A new species of killifish, **Nothobranchius sylvaticus**, discovered in Kenya’s Gongoni Forest, is critically endangered. The species, unique for its forest habitat, was confirmed through extensive DNA analysis and geologic studies. Researchers suggest the forest’s age exceeds 7 million years, illustrating significant biodiversity and the need for conservation efforts.
A newly described species of critically endangered killifish, Nothobranchius sylvaticus, was sampled from the Gongoni Forest in Kenya during research expeditions in 2017 and 2018. This fish, its name meaning “pertaining to the forest” in Latin, is notable for being the first endemic killifish found to survive in a forest environment. The findings were documented in the journal Zootaxa.
The research team, including Prof. Dirk Bellstedt from Stellenbosch University, conducted their work under an “Off the beaten track” project funded by the Volkswagen Foundation. They employed principal component analysis and DNA sequencing to confirm the new species, which was found in ephemeral swamps in the forest.
A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis revealed that the lineage of N. sylvaticus diverged from its sister species approximately 7.09 million years ago, indicating that the Gongoni Forest itself could be that old. This forest, measuring roughly 8.2 square kilometers, is representative of the East African Mosaic ecosystem composed of savannah and forest patches spanning from southern South Africa to southern Somalia.
Since 2015, researchers have utilized next-generation DNA sequencing alongside precise rock dating of geological formations to understand the tectonic evolution of Central Africa over the last 20 million years. Significant tectonic events in the region have contributed to major geological and ecological changes.
The discovery of N. sylvaticus exemplifies how the evolutionary trends of the genus align with the paleo-drainage dynamics influenced by tectonic activities that shaped the East-African River Valley System. However, the limited habitat of this new species poses serious conservation challenges.
The type specimen has been preserved at the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi, while comparative specimens have been sent to the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Belgium. The article detailing this research, titled “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 several scientists, including Prof. Dirk Bellstedt and others from various institutions.
The identification of **Nothobranchius sylvaticus** highlights both the rich biodiversity of the Gongoni Forest and the significant evolutionary history of the region. The study underscores the necessity for conservation efforts due to the species’ limited habitat and the pressures it faces. The interdisciplinary research utilized advanced genetic analysis to enhance understanding of the ecological and geological dynamics of East Africa over millions of years.
Original Source: www.sun.ac.za
