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Two specimens of Coptodon guineensis (Günther, 1862) were unexpectedly found in the Canal de Nador, Moulay Bousselham lagoon, almost 1000 km north of the Aabar River the northernmost river previously recorded. To confirm this identification nineteen measurements were recorded from each specimen and compared with other specimens of C. guineensis from Morocco and Mauritania. The COI gene was partially sequenced and compared with formerly published sequences of Coptodon species of the region. Both morphology and DNA revealed no differences with specimens from known populations of C. guineensis in Morocco.

Designed to reach the widest possible audience, this volume showcases some of the research projects which best illustrate the commitment of the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) to biodiversity and sustainable development. Among today's many pressing environmental challenges, protecting biodiversity is probably one of the most complex, since it cannot be understood independently of its interactions with the human societies who live with it, use it, manage it, destroy and, occasionally, protect it. As the examples contained herein demonstrate, biodiversity can no longer be confined by narrow academic boundaries. On the contrary, it is a subject inextricably linked with all of the major dynamics, human and non-human, which shape the global and local changes we currently face. In this respect, the present volume is testament to the commitment demonstrated by IRD and its partners to a vision of scientific endeavour which yields tangible, utilisable knowledge for the Global South, sustainability science in the strongest sense of the term, allowing our planet and its biodiversity to thrive in the long term.

Populations of the West African killifish, traditionally identified as Aphyosemion maeseni Poll, 1941, have been classified for the last four decades in the tribe Callopanchacini. However, in a recent study, populations of this widespread species have been placed in a new genus and species, Nimbapanchax leucopterygius, while the unique holotype that Poll used to describe Aphyosemion maeseni has been referred to the genus Epiplatys. Comparison of 3D reconstruction images of the holotype of A. maeseni with cleared and stained specimens of several African Aplocheiloid taxa revealed that: the morphology of the epineural ribs and the neural processes of vertebrae 5-7 are typical of Callopanchacines and not like those of Epiplatys. Furthermore, the neural process of the second vertebra is fan-shaped, which is a synapomorphic characteristic of the recently described genus, Nimbapanchax. As the morphology of the holotype of A. maeseni and that of examined specimens of N. leucopterygius prove highly concordant and we are unable to record any morphological characteristic that would diagnose each as a member of a distinct taxon, we propose N. leucopterygius to be a junior synonym of A. maeseni. A species synonymy and re-diagnosis of Aphyosemion maeseni Poll, 1941 is provided.

Dans un monde désormais confronté à la menace des changements climatiques et de pandémies comme celle de la Covid 19, en lien avec la destruction des milieux naturels, comment la recherche aide-t-elle à relever le défi mondial de la préservation de la biodiversité ? Destiné à un large public, cet ouvrage est composé de textes courts et illustrés, accessibles à tous, qui chacun présentent une recherche s'inscrivant dans les grands thèmes du présent : changements climatiques, maladies émergentes transmises par les animaux, utilisation des sols, déforestation, espèces invasives, systèmes alimentaires durables… Il montre comment cette biodiversité que l'on veut préserver ne peut être appréhendée hors des liens qui l'unissent avec les sociétés humaines qui vivent avec, l'utilisent, la gèrent, la détruisent et la protègent parfois. Il témoigne aussi de l'engagement des scientifiques pour une science capable de produire des savoirs utiles et mobilisables, une science de la durabilité, qui puisse rendre la Terre durablement vivable.

Cichlids in Morocco are relict populations of the fauna that was extant during the last glacial episodes. In recent millennia, these fishes underwent numerous bottleneck episodes that led to a significant reduction in their numbers. While the literature reports the presence of three (3) genera (Oreochromis, Coptodon, Sarotherodon) and four (4) species (O. aureus, C. guineensis, C. zillii, S. galilaeus) in Morocco, an intensive search for these fishes throughout this country and a thorough genetic and morphometric study in fact revealed the presence of only two (2) genera (Oreochromis, Coptodon) and four (4) species: three (3) native (O. aureus, C. guineensis, C. zillii) and one (1) introduced (O. niloticus). Sarotherodon galilaeus was not found, even in the watershed from which it was originally reported. Species encountered were identified morphologically and their identification was confirmed genetically (ND2/COI). For O. niloticus, we found two haplotypes with a difference of 7.5 % between Oued Sebou and Oued Bouregreg watersheds. For C. guineensis sampled in Oued Aabar and Sebkha Imlili, a taxonomic incongruence occurred on the basis of significant differences between seventeen (17) of the thirty-seven (37) morphometric characters studied (including dentition).

In diet metabarcoding analyses, insufficient taxonomic coverage of PCR primer sets generates false negatives that may dramatically distort biodiversity estimates. In this paper, we investigated the taxonomic coverage and complementarity of three cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) primer sets based on in silico analyses and we conducted an in vivo evaluation using fecal and spider web samples from different invertivores, environments, and geographic locations. Our results underline the lack of predictability of both the coverage and complementarity of individual primer sets: (a) sharp discrepancies exist observed between in silico and in vivo analyses (to the detriment of in silico analyses); (b) both coverage and complementarity depend greatly on the predator and on the taxonomic level at which preys are considered; (c) primer sets' complementarity is the greatest at fine taxonomic levels (molecular operational taxonomic units [MOTUs] and variants). We then formalized the one-locus-several-primer-sets (OLSP) strategy, that is, the use of several primer sets that target the same locus (here the first part of the COI gene) and the same group of taxa (here invertebrates). The proximal aim of the OLSP strategy is to minimize false negatives by increasing total coverage through multiple primer sets. We illustrate that the OLSP strategy is especially relevant from this perspective since distinct variants within the same MOTUs were not equally detected across all primer sets. Furthermore, the OLSP strategy produces largely overlapping and comparable sequences, which cannot be achieved when targeting different loci. This facilitates the use of haplotypic diversity information contained within metabarcoding datasets, for example, for phylogeography and finer analyses of prey-predator interactions.

