taxonID	type	description	language	source
8060BF65FFB3D62BFFE5FA72FD55EC7D.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. AMNH 263406, male, 27.8 mm SL, Republic of the Congo, 1.5 km south of the village of Lisoukou (10 km south of Mayoko) on the road R 1 to Mossendjo, Leyou River, tributary of the Mandoro River, tributary of the Louessé River, Niari River drainage (2 ° 21 ' 57 " S, 12 ° 46 ’ 16 " E), field code M 27, field label M 275, collected by G. Walsh, M. Alexandre & V. Boukaka Mikembi, 22 October 2013. Paratypes. AMNH 262589, 2 males, 25.5 – 28.0 mm, 1 juvenile male, 20.7 mm SL, not measured, Republic of the Congo, collected with the holotype.	en	Van Der Zee, Jouke R., Walsh, Gina, Boukaka Mikembi, Valdie N., Jonker, Michiel N., Alexandre, Marco P., Sonnenberg, Rainer (2018): Three new endemic Aphyosemion species (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the Massif du Chaillu in the upper Louessé River system, Republic of the Congo. Zootaxa 4369 (1): 63-92, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4369.1.3
8060BF65FFB3D62BFFE5FA72FD55EC7D.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. ‘ Aphyosemion ’ cyanoflavum (Figs 6 – 9, Table 4) is a member of the ‘ A ’. ogoense group based on DNA analysis. It can be distinguished from all other Aphyosemion s. l. species by its cephalic lateral line system, having unique large, dark coloured anterior supra-orbital neuromasts in very wide supra-orbital grooves (18.3 – 19.4 % of inter-orbital width versus 7.3 – 16.9 % in other species, Fig. 8, Table 5), very large pre- and postorbital canals with large pores (Fig. 7) and frontal neuromasts housed in one pit with one anterior lobe; by its wide upper jaw (due to enlarged lacrimal bones), wider than inter-orbital distance versus narrower in all other species, making the dorsal and lateral view of the head much more reminiscent of an Epiplatys Gill, 1862 than an Aphyosemion s. l. (Figs 7 – 8). Males are distinguished from all other Aphyosemion s. l. species by their unique lateral colour pattern: anterior part of body on side yellow and posterior side of body purple-grey. The transition between yellow and purple-grey is very sharp and situated just behind the pelvic fin (Fig. 9). Males are distinguished from all other members of the ‘ A ’. ogoense group (except for ‘ A ’. caudofasciatum Huber & Radda, 1979, ‘ A ’. pyrophore, and ‘ A ’. thysi) by the presence of narrow dark red bars in the posterior part of the flanks and on the caudal peduncle. Males are distinguished from the latter three species by the above mentioned wide supra-orbital grooves and the unique colour pattern of anterior yellow and posterior purple grey on the flanks.	en	Van Der Zee, Jouke R., Walsh, Gina, Boukaka Mikembi, Valdie N., Jonker, Michiel N., Alexandre, Marco P., Sonnenberg, Rainer (2018): Three new endemic Aphyosemion species (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the Massif du Chaillu in the upper Louessé River system, Republic of the Congo. Zootaxa 4369 (1): 63-92, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4369.1.3
8060BF65FFB3D62BFFE5FA72FD55EC7D.taxon	description	Description. See Figs 6 & 9 for general appearance and colour pattern, Table 4 for morphometric data of types. Medium sized Aphyosemion s. l. species, largest observed specimen in type series 35.5 mm total length. Dorsal and ventral profile slightly convex, greatest body depth approximately at base of pelvic fin, ventral profile slightly convex, caudal peduncle dorsally and ventrally concave. Mouth directed upwards, lower jaw longer then upper jaw, upper jaw wider than inter-orbital distance. Frontal neuromasts in one groove with one central anterior lobe, pre-opercular, pre- and postorbital cephalic lateral line system with prominent tubular canals with large pores (Fig. 7). Two supra-orbital grooves with three neuromasts each. Grooves wider and deeper than in other Aphyosemion s. l. species (Table 5). Anterior part of supraorbital groove strongly widened with many melanophores (Figs 7 & 8). Anterior-most supra-orbital neuromasts large and dark grey to black due to dense concentration of melanophores (Fig. 7). Dermal lobes bordering the grooves very