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A revision of the African electric catfishes, family Malapteruridae (Teleostei, Siluriformes), with erection of a new genus and descriptions of fourteen new species, and an annotated bibliography

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Steven Norris at California State University, Channel Islands
Steven Norris
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Abstract

Abstract The systematics of the African family Malapteruridae (electric catfishes) has been examined. External and selected internal characters are employed to delineate and diagnose 2 genera, encompassing 19 species (fourteen of the latter are new to science). Malapterurus is composed of relatively large species (adults usually 15 cm-1 m SL), which can be further divided between two groups. One group of 8 species (M. electricus [Gmelin], M. zambezensis n. sp., M. stiassnyae n. sp., M. teugelsi n. sp., M. beninensis Murray, M. oguensis Sauvage, M. occidentalis n. sp., M. microstoma Poll and Gosse) is characterized by having narrow oral tooth patches and pectoral fins with roughly vertical bases that are placed near the body mid-depth. The second group also comprised of 8 species (M. thysi n. sp., M. barbatus n. sp., M. punctatus n. sp., M. murrayi n. sp., M. minjiriya Sagua, M. gossei n. sp., M. melanochir n. sp., M. polli n. sp.) shows broader oral tooth patches, and pectoral fins lower on the body, with roughly horizontal bases. The second genus, Paradoxoglanis n. gen., consists of 3 species (P. caudivittatus n. sp., P. parvus n. sp., P. cryptus n. sp.). These are much smaller than species of Malapterurus (mature adults as small as 6 cm SL), and have a three-chambered swim bladder (this structure is two-chambered in other electric catfishes), plus several other unique meristic or morphological features. There is no single malapterurid species with a vast, 'Pan-African' distribution, as has previously been suspected. In fact, distributions of the 19 electric catfishes show patterns that are congruent with patterns resolved for numerous other African freshwater fishes.
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... The electric catfishes, capable of stunning prey with a discharge from their electric organs, are members of the Malapteruridae. This family contains 21 species grouped into two genera, Malapterurus Lacepède, 1803 and Paradoxoglanis Norris, 2002, that are endemic to fresh waters of Africa (Norris 2002). The family was revised by Norris (2002) and he described a number of new species, most of which are still recognized as valid. ...
... The electric catfishes, capable of stunning prey with a discharge from their electric organs, are members of the Malapteruridae. This family contains 21 species grouped into two genera, Malapterurus Lacepède, 1803 and Paradoxoglanis Norris, 2002, that are endemic to fresh waters of Africa (Norris 2002). The family was revised by Norris (2002) and he described a number of new species, most of which are still recognized as valid. ...
... This family contains 21 species grouped into two genera, Malapterurus Lacepède, 1803 and Paradoxoglanis Norris, 2002, that are endemic to fresh waters of Africa (Norris 2002). The family was revised by Norris (2002) and he described a number of new species, most of which are still recognized as valid. The relationships of Malapteruridae are not well understood, but the family appears to be close to the Mochokidae among African families (Diogo, 2005), or Mochokidae + Amphilidae (Sullivan et al. 2006: fig. ...
Murray and Holmes 2022 African catfishes
Article
Full-text available
  • Mar 2022
Although the vast majority of fossil catfish material is isolated elements such as fin spines, a number of fossil catfishes (Siluriformes) have been named based on articulated crania from Palaeogene formations of Africa. The fossil taxa from marine sediments have been assigned to the extant marine family Ariidae, or have been assumed to have washed into marine sediments from freshwater habitats. The ability to assess the relationships of these fossils without reference to the nature of the geological sediments may provide insight into the history of these families. Most of the taxonomic work on the 11 catfish families found in Africa has focused on soft-tissues or DNA, which is problematic for the fossil material. Here we provide osteological features to distinguish families of African catfishes; eight of the families that are likely to be found in fossiliferous deposits can be distinguished based on a combination of skull features including the morphology of the cranial fontanelle, mesethmoid, and dermal ornamentation. We reassess the familial placement of the Palaeogene catfishes. We find that †Eomacrones wilsoni, from the Palaeocene of Nigeria, belongs in Bagridae s.s. This confirms that bagrids were in Africa much earlier than the Miocene. Because this catfish comes from Palaeocene marine sediments, the biogeographic history of Bagridae needs to be reassessed to consider marine dispersal in this taxon.
