A newly discovered fish species has been named after a South African ecologist. Dr Martine Jordaan is also a Fauna Ecologist at CapeNature. A newly described Paradiplozoon species now bears her name. This was done in recognition of her knowledge and passion for the aquatic life of the Cape Fold Ecoregion.

Newly discovered species named after South African ecologist

CapeNature CEO Dr Ashley Naidoo says she’s also very enthusiastic to study the region’s fish as well as understand their parasitofauna. Naidoo says the newly identified species – Paradiplozoon jordaanae – is named after Dr Jordaan and was described through studies of parasites found on the gills of two near-threatened endemic freshwater fish species.

Freshwater fish species

These freshwater fish species, Clanwilliam sawfin (Cheilobarbus serra) and the Clanwilliam redfin (Sedercypris calidus) are from the Matjies and Rondegat rivers in the Cape Fold Ecoregion. He says the recognition highlights the importance of collaboration in advancing conservation science in the Western Cape.