Hidden species diversity in Paramormyrops Taverne et al.; 1977 (Teleostei: Mormyridae) from the Congo Basin
| dc.contributor.author | Mambo Baba, T. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Huyghe, C.E.T | |
| dc.contributor.author | Hopkins, C.D. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Sullivan, J.P. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Mukweze Mulelenu, C. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Mayo Ilodiri, W. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Mizani Danadu, C. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Moreira da Costa, L. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Vreven, E. | |
| dc.date | 2023 | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-03-14T13:27:46Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-03-14T13:27:46Z | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://orfeo.belnet.be/handle/internal/13148 | |
| dc.description | Paramormyrops kingsleyae, although originally described from the Ogooué basin (Gabon), has been considered widespread in the Congo basin (CB) sensu stricto and currently contains one junior synonym, P. cabrae, described from the Shiloango basin. The only known species originally described from the CB itself is P. retrodorsalis. Nevertheless, newly collected specimens from several small-sized forest rivers in the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve and the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, Middle Congo, and tributaries from the Inkisi basin, Lower Congo, revealed three groups of specimens similar to, yet different from both, P. kingsleyae and newly collected topotypic specimens of P. retrodorsalis. An integrative study using detailed morphometric, electric organ discharge (EOD), and COI and Cytb mtDNA genetic data of these populations revealed them to belong to fi ve distinct species. As such, three new species for science have been identifi ed: P. sp. nepoko , P. sp. yangambi and P. sp. inkisi . Further, P. cabrae needs to be revalidated and P. retrodorsalis is confi rmed as a distinct species. Interestingly, during the reproduction season, male specimens of Paramormyrops present an EOD of longer total duration compared to females and juveniles, except for two females of P. sp. nepoko . However, in all other characteristics, such as a head-positive phase (P1), followed by a head-negative phase (P2), and usually preceded by a small negative pre-potential (P0), their EOD is defi nitely not male-like. Possible reasons for this, however, remain to be explored. All identifi ed species have allopatric distributions within the CB and occupy small-sized tributaries. Paramormyrops sp. nepoko has even only been collected in seasonal tributaries by the end of the wet season and thus seem to migrate downstream during the dry season. Especially the local fishing practice of écopage seems detrimental to this migratory behaviour. The need for a more effective protection of small-size forest tributaries is thus highlighted. | |
| dc.language | fra | |
| dc.title | Hidden species diversity in <i>Paramormyrops</i> Taverne et al.; 1977 (Teleostei: Mormyridae) from the Congo Basin | |
| dc.type | Conference | |
| dc.subject.frascati | Biological sciences | |
| dc.audience | Scientific | |
| dc.subject.free | Vertebrates | |
| dc.source.title | 2nd international conference on biodiversity in the Congo basin | |
| dc.source.page | 254-255 | |
| Orfeo.peerreviewed | No | |
| dc.identifier.rmca | 6546 |
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