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... They are characterized by the presence of a welldeveloped electrogenic organ, three pairs of barbels, a swim bladder elongating to posterior chambers and the lack of dorsal fins (Olaosebikan & Raji, 2013;Sagua, 1979). Endemic to tropical African rivers (Leveque et al., 1991;Norris, 2002), malapterurids form an essential fishery resource as benthopelagic fish catch (Belbenoit et al., 1979;Garba & Arome, 2006;Norris, 2002). In Nigeria, it is also used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of brain disorders, infertility and stroke (Sowunmi, 2007). ...
... They are characterized by the presence of a welldeveloped electrogenic organ, three pairs of barbels, a swim bladder elongating to posterior chambers and the lack of dorsal fins (Olaosebikan & Raji, 2013;Sagua, 1979). Endemic to tropical African rivers (Leveque et al., 1991;Norris, 2002), malapterurids form an essential fishery resource as benthopelagic fish catch (Belbenoit et al., 1979;Garba & Arome, 2006;Norris, 2002). In Nigeria, it is also used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of brain disorders, infertility and stroke (Sowunmi, 2007). ...
... Further, they analysed the newly and previously published COI genes of Malapterurus species to resolve the identity of the unidentified Malapterurus species described by Iyiola et al. (2018). Using the DNA barcodes, the authors attempted to investigate the phylogenetic rela- Preliminary identification of specimens was conducted with the aid of published literature (Norris, 2002;Olaosebikan & Raji, 2013;Sagua, 1987). The morphometric and meristic counts were done following Sagua (1987). ...
Molecular characterization of Malapterurus minjiriya Sagua, 1987 and phylogenetic relationships within the genus Malapterurus (Silurifomes, Malapteruridae) from Nigerian inland water bodies
Article
Full-text available
Molecular (mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1– COI) analysis was performed to characterize the poorly known Malapterurus minjiriya from Nigerian inland water bodies. Integrative taxonomy, involving morphological and molecular data, confirms the identity of M. minjiriya. Matrilineal genealogy reveals a sister relationship of M. minjiriya with Malapterurus electricus and Malapterurus microstoma. The genetic analysis further shows evidence of population divergence within M. electricus and Malapterurus beninensis. The findings of the study highlight the importance of the integration of DNA barcoding in biodiversity documentation of freshwater fish species in Nigeria.
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... The electric catfish were kept individually in 60 or 120 l glass aquaria and the goldfish were kept together in a 240 l glass aquarium under a 12 h light:12 h dark cycle (lights on 07:00 h and off at 19:00 h). We used 6 juvenile (7-15 cm, 37-82 g) and 1 adult (20 cm, 167 g) electric catfish [adult M. beninensis are maximal 22 cm in size (Norris, 2002)] as well as different sized goldfish (6-15 cm, 7-155 g). The comparatively large size range of electric catfish and goldfish was chosen to analyse the allometric scaling of stimulation and arrhythmia thresholds with heart size. ...
... (N=7; Fig. 1D). Both characteristics are typical for less active or sedentary fish with low blood pressure (Farrell and Pieperhoff, 2011;Icardo, 2012;Santer, 1985) and would thus seem to be fitting to the lifestyle demands of electric catfish (Bauer, 1968;Norris, 2002). In summary, our findings show no immediately obvious deviations from a type II heart of a less active teleost fish. ...
