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Atopodontus adriaensi Friel & Vigliotta, 2008 |
Image contributors to this species: |
Joe Cutler (4) |
ScotCat Sources: |
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Other Sources: |
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Relevant Information: |
Description: Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6-7; Anal spines: 3-4; Anal soft rays: 4 - 7; Vertebrae: 32 - 35. It has the presence of a free orbital margin, mandibular sensory canal pores on the lower lip/oral disc, a ventral process on the mesethmoid for articulation with premaxillae, a vertically-oriented, laminar extension of bone at the anterolateral edge of the lateral ethmoid that wraps around the extensor tentaculi muscle, 3 or more straight, transverse rows of mandibular teeth, a short, block-like autopalatine and the parapophyses of vertebrae 3, 4, and 5 of the Weberian apparatus are clearly separate from each other. Body compressed posteriorly and somewhat depressed anteriorly. Closer analysis of the external and internal morphology of Atopodontus adriaensi in a morphological study of the Mochokidae revealed that this new species was distinct from Chiloglanis, and was in fact the sister group to both Atopochilus and Euchilichthys (Vigliotta, 2008). Furthermore, an unpublished analysis of DNA sequence data also supports this phylogenetic position for Atopodontus (J. Sullivan Pers. comm.). Etymology: The specific name adriaensi: The specific name is patronymic in honour of Dr. Dominique Adriaens, who brought the existence of this species to the authors attention. Remarks: At present Atopodontus is monotypic, but we do note that the single specimen known from the Nyanga River in southern Gabon (MRAC P179133) differs in several features from all the other specimens from the Ogooué basin (Friel, J.P. and T.R. Vigliotta, 2008). |
Common Name: |
None |
Synonyms: |
None |
Family: |
Mochokidae |
Distribution: |
Africa: From rapids in the Ivindo, Okano, Ngounié, and Nyanga Rivers of Gabon. |
Size: |
10.0cm. (4ins) |
Temp: |
20-26°C (67-79°F) |
p.H. |
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6.5-7.2. |
IUCN Red List |
Atopodontus adriaensi is endemic to the Lower Guinea ichthyofaunal region of West-Central Africa, and is documented from rapids in the Ivindo, Okano, Ngounié, and Nyanga Rivers of Gabon. Like Atopochilus savorgnani, with which it co-occurs at several localities, this new species may have a broader distribution throughout all the major tributaries of the Ogooué River system, as well as in neighbouring basins like the Woleu/Mbini/Uoro and Ntem River systems. The species has only recently been described (2008) and further investigation is needed before a complete Red List assessment can be made, so it is Data Deficient, and it does need to be updated (IUCN 2010). |
Reference: |
Friel, J.P. and T.R.
Vigliotta, 2008.
Atopodontus adriaensi, a new genus and species of
African suckermouth catfish from the Ogooué
and Nyanga River systems of Gabon (Siluriformes: Mochokidae).
Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. 157(1):13-23. |
Family: Mochokidae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails |
 Atopodontus
adriaensi |
 Atopodontus
adriaensiDorsal view |
 Atopodontus
adriaensiVentral view |
 Atopodontus
adriaensiMouth view |
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