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

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