Gamo barb (Enteromius gamo) is fish endemic to Lakes Abaya and Chamo in southwestern Ethiopia

NEWS - A new species of fish, gamo barb (Enteromius gamo), from tributaries to Lakes Abaya and Chamo in southwestern Ethiopia, commonly identified as E. kerstenii, exhibits thickened and serrated last rays in the dorsal fin, few scales in the lateral series (≤ 27) and yellow or orange or reddish spots on the operculum.

The genetic distance between E. gamo from Ethiopia and E. kerstenii specimens from near the type locality in northeastern Tanzania is 7.5-8.3% (COI) and 8.9-10.1% (cytb). Morphologically it is distinguished from E. kerstenii and all its relatives from Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda mainly by the short anterior and posterior barbels.

This fish is endemic to Ethiopia known only from the endorheic basins of Lakes Abaya and Chamo. The specimens were collected at the end of the rainy season from an irrigation canal connecting the lower Sile and Hare rivers with a floodplain. E. gamo was found sympatric with Enteromius cf. stigmatopygus at both sampling sites.

The substrate composition was dominated by silt and sand. The elevation of the sampling sites ranged from 1122-1185 meters. E. gamo was absent from the parent rivers and only one specimen was previously found in the coastal habitat of Lake Abaya. In addition, this new species was reported from the Sago River, Lake Chamo basin.

The gut contents contained unidentifiable fine organic detritus, remains of aquatic arthropods (Chironomidae, Ephemeroptera), terrestrial (Formicidae) and some non-organic materials. The specific epithet gamo was chosen to honor the Gamo people who inhabit the area around Lake Abaya.

This fish has a limited distribution range coupled with environmental pressures from agricultural intensification and modification of natural habitats prompted researchers to propose the IUCN status (2012) to Endangered or Critically Endangered.

Original research

Gernot K. Englmaier, Min Chai, Alemayehu Wubie, Rupert A. Collins & Abebe Getahun (2024). A new species within the Enteromius kerstenii complex (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae, Smiliogastrinae) from south-western Ethiopia. Zootaxa 5512 (2): 166-184, DOI:10.11646/zootaxa.5512.2.2

Dlium theDlium

Plumeria rubra and Plumeria obtusa, the differences

SPECIES HEAD TO HEAD - The genus frangipani trees ( Plumeria Tourn. ex L.) has only 18 officially recorded species and two very similar species, frangipani ( Plumeria rubra L.) and white frangipani ( Plumeria obtusa L.). Both have the same habitus, flowers and fruits and are difficult to distinguish. The leaves of both species have slightly different shapes. Therefore, the leaves are very important to distinguish the two species, especially the shape of the tip. P. rubra has simple, lanceolate leaves with acute tips. P. obtusa has simple, elliptic leaves with rounded tips. By Aryo Bandoro Founder of Dlium.com . You can follow him on X: @Abandoro . Read more: Plumeria rubra Plumeria obtusa

Bugang (Clerodendrum calamitosum)

Bugang ( Clerodendrum calamitosum ) is a species of plant in the Lamiaceae family. It is an erect shrub, growing up to 1 meter tall, with cylindrical, green stems and white hairs. The leaves are opposite. The leaf blade is oval, wavy, with a central main vein with numerous pinnate minor veins, and serrated margins. The leaves are up to 9 cm long and 7 cm wide. The petiole is up to 2 cm long. The flowers are star-shaped, white, up to 3 cm in diameter and up to 6 cm in total length. The fruit is round, dark green, turning black when ripe. TAXON Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Subphylum: Angiospermae Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Lamiales Family: Lamiaceae Subfamily: Ajugoideae Genus: Clerodendrum L. in Sp. Pl.: 637 (1753) Species: Clerodendrum calamitosum L. in Mant. Pl. 1: 90 (1767) HETEROTYPIC SYNONYMS Clerodendrum fastigiatum (W.Hunter ex Ridl.) H.J.Lam in Verben. Malay. Archip.: 317 (1919) Volkameria alternifolia Burm.f. in Fl. Indica: 137 (1768) Volkameria fastigiata W.Hunter...

Giant shield bug (Pycanum alternatum)

Giant shield bug or pycanum rubens ( Pycanum alternatum ) is a species of animal in Tessaratomidae, has a large shield covering the back, shiny green-blue-brown colored and appears to have a powder or wax layer, inhabiting the leaves of plants in open forests or bushes . P. alternatum is also called a stink bug because of its ability to release pungent aromas when disturbed. These insects live solitary with a partner and usually the mother gather in a family together in nymphs. White eggs are attached under the leaves of the plant. Nymphs can be found in the same host as their parent. The nymph has a flat rectangular shape with a large vein in the middle like a flat leaf. Nymphs having striking colors are light green, orange and red. Color may represent various stages of development or gender. The initial stage has a small size and red color. It grows in a bigger size and turns orange then ends in green. Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hemipter...

Dlium