Nimbapanchax melanopterygius

description

Description. See Figures 6 A – D for overall appearance and Table 4 for morphometric data of the type series and for general description under N. leucopterygius. Closed frontal neuromast system with one groove, preopercular neuromast system with 5 pores. Total number of vertebrae 28, number of vertebrae with pleural ribs 13 – 14, with haemal spines 14 – 15 (holotype and three paratypes). First dorsal fin ray behind origin of anal fin, situated above anal fin ray 6 – 7 and behind middle of body. Dorsal fin rays 12 – 14; anal fin rays 15 – 16. Pectoral fin extending posteriorly, not reaching origin of pelvic fin; pelvic fin not reaching anal fin. Pectoral fin rounded. Scales cycloid; body and head entirely scaled, except for ventral surface of head. Frontal squamation of E- or G-type, one male with one E-scale overlapping the G-scale and the second one below; scales on lateral line 28 – 29 + 3 – 4 on caudal fin base, not all scales with small groove in center. Transverse rows of scales above pelvic fin 9 – 10; circumpeduncular scale row 13 – 14. Live coloration. Males with side of body brown, scales brown or gray-brown sometimes with a bluegreen center, scale margin darker brown or r

Description of a new genus and two new species of killifish (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from West Africa, with a discussion of the taxonomic status of Aphyosemion maeseni Poll, 1941

diagnosis

Diagnosis. Nimbapanchax melanopterygius (Figs. 6 A – D) is distinguished from Archiaphyosemion and all other Nimbapanchax species by the same diagnostic characters as N. leucopterygius (see above). Nimbapanchax melanopterygius is distinguished from N. leucopterygius (Figs. 5 A – D) by the absence of a pattern of vertical dark bars on side in male and female versus presence of a vertical pattern in young males and in live and at least freshly preserved females. Dark bars on side of females in N. melanopterygius are only rarely seen in frightened specimens. It is also distinguished from N. leucopterygius by a dark black or brown margin on the anal fin in males, sometimes with a white submarginal stripe, and mainly blue-green center of anal and caudal fin with some brown or reddish-brown irregular blotches in males versus a white marginal and brown or dark red submarginal band in anal fin and a denser pattern of small brown or dark red dots on bluegreen center in dorsal, anal, and caudal fin.

Description of a new genus and two new species of killifish (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from West Africa, with a discussion of the taxonomic status of Aphyosemion maeseni Poll, 1941

discussion

Remarks. A similar Nimbapanchax was kept by aquarium hobbyists as A. aff. maeseni from “ Behple, northeastern Liberia “ (Wildekamp 1993), A. maeseni from “ Beple “ (Seegers 1997), or A. sp. from near “ Behple at the road between Tapeta and Juarzon “ (Etzel 2006). It differs from N. melanopterygius at least on the available pictures and color descriptions by the impression of a more bluish or blue color on side and fins, a dark reddish anal fin margin and reddish pattern on unpaired fins versus a darker brownish color on side with blue-greenish on scales, black margin in anal fin and brownish pattern on unpaired fins on blue-greenish background (Etzel 2006; Seegers 1997; Wildekamp 1993). No specimens were available for a comparative study but it might be possible that the specimens from Behple or Beple are conspecific with N. melanopterygius. This would extend the distribution area from southeastern Guinea into northeastern Liberia. Unfortunately the exact collection locality of this population is not clear. According to Etzel (2006) the population was found at the road between Juarzon and Tapeta. This would indicate a place far more south as the known localities of N. melanopterygi

Description of a new genus and two new species of killifish (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from West Africa, with a discussion of the taxonomic status of Aphyosemion maeseni Poll, 1941

distribution

Distribution and habitat. Nimbapanchax melanopterygius is currently only known from collections at two sampling localities in the Mount Nimba region (Fig. 1). The type locality is a small puddle at the bank of the Cavally River near a natural granitic bridge. The Cavally River flows with a strong current between boulders and has a depth of up to 1 m. Water temperature in the puddle was 24 ° C. At the second locality, the species was found in a small, slow flowing creek with a maximum depth of 60 cm and a water temperature of 25 ° C. The water was stained slightly brown, the creek covered by small trees and bushes, its bank covered by herbaceous plants.

Description of a new genus and two new species of killifish (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from West Africa, with a discussion of the taxonomic status of Aphyosemion maeseni Poll, 1941