A review of the Distichodus antonii assemblage (Characiformes: Distichodontidae) from the Congo basin

摘要

The status of the Distichodus antonii assemblage, all large-sized, banded Distichodus species with a brownish-greenish colour pattern from the Congo basin, incorporating Distichodus antonii, Distichodus atroventralis, Distichodus fasciolatus, Distichodus langi and Distichodus mossambicus, has been revised. Distichodus antonii, D. fasciolatus and D. langi are found to be valid species, though the latter has long been considered a possible junior synonym of D. antonii. A detailed redescription for each of these three species is provided. Reports of D. mossambicus from the Congo basin are based on misidentifications; these specimens are assigned to the D. atroventralis complex, a seemingly polyspecific complex in need of further in-depth revision. An identification key to the largesized Distichodus species from the Congo basin is provided.