02404nas a2200289   4500008004100000022002500041245017200066210007000238260001600308490000800324520142700332653001701759653003001776653002401806653002501830653001901855653001701874653001501891653001701906653002201923653001601945100003301961700001601994700002702010700003002037856004702067       2026                        eng d  a0024-4082, 1096-364200aThe African weakly electric fish, Gnathonemus petersii (Günther, 1862) (Osteoglossiformes: Mormyridae): a first morphometric exploration into a hidden species complex0 aAfrican weakly electric fish Gnathonemus petersii Günther 1862 O  cMar-01-20260 v2063 a<p><jats p="">A morphological study of populations identified as Gnathonemus petersii, a widespread mormyrid species distributed from the Niger to the Congo Basin, revealed it to be a species complex. Its junior synonyms, Gnathonemus brevicaudatus and Gnathonemus histrio, collectively represent a distinct valid species, G. brevicaudatus. Gnathonemus brevicaudatus differs from G. petersii by a longer caudal peduncle and a shorter anal fin. In addition, a new species, Gnathonemus marqueti sp. nov., from the Upper Kotto Basin, a right bank affluent of the Ubangi River in the Middle Congo Basin, is described. Gnathonemus marqueti differs from Gnathonemus barbatus and Gnathonemus echidnorhynchus by its higher and lower number of lateral line scales, respectively, from G. brevicaudatus and G. petersii by its lower number of dorsal fin rays, and from Gnathonemus longibarbis by its shallower caudal peduncle and narrower head. Furthermore, specimens from the Upper Lualaba, Kasai, and Lowa basins were found to belong to three potentially new species, in need of further taxonomic study. Thus, the supposedly widespread species, G. petersii, was found to contain hidden species diversity represented at least by the new species and G. brevicaudatus, whose allopatric ranges are restricted. These findings highlight the importance of appropriate freshwater conservation initiatives within the Congo Basin.</jats></p>
10adistribution10aGnathonemus brevicaudatus10aGnathonemus histrio10aGnathonemus marqueti10ajunior synonym10aMiddle Congo10amorphology10arevalidation10aspecies diversity10aUpper Congo1 aMulelenu, Christian, Mukweze1 aSnoeks, Jos1 aManda, Auguste, Chocha1 aVreven, Emmanuel, J W M N  uhttps://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf187