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Mutizwa TI, Kadye WT, Bragança PHN, Bere T, Chakona A. Hidden in the riffles: A new suckermouth catfish (Mochokidae, Chiloglanis) from the middle Zambezi River system, Zimbabwe. Zookeys 2024; 1197:57-91. [PMID: 38616924 PMCID: PMC11015093 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1197.114679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The recent surge in the discovery of hidden diversity within rheophilic taxa, particularly in West and East Africa, prompted a closer examination of the extent to which the current taxonomy may obscure the diversity of riffle-dwelling suckermouth catfishes in the genus Chiloglanis in southern Africa. Currently, the region comprises eight valid species within this genus. Seven of them have relatively narrow geographic distribution ranges except for C.neumanni, which is considered to be widely distributed, occurring from the Buzi River system in the south, and its northern limit being the eastward draining river systems in Tanzania. Recent surveys of the middle Zambezi River system revealed Chiloglanis specimens that were distinguishable from the known species of the genus from southern Africa. Integration of molecular and morphological data indicated that these specimens from the Mukwadzi River represent a new species to science, herein described as Chiloglaniscarnatus Mutizwa, Bragança & Chakona, sp. nov. This species is readily distinguished from its southern African congeners by the possession of a distinctive extended dermal tissue covering the base of the dorsal fin and the possession of ten mandibular teeth (vs 8, 12, or 14 in the other taxa). Results from this study add to the growing evidence of a high level of undocumented diversity within riffle-dwelling taxa in southern Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadiwa I. Mutizwa
- Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Faculty of Science, Rhodes University, Prince Alfred Street, PO Box 94, Makhanda, 6140, South AfricaNRF-South African Institute for Aquatic BiodiversityMakhandaSouth Africa
- NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Somerset Street, Private Bag 1015, Makhanda, 6140, South AfricaRhodes UniversityMakhandaSouth Africa
| | - Wilbert T. Kadye
- Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Faculty of Science, Rhodes University, Prince Alfred Street, PO Box 94, Makhanda, 6140, South AfricaNRF-South African Institute for Aquatic BiodiversityMakhandaSouth Africa
- NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Somerset Street, Private Bag 1015, Makhanda, 6140, South AfricaRhodes UniversityMakhandaSouth Africa
| | - Pedro H. N. Bragança
- NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Somerset Street, Private Bag 1015, Makhanda, 6140, South AfricaRhodes UniversityMakhandaSouth Africa
- Department of Ichthyology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USADepartment of Ichthyology, American Museum of Natural HistoryNew YorkUnited States of America
| | - Taurai Bere
- School of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Private Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, ZimbabweChinhoyi University of TechnologyChinhoyiZimbabwe
| | - Albert Chakona
- Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Faculty of Science, Rhodes University, Prince Alfred Street, PO Box 94, Makhanda, 6140, South AfricaNRF-South African Institute for Aquatic BiodiversityMakhandaSouth Africa
- NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Somerset Street, Private Bag 1015, Makhanda, 6140, South AfricaRhodes UniversityMakhandaSouth Africa
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Sithole Y, Musschoot T, Huyghe CET, Chakona A, Vreven EJWMN. A new species of Parauchenoglanis (Auchenoglanididae: Siluriformes) from the Upper Lualaba River (Upper Congo), with further evidence of hidden species diversity within the genus. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2023; 102:1387-1414. [PMID: 37039421 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Parauchenoglanis zebratus sp. nov. is a new species endemic to the Upper Lualaba in the Upper Congo Basin. It is distinguished from all its congeners known from the Congo Basin and adjacent basins by the presence of (1) distinctive dark-brown or black vertical bars on the lateral side of the body, at least for specimens about ≥120 mm LS , (2) a broad and triangular humeral process embedded under the skin and (3) a well-serrated pectoral-fin spine. Genetic analysis based on mtDNA COI sequences confirmed the genetic distinctiveness (2.8%-13.6% K2P genetic divergence) of P. zebratus sp. nov. from congeners within the Congo and adjacent river basins. The study also revealed additional undocumented diversity within P. ngamensis, P. pantherinus, P. punctatus and P. balayi, indicating the need for further in-depth alpha-taxonomic attention to provide more accurate species delimitations for this genus. The discovery of yet another new species endemic to the Upper Lualaba, and this well outside the currently established protected areas, highlights the critical need for further assessments to accurately document the species diversity to guide freshwater conservation prioritisation and biodiversity management in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonela Sithole
- National Research Foundation - South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda, South Africa
- Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
| | - Tobias Musschoot
- Vertebrate Section, Ichthyology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium
| | - Charlotte E T Huyghe
- Vertebrate Section, Ichthyology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Zoological Institute, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Albert Chakona
