Nothobranchius sylvaticus, a critically endangered killifish from Kenya, was described in Zootaxa. This fish is the first known endemic killifish from a forest and was sampled in the Gongoni Forest. Research confirms its status as a new species, highlighting conservation concerns due to its limited habitat.
A new species of killifish, critically endangered and named Nothobranchius sylvaticus, has been documented from the Gongoni Forest in Kenya. This discovery, titled “The description of a critically endangered new species of seasonal killifish, Nothobranchius sylvaticus (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae), a relict species from an East African forest refugium in south-eastern Kenya,” was published in the journal Zootaxa.
Prof. Dirk Bellstedt, an emeritus professor at Stellenbosch University, was part of an international team that conducted research between 2017 and 2018. Their work, part of the “Off the beaten track” project, focused on sampling from temporary swamps within the ancient forest. The species name reflects its forest habitat, emphasizing its significance as the first known endemic killifish in such an environment.
The research team employed principal component analysis and DNA sequencing to confirm its classification as a new species. Their phylogenetic analysis indicated that N. sylvaticus diverged from its sister species approximately 7.09 million years ago, suggesting that the Gongoni Forest has been present for a similar duration. The forest spans merely 8.2 square kilometers and is characteristic of the East African Mosaic ecosystem.
Continuing their research efforts since 2015, the team has utilized advanced DNA sequencing with precise geological dating to explore the tectonic evolution of East Africa over the past 20 million years. Significant geological activities in this region have shaped its current landscape. The discovery of N. sylvaticus aligns with the evolutionary patterns in the Nothobranchius genus, influenced by historical drainage changes in the region.
Despite this significant discovery, the new species faces considerable conservation challenges due to its limited habitat. The type specimen has been submitted to the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi, while comparative samples have been sent to the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Belgium.
The identification of Nothobranchius sylvaticus highlights both the critical biodiversity present in the Gongoni Forest and the urgent conservation needs of such endangered species. This work underscores the importance of continued scientific exploration and habitat protection to preserve unique ecosystems and their inhabitants.
Original Source: www.sun.ac.za
