Das Typusmaterial der Characiformes des Museums für Naturkunde zu Berlin. Teil 1: Einleitung und afrikanische Taxa (Teleostei: Ostariophysi: Characiformes: Hepsetidae, Alestidae, Citharinidae, Distichodontidae)

Abstract

The type specimens of the Characiformes (Teleostei: Ostariophysi) of the Museum of Natural History of Berlin are listed, investigated and the current status discussed. Each taxon is fi gured with its historical original picture, a lateral view and an xray foto. Herein, fi rst the African taxa (families Hepsetidae, Alestidae, Citharinidae and Distichodontidae) are described after a short historical overview about the development of the collection. There are type specimens of 23 taxa of Characiformes from Africa (represented by 6 holo-, 12 syn- and 4 paralectotypes). 17 taxa are valid and 6 are synonyms of other species. In a second part of this publication the type specimens of South-American Characiformes (other than Characidae) and in a third part the Characidae sensu stricto will be studied and discussed.