Parauchenoglanis pantherinus (Pellegrin, 1929)

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 : 800-802

Parauchenoglanis pantherinus (Pellegrin, 1929)

(figure 8h)

Auchenoglanis pantherinus Pellegrin, 1929a .

Parauchenoglanis pantherinus: Teugels et al., 1991 .

Diagnosis. Head height smaller than preorbital head length. Maximum interorbital distance twice horizontal orbital diameter. Barbels short, with maxillary barbel never reaching base of pectoral fin spine, external mandibular barbel at most reaching halfway along pectoral fin spine. Anterior margin of pectoral fin spine largely smooth. Minimum height of caudal peduncle slightly greater than horizontal distance between bases of adipose and caudal fin, but never twice as great.

Description. Based on 12 specimens including syntypes (see below). See also table 4. Body low and slender. Snout relatively long, giving head elongate appearance. Posterior margin of pectoral fin spine serrated; anterior margin smooth except for few serrae distally. Humeral process narrow and pointed, with width at base being smaller than length of process. Eight (rarely seven) pectoral fin rays.

Head and body brown (often purplish on lower portion of flanks), speckled with numerous small dark dots, those on head usually being smaller than those on body. Belly pale, without dots. All fins densely speckled, although pattern may sometimes be faint and inconspicuous on anal and pelvic fins.

Distribution (figure 10). This species has been found only in the basin of the Ntem River (South Cameroon), where it appears to be endemic.

Maximum size recorded. The maximum size recorded is 248 mm SL.

Material examined. Twelve specimens. MNHN 1929-29 , 30 , 31 (three syntypes): Nyabessan , Ntem River ( Cameroon) ; 2°25∞N, 10°23∞E; 23–130 mm SL. MRAC 73-18 -P-2289–2290: Alen , Ntem River ( Cameroon) ; 2°21∞N, 10°34∞E; two spm, 248– 292 mm SL. MRAC 73-18 -P-2295–2296: Ngoazik , Ntem River ( Cameroon) ; 2°18∞N, 11°20∞E; two spm, 172–201 mm SL. MRAC 93-82 -P-385: Ntem River near Nyabessan ( Cameroon) ; 2°24∞N, 10°24∞E; 156 mm SL. MRAC 93-82 -P-399-401: Ntem River near Ma’an ( Cameroon) ; 2°20∞N, 10°36∞E; three spm, 176–201 mm SL. MRAC 95-81 -P-50: Bongola River (Ntem basin, Cameroon) ; 2°18∞N, 10°05∞E; 240 mm SL.

Parauchenoglanis ahli (Holly, 1930) (figure 8i) Auchenoglanis ahli Holly, 1930 .

Parauchenoglanis ahli: Teugels et al., 1991 .

Diagnosis. Head height greater than, rarely as great as, preorbital head length. Barbels very long, with maxillary barbel always reaching base of pectoral fin spine or even further, external mandibular barbel always reaching beyond tip of pectoral fin spine. Anterior margin of pectoral fin spine slightly, or not, serrated. Minimal height of caudal peduncle about 1.5 times horizontal distance between bases of adipose and caudal fin.

Description. Based on the five syntypes. See also table 4. Body low and slender. Posterior margin of pectoral fin spine serrated; anterior margin smooth, or slightly serrated. Humeral process narrow and pointed, with width at base being smaller than length of process. Eight pectoral fin rays.

Overall coloration purplish brown, with head as dark as, or slightly darker than, rest of body. Head and body, as well as adipose, dorsal and caudal fins speckled with numerous small dark dots, those on flank sometimes organized in rows. All other fins uniformly brown. Belly pale and nearly without dots.

Distribution (figure 10). The syntypes of Parauchenoglanis ahli were collected in the upper Cross River basin (West Cameroon).

Maximum size recorded. The maximum size recorded is 84 mm SL.

Material examined. Five specimens. NMW 13895–13899 (five syntypes): Bakoko ,

Cross River basin ( Cameroon); 5°28∞N, 9°18∞E; 54–84 mm SL.