Lacustricola nitida, new species

Nagy, B. & A. Chocha Manda. 2020. Lacustricola nitida, a new species of lampeye from the upper Lualaba drainage, Democratic Republic of Congo (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes: Procatopodidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, IEF-1154, 11 pp.

Lacustricola nitida, a new species is described from a small temporary stream in the Lufupa River system, a left bank tributary of the upper Lualaba drainage in Lualaba province in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is identified as most similar to L. matthesi. Both species share the diagnostic characters of body colour pattern with brilliant blue spots at scale centres, forming longitudinal lines on the flank, and creating a reflective blue body colouration; as well as cephalic sensory system characterized by the combination of supraorbital canal with exposed neuromasts in zigzag shaped continuous groove, at preorbital level in open groove with exposed neuromasts, whereas postorbital and preopercular sensory systems tubular with pores.

Lacustricola nitida is distinguished from L. matthesi by the following unique combination of characters in males: dorsal and anal fins hyaline and without markings (vs. yellow with irregularly curved dotted stripes); as well as in both sexes, a supraorbital sensory system with three exposed neuromasts (vs. four); and a series of morphometric differences, as well as the number of rays in the pectoral fin.

For pictures and more information about this species please click on the species profile HERE.