small, shallow and narrow. Teeth on jaws unicuspid, outer row large and inward curved, inner teeth smaller and more irregularly placed. Scales cycloid, body completely scaled except ventral head surface. Frontal squamation variable, one specimen of G-type, one specimen of E-type (third specimen lost its G- and E-scales). G-scale narrow and elongated due to wide supra-orbital grooves. Two F-scales present (Fig. 8). No scales on dorsal and anal fin base. Caudal fin base with two to three scale rows. Scales in mid longitudinal series 29 – 30, transverse series of scales before dorsal fin nine, circumpeduncular scale row 14. All unpaired fins pointed in males. Number of dorsal fin rays 11 – 12, anal fin rays 14 – 15; first dorsal fin ray above anal fin ray seven to eight. Pectoral fin not reaching pelvic fin, pelvic fin just reaching anal fin. Live colouration. Males (Fig. 9). Snout dark grey to black. Eye iris light with some metallic green areas on outer margin. Three red streaks on opercle in approximate 45 ° angle, top red streak behind eye can be reduced to red spot, lower red streak short or reduced to red spot at the posterior tip of the operculum. Anterior part of body yellow with green iridescence, posterior part purple grey, metallic ice blue iridescence, anteriorly in patches, otherwise concentrated at scale border. Most scales on upper half of anterior side of body with small red rounded spot forming up to four irregular horizontal lines, lower being very short. Lower half of anterior body without or with sparse red spots. Majority of scales on posterior part of body with variable larger dark red spots, forming irregular bars. Body dorsally brownish, ventrally from chin to halfway between pelvic and anal fin bright yellow. Unpaired fins light blue with metallic sheen and dark black or red margin (narrow in anal fin and broad in caudal and dorsal fin), dark red dots and / or short streaks between fin rays. On caudal fin two larger dark red dots at centre of fin base and one large red dot at the ventral caudal fin base. Pelvic fin light metallic blue, sometimes with few red spots. Pectoral fin hyaline with blue metallic margin. After 3 months in 70 % ethanol. (Fig. 6). Lower lip black to dark grey. Operculum and head below eyes light grey, red streaks on operculum as in live specimens. Flanks grey with sharp transition to unpigmented whitish ventral side anterior of pelvic fin. Large dark grey to black blotch on anterior flank. Melanophores of posterior flank scales concentrated on posterior margin of scale. Dorsal third of body with irregular lines of red spots. Dorsal, anal, and caudal fins light grey, with irregular red dots and streaks between fin rays, and with narrow dark margins as in live specimens. Pelvic and pectoral fins light grey at base and dark grey at margin.	en	Van Der Zee, Jouke R., Walsh, Gina, Boukaka Mikembi, Valdie N., Jonker, Michiel N., Alexandre, Marco P., Sonnenberg, Rainer (2018): Three new endemic Aphyosemion species (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the Massif du Chaillu in the upper Louessé River system, Republic of the Congo. Zootaxa 4369 (1): 63-92, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4369.1.3
8060BF65FFB3D62BFFE5FA72FD55EC7D.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat. ‘ Aphyosemion ’ cyanoflavum is currently only known from the type locality in the southern Massif du Chaillu. The Leyou River is a small stream flowing into the upper Mandoro River, a tributary of the Louessé River in the south-western part of the Republic of the Congo. It is found syntopic with ‘ A ’. coeleste and ‘ A ’. mandoroense, new species, where they occur in more or less similar microhabitats. ‘ Aphyosemion ’ cyanoflavum seems to be rare in the study area. Although the area was thoroughly sampled by four of the authors (GW, MA, MJ & VBM) during two field seasons and many Aphyosemion. s. l. specimens were collected; it was only present at the type locality in the upper Mandoro River system. It cannot be excluded that it occurs in rivers east of the Mandoro, since no fish collections were made there.	en	Van Der Zee, Jouke R., Walsh, Gina, Boukaka Mikembi, Valdie N., Jonker, Michiel N., Alexandre, Marco P., Sonnenberg, Rainer (2018): Three new endemic Aphyosemion species (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the Massif du Chaillu in the upper Louessé River system, Republic of the Congo. Zootaxa 4369 (1): 63-92, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4369.1.3