Identification key of the Aphyosemion alpha group species 1. Anal fin without punctuation............................................................................................................. 2 ��� Anal fin with punctuation of black or red dots.................................................................................. 3 2. Flanks orange and bluish, ventral region orange, very intense orange portion between the end of the anal fin and the caudal peduncle, head highly red-orange.................................................................................................................................................. A. rubrogaster Chirio, Legros & Agn��se sp. nov. ��� Flanks beige, ventral region orange or beige, blue iridescent scales between the end of the anal fin and the caudal peduncle..................................................................................................................... 4 ��� Flanks blue or purplish blue, ventral region orange or bluish white, blue iridescent scales between the end of the anal fin and the caudal peduncle................................................................................. 5 3. Anal fin with some red carmine macules, mauve on basal portion, orange on median portion, a yellowish portion near the submarginal band, red and regular submarginal band, blue marginal band, orange little acumen............................................ A. barakoniense Chirio, Legros & Agn��se sp. nov. ��� Anal fin blue with orange portion on basal region, without punctuation except black dots on basal and/or postero-basal portions, without submarginal and marginal bands. Some individuals may have some small black dots instead of the submarginal band................................................................................................................................................. A. flavocyaneum Chirio, Legros & Agn��se sp. nov. 4. Two orange zones: orange portion on the opercle, venter beige with an orange portion above the pelvic fins, anal fin orange, blue near the basal portion and near the red submarginal band, dorsal fin orange, caudal fin blue with begin of upper and lower lobes light orange......................................................................... A. pusillum Chirio, Legros & Agn��se sp. nov. ��� No delimited orange zone, opercle orange, ventral region entirely orange, anal fin orange with a blue zone upper the red submarginal band, dorsal fin blue with large orange zone on rays, caudal fin blue with an orange caudal peduncle.......................... A. aurantiacum Chirio, Legros & Agn��se sp. nov. 5. Dorsal fin brown-orange, greenish on basal portion, red dots between rays, little orange apex, caudal fin light blue, some red dots on basal region, very long red streaks on distal region, red and irregular submarginal band, blue marginal band, little acumens light orange, flanks blue, ventral region orange................................................................................................................ A. alpha Huber, 1998 ��� Dorsal fin blue, orange distal portion near the apex, black dots between rays, very long orange acumen on the apex, caudal fin blue with orange portion on peduncle region, some red dots on basal region, very long red streaks on distal region, red and irregular submarginal band, blue marginal band, acumen orange very intense, flanks purplish blue, ventral region bluish white................................................................... A. flammulatum Chirio, Legros & Agn��se sp. nov., Published as part of Agn��se, Jean-Fran��ois, Chirio, Laurent, Legros, Olivier, Oslisly, Richard & Bh��, Herv�� Mv��, 2018, Unexpected discovery of six new species of Aphyosemion (Cyprinodontiformes, Aplocheilidae) in the Wonga-Wongu�� Presidential Reserve in Gabon, pp. 1-28 in European Journal of Taxonomy 471 on pages 25-26, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2018.471, http://zenodo.org/record/3825049

