This genera, which includes
another 8 species are quite difficult to identify,
and on top of this juveniles can have different markings
and colouration to the adult versions. First transferred
into Parauchenoglanis by Skelton in 1993.
Description: Dorsal spines (total): 2. Diagnosis:
caudal peduncle relatively long, its depth slightly
larger than the horizontal distance between the adipose
and caudal fin bases (never twice as large); anterior
edge of pectoral spine smooth, except for a few serrations
distally; preorbital head length greater than maximum
head depth (measured to end of supraoccipital process),
lending the snout an elongate appearance; interorbital
distance 22-25% HL; orbital diameter maximally 2 times
in interorbital distance. Colouration:
Head and body brown (often purplish on lower portion
of flanks), speckled with numerous small dark dots,
those on head usually being smaller than those on
body. Belly pale, without dots. All fins densely speckled,
although pattern may sometimes be faint and inconspicuous
on anal and pelvic fins. Habitat:
A Lower Guinea endemic, only known from the Ntem basin
in southern Cameroon. Aquarium Care:
At present (2022) there is no known record of any
importations. Etymology: The genus
name Parauchenoglanis:
para-, near, referring to similarity and/or close
relationship with Auchenoglanis. The
specific name pantherinus: –ensis,
suffix denoting place: Lake Ngami district (i.e.,
area), Botswana, type locality.
Remarks:
Parauchenoglanis
pantherinus is classed as vulnerable
on the IUCN red list (2010). The lower Ntem population
is threatened by a planned deep river port and iron
mine with the associated infrastructure.
Common
Name:
None
Synonyms:
Auchenoglanis pantherinus
Family:
Auchenoglanididae
Distribution:
Africa: Ntem
River, Cameroon. Type locality: Nyabessan
(Ntem), Cameroun.
Parauchenoglanis
pantherinus Bongola River, Cameroon
Parauchenoglanis
pantherinus
Cameroon
(syntype of Auchenoglanis pantherinus)
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