A new species of Petrochromis (Perciformes: Cichlidae) from Lake Tanganyika,
Tetsumi Takahashi, Stephan Koblmüller
Ichthyological Research, April 2014

Abstract

Based on morphological and molecular analyses of a Petrochromis fish (Cichlidae) from the southern end of Lake Tanganyika, this fish is considered a taxonomic species distinct from the six known congeners. A new scientific name is proposed for this fish. A key to the seven Petrochromis species is included.

Marta

CRC opublikowało komentarz P. Tawil do opisu:

A new species of Petrochromis described
By Patrick Tawil

A new binomial name, Petrochromis horii, is proposed by T. Takahashi and S. Koblmüller for a deep-water Petrochromis caught at Kasenga (Zambia) in Lake Tanganyika. The study includes a large amount of bio-molecular data. The morphometric and meristic data given are sufficient to unambiguously define the new species, especially considering the isognathous jaws of the new species –vs. retrognathous found in other members of the genus (except in P. fasciolatus).

Little information is given about the ecology and behavior of the new species, except that it lives rather deep for a Petrochromis (13-15 m or more) and is found sympatrically with several other members of the genus (P. polyodon, P. trewavasae, P. fasciolatus, P. famula and P. macrognathus). The authors cautiously mention that it might be conspecific with Petrochromis “Flame-tail” or P. “Katete”, seen in the aquarium trade. It is very likely that these populations fit the Petrochromis horii diagnosis. Unfortunately, as they are rather drab they are not collected by exporters or fanciers, except perhaps for Petrochromis “Flame-tail” (in which the tail shows an orange hue).

Another brownish Petrochromis with isognathous jaws is imported from time to time for the aquarium trade, namely Petrochromis sp. ’Kipili brown‘, which originates from the southern Tanzanian coast of the lake. Despite having a darker brown coloration, this later species could be a geographical variant of P. horii, although as noticed by Ad Konings (personal communication), it always shows a lower bar number (7 below the dorsal fin, vs. 8-9 in P. “Flame-tail”).

Additionally, there are two undescribed species which are in my opinion closely related to P. horii: Petrochromis sp. ’gold‘ and P. sp. ’red‘. Despite important differences in adult coloration, all four species are very similar in their ecology and morphology — especially the isognathous snout shape. I have proposed a few years ago to group them in a super-species which I have named the “P. sp. 'gold' super-species”, and which now should be called “P. horii super-species”.

Takahashi, Tetsumi & S. Koblmüller. 2014. "A new species of Petrochromis (Perciformes: Cichlidae) from Lake Tanganyika". Ichthyological Research. pp. 1-13

Przypominam, że opis “P. sp. 'gold' super-species”, ukazał się w Tanganika MAGAZYN nr 7.

Marta