Aphyosemion aurantiacum Chirio, Legros & Agn��se sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 93840539-567F-4817-B774-3568D388E094 Fig. 6 A���D, Table 7 Etymology The specific epithet refers to the main colour of this species (dark orange). Material examined Holotype GABON: adult ���, 33 mm SL (39.7 mm TL), W��z�� spring, 0.58186 S, 9.46718 E, 89 m a.s.l., field reference code CHRSP5 -sources W��z��, 3 Jul. 2014, Laurent Chirio leg. (MRAC 2016-019 -P-64). Paratypes GABON: 4 ������, 5 ♀♀, 23.4���29.9 mm SL, same collection data as for holotype (MRAC 2016-019-P- 65-73); 18 ������, 22.2 ���32.1 mm SL, northern tributary of W��z�� River, 0.56336 S, 9.33732 E, 45 m a.s.l., field reference code CHRSP 5-W��z��2, 1 Mar. 2016, Laurent Chirio leg. (MRAC 2016-019-P-74-91); 1 ♀, 23 mm SL, southern tributary of W��z�� River, 0.66401 S, 9.42652 E, 87 m a.s.l., field reference code CHRSP 5-W��z��3, 5 Mar. 2016, Laurent Chirio leg. (MRAC 2016-019-P-92). Differential diagnosis Differs from all other species in A. alpha group through combination of following features: head orange, flanks beige, ventral region orange (vs never the same colour pattern), orange anal fin with no punctuation (vs blue-orange, purplish-blue or orange with punctuation). Distinguished from all other species of Chromaphyosemion by an alpha-shaped drawing in pre- and post-opercular region (vs no alpha-shaped drawing, only some red macules). Colouration of live males (Fig. 6A) FLANKS AND VENTER. Flanks beige with two grey, rarely visible lateral stripes, four lines of red dots from opercle to caudal peduncle. Ventral region orange and region between end of anal fin and caudal peduncle intense orange, two rows of blue iridescent scales between end of anal fin and caudal peduncle. Dorsal region brown, with two rows of paradorsal copper scales from operculum to caudal peduncle with two lines of carmine red dots. HEAD. Orange with premaxilla brown, mandible orange with black lower lips, brown supraorbital region, orange infraorbital region with black macule, postorbital region orange with two black macules, orange pre-opercle with one black macule, orange opercle with two black macules; black macules on pre- and post-opercular region reveal an alpha-shaped drawing. FINS. Dorsal fin blue, large orange zone on rays, rows of carmine red dots between rays, and carmine red streaks on distal and posterobasal portions of fin. Orange acumen on apex. Anal fin orange, blue zone near submarginal band, regular, red submarginal band, blue marginal band, orange acumen. No punctuation. Caudal fin blue with orange caudal peduncle, 5���6 red dots in median region, very long red streaks in median region and in upper and lower lobes, regular, red submarginal band, blue marginal band, and orange acumens. Pelvic fins orange with no punctuation, submarginal red band and blue marginal band. Pectoral fins with orange reflections. Colouration of live females (Fig. 6B) FLANKS AND VENTER. Flanks pale yellow, with four lines of red dots from opercle to caudal peduncle, two greyish lateral stripes, yellow venter, white on basal portion. Two rows of paradorsal golden scales in dorsal region from operculum to start of anal fin with red dots, copper scales from start of anal fin to caudal peduncle with red dots. HEAD. Premaxilla brown, mandible pale yellow with black lower lips, brown supraorbital region, white infraorbital region with black macule, white postorbital region with two red macules, yellow pre-opercle with red dot, yellow opercle with two red dots. FINS. Dorsal fin yellow-green, with rows of carmine red dots between rays, red streaks on distal portion. Anal fin blue on basal portion with row of red dots between rays, some red streaks between rays on median portion, pale orange on distal portion. Caudal fin yellow-green near caudal peduncle, with some red dots on basal portion, red streaks between rays from median to distal portion. Pelvic fins translucent with blue reflection on the edge. Pectoral fins translucent. Colouration of ethanol-preserved males and females (Fig. 6 C���D) FLANKS AND VENTER. Flanks of males grey-yellow with no red dots, venter grey-yellow. Two rows of paradorsal black scales in grey-yellow dorsal region from operculum to caudal peduncle, visible greyish upper lateral stripe. Flanks of females beige with two grey lateral stripes and two lines of two to three red dots behind opercle. Venter beige, with two grey lateral stripes. Two rows of paradorsal red scales in grey dorsal region from operculum to caudal peduncle. HEAD. Head of male grey-yellow mandible with black lower lips, grey-yellow infraorbital region with small black macule, grey-yellow pre-opercular region, opercle with two black macules; dark macules in post-opercular region. Head of female with black lower lips, infraorbital region with black macule, dark opercle. FINS. Dorsal fin of male orange with two to three black dots on basal portion, streaks between rays on distal portion. Anal fin orange with dark rays. Caudal fin orange with many red streaks on distal portion, red submarginal band. Dorsal fin of female light orange, rows of red dots between rays. Anal fin greyish with no red dots. Caudal fin light orange, with some red dots on upper portion, red streaks on edge. Distribution and habitat This species has been found at three localities in the W��z�� Basin (Table 1, Fig. 1) and never elsewhere. The species seems to be endemic to this hydrographic basin. It lives only in very small forest streams and water holes, often with a bottom consisting of roots and dead leaves, where it can be very abundant. In the southern-most locality, it was found hidden under dead leaves along the river banks in a 2 metre wide river with a sandy bottom. This species was found in syntopy with three undescribed species of Aphyosemion, Epiplatys and Plataplochilus., Published as part of Agn��se, Jean-Fran��ois, Chirio, Laurent, Legros, Olivier, Oslisly, Richard & Bh��, Herv�� Mv��, 2018, Unexpected discovery of six new species of Aphyosemion (Cyprinodontiformes, Aplocheilidae) in the Wonga-Wongu�� Presidential Reserve in Gabon, pp. 1-28 in European Journal of Taxonomy 471 on pages 20-21, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2018.471, http://zenodo.org/record/3825049

