DRC. Photographs by E.G.

LYGODACTYLUS LEOPARDINUS SP. NOV.

Etymology: The name ‘leopardinus’ is an adjective referring to the leopard-like dorsal pattern present in males of this species.

LYGODACTYLUS GAMBLEI SP. NOV.

Etymology: We name this new species after the American evolutionary biologist and herpetologist Tony Gamble of Marquette University, in recognition of his substantial contributions to the evolutionary biology of geckos. The name is a patronym formed in the genitive case.

Conclusion: 

We provide a complete integrative approach for the L. gutturalis subgroup, which revealed cryptic diversity that we rectified with the description of five new taxa, the revalidation of another, and the tentative proposal of one additional candidate species, all previously considered to be conspecific. We also revisited the L. angularis group to revalidate two additional taxa. As a consequence of this work, we elevate the number of recognized Lygodactylus species from 82 to 90. Moreover, the morphological variation found within L. angularis suggests a more extensive cryptic diversification within this group that requires further investigation. Additional work in some regions of Africa, including Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania may lead to the description of additional species. Diversification events during the Late Miocene (between 5–15 Mya) are likely linked to the expansion of African savannahs and the establishment of climatic forest refugia. This suggests that the L. gutturalis group is the result of a non-adaptative radiation, a consequence of multiple vicariance events during the Miocene that fragmented and prevented genetic connectivity between morphologically and ecologically similar taxa.

Javier Lobón-Rovira, Aaron M Bauer, Pedro Vaz Pinto, Jean-Francois Trape, Werner Conradie, Chifundera Kusamba, Timóteo Júlio, Garin Cael, Edward L Stanley, Daniel F Hughes, Mathias Behangana, Franck M Masudi, Olivier S G Pauwels and Eli Greenbaum. 2023. Integrative Revision of the Lygodactylus gutturalis (Bocage, 1873) Complex unveils extensive Cryptic Diversity and Traces its Evolutionary History. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. zlad123. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad123 

 twitter.com/JLobonRovira/status/1706220569740398951

[Arachnida • 2022] Carteronius arboreus, C. lumumba, C. teke ... et Bunyoronius femoralis • Switching Identities: A Revision of the Afrotropical Spider Genus Carteronius Simon, 1897 (Araneae: Corinnidae), Senior Synonym of Mandaneta Strand, 1932, with A New Genus of the Pronophaea Group

Bunyoronius femoralis Bonaldo, Ramírez & Haddad, 
 

Bonaldo, Bosselaers, Ramírez, Labarque, ... et Haddad, 2022.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5205.4.3  

  twitter.com/Alex_Bonaldo

Abstract

The genus Carteronius Simon, 1897 is transferred from Clubionidae to Corinnidae and recognized as the senior synonym of Mandaneta Strand, 1932, being the oldest available name for the pre-occupied Mandane Karsch, 1880. Upon comparing the respective type specimens, the type species of Carteronius and the type species of Mandaneta were found to represent the same species. Whence the type species Carteronius helluo Simon, 1896, is considered a junior synonym of the type species Mandaneta sudana (Karsch, 1880). Three other species of Carteronius are transferred to Donuea Strand, 1932 (Corinnidae): D. fuscus (Simon, 1896) comb. nov. from Mauritius, D. vittiger (Simon, 1896) comb. nov. and D. argenticomus (Keyserling, 1877) comb. nov., both from Madagascar. The type species, Carteronius sudanus comb. nov., from Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and C. gentilis (Simon, 1909) comb. nov., from Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon (the latter transferred from Procopius Thorell, 1899) are redescribed, and the female of C. gentilis is described for the first time. Six new species of Carteronius are described: C. ashanti Bonaldo & Silva-Junior sp. nov. from Ghana, C. myene Bonaldo & Labarque sp. nov., and C. simoni Bonaldo & Shimano sp. nov. from Gabon, C. lumumba Bonaldo & Ramírez sp. nov. from Cameroon, Gabon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and C. arboreus Bonaldo & Haddad sp. nov. and C. teke Bonaldo & Bosselaers sp. nov. from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A key and distribution maps to all eight species in the genus are presented. The related Bunyoronius Bonaldo, Ramírez & Haddad gen. nov. is proposed to include B. femoralis Bonaldo, Ramírez & Haddad sp. nov. from the Central African Republic, Uganda, and Rwanda.

