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Book Review: A Complete Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa

Article in Copeia · August 1996

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A Complete Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa by Paul H. Skelton
Steven M. Norris

Copeia, Vol. 1996, No. 3. (Aug. 1, 1996), pp. 755-757.

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 BOOK REVIEWS 755

treatment of snakebite for both medical and in the documentation of the herpetofauna of
nonmedical personnel. T h e only area where this Africa. It also provides a valuable reference for
book falls short is in its intended use as an iden- the medical and nonmedical person interested
tification guide. in snakebite both in Africa and elsewhere. Be-
There is no section explaining how to use the yond its scientific contribution, it is an attrac-
text for identification. It would be difficult and tive, concise, and well-written introduction to
time consuming for an inexperienced person to venomous snakes and snakebite in Africa and
use this book to identify a venomous snake with would make a good addition to any herpetolog-
any degree of certainty. Although the general ical library.
rules outlined in the section on identification
are helpful, they would be even more so if they CHRISTOPHER R. HARRISON, Department of Wild-
referenced pages in the text when suggesting a l$e and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M Univer-
possible identity. sitj, College Station, Texas 77843.
Within the species accounts, the abbrevia-
tions for the different sections are not imme-
diately intuitive and are defined at the end of
the introduction rather than at the beginning
of the species accounts. T h e accounts would
have been easier to follow if the authors had
simply written out the title of each section. T h e A COMPLETE GUIDE T O T H E FRESH-
distribution maDs are excellent. but a continen- WATER FISHES O F SOUTHERN AFRICA.
tal map with t h i countries labeled at the begin- Paul H. Skelton. 1993. Southern Book Publish-
ning of the species accounts would have been ers, PO Box 3103, Halfway House 1685, South
helpful. +
Africa. ISBN 1-86812-350-2. xiii 388 p. Also
A few of the species descriptions use vague available from Ichthyos, J.L.B. Smith Institute
terminology that might be confusing to less ex- of Ichthyology, Private Bag 10 15, Grahams-
perienced persons. T o o many snakes are de- town 6140, South Africa, softcover, $40.00
scribed as being of average thickness or length. (surface mail), $65.00 (airmail) (also available in
Other descriptors, although colorful, do not help hardcover).-The African ichthyofauna (actu-
in the identification of the taxa (Atractaspis are ally a series of distinct subfaunas) represents a
described as having evil-looking eyes) although tremendous resource for evolutionary biolo-
they do add to the overall readability of the gists, systematists, ecologists, behaviorists, and
book. naturalists. However, there is a general lack of
One of the most interesting, but often dis- recent faunal or regional guides in which the
appointing, parts of the book are the photo- scientific literature concentrated in easily ob-
graphs. Although many of the species are beau- tainable or portable forms. This, and the gen-
tifully illustrated (e.g., the vipers) and there are eral lack of knowledge on some groups, has hin-
some photographs of very rare snakes, such as dered research on many fronts (e.g., Green-
the third known specimen of Bitis pamiocula, wood, 1983) as well as complicated efforts to-
some of the photographs of more common taxa ward conservation and rational exploitation of
are inappropriate for an identification guide. this biodiversity in the face of burgeoning hu-
T o o many of these photographs are aestheti- man populations.
cally pleasing but offer little help in the iden- Some scattered regional guides have long been
tification of the snake in question. Many of the available (e.g., Boulenger, 190 1; Daget, 1954;
photographs are not labeled, and it is not always Roman, 197 1). However, for a single source of
immediately obvious which taxon is being illus- fish identification for many groups and some
trated. others provide only closeups of thehead, regions, one still must turn to G. A. Boulenger's
and some of these are out of focus and almost monumental (yet highly dated) Catalogue of the
useless for identification (e.g., Elapsoidea nigra, Freshwater Fishes of Africa (1909-1 9 16) or have
p. 63). T h e photograph of Adenorhinos barbouri access to large museum holdings. In recent years
(p. 101) shows the lifeless head of a preserved however, a number of broad and useful works
specimen that appears to have been posed in a have appeared. T h e Checklist of African Fresh-
naturalistic setting. There are a couplk of errors waterFishes (CLOFFA, Daget et al., 1984-1991)
in the ~ h o t credits.
o Two contributors net cred-
D
forms a solid base for revisionary work, provid-
it for the picture on page 143, and no one gets ing an exhaustive, taxonomically based guide to
credit for the picture on page 30. the African ichthyological literature (scientific,
In spite of its shortcomings as an identifica- agency, aquarist): A natural extension of this
tion guide, this book marks an important step project was Faune des poissons d'eau douce de 1'Aj
756 COPEIA, 1996, NO. 3

