Pollimyrus

Dierickx, Katrien, Lunkayilakio, Soleil Wamuini, Bills, Roger & Vreven, Emmanuel, 2025, Morphometric synthesis of Pollimyrus (Teleostei, Mormyridae) with the description of four new species, Journal of Fish Biology 106 (3), pp. 846-892 : 864-881

publication ID	https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15983
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/195BB83E-FFAD-FFC1-FCA2-96FD41522EE5
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Pollimyrus
status

Treatment

3.3 | New species descriptions in Pollimyrus View in CoL

Class Actinopterygii Klein, 1885

Order Osteoglossiformes Berg, 1940

Family Mormyridae Bonaparte, 1831

Subfamily Mormyrinae Bonaparte, 1831

Genus Pollimyrus Taverne, 1971

Pollimyrus Taverne, 1971: 140 (type species: Mormyrus isidori Valenciennes, 1847 , by original designation).

Pollimyrus ibalazambai sp. nov.

Zoobank registration: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:EA58D11A-D2BB-43E4-982B-4A461985C857

Figures 8 and 9; Tables 6 and 7.

Thick-tailed group

Morphological group

Pollimyrus brevis Pollimyrus castelnaui Pollimyrus guttatus Pollimyrus marianne

Syntype (n = 2) Syntype (n = 2) Paratype (n = 3) All Paratype (n = 10) All

Species Min Max Mean Min Max Mean Holotype Min Max Mean Holotype Min Max Mean

Standard length 50.2 54.0 52.1 58.3 Measurements in % SL

Total length 115.4 117.0 116.2 112.6

Body depth 29.1 32.1 30.6 29.5 Pre-dorsal length 67.4 67.5 67.5 66.0 Pre-anal length 62.3 64.5 63.4 60.1

Pre-pectoral length 27.2 28.4 27.8 25.9 Pre-pelvic length 42.6 45.1 43.8 41.4 Length of dorsal fin 19.1 20.4 19.8 18.3

Length of anal fin 24.3 24.4 24.4 23.4 Length of pectoral fin 20.5 22.9 21.7 20.7 Length of pelvic fin 11.1 11.3 11.2 9.7

Posterodorsal distance 35.7 38.3 37.0 38.1 Pectoral–pelvic distance 16.2 21.4 18.8 17.1 Caudal peduncle length 15.2 15.2 15.2 16.4

Caudal peduncle depth 7.1 8.0 7.5 6.8 Belly length 18.7 20.9 19.8 19.6 Head length 24.6 24.9 24.7 22.4

Measurements in % HL

Head width 58.5 60.2 59.4 53.8 Snout–posterior side of eye 44.3 44.7 44.5 42.3

Snout–center of eye 34.4 38.0 36.2 33.0 Internasal length 9.7 10.9 10.3 10.1 Eye diameter 18.8 19.0 18.9 18.6

Lower-jaw width 23.5 25.7 24.6 21.7 Upper-jaw width 19.1 22.2 20.7 18.0 Snout length 14.3 15.1 14.7 11.9

Interorbital width 39.2 44.6 41.9 38.1 Postorbital length 61.3 63.5 62.4 60.3 Measurements (other %)

62.5 60.4 39.5 36.3 39.2 38.0 63.9

113.9 113.2 123.6 115.6 119.6 118.8 113.1

31.2 30.4 31.2 30.7 32.1 31.2 24.3 66.1 66.0 65.3 65.0 66.4 65.4 64.1 62.4 61.2 65.7 62.2 65.8 64.4 58.0

26.1 26.0 29.0 28.0 29.8 29.0 25.0 42.2 41.8 43.7 43.7 45.7 44.5 40.5 19.5 18.9 22.1 19.8 22.0 21.3 18.4

25.3 24.3 27.1 25.0 25.8 25.9 24.5 21.0 20.8 26.1 23.2 25.4 24.9 22.2

9.7 9.7 10.9 9.5 11.1 10.6 10.8

38.8 38.5 42.0 38.9 41.0 40.4 39.9 19.1 18.1 17.0 17.9 19.6 18.2 15.7 16.9 16.7 18.1 16.2 17.9 17.5 20.5

7.4 7.1 6.8 7.0 7.2 7.0 7.3 20.7 20.1 19.4 18.4 19.0 18.9 17.9 23.1 22.7 24.6 23.9 26.4 25.3 22.5

54.1 54.0 43.4 51.2 52.4 49.7 58.6 46.1 44.2 48.5 42.1 46.5 45.3 39.5

36.3 34.6 34.8 28.3 33.2 31.7 29.0 10.1 10.1 11.1 8.9 9.6 9.7 8.3 19.9 19.2 25.1 22.1 27.3 24.6 18.0

22.1 21.9 14.2 15.5 17.3 15.9 18.8 19.4 18.7 14.2 13.9 15.6 14.5 18.2 13.4 12.7 13.7 12.1 13.3 13.1 14.7

41.5 39.8 39.5 33.9 43.5 39.7 32.2 63.0 61.6 56.6 55.8 58.7 56.8 62.8 57.9

111.4

23.7 61.2 56.6

24.3 38.9 18.3

23.6 19.7

9.5

39.8 15.3 17.2

6.6 17.0 21.5

58.4 41.4

31.9

8.6 17.7

14.6 16.8 12.9

32.5 53.3 66.6

118.1

27.0 65.5 59.7

26.4 41.2 20.1

26.5 23.5 11.1

43.7 17.0 19.9

7.4 19.1 23.3

61.4 45.8

36.3 10.2 21.9

18.0 19.8 15.8

40.5 62.1

63.0

113.7

25.1 63.4 57.9

25.4 40.0 18.9

24.5 21.5 10.6

41.2 15.9 19.0

6.9 18.1 22.3

59.8 42.9

33.6

9.3 19.8

16.6 18.2 14.0

36.8 60.5

(Continues)

T A B L E 6 (Continued)

Thick-tailed group

Morphological group

Pollimyrus brevis Pollimyrus castelnaui Pollimyrus guttatus Pollimyrus marianne

Syntype (n = 2) Syntype (n = 2) Paratype (n = 3) All Paratype (n = 10) All

Species Min Max Mean Min Max Mean Holotype Min Max Mean Holotype Min Max Mean

Caudal peduncle depth (% BD) 22.2 27.4 24.8 22.9 Caudal peduncle depth (% CPL) 46.8 52.5 49.7 41.2 Anal-fin length (% LD) 119.2 127.7 123.5 127.7

23.6 23.2 21.7 22.0 23.3 22.4 30.1 43.5 42.4 37.3 39.4 40.0 38.9 35.8

130.0 128.9 123.1 116.7 130.3 121.7 133.4 24.4 33.4

121.7 29.3 39.6

140.1 27.5 36.4

129.6

Thick-tailed group

Morphological groups

Pollimyrus stappersii

Pollimyrus petricolus stappersii Pollimyrus krameri sp. nov. Pollimyrus weyli sp. nov.

