Garra duobarbis, Stiassny & Getahun, 2007

Stiassny, Melanie L. J. & Getahun, Abebe, 2007, An overview of labeonin relationships and the phylogenetic placement of the Afro-Asian genus Garra Hamilton, 1922 (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), with the description of five new species of Garra from Ethiopia, and a key to all African species, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 150 (1), pp. 41-83 : 55-57

GARRA DUOBARBIS SP. NOV. ( FIG. 12 ; TABLE 3)

Garra duobarbis Getahun, 2000 , nomen nudum (p. 62 unpubl. PhD thesis)

Diagnosis: Unique among African Garra in possessing a single (maxillary) pair of barbels.

Description: Morphometric and meristic data for holotype and nine paratypes given in Table 3. Maximum size: 66.8 mm SL (holotype, AMNH 228484). Currently known only from type series. All are robust, and relatively deep-bodied (body depth 18.8–24.3, m. 23.4% SL); greatest body depth located well anterior to dorsal-fin origin, at level of pectoral-fin tips. Head depressed and flattened (length 24.6–28.4, m. 25.9% SL), snout short and bluntly rounded, with no tubercles. Eyes positioned a little anterior on head. Dorsal head profile rises smoothly over snout and head; dorsal body profile steeply convex to dorsal-fin origin, often with a sharp demarcation between dorsal head profile and dorsal body profile. Disc type A, extremely weakly developed and inconspicuous without either free posterior edge or distinct lateral margins. Rostral cap well developed with smooth ventral margin extended ventrally over upper jaw. Rostral barbels absent; single pair of maxillary barbels, relatively long and conspicuous. Between 34 and 36 scales along lateral line; 4.5 scales from lateral line to origin of pelvic fin; 5.5 scales from lateral line to origin of dorsal fin. No predorsal scales anterior to dorsal fin, chest and belly asquamate, postpelvic region scaled. Dorsalfin rays iv, seven, inserted just anterior to pelvic fin, with rounded tip, second branched ray longest, not reaching last ray; posterior margin straight. Predorsal length 50.6–54.0% SL. Anal-fin rays iv, five, with short subacuminate tip; posterior margin straight. Pectoralfin rays iv, 12; pectoral fin rounded and paddleshaped, length 12.9–21.4% SL. Vent located relatively close to anal fin (vent distance 18.8–28.2, m. 22.0%). Intestine short (SL 72.0–79.0% Int.L). Gas bladder small (posterior chamber 15.1–19.6% SL).

Colour in preservation: Base body colour pale creamy brown, slightly darker dorsally, pale cream below lateral line and ventrally. Snout, dorsum of head, and anterior opercle: brownish-grey. Lips, cheek, gular region and branchiostegal membranes: pale creamy yellow. Posterior border of opercle also pale cream. Pale coloration extends postero-dorsally to eye. Dorsal-fin membrane pale cream distally, broad submarginal band of black pigment in membrane between rays, and pale cream proximally. Either five or six small black spots between rays in basal membrane of dorsal fin. Anal fin cream in smaller specimens, and with broad submarginal band of black pigment in larger specimens ( Fig. 12 ). Distinct black spot in fin membrane at base of caudal fin. Medial caudal-fin rays, dark brown and membranes pale cream; whole fin with a pale distal margin. Pelvic and pectoral fins pale creamy brown with pale leading edges.

Distribution and habitat: Currently known only from type locality (Koladiba, about 80 km south of Gondar, in Dirma River, Ethiopia) from where the species was collected some 200 m west of a highway bridge in muddy water. Habitat largely disturbed with some fringing vegetation ( Eucalyptus ) along riverbank.

Etymology: Duobarbis , from the Greek duo, meaning two, and the Latin barba, meaning beard, in reference to the single pair of barbels that are characteristic of the species.

Material examined – type material: Holotype of G. duobarbis AMNH 228484, 66.8 mm SL, Koladiba , about 80 km south of Gondar, Dirma River, Ethiopia (12°25′N, 37°20′E); paratypes of G. duobarbis AMNH 223736, nine ex., two ex. C & S, 46.1–64.8 mm SL, same data as holotype.

Figures

Figure 12. Garra duobarbis, holotype, AMNH 228484, 66.8 mm standard length.