- National Research Foundation - South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda, South Africa
- Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
| | - Emmanuel J W M N Vreven
- National Research Foundation - South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda, South Africa
- Vertebrate Section, Ichthyology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium
- Biology Department, Fish Diversity and Conservation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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3
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Day JJ, Steell EM, Vigliotta TR, Withey LA, Bills R, Friel JP, Genner MJ, Stiassny MLJ. Exceptional levels of species discovery ameliorate inferences of the biogeography and diversification of an Afrotropical catfish family. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2023; 182:107754. [PMID: 36906193 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
Endeavours in species discovery, particularly the characterisation of cryptic species, have been greatly aided by the application of DNA molecular sequence data to phylogenetic reconstruction and inference of evolutionary and biogeographic processes. However, the extent of cryptic and undescribed diversity remains unclear in tropical freshwaters, where biodiversity is declining at alarming rates. To investigate how data on previously undiscovered biodiversity impacts inferences of biogeography and diversification dynamics, we generated a densely sampled species-level family tree of Afrotropical Mochokidae catfishes (220 valid species) that was ca. 70 % complete. This was achieved through extensive continental sampling specifically targeting the genus Chiloglanis a specialist of the relatively unexplored fast-flowing lotic habitat. Applying multiple species-delimitation methods, we report exceptional levels of species discovery for a vertebrate genus, conservatively delimiting a staggering ca. 50 putative new Chiloglanis species, resulting in a near 80 % increase in species richness for the genus. Biogeographic reconstructions of the family identified the Congo Basin as a critical region in the generation of mochokid diversity, and further revealed complex scenarios for the build-up of continental assemblages of the two most species rich mochokid genera, Synodontis and Chiloglanis. While Syndontis showed most divergence events within freshwater ecoregions consistent with largely in situ diversification, Chiloglanis showed much less aggregation of freshwater ecoregions, suggesting dispersal as a key diversification process in this older group. Despite the significant increase in mochokid diversity identified here, diversification rates were best supported by a constant rate model consistent with patterns in many other tropical continental radiations. While our findings highlight fast-flowing lotic freshwaters as potential hotspots for undescribed and cryptic species diversity, a third of all freshwater fishes are currently threatened with extinction, signifying an urgent need to increase exploration of tropical freshwaters to better characterise and conserve its biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia J Day
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Elizabeth M Steell
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Thomas R Vigliotta
- Department of Ichthyology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lewis A Withey
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Roger Bills
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Private Bag, 1015, 6140 Grahamstown, South Africa
| | - John P Friel
- Alabama Museum of Natural History, The University of Alabama, Box 870340, 35487-0340 Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Martin J Genner
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, 24, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Melanie L J Stiassny
- Department of Ichthyology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA
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4
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Checklist of the Fishes of the Kundelungu National Park (Upper Congo Basin, DR Congo): Species Diversity and Endemicity of a Poorly Known Ichthyofauna. DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15020259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
The fish diversity of the Kundelungu National Park (KNP), one of the seven national parks of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has never been thoroughly studied. This first checklist is presented based on a literature compilation and the study of historical (1939–1969) and recent collections (2012–2017). A total of 96 taxa are reported, including 64 native described species, one introduced species (Poecilia reticulata), 13 new species that await formal description and 18 possibly new species that require further investigation to verify their status. These taxa represent 39 genera and 17 families from the KNP including its Buffer Zone (BZ). Only six taxa, including five endemics, are known from the Core Zone on the Kundelungu Plateau (1300–1700 m alt.). At lower altitudes (800–1100 m), in the Annex Zone, 71 taxa, including 17 endemics, were found. Finally, 50 taxa, including 13 endemics and one introduced species, are known from its BZ. The fish fauna of the KNP is threatened by overfishing, destructive fishing practices, and habitat degradation due to mining pollution, and deforestation for agriculture on the river banks. The present study provides the much needed baseline data for the protection and conservation planning of this fish fauna, for which conservation suggestions are formulated.
