Nothobranchius polli
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| Nothobranchius polli | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cyprinodontiformes |
| Family: | Nothobranchiidae |
| Genus: | Nothobranchius |
| Species: | N. polli |
| Binomial name | |
| Nothobranchius polli | |
Nothobranchius polli is a species of freshwater fish in the Nothobranchiidae family of order Cyprinodontiformes. It occurs in a limited range in the Lufira River drainage of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. An endangered species, it inhabits temporary pools and swamps and reaches a total length of 6 cm (2.4 in).
Nothobranchius polli was first described by Rudolph Hans Wildekamp in 1978;[2] N. polli specimens had previously been misidentified as members of the species N. brieni and N. taeniopygus.[1] It is classified in the family Nothobranchiidae (the African rivulines) in the order Cyprinodontiformes.[3] The species holotype was collected from near Mwadingusha in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is preserved at the Royal Museum for Central Africa.[2] The specific name, polli, honors Max Fernand Leon Poll.[3] The species is one of 97 members of the genus Nothobranchius, all of which are found in Africa.[4]
Distribution and habitat
Nothobranchius polli is endemic to southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.[1] It is found in temporary pools, swamps, and ditches in the upper Lufira River drainage.[3] It is known from only three to five locations, with an extent of occurrence of 619 km2 (239 mi2) and an area of occupancy of 12 km2 (4.6 mi2). It prefers cloudy water with temperatures of 23–28 °C (73–82 °F) and a pH of 6.3–7.2.[1]
Description
Males are iridescent light blue; the scales have red margins. The dorsal fin is light blue with red stripes; at the outer edge of the fin is a light blue or white band. The caudal fin is marbled red and light blue ending in a thin reddish-brown band, a light blue band, and a thin black band. The anal fin is light blue with red stripes and some yellow areas. The snout, throat, and top of the head are red.[1] The fish reaches a maximum total length of 6 cm (2.4 in).[3]