kapangae

Paratype

(n = 3) All All All Paratype Paratype

Species Holotype Min Max Mean Holotype Holotype Holotype (n = 1) Mean Holotype (n = 1) Mean

Standard length 87.9 50.3 85.1 69.0 Measurements in % SL

Total length 109.7 113.6 114.9 113.1

Body depth 22.2 22.5 25.7 23.6 Pre-dorsal length 60.3 61.5 64.0 62.1 Pre-anal length 58.5 59.6 61.6 60.1

Pre-pectoral length 24.0 23.6 27.3 25.5 Pre-pelvic length 38.4 39.7 43.3 41.2 Length of dorsal fin 24.9 21.4 24.0 23.5

Length of anal fin 24.3 21.3 23.6 23.0 Length of pectoral fin 15.5 18.5 19.2 18.0 Length of pelvic fin 8.6 9.5 10.8 9.9

Posterodorsal distance 41.8 38.7 41.2 40.3 Pectoral–pelvic distance 16.4 17.1 18.5 17.4 Caudal peduncle length 15.1 15.4 16.2 15.7

Caudal peduncle depth 6.4 5.7 6.8 6.4 Belly length 20.4 18.5 22.1 19.9 Head length 22.1 22.1 25.8 23.9

61.6 59.3 45.6 48.7 47.1

112.7 116.6 112.9 117.4 115.1

27.9 27.1 26.7 25.3 26.0 66.9 68.8 66.8 67.9 67.3 61.6 63.5 60.6 62.2 61.4

26.3 26.8 26.6 26.6 26.6 41.8 43.5 40.7 43.2 41.9 20.2 17.3 17.3 17.5 17.4

24.8 22.9 24.5 23.1 23.8 20.6 19.9 20.5 19.2 19.9 10.9 10.6 10.8 10.5 10.7

38.7 37.5 37.0 36.8 36.9 17.0 18.9 16.7 18.5 17.6 16.7 17.9 16.8 18.0 17.4

6.1 5.9 7.9 7.9 7.9 20.8 21.6 19.5 19.7 19.6 23.7 23.8 24.8 25.2 25.0 51.4

110.3

29.6 66.8 59.4

26.4 42.0 18.8

22.5 18.1

9.7

37.6 18.5 16.7

6.9 18.2 23.5 49.1

115.1

29.9 70.4 62.6

27.3 45.1 18.1

20.2 19.6 10.8

37.6 20.3 18.0

7.1 17.5 25.5 50.3

112.7

29.7 68.6 61.0

26.8 43.5 18.4

21.4 18.8 10.2

37.6 19.4 17.4

7.0 17.8 24.5

T A B L E 6 (Continued)

Thick-tailed group

Morphological groups

Pollimyrus stappersii

Pollimyrus petricolus stappersii Pollimyrus krameri sp. nov. Pollimyrus weyli sp. nov.

kapangae

Paratype

(n = 3) All All All Paratype Paratype

Species Holotype Min Max Mean Holotype Holotype Holotype (n = 1) Mean Holotype (n = 1) Mean

Measurements in % HL

Head width 47.6 45.3 47.0 46.6

Snout–posterior side of eye 43.6 42.4 45.9 43.6 Snout–center of eye 33.2 31.6 33.0 32.7 Internasal length 7.5 7.4 8.1 7.7

Eye diameter 21.6 22.4 23.7 22.8 Lower-jaw width 15.1 13.8 16.1 15.0 Upper-jaw width 15.9 14.8 18.2 16.7

Snout length 13.9 11.9 13.4 12.8 Interorbital width 26.6 25.3 33.1 29.3 Postorbital length 58.0 55.3 58.5 56.8

Measurements (other %)

Caudal peduncle depth (% 28.8 25.4 27.9 27.1 BD)

Caudal peduncle depth (% 42.3 37.2 42.1 40.8 CPL)

Anal-fin length (% LD) 97.4 95.7 99.6 97.8 54.0 52.7 53.8 52.7 53.2

44.3 44.5 39.7 39.4 39.6 35.1 34.3 31.8 32.2 32.0

9.8 9.4 8.2 9.1 8.7

18.0 16.9 15.5 14.3 14.9 17.9 18.3 14.7 16.2 15.4 16.6 18.2 19.7 19.5 19.6

14.0 12.3 13.5 13.5 13.5 40.2 37.6 31.7 33.1 32.4 61.5 62.3 64.2 60.9 62.6

21.8 21.9 23.4 23.4 23.4

33.2 36.5 47.3 43.7 45.5

132.1 122.7 141.6 132.0 136.8 58.7

43.5 36.5 11.0

18.9 19.1 24.5

14.7 40.9 60.5

23.4

41.4

120.0 55.2

39.6 33.1

9.6

17.1 17.1 22.6

13.7 37.2 62.5

23.8

39.6

111.6 56.9

41.6 34.8 10.3

18.0 18.1 23.5

14.2 39.1 61.5

23.6

40.5

115.8

Slender-tailed group

Morphological group

Pollimyrus adspersus Pollimyrus maculipinnis Cyphomyrus plagiostoma Pollimyrus osborni Pollimyrus pedunculatus

Syntype (n = 2) All Syntype (n = 2)

Species Min Max Mean Holotype Paratype (n = 1) Mean Holotype Holotype Min Max Mean

Standard length 57.9 58.9 58.4 52.9

Measurements in % SL

Total length 116.6 119.7 118.2 109.9 Body depth 30.2 31.7 30.9 30.6

Pre-dorsal length 63.4 63.9 63.6 64.6 Pre-anal length 55.0 57.0 56.0 56.6 Pre-pectoral length 24.5 25.9 25.2 26.9

53.9 53.4 53.0 67.7

117.4 113.6 118.2 118.4 31.5 31.1 33.9 27.0

65.0 64.8 64.3 58.6 60.0 58.3 58.3 52.1 26.3 26.6 25.4 21.0 88.4

119.2 31.8

54.7 55.7 23.5

100.2

120.5 34.6

58.5 57.8 24.8 94.3

119.9 33.2

56.6 56.8 24.2

(Continues)

T A B L E 6 (Continued)

Slender-tailed group

Morphological group

Pollimyrus adspersus Pollimyrus maculipinnis Cyphomyrus plagiostoma Pollimyrus osborni Pollimyrus pedunculatus

Syntype (n = 2) All Syntype (n = 2)

Species Min Max Mean Holotype Paratype (n = 1) Mean Holotype Holotype Min Max Mean

Pre-pelvic length 36.0 36.7 36.4 41.1 Length of dorsal fin 21.9 24.1 23.0 19.0 Length of anal fin 28.7 30.4 29.5 30.2

Length of pectoral fin 22.8 24.6 23.7 19.8 Length of pelvic fin 10.0 10.6 10.3 10.6 Posterodorsal distance 42.1 44.3 43.2 41.0

Pectoral–pelvic distance 16.7 17.0 16.8 17.5 Caudal peduncle length 17.8 18.1 17.9 18.8

