Tristramella

Last updated

Tristramella
Tristramella simonis B.jpg
Tristramella simonis
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cichliformes
Family: Cichlidae
Tribe: Oreochromini
Genus: Tristramella
Trewavas, 1942
Type species
Hemichromis sacra
Günther, 1865

Tristramella is a genus of oreochromines, freshwater fishes in the cichlid family. The members of this genus prefer standing waters and their native range is restricted to the Jordan River system, including Lake Tiberias (Kinneret), in Israel and Syria, with introduced populations in a few other places in Syria. [1] Its members are among the few cichlids native to Western Asia, the others being Astatotilapia flaviijosephi , Coptodon zillii , Iranocichla , Oreochromis aureus , O. niloticus and Sarotherodon galilaeus . [2] [3]

Locally, T. simonis remains common and an important part of fisheries, but overall it has declined and it is considered threatened. [4] In contrast, T. sacra has been extinct since 1989–90, possibly due to the disappearance of its breeding habitat, marshes in Lake Tiberias. [5]

Tristramella reach up to 25–28 cm (10–11 in) in total length. [6] Overall they resemble typical tilapias and the Tristramella species differ from each other mainly in details of their teeth, the proportional size of their head and the length of their jaw. [7] [8] They feed mostly on phyto– and zooplankton, but also take other small invertebrates, tiny fish, macrophytes and detritus. They are mouthbrooders that lay a relatively small number (up to 250) of relatively large eggs. [8] Although hybrids are well known among tilapias, hybrids between Tristramella and other tilapias are unknown. Despite both living in Lake Tiberias and them being close relatives, hybridization between T. simonis and the now-extinct T. sacra also is not known to have occurred. [9]

The generic name Tristramella honours the English clergyman and naturalist Henry Baker Tristram (1822-1906) who collected cichlids in Palestine for the British Museum of Natural History. [10] In the past they were included in the genus Tilapia instead. [2]

Taxonomy and species

There are currently two recognized species in this genus: [6]

Two other extinct populations, intermedia of Lake Hula and magdelainae of the vicinity of Damascus, [11] [12] are of uncertain taxonomic status. [1] In the past, they were recognized as subspecies of T. simonis by FishBase and they are still recognized as valid, separate species by the IUCN, which however has not reviewed their status since 2006. [11] [12] Today FishBase and Catalog of Fishes consider both intermidia and magdelainea as synonyms of T. simonis. [6] [13]

Related Research Articles

<i>Aulonocranus</i> Genus of fishes

Aulonocranus dewindti is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika and some rivers which flow into it.

<i>Grammatotria</i> Genus of fishes

Grammatotria lemairii is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa where it prefers areas with sandy substrates. This species can reach a length of 26 centimetres (10 in) TL. It is currently the only known member of its genus. The species is occasionally kept as an aquarium fish. The specific name honours Lieutenant Charles Lemaire (1863-1925) who was the leader of the Congo Free State Expedition, which collected specimens of fishes at Lake Tanganyika, including the type of G. lemairii.

Mirogrex terraesanctae, the Kinneret bream or Kinneret bleak, is a species of freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae. It is known from two lakes: Lake Tiberias, Israel, and Lake Muzayrib, Syria. This is a small planktivorous fish, typically about 14 cm long, occurring near surface in large schools. It is very abundant in Lake Tiberias, whereas there is little information on the other lake, which is small (0.5 km2) and can hold a small population anyway.

Haplochromis welcommei is a threatened species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria in Africa. This species reaches a length of 10.5 centimetres (4.1 in) SL. Although further surveys are needed to confirm its status, it is considered possibly extinct by the IUCN on the basis that there have been no definite records since 1985.

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

The giant cichlid, also known as the emperor cichlid, is a species of fish in the family Cichlidae, endemic to Lake Tanganyika in Africa. It is the only member of its genus Boulengerochromis and tribe Boulengerochromini.

<i>Benthochromis tricoti</i> Species of fish

Benthochromis tricoti is a species of fish in the cichlid family. It is endemic to Lake Tanganyika in Africa and lives at depths of up to 100 m (330 ft). It feeds on small crustaceans and plankton. It reaches a maximum length of 16.5 cm (6.5 in). Like many other cichlids, it is a mouthbrooder.