8060BF65FFB3D62BFFE5FA72FD55EC7D.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name cyanoflavum refers to the bicoloured flanks in live males, the anterior part of the body being yellow (Latin: flavum, meaning yellow an adjective) and the posterior part predominantly blue (cyano for the Greek kýanos, meaning blue, an adjective). * except ‘ A ’. cyanoflavum ** except ‘ A ’. mandoroense and ‘ A ’. ocellatum	en	Van Der Zee, Jouke R., Walsh, Gina, Boukaka Mikembi, Valdie N., Jonker, Michiel N., Alexandre, Marco P., Sonnenberg, Rainer (2018): Three new endemic Aphyosemion species (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the Massif du Chaillu in the upper Louessé River system, Republic of the Congo. Zootaxa 4369 (1): 63-92, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4369.1.3
8060BF65FFB7D636FFE5F8B8FD6EEC25.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. AMNH 263405, male, 34.0 mm SL, Republic of the Congo, Mandoro River, swamp forest flood benches, tributary of the Louessé River, Niari River drainage (2 ° 25 ' 27 " S, 12 ° 53 ’ 19 " E), collection locality OS 9, field label M 311, collected by G. Walsh, M. Alexandre & V. Boukaka Mikembi, 11 November 2013. Paratypes. AMNH 262592, 1 male, 37.1 mm SL, collected with the holotype; AMNH 262591, 2 males, 24.3 – 26.8 mm SL, Republic of the Congo, Mandoro River, recently flooded swamp forest flood bench, field code OS 2, field label M 298, G. Walsh, M. Alexandre & V. Boukaka Mikembi, 26 November 2013; AMNH 262590, 3 males 24.3 – 26.4 mm SL and 1 female, 37.5 mm SL, Republic of the Congo, about 1.5 km south of the village of Lisoukou (10 km south of Mayoko) on the road R 1 to Mossendjo, Leyou River, tributary of the Mandoro River, tributary of the Louessé River, Niari River drainage, field code M 27, field labels M 268 & M 274, G. Walsh, M. Alexandre & V. Boukaka Mikembi, 22 October 2013; AMNH 262593, 2 males, not measured, Republic of the Congo, tributary of Mandoro River, field code M 21 S, G. Walsh, M. Alexandre &, V. Boukaka Mikembi, 18 October 2013.	en	Van Der Zee, Jouke R., Walsh, Gina, Boukaka Mikembi, Valdie N., Jonker, Michiel N., Alexandre, Marco P., Sonnenberg, Rainer (2018): Three new endemic Aphyosemion species (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the Massif du Chaillu in the upper Louessé River system, Republic of the Congo. Zootaxa 4369 (1): 63-92, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4369.1.3
8060BF65FFB7D636FFE5F8B8FD6EEC25.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. (Figs 10 – 11, Table 6) Males of ‘ A ’. mandoroense are distinguished from all other Aphyosemion s. l. species by the lack of red pigmentation on its fins, except for the posterior margin of the dorsal fin in some specimens. DNA data (Fig. 4) and male colour pattern place it into the ‘ A ’. coeleste group. ‘ Aphyosemion ’ mandoroense can be distinguished by its diagnostic male colouration pattern from all other species of the ‘ A ’. coeleste group by the nearly complete absence of red in unpaired fins, versus red margins or submarginal stripes in all other species except ‘ A ’. ocellatum, which shows faint red areas in the unpaired fin centre of some individuals. The new species is distinguished from all other species except ‘ A ’. ocellatum and ‘ A ’. passaroi by its dark grey to black margins of unpaired fins. It is distinguished from ‘ A ’. passaroi by the nearly complete absence of red in fins, blue side and opercule versus basal broad red stripe in anal fin and orange to brownish or pinkish side and opercule.	en	Van Der Zee, Jouke R., Walsh, Gina, Boukaka Mikembi, Valdie N., Jonker, Michiel N., Alexandre, Marco P., Sonnenberg, Rainer (2018): Three new endemic Aphyosemion species (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the Massif du Chaillu in the upper Louessé River system, Republic of the Congo. Zootaxa 4369 (1): 63-92, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4369.1.3
