A new Alestopetersius (Characiformes: Alestidae) from the Kwilu River (Kasai basin) of central Africa; With a phylogeny for the genus and synonymy of Duboisialestes

Abstract

A new Alestopetersius is described from the Kwilu River in the Kasai basin of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Alestopetersius conspectus, new species, is readily distinguished from all congeners based on attributes of squamation and coloration. It is distinguished from "Duboisialestes" tumbensis by tooth morphology and in the possession of a distinctive caudal-fin pigmentation patterning consisting of a median black band extending to the caudal-fin margin and flanked by dense black bands in both upper and lower fin lobes. "Duboisialestes" bifasciatus, which shares similar caudal-fin pigmentation patterning, is distinguished from A. conspectus by the absence of a broad mid-lateral band on the body, and by tooth morphology. Results from an analysis of the relationships and generic composition of the Alestidae provide support for the monophyly for Alestopetersius inclusive of the members of the genus Duboisialestes, which are placed into synonomy with the former. Copyright © 2012 · Magnolia Press.