Luciobarbus chelifensis, Brahimi & Freyhof & Henrard & Libois, 2017

Brahimi, Amina, Freyhof, Jörg, Henrard, Arnaud & Libois, Roland, 2017, Luciobarbus chelifensis and L. mascarensis, two new species from Algeria (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), Zootaxa 4277 (1) : -

Luciobarbus chelifensis , new species

( Figs. 3–5 )

Holotype. RMCA 2016-024 -P-0010, 128 mm SL; Algeria: Chelif prov. : Oued Sly west of Ouled Ben Abdelkader village, 36.026609°N 1.266014°E; A. Brahimi, 23 Jun 2016.

Paratypes. RMCA 2016-024 -P-0011-0016, 6, 10 2 –152 mm SL; same data as holotype.

Material for molecular analyses. RMCA DNA- 2016-024 -P-Ch81, RMCA DNA-2016-024-P-Ch82, RMCA DNA-2016-024- P-Ch83, Algeria: Relizane prov.: Oued Rhiou at Sidi Abed village, 36.009889°N 0.992520°E ( GenBank accession numbers: Cyt b: KY828044 , KY828045 , KY828046 ; D-loop: KY828098 , KY828099 , KY828100 ).— RMCA DNA- 2016-024 -P-Ch85, RMCA DNA-2016-024- P-Ch90, Algeria: Relizane prov.: Gagar Dam at Ouled Taieb village, 35.908391°N 1.008624°E ( GenBank accession numbers: Cyt b: KY828047 , KY828051 ; D-loop: KY828101 , KY828097 ).— RMCA DNA- 2016-024 -P-Ch87, RMCA DNA-2016-024- P-Ch88, Algeria: Chelif prov.: Oued Sly west of Ouled Ben Abdelkader village, 36.026609°N 1.266014°E ( GenBank accession numbers: Cyt b: KY828049 , KY828050 ; D-loop: KY828103 , KY828096 ).— RMCA DNA- 2016-024 - P- Ch 86, Algeria: Ain Defla prov.: Ghrib reservoir at Oued Chorffa , 36.140553°N 2.563226°E (GenBank accession numbers: Cyt b: KY828048 ; D-loop: KY828102 ).

Diagnosis. Luciobarbus chelifensis is distinguished from other Luciobarbus species from the African Mediterranean basins by a combination of characters, none of them unique. It is distinguished from all other species, except L. leptopogon , by having 41–43+1–2 lateral line scales (vs. 49–51+ 1–2 in L. biscarensis , 43–47+ 1– 2 in L. callensis , 43 to 45+ 1–3 in L. rifensis and L. setivimensis , 42–45+ 1–2 in L. yahyaouii ). The new species also has a very short anal fin (anal-fin length 18–19% SL vs. 19–22 in L. leptopogon and L. setivimensis , 19–21 in L. yahyaouii ). Luciobarbus chelifensis is also distinguished from L. leptopogon by having a smaller eye (14–16% HL vs. 16–20), a greater body depth at the dorsal-fin origin (25–31% SL vs. 20–27), a shorter pelvic-fin length (14– 16% SL vs. 16–20) and the last unbranched dorsal-fin ray being serrated along almost its entire length (vs. last unbranched dorsal-fin ray serrated along 2/3 of its length). It is further distinguished from L. biscarensis by having 4 unbranched dorsal-fin rays (vs. 5), 7½ scale rows between the lateral line and the dorsal-fin origin (vs. 8½–9½), 4½–5½ scale rows between the lateral line and the pelvic-fin origin (vs. 7½–8½) and the dorsal-fin origin being situated above the pelvic-fin origin (vs. behind). Luciobarbus chelifensis is further distinguished from L. callensis and L. rifensis by having a wider anal-fin base (8–10% SL vs. 5–8 in L. callensis and L. rifensis ) and from L. setivimensis by the last unbranched ray being serrated along almost its entire length (vs. last unbranched ray serrated along 2/3 of its length) and having a narrower interorbital distance (36–40% HL vs. 40–44). The new species is also distinguished from L. yahyaouii by having always 4 unbranched dorsal-fin rays (vs. usually 5), the last unbranched dorsal-fin ray being serrated along almost its entire length (vs. serrated along 2/3 of its length) and having a shorter pelvic-fin length (14–16% SL vs. 16–19).

