Polypterus teugelsi, a new species of bichir from the Upper Cross River system in Cameroon(Actinopterygii: Cladistia: Polypteridae)

摘要

Polypterus teugelsi, new species, is described from the Upper Cross River system in Cameroon. It differs from all other species in the genus by its unique live coloration comprising a network of irregular black marks on the dorsum, and the median andpelvic fins, an orange belly, and jetblack pectoral fins It is further distinguished from species of the Polypterus bichir group (P. bichir, P. ansorgii, P. endlicheri) by having the dorsal finlets not extending anteriorly to the vertical through the rear of the pectoral fin (vs. extending to that point), 28-33 predorsal scales (vs. 11-16), 7-9 dorsal finlets (vs. 11-18), and 37-40 scales around the body (vs. 42-52), It differs from all remaining Polypterus species, except P. ornatipinnis, in the high number of 63-65 scales in the lateral line (vs. 51-61), but is distinguished from the latter in having 7-9 dorsal finlets (vs., 9-11), 28-33 predorsal scales (vs. 22-27), and 37-40 scales around the body (vs. 40-42).