Aphyosemion pusillum Chirio, Legros & Agnèse sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 529ADFCC-1E00-4715-A157-1281E749DE48 Fig. 5 E–F, Table 6 Etymology The specific epithet refers to the small size of this species. Material examined Holotype GABON: adult ♁, 28.5 mm SL (33.8 mm TL), bridge on Okoyo River, 0.55590 S, 9.21322 E, 10 m a.s.l., field reference code CHRSP4 - Okoyo, 1 Mar. 2016, Laurent Chirio leg. (MRAC 2016-019 -P-57). Paratypes GABON: 2 ♁♁, 24.5–24.8 mm SL, same collection data as for holotype (MRAC 2016-019-P-58-59); 4 ♁♁, 20.6–23 mm SL, bridge on Pembé River, 0.61282 S, 9.15650 E, 5 m a.s.l., field reference code CHRSP 4-Pembé, 1 Mar. 2016, Laurent Chirio leg. (MRAC 2016-019-P-60-63). Differential diagnosis Distinguished from all other species in A. alpha group by two delimited orange zones on body: orange portion on opercle and orange portion above pelvics fins (vs no orange portion) with beige ventral region (vs yellow-orange, white bluish or orange), anal fin orange, blue near basal portion and near submarginal red band, no punctuation (vs never a similar colour pattern). Distinguished from all other species of Chromaphyosemion by alpha-shaped mark on pre- and postopercular region, especially visible on preserved specimens (vs no alpha-shaped mark, only some red macules). Colouration of live males (Fig. 5E) FLANKS AND VENTER. Flanks beige with two dark lateral stripes, two lines of small red dots from opercle to caudal peduncle. Ventral region beige with some blue iridescent scales between end of anal fin and caudal peduncle, orange portion above pelvics fins. Dorsal region light brown, two rows of paradorsal copper scales from operculum to caudal peduncle with two lines of red dots. HEAD. Beige with premaxilla brown, mandible yellow orange with black lower lips, brown supraorbital region, beige infraorbital region with black macule, postorbital region beige with one black macule, beige preopercle with one black macule, opercle yellow orange in background with orange zone with four black macules; black macules on pre- and postopercular region reveal incomplete alpha-shaped mark. FINS. Dorsal fin orange, yellowish on edge of fin, blue on posterobasal portion of fin, rows of carmine red dots between rays, red streaks on edge of fin, orange acumen on apex. Anal fin orange, blue near basal portion of fin and near submarginal band, regular red submarginal band, yellow green marginal band, small orange acumen. No punctuation. Caudal fin blue with beginning of upper and lower lobes light orange, red dots on upper part of fin, long red streaks on upper and median regions, red regular submarginal band, blue marginal band, orange acumens. Pelvic fins orange without punctuation, blue near submarginal band, submarginal red band and yellow green marginal band. Pectoral fins translucent. Colouration of live females Unknown Character N HT Min Max Mean SD D 7 10 9 12 10.43 0.98 A 7 11 11 14 12.29 1.11 D/A 7 0 0 2 1.43 0.98 26.14 L.L. 7 27 (+2) 24 (+2) 27 (+3) 1.21 (+0.49) (+2.29) pDor 7 13 13 15 13.57 0.79 TRAV 7 8 7 8 7.43 0.53 S.L. 7 28.5 20.6 28.5 23.59 2.68 T.L. (%) 7 119 114 122 117.72 2.6 P.D. (%) 7 56 56 61 58.08 2.52 P.A (%) 7 65 57 65 60.48 2.99 P.V.(%) 7 52 43 52 47.3 3.19 Ht (%) 7 21 13 21 16.63 2.44 dcp (%) 7 11 7 13 10.29 1.84 Hd (%) 7 27 27 36 30.27 3.15 I.O. (%) 7 14 12 15 13.91 1.16 Eye (%) 7 6 6 9 7.53 0.99 Colouration of ethanol preserved males (Fig. 5F) FLANKS AND VENTER. Grey with three incomplete lines of red dots, venter beige with orange portion, white lower part, two grey lateral stripes. Two rows of paradorsal red scales in grey dorsal region from operculum to caudal peduncle. HEAD. White mandible with black lower lips, white infraorbital region with black macule, white preopercular region, orange opercle; one dark macule in postopercular region. FINS. Dorsal fin grey with rows of grey dots between rays. Anal fin with grey area on basal portion. Caudal fin grey with some red streaks on upper lobe, red dots in median portion. Colouration of preserved females Unknown. Distribution and habitat This small species has been found at only two localities in the Okoyo and Pembé Basins (Table 1, Fig. 1) and never elsewhere. The species seems to be endemic to these two small, coastal hydrographic basins, situated just north of the Wézé drainage. In the Okoyo Basin, A. pusillum Chirio, Legros & Agnèse sp. nov. was found out of the main course of the river, in small, muddy streams less than 1 m wide. In the Pembé Basin, it was found directly in the course of this small river, hidden among dead leaves and water plants, in quiet places. This species was found in syntopy with an undescribed species of Aphyosemion, two undescribed species of Epiplatys and an undescribed species of Plataplochilus.

Aquaculture of the Eurasian perch, Perca fluviatilis, in recirculating systems has emerged over the past decades to become a significant way of diversification for inland areas in Europe. The development of such a production relies partly on the improvement of growth performance (i.e., reducing production costs), which requires suitable genetic management of broodstocks and the development of selective breeding programs. In this context, the present study was undertaken assessing for the first time the genetic diversity of farmed stocks of perch. Twelve microsatellite loci were used to investigate the genetic diversity of nine farmed stocks (547 individuals) from two perch farms located in France and their supposedly wild founder population from Lake Geneva (394 individuals). First, the wild population displayed the lowest genetic diversity and differed genetically from all farmed populations except one, XB2. Second, genetic diversity did not decrease between farmed breeders and their potential offspring. However, in the three groups of broodstock-offspring the number of alleles decreased by 10%, 21%, and 15%, respectively. In addition, effective population size decreased in all offspring groups. A family structuring was also observed among broodstocks and their offspring, with an unequal family contribution being suspected. In the absence of parental information, these results attest to the utility of genetic tools to evaluate genetic diversity and the necessity of a monitoring program to maintain genetic variability among farmed perch. Genetic variability among farmed stocks appears to be sufficient for perch production to be sustainable and selective breeding programs to be developed. Keywords: Perca fluviatilis, Genetic diversity, Domestication, Microsatellites

In this study, we use geometric morphometric method to establish morphological differences between natural populations of Nile tilapia from two extreme environmental conditions (high temperature and salinity) in Kenya, and compare them to two populations from regions experiencing less extreme conditions. To determine genetic influence on morphology, we correlated genetic data with morphological data. The study observed significant morphological differences between all studied populations, including three closely related hot spring populations (Bogoria, Chelaba and Turtle Springs), and two populations with similar genetic background inhabiting saline environments in Lake Turkana basin (Turkana and Crocodile Lake populations). In addition, allometric growth patterns of the seven populations differed significantly, demonstrating that developmental changes (plastic or adaptive) operated between these populations. Positive correlation between morphometric and genetic data confirmed the influence of genetic factors on morphology. All observed differences were attributed either to genetic and/or environmental factors, which seemed to play a major role in influencing morphology of wild Nile tilapia populations. We recommend further studies to be carried out under controlled conditions to confirm the role of temperature, pH and salinity in morphological diversification of Nile tilapia.

