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Taxonomic study of Barbus neumayeri and Barbus pellegrini from the Lake Kivu‐Lake Edward region, East Africa
Author(s) -
Mlewa Chrisestom Mwatete
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
african journal of ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1365-2028
pISSN - 0141-6707
DOI - 10.1111/aje.12074
Subject(s) - meristics , barbus , taxonomy (biology) , biology , ecology , canto , geography , zoology , fishery , cyprinidae , art , literature , fish <actinopterygii>
The taxonomy of the two established barbus species: Barbus neumayeri and Barbus pellegrini has presented problems due to their close relationship and pronounced character variation within and between their populations. In this study, morphomeristic methods were used to investigate Barbus specimens from several populations in the Lake Kivu – Lake Edward area. Meristic and morphometric data on specimens in the RMAC collection from lakes Kivu and Edward, and the Nyabarongo and Mpanga river systems were analysed using principal component analysis in the PAST software programme. The results revealed additional morphomeristic characters useful in distinguishing the two closely related barbus species; hence, both B. pellegrini and B. neumayeri are redescribed incorporating additional characters to their respective original descriptions. Specimens from Nyabarongo river system were significantly different to warrant recognition as new species; thus, a new species B. new species is proposed and described. Meristically, the B. new species and the two established species are distinguished by lateral line scale counts; while predorsal length, head length and body depth at operculum, expressed as percentage of standard length, are the most diagnostic morphometric characters.