Description. See Figures 3–5 for general appearance. Morphometric data are given in Table 3 and meristic data are given in Table 5 and 6. A medium-sized species with a moderately long head. Body deepest at dorsal-fin origin or about midline between nape and dorsal-fin origin. Depth decreasing continuously towards caudal-fin base. Greatest body width in front of dorsal-fin base. Caudal peduncle compressed, 1.2–1.5 times longer than deep. Section of head roundish, flattened on ventral surface. Snout rounded. Mouth inferior. Dorsal-fin origin situated above pelvic-fin origin. Anal-fin origin slightly behind vertical of middle between dorsal and caudal-fin origins. Anal fin not reaching caudal-fin base. Pectoral fin reaching approximately 60–75% of distance from pectoral-fin origin to pelvic-fin origin. Pelvic fin reaching vertical of tip of last dorsal-fin ray when folded down. Pelvic fin reaching to a short distance in front of anus. Posterior dorsal-fin margin straight or slightly convex. Posterior pectoral and anal-fin margins convex. Caudal fin forked with rounded lobes of equal length. Largest known specimen 152 mm SL, but expected to grow much larger.

Dorsal fin with 4 unbranched and 8½ branched rays, last unbranched ray serrated along almost its entire length. Anal fin with 3 unbranched and 5½ branched rays. Pectoral-fin with 15–18 rays (mode 16) and pelvic fin with 7–8 (mode 8) rays. Lateral line with 41–43 scales on flank and 1–2 scales on caudal-fin base. Between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line 7½ scale rows and 4½–5½ (mode 4½) scale rows between pelvic-fin origin and lateral line. Pharyngeal teeth in three rows: 4+3+2.

Coloration. Whitish golden on belly, golden to greenish-grey on flank and back. A wide and indistinct bronze stripe along lateral line. Paired fins and anal fin yellowish or orange. Dorsal and caudal fins grey.

Etymology. Luciobarbus chelifensis is named for the Chelif River. A noun in genitive, indeclinable.

Distribution. Luciobarbus chelifensis was found in the Chelif River drainage in northwestern Algeria. See Figure 2 (18–21) for the distribution of African Mediterranean Luciobarbus species.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Records of Luciobarbus species examined in this study. Numbers correspond to materials examined listed below.

FIGURE 3. Luciobarbus chelifensis, 1, RMCA 2016 - 024 - P- 0010, holotype (before preservation), 129 mm SL; 2, RMCA 2016 - 024 - P- 0013, paratype, 126 mm SL; 3, RMCA 2016 - 024 - P- 0015, paratype, 107 mm SL; 4, RMCA 2016 - 024 - P- 0016, paratype, 102 mm SL; Algeria: Oued Sly west of Ouled Ben Abdelkader. Scale bars = 30 mm.

FIGURE 4. Luciobarbus chelifensis, 1 + 5, RMCA 2016 - 024 - P- 0010, holotype, 129 mm SL; 2 + 6, RMCA 2016 - 024 - P- 0013, paratype, 126 mm SL; 3 + 7, RMCA 2016 - 024 - P- 0015, paratype, 107 mm SL; 4 + 8, RMCA 2016 - 024 - P- 0016, paratype, 102 mm SL; Algeria: Oued Sly west of Ouled Ben Abdelkader. Scale bars: 1 – 4 = 30 mm; 5 – 8 = 10 mm.

FIGURE 5. Luciobarbus chelifensis, not preserved, about 150 mm SL; Algeria: Oued Sly west of Ouled Ben Abdelkader.