Paretroplus

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Paretroplus
Paretroplus menarambo.jpg
P. menarambo
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cichliformes
Family: Cichlidae
Subfamily: Etroplinae
Genus: Paretroplus
Bleeker, 1868
Type species
Paretroplus damii
Bleeker, 1868

Paretroplus is a genus of fishes in the cichlid family, all of which are endemic to lakes and rivers of Madagascar. The vast majority are threatened and restricted to the northwestern part of the island. [1] Only P. polyactis is found in the southern half of Madagascar and only P. polyactis and P. gymnopreopercularis are found in eastern drainages. [1] [2] Most are restricted to freshwater, but at least P. polyactis and P. maromandia can also be seen in brackish habitats. [1]

They are more closely related to the genus Etroplus from India and Sri Lanka than they are to other cichlids from Madagascar (subfamilies Paratilapiinae and Ptychochrominae). [3] Their maximum length varies greatly depending on the exact species, ranging from 15–16 centimetres (5.9–6.3 in) in P. kieneri and P. gymnopreopercularis to almost 40 centimetres (16 in) in P. damii . [1] Paretroplus includes both relatively slender-bodied species (P. damii, P. gymnopreopercularis, P. kieneri, P. lamenabe , P. loisellei , P. nourissati and P. tsimoly ) and relatively deep-bodied species (all remaining). [1]

Species

There are currently 13 recognized species in this genus. [4] Additionally, an undescribed species from the P. damiiloisellei species group is known from the Ankofia River basin in northwestern Madagascar. [2]

The genus can be divided into several clades, and one of these includes P. lamenabe, P. nourissati and P. tsimoly, which have been considered worthy of placement in their own genus Lamena (still used in their common names). [1] On a higher level these three are part of a clade that also includes P. damii and P. loisellei. [1] [2]

Related Research Articles

<i>Etroplus</i> Genus of fishes

Etroplus is a small genus of cichlids native to southern India and Sri Lanka. Together with Pseudetroplus, they are the only cichlids of this region.

<i>Paratilapia</i> Genus of fishes

Paratilapia is a genus of cichlids generally restricted to Madagascar. These are large, dark cichlids densely covered in light spots. An additional very poorly known species from the Congo River basin in mainland Africa is sometimes also placed in the genus, but this is highly questionable and arguably it is better placed in the "wastebasket genus" Haplochromis for the time being.

Oxylapia is a genus of freshwater fish in the family Cichlidae. It contains the single species Oxylapia polli, known locally as the songatana. It is an endangered species, endemic to the Marolambo Rapids in the Nosivolo River in east-central Madagascar. It is threatened by habitat loss and sedimentation caused by deforestation. The only other monotypic cichlid genus in Madagascar is Katria, and it is restricted to the same region as Oxylapia. In 2010, the Nosivolo River was designated as a Ramsar Site. The Oxylapia is the conservation flagship species for the district capital Marolambo.

Paretroplus dambabe is an endangered species of cichlid from the Mahavavy du Sud river basin, including Lake Kinkony, in northwestern Madagascar. It has declined drastically due to habitat loss, invasive species and over-fishing. This relatively large and deep-bodied Paretroplus reaches almost 19 centimetres (7.5 in) in length. Although collected as early as the 1960s, it was long confused with P. petiti and therefore only described as a species in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damba</span> Species of fish

The damba is a species of cichlid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kotsovato</span> Species of fish

The kotsovato is a species of cichlid from northwestern Madagascar. As presently defined its range spans several river basins, but this could possibly include more than one species. It is threatened by habitat loss and competition from introduced species. This relatively elongate Paretroplus reaches about 16 centimetres (6.3 in) in length and is closely related to P. gymnopreopercularis, which it resembles. The specific name honours the French fisheries scientist André Kiener.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damba mipentina</span> Species of fish

The damba mipentina is a critically endangered species of cichlid fish from turbid, shallow flood-plain lakes in the Betsiboka and Ikopa River basins in northwestern Madagascar. It has declined drastically because of habitat loss, overfishing and invasive species. It is part of a captive breeding program by public institutions like London Zoo and among fishkeeping hobbyists.

Paretroplus maromandia is an endangered species of cichlid fish from fresh and brackish water in northwestern Madagascar, where known from the Maintsomalaza, Andranomalaza and Maevarano Rivers, and Lake Andrapongy. It has already been extirpated from the lake, and is threatened by habitat loss and invasive species. This relatively deep-bodied Paretroplus reaches 25 centimetres (9.8 in) in length.

<i>Paretroplus menarambo</i> Species of fish

Paretroplus menarambo is a species of cichlid fish.

Paretroplus nourissati, the lamena, is a species of cichlid from the vicinity of the confluence of the Amboaboa and Mangarahara Rivers near Mandritsara in northern Madagascar. This relatively elongate Paretroplus reaches about 16 centimetres (6.3 in) in length, and is closely related to P. lamenabe and P.tsimoly. P. nourissati is threatened by habitat loss and invasive species.