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Sullivan JP, Hopkins CD, Pirro S, Peterson R, Chakona A, Mutizwa TI, Mukweze Mulelenu C, Alqahtani FH, Vreven E, Dillman CB. Mitogenome recovered from a 19 th Century holotype by shotgun sequencing supplies a generic name for an orphaned clade of African weakly electric fishes (Osteoglossomorpha, Mormyridae). Zookeys 2022; 1129:163-196. [PMID: 36761845 PMCID: PMC9836601 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1129.90287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Heteromormyrus Steindachner, 1866, a genus of Mormyridae (Teleostei: Osteoglossomorpha), has been monotypic since the description of Heteromormyruspauciradiatus (Steindacher, 1866) from a single specimen. No type locality other than "Angola" was given and almost no specimens have been subsequently identified to this species. In order to investigate the relationship of this taxon to fresh specimens collected in Angola and elsewhere, whole genome paired-end sequencing of DNA extracted from the holotype specimen of Heteromormyruspauciradiatus was performed and a nearly complete mitogenome assembled from the sequences obtained. Comparison of cytochrome oxidase I and cytochrome b sequences from this mitogenome to sequences from recently collected material reveal that Heteromormyruspauciradiatus is closely related to specimens identified as Hippopotamyrusansorgii (Boulenger, 1905), Hippopotamyrusszaboi Kramer, van der Bank & Wink, 2004, Hippopotamyruslongilateralis Kramer & Swartz, 2010, as well as to several undescribed forms from subequatorial Africa collectively referred to in the literature as the "Hippopotamyrusansorgii species complex" and colloquially known as "slender stonebashers." Previous molecular phylogenetic work has shown that these species are not close relatives of Hippopotamyruscastor Pappenheim, 1906, the type species of genus Hippopotamyrus Pappenheim, 1906 from Cameroon, and are thus misclassified. Hippopotamyrusansorgii species complex taxa and another species shown to have been misclassified, Paramormyropstavernei (Poll, 1972), are placed in genus Heteromormyrus and one genetic lineage from the Kwanza and Lucala rivers of Angola are identified as conspecific Heteromormyruspauciradiatus. Three additional new combinations and a synonymy in Mormyridae are introduced. The morphological characteristics and geographical distribution of the genus Heteromormyrus are reviewed. The electric organ discharges (EODs) of Heteromormyrus species are to be treated in a separate study.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P. Sullivan
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA,Cornell University Museum of Vertebrates, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Carl D. Hopkins
- Cornell University Museum of Vertebrates, Ithaca, New York, USA,Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | | | - Rose Peterson
- The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Albert Chakona
- NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda, South Africa,Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
| | - Tadiwa I. Mutizwa
- NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda, South Africa,Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
| | - Christian Mukweze Mulelenu
- Département de Zootechnie, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université de Kolwezi, Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of the Congo,Département de Gestion des Ressources Naturelles Renouvelables, Unité de recherche en Biodiversité et Exploitation durable des Zones Humides, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo,Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics, Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven, Belgium,Zoology Department, Ichthyology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium
| | - Fahad H. Alqahtani
- National Centre for Bioinformatics, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Emmanuel Vreven
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics, Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven, Belgium,Zoology Department, Ichthyology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium
| | - Casey B. Dillman
- Cornell University Museum of Vertebrates, Ithaca, New York, USA,Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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6
