The Victoria Falls, a species boundary for the Zambezi Parrotfish,Cyphomyrus discorhynchus(Peters, 1852), and the resurrection ofCyphomyrus cubangoensis(Pellegrin, 1936) (Mormyridae: Teleostei)

Research reveals that the Victoria Falls acts as a significant species boundary for the Zambezi Parrotfish, Cyphomyrus discorhynchus, with populations above and below the falls exhibiting marked anatomical and electrical discharge differences. Specimens from the Upper Zambezi, Kwando, and Okavango systems show fewer dorsal fin rays (30–31) compared to those below the falls (33–34), alongside geographic variation in electric organ discharge waveforms. These findings support the resurrection of Cyphomyrus cubangoensis as a distinct species for the Upper Zambezi/Kwando/Okavango system, highlighting the ecological and evolutionary significance of the Victoria Falls in shaping parrotfish diversity.

Kramer, B., & Van der Bank, F. H. (2011). The Victoria Falls, a species boundary for the Zambezi Parrotfish,Cyphomyrus discorhynchus(Peters, 1852), and the resurrection ofCyphomyrus cubangoensis(Pellegrin, 1936) (Mormyridae: Teleostei). Journal of Natural History, 45(43-44), 2669–2699. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2011.597945