Review of the cichlid genus Thysochromis (Teleostei: Ovalentaria) with the description of a new species from the Kouilou Province in the Republic of Congo, west–Central Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 1176-1185
Author(s):  
Gina Walsh ◽  
Anton Lamboj ◽  
Melanie L.J. Stiassny
Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4268 (2) ◽  
pp. 255 ◽  
Author(s):  
KAITLIN E. ALLEN ◽  
WALTER P. TAPONDJOU N. ◽  
LUKE J. WELTON ◽  
AARON M. BAUER

A new species of skink, Trachylepis gonwouoi sp. nov. is described from Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo. It differs from all other species of Trachylepis in Central-West Africa by a combination of number of keels on dorsal scales (3–5); moderate SVL (maximum size of 80 mm); number of scale rows at midbody (28–34); number of supracilliaries (6–10); a well defined lateral white stripe, bordered by black, extending from under the eye to the insertion of the hind limb; and a ventral color in life of bright blue-green. Trachylepis gonwouoi sp. nov. was found in association with disturbed forest at elevations from 50 to 1050m. This species is syntopic with T. affinis and T. maculilabris. In order to aid in the identification of Trachylepis in West and Central Africa with the addition of T. gonwouoi sp. nov., we provide an updated key to the Trachylepis found from Mauritania through the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This key combines previous literature that treated Western and Central African taxa separately and represents the most comprehensive key for Trachylepis in West-Central Africa to date.


Zootaxa ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 1224 (1) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
SINASELI M. TSHIBWABWA ◽  
MELANIE L.J. STIASSNY ◽  
ROBERT C. SCHELLY

A new labeonine cyprinid, Labeo fulakariensis, is described from material recently collected in rapids on the lower Congo River near the mouth of the Foulakari River, a large north bank tributary, in the Republic of Congo, and from the Yelala rapids in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The new species is readily distinguished from other Congolese Labeo except L. greenii and L. reidi by the following combination of characters: plicate lips, characteristic striping of the flanks, and a dark spot on the base of the caudal peduncle. Labeo fulakariensis is distinguished from L. greenii by dorsal fin shape and snout without a deep transverse furrow or upwardly directed fleshy anterior appendage, and from L. reidi by the position of the eyes, the circumpeduncular scale count (16 vs 17 to 20 in L. reidi) and maxillary barbels hidden and smaller than in L. reidi.


Check List ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 1172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Mamonekene ◽  
Melanie L.J. Stiassny

A list of fishes collected in rivers of the Du Chaillu Massif, Niari Depression, and Mayombe Massif in the Republic of Congo is provided. Few previous collections have been made and the region is poorly known ichthyologically, however several large mining projects are under development while logging and artisanal gold mining is already underway. One hundred and two species distributed in 22 families are reported, and 11 of these represent putatively new species. The high number of undescribed species recorded in the present study serves to highlight the importance of efforts to fully document the region’s ichthyofauna prior to the realization of major infrastructure projects that will undoubtedly impact aquatic habitats.


2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 272-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Dawson ◽  
Daniel J. Young

Constitutions around Africa have been repeatedly tested on the issue of presidential term limits. We explore the four most recent cases of African presidents facing the end of their constitutionally mandated limit, all of which developed in Central Africa. Burundi, Rwanda, the Republic of Congo, and the Democratic Republic of Congo all adopted constitutions limiting presidential tenure to two terms; yet, in 2015, when these limits were approaching, none of the sitting presidents simply stood down. Our analysis focuses on the constitutional provisions meant to protect the two-term limit, the strategies employed by each of the four presidents, and the difficulty they faced in pursuing extended tenure. We find that constitutional provisions do constrain, but not always to the expected degree. Our analysis adds a consideration of a foundational constitutional factor to the growing literature on term limits in Africa, with implications for other regions of newly developing democracies.


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