Collecting in Democratic Republic of Congo in 2013
I organized an expedition with the support of the Royal Museum for Central Africa located in the city of Tervuren, Belgium and with the collaboration of researchers at the University of Lubumbashi in the City of Lubumbashi, Katanga Province, DRC. Our objective was to collect Nothobranchius fishes in southeastern Katanga Province, a region characterized by mountains separating the Lualaba, Lufira and Luapula rivers. The diversity and extent of aquatic habitats in Katanga is impressive. The region has high species richness, with many more species likely still unknown, and perhaps among the highest concentrations of endemics. The amazingly colorful Nothobranchius are seasonal fishes, living in temporary habitats that periodically dry out, such as seasonal pools, seasonal rivers and swamps. Our principal target was to collect the legendary Nothobranchius brieni.
