title: Description of two new Bathyaethiops species (Teleostei: Alestidae) from the Congo basin.
abstract: Two new species of Bathyaethiops (Teleostei: Characiformes: Alestidae) are described. Bathyaethiops baka n. sp. is a dwarf species with the largest known specimen being only 24.4 mm SL. The species is characterized by an incomplete squamation and a large humeral spot. Bathyaethiops baka n. sp. is known so far only from the Ngoko River of Southeastern Cameroon, a tributary of the Sangha River in the northern Congo basin. The second species, Bathyaethiops flammeus n. sp., shows a diagnostic spot in front of the dorsal-fin base, which is devoid of melanophores and bright red in life. The species is described from the Bakéré River at Yambula-Bakéré, a locality north-west of Kisangani in the Central Congo basin. Other records of Bathyaethiops flammeus n. sp. from the Tshuapa respectively Ruki River at Boende and Eala, Central Congo basin, suggests a wider geographic distribution. A key to all species of Bathyaethiops is provided.
authors.affiliation: Deutsches Meeresmuseum, Katharinenberg 14-20, 18437 Stralsund, Germany Institute of Systematic Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Erbertstr. 1, 07743 Jena, Germany.; Email: timo.moritz@meeresmuseum.de.
authors.forename: Timo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moritz
authors.affiliation: SNSB-Bavarian State Collection of Zoology (ZSM), Münchhausenstr. 21, 81247 München, Germany.; Email: schliewen@zsm.mwn.de.
authors.forename: Ulrich K
authors.initials: UK
authors.lastname: Schliewen
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000825:Animal Structures / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D060125:Characiformes / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development; D003223:Congo; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D045483:Rivers