Astatotilapia flaviijosephi, the Jordan mouthbrooder, is a vulnerable species of freshwater fish in the family Cichlidae (cichlids). It is found in the central Jordan River system, including Lake Tiberias (Kinneret), in Israel, Jordan and Syria, making it the only haplochromine cichlid to naturally range outside of Africa. This species is too small to be of significant importance to fisheries, unlike the only other cichlids native to the Levant, the economically important tilapias.

<i>Lepidiolamprologus cunningtoni</i> Species of fish

Lepidiolamprologus cunningtoni is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika where it prefers areas with sandy substrates in which it digs crater-shaped nests. This carnivorous species takes fish as prey. This species can reach a length of 29.1 centimetres (11.5 in) TL. This species inclusion in this genus has been questioned based upon its lacking many of the characteristics of its congeners. It can also be found in the aquarium trade. The specific name of this fish honours the British zoologist William Alfred Cunnington (1877-1958), who collected the type on an expedition to Lake Tanganyika.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Chala tilapia</span> Species of fish

The Lake Chala tilapia is a species of cichlid fish that is endemic to Lake Chala, a small crater lake on the border of Kenya and Rombo District of Kilimanjaro Region in Tanzania. It mostly lives in relatively deep water, at depths between 20–45 m (66–148 ft). It is considered critically endangered by the IUCN, with the two primary threats being deterioration of its habitat due to siltation, and other non-native tilapia species that have been introduced to Lake Chala. Before these introductions, the Lake Chala tilapia was the only fish in Lake Chala. It is very closely related to the similar Jipe tilapia, another highly threatened species from the same general region of Kenya and Tanzania. The Lake Chala tilapia can reach a standard length of up to 30 cm (12 in).

<i>Coptodon deckerti</i> Species of fish

Coptodon deckerti is a critically endangered species of fish in the cichlid family, endemic to Lake Ejagham in western Cameroon. It is threatened by pollution and sedimentation from human activities, and potentially also by emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lake's bottom (compare Lake Nyos), although Ejagham is too shallow to contain very high amounts of this gas. A species of catfish from the genus Parauchenoglanis has recently been introduced to the lake, and this probably presents a serious threat to the endemic cichlids.

Coptodon thysi is a critically endangered species of fish in the cichlid family. It is endemic to Lake Bermin in Cameroon. It is threatened by pollution and sedimentation from human activities, and potentially also by large emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lake's bottom (compare Lake Nyos), although Bermin is too shallow to contain very high amounts of this gas. The specific name honours the Dutch ichthyologist Dirk Thys van den Audenaerde (b. 1934), a pioneer of the study of tilapine cichlids in Africa.

Tristramella intermedia is an extinct species of fish in the family Cichlidae. It was endemic to Lake Hula in northern Israel. This taxon was considered to be a subspecies of T. simonis in FishBase and considered a synonym of T. simonis by Catalog of Fishes, a view with which FishBase now concurs. This species reached a length of 22.9 centimetres (9.0 in) TL.

Tristramella magdelainae is an extinct species of cichlid fish. It was endemic to the vicinity of Damascus in Syria. It was last recorded in the 1950s, has not been recorded since and is presumed extinct. Drought, pollution and water extraction may have destroyed its habitat. This taxon is considered to be a subspecies of T. simonis in FishBase and considered a synonym of T. simonis by Catalog of Fishes, a view that FishBase now (2018) concurs with. This species reached a standard length of 13 cm (5.1 in).

<i>Tristramella sacra</i> Species of fish

Tristramella sacra, the long jaw tristramella, is a species of cichlid fish that was endemic to the Sea of Galilee in Israel. It has not been recorded since 1990, despite searches both of the lake and in local markets, and it is regarded as extinct by the IUCN. This species could reach a total length of up to 28 cm (11 in).

<i>Tristramella simonis</i> Species of fish

Tristramella simonis, the short jaw tristramella, is a vulnerable species of cichlid fish from the Jordan River system, including Lake Tiberias (Kinneret), in Israel and Syria, with introduced populations in the Nahr al-Kabir and Orontes basins in Syria. It prefers waters with little or no movement. Along with other tilapias, T. simonis is commonly caught as a food fish in parts of its range and it is commercially important in Lake Tiberias.

<i>Oreochromis andersonii</i> Species of fish

Oreochromis andersonii, the three-spotted tilapia, threespot tilapia, or threespot bream, is a species of cichlid native to Africa, where it is found in rivers and swamps in the southern half of the continent. This species reaches a length of 61 cm (24 in). It is important to local commercial fisheries, as well as being commercially farmed. It is also popular as a gamefish. The identity of the person honoured in the specific name of this fish is not known but it is though most likely to be the Swedish explorer and hunter Charles John Andersson (1827-1867) who explored much of Namibia where the type was collected.