8060BF65FFB7D636FFE5F8B8FD6EEC25.taxon	description	‘ Aphyosemion ’ mandoroense is distinguished from the ‘ A ’. ocellatum populations with blue sides by the three or four rows of red dots on anterior side, the light blue opercule versus a dark red blotch posterior to operculum, and yellow or orange operculum, and from those with a more brownish to orange body colour by the blue side colour, absence of dark red blotch posterior to operculum and blue operculum. ‘ Aphyosemion ’ ocellatum in addition has darker and broader fin margins on pelvic, anal, dorsal, and upper and lower caudal fin. The superficially most similar ‘ A ’. citrineipinnis and ‘ A ’. ocellatum also have a reduced red pigmentation on fins, but usually at least traces of a red stripe at the base of the anal fin is present. Base of anal fin in ‘ A ’. citrineipinnis blue, central to distal part yellow versus completely yellow in ‘ A ’. mandoroense. Unpaired fin margins in ‘ A ’. mandoroense dark grey to black versus no or very narrow dark fin margin in ‘ A ’. citrineipinnis. Many ‘ A ’. citrineipinnis populations usually show a prominent " wound mark ", a group of dark red scales just behind the operculum, that is always absent in ‘ A ’. mandoroense, which shows three or four rows of red dots on the anterior side above the pelvic fin. The operculum is light blue in ‘ A ’. mandoroense versus yellow to orange in ‘ A ’. citrineipinnis. In ‘ A ’. mandoroense, the yellow colour of the caudal fin is extended in the dorsal and ventral edge of the caudal peduncle, versus no yellow on caudal peduncle in ‘ A ’. citrineipinnis. In ‘ A ’. mandoroense, the dorsal fin inserts more posteriorly than in ‘ A ’. citrineipinnis (D / A = 1 / 10 – 11 versus 1 / 7 – 8). Description. See Figures 10 – 11 for general appearance and colour pattern and Table 6 for morphometric data of type series. Largest observed specimen in type series 37.1 mm standard length. Strong sexual dimorphism, adult males more colourful than females and have larger unpaired fins. Dorsal profile straight or slightly convex, greatest body depth at base of pelvic fin, ventral profile slightly convex. Caudal peduncle dorsally and ventrally slightly concave. Snout rounded, mouth directed upwards, lower jaw longer then upper jaw, posterior end of rictus at level of dorsal third of eye. Frontal neuromasts in two separate grooves, pre-opercular, pre- and post-orbital system with tubular canals. Two rather wide supra-orbital grooves (13.9 – 15.0 % of inter-orbital width, Table 6) with three neuromasts each. Teeth on jaws unicuspid, outer row large and inward curved, inner teeth smaller and more irregularly placed. Scales cycloid, body completely scaled except ventral head surface. Frontal squamation of G-type. No scales on dorsal and anal fin base, two to three scale rows on caudal fin base, two scale rows beneath the eye; scales on mid longitudinal series 31 – 32; transverse series of scales before dorsal fin nine; circumpeduncular scale row 14. All unpaired fins rounded in males, no elongated rays at the caudal fin edges; caudal fin posterior margin rounded. Number of dorsal fin rays 11 – 12, anal fin rays 16 – 17; first dorsal fin ray above anal fin ray 10 – 11. Pectoral fin just reaching pelvic fin, pelvic fin not reaching anal fin. Live colouration. Males (Fig. 10). Side of body and operculum light blue. Lips and throat bright lemon to yellow. Dorsal side yellow brown, ventrally yellow. Majority of scales on anterior, approximately dorsal half of side with small red spot forming up to four rather regular horizontal lines, posterior scales with faint reddish margin forming weak reticulated pattern. Three red streaks on operculum typical for Aphyosemion s. l. (Van der Zee 2002) reduced or absent. All fins bright yellow. Dorsal fin with narrow grey margin, becoming red on tip and posterior four fin rays. Caudal fin with broad grey posterior margin, anal fin with narrow dark grey margin. Iris greyish with some metallic blue areas, central part surrounding black pupil has narrow yellowish to whitish ring. Females (Fig. 11). Body light brown to grey-brownish, dorsally darker and ventrally light brown, with