Disentangling the Diversity of the Labeobarbus Taxa (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from the Epulu Basin (DR Congo, Africa)

In an attempt to disentangle the complex taxonomy of Labeobarbus species Epulu River, a right bank headwater affluent Aruwimi, Central Congo basin, morphological study was undertaken on 221 specimens from and 32 type specimens. As result, five different have been distinguished, including four so-called rubberlips, L. caudovittatus, macroceps, mawambiensis, sp. ‘thick lip’, one chiselmouth, longidorsalis. While rubberlips curved mouth with well-developed lips often mental lobe, chiselmouths straight keratinised cutting edge lower jaw. Among examined, several presented intermediate morphology between mawambiensis longidorsalis, either or two pairs barbels. One specimen exhibited macroceps. This study, complemented molecular mitochondrial gene cytochrome b (cyt b), suggests that these intermediates are probably hybrid The case is reminiscent possible hybridisation recently discovered in Inkisi River (Lower basin), but differs having relative abundance population, phylogenetic patterns.