Uncovering hidden diversity within Parauchenoglanis (Siluriformes, Auchenoglanididae) in central and southern Africa with description of ten new species.
| dc.contributor.author | Sithole, Y. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Vreven, E. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Bragança, P.H.N | |
| dc.contributor.author | Musschoot, T. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Chakona, A. | |
| dc.date | 2023 | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-03-14T13:27:23Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-03-14T13:27:23Z | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://orfeo.belnet.be/handle/internal/13100 | |
| dc.description | The African freshwater catfish genus <i>Parauchenoglanis</i> comprises nine valid species found across five of the ten African ichthyofaunal provinces (IPs). Some of these species have wide distributions spanning various IPs. Previous studies of fishes with similar distribution patterns have uncovered undocumented diversity leading to the description of new species. To test the hypothesis that the current taxonomy underestimates the diversity within <i>Parauchenoglanis</i>, an integrated taxonomic approach was used to assess the degree of genetic, morphological and colour pattern differentiation among populations of <i>Parauchenoglanis</i> in the Congo Basin and southern Africa. This study provided evidence supporting the description of ten new species with strong geographic structuring. The study indicated that, contrary to previous literature, <i>P. ngamensis</i> is confined to the Okavango and Zambezi river systems in the Zambezi IP. Specimens that were previously ascribed to this species in the Kasai and Cuanza river systems represent eight new species that have been described in this study. In addition, this study also revealed that <i>P. pantherinus</i> does not occur in the Congo Basin and this population represents another new species described in this study. Finally, a tenth new species, <i>P. zebratus</i>, was described from the poorly-known Lubudi River and its left bank affluent the Mukuleshi River, in the upper Lualaba, (upper) Congo Basin. Furthermore, this study revealed possible undocumented species diversity within <i>P. balayi</i> and <i>P. punctatus</i>, highlighting the need for further in-depth taxonomic revisions. The superficial similarities in body morphology and extreme levels of colour pattern variation presented challenges for previous workers to accurately provide species boundaries within this genus. The use of a multiple evidence approach in the present study has enabled new insights into the diversity of <i>Parauchenoglanis</i>. It is anticipated that future surveys will reveal more taxonomic diversity for this genus in unexplored areas. | |
| dc.language | eng | |
| dc.title | Uncovering hidden diversity within <i>Parauchenoglanis</i> (Siluriformes, Auchenoglanididae) in central and southern Africa with description of ten new species. | |
| dc.type | Conference | |
| dc.subject.frascati | Biological sciences | |
| dc.audience | Scientific | |
| dc.subject.free | Vertebrates | |
| dc.source.title | Seventh International Conference of the Pan African Fish and Fisheries Association (PAFFA): African Fish and Fisheries: Diversity, Conservation and Sustainable Management | |
| dc.source.page | 57-58 | |
| Orfeo.peerreviewed | No | |
| dc.identifier.rmca | 6526 |
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