Parauchenoglanis altipinnis (Boulenger, 1911)

Geerinckx, T., Adriaens, D., Teugels, G. G. & Verraes, W., 2004, A systematic revision of the African catfish genus Parauchenoglanis (Siluriformes: Claroteidae), Journal of Natural History 38 (6), pp. 775-803 : 797-798

Parauchenoglanis altipinnis (Boulenger, 1911)

(figure 8d)

Auchenoglanis altipinnis Boulenger, 1911 .

Parauchenoglanis altipinnis: Teugels et al., 1991 .

Diagnosis. Head height greater than, rarely as great as, preorbital head length. Barbels relatively short, with maxillary barbel at most reaching base of pectoral fin spine; external mandibular barbel never reaching beyond tip of pectoral fin spine. Anterior margin of pectoral fin spine largely smooth. Caudal peduncle mostly as in P. balayi , with minimal height of caudal peduncle as great as horizontal distance between bases of adipose and caudal fin, or slightly greater (though in two examined specimens it was almost twice as great).

Description. Based on 13 specimens including holotype (see below). See also table 4. Body and head relatively high. Central (and usually proximal) portion of anterior margin of pectoral fin spine smooth; with few serrae present distally (as in all Parauchenoglanis species ). Humeral process largely narrow and pointed; process more sturdy in very large specimens, resulting in more broadly triangular shape, as typically present in P. ngamensis , but always with smooth upper margin. Dorsal fin long to extremely long compared to that of other Parauchenoglanis species , often even longer than head length. Seven or eight pectoral fin rays. Adipose fin very well developed in most specimens, becoming very sturdy and notably high, and comparable to that in P. punctatus .

Overall pigmentation ranges from greyish to very dark brown. Barely obvious pigmentation pattern on flank generally consisting of one horizontal row of one to six large round spots, becoming more and more faint posteriorly. Belly brown to whitish. Dorsal portion of body, as well as adipose and caudal fins sometimes have some faint reticulate pattern apparent. Other fins uniformly coloured.

Distribution (figure 9). This species is present in parts of Cameroon, Gabon and Congo Brazzaville: it has been found in the basins of the Congo (Dja tributary), Nyong, Ogowe and Chiloango Rivers.

Maximum size recorded. The maximum size recorded is 255 mm SL.

Material examined. Thirteen specimens. NHM 1911.5.30:30 (holotype): Dja River at Esamesa (tributary of Sangha River , Congo basin, Cameroon); 170 mm SL. MRAC P.78801: Lukula River ( Chiloango basin, Congo Brazzaville ); approx. 5°23∞S, 12°56∞E; 159 mm SL. MRAC 73-2 - 1801–1804 : Makokou, Ivindo River (Ogowe basin, Gabon) ; 0°34∞N, 12°52∞E; four spm, 150–255 mm SL. MRAC 73-29 -P-1453–1454: Ebogo , Nyong River ( Cameroon) ; 3°24∞N, 11°28∞E; two spm, 205–221 mm SL. MRAC 75-56 -P-900–901: Ayos , Nyong River ( Cameroon) ; 3°53∞N, 12°32∞E; two spm, 230–232 mm SL. MRAC 95-42 -P-791–793: Dja River at Bi ( Cameroon) ; 2°47∞N, 13°21∞E; three spm, 150–189 mm SL.