Paramormyrops ntotom paratypes and P. sphekodes specimens and EODs

Two very similar species of Paramormyrops that live together in the upper Ogooué basin of Gabon are distinguishable by differences in head proportions, body size, electric organ discharge duration and genetics. New collections at the type locality of Paramormyrops sphekodes (right column), described in 1879, helped researchers write a new, more detailed description for it and permitted recognition of a new species they named Paramormyrops ntotom (left column). The longer duration electric organ discharges or EODs of P. ntotom relative to those of P. sphekodes (shown in yellow to the right of each individual) first tipped off researchers that they might be different species.