Background: Parasite switches to new host species are of fundamental scientific interest and may be considered an important speciation mechanism. For numerous monogenean fish parasites, infecting different hosts is associated with morphological adaptations, in particular of the attachment organ (haptor). However, haptoral morphology in Cichlidogyrus spp. (Monogenea, Dactylogyridea), parasites of African cichlids, has been mainly linked to phylogenetic rather than to host constraints. Here we determined the position of Cichlidogyrus amieti, a parasite of species of Aphyosemion (Cyprinodontiformes, Nothobranchiidae) in the phylogeny of its congeners in order to infer its origin and assess the morphological changes associated with host-switching events. Methods: The DNA of specimens of C. amieti isolated from Aphyosemion cameronense in Cameroon was sequenced and analyzed together with that of Cichlidogyrus spp. from cichlid hosts. In order to highlight the influence of the lateral transfer of C. amieti on the haptoral sclerotised parts we performed a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to compare the attachment organ structure of C. amieti to that of congeners infecting cichlids. Results: Cichlidogyrus amieti was found to be nested within a strongly supported clade of species described from Hemichromis spp. (i.e. C. longicirrus and C. dracolemma). This clade is located at a derived position of the tree, suggesting that C. amieti transferred from cichlids to Cyprinodontiformes and not inversely. The morphological similarity between features of their copulatory organs suggested that C. amieti shares a recent ancestor with C. dracolemma. It also indicates that in this case, these organs do not seem subjected to strong divergent selection pressure. On the other hand, there are substantial differences in haptoral morphology between C. amieti and all of its closely related congeners described from Hemichromis spp.. Conclusions: Our study provides new evidence supporting the hypothesis of the adaptive nature of haptor morphology. It demonstrates this adaptive component for the first time within Cichlidogyrus, the attachment organs of which were usually considered to be mainly phylogenetically constrained.

The need to improve food security in Africa through culture of tilapias has led to transfer of different species from their natural ranges causing negative impacts on wild fish genetic resources. Loboi swamp in Kenya is fed by three hot springs: Lake Bogoria Hotel, Chelaba and Turtle Springs, hosting natural populations of Oreochromis niloticus. The present study aimed at better genetic characterization of these threatened populations. Partial mtDNA sequences of the D-loop region and variations at 16 microsatellite loci were assessed in the three hot spring populations and compared with three other natural populations of O. niloticus in the region. Results obtained indicated that the hot spring populations had mitochondrial and nuclear genetic variability similar to or higher than the large closely related populations. This may be attributed to the perennial nature of the hot springs, which do not depend on rainfall but rather receive permanent water supply from deep aquifers. The study also revealed that gene flow between the three different hot spring populations was sufficiently low thus allowing their differentiation. This differentiation was unexpected considering the very close proximity of the springs to each other. It is possible that the swamp creates a barrier to free movement of fish from one spring to the other thereby diminishing gene flow. Finally, the most surprising and worrying results were that the three hot spring populations are introgressed by mtDNA genes of O. leucostictus, while microsatellite analysis suggested that some nuclear genes may also have crossed the species barrier. It is very likely that the recent intensification of aquaculture activities in the Loboi drainage may be responsible for these introgressions. Taking into account the importance of these new genetic resources, protection and management actions of the Loboi swamp should be accorded top priority to prevent the loss of these spring populations.

Aphyosemion pamaense sp. nov. is described from the Pama River, a small tributary of the Nyong, in the surroundings of Pama, Cameroon. It belongs to the subgenus Chromaphyosemion Radda, 1971 and is distinguished from its relatives by a unique/diagnostic combination of characters: orange unpaired fins, an anal fin without spots, an orange throat and purple to blue-grey flanks. The new species is also genetically differentiated from all the other Chromaphyosemion species as revealed by mtDNA (cytochrome b) analysis and characterised by a unique karyotype showing tentative sex chromosomes with 2n=35 chromosomes in males versus 2n=36 in females.