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Schedel FDB, Chakona A, Sidlauskas BL, Popoola MO, Usimesa Wingi N, Neumann D, Vreven EJWMN, Schliewen UK. New phylogenetic insights into the African catfish families Mochokidae and Austroglanididae. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2022; 100:1171-1186. [PMID: 35184288 PMCID: PMC9310817 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Several hundred catfish species (order: Siluriformes) belonging to 11 families inhabit Africa, of which at least six families are endemic to the continent. Although four of those families are well-known to belong to the 'Big-Africa clade', no previous study has addressed the phylogenetic placement of the endemic African catfish family Austroglanididae in a comprehensive framework with molecular data. Furthermore, interrelationships within the 'Big-Africa clade', including the most diverse family Mochokidae, remain unclear. This study was therefore designed to help reconstruct inter- and intrarelationships of all currently valid mochokid genera, to infer their position within the 'Big Africa clade' and to establish a first molecular phylogenetic hypothesis of the relationships of the enigmatic Austroglanididae within the Siluriformes. We assembled a comprehensive mitogenomic dataset comprising all protein coding genes and representing almost all recognized catfish families (N = 33 of 39) with carefully selected species (N = 239). We recovered the monophyly of the previously identified multifamily clades 'Big Asia' and 'Big Africa' and determined Austroglanididae to be closely related to Pangasiidae, Ictaluroidea and Ariidae. Mochokidae was recovered as the sister group to a clade encompassing Auchenoglanididae, Claroteidae, Malapteruridae and the African Schilbeidae, albeit with low statistical support. The two mochokid subfamilies Mochokinae and Chiloglanidinae as well as the chiloglanid tribe Atopochilini were recovered as reciprocally monophyletic. The genus Acanthocleithron forms the sister group of all remaining Mochokinae, although with low support. The genus Atopodontus is the sister group of all remaining Atopochilini. In contrast to morphological reconstructions, the monophyly of the genus Chiloglanis was strongly supported in our analysis, with Chiloglanis macropterus nested within a Chiloglanis sublineage encompassing only other taxa from the Congo drainage. This is an important result because the phylogenetic relationships of C. macropterus have been controversial in the past, and because we and other researchers assumed that this species would be resolved as sister to most or all other members of Chiloglanis. The apparent paraphyly of Synodontis with respect to Microsynodontis provided an additional surprise, with Synodontis punu turning out to be the sister group of the latter genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederic D. B. Schedel
- Zoological InstituteUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- Department of IchthyologySNSB‐Bavarian State Collection of ZoologyMunichGermany
- Faculty of BiologyLMU MunichMunichGermany
| | | | - Brian L. Sidlauskas
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation SciencesOregon State UniversityCorvallisOregonUSA
| | | | | | - Dirk Neumann
- Department of IchthyologySNSB‐Bavarian State Collection of ZoologyMunichGermany
| | - Emmanuel J. W. M. N. Vreven
- Vertebrate Section, Royal Museum for Central AfricaTervurenBelgium
- KU Leuven, Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary GenomicsLeuvenBelgium
| | - Ulrich K. Schliewen
- Department of IchthyologySNSB‐Bavarian State Collection of ZoologyMunichGermany
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7
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Chakona A, Jordaan MS, Raimondo DC, Bills RI, Skelton PH, van der Colff D. Diversity, distribution and extinction risk of native freshwater fishes of South Africa. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2022; 100:1044-1061. [PMID: 35170047 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Extinction risk for 101 valid species and 18 unique genetic lineages of native freshwater fishes of South Africa was assessed in 2016 following the IUCN Red List criteria. An additional five species (three new species that were described and two species that were revalidated subsequent to the 2016 assessments) were assessed in the present study. A synthesis of the outcome of the assessments of the 106 valid species and 18 genetic lineages indicates that 45 (36%) of South Africa's freshwater fish taxa are threatened (7 Critically Endangered, 25 Endangered, 13 Vulnerable). Of the remaining taxa, 17 (14%) are listed as Near Threatened, 57 (46%) are Least Concern and five (4%) are Data Deficient. More than 60% of the endemic taxa are threatened. The Cape Fold Ecoregion has the highest proportion of threatened taxa (67%) due to the existence of a unique assemblage of narrow-range endemic species. Galaxias and Pseudobarbus have the highest number of highly threatened taxa as most of the species and lineages in these genera are classified as either CR or EN. Major threats to the native freshwater fishes of the country are invasive fish species, deterioration of water quality, impoundments and excessive water abstraction, land use changes and modification of riverine habitats. Immediate conservation efforts should focus on securing remnant populations of highly threatened taxa and preventing deterioration in threat status, because recovery is rare. Accurate delimitation of species boundaries, mapping their distribution ranges, improved knowledge of pressures and long-term monitoring of population trends need to be prioritised to generate credible data for the 2026 IUCN threat status assessments and designation of important fish areas as part of the National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas (NFEPA) initiative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Chakona
- NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB), Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa
- Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa
| | - Martine S Jordaan
- NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB), Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa
- CapeNature Biodiversity Capabilities Unit, Stellenbosch
- Center of Excellence for Invasion Biology, CapeNature Biodiversity Capabilities Unit, Stellenbosch
| | - Domitilla C Raimondo
- South African National Biodiversity Institute Threatened Species Program, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Cape Town
| | - Roger I Bills
- NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB), Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa
| | - Paul H Skelton
- NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB), Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa
| | - Dewidine van der Colff
- Center of Excellence for Invasion Biology, CapeNature Biodiversity Capabilities Unit, Stellenbosch
- South African National Biodiversity Institute Threatened Species Program, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Cape Town
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Mutizwa TI, Kadye WT, Chakona A. Deep genetic and morphological divergence in the Hippopotamyrus ansorgii species complex (Teleostei: Mormyridae) in southern Africa. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2021; 99:543-556. [PMID: 33811353 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The present study used molecular and morphological approaches to investigate hidden diversity within the Hippopotamyrus ansorgii species complex in southern Africa. Phylogenetic reconstructions and three species delimitation methods based on two mitochondrial markers (cytochrome b and cytochrome oxidase I) and one nuclear marker (S7) revealed 12 Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs), with two of them representing two recently described species, Hippopotamyrus longilateralis and Hippopotamyrus szaboi. The highest diversity occurred in the Kwanza River system, which contained five MOTUs, and the Upper Zambezi River system that had two MOTUs. Five other river systems contained a single MOTU each. A major impediment to the review of this complex has been the uncertainty surrounding the type locality of the specimens that were used for the description of H. ansorgii. The present study has, through a careful examination of published literature and synthesis of information on the travel activities of Dr. William Ansorge who collected the specimens, identified the Kwanza River system as the most plausible source of the syntypes. The resolution of the type locality of H. ansorgii facilitates future work on the review of this complex which is critical for providing reliable biodiversity estimates, identifying effective conservation management strategies and understanding the evolutionary history and biogeographic patterns of the fishes of this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadiwa I Mutizwa
- Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa
- NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa
| | - Wilbert T Kadye
- Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa
| | - Albert Chakona
- Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa
- NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa
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9
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Abstract
Since their inception, DNA barcodes have become a powerful tool for understanding the biodiversity and biology of aquatic species, with multiple applications in diverse fields such as food security, fisheries, environmental DNA, conservation, and exotic species detection. Nevertheless, most aquatic ecosystems, from marine to freshwater, are understudied, with many species disappearing due to environmental stress, mostly caused by human activities. Here we highlight the progress that has been made in studying aquatic organisms with DNA barcodes, and encourage its further development in assisting sustainable use of aquatic resources and conservation.