Electric catfish hearts are not intrinsically immune to electric shocks
Article
  • Aug 2022
High voltage electric shocks cause life threatening cardiac injuries such as sudden cardiac standstill or severe myocardial injury. Here, we analysed the physiology of the heart of the strongly electric catfish (Malapterurus beninensis) that stuns prey with high-voltage shocks but is immune to its own, as well as external, high-voltage shocks. Neither a detailed analysis of the electrocardiogram nor the structure of the heart indicated a specialized cardiac conduction system. Using a suitable perfusion system, we discovered that, despite its immunity in vivo, the explanted heart of electric catfish can readily be activated by external electrical currents and is equally sensitive to electric shock-induced arrhythmias as similar-sized goldfish hearts. The surprise thus is that the electric catfish has a vulnerable heart that requires to be protected by highly efficient but presently unknown means.
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... The key scientific literature was also consulted, including the original descriptions of all species previously reported from the uM, and complemented with, when available, family or genus revisions [i.e., De Vos [29] for Schilbeidae; Teugels [30] for Clariidae; Trewavas [31] for Oreochromis and Thys Van den Audenaerde [32] for Tilapia (both Cichlidae); Norris [33] for Malapteruridae; Norris [34] for Anabantidae; and Vreven [35] for Mastacembelidae], and other relevant publications when comparing the ichthyofauna of the uM with that of adjacent river basins (i.e., [36,37]). ...
An Updated Checklist of the Fishes from the Upper Malagarazi (Lake Tanganyika Basin) in Burundi: Implications for an under Implementation Malagarazi Nature Reserve
Article
Full-text available
The upper Malagarazi (uM) Basin is situated in Southeastern Burundi and Northwestern Tanzania, and partially covered by the Malagarazi Nature Reserve (MNR). A checklist of fishes from the uM, in Burundi, is presented based on a literature review, a re-examination of historical collections, and a study of new collections (2013–2022). A total of 74 native species, including 14 endemics and two introduced Oreochromis, distributed over 38 genera and 16 families, are reported. Of the aforementioned species, 60 native (81%) and one introduced are present in the MNR. The most important families in the uM and the MNR are the Cyprinidae (21 versus 17 species, respectively) and Cichlidae (12 versus 11). Other families are represented by less than 10 species in both the uM and the MNR. Furthermore, of the 14 species endemic to the uM (19%), only eight (57%) are reported from the MNR; the others are confined to some non-included affluent rivers. Moreover, eight taxa still await formal description. Finally, as some endemic and native species are not included within the current borders of the MNR, adjustments are proposed and the need for a new protected area is considered.
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... De ce fait, le recensement des espèces torrenticoles par l'échantillonnage des rapides dans le cours de la Lufira inférieure étaient une priorité pour cette campagne. Les pools ont été également étudiés afin de vérifier si, et à quel niveau, les zones rapides forment des barrières pour ceux-ci et pourrait Les publications utilisées pour l'identification des spécimens récoltés comprennent plusieurs références traitant des révisions ou descriptions des nouvelles espèces de la région (Poll, 1971(Poll, , 1976Banister & Bailey, 1979 ;Stiassny, 1989 ;Teugels et al., 1990 ;De Vos, 1995 ;Norris, 2002 ;Katemo Manda et al., 2018 ;Abwe et al., 2019 ;Kasongo Ilunga et al., 2020 ;Mukweze Mulelenu et al., 2020). ...
