DESCRIPTION OF A NEW MASTACEMBELID SPECIES (SYNBRANCHIFORMES, MASTACEMBELIDAE) FROM THE ZAIRE RIVER BASIN IN AFRICA

Aethiomastacembelus robertsi (Mastacembelidae) is described from the L ower and Middle Zaire River basin in Africa. The new species, morpholo gically close to A. congicus and A. marchei, is diagnosed by its reduc ed eye size and its unique coloration. The generic assignment is discu ssed based on the most recent phylogenetic analysis of the family. It is shown that the synapomorphies used in this analysis to define Aethi omastacembelus and Caecomestacembelus, the two known genera of Afromas tacembelinae, are, at least in part, not correctly defined.