golden hue dorsally. Pre-operculum light, sometimes almost whitish, operculum with many melanophores. Lips and sometimes chin yellow. Scales on sides, especially along the anterior lateral line, with a dark border, forming a reticulated pattern. Most scales on dorsal half of sides with a very small red dot at the transition of two scales. Dorsal fin hyaline with numerous red dots, in some female’s dorsal fin with narrow dark edge, last four fin rays with red edge. Anal fin hyaline, unspotted, sometimes with red hue. Caudal hyaline, unspotted, membrane between the first three to four dorsal and ventral fin rays red. Pelvic and pectoral fins hyaline, unspotted. After 3 months in 70 % ethanol. Males. Side and dorsal grey with sharp transition to unpigmented light ventral anterior to the anal fin. Head dorsally dark grey with a sharp transition to whitish ventrally on head and throat. Lips grey. All fins except caudal fin hyaline, unspotted. Caudal fin hyaline with broad dark grey posterior edge and dark blotch at base; inter-radial membrane of centre four to five fin rays with dark spots. Females. Side grey with gradual transition to light grey ventrally. No sharp transition of dark dorsal and light ventral of head as in males. All scales with a dark margin, most pronounced along lateral line. Pectoral fins hyaline, all other fins with many very small dark spots on inter-radial membrane. Dorsal fin with red spots, anal and caudal fin unspotted. Caudal fin with red markings at dorsal and ventral insertion.	en	Van Der Zee, Jouke R., Walsh, Gina, Boukaka Mikembi, Valdie N., Jonker, Michiel N., Alexandre, Marco P., Sonnenberg, Rainer (2018): Three new endemic Aphyosemion species (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the Massif du Chaillu in the upper Louessé River system, Republic of the Congo. Zootaxa 4369 (1): 63-92, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4369.1.3
8060BF65FFB7D636FFE5F8B8FD6EEC25.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat. ‘ Aphyosemion ’ mandoroense is currently only known from the tributaries of the upper Mandoro River (Louessé basin) in south-western Congo, where it occurs sympatric and sometimes syntopic with ‘ A ’. coeleste or ‘ A ’. cryptum, new species. In the Leyou River it occurs syntopic with ‘ A ’. coeleste and ‘ A ’. cyanoflavum.	en	Van Der Zee, Jouke R., Walsh, Gina, Boukaka Mikembi, Valdie N., Jonker, Michiel N., Alexandre, Marco P., Sonnenberg, Rainer (2018): Three new endemic Aphyosemion species (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the Massif du Chaillu in the upper Louessé River system, Republic of the Congo. Zootaxa 4369 (1): 63-92, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4369.1.3
8060BF65FFB7D636FFE5F8B8FD6EEC25.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The species is named after the Mandoro River, a tributary of the Louessé River in the southern Massif du Chaillu in the Republic of the Congo.	en	Van Der Zee, Jouke R., Walsh, Gina, Boukaka Mikembi, Valdie N., Jonker, Michiel N., Alexandre, Marco P., Sonnenberg, Rainer (2018): Three new endemic Aphyosemion species (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the Massif du Chaillu in the upper Louessé River system, Republic of the Congo. Zootaxa 4369 (1): 63-92, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4369.1.3
8060BF65FFABD635FFE5FF4AFA90EDEA.taxon	description	Aphyosemion coeleste non Huber & Radda, 1977: Wildekamp, 1993: p. 129, fig. of specimen from Mbinda, western Congo.	en	Van Der Zee, Jouke R., Walsh, Gina, Boukaka Mikembi, Valdie N., Jonker, Michiel N., Alexandre, Marco P., Sonnenberg, Rainer (2018): Three new endemic Aphyosemion species (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the Massif du Chaillu in the upper Louessé River system, Republic of the Congo. Zootaxa 4369 (1): 63-92, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4369.1.3