RAPPORT DE LA MISSION D'ÉVALUATION DE L'IMPACT DU PROJET DE BARRAGE SOMBWE SUR LE PARC NATIONAL DE L'UPEMBA Novembre 2021
Technical Report
Full-text available
  • Oct 2023
Une évaluation des impacts potentiels du projet hydroélectrique de Sombwe sur le Parc National de l'Upemba (PNU) a été réalisée par une équipe pluridisciplinaire de la Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques de l'Université de Lubumbashi. Ce projet est développé par l’entreprise Kipay SA dans le sud-est de la République Démocratique du Congo (RDC). Le projet fait l'objet de nombreuses discussions et controverses en rapport avec les impacts potentiels sur le PNU, notamment du fait de sa localisation géographique. Ces discussions sont d'une grande importance d'autant plus que la vallée de la Lufira en général, et le PNU en particulier, est un haut lieu de biodiversité et soutient le bien-être de nombreuses communautés locales et populations de la région. Cependant, les données de terrain semblent manquer pour la plupart des parties prenantes impliquées dans les discussions. Ce rapport fournit un point de vue critique des auteurs après deux campagnes de collecte de données et observations réalisées dans le site du projet en 2021. Les considérations prises en compte incluent des aspects strictement liés à l'impact sur la biodiversité aussi bien que des aspects légaux au regard des textes règlementaires en RDC et des conventions internationales auxquelles le pays a souscrit. Enfin, des recommandations sont formulées à l’attention de différentes parties prenantes.
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... If needed, the field and laboratory identifications made at BEZHU (DR Congo) were subsequently verified at the RMCA where voucher specimens were deposited (collection numbers: RMCA 2012-031; RMCA 2015-005; RMCA 2016-003; RMCA 2016-025; RMCA 2018-018; and RMCA 2021-020). The publications used for the identification of the studied specimens are the checklists of the fishes of the region or the revisions of the genera and families present in the UNP [11,16,[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27]. In addition, existing historical collections from the UNP, mainly housed at the RMCA, the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS, Brussels, Belgium), and the Natural History Museum (NHM, London, United Kingdom), have been verified and, when necessary, re-identified. ...
The Upemba National Park (Upper Congo Basin, DR Congo): An Updated Checklist Confirming Its Status as an African Fish Biodiversity Hotspot
Article
Full-text available
Citation: Katemo Manda, B.; Snoeks, J.; Chocha Manda, A.; Abwe, E.; Mukweze Mulelenu, C.; Ilunga Kayaba, M.K.; Kiwele Mutambala, P.; Ngoy Kalumba, L.; Vreven, E.J.W.M.N. Abstract: An annotated checklist of the ichthyofauna of the Upemba National Park, draining part of the Upper Lualaba basin and situated in the southern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is presented, based on a literature review, a re-examination of museum collections, and a study of recent collections (2012-2020). In total, 247 native and 1 introduced species, Heterotis niloticus, are reported. The native species belong to 78 genera, 26 families, and 15 orders. Of these, 45 species (18%) are endemic to the park, 35 species (14%) await formal description, and 5 taxa (2%) need further study to clarify their status. With 51 species, the Cyprinidae is by far the most species-rich family, followed by the Mormyridae (26), Mochokidae (26), Alestidae (18), Distichodontidae (18), Amphiliidae (17), and Cichlidae (16). The remaining families are represented by less than 15 species. Comments about the species distribution and the fish fauna shared with adjacent ecoregions are provided. Although the park provides some protection for the fish species living within its borders by limiting human access to the core zone, the annex and buffer zones are both subject to strong anthropogenic pressure. These observations underscore the need for the implementation and further elaboration of fish-related preservation guidelines and plans to enable better protection/conservation of the park's ichthyofauna.
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... Malapterurus electricus belongs to Malapterurus; Malapteruridae; Siluriformes, is mainly distributed in the freshwater basins of tropical Africa (Carl 2007;Diouf et al. 2020). The main external morphological characteristics of M. electricus include: (1) cylindrical body; (2) scaleless body surface; (3) three pairs of whiskers around its mouth; (4) without dorsal fin (Howes 1985;Norris 2002;Welzel and Schuster 2021). However, unlike other catfishes, electric catfishes evolved the substantial electric organ that can instantly release powerful high-voltage electricity for predation and defense (Janetzko et al. 1987). ...
