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

Cockspur coral tree (Erythrina crista-galli)

Velvet coral tree or cockspur coral tree ( Erythrina crista-galli ) is a species of plant in the Fabaceae family. It is a small tree, 5-8 meters tall, with a trunk circumference of about 50 cm, irregular branches, light wood, and fissured, soft, and light brown bark. The taproot is white. The leaves are ovate, with three strands, dark green and glossy on the upper surface, and pale green on the underside. The central lobe is up to 17 cm long and up to 11 cm wide. The left and right lobes are up to 15 cm long and up to 10 cm wide. The flowers are red, arranged in racemes, at the apex, pentameric, complete, and bilaterally symmetrical. The flowers are up to 6 cm long and 4 cm wide. The pods are long, containing about 8 seeds, green when young and turning brown as they mature. The seeds are ovate, flat, and brown. It grows well in lowlands up to an elevation of 1,500 meters, with an annual rainfall of 800-1,500 mm/year, and a temperature of 20-32°C. It thrives in well-drained soils, but...

Javan broadhead planarian (Bipalium javanum)

Cacing palu or Javan broadhead planarian ( Bipalium javanum ) is a species of animal in Geoplanidae, hermaphrodite, living on the ground, predators, often called only hammerhead or broadhead or shovel worms because of wide heads and simple copulatory organs. B. javanum has a slim stature, up to 20 cm long, up to 0.5 cm wide, head wide up to 1 cm or less, small neck, widening in the middle and the back end is rounded, all black and shiny. Javan broadhead planarians walk above ground level by raising their heads and actively looking left, right and looking up using strong neck muscles. Move swiftly, track meander, climb to get through all obstacles or make a new path if the obstacle is too high. Cacing palu track and prey on earthworms and mollusks. They use muscles and sticky secretions to attach themselves to prey to lock in. The head and ends of the body are wrapped around and continue to close the body to stop prey reactions. They produce tetrodotoxins which are very strong...

Serrated pimpernel (Lindernia glandulifera)

Serrated pimpernel ( Lindernia glandulifera ) is a species of plant in the Linderniaceae family, erect, 8-9 cm long.and white roots. The stems are cylindrical or angular or curved inward. The stems green or dark red or reddish brown. The leaves are opposite, green or dark red or brown, oval or oblong, up to 3 cm long, up to 1 cm wide and serrated margins. The flowers are white and blue, 0.6-0.7 cm wide. This plant grows in colonies in karst areas, clay soils, and areas that are sometimes flooded. TAXON Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Subphylum: Angiospermae Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Lamiales Family: Linderniaceae Genus: Lindernia All. in Auct. Syn. Meth. Stirp. Hort. Regii Taur. 3: 178 (1766) Species: Lindernia glandulifera (Blume) Backer in Onkruidfl. Jav. Suikerrietgr.: 616 (1930) VERNACULAR NAME English: Serrated pimpernel Indonesia: Tapak gergaji Java: Tapak graji Aryo Bandoro Dlium TheDlium Web: https://www.dlium.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dlium

Dlium