In watersheds of equatorial West Africa, monophyletic groups of killifish species (genus Aphyosemion) occur in discrete altitudinal ranges, low altitude species (LA, sea level to similar to 350 m) or high altitude species (HA, 350 to 900 m). We investigated the hypothesis that local adaptation to altitude by the LA and HA species would be revealed as divergent effects of temperature on their physiological energetics. Two species from each group (mass similar to 350 mg) were acclimated to 19, 25 and 28 degrees C, with 19 and 28 degrees C estimated to be outside the thermal envelope for LA or HA, respectively, in the wild. Wild-caught animals (F0 generation) were compared with animals raised in captivity at 25 degrees C (F1 generation) to investigate the contribution of adaptation versus plasticity. Temperature significantly increased routine metabolic rate in all groups and generations. However, LA and HA species differed in the effects of temperature on their ability to process a meal. At 25 degrees C, the specific dynamic action (SDA) response was completed within 8 h in all groups, but acclimation to temperatures beyond the thermal envelope caused profound declines in SDA performance. At 19 degrees C, the LA required similar to 14 h to complete the SDA, whereas the HA required only similar to 7 h. The opposite effect was observed at 28 degrees C. This effect was evident in both F0 and F1. Reaction norms for effects of temperature on SDA therefore revealed a trade-off, with superior performance at warmer temperatures by LA being associated with inferior performance at cooler temperatures, and vice-versa in HA. The data indicate that divergent physiological responses to temperature in the LA and HA species reflect local adaptation to the thermal regime in their habitat, and that local adaptation to one thermal environment trades off against performance in another.

In watersheds of equatorial West Africa, monophyletic groups of killifish species (genus Aphyosemion) occur in discrete altitudinal ranges, low altitude species (LA, sea level to ∼350 m) or high altitude species (HA, 350 to 900 m). We investigated the hypothesis that local adaptation to altitude by the LA and HA species would be revealed as divergent effects of temperature on their physiological energetics. Two species from each group (mass ∼350 mg) were acclimated to 19, 25 and 28°C, with 19 and 28°C estimated to be outside the thermal envelope for LA or HA, respectively, in the wild. Wild-caught animals (F0 generation) were compared with animals raised in captivity at 25°C (F1 generation) to investigate the contribution of adaptation versus plasticity. Temperature significantly increased routine metabolic rate in all groups and generations. However, LA and HA species differed in the effects of temperature on their ability to process a meal. At 25°C, the specific dynamic action (SDA) response was completed within 8 h in all groups, but acclimation to temperatures beyond the thermal envelope caused profound declines in SDA performance. At 19°C, the LA required ∼14 h to complete the SDA, whereas the HA required only ∼7 h. The opposite effect was observed at 28°C. This effect was evident in both F0 and F1. Reaction norms for effects of temperature on SDA therefore revealed a trade-off, with superior performance at warmer temperatures by LA being associated with inferior performance at cooler temperatures, and vice-versa in HA. The data indicate that divergent physiological responses to temperature in the LA and HA species reflect local adaptation to the thermal regime in their habitat, and that local adaptation to one thermal environment trades off against performance in another.

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Agnèse, Jean-François, Brummett, Randall, Caminade, Pierre (2009): Genetic characterization of the Aphyosemion calliurum species group and description of a new species from this assemblage: A. campomaanense (Cyprinodontiformes: Aplocheiloidei: Nothobranchiidae) from Southern Cameroon. Zootaxa 2045: 43-59, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.186435

