A new diminutive genus and species of catfish from Lake Tanganyika (Siluriformes: Clariidae) |
| |
| Authors: | J. J. Wright |
| |
| Affiliation: | New York State Museum, 3140 Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY, U.S.A. |
| |
| Abstract: | ![]()
The examination of material representing one of Lake Tanganyika's six previously recognized endemic catfish lineages, has revealed the presence of an additional genus of clariid, described here as Pseudotanganikallabes new genus. This genus is represented by a single species, Pseudotanganikallabes prognatha sp. nov., which is distinguished from all other clariids by its lack of an infraorbital series, the presence of multiple osseous connections between the swim bladder capsules and elements of the neurocranium, the absence of an ethmoid notch, the presence of a very large, egg‐shaped occipital fontanelle and the extension of the lower lip beyond the margin of the upper jaw. A combination of additional external and molecular characters serves to further distinguish this taxon from all currently recognized clariid species. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial (cytb) and nuclear (18S‐ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2‐28S) sequence data supports the creation of a new genus for this species, as it appears to represent an independent, monophyletic lineage within the family Clariidae. |
| |
| Keywords: | Africa catfish Clariidae Lake Tanganyika rift lake taxonomy |
|
|