rique de 1'0uest (PEDALO, LkvCque et al., 1990- tion perspective, the latter group contains some
1992), a guide to the freshwater and esturine destructive forms (i.e., a full brace ofrMicropterus
fishes of west Africa. Now from the opposite species), although there are many fewer intro-
end of the continent, we have Skelton's Complete duced fishes listed from southern Africa (18)
Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa. than most of our western states have suffered.
T h e region covered by this guide is defined T h e book is aimed more at a general audience
by biogeographic criteria rather than political (anglers, amateur naturalists, etc.) than at pro-
boundaries. It is the area drained by the Oka- fessional ichthyologists, and the latter may find
vango, Cuenene, and Zambezi systems (exclu- fault with aspects of its presentation or certain
sive of Lake Malaivi) and all systems further omissions. Technically, though, it is sound. T h e
south (approximately 16% of the African con- illustrations are excellent and very attractive,
tinent). This area is divided into two faunal zones prepared specifically for this work by D. Voor-
or ichthyological provinces with a Zambezian velt and E. Tarr. Each species is portrayed in a
fauna in the north and a temperate fauna to the color illustration, with keys and some specific
south. T h e latter is further subdivided in Kar- characters illustrated with line drawings. Judg-
roid and Cape faunas. T h e approximately 270 ing from the species that I know well, the illus-
species in 102 genera native to these provinces trations are accurate in color and form. T h e
remesent less than 10% . . of the total continental keys (one to families, with those to genera and
fauna; however, they encompass a broad taxo- species scattered throughout the text) are con-
nomic swath of the African ichthvodiversitv with cise and easily followed, although lacking spec-
38 families represented. In general composi- imens of southern African fishes on hand, I was
tion, the Zambezian fauna is fairly typical of and unable to test them directly. I note an occasional
interrelated to other faunas further to the north couplet depends on distr.ibution to make the
(e.g., the ZaYrean fauna). T h e temperate fauna separation. This is less than ideal but sometimes
is much smaller and more enigmatic. It is com- difficult to avoid, to which anyone who has at-
pletely endemic with many species whose phy- tempted to construct a key can attest. There are
logenetic relationships and biogeographic his- also-a few groups for which keys are not pre-
tories remain tantalizingly obscure. sented (e.g., salmonids, ~Vothobranchius).
T h e guide follows the relatively standard lay- Skeleton is director of the J.L.B. Smith In-
out of many faunal surveys or field guides. There stitute of Ichthyology, the stated mission of
are extensive and nicely illustrated introductory which is to "contribute to the knowledge and
sections which provide a sound foundation for understanding of fishes and to promote the con-
the remainder of the book, especially for the servation and wise use of the aquatic environ-
general reader. These sections cover the usual ment" (that is, obviously "wise ise" in its true
subjects such as fish biology, identification, mor- sense, not the perverted meaning applied re-
phology, and collection. In addition, several cently in the western United States). Skelton's
more specialized topics are addressed: history book succeeds well within this philosophy. It is
of ichthyology in southern Africa, the region's a superior field guide and outline of what is
geography and habitat types (illustrated with known about these fishes. It offers to a wide
habitat photos-always a desirable feature), fish readership an introduction to and appreciation
conservation. and utilization and evolution of of this fauna. Given that, it should become a
southern ~ f i i c a nfishes and their biogeogra- useful tool in education and conservation ef-
phy. forts (incidentally, both English and Afrikaans
Included in the systematic section are all editions are available).
freshwater fishes, plus coastal forms that com- What the guide is not-nor does it attempt
monly penetrate freshwaters. Each family is giv- to be-is a revision of the southern African
en a brief introduction and worldwide range ichthyofauna. Therefore, such features as de-
map, with all genera also described and intro- tailed distribution maps, synonymies, taxonom-
duced. T h e species accounts are brief and to ic or phylogenetic discussions, a detailed index,
the point, with few running over a single page. and in-text citations with literature cited are
Each has a small, shaded-area range map, illus- absent. Those wishing such coverage can dig
tration (painting) with accompanying text out- further into the literature, e.g., conservation
lining description, distribution, biology/ecolo- biology of this fauna (Skelton, 1987), system-
gy, and human uses. Conservation status and atics and general biology of select groups (Skel-
miscellaneous notes are added for manv. Other ton, 1988; Cambray, 1990), and biogeographic
than describing authority, no references are overview of the Cape fauna (Skelton, 1986).
given. A few undescribed species are included These and other works referenced in the guide's
as are introduced species. From the conserva- suggested reading list (e.g., Jubb, 1965, 1967;
 BOOK REVIEWS 757