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10
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Mazungula DN, Chakona A. An integrative taxonomic review of the Natal mountain catfish, Amphilius natalensis Boulenger 1917 (Siluriformes, Amphiliidae), with description of four new species. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2021; 99:219-239. [PMID: 33635552 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
An integrative taxonomic analysis combining mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequences, morphology, colour pattern and two species delimitation approaches revealed the existence of five lineages within the Natal mountain catfish, Amphilius natalensis, in southern Africa. These lineages are separated by substantial genetic divergences (1.6%-9.46%), and they can be consistently distinguished from one another based on a combination of morphology and colour pattern differences. Additionally, the lineages are allopatrically distributed and confined to isolated river systems draining discrete mountain ranges, which makes gene flow among them unlikely. One of these lineages is A. natalensis s.s., which is confined to the uMngeni and Tukela river systems in KwaZulu Natal (KZN) Province in South Africa. The other four lineages represent new species to science which are described as Amphilius zuluorum sp. nov., endemic to the uMkhomazi River system in KZN, Amphilius engelbrechti sp. nov., endemic to the Inkomati River system in Mpumalanga Province in South Africa, Amphilius marshalli sp. nov., endemic to the Pungwe and Lower Zambezi river systems in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, and Amphilius leopardus sp. nov., endemic to the Ruo River in Malawi. The results show that Amphilius laticaudatus which is endemic to the Buzi River system in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, belongs to the A. natalensis s.l. complex. A redescription of A. laticaudatus is presented and an updated identification key for the mountain catfishes of southern Africa is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Nkosinathi Mazungula
- National Research Foundation - South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa
- Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa
| | - Albert Chakona
- National Research Foundation - South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa
- Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa
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11
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Braganca PHN, Smith TG, Vreven EJWMN, Chakona A. Integrative taxonomy reveals hidden diversity in the southern African darters genus Nannocharax Günther 1867 (Characiformes: Distichodontidae). JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2020; 97:1713-1723. [PMID: 32914416 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The present study explored the diversity of Nannocharax within southern Africa by implementing three species delimitation methods for a data set consisting of 37 mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequences. Two unilocus coalescent methods, the General Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) and the Bayesian implementation of the Poisson Tree Processes (bPTP), and a genetic distance method, the Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD), were applied. Both GMYC and bPTP delimited the same operational taxonomic units (OTUs), revealing a higher diversity for the genus in the region than previously recognised, whereas the ABGD failed to delimit the same candidate species. All methods delimited two species groups, and these are supported based on colouration patterning and morphology; the Nannocharax multifasciatus and the Nannocharax macropterus species groups and the delimited OTUs were assigned to each. Two putative new species were identified, Nannocharax cf. lineostriatus "Okavango" from the Okavango River in Angola and N. cf. lineostriatus "Kwanza" from the Kwanza River system in Angola. The distribution of Nannocharax dageti was confirmed for the Upper Zambezi and extended to the Okavango system, and an identification key for the southern Africa Nannocharax species is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro H N Braganca
- NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa
| | - Timothy G Smith
- NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa
| | - Emmanuel J W M N Vreven
- Royal Museum for Central Africa, Section of Vertebrates, Ichthyology, Tervuren, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Albert Chakona
- NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa
- Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa
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Chakona A, Gouws G, Kadye WT, Mpopetsi PP, Skelton PH. Probing hidden diversity to enhance conservation of the endangered narrow-range endemic Eastern Cape rocky, Sandelia bainsii (Castelnau 1861). KOEDOE: AFRICAN PROTECTED AREA CONSERVATION AND SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.4102/koedoe.v62i1.1627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Weyl OL, Chakona A. Journal of Fish Biology special issue on The Biology and Ecology of African Freshwater Fishes. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2020; 96:1075-1076. [PMID: 32420662 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Olaf Lf Weyl
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Grahamstown, South Africa
- Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
| | - Albert Chakona
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Grahamstown, South Africa
- Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
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Martin MB, Chakona A. Designation of a neotype for Enteromiuspallidus (Smith, 1841), an endemic cyprinid minnow from the Cape Fold Ecoregion, South Africa. Zookeys 2019; 848:103-118. [PMID: 31160881 PMCID: PMC6536486 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.848.32211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Enteromiuspallidus was described by Smith in 1841 without a designated type specimen for the species. Herein, we designate a specimen from the Baakens River system as a neotype for E.pallidus and provide a thorough description for this species to facilitate ongoing taxonomic revisions of southern African Enteromius. Enteromiuspallidus can be distinguished from the other minnows in the "goldie barb group" by having an incomplete lateral line, lack of distinct chevron or tubular markings around lateral line pores, absence of a distinct lateral stripe, absence of wavy parallel lines along scale rows and lack of black pigmentation around the borders of the scales. We provide mtDNA COI sequences for the neotype and an additional specimen from the Baakens River as DNA barcodes of types and topotypes are a fundamental requirement for further taxonomic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa B Martin
- School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu Darul Iman, 21030, Malaysia Universiti Malaysia Terengganu Kuala Nerus Malaysia
| | - Albert Chakona
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity Grahamstown South Africa
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