Barbus tanapelagius, A New Species from Lake Tana (Ethiopia): its Morphology and Ecology

Abstract

The endemic cyprinid species flock in Lake Tana consists of 15 species of large hexaploid barbs, eight of which are piscivorous. Previously, it was assumed that all piscivores preyed on the same small barb species, Barbus trispilopleura. In this paper we present a description of morphology and ecology of a new abundant small barb species, Barbus tanapelagius sp. nova (holotype RMNH 33731) from Lake Tana, Ethiopia, which appears to be the major prey species for the large pelagic piscivorous barbs. B. tanapelagius differs clearly in morphology from the other 3 small, diploid Barbus species known from Lake Tana, B. trispilopleura Boulenger, 1902, B. humilis Boulenger, 1902 and B. pleurogramma Boulenger, 1902. Conspicuous differences are its elongated body, large eye diameter, prominent and hooked lower jaw contour and colouration. Preliminary data suggest that B. tanapelagius also differs ecologically from the other small Barbus spp. by its pelagic, strictly zooplanktivorous feeding and its occurrence mainly in the deeper, offshore waters. The other small Barbus species are most probably largely benthic feeders and dominant in the shallow inshore waters. Previous views about the evolution of the present 8 endemic piscivorous large barb species therefore require reconsideration, as the present paper shows a more complex scenario including several prey species.