8060BF65FFABD635FFE5FF4AFA90EDEA.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. AMNH 263407, male, 39.5 mm SL, Republic of the Congo, tributary of the Mandoro River, tributary of the Louessé River, Niari River drainage (2 ° 21 ' 57 " S, 12 ° 46 ’ 16 " E), field code OS 43, field label M 331, collected by G. Walsh, M. Alexandre & V. Boukaka Mikembi, November 2013. Paratypes. AMNH 262594, 4 males (field label 306, 329, 330, 332), 34.0 – 41.2 mm, 1 female (field label 308) 39.4 mm SL, collected with the holotype; AMNH 262593, 1 male (field label 304), 34.6 mm SL, 1 female (field label 305), 31.1 mm SL, Republic of the Congo, tributary of Mandoro River; field code M 21 S, G. Walsh, V. Mamonekene, M. Jonker & V. Boukaka Mikembi, January 2012; AMNH 258825, 7 specimens, Republic of the Congo, Lipia River, tributary of Louessé River, field code L 8 S, G. Walsh, V. Mamonekene, M. Jonker & V. Boukaka Mikembi, January 2012; AMNH 258849, 10 specimens, Republic of the Congo, Tributary of Leala River, tributary of Louessé River, field code L 15 S, G. Walsh, V. Mamonekene, M. Jonker & V. Boukaka Mikembi, January 2012; AMNH 258498, 10 specimens, Republic of the Congo, tributary of Leala River, tributary of Louessé River, field code L 5 S, G. Walsh, V. Mamonekene, M. Jonker & V. Boukaka Mikembi, 10 January 2012; AMNH 258888, 10 specimens, Republic of the Congo, Tributary of Mandoro River, field code M 21 S, G. Walsh, V. Mamonekene, M. Jonker & V. Boukaka Mikembi, January 2012.	en	Van Der Zee, Jouke R., Walsh, Gina, Boukaka Mikembi, Valdie N., Jonker, Michiel N., Alexandre, Marco P., Sonnenberg, Rainer (2018): Three new endemic Aphyosemion species (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the Massif du Chaillu in the upper Louessé River system, Republic of the Congo. Zootaxa 4369 (1): 63-92, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4369.1.3
8060BF65FFABD635FFE5FF4AFA90EDEA.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Males of ‘ Aphyosemion ’ cryptum (Figs 12 – 13, Table 7) are distinguished from all other Aphyosemion s. l. except for ‘ A ’. coeleste by its unique combination of colouration characters in males: a light blue body with a few red markings on flanks and caudal peduncle; yellow to orange on distal part of unpaired fins; base of dorsal and anal fins blue, distally followed by a red band, two parallel or converging red lines along the blue centre of caudal fin. At least in anal and ventral part of caudal fin between red band and yellow to orange distal parts a narrow white line. By mitochondrial DNA results and male colour pattern it clearly belongs to the ‘ A ’. coeleste group. It differs from ‘ A ’. coeleste by the lack of a green or yellow iridescent blotch posterior to the operculum. In ‘ A ’. coeleste three to four less regular rows of red spots on anterior part of side within the green or yellow blotch versus rows of red spots absent or reduced to a few irregular spots in ‘ A ’. cryptum.	en	Van Der Zee, Jouke R., Walsh, Gina, Boukaka Mikembi, Valdie N., Jonker, Michiel N., Alexandre, Marco P., Sonnenberg, Rainer (2018): Three new endemic Aphyosemion species (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the Massif du Chaillu in the upper Louessé River system, Republic of the Congo. Zootaxa 4369 (1): 63-92, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4369.1.3
8060BF65FFABD635FFE5FF4AFA90EDEA.taxon	description	Description. See Figures 12 – 13 for general appearance and colour pattern and Table 7 for morphometric data of type series. Largest observed specimen in type series 39.5 mm standard length. Strong sexual dimorphism, adult males more colourful than females and have larger unpaired fins. Dorsal profile slightly convex, greatest body depth at base of pelvic fin, ventral profile slightly convex, caudal peduncle dorsally and ventrally concave. Snout rounded, mouth directed upwards, lower jaw longer then upper jaw, posterior end of rictus at level of dorsal third of eye. Frontal neuromasts in two separate grooves, pre-opercular, pre- and post-orbital system with tubular canals. Two supra-orbital grooves (12.1 – 13.1 % of inter-orbital width, Table 5) with three neuromasts each. Teeth on jaws unicuspid, outer row large and inward curved, inner teeth smaller and more irregularly placed. Scales cycloid, body completely scaled except ventral head surface. Frontal squamation of G-type. No scales on dorsal and anal fin base; two to three scale rows on caudal fin base; scales on mid longitudinal series 30 – 