Discovery of Critically Endangered Killifish Species in Kenya
A new species of critically endangered killifish, *Nothobranchius sylvaticus*, was discovered in Gongoni Forest, Kenya. This species, endemic to forest ecosystems, showcases a significant evolutionary divergence of over 7 million years. The research, supported by the Volkswagen Foundation, underlines the need for conservation due to the species’ restricted habitat.
A recently identified critically endangered species of killifish, Nothobranchius sylvaticus, has been documented in the journal Zootaxa. Sampled from the Gongoni Forest in southeastern Kenya during 2017 and 2018, this fish is the first endemic species known to inhabit a forest, as its name suggests, meaning “pertaining to the forest.”
Led by Prof. Dirk Bellstedt, emeritus professor of biochemistry at Stellenbosch University, an international research team discovered the fish in ephemeral swamps. The project, known as “Off the beaten track,” was funded by the Volkswagen Foundation in Germany. The researchers conducted a principal component analysis to assess its physical traits and performed DNA sequencing to confirm it as a new species.
The phylogenetic analysis suggests that the lineage of N. sylvaticus diverged from its sister species approximately 7.09 million years ago, which implies the Gongoni Forest is also of considerable age, potentially exceeding 7 million years. Covering merely 8.2 square kilometers, it exemplifies the East African Mosaic, characterized by a blend of savannah and forest patches.
Since 2015, the research team has integrated next-generation DNA sequencing with high-precision rock dating to reconstruct the tectonic history of central Africa over the past 20 million years. The region has experienced extensive tectonic changes leading to major geographical transformations.
The discovery of N. sylvaticus illustrates the alignment between evolutionary developments in the Nothobranchius genus and paleo-drainage dynamics induced by tectonic events. Nonetheless, the species’ limited habitat within the ancient forest significantly raises its risk of conservation. Specimens were deposited at the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi, while comparative specimens are located at the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren, Belgium.
The article “The description of a critically endangered new species of seasonal killifish, Nothobranchius sylvaticus (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae), a relict species from an East African forest refugium in south-eastern Kenya” features contributions from Prof. Dirk Bellstedt and other esteemed scientists including Béla Nagy from France, and Dr. P. de Wet van der Merwe from Stellenbosch University.
In summary, the discovery of *Nothobranchius sylvaticus* is significant for both biodiversity and conservation efforts in East Africa. This critically endangered species reflects the complex ecological history of the Gongoni Forest and highlights the importance of its preservation. The collaborative research further enhances our understanding of evolutionary processes and geological transformations in the region.
Original Source: www.sun.ac.za