Caudal peduncle depth 5.9 6.0 5.9 6.0 Belly length 16.9 19.2 18.1 16.1 Head length 23.2 23.5 23.3 25.3

Measurements in % HL

Head width 51.1 51.9 51.5 55.8 Snout–posterior side of eye 45.9 49.8 47.8 49.3

Snout–center of eye 34.5 37.7 36.1 36.6 Internasal length 8.8 9.5 9.2 7.7 Eye diameter 25.0 27.6 26.3 28.7

Lower-jaw width 15.1 16.6 15.8 18.2 Upper-jaw width 15.1 16.0 15.6 17.7 Snout length 10.5 11.8 11.1 14.4 Interorbital width 36.9 40.8 38.9 41.2

Postorbital length 56.8 59.5 58.1 58.5 Measurements (other %)

Caudal peduncle depth (% BD) 18.9 19.5 19.2 19.4

Caudal peduncle depth (% CPL) 33.1 33.2 33.2 31.7 Anal-fin length (% LD) 118.8 139.0 128.9 158.6 42.7 41.9 42.2 34.3 19.5 19.3 21.1 25.0 28.2 29.2 28.9 28.9

22.0 20.9 23.1 20.9 10.5 10.5 10.8 7.0 41.6 41.3 41.8 46.9

19.3 18.4 18.4 16.5 16.9 17.9 19.3 22.8

6.4 6.2 6.1 4.7 18.9 17.5 18.5 15.4 25.3 25.3 23.7 20.1

49.5 52.6 57.5 49.4 46.5 47.9 48.8 44.4

33.7 35.2 37.7 32.6

6.8 7.3 9.8 9.2 27.1 27.9 27.5 19.3

17.3 17.8 18.3 16.5 14.7 16.2 14.4 18.3 10.9 12.7 14.4 13.0 39.0 40.1 43.8 40.0

57.1 57.8 53.6 56.9

20.2 19.8 18.1 17.3

37.6 34.7 31.8 20.6

144.5 151.6 136.7 115.8 36.3 34.4 26.5

20.8 12.5 51.4

16.7 18.8

4.2 19.9 21.4

47.7 43.8

35.7

7.2 19.1

16.6 13.9 18.7 37.0

53.5

13.3

19.5 73.3 37.6 37.9 27.8

22.3 13.4 52.8

17.0 21.7

4.8 20.5 22.2

54.5 45.4

36.7

7.8 19.3

16.8 18.3 22.0 37.3

56.9

13.9

25.6 76.9 37.0 36.1 27.1

21.5 12.9 52.1

16.9 20.2

4.5 20.2 21.8

51.1 44.6

36.2

7.5 19.2

16.7 16.1 20.4 37.1

55.2

13.6

22.5 75.1

T A B L E 6 (Continued)

Slender-tailed group

Morphological group

Pollimyrus pulverulentus Pollimyrus ichreyeni Pollimyrus ibalazambai sp. nov.

Syntype (n = 16) Paratype (n = 3) All Paratype (n = 20) All

Species Min Max Mean Holotype Min Max Mean Holotype Min Max Mean

Standard length 61.3 114.3 82.1 Measurements in % SL

Total length 114.0 128.3 118.5

Body depth 28.2 35.8 31.1 Pre-dorsal length 61.8 67.3 65.2 Pre-anal length 57.2 64.9 60.8

Pre-pectoral length 26.6 30.2 28.9 Pre-pelvic length 37.4 42.9 40.5 Length of dorsal fin 18.5 25.4 22.9

Length of anal fin 27.1 30.8 28.8 Length of pectoral fin 23.2 26.7 25.0 Length of pelvic fin 9.9 12.4 11.4

Posterodorsal distance 38.7 42.9 40.6 Pectoral–pelvic distance 14.0 17.6 15.5 Caudal peduncle length 13.6 18.1 16.0

Caudal peduncle depth 3.9 5.4 4.7 Belly length 18.1 24.7 21.5 Head length 23.5 27.7 25.7

Measurements in % HL

Head width 47.5 54.7 50.4 Snout–posterior side of eye 44.7 53.8 48.3

Snout–center of eye 32.4 43.8 37.0 Internasal length 6.8 9.1 8.1 Eye diameter 17.5 25.3 22.8

Lower-jaw width 14.2 20.8 17.2 Upper-jaw width 15.0 21.5 17.6 Snout length 9.8 19.9 16.3

Interorbital width 29.8 39.1 34.7 Postorbital length 49.7 58.0 55.1 Measurements (other %)

70.5 71.3 75.8 72.7 70.2

112.7 108.9 113.7 111.8 118.5

31.1 29.2 30.2 30.1 33.6 65.7 60.0 66.1 64.2 62.3 52.7 53.4 56.8 54.3 56.7

25.4 23.8 25.7 25.0 24.9 36.6 36.0 37.5 36.7 39.7 15.2 15.4 16.2 15.7 20.5

35.3 34.7 35.4 35.2 30.0 22.1 22.7 26.2 23.6 25.6 10.0 9.3 10.3 9.9 9.5

39.7 40.0 42.6 40.7 43.4 13.4 13.4 14.9 14.0 18.5 15.1 16.2 17.8 16.3 17.4

4.5 4.3 4.8 4.5 5.4 18.0 17.5 20.7 18.9 18.1 21.5 20.0 20.5 20.6 22.1

50.8 51.7 58.1 53.2 55.7 46.5 46.5 49.7 47.5 44.7

35.7 37.0 38.3 37.1 36.6

7.6 7.8 8.9 8.3 8.8 22.3 24.2 26.0 24.2 26.0

16.4 14.6 16.9 15.9 14.7 14.9 14.7 15.7 15.2 17.2 14.7 14.9 15.6 15.2 16.0

37.0 34.2 43.6 38.5 40.5 56.2 53.2 62.1 57.0 55.3 64.6

113.3

27.4 60.3 55.5

22.5 37.0 20.4

28.1 23.1

8.4

40.3 16.1 16.6

4.9 17.3 20.9

48.3 43.7

32.3

8.1 23.8

13.9 15.7 11.4

36.2 54.5 79.3

121.1

34.4 65.3 59.1

25.6 40.7 23.9

32.1 27.5 11.1

45.9 18.6 19.5

6.0 19.9 22.8

57.0 48.3

38.1 10.1 27.3

16.8 19.9 16.7

46.8 58.2

70.2

117.2

31.5 62.1 57.1

24.0 38.9 22.1

29.7 25.3

9.5

43.2 17.5 18.4

5.5 18.5 21.8

53.9 46.2

35.3

8.9 25.3

15.4 17.4 14.6

39.5 56.5

(Continues)

T A B L E 6 (Continued)

Slender-tailed group

Morphological group

Pollimyrus pulverulentus Pollimyrus ichreyeni Pollimyrus ibalazambai sp. nov.