32; transverse series of scales before dorsal fin nine; circumpeduncular scale row 14. All unpaired fins rounded in males, adult males have no elongated rays at caudal fin edges. Number of dorsalfin rays 9 – 12, anal fin rays 14 – 16; first dorsal fin ray above anal fin ray seven to eight. Pectoral fin not reaching pelvic fin, pelvic fin not reaching anal fin. Colouration. Live specimens. Males (Figs 12 – 13). Body on side blue, only anteriorly some irregular red spots, in some populations these spots are completely absent. Ventrally light blue to greyish, dorsally brown. Snout yellow. Up to three red streaks on operculum in an approximate 45 ° angle, however, in most populations reduced or completely absent. Anal, dorsal, and pelvic fin distally yellow to orange, with red band above narrow blue base, sometimes with light blue narrow edge. Caudal fin dorsally and ventrally yellow to orange, separated from the blue fin centre by two parallel or converging red bands. Red band in fins distally often followed by narrow white line. Pectoral fin yellow to orange. Females. Body light brown to grey-brownish, dorsally darker and ventrally light brown. Scales on sides, especially on dorsal part and on caudal peduncle, with dark border, forming reticulated pattern. Most scales on dorsal half of sides with small red dot at transition of two scales. Dorsal fin hyaline with inter-radial red streaks, sometimes spotted at base, anal fin hyaline with inter-radial reddish-grey streaks, caudal fin hyaline, unspotted, pelvic and pectoral fins hyaline, unspotted. After 3 months in 70 % ethanol. Males. Body dark grey, ventrally lighter from pelvic fins to ventral part of head and throat. Chin and lips light grey. Dorsal, anal, and pelvic fin whitish with red band at the base. Caudal fin whitish with dark grey central part, edged with red bands. Pectoral fin whitish. Females. Dorsal part of flanks grey-brown with gradual transition to lighter ventral side. All scales with dark border, especially on the caudal peduncle. Pelvic and pectoral fin grey. Dorsal fin with inter-radial red streaks, anal and caudal fin grey with inter-radial dark grey pigmentation.	en	Van Der Zee, Jouke R., Walsh, Gina, Boukaka Mikembi, Valdie N., Jonker, Michiel N., Alexandre, Marco P., Sonnenberg, Rainer (2018): Three new endemic Aphyosemion species (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the Massif du Chaillu in the upper Louessé River system, Republic of the Congo. Zootaxa 4369 (1): 63-92, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4369.1.3
8060BF65FFABD635FFE5FF4AFA90EDEA.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat. ‘ Aphyosemion ’ cryptum is known from shallow parts of small tributaries of the upper Louessé and Mandoro Rivers in the southern Massif du Chaillu within the Republic of the Congo. It can sometimes be found syntopic with ‘ A ’. coeleste or ‘ A ’. mandoroense. However, sites characterised by sand and clay substrate associated with higher average velocity, higher elevation and relatively higher pH values were more likely to yield ‘ A ’. cryptum than ‘ A ’. coeleste or ‘ A ’. mandoroense.	en	Van Der Zee, Jouke R., Walsh, Gina, Boukaka Mikembi, Valdie N., Jonker, Michiel N., Alexandre, Marco P., Sonnenberg, Rainer (2018): Three new endemic Aphyosemion species (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the Massif du Chaillu in the upper Louessé River system, Republic of the Congo. Zootaxa 4369 (1): 63-92, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4369.1.3
8060BF65FFABD635FFE5FF4AFA90EDEA.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The name cryptum (an adjective from the Greek krypton, meaning " hidden ") refers to the fact that the species was first thought to represent just a colour variation of ‘ A ’. coeleste and not a species of its own.	en	Van Der Zee, Jouke R., Walsh, Gina, Boukaka Mikembi, Valdie N., Jonker, Michiel N., Alexandre, Marco P., Sonnenberg, Rainer (2018): Three new endemic Aphyosemion species (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the Massif du Chaillu in the upper Louessé River system, Republic of the Congo. Zootaxa 4369 (1): 63-92, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4369.1.3