Bowmaker, e t al., 1978) o r cited in C L O F F A tory, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsyl-
will provide a n efficient entrance t o t h e litera- vania 15213.
ture.
Earlier guides t o t h e fishes of southern Africa
(notably Jubb, 1967) a r e long o u t of print a n d
difficult t o find. T h u s , I would recommend this
book without hesitation t o those wishing a mod-
e r n a n d concise introduction t o t h e ichthyology REPTILES A N D AMPHIBIANS I N CAPTIV-
of this region a n d t o those who simply appre- I T Y BREEDING-LONGEVITY A N D IN-
ciate well-constructed fish books. V E N T O R Y C U R R E N T J A N U A R Y 1, 1994.
1994. Frank L. Slavens a n d Kate Slavens. Sla-
veware, P O Box 30744, Seattle, Washington
98103. 532 pp. $30.00 (softcover), $40.00
BOULENGER, G. A. 1901. Les poissons du bassin du (hardcover).-The 16th compilation in t h e well-
Congo. Bruxelles, Belgium. known series first published by F. L. Slavens in
-. 1909-1 9 16. Catalogue of the fresh-water
fishes of Africa in the British Museum (Natural His- 1978 (1977, unpubl. manuscript) has grown
tory). 4 vols. British Museum (Natural History), from 144 t o t h e present 532 pages. Information
London. is provided o n 295 worldwide public (1 69) a n d
BOWMAKER, A. P., P. B. N. JACKSON, A N D R. A. JUBB. private (1 26) collections totaling 49,600 speci-
1978. Freshwaterfishes, p. 1183-1230. In: Bioge- mens. I n addition t o a n updating of all infor-
ography and ecology of southern Africa. M. J. A. mation since t h e 1 9 9 3 volume, this 1994 issue
Werger (ed.). W. Junk, The Hague, Netherlands. has 206 n a m e changes compared t o 195 for
CAMBRAY, J. A. 1990. Early ontogeny and notes on 1993. T h e 13-page 1993 Taxonomic Bibliog-
breeding behavior, habitat preference and conser- raphy was dropped t o save space, but Slavens
vation of the Cape kurper, Sandelia capensis (Pisces:
Anabantidae). Ann. Cape Prov. Mus. 18:159-182. will provide t h e list of titles of published works
DAGET,J., 1954. Les poissons du Niger supkrieur. serving t o govern nomenclature used through-
Mkm. I.F.A.N. 36, Dakar. o u t t h e 1994 book. A small matter perhaps re-
-, J.-P. G o s s ~ ,G. G. TEUGLES (VOL.4 ONLY), quiring attention would b e t h e placing of t h e
AND D. F. E. THYSVAN DEN AUDENAERDE (EDS.). hyphen in t h e title after Captivity rather than
1984-1991. Checklist of the freshwater fishes of after Breeding. Even though t h e primary stated
Africa. 4 vols. ISNB, Bruxelles; MRAC, Tervuren, purpose of t h e work is t o provide information
Belgium; and ORSTOM, Paris. useful for breeders of amphibians a n d reptiles,
GREENWOOD, P. H. 1983. The zoogeography of Af- t h e book also can b e valuable as a source of facts
rican freshwater fishes: bioaccountancy or bioge-
ography? p. 179- 199. In: Evolution, time and space: about captive animals-locations, sexes, breed-
the emergence of the biosphere. R. W. Sims,J. H. ing a n d longevity records, as well as names, ad-
Price, and P. E. S. Whally (eds.). Syst. Assoc. Spec. dresses a n d phone numbers f o r all collections.
Vol. No. 23. Academic Press, New York. Author F. L. Slavens is Curator of Reptiles a t
JUBB,R. A. 1965. Freshwater fishes of the Cape prov- Woodland Park Zoological Gardens in Seattle,
ince. Ann. Cape Prov. Mus. 4:l-72. Washington, where h e h a s worked for 2 5 years.
. 1967. Freshwater fishes of southern Africa. H e a n d his wife Kate have dedicated t h e volume
Balkema, Capetown, South Africa. "to T h e National Zoo Reptile Department for
L ~ V ~ Q UC.,E ,D. PAUGY,AND G . G . TEUGELS (eds). t h e Captive breeding of t h e Komodo Dragon."
1990-1992. Faune des poissons d'eaux douces et Following t h e dedication is a general ac-
saumatres de 1'Afrique de I'Ouest, 2 vols. Faune
tropicale XXVIII. ORSTOM, Paris; and MRAC, knowledgment of t h e hundreds who provided
Tervuren, Belgium. information for t h e text along with special rec-
ROMAN, B. 1971. Peces de Rio Muni, Guinea Equa- ognition of seven specific individuals. T h e T a -
torial. Aguas dulces y salobres. Barcelona, Spain. ble of Contents lists with pagination a n Intro-
SKELTON, P. H. 1986. Distribution patterns and bio- duction, How t o Use T h i s Book, Taxonomic
geography of non-tropical southern African fresh- Name Changes, Breeding Notes, Longevity
water fishes. Palaeoecol. Africa 17:211-230. Notes, Inventory, Code f o r Collections, a n d 1 4
-. 1987. South African red data book-fishes. pages of Accounts of Species. T h e Accounts of
South African Nat. Sci. Prog. Rep. No. 137. Pre- Species section appropriately precedes t h e In-
toria.
troduction a n d "Use" pages, with genus names
-. 1988. A taxonomic revision of the redfin
listed alphabetically u n d e r appropriate class, or-
minnows (Pisces, Cyprinidae) from southern Afri-
ca. Ann. Cape Prov. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) 16:201-307. d e r , a n d family. T o t h e right of each genus a r e
page numbers f o r Breeding, Longevity, a n d In-
STEVENM. NORRIS, Department of Amphibians ventory, so users of t h e book readily can locate
and Reptiles, Carnegie Museum of iVatural His- available information about species of concern.

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