Syntype (n = 16) Paratype (n = 3) All Paratype (n = 20) All

Species Min Max Mean Holotype Min Max Mean Holotype Min Max Mean

Caudal peduncle depth (% BD) 12.7 18.3 15.3

Caudal peduncle depth (% CPL) 26.6 32.5 29.5 Anal-fin length (% LD) 120.0 126.7 122.9

14.4 14.9 15.7 15.0 16.1

29.7 24.4 29.4 27.9 31.1

233.1 213.8 229.4 224.9 146.1 15.3

27.3

121.9 19.2

33.1

146.8 17.4

29.7

134.3

Pollimyrus tumifrons group Pollimyrus isidori group

Morphological group

P. Pollimyrus Pollimyrus Pollimyrus

Pollimyrus nigricans tumifrons aequipinnis anterodorsalis fasciaticeps P. isidori

Species Holotype Holotype Holotype

Syntype (n = 9)

Holotype Holotype Min Max Mean Pollimyrus vanneeri sp. nov.

P. vanneeri sp. nov.

Paratype

(n = 17) All

Holotype Min Max Mean

Standard length 88.6 90.1 44.8 Measurements in % SL

Total length 115.9 116.0 121.3 Body depth 28.7 27.5 29.3 Pre-dorsal length 60.3 62.0 60.4

Pre-anal length 61.3 58.6 61.4 Pre-pectoral length 26.1 26.1 28.1 Pre-pelvic length 40.1 38.6 43.9

Length of dorsal fin 29.3 30.6 29.3 Length of anal fin 26.4 28.2 26.4 Length of pectoral fin 21.2 26.2 22.6

Length of pelvic fin 11.2 12.4 12.7 Posterodorsal distance 43.2 45.8 46.4 Pectoral–pelvic distance 16.4 15.8 16.0

Caudal peduncle length 17.8 17.3 18.5 Caudal peduncle depth 4.5 4.9 4.7 Belly length 20.8 19.6 18.5

Head length 24.3 24.0 26.6 Measurements in % HL

Head width 49.3 53.5 50.8

Snout–posterior side of eye 45.1 47.0 50.0 49.3 84.3 76.9 86.8 80.2

116.6 116.2 113.2 116.5 114.4 28.3 31.9 23.9 31.1 28.0 61.6 63.8 64.5 67.8 66.0

58.9 62.7 59.2 62.5 61.2 27.3 25.0 26.0 27.5 26.7 40.9 44.2 39.8 45.0 42.5

22.3 22.5 16.0 19.1 17.7 27.7 26.8 21.0 24.6 22.8 21.3 20.7 21.1 22.5 21.9

9.9 10.6 8.9 10.4 9.8 43.5 42.8 35.5 38.7 37.5 16.9 21.4 16.4 21.0 18.8

20.7 19.1 15.6 20.0 17.5

7.2 7.4 6.9 8.1 7.4 17.4 19.2 17.9 20.7 19.4

25.2 23.3 23.7 25.6 24.5

59.7 50.9 51.2 57.3 54.2

50.0 41.4 37.5 42.6 40.9

100.9

116.2 26.3 62.3

60.3 26.5 39.8

22.5 26.7 21.7

10.8 40.1 16.3

18.5

5.6 21.1

25.0

45.5

43.7 65.6

108.0 22.6 56.4

52.4 22.5 33.7

22.1 24.0 17.7

8.6 39.9 14.2

15.6

5.2 17.5

22.5

40.0

40.4

123.6

120.1 28.7 65.0

58.8 26.8 40.2

25.1 30.2 22.7

11.3 45.3 17.6

19.5

6.5 20.6

25.7

54.1

45.4 91.9

116.9 26.1 61.2

56.9 25.4 37.9

23.4 27.3 20.9

10.5 42.7 15.6

18.1

5.9 19.2

24.1

47.7

43.5

T A B L E 6 (Continued)

Pollimyrus tumifrons group Pollimyrus isidori group

Morphological group

P. Pollimyrus Pollimyrus Pollimyrus

Pollimyrus nigricans tumifrons aequipinnis anterodorsalis fasciaticeps P. isidori

Species Holotype Holotype Holotype

Syntype (n = 9)

Holotype Holotype Min Max Mean Pollimyrus vanneeri sp. nov.

P. vanneeri sp. nov.

Paratype

(n = 17) All

Holotype Min Max Mean

Snout–center of eye 37.7 34.3 36.9 Internasal length 7.7 8.8 7.8 Eye diameter 18.2 20.1 23.7

Lower-jaw width 18.6 14.8 18.9 Upper-jaw width 17.5 13.5 16.9 Snout length 20.3 17.0 18.3

Interorbital width 41.0 41.5 42.9 Postorbital length 54.0 53.9 53.3 Measurements (other %)

37.0 32.9 30.3 34.1 32.6

7.2 8.3 7.1 9.0 8.0 26.8 22.9 15.3 19.0 16.5

16.9 16.9 17.4 20.9 19.5 14.2 16.3 15.2 21.2 18.5 13.2 16.7 12.6 14.9 13.8

41.4 36.6 24.9 38.0 31.4 52.2 57.3 62.4 67.3 64.5 33.9

8.0 18.9

13.6 14.0 17.9

33.3 56.6 29.0

7.0 13.7

12.2 12.7 15.3

26.9 52.7 37.2

9.6 21.6

15.7 17.0 21.0

34.4 59.9 34.1

7.8 19.4

14.1 15.0 17.9

29.8 57.2

Caudal peduncle depth (% 15.6 17.9 16.0 25.5 23.3 23.2 30.4 26.5 21.5 20.3 24.2 22.4 BD)

Caudal peduncle depth (% 25.1 28.6 25.3 34.9 38.9 38.3 47.60 42.30 30.4 28.0 33.6 32.6 CPL)

Anal-fin length (% LD) 90.0 92.2 90.1 124.1 119.4 121.0 145.0 129.2 118.5 107.3 131.3 116.8

Note: See Tables S9–S12 for additional data on synonymized species.

Abbreviations: BD, body depth; CPL, caudal peduncle length; HL, head length; LD, length of dorsal fin; SL, standard length.

Thick-tailed group

Morphological group

Pollimyrus brevis Pollimyrus castelnaui Pollimyrus guttatus Pollimyrus marianne

Syntype (n = 2) Syntype (n = 2) Paratype (n = 3) Paratype (n = 10)

Species Min Max Min Max Holotype Min Max Holotype Min Max

Dorsal-fin rays 18 18 16 Anal-fin rays 23 25 22 Pectoral-fin rays 10 10 10

Pelvic-fin rays 6 6 6

Vertebra 39 39 38

Teeth in upper jaw 7 8 7

Teeth in lower jaw 7 7 8

Lateral-line scales 40 46 47 Circumpeduncular scales 11 13 12

Scales lateral line–anal-fin origin 9 11 10 Scales lateral line–dorsal-fin origin 8 9 10 Scales lateral line–pelvic-fin origin 10 10 13 17