The complete mitochondrial genome of electric catfish Malapterurus electricus and its phylogeny
Article
Full-text available
  • Mar 2022
Electric catfishes evolved the substantial electric organ that can instantly release powerful high-voltage electricity. To better study the phylogenetic position of the electric fish (Malapterurus electricus) in catfishes, in this study, we presented the complete mitochondrial genome of M. electricus assembled by the next-generation sequencing data. The mitogenome has 16,504 bp and contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, an L-strand replication origin (OL), and a control region (D-loop). The overall base composition is A 31.08%, C 27.54%, G 14.81%, and T 26.57%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 13 PCGs of 43 species from Siluriformes showed M.electricus belonging to the Malapteruridae displayed a close relationship with Siluridae. Taken together, the complete mitochondrial genome of M. electricus would be beneficial for the study of the phylogenetic relationship of Siluriformes.
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... In the absence of a comprehensive taxonomic key for the CB ichthyofauna, identification of specimens was determined on the basis of available publications on the ichthyofauna of the Congo provinces and surrounding regions. In addition to Boulenger's catalog of fishes in the British Museum (Natural History) [46], we consulted several other documents [47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60], and the following internet resources http://www.poissons-afrique.ird.fr/drupal/faunafri, http://www.mormyrids.myspecies.info/en, and https://research.amnh.org/vz/ichthyology/congo/taxoindex.html ...
Fishes of the Lower Lulua River (Kasai Basin, Central Africa): A Continental Hotspot of Ichthyofaunal Diversity under Threat
Article
Full-text available
The ichthyofauna of the Lulua River, a large right bank tributary of the Kasai River in central Africa, is among the most poorly documented in the Kasai ecoregion. To remedy this lack of knowledge, sampling was carried out between 2007 and 2014 along the main channel and in many tributaries. A total of 201 species distributed in 81 genera, 24 families, and 12 orders are reported from the lower reaches of the Lulua. The species richness reported in this study represents a substantially improved documentation of the Lulua ichthyofauna (historically estimated at only 79 species). Here, 129 species are recorded for the first time, bringing the total number of known species to 208. Among these, five have recently been described: Raiamas brachyrhabdotos Katemo Manda, Snoeks, Choca Manda, and Vreven 2018, Distichodus kasaiensis Moelants, Snoeks, and Vreven, 2018, Distichodus polli Abwe, Snoeks, Choca Manda, and Vreven 2019, Epiplatys atractus Van Der Zee, Mbimbi, and Sonnenberg 2013, and Hypsopanchax stiassnyae Van Der Zee, Sonnenberg, and Mbimbi 2015; numerous additional taxa are currently under investigation. Recognized here as a continental hotspot of ichthyofaunal diversity, the Lulua is under extreme threat from exploitation of forest products for building materials, deforestation for shifting agriculture and charcoal exploitation, destructive fishing practices, and mining, all of which are rapidly increasing in the watershed. The present study provides baseline documentation for use in conservation planning and future developmental projects in the Kasai ecoregion in general and Lulua River basin in particular.
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An annotated checklist of the fishes of Gabon
Article
Full-text available
  • Jul 2022
  • CYBIUM
Using all data sources available, we collected 2,189 nominal scientific names that have been applied to the fishes from Gabon. Data from the literature and online database indicate that 1,062 valid species of fishes live in Gabonese waters, with 288 of these strictly restricted to freshwaters, 592 strictly restricted to marine environments and 182 species euryhaline species. Among the latter one finds 121 species inhabit in both marine and brackish environments, 16 that occur in both freshwater and brackish environments and 45 found in all salinities. these 1,062 species represent 60 orders and 224 families. an additional 202 species, mostly marine, may be present in Gabon although they have not been yet recorded. endemic species represent 7% (75) of the 1,062 valid described species for Gabon, within just one of these from marine waters and 74 freshwaters spe- cies (mostly killifish within the genus Aphyosemion – 33 species). regarding the iuCn status, 135 present (+19 possible) species (12.7%) are considered as endangered (from near threatened to critically endangered), and 135 (+24 possible) (12.7%) species are not evaluated or data deficient. The remaining species are least concern. Continued descriptions of new species from the waters of Gabon demonstrate that the present total most likely underestimates the species level diversity of the fish fauna.
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