Taxonomic evaluation and redescription of Anaspidoglanis akiri (Risch, 1987) (Siluriformes: Claroteidae)
Since 1991, the African catfish Auchenoglanis akiri Risch, 1987 has been included in the genus Parauchenoglanis. An extensive re-analysis of the genera Parauchenoglanis and Anaspidoglanis, however, provides evidence for a closer affinity of A. akiri with the species of the genus Anaspidoglanis, which have a more depressed body and a different head morphology. Both biometric (using 294 specimens) and morphological (external and osteological) evidence supports this generic shift. Consequently, Auchenoglanis akiri has been transferred to the genus Anaspidoglanis, and given a redescription. The most important characters that allow to identify the species are: a thin skin covering the eyes, a premaxillary toothplate measuring 22 to 27% of the head length, a moderately broad snout, and completely fused branchiostegal membranes.