13 19 18 18 16 15 17

22 22 23 23 22 23

10 10 10 9 9 10

6 6 6 6 6 9

38 37 38 39 38 39

7 6 7 7 5 8

8 7 8 8 6 8

52 43 51 48 48 54

16 15 17 16 14 17

10 11 13 10 10 12

10 10 12 9 or 10 9 11

12 14 14 10 11 13

Morphological

Thick-tailed group

groups

Pollimyrus Pollimyrus

Pollimyrus krameri

stappersii stappersii

Pollimyrus petricolus sp. nov. Pollimyrus weyli sp. nov. stappersii kapangae

Paratype

(n = 3)

Paratype Paratype Species Holotype Min Max Holotype Holotype Holotype (n = 1) Holotype (n = 1)

Dorsal-fin rays 21 19 22 18

Anal-fin rays 24 22 25 22 Pectoral-fin rays 10 10 10 10 Pelvic-fin rays 6 6 6 6

Vertebra 42 41 43 39

Teeth in upper jaw 7 7 7 7

Teeth in lower jaw 8 8 8 8

Lateral-line scales 62 58 67 53

Circumpeduncular 17 16 20 13 scales

Scales lateral line– 13 13 14 13 anal-fin origin

Scales lateral line– 14 13 13 10 dorsal-fin origin

Scales lateral line– 14 14 15 14 pelvic-fin origin

16 15 15 17 17

26 21 24 23 21

9 9 9 9 9

6 6 6 6 6

38 37 38 39 38

5 7 7 7 7

8 8 9 9 9

48 46 53??

13 13 14 14 12

12 9 12? 11?

10 9 9 10 11?

12 11 11 13??

Slender-tailed group

Morphological group

Pollimyrus Cyphomyrus adspersus Pollimyrus maculipinnis plagiostoma

Pollimyrus osborni Pollimyrus pedunculatus

Syntype (n = 2)

Syntype

Species Holotype Paratype (n = 1) Holotype Holotype Min Max

(n = 2)

Dorsal-fin rays 19 20 17 17 16 19 32 33 Anal-fin rays 27 27 24 24 24 24 27 29 Pectoral-fin rays 9 10 10 10 10 10 12 12

T A B L E 7 (Continued)

Slender-tailed group

Morphological group

Pollimyrus Cyphomyrus adspersus Pollimyrus maculipinnis plagiostoma Pollimyrus osborni Pollimyrus pedunculatus

Syntype (n = 2)

Syntype

Species Holotype Paratype (n = 1) Holotype Holotype Min Max

(n = 2)

Pelvic-fin rays 6 6 6 6 6? 6 6

Vertebra 37 40 38 38

Teeth in upper jaw 7 8 7 7

Teeth in lower jaw 8 8 9 9

Lateral-line scales 47 47 62 51 Circumpeduncular scales?? 15 16

Scales lateral line–anal-fin origin 11 12 14 14 Scales lateral line–dorsal-fin origin 11 13 14 15 Scales lateral line–pelvic-fin origin 12 13 16 17 37 40 44 44

7 7 9 9

9 7 8 10

51 56 69 73

17 16 14 14

12 11 14 17

15 11 14 17

15 13 17 18

Slender-tailed group

Morphological group

Pollimyrus pulverulentus Pollimyrus schreyeni Pollimyrus ibalazambai sp. nov.

Syntype (n = 16) Holotype Paratype (n = 3) Paratype (n = 20)

Species Min Max Min Max Holotype Min Max

Dorsal-fin rays 18 24 Anal-fin rays 25 28

Pectoral-fin rays 9 10 Pelvic-fin rays 6 6

Vertebra 37 40

Teeth in upper jaw 8 10

Teeth in lower jaw 9 11

Lateral-line scales 42 54

Circumpeduncular scales 11 16 Scales lateral line–anal-fin origin 10 14 Scales lateral line–dorsal-fin origin 10 13

Scales lateral line–pelvic-fin origin 12 18 17

11 17 17 19 17 21

30 32 26 25 28

10 10 10 10 10

6 6 6 6 6

40 41 40 38 41

7 7 7 6 8

7 9 9 7 9

51 58 55 50 59

12 13 13 12 15

9 11 12 11 15

10 11 12 11 14

9 10 14 11 16

Pollimyrus tumifrons group

Morphological group

P. Pollimyrus Pollimyrus tumifrons aequipinnis anterodorsalis

Species Holotype Holotype Holotype

Dorsal-fin rays 28 25 24 Anal-fin rays 26 27 24 Pectoral-fin rays 12 12 12

Pelvic-fin rays 6 6 6

Vertebra 42 41 40

Teeth in upper jaw 9 8 7

Teeth in lower jaw 10 10 8

Lateral-line scales 62 67 63

Circumpeduncular 16 18 13 scales

Pollimyrus isidori group Pollimyrus vanneeri sp. nov.

Pollimyrus

nigricans P. vanneeri sp. nov.

fasciaticeps P. isidori

Syntype Paratype

(n = 9) (n = 17) Holotype Holotype Min Max Holotype Min Max

17 20 14 17 23 21 24

24 24 22 24 26 24 27

10 10 10 10 11 10 12

6 6 6 6 6 6 6

37 38 37 39 41 41 43 7? 6 8 7 6 8

8? 8 9 7 5 9

52 51 48 55 72 59 73

18 16 17 20 19 17 23

(Continues)

T A B L E 7 (Continued)

Pollimyrus tumifrons group Morphological group

P. Pollimyrus Pollimyrus tumifrons aequipinnis anterodorsalis

Species Holotype Holotype Holotype

Scales lateral line– 15 15 15

anal-fin origin

Scales lateral line– 16 16 16

dorsal-fin origin

Scales lateral line– 17 17 15

pelvic-fin origin

Note: See Tables S9–S12 for additional data on synonymized species.

Pollimyrus sp. “ luki ”

Type material

Holotype

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO Luki River near Kimbozi Bridge; 5 42 0 3.6 00 S, 12 57 0 35.1 00 E; June 24, 2017; S. Wamuini Lukayilakio and Z.J. Kosi leg.; 70.2 mm SL; RMCA 2017.014.P.0002.

Paratypes

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO one paratype; same data as holotype; 76.0 mm SL; RMCA 2017.014 View Materials .P.0001 three paratypes; same data as holotype; 67.0– 79.3 mm SL; RMCA 2017.014 View Materials .P.0003-0005 two paratypes; same data as holotype; 67.5–67.7 mm SL; AMNH 281713 About AMNH two paratypes; same data as holotype; 70.7–71.4 mm SL; RMCA 2017.014 View Materials .P.0008-0009 six paratypes; same data as holotype; 64.6–71.9 mm SL; RMCA 2017.014 View Materials .P.0010-0015 two paratypes; same data as holotype; 70.1–74.4 mm SL; BMNH 2024.9.20.2-3 two paratypes; same data as holotype; 69.8–70.2 mm SL; ZSM 49655 View Materials two paratypes; same data as holotype; 70.7–77.5 mm SL; RMCA 2017.14 View Materials .P.0020-0021.