Aphyosemion campomaanense new species (Figs. 4–10; Table 2) Holotype. MRAC A 7-30 -P- 1, male, 36 mm SL (Fig. 4); Cameroon: Campo-Ma’an National Park, small stream under forest cover; 2.33735 ° N, 10.20435 ° E; J.-F. Agnèse, R. Brummett & P. Caminade, 21 January 2006. Site ABC 06/ 86. Paratypes. MRAC A 7-30 -P- 2 -21, 9 males, 26–40 mm SL and 11 females 33–47 mm SL (Fig. 5 represents one of the females); same data as holotype. MRAC A 7-30 -P- 22 -24, 2 males 27-38 mm SL and one female 35 mm SL; Campo-Ma’an National Park, small stream under forest cover; 2.33372 ° N, 10.20322 ° E; J.-F. Agnèse, R. Brummett & P. Caminade, 20 January 2006. Site ABC 06/ 84. MRAC A 7-30 -P- 25 -26, 2 males 31–34 mm SL; Campo-Ma’an National Park, small stream under forest cover; 2.34210 ° N, 10.16753 ° E; J.-F. Agnèse, R. Brummett & P. Caminade, 20 January 2006. Site ABC 06/ 83. MNHN (2007 - 1533-1534) one male and one female, 41–43 mm SL; Campo-Ma’an National Park, small stream under forest cover; 2.34210 ° N, 10.16753 ° E; J.-F. Agnèse, R. Brummett & P. Caminade, 20 January 2006. Sampling reference ABC 06/ 83. MNHN (2007 - 1535) one male, 31 mm SL; Campo-Ma’an National Park, small stream under forest cover; 2.35508 ° N, 10. 15188 ° E; J.-F. Agnèse, R. Brummett & P. Caminade, 21 January 2006. Site ABC 06/ 85. MNHN (2007 - 1536-1541) three males 30–39 mm SL and three females, 30–55 mm SL; Campo- Ma’an National Park, small stream under forest cover; 2.34790 ° N, 10.16948 ° E; J.-F. Agnèse, R. Brummett & E. Kornobis, 24 January 2007. Site ABK 07/ 179. MNHN (2007 - 1542-1545) three males 29–39 mm SL and one female, 29 mm SL; Campo-Ma’an National Park, small stream under forest cover; 2.33270 ° N, 10.19335 ° E; J.-F. Agnèse, R. Brummett & E. Kornobis, 24 January 2007. Site ABK 07/ 180. Diagnosis. Aphyosemion campomaanense is distinguished from congeners by a combination of coloration characteristics. The new species is distinguished from A. ahli (Fig. 11) by a much more pronounced and darker blue background color than any A. ahli population (Fig. 64 & 65, Pl. 50) in Amiet (1987). The background color is here defined as the color that covers the majority of the body. In addition, A. ahli has a caudal fin with symmetric coloration while in A. campomaanense the caudal fin coloration is asymmetrical with a yellow lower margin and a white upper margin (vs. red and yellow margins in A. ahli). Although such asymmetric caudal fin coloration is occasionally observed in A. ahli (the upper margin sometimes being reduced to only the red part), the red and yellow lower margin is always present. In A. campomaanense, this margin is only yellow. Finally, the pectoral fins in A. campomaanense are deep orange vs. pale yellow in A. ahli. Aphyosemion campomaanense is distinguished from A. lividum, Fig. 12, by striped dorsal and anal fins vs. unstriped fins; and red dots aligned like vertical stripes posteriorly versus no red punctuation posteriorly. The new species is distinguished from A. edeanum by an obvious blue vs. reddish background color; asymmetric caudal fin coloration with a yellow lower margin and a white upper margin vs. red and yellow margins (as in A. ahli); and deep orange pectoral fins vs. transparent or pale blue. Aphyosemion campomaanense can be distinguished from A. heinemanni by a more pronounced blue background color; asymmetric caudal-fin coloration with a yellow lower margin and a white upper margin vs. a semicircular red sub-margin on a rounded caudal fin; and the presence of red dots on the anal fin vs. no dots. Aphyosemion campomaanense can be distinguished from A. pascheni pascheni and A. pascheni festivum by the presence of vertically aligned red dots in the posterior vs. scattered weak red spotting; red dots on the anal fin vs. no dots; red stripes on the dorsal fin versus no stripes; yellow lower margins vs. white on the anal and caudal fins; and red vertical stripes on the caudal fin vs. a series of red dots (A. pascheni pascheni) or straight lines or series of dots along rays (A. pascheni festivum). Description. See Figs. 4–10 for general appearance of A. campomaanense, Table 2 for morphometric data of holotype and paratypes. Body and fin morphology. There is little sexual dimorphism in body form and allometry in body growth (visually checked on the data matrix) in A. campomaanense. The dorsal-fin deviation to anal fin (D/A) is the same in male and female: towards the rear, closer to the end of the anal (usually D/A= 6–7). Dorsal and anal fin shapes in the male and female differ only by the male fins being wide and triangular while the female fins are rounded. In contrast, caudal fin sexual dimorphism is strong with a lyre shape with extended filaments in the male and a round shape in the female. Meristic characters. Measurement data are summarized in Table 2, (D= 10.73, A= 14, D/A= 6.84). These are not diagnostic and are within the average values reported for other species of the A. calliurum species (Huber, 2000). Coloration of live males. The dorsal surface is light brown. The head, laterally pigmented with light blue has three oblique red bars on the operculum, a sub-ocular red line and anterior and posterior infrabuccal red bands. The flanks vary from light blue to deep blue with a metallic sheen. Two or three horizontal lines of discontinuous red dots extend along the forequarter of the flanks. Towards the posterior, red dots merge progressively to create large irregular vertical bars. The dorsal fin is blue with dense red stripes forming oblique lines transverse with respect to the rays. The pectoral fins are orange. The anal fin is light blue-green with red stripes forming oblique lines transverse with respect to the rays. On the anal fins of young males are three superimposed longitudinal marginal bands of red, white and yellow. The external yellow band is not always present; this point will be detailed later in the text under “distribution and variability”. The caudal fin coloration is asymmetric. Background coloration is light blue with broad vertical red bands, which exhibit high individual variation in terms of number and shape (interrupted or not). The upper margin is white with one to three rays often extending to form a long extension. The lower margin is yellow with a sword-like extension. The fin coloration pattern on the pelvic fins is identical to that of the anal. Coloration of live females. The females have a grayish yellow body on which two horizontal bands of red dots are present on the anterior third of the body and narrow brown vertical stripes on the posterior twothirds. Two or three oblique red bands are present on the operculum. All fins except pectorals have pale yellow glints. Red-brown inter-radial dots are densely and regularly spread throughout the dorsal and the caudal fins. On the caudal fin, these dots are distributed in concentric arcs. The anal fin shows traces of interradial stripes. The pelvic fins are edged with light blue glints. Coloration of ethanol preserved males and females. Body light grey in the posterior part and around the belly to dark grey in the dorsal area. All red spots of live specimens remain. The yellow color in the male caudal-fin turns to white. The pectoral fins are transparent in both sexes. Karyotype. Two specimens were karyotyped, one male (population ABC 06/ 83, site 18, Fig. 1 & Table 1) and one female (population ABC 06/ 84, site 20, Fig. 1 & Table 1). More than 20 metaphases per specimen were analyzed to determine the diploid number and 15 complete karyotypes were made to classify the chromosomes according to their morphology. No differences were found between the male and female karyotypes (i.e., morphologically differentiated sex chromosomes are absent). A. campomaanense was characterized by a diploid number of 44 chromosomes and a fundamental number (of arms) of 58. Chromosomes were classified according to their morphology (Levan 1964): 15 pairs of acrocentric chromosomes almost equivalent in size, 6 pairs of subtelocentrics decreasing in size, and one pair of short heteromorphic chromosomes, (one submetacentric and one metacentric; Fig. 13). Further analysis is required to determine if the observed size polymorphism is due to different amounts of heterochromatin as commonly observed in fish chromosomal studies (Völker et al., 2007). Such a chromosomal formula, with 44 chromosomes, has until now never been observed in any of the A. calliurum species group, with A. edeanum (A. ahli from North of the Nyong River in Scheel, 1990) previously identified as the species with the highest number of chromosomes, 2 n= 40 and NF= 58, Scheel (1990). Phylogenetic relationships. The 29 sequences obtained (GenBank references EU 272795 to EU 272816 and EU 885232 to EU 885237) permitted the construction of a phylogenetic tree (Fig. 3) representing the relationships between A. campomaanense and its closest congeners. Specimens of A. campomaanense coming from six different locations all grouped together in a highly supported clade. This assemblage was clearly differentiated from all the other species and particularly from A. ahli and A. lividum. Taking into account that all A. ahli haplotypes (largely representative of the overall variability of the species throughout its range) are grouped together and that A. edeanum occupies an intermediate position between A. ahli and A. campomaanenese, the new species cannot be part of the A. ahli gene pool. It is also apparent from the tree that A. campomaanense is genetically distinct from A. lividum. These observations indicate that A. campomaanense is a distinct new species. Distribution and vaiability. The complete distribution of A. campomaanense is not well known because a large zone north of the Campo-Ma’an National Park still has not been sampled, mainly because no road or even track exists. A. campomaanense has been found in 7 locations, 5 of them inside the Campo-Ma’an National Park where it occupies the western part up to point ABC O 6 / 86 (2.33735 ° N, 10.20435 ° E). To the east and north, the species is replaced by A. cameronense (Boulenger, 1903). The species is also present in the vicinity of Nkoelon (ABC 05/ 55, 2.37042 ° N, 9.95850 ° E), a few kilometers west of the park and also a few kilometers northward (ABK 07/ 183, 2.43089 ° N, 10.11654 ° E) outside of the park. Up to now, this species has not been collected south of the Ntem River in Equatorial Guinea, but its presence there cannot be ruled out. Unlike A. ahli (Fig. 11) or A. edeanum, which show significant inter-population morphological variability (Amiet, 1987), A. campomaanense populations vary only in regard to some minor differences in anal and caudal fin coloration. For example, males from the population ABC 06/ 83 (site 18, Fig. 1) exhibit no yellow band in the anal fin (Fig. 6). In some male specimens of population ABK 07/ 181 (site 20, Fig. 1) the yellow band can disappear partially (Fig. 7) or totally (Fig. 8) with age (between the ages of six months and one year). Males of other populations keep their yellow anal fin band throughout their life (Fig. 10). Among individuals within a population, caudal fin coloration varies in the number (usually 3– 5) and shape (interrupted or not) of the large red vertical bands, which can be used as fingerprints to identify individual males. These bands also vary with age (Fig. 7). Ecology. Like most of the A. calliurum species group, A. campomaanense is usually found in small streams and shallow pools in the rainforest. They usually stay close to the banks, avoiding the deepest and fastest water. Among killifish, A. campomaanense is sympatric with Aphyosemion (Chromaphyosemion) lugens Amiet, 1991, Epiplatys infrafasciatus (Günther, 1866) and Procatopus nototaenia Boulenger, 1904. Etymology. From Campo-Ma’an, in reference to its origin in the Campo-Ma’an National Park, Southwestern Cameroon.

Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA polymorphism were studied in a number of natural populations of the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Cichlidae; Teleostei) from East Africa in order to determine the origin of a recently discovered population from a warm water spring, the Lake Bogoria Hotel Spring, an affluent of the Loboi Swamp. This population was initially considered to have been introduced from other sites within the region. Its significant and unique genetic variability (high microsatellite and mtDNA polymorphism, highly significant F,, values and the presence of private alleles) indicate however that it is an entirely new and formerly unknown natural population that had escaped earlier studies of this species. This natural population, that represents a significant genetic resource, is threatened by extensive human encroachment of the Loboi Swamp.

Les variations morphométriques et allozymiques de neuf populations naturelle de #Oreochromis niloticus$ et de trois populations d'élevage ont été étudiées. Des différences dans la morphologie et les allozymes ont été observées entre les populations naturelles d'Afrique de l'Ouest et du Nil. Bien que toutes ces populations soient rangées dans la sous-espèce #O. n. niloticus$, la population du Nil est plus proche de la population du lac Edward qui appartient à la sous-espèce #O. n. eduardianus$. Des différences morphologiques ont été observées entre les populations naturelles et leurs populations d'élevage. Ces différences sont sans doute écophénotypiques car les populations d'élevage sont génétiquement proches de leurs populations parentales naturelles. (Résumé d'auteur)

Les muséums d'histoire naturelle contiennent des millions de spécimens biologiques préservés. Ce travail fait le point sur l'état d'avancement des techniques qui permettent d'utiliser ces spécimens dans des études de génétique. Après avoir passé en revue les avantages et les problèmes de l'exploitation de l'ADN issu des tissus fixés et en particulier ceux fixés grâce au formaldéhyde, nous présentons les premiers résultats obtenus à partir des Téléostéens de la famille des #Mormyridae$ (#Pisces$, #Osteoglossomorpha$). Un fragment de 495 pb du cytochrome b a été amplifié et séquencé chez deux spécimens de deux espèces, #Myomyrus pharao$ Poll et Taverne, 1967 et #Genyomyrus donnyi$ Boulenger, conservés au Musée royal d'Afrique centrale de Tervuren (Belgique) depuis dix-sept ans. Leur position phylogénétique est discutée. (Résumé d'auteur)