Keywords: Araneae, Bunyoronius, Donuea, Dionycha, Taxonomy, Afrotropical Region

 

 

Alexandre B. Bonaldo, Jan Bosselaers, Martín J. Ramírez, Facundo M. Labarque, Yulie Shimano, Claudio J. Silva-Junior and Charles R. Haddad. 2022. Switching Identities: A Revision of the Afrotropical Spider Genus Carteronius Simon, 1897 (Araneae, Corinnidae), Senior Synonym of Mandaneta Strand, 1932, with A New Genus of the Pronophaea Group. Zootaxa. 5205(4); 343-373. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5205.4.3  

  twitter.com/Alex_Bonaldo/status/1599187262708674561

[Botany • 2022] Amorphophallus dumboi (Araceae) • A New Species from Eastern D.R. Congo, and A New Record of the Genus from Rwanda

Amorphophallus dumboi Eb.Fisch., B.Dumbo & L.Dumbo, 

in Fischer, Dumbo & Dumbo, 2022. 

DOI: 10.5091/plecevo.93804

Abstract

Background and aims – A new species of Amorphophallus (Araceae) is described from D.R. Congo in connection with preparing the family treatment for the Flore d’Afrique centrale. Another species is recorded for the first time from Rwanda.

Methods – Standard herbarium practices were applied.

Key results – Amorphophallus dumboi sp. nov. is related to A. margretae. The differences between these species are discussed and distribution maps for the taxa are presented. Both species are range-restricted in the Albertine Rift and preliminarily assessed as Critically Endangered. Amorphophallus mayoi is for the first time recorded for Rwanda. The taxon, originally described as a subspecies of A. calabaricus, is raised here to specific rank.

Keywords: Albertine Rift, Amorphophallus dumboi, Amorphophallus mayoi, Central Africa, endemism, taxonomy

 Amorphophallus dumboi Eb.Fisch., B.Dumbo & L.Dumbo.
 A. Inflorescence. B–C. Detail of spadix showing staminate (above) and carpellate zone (below). D. Carpellate flowers. E–G. Ornamentation on inner side of spathe.

Scale bars: 5 cm (A), 5 mm (B–C), 1 mm (D–G).

 Photographs taken at the type locality on 10 Dec. 2018 by Bonny Dumbo (A), and in the laboratory by Eberhard Fischer (B–G).

Amorphophallus dumboi Eb.Fisch., B.Dumbo & L.Dumbo. 
A–B, D. Habit with inflorescences showing the third author for comparison. C. Leaf, showing the third author for comparison. E. Base of plant showing roots and upper part of tuber. F. Leaf. G. Inflorescence.

Scale bars: 20 cm (A–D), 1 cm (E), 5 cm (F–G). 

Photographs taken at the type locality on 10 Dec. 2018 by Bonny Dumbo. 

Amorphophallus dumboi Eb.Fisch., B.Dumbo & L.Dumbo, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Amorphophallus dumboi differs from A. margretae in the leaves and inflorescences that appear at the same time on the same tuber (leaves appear after inflorescence in A. margretae), the peduncle about 4 times the length of the spathe (peduncle not exceeding 2 times the length of the spathe in A. margretae), and the inner base of spathe with irregular rounded to elongate smallpox-like projections of 0.2–1 mm in length, between and on the veins (inner base of spathe smooth, with shallowly elevated dark veins in A. margretae).

Distribution: Only known from the rainforests in the southern part of Kahuzi-Biéga National Park, Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (Fig. 5A).

Habitat: Transitional montane rainforest at Mulolo, partially submerged along small stream, 1108 m, together with numerous ferns and Impatiens species.

Etymology: Named after Dumbo Kilundo (1 January 1930−18 September 2020), one of the most knowledgeable botanists from D.R. Congo, despite that he never received formal training. Born in Kisanga (Mulolo), Shabunda, he went to the Institut de Recherche Scientifique en Afrique Centrale (IRSAC) at Lwiro, today Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles (CRSN). There he worked first with A.R. Christiaensen and later with G. Troupin. He made major contributions to the knowledge of the Flora of Central Africa, first for the IRSAC, later as Head of Irangi Forest Reserve and for the Herbarium of Lwiro.