<i>Paretroplus polyactis</i> Species of fish

Paretroplus polyactis is a vulnerable species of cichlid found widely in fresh and brackish water in coastal regions and associated river basins in eastern Madagascar. It is the only Paretroplus found in the southern half of Madagascar, and one of only two found in eastern drainages. P. polyactis is threatened by habitat loss and overfishing. This relatively deep-bodied Paretroplus reaches 30 centimetres (12 in) in length. It shares a large part of its range with a cichlid from another genus, Ptychochromis grandidieri.

Paretroplus lamenabe is a species of cichlid from the lower part of the Mahajamba River and Lake Tseny in northwestern Madagascar. Until its official scientific description in 2008, it was popularly known as the "Giant Lamena". As suggested by this name, it is a relatively large Paretroplus of the lamena group, reaching almost 20 centimetres (7.9 in) in length. This relatively elongate Paretroplus is closely related to the smaller P. nourissati and P. tsimoly.

Paretroplus gymnopreopercularis is a species of cichlid from the vicinity of the confluence of the Amboaboa and Mangarahara Rivers near Mandritsara in northern Madagascar. Until its official scientific description in 2008, it was temporarily known as the Paretroplus nov. sp. "sofia". It is endangered because of habitat degradation, overfishing and invasive species. Following the construction of a dam on the Mangarahara River, surveys have failed to relocate P. gymnopreopercularis in this river.

Paretroplus tsimoly is a species of cichlid fish from the Betsiboka River basin in northwestern Madagascar. Like other members of the lamena group, it is a rheophile. This relatively elongate Paretroplus reaches about 16 centimetres (6.3 in) in length, and is closely related to P. lamenabe and P. nourissati.

<i>Ptychochromis grandidieri</i> Species of fish

Ptychochromis grandidieri is a species of fish in the family Cichlidae endemic to river basins along a large part of the eastern coast of Madagascar, although it has been recorded as far as 100 km (62 mi) inland. Uniquely in the genus Ptychochromis, this species also occurs in brackish water. It reaches 35cm in standard length. It shares a large part of its range with a cichlid from another genus, Paretroplus polyactis. The specific name honours Alfred Grandidier (1836-1921), the French naturalist and explorer who, with Henri Joseph Léon Humblot (1852-1914), collected the type.

<i>Ptychochromis</i> Genus of fishes

Ptychochromis is a genus of cichlids endemic to rivers and lakes in Madagascar. One species can also be seen in brackish water. Most species in this genus are threatened, and P. onilahy is probably extinct. Most reach a length of 15 to 20 cm, but P. insolitus reaches 25 cm (10 in), while P. grandidieri and P. oligacanthus reach 35 cm (14 in) and 20 cm (8 in) respectively. The largest species was P. onilahy which may have reached as much as 45 cm (18 in) if reports of fishermen are to be believed.

Ptychochromis loisellei is a species of cichlid from the Mahanara River basin north of Sambava in northeastern Madagascar. It remains common within its small range, but it is threatened by habitat loss and introduced species. It reaches about 11.9 centimetres (4.7 in). The similar named Paretroplus loisellei is also restricted to the Mahanara River basin. The specific name honours Paul V. Loiselle, Emeritus Curator of Freshwater Fishes at the New York Aquarium and a researcher in, and campaigner for the conservation of, the freshwater fish of Madagascar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bemarivo River</span> River in Madagascar

The Bemarivo River, literally the big shallow, is located in northern Madagascar. It drains to the north-eastern coast, into the Indian Ocean. It drains the eastern part of the Tsaratanana Massif and the northern half of the Marojejy Massif.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ptychochrominae</span> Subfamily of fishes

The Ptychochrominae are a subfamily in the cichlid family of fish. It includes about 14 species. They are restricted to lakes and rivers in Madagascar, and the majority are threatened. Most cichlid genera native to Madagascar are included in this subfamily; the only exceptions are Paretroplus and Paratilapia.

Paretroplus loisellei is a vulnerable species of cichlid fish from the Mahanara River basin north of Sambava in northeastern Madagascar. Until its scientific description in 2011, this population was usually referred to as Paretroplus sp. nov. "Ventitry" or included in P. damii, which it resembles. It reaches about 15 centimetres (5.9 in) in length, and is threatened by habitat loss and introduced species. The similar named Ptychochromis loisellei is also restricted to the Mahanara River basin. The specific name honours Paul V. Loiselle, Emeritus Curator of Freshwater Fishes at the New York Aquarium and a researcher in, and campaigner for the conservation of, the freshwater fish of Madagascar.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Sparks, J. S. (2008). Phylogeny of the Cichlid Subfamily Etroplinae and Taxonomic Revision of the Malagasy Cichlid Genus Paretroplus (Teleostei: Cichlidae). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History Number 314 :1-151
  2. 1 2 3 Sparks, J. S. and Schelly, R. C. (2011). A new species of Paretroplus (Teleostei: Cichlidae: Etroplinae) from northeastern Madagascar, with a phylogeny and revised diagnosis for the P. damii clade. Zootaxa 2768: 55–68.
  3. Sparks, John S. (2004): Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the Malagasy and South Asian cichlids (Teleostei: Perciformes: Cichlidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution30(3): 599–614. doi : 10.1016/S1055-7903(03)00225-2 (HTML abstract)
  4. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2013). Species of Paretroplus in FishBase . April 2013 version.