4.5 Article

Disentangling the Diversity of the Labeobarbus Taxa (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from the Epulu Basin (DR Congo, Africa)

Journal

DIVERSITY-BASEL
Volume 14, Issue 12, Pages -

Publisher

MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/d14121022

Keywords

chiselmouths; cyt b; Epulu; hybridisation; Labeobarbus; mouth phenotypes; morphology; rubberlips; Varicorhinus

Funding

  1. Stichting tot Bevordering van het Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek in Afrika
  2. Belgian Science Policy Office
  3. RMCA
  4. Belgian Development Cooperation
  5. Synthesis [DE-TAF-1802]
  6. MNHN

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A morphological and molecular study of the Labeobarbus species in the Epulu River identified five different species, including four rubberlips and one chiselmouth. The study also found possible hybrid specimens, distinguishing it from similar cases found in other regions.
In an attempt to disentangle the complex taxonomy of the Labeobarbus species of the Epulu River, a right bank headwater affluent of the Aruwimi, Central Congo basin, a morphological study was undertaken on 221 specimens from the Epulu and 32 type specimens. As a result, five different species have been distinguished, including four so-called rubberlips, L. caudovittatus, L. macroceps, L. mawambiensis, and L. sp. 'thick lip', and one chiselmouth, L. longidorsalis. While rubberlips have a curved mouth with well-developed lips and often a mental lobe, chiselmouths have a straight mouth with a keratinised cutting edge on the lower jaw. Among the specimens examined, several presented an intermediate mouth morphology between L. mawambiensis and L. longidorsalis, either with one or two pairs of barbels. One specimen exhibited an intermediate morphology between L. mawambiensis and L. macroceps. This morphological study, complemented with a molecular study of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b (cyt b), suggests that these intermediates are probably hybrid specimens. The Epulu case is reminiscent to a case of possible hybridisation recently discovered in the Inkisi River (Lower Congo basin), but differs in having a lower relative abundance of hybrid specimens in the population, and in phylogenetic patterns.

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