Fundulopanchax kamdemi

biology_ecology

Ecology. According to Kamdem Toham (1992) the species generally lives in the shallow swampy pools at the edge of small creeks under forest cover. These pools, up to 35 cm in depth, are partly covered with a layer of fallen leaves under which the fishes in the pools take cover. Additional ecological information was collected by the first author. The presence of F. kamdemi was also recorded from small forest streams connected with swampy pools. Streams and pools are heavily shaded by peripheral vegetation and their bottom is covered by decaying leaves, branches and logs. Both the streams and pools contain clear water during the rainy season and brown tinged during the dry season. Water depths ranged during the seasons from 2 to 48.3 cm. Water temperature was measured between 20.9 and 23.8 ° C, the pH between 5.0 and 7.5. Water hardness varied between 0.6 and 1 DH, conductivity between 10 and 21 µS / cm and the total dissolved oxygen between 0.9 and 5.5 mg / l. Stomach contents of F. kamdemi indicated an insectivorous behavior and consisted of ants, crickets, beetles, spiders and cockroaches, with a predominance of ants. In the wild, maturity was observed in the months of November to

Fundulopanchax kamdemi (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) a new species from Korup National Park, western Cameroon.

description

Description. See Figures 2 - 4 for general appearance and Table 1 for morphometric data of the type specimens. Fundulopanchax of large size. Dorsal-fin origin distinctly behind mid-length of body and just behind anal fin origin. Dorsal fin 15 - 18 rays, anal fin 16 - 19 rays. Scales on mid-longitudinal series 34 - 38 plus 3 or 4 on caudal fin base, most with shallow pit in centre, not connected to underlying neuromast system. Transverse rows of scales above pelvic fin 10 - 11; scale rows around caudal peduncle 16. Supra-orbital squamation G- pattern, with two H-scales. Anterior and central cephalic neuromast systems separated, consisting of two shallow grooves, lined with low lobes. Posterior cephalic neuromast system, consisting of 3 neuromasts, in an open curved groove, with both ends angled to approximately 90 º. Preopercular neuromast system tubular with six exposing pores. Males. Up to 73.0 mm SL. Body laterally compressed. Dorsal profile nearly straight. No distinct transition between head and body. Dorsal and anal fin trapezoid, pointed at distal end. Dorsal and anal fin rays slightly projecting from fin membrane. Both fins covered with a thin layer of epidermal tissue. No v

Fundulopanchax kamdemi (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) a new species from Korup National Park, western Cameroon.

diagnosis

Diagnosis. Fundulopanchax kamdemi shares with all other Fundulopanchax species except those of the subgenus Paludopanchax 16 or more scales around the caudal peduncle versus 12 in Aphyosemion s. l. It is distinguished from all Aphyosemion species and many Fundulopanchax except F. arnoldi, F. deltaensis, F. gularis, F. kribianus, F. ndianus, F. robertsoni, F. rubrolabialis, F. schwoiseri, F. sjoestedti, and F. walkeri by the high number of dorsal (15 - 18) and anal fin rays (16 - 19) (according to the descriptions and data in Huber 2000). It is distinguished from all Fundulopanchax species by its unique male coloration of a red longitudinal band on the middle of the sides versus no red band, with the exception of F. amieti, F. avichang, F. deltaensis and some individual specimens of F. ndianus, F. puerzli and F. spoorenbergi. It is distinguished from all Fundulopanchax species, except F. ndianus and some specimens of F. puerzli, by a red ventral band from the pelvic fins to the lower caudal fin base. F. kamdemi is distinguished from the latter species and most other Fundulopanchax except F. spoorenbergi by the coloration of the unpaired fins as given below. Females can be distinguis

Fundulopanchax kamdemi (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) a new species from Korup National Park, western Cameroon.

discussion

Discussion The tubular preopercular neuromast system of this new species has six exposing pores, indicating that it is a representative of the Fundulopanchax / Aphyosemion-group within the family Nothobranchiidae of the cyprinodontiform suborder Aplocheiloidei. The additional diagnostic characters, with the exception of otolith morphology which was not studied, given in Van der Zee & Wildekamp (1994), all fit to F. kamdemi which is therefore attributed to the genus Fundulopanchax. The male color pattern of the adult F. kamdemi is dominated by the red longitudinal band on the sides. This character is shared by two other Fundulopanchax species, F. amieti (see Seegers, 1997) and F. avichang Malumbres & Castello, 2001, and can also be found in most male specimens of the Dibamba, Cameroon, population of F. puerzli (see Amiet, 1987) and individuals of F. spoorenbergi. In F. kamdemi a second red band runs parallel to the lower body profile, a character shared only by F. ndianus. With the exception of F. avichang all species mentioned share all distinguishing characters for the genus Fundulopanchax mentioned in Van der Zee and Wildekamp (1994) and all are robust species of large (= 55 mm S

Fundulopanchax kamdemi (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) a new species from Korup National Park, western Cameroon.