Diagnosis

Distinguished from its congeners by the following unique combination of characters: a slender tail (15.3%–19.2% BD vs. thicker, 21.7%–31.2% BD, in P. brevis , P. castelnaui , P. fasciaticeps , P. guttatus , P. isidori , P. krameri , P. marianne , P. nigricans , P. petricolus , P. stappersii , P. vanneeri , and P. weyli ); a blocky snout (vs. rounded snout in P. brevis , P. castelnaui , P. guttatus , P. krameri , P. marianne , P. petricolus , P. stappersii , P. vanneeri , and P. weyli ); pointed pectoral fin (vs. rounded in P. brevis , P. castelnaui , P. guttatus , P. krameri , P. marianne , P. petricolus , P. stappersii , P. tumifrons , P. vanneeri , and P. weyli ); concave anal and dorsal fins (vs. rounded in P. brevis , P. castelnaui , P. guttatus , P. krameri , P. marianne , P. petricolus , P. stappersii , P. vanneeri , and P. weyli ); absence of chin (vs. obvious chin in P. brevis , P. castelnaui , P. guttatus , P. krameri , P. marianne , P. petricolus , P. stappersii , P. vanneeri , and P. weyli ); small, widely spaced, symmetrical teeth with clear cusps; a short head (20.9%–22.8% SL vs. 23.2%–

Pollimyrus isidori group Pollimyrus vanneeri sp. nov.

Pollimyrus

nigricans P. vanneeri sp. nov.

fasciaticeps P. isidori

Syntype Paratype

(n = 9) (n = 17) Holotype Holotype Min Max Holotype Min Max

14 14 11 14 18 12 18

16 14 11 14 18 13 20

14 16 12 12 19 14 20

27.7% SL in P. adspersus , P. maculipinnis , P. osborni , and P. pulverulentus ); a short dorsal fin (20.4%–23.9% SL vs. shorter, 15.2%–19.5% SL, in P. maculipinnis and P. schreyeni , and longer, 25.0%–37.9% SL, in P. pedunculatus and C. plagiostoma ); and anterior nostril positioned higher than the posterior one (vs. vice versa in P. pedunculatus ). Also see Supplementary file S1 for details and a differential diagnosis with each species.

Description

Based on holotype and paratypes. Measurements and meristics are given in Tables 6 and 7. A relatively small species, with a maximum observed size of 79.3 mm SL. Body oblong or diamond shaped and dorso-ventrally compressed. Deepest point of body around anal-fin origin. Head blocky and less deep than body. Mouth small and subterminal, not reaching level of eye. No obvious chin. Anterior nostril positioned higher than posterior one. Posterior nostril close to eye. Nostrils separated by less than half snout–eye distance. Very small, close-set, bicuspid teeth in a single row, six to eight in the upper jaw and seven to nine in the lower jaw. Arch of teeth not filling entire upper and lower jaw. Most anterior tooth on upper jaw clearly positioned anteriorly of second most teeth left and right of it. Anal-fin origin slightly in front of dorsal-fin origin. Anal fin longer than dorsal fin. Anterior parts of anal and dorsal fins higher than posterior part with concave diminution (see Figure 1 for definition). Pectoral fin long, reaching tip of or even extending beyond pelvic fin. First three pectoral-fin rays longer than others with concave diminution. Caudal-fin lobes somewhat rounded and long. Long and slender caudal peduncle.

Color in life

Body generally light silvery-grayish with some greenish/olive spots on the head and dorsum and some dark gray spots on the underside of the head. Dorsal, anal, and caudal fins darker gray at base and translucent at distal end. Pectoral fins light to dark gray at base and translucent at distal end. Pelvic fins slightly pinkish and translucent at distal end. Slight darker gray midlateral stripe of one to two scales wide running from behind the head to the caudal peduncle (Figure 9).

F I G U R E 8 Photographs of preserved specimens of Pollimyrus ibalazambai sp. nov. (a) Holotype

(Royal Museum for Central Africa

[RMCA] 2017.014.P.0002:

70.2 mm SL [standard length]).

(b) Paratype ( RMCA 2017.014 View Materials .

P.0020-0021, ID = 22:

70.7 mm SL).

Color in preserved specimens

Body generally light brownish with large darker brown spots on the head and smaller ones over the entire body. Head slightly darker. Dorsal side of the body and caudal peduncle dark brown. Dorsal, anal, and caudal fins yellow to brown at base and translucent at distal end. Pectoral and pelvic fins light yellow to light brown at base and translucent at distal end. Lateral line gray to black. Some specimens with darker supralateral line(s) (Figure 8).

Distribution and habitat

The specimens of P. ibalazambai were collected near the bridge of Kimbozi Village in the Luki River, a left bank affluent of the Lukunga, itself a right bank affluent of the Lower Congo River ( DRC) (Figures 2 and 10). The river where the specimens were caught was about 12 m wide and 60 cm deep. The river flowed at a speed of 0.3 m /s. The banks of the river were grassy, and the canopy above the river covered about 10% of its surface only. The floor of the river consisted of mostly sand with some mud, gravel, and pebbles. The following physicochemical parameters were collected at the type locality: water temperature about 22 C, pH 7.6, salinity 0.1 ppm, and oxygen level of 7.3 mg /L.

Etymology

The specific epithet is a noun honoring Professor Dr. Armel Ibala Zamba (1975–) (Université Marien Ngouabi, the Republic of the Congo) for his contributions to African ichthyology and his work in the Luki River basin ( DRC) within the framework of his PhD (2005–2010).

Pollimyrus krameri sp. nov.

Zoobank registration: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:48E2A84F-625C-4891-A7E8-F6368805AE1E

Figures 11 and 12; Tables 6 and 7

Pollimyrus sp. “lugenda”

Type material

Holotype

MOZAMBIQUE Lugenda River near the Mpamanda Fishing camp; 12 26 0 51 00 S, 37 35 0 45 00 E; August 22, 2003; R. Bills leg.; 45.6 mm SL; SAIAB 73892 About SAIAB . GoogleMaps

Paratypes

MOZAMBIQUE one paratype; same data as holotype; 48.7 mm SL; SAIAB 237203 About SAIAB GoogleMaps .

Diagnosis

Description

Based on holotype and paratype. Measurements and meristics are given in Tables 6 and 7. A relatively small species, with a maximum observed size of 48.7 mm SL. Body oblong, elongated, and dorso-ventrally compressed. Deepest point of body at anal-fin origin, and not changing drastically over entire body. Head round and less deep than body. Mouth small and subterminal, not reaching level of eye. Slight chin. Snout protruding. Anterior nostril positioned higher than posterior one. Posterior nostril close to eye. Nostrils separated by less than snout–eye distance. Bicuspid teeth in single row, eight to nine in upper jaw and seven in lower jaw. Arch of teeth filling entire upper and lower jaw. Most anterior tooth on upper jaw clearly positioned anteriorly of second most teeth left and right of it. Anal-fin origin posterior of dorsal-fin origin. Anal fin longer than dorsal fin. Anterior parts of anal and dorsal fins slightly higher than posterior part. Anal- and dorsal-fin edges straight. Pectoral fin rounded, reaching halfway pelvic fin. Caudal-fin lobes rounded and broad, overlapping in middle. Thick caudal peduncle.

