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Type: Article
Published: 2016-06-02
Page range: 476–490
Abstract views: 107
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Description of two new Bathyaethiops species (Teleostei: Alestidae) from the Congo basin

Deutsches Meeresmuseum, Katharinenberg 14-20, 18437 Stralsund, Germany Institute of Systematic Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Erbertstr. 1, 07743 Jena, Germany.
SNSB-Bavarian State Collection of Zoology (ZSM), Münchhausenstr. 21, 81247 München, Germany.
Pisces Characiformes new species Petersiini Bathyaethiops baka Bathyaethiops flammeus

Abstract

Two new species of Bathyaethiops (Teleostei: Characiformes: Alestidae) are described. Bathyaethiops baka n. sp. is a dwarf species with the largest known specimen being only 24.4 mm SL. The species is characterized by an incomplete squamation and a large humeral spot. Bathyaethiops baka n. sp. is known so far only from the Ngoko River of Southeastern Cameroon, a tributary of the Sangha River in the northern Congo basin. The second species, Bathyaethiops flammeus n. sp., shows a diagnostic spot in front of the dorsal-fin base, which is devoid of melanophores and bright red in life. The species is described from the Bakéré River at Yambula-Bakéré, a locality north-west of Kisangani in the Central Congo basin. Other records of Bathyaethiops flammeus n. sp. from the Tshuapa respectively Ruki River at Boende and Eala, Central Congo basin, suggests a wider geographic distribution. A key to all species of Bathyaethiops is provided.

 

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