Pelvicachromis drachenfelsi, Lamboj & Bartel & Dell’Ampio, 2014

Lamboj, Anton, Bartel, Daniela & Dell’Ampio, Emiliano, 2014, Revision of the Pelvicachromis taeniatus-group (Perciformes), with revalidation of the taxon Pelvicachromis kribensis (Boulenger, 1911) and description of a new species, Cybium 38 (3), pp. 205-222 : 211-213

Pelvicachromis drachenfelsi , n. sp.

( Figs 2 -4)

Holotype. – NMW 95237 , male, 60.3 mm SL, Cameroon, Wouri River system, Region of Yabassi, tributary of Wouri differs from all congeners in a white margin and a black submargin in the dorsal half of the male caudal fin (vs not present). Differs in female coloration from P. taeniatus and P. kribensis in showing a dusky blackish margin and absence of horizontal dark bars in the caudal fin (vs no margin in populations of P. kribensis of the Lobe River system or one horizontal dark bar in some populations of P. kribensis north of the Sanaga River system and one to three horizontal dark bars in populations of P. taeniatus ). Differs from P. taeniatus and P. kribensis in a caudal peduncle usually longer then deep (vs shorter than deep to as long as deep). Differs from P. humilis , P. rubrolabiatus and P. signatus in the absence of seven-eight dark, vertical bars on body, and in three tubular infraorbital bones vs two. Differs from P. silviae Lamboj, 2013 in lesser body depth (28.7-35.1% SL vs 37.4-43.0%, mean 32.3 vs 39.2%), longer caudal peduncle (caudal peduncle length 93.9-124.6%% of caudal peduncle depth vs 73.2-85.3, mean 106.0 vs 78.1%), more spines in dorsal fin (17-18 vs 14-16). Differs from P. subocellatus (Günther, 1871) in males by absence of a lappet-like elongation of some rays of caudal fin. Differs from P. roloffi ( Thys van den Audenaerde, 1968) in greater caudal peduncle length (12.4-18.2% SL vs 9.4-12.2, mean 15.4 vs 10.7%) and higher number of pored scales of lateral line (27-29 vs 24-26). Differs from P. sacrimontis Paulo, 1977 in shorter interorbital distance (16.3-27.4% HL vs 29.4-45.3%, mean 24.2 vs 36.0%). Differs from P. pulcher (Boulenger, 1901) in rows of dots in the central field of the male caudal fin (vs absence).

Description

Measurements and meristic counts for the holotype and 38 paratypes are given in table II. Small cichlid species with body moderately gracile, dorsal head profile rounded and short snout. Ventral body wall gently rounded to caudal peduncle, more rounded in ripe and gravid females. Caudal fin rounded. Caudal peduncle usually longer than deep, but deeper then long in few specimens (six specimens of type series, all females or juveniles). Sexual dimorphism well developed, with males usually 10-15% larger in SL than females, with soft dorsal, anal and pelvic fins more elongated. First ray of pelvic fin always longest in males; in females second ray always longest of this fin. In males, tip of pelvic fin can reach or overlap origin of anal fin.

Osteology and dentition. – Infraorbital bone series with lachrymal and three additional tubular bones and a gap between 2 nd and 3 rd tubular infraorbital, lachrymal with four openings of laterosensory system. Premaxilla usually with 1, rarely 2 rows of teeth (if 2 rows, second toothband with just few teeth), dentary usually with 2 rows, in few smaller specimens rarely with 1 row of regularly set unicuspid teeth. Anteriorly in the lower jaw a few teeth orientated posteriorly, not buccally. Lower pharyngeal bone triangular, with unicuspid to weakly bicuspid teeth on lateral parts of this bone, and asymmetric bicuspid teeth in the central field.

Gill rakers on first gill arch. Nine to ten tuberculate gill rakers on ceratobranchials, 4-8 pointed gill rakers on epibranchials. Well-developed hanging pad on roof of pharynx.

Scales. – Cycloid, 2 or 3 rows of scales on cheek; 4 horizontal rows on opercle. Dark spot on outer edge of opercle unscaled. Chest-scales smaller than body scales, 3 or 4 scales between pectoral and pelvic fins. Upper lateral-line separated from dorsal-fin base anteriorly by two and a half to three and a half scales, at the 8th pored scale by one or one and a half scales, and at last pored scale by a half or one scale. End of upper lateral-line never overlapping lower lateral-line, usually separated from beginning of lower lateral-line by 1-4 rows of scales (one specimen with 8 rows, possibly an individual aberration). About 1/5 to 1⁄4 of caudal fin covered with scales, all other fins unscaled.

Figures

Figure 2. - Holotype of Pelvicachromis drachenfelsi sp. nov., NMW 95237, male, 60.3 mm SL, Cameroon, Wouri River system, Region of Yabassi, tributary of Wouri River on Road Douala-Yabassi, 04°18.250’ N, 10°02.971’ E. Figure 3. - One of the paratypes of Pelvicachromis drachenfelsi sp. nov., out of NMW 95238, female, 43.6 mm SL, Cameroon, Wouri River system, Region of Yabassi, tributary of Wouri River on Road Douala-Yabassi, 04°18.250’ N, 10°02.971’ E. Figure 4. - Live specimens of P. drachenfelsi sp. nov. in aquaria, collected at type locality by A.L., not measured, not preserved. A: Two males, specimen below submissive with horizontal black band; B: Male in dominant coloration; C: Female in display; D: Female guarding fry.