Color in life

Body dark brown or gray. Ventral side of head and belly light yellowish. Caudal peduncle slightly darker brown or gray. Dorsal, anal, and caudal fins dark brown at base and slightly translucent at distal end. Pectoral fins dark brown or gray and slightly translucent. Pelvic fins light gray and slightly translucent. Lateral line dark gray (Figure 12).

Color in preserved specimens

Body dark brown/reddish. Ventral side of head and belly yellow or pale yellow. Caudal peduncle slightly darker. Dorsal and anal fins brown at base and translucent at distal end. Caudal fin light brown or gray and translucent. Pectoral fins light brown or gray and translucent. Pelvic fin light brown or gray and translucent. Lateral line dark brown (Figure 11).

Distribution and habitat

The specimens of P. krameri were found in a braid channel, the Nkupo Stream, during the dry season, which is part of the Lugenda River, itself a right bank affluent of the Rovuma River ( Mozambique) (Figures 2 and 13). The stream has dense marginal vegetation. The bottom of the river is sandy and rocky, without aquatic weed beds. Marginal Phragmites reeds, grasses, and trees result in significant

F I G U R E 1 1 Photographs of preserved specimens of Pollimyrus krameri sp. nov. (a) Holotype

(South African Institute for

Aquatic Biodiversity [SAIAB]

73892: 45.6 mm SL [standard length]). (b) Paratype (SAIAB

237203: 48.7 mm SL).

F I G U R E 1 2 Photograph of dead, but not yet fixed, holotype specimen of Pollimyrus krameri

sp. nov. (South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity [SAIAB]

73892: 45.6 mm SL [standard length]) from the Lugenda River

(by R.B., August 22, 2003).

marginal root stocks along some river edges. The small Nkupo Stream was not flowing and did not have aquatic macrophytes, but it was filled with filamentous algae and emergent plant root stocks. During the wet season, this stream would be part of the main river. The specimens were collected using seine netting into and underneath root stocks.

Etymology

The specific epithet is a noun honoring Professor Dr. Bernd Kramer (1943–) (University of Regensburg, Germany) for his contributions to ichthyology and study of weakly electric fish, southern African Mormyridae in particular.

Pollimyrus vanneeri sp. nov.

Zoobank registration: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:5925507B-C01A-4319-8221-146366363783

Figure 14; Tables 6 and 7

Pollimyrus sp. “ kouilou-niari ”

Type material

Holotype

REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO Kouilou-Niari River near Kakamoeka; 4 8 0 S, 12 4 0 E; October 10, 1990; G. Teugels, L. De Vos and J. Snoeks leg.; 100.9 mm SL; RMCA 1990.057.P.2878.

Paratypes

REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO eight paratypes; same data as holotype; 79.9–118.3 mm SL; RMCA 1990.057 View Materials GoogleMaps .P.2879-2885 one paratype; same data as holotype; 81.3 mm SL; AMNH GoogleMaps 281712 one paratype; same data as holotype; 85.6 mm SL; BMNH 2024.9 GoogleMaps .20.1 one paratype; same data as holotype; 83.9 mm SL; MNHN 2024-0897 About MNHN GoogleMaps one paratype; same data as holotype; 90.6 mm SL; ZSM 49654 View Materials GoogleMaps two paratypes; same data as holotype; October 12, 1990; 65.6–123.6 mm SL; RMCA 1990.057 View Materials GoogleMaps .P.2893-2894 three paratypes; confluence of Kissafou and Kouilou-Niari rivers; 4 7 0 S, 12 5 0 E; October 11, 1990; G. Teugels, L. De Vos and J. Snoeks; 77.9–99.5 mm SL; RMCA 1990.057 View Materials GoogleMaps .P.2890-2892.

Diagnosis

Distinguished from its congeners by the following unique combination of characters: thick caudal peduncle (20.3%–24.4% BD vs. slender, 12.7%–20.2% BD, in P. adspersus , P. maculipinnis , P. osborni , P. pedunculatus , P. pulverulentus , P. schreyeni , P. tumifrons , P. ibalazambai , and C. plagiostoma ); rounded pectoral fins (vs. pointed in P. adspersus , P. fasciaticeps , P. isidori , P. maculipinnis , P. nigricans , P. osborni , P. pedunculatus , P. pulverulentus , P. schreyeni , P. ibalazambai , and C. plagiostoma ); shallow body (22.6%–28.7% SL vs. deep, 29.1%– 34.6% SL, in P. adspersus , P. brevis , P. castelnaui , P. guttatus ., P. isidori , P. maculipinnis , P. osborni , P. schreyeni , and C. plagiostoma ); short pre-anal distance (52.4%–58.8% SL vs. long, 59.2%–65.8% SL, in P. brevis , P. castelnaui , P. guttatus , P. isidori , P. krameri , P. nigricans , P. stappersii , and P. weyli ); more vertebrae (41–43 vs. fewer, 37–40, in P. adspersus , P. brevis , P. castelnaui , P. fasciaticeps , P. guttatus , P. isidori , P. maculipinnis , P. marianne , P. nigricans , P. osborni , P. krameri , P. pedunculatus , P. pulverulentus , P. stappersii , and P. weyli , and more, 44, in C. plagiostoma ); 21–24 dorsal-fin rays (vs. fewer, 14–20, in P. adspersus , P. brevis , P. castelnaui , P. fasciaticeps , P. guttatus , P. isidori , P. krameri , P. maculipinnis , P. marianne , P. osborni , P. pedunculatus , P. schreyeni , P. stappersii , and P. weyli , and more, 32–33, in C. plagiostoma ); long snout (15.3%–21.0% HL vs. shorter, 10.5%– 14.9% HL, in P. adspersus , P. castelnaui , P. guttatus , P. fasciaticeps , P. krameri , P. maculipinnis , P. nigricans , P. osborni , P. pedunculatus , P. petricolus , P. stappersii , and P. weyli ); small eye (13.7%–21.6% HL vs. larger, 22.9%–28.7% HL, in P. adspersus , P. fasciaticeps , P. maculipinnis , P. osborni , and P. ibalazambai ); long dorsal fin (22.1%– 25.1% SL vs. shorter, 15.2%–20.2% SL, in P. brevis , P. castelnaui , P. krameri , P. maculipinnis , P. marianne , P. nigricans , P. schreyeni , P. stappersii , and P. weyli , and longer, 29.3%–37.9% SL, in P. tumifrons and C. plagiostoma ). Also see Supplementary file S1 for details and a differential diagnosis with each species.

Description

Based on holotype and paratypes. Measurements and meristics are given in Tables 6 and 7. A relatively small species, with a maximum observed size of 123.6 mm SL. Body oblong, somewhat elongated, and dorso-ventrally compressed. Deepest point of body around anal-fin origin, and not changing drastically over entire body length. Head blocky and about as deep as body. Mouth small and subterminal, reaching level of eye. No obvious chin. Snout protruding. Anterior nostril positioned higher than posterior one. Posterior nostril close to eye. Nostrils separated by less than half snout–eye distance. Large close-set, bicuspid teeth in single row, six to eight in upper jaw and five to nine in lower jaw. Arch of teeth filling entire upper and lower jaw. Three most anteriorly teeth positioned at about same level in upper jaw. Anal-fin origin slightly in front of dorsal-fin origin. Anal fin longer than dorsal fin. Anterior parts of anal and dorsal fin higher than posterior part with concave diminution. Pectoral fin long, reaching tip of pelvic fin. First three pectoral-fin rays longer than others with concave diminution. Caudal-fin lobes somewhat rounded and long. Long and deep caudal peduncle.

Color in life

Unknown.

Color in preserved specimens

Body generally light brownish or red-brownish. Head slightly darker. Dorsal side of body darker brown in some specimens. Dorsal and anal fins brown at base and translucent at distal end. Caudal-fin base white, yellow, or light brown, and distal end translucent. Pectoral and pelvic fins yellow/white and translucent at distal end. Lateral line light brown. Second, darker brown supralateral curved line visible across body (Figure 14).

Distribution and habitat

The specimens of P. vanneeri were collected near Kakamoeka in the Kouilou-Niari River and at the confluence of the Kouilou-Niari River with the Kissafou River, the latter a right bank affluent of the former, Republic of the Congo (Figure 2). The following physicochemical parameters were collected at the type locality: water temperature about 27.7 C in the afternoon; pH 7.8; oxygen level 6.8 mg /L; ammonium concentration 0.1 mg /L; nitrites concentration 0.05 mg /L;

F I G U R E 1 4 Photographs of preserved specimens of Pollimyrus vanneeri sp. nov. (a) Holotype

(Royal Museum for Central Africa

[RMCA] 1990.057.P.2878:

100.9 mm SL [standard length]);

(b) Paratype ( RMCA 1990.057 View Materials .

P.2890-2892: 99.5 mm SL).

silicium concentration 1 mg /L; calcium concentration 18–26 ppm; and phosphate level 0.25 mg /L.

Etymology

The specific epithet is a noun honoring Professor Dr. Wim Van Neer (1954–) (Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, and KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium) for his contributions to ichthyoarchaeology in Europe and northern Africa.

Pollimyrus weyli sp. nov.

Zoobank registration: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:FB535D7B-2446-4DB6-850A-E688C2E3F65D

Figures 15 and 16; Tables 6 and 7

Pollimyrus sp. “ buzi ”

Type material

Holotype

MOZAMBIQUE Mussapa River , Krongwa Stream near Dombe; 19 54 0 44 00 S, 33 20 0 22 00 E; September 27, 2002; R. Bills leg.; 51.4 mm SL; SAIAB 67639 About SAIAB . GoogleMaps

Paratypes

MOZAMBIQUE one paratype; Lucite River , Mukombe Stream near Dombe; 19 56 0 38 00 S, 33 29 0 06 00 E; September 29, 2002; R. Bills leg. GoogleMaps ; 49.1 mm SL; SAIAB 67706 About SAIAB .

Diagnosis

Description

Based on holotype and paratype. Measurements and meristics are given in Tables 6 and 7. A relatively small species, with a maximum observed size of 51.4 mm SL. Body oblong, somewhat elongated, and dorso-ventrally compressed. Deepest point of body at pelvic-fin origin, and not changing drastically over entire body length. Head round and as deep as body. Mouth small and subterminal, not reaching level of eye. Slight chin. Snout protruding. Anterior nostril positioned higher than posterior one. Posterior nostril close to eye. Nostrils separated by less than half snout–eye distance. Bicuspid teeth in single row, nine on upper jaw and seven on lower jaw. Arch of teeth filling entire upper and lower jaw. Most anterior tooth on upper jaw clearly positioned anteriorly of second most teeth left and right of it. Anal-fin origin posterior of dorsal-fin origin. Anal fin longer than dorsal fin. Anterior parts of anal and dorsal fin slightly higher than posterior part. Anal- and dorsal-fin edges straight. Pectoral fin rounded, not reaching tip of pelvic fin. Caudal-fin lobes rounded and broad, overlapping in middle. Deep caudal peduncle.

Color in life

Body dark brown to reddish. Ventral side of head and belly olive. Dorsal, anal, and caudal fins dark brown or olive at base and slightly translucent at distal end. Pectoral and pelvic fins light gray to light olive, mostly translucent. Lateral line slightly yellowish/red (Figure 16).

Color in preserved specimens

Body generally light brownish or yellowish. Small brown spots across body. Dorsal and anal fins brownish or yellowish at base and grayish and slightly translucent at distal end. Caudal fin brownish and slightly translucent. Pectoral and pelvic fins light yellow or light brown, slightly translucent. Lateral line slightly visible as slightly darker brown (Figure 15).

Distribution and habitat

The specimens of P. weyli were collected in the Mukombe and the Krongwa streams near Dombe of the Mussapa, an affluent to the Lucite River, and Lucite River respectively, a left bank affluent of the Buzi River, Mozambique (Figures 2 and 17). The holotype was caught in a weed-filled non-flowing stream close to the main channel of the Buzi River, some 154 m a.s.l. The vegetation consisted mostly of a fine leafed Potamogeton (like Potamogeton pusillus ) and a few water lilies ( Nymphaea ). The vegetation cover was close to 100%, where the specimen was caught by raking a big hard-framed hand-net through the weeds. The water depth was less than 1 m with a mixed substrate of sand and rocks. The paratype was caught in a lower-altitude tributary, at 138 m a.s.l., with a good flow, completely covered over by emergent Phragmites . There was no submerged aquatic vegetation. Collected by electrofishing with a Samus backpack. Water depth was less than 1 m with a substrate of cobbles and banks undercut with a lot of rootstocks.

Etymology

The specific epithet is a noun honoring the late Professor Dr. Olaf L.F. Weyl (1972–†2020) (SAIAB) for his contributions to African ichthyology and his work in the Buzi River system within the framework

F I G U R E 1 5 Photographs of preserved specimens of Pollimyrus weyli sp. nov. (a) Holotype

(South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity [SAIAB] 67639: 51.43 mm SL [standard length]). (b) Paratype (SAIAB 67706: 49.1 mm SL).

F I G U R E 1 6 Photograph of dead, but not yet fixed, holotype of Pollimyrus weyli sp. nov.

(South African Institute for

Aquatic Biodiversity [SAIAB]

67639: 51.43 mm SL [standard length]) from the Mussapa River

(by R.B., September 27, 2002).

of his PhD, expanding the collections housed at SAIAB and increasing the understanding of the biodiversity in the region.

Abbreviations

T	Tavera, Department of Geology and Geophysics
RMCA	Royal Museum for Central Africa
R	Departamento de Geologia, Universidad de Chile
AMNH	American Museum of Natural History

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No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.

Taxonomy

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Order	Osteoglossiformes
Family	Mormyridae

Pollimyrus

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Abbreviations

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Taxonomy

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