Sarotherodon lamprechti is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Ejagham in western Cameroon. This phytoplanktivore can reach a length of 9.9 centimetres (3.9 in) SL. It has not yet been rated by the IUCN, but it likely faces the same risks as the critically endangered Coptodon deckerti, which is threatened by pollution and sedimentation from human activities, a catfish from the genus Parauchenoglanis that has been introduced to the lake, and potentially also by large emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lake's bottom (compare Lake Nyos), although Ejagham is too shallow to contain very high amounts of this gas.

Sarotherodon knauerae is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Ejagham in western Cameroon. This species can reach a length of 7.5 centimetres (3.0 in) SL and feeds on detritus. It has not yet been rated by the IUCN, but it likely faces the same risks as the critically endangered Coptodon deckerti, which is threatened by pollution and sedimentation from human activities, a catfish from the genus Parauchenoglanis that has been introduced to the lake, and potentially also by large emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lake's bottom (compare Lake Nyos), although Ejagham is not deep enough to contain very high amounts of this gas.

The Dead Sea toothcarp is a subspecies of the Arabian toothcarp that is endemic to the Dead Sea basin, although molecular evidence suggests that it should be regarded as a species. It is threatened by water fluctuation, and the introduction of cichlids and Gambusia. The sub-specific name of this fish honours the Scottish surgeon and naturalist John Richardson (naturalist) (1787-1865) who first reported killifish in the Dead Sea basin. The Dead Sea toothcarp -- has been on the red list of the International Union for Conversation of Nature since 2014.

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

The redbelly tilapia, also known as the Zille's redbreast tilapia or St. Peter's fish, is a species of fish in the cichlid family. This fish is found widely in fresh and brackish waters in the northern half of Africa and the Middle East. Elsewhere in Africa, Asia, Australia and North America, it has been introduced as a food fish or as a control of aquatic vegetation. Where introduced, it sometimes becomes invasive, threatening the local ecology and species. The redbelly tilapia is an important food fish and sometimes aquacultured.

References

  1. 1 2 Borkenhagen, K.; J. Freyhof (2009). "New records of the Levantine endemic cichlid Tristramella simonis from Syria". Cybium. 33 (4): 335–336.
  2. 1 2 Shapiro, J.; Z. Snovsky (1997). "The effect of the 1991/1992 winter upon the fishing industry of Lake Kinneret, Israel". Fisheries Management and Ecology. 4 (3): 249–252. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2400.1997.00122.x.
  3. ↑ Werner, N.Y.; O. Mokady (2004). "Swimming out of Africa: mitochondrial DNA evidence for late Pliocene dispersal of a cichlid from Central Africa to the Levant". Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 82 (1): 103–109. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2004.00321.x .
  4. 1 2 Goren, M. (2014). "Tristramella simonis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2014: e.T61362A19010371. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T61362A19010371.en . Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  5. 1 2 Goren, M. (2014). "Tristramella sacra". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2014: e.T61372A19010617. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T61372A19010617.en .
  6. 1 2 3 Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2019). Species of Tristramella in FishBase . November 2019 version.
  7. ↑ Steinitz, H.; A. Ben-Tuvia (1960). "The Cichlid fishes of the genus Tristramella Trewavas". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 13. 27 (3): 161–175. doi:10.1080/00222936008650912.
  8. 1 2 Serruya, C., ed. (1978). Lake Kinneret. Dr. W. Junk bv Publishers, The Hague–Boston–London. pp. 420–424. ISBN   978-94-009-9954-1.
  9. ↑ Kornfield, I.L.; U. Ritte; C. Richler; J. Wahrman (1979). "Biochemical and Cytological Differentiation Among Cichlid Fishes of the Sea of Galilee". Evolution. 33 (1): 1–14. doi:10.2307/2407360. JSTOR   2407360.
  10. ↑ Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara (25 September 2018). "Order CICHLIFORMES: Family CICHLIDAE: Subfamily PSEUDOCRENILABRINAE (p-y)". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  11. 1 2 Goren, M. (2006). "Tristramella intermedia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2006: e.T60792A12399367. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2006.RLTS.T60792A12399367.en .
  12. 1 2 Goren, M. (2006). "Tristramella magdelainae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2006: e.T61365A12468486. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2006.RLTS.T61365A12468486.en .
  13. ↑ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Tristramella". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 9 November 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.