 

 Eberhard Fischer, Bonny Dumbo and Landry Dumbo. 2022. A New Species of Amorphophallus (Araceae) from Eastern D.R. Congo, and A New Record of the Genus from Rwanda. Plant Ecology and Evolution. 155(3): 333-342. DOI: 10.5091/plecevo.93804

twitter.com/plecevo/status/1563099534388916224

 

[Ichthyology • 2022] Clarias monsembulai • A New Species of Air-Breathing Catfish (Siluriformes: Clariidae: Clarias) from Salonga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo

  B, Clarias monsembulai Bernt & Stiassny, 2022
A, Clarias buthupogon Sauvage, 1879

 

 DOI: 10.1206/3990.1 

  digitallibrary.AMNH.org 

Abstract

A new species of air-breathing catfish, Clarias monsembulai, is described from Congo River tributaries within and bordering the Salonga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo). The new taxon is recognized by its exceptionally long, white barbels, which lend a superficial resemblance to Clarias buthupogon, from which it differs in characters of the cleithrum and pigmentation patterning. We suggest placement of this species into the subgenus Clarioides but note the current dearth of morphological data to unite members of this group. We additionally discuss the validity of the subspecies Clarias angolensis macronema.

Lateral view of Clarias monsembulai new species, holotype AMNH 244176, 226 mm SL. Luilaka River at Ilenge, Salonga National Park. Scale bar = 1 cm.

Exposed cleithrum (demarcated by dashed line) of A, Clarias buthupogon, AMNH 227571, 162 mm SL and B, Clarias monsembulai, AMNH 244162, 183 mm SL. Scale bar = 1 cm

Clarias monsembulai, new species

 

Diagnosis: Clarias monsembulai can be distinguished from all congeners, with the exception of C. buthupogon, by its exceptionally long maxillary barbels (60% of standard length or greater) vs. maxillary barbels less than 60% SL (usually considerably less). It differs from C. buthupogon in the absence of fine, pale spots over the surface of the body and by an exposed bony surface of the cleithrum reaching 14%–20% of head length (vs. cleithrum deeply imbedded in soft tissue with only a narrow bony ridge visible externally). Clarias monsembulai can be further differentiated from C. angolensis, the species with which it shares closest phenotypic similarity, by longer nasal barbels (37%–51% SL vs. 22%–34% SL), longer internal mandibular barbels (29–37% SL vs. 16–27% SL), longer external mandibular barbels (45%–57% SL vs. 24%–40% SL); and by the coloration of maxillary barbels which are white or cream-colored distally over more than half of their length (vs. brown or gray over more than half their length).

Distribution: The species is currently known only from the Momboyo, Luilaka, Salonga, and Yenge river systems within the Cuvette Centrale of the middle Congo River Basin (fig. 6). However additional collecting throughout the region will likely extend this range (E. Decru, personal commun.).

Etymology: Named in honor of Raoul Monsembula Iyaba (professor of biology, University of Kinshasa) for collecting the type series of this species, and in recognition of his substantial contributions to central African ichthyology.  

 Maxwell J. Bernt and Melanie L.J. Stiassny. 2022. A New Species of Air-Breathing Catfish (Clariidae: Clarias) from Salonga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo. American Museum Novitates, (3990); 1-20. DOI: 10.1206/3990.1 

  digitallibrary.AMNH.org/handle/2246/7304

  greenpeace.org/africa/en/press/52281/say-hi-to-clarias-monsembulai-new-fish-species-discovered-in-the-congo-river

[Herpetology • 2021] Hemidactylus gramineus • A New Species of Ground-Dwelling Hemidactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Southwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo

Hemidactylus gramineus

Ceríaco, Bauer, Kusamba, Agarwal & Greenbaum, 2021

 DOI: 10.1670/20-094

  twitter.com/EliGreenbaumPhD 

Abstract

A recent taxonomic revision of geckos of the genus Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 uncovered cryptic diversity within the Congolese population of H. nzingae Ceríaco, Agarwal, Marques and Bauer, 2020. Herein, we describe an unnamed southern Congolese lineage of H. nzingae as a new species. We base our description on previously published molecular evidence and newly collected morphological, meristic, and coloration data. Members of the group share a conservative morphology, and the newly described species is very similar to H. nzingae from which it differs mostly on the basis of coloration and tubercle scale rows. Our description is the first new species of gecko described from Democratic Republic of the Congo in nearly 7 decades and reinforces the already strong evidence that the country is a hotspot of reptile diversity.

 

Luis M. P. Ceríaco, Aaron M. Bauer, Chifundera Kusamba, Ishan Agarwal and Eli Greenbaum. 2021. A New Species of Ground-Dwelling Hemidactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Southwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Journal of Herpetology. 55(2); 105-111. DOI: 10.1670/20-094

  twitter.com/EliGreenbaumPhD/status/1393173018168291331

  facebook.com/EliGreenbaum5/posts/10226245957035677

Researchgate.net/publication/351525368_A_New_Species_of_Hemidactylus_from_DR_Congo

wilder.pt/historias/investigador-portugues-descobre-uma-nova-especie-de-osga/