DesDescriptioncription
Bragança, P.H.N., D.U. Bellstedt, P.D.W. van der Merwe, F.P.D.
Cotterill, B.R. Watters & A. Chakona. 2022. Nothobranchius
balamaensis (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae), a new
species of annual killifish from northern Mozambique. Zootaxa,
5174 (5): 511, figs. 2-4.
Abstract
A new seasonal killifish of the genus Nothobranchius is described
from the Montepuez River system in northern Mozambique. The
new species, Nothobranchius balamaensis Bragança & Chakona, is
differentiated from congeners by its characteristic colour pattern
and molecular data further support its taxonomic distinctiveness.
Phylogenetic results based on two mitochondrial and three
nuclear genes confirms N. balamaensis is closely related to N. kirki
and N. wattersi; all three belonging to the Coastal-Inland Clade.
The new species is most similar in colour pattern to N. kirki
sharing the characteristic of a deep red-orange colouration in the
basal, proximal, and medial zones of the caudal and anal fins that
grades to orange in the distal zone. This is a key feature that
distinguishes these two species from all other Nothobranchius.
The main distinguishing features between the new species and N.
kirki is the presence of a light blue to white band or series of
irregular markings in the proximal zone of the anal fin in N. kirki,
versus the absence of such a colour pattern element in N.
balamaensis, as well as differences in the dorsal fin pattern. When
compared to all population groups of N. wattersi, the colour
pattern of N. balamaensis is distinctive. Nothobranchius
balamaensis is a relatively slender member of the genus, a
characteristic that clearly distinguishes it from both N. kirki and N.
wattersi. Nothobranchius balamaensis is currently only known
from a few specimens from the type locality.
Clasification
Genus: Nothobranchius
Subgenus: Adiniops.
Geographical Distribution
Maps
Mozambique.
Type locality: Muhukwa upstream bridge on second tributary south-east
Balama, Cabo Delgado Province, Moçambique.(13°25'59.1" S, 38°36'41.2"
E).
Locations/codes
Notes
Unconfirmed by several authors.
Unknown captive maintenance
Bibliography