Abstract:
The recent surge in the discovery of hidden diversity
within rheophilic taxa, particularly in West and East
Africa, prompted a closer examination of the extent
to which the current taxonomy may obscure the diversity
of riffle-dwelling suckermouth catfishes in the genus
Chiloglanis in southern Africa. Currently,
the region comprises eight valid species within this
genus. Seven of them have relatively narrow geographic
distribution ranges except for C. neumanni,
which is considered to be widely distributed, occurring
from the Buzi River system in the south, and its northern
limit being the eastward draining river systems in
Tanzania. Recent surveys of the middle Zambezi River
system revealed Chiloglanis specimens that
were distinguishable from the known species of the
genus from southern Africa. Integration of molecular
and morphological data indicated that these specimens
from the Mukwadzi River represent a new species to
science, herein described as Chiloglanis carnatus
Mutizwa, Bragança & Chakona, sp. nov. This
species is readily distinguished from its southern
African congeners by the possession of a distinctive
extended dermal tissue covering the base of the dorsal
fin and the possession of ten mandibular teeth (vs
8, 12, or 14 in the other taxa). Results from this
study add to the growing evidence of a high level
of undocumented diversity within riffle-dwelling taxa
in southern Africa (Mutizwa
TI et al). Aquarium
Care: Good oxygenated water from a power
filter. Sand or gravel substrate with smooth rocks
or pebbles. Their dorsal and pectoral fins are sharp
and can cause wounds if not handled carefully. Sexual
Differences: Usually in the form of a different
shaped caudal fin. Diet: Mouth and
dentition suggest that it is a bottom feeder and algal
grazer. In the aquarium feed algae, fly larvae foods,
bloodworm, and flake food. Remarks:
Specimens have an extended dermal tissue covering
the base of the dorsal fin that distinguishes them
from C.
swierstrai. Etymology:
The specific epithet carnatus means fleshy,
referring to the dermal tissue covering the base of
the dorsal fin of some of the larger specimens of
this species and the general robust body structure
of this species compared to its regional congeners.
Common
Name:
None
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Mochokidae
Distribution:
Africa:
Middle Zambezi River. Type locality:
Mukwadzi River near the bridge on the Mutorashanga
Road.
Size:
5.0cm. (2ins)
Temp:
23-26°C (73-79°F)
p.H.
6.5-7.2.
Reference:
Fish
in the News: 2024.
Mutizwa TI, Kadye WT, Bragança PHN, Bere T,
Chakona A (2024) Hidden in the riffles: A
new suckermouth catfish (Mochokidae, Chiloglanis)
from the middle Zambezi River system, Zimbabwe. ZooKeys
1197: 57-91.
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