Tristramella simonis

Last updated

Tristramella simonis
Tristramella simonis B.jpg
In the Tisch Family Zoo, Israel
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cichliformes
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Tristramella
Species:
T. simonis
Binomial name
Tristramella simonis
(Günther, 1864)
Synonyms
  • Chromis simonisGünther, 1864
  • Tilapia simonis(Günther, 1864)
  • Tilapia magdalenae(Lortet, 1883)
  • Tristramella magdalenae(Lortet, 1883)
  • Tristramella intermedia Steinitz & Ben-Tuvia, 1959

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. [1] [2] It prefers waters with little or no movement. [2] 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. [1] [3]

Contents

Conservation status and taxonomy

It is the only member of the genus Tristramella that remains extant, [2] but it is vulnerable according to the IUCN. [1] Primary threats are water extraction and climate change reducing the rain in its range. [1] Other potential threats are uncontrolled fishing, [1] and outbreaks of a viral disease that causes blindness in tilapia, including T. simonis. [3] The species survives in less than ten locations. The primary location is Lake Tiberias where it remained common, the population was not threatened and fisheries are well-controlled (unlike other parts of its range). [1] However, in a review of catches in Lake Tiberias, a strong and serious decline was observed in 2006–2016 compared to 1996–2005, which was even more extreme if compared to 1986–1995. If looking at each year in 2000–2015, there was a sudden strong decline to very low levels in 2005–2006, with a slight rebound in 2010, then followed by very low levels again. It likely has the potential to rebound, as small juveniles are still common. [4] Two northern populations, intermidia from Lake Hula and magdelainea from the vicinity of Damascus, are extinct, [5] [6] but their taxonomic status is uncertain. [2] 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. [5] [6] Today FishBase and Catalog of Fishes consider both intermidia and magdelainea as synonyms of T. simonis. [7] [8]

In contrast to the conservation status in much of its native range, a survey in Syria in 2008 found that T. simonis had been introduced to the Nahr al-Kabir and Orontes basins. It was abundant at some of these locations, even thriving in man-made habitats like reservoirs. [2]

Appearance and behavior

Illustration of the extinct T. sacra, which has a longer head and a more protruding lower jaw than T. simonis Tristramella sacra.jpg
Illustration of the extinct T. sacra , which has a longer head and a more protruding lower jaw than T. simonis

This species can reach a total length of 25.8 cm (10.2 in), [11] but adults typically are 18–21 cm (7–8.5 in). [9] It resembles a typical tilapia, usually being overall olive–brownish to golden–brownish, sometimes with a banded pattern. Compared to the extinct T. sacra , T. simonis has a proportionally shorter head and its lower jaw at most protrudes slightly past the upper jaw. [9] [10] They also differ in their teeth (number and shape) and certain meristics. [10] [11] If recognized as valid, the extinct intermidia and magdelainea only differ slightly in proportions and other details compared to T. simonis. [9] [10]

T. simonis mostly feeds on phytoplankton and macrophytes, but also takes zooplankton and small benthic invertebrates. [9] [12] In Lake Tiberias, adults are found in open-water schools for much of the year, while the young live in sheltered habitats near the shore. [3] The species can reach maturity when 16 cm (6.5 in) long, [9] and breeding is from March to August, with a female being able to spawn two or three times in a season. [12] It is a mouthbrooder, but some sources indicate this only is done by the female, [1] [9] while others indicate it is done by both parents. [12] There are up to 250 relatively large eggs, [9] which are laid on the open bottom in a "nest" in water less than 3 m (10 ft) deep. [4] Shortly after they are picked up in the parent's mouth. The juveniles stay in the mouth after they hatch from the eggs, only leaving their parent when they reach about 1.4 cm (0.55 in). [9]

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. [11] A species of fish louse, Argulus tristramellae, apparently is host specific, only parasitizing T. simonis (even when still common, T. sacra was not attacked by this fish louse). [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cichlid</span> Family of fishes

Cichlids are fish from the family Cichlidae in the order Cichliformes. Traditionally Cichlids were classed in a suborder, the Labroidei, along with the wrasses (Labridae), in the order Perciformes, but molecular studies have contradicted this grouping. On the basis of fossil evidence, it first appeared in Tanzania during the Eocene epoch, about 46–45 million years ago. The closest living relative of cichlids is probably the convict blenny, and both families are classified in the 5th edition of Fishes of the World as the two families in the Cichliformes, part of the subseries Ovalentaria. This family is large, diverse, and widely dispersed. At least 1,650 species have been scientifically described, making it one of the largest vertebrate families. New species are discovered annually, and many species remain undescribed. The actual number of species is therefore unknown, with estimates varying between 2,000 and 3,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sea of Galilee</span> Freshwater lake in Israel

The Sea of Galilee, also called Lake Tiberias or Kinneret, is a freshwater lake in Israel. It is the lowest freshwater lake on Earth and the second-lowest lake in the world, at levels between 215 metres (705 ft) and 209 metres (686 ft) below sea level. It is approximately 53 km (33 mi) in circumference, about 21 km (13 mi) long, and 13 km (8.1 mi) wide. Its area is 166.7 km2 (64.4 sq mi) at its fullest, and its maximum depth is approximately 43 metres (141 ft). The lake is fed partly by underground springs, but its main source is the Jordan River, which flows through it from north to south and exits the lake at the Degania Dam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hula Valley</span> Agricultural wetland region in northern Israel

The Hula Valley is an agricultural region in northern Israel with abundant fresh water, which used to be Lake Hula, prior to its draining. It is a major stopover for birds migrating along the Syrian-African Rift Valley between Africa, Europe, and Asia.

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.

Mirogrex hulensis, sometimes known as the Hula bream, was a species of ray-finned fish in the family Cyprinidae. Its natural habitats were swamps and freshwater lakes in Lake Hula in northern Israel. Mirogrex hulensis looked much like a sardine. In Israel other members of the genus often are called "sardin" in culinary terms.

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.

The dikume is a critically endangered species of fish in the family Cichlidae. It is endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo in western Cameroon.

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

Oreochromis amphimelas is a species of tilapia cichlid endemic to north–central Tanzania, where it is found in Lake Manyara and a number of other saline lakes with closed basins. Maximum recorded size is 28 cm (11 in) in standard length.

Oreochromis chungruruensis, the Kiungululu tilapia, is a species of cichlid fish that is endemic to Lake Chungruru, a small isolated crater lake in the Rungwe District in southern Tanzania. This species reaches up to 15.4 cm (6.1 in) in standard length and 19.5 cm (7.7 in) in total length. It is critically endangered due to overfishing and non-native tilapia species that have been introduced to Lake Chungruru.

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

Oreochromis esculentus, the Singida tilapia or Graham's tilapia, is a species of cichlid endemic to the Lake Victoria basin, including some of its satellite lakes such as Kyoga, in Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. Its common name refers to Lake Singida, but this population is the result of an introduction that happened in the 1950s. This fish is highly valued by local fishermen, who know it as ngege.

<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.

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.

<i>Tristramella</i> Genus of fishes

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. 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.

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).

Coptodon ejagham is a species of fish in the cichlid family. It is endemic to Lake Ejagham in western Cameroon. It was only scientifically described in 2010 and has therefore not been rated by the IUCN, but it likely faces the same risks as the critically endangered C. 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.

Coptodon nigrans is a species of fish in the cichlid family. It is endemic to Lake Ejagham in western Cameroon. It was only scientifically described in 2010 and has therefore not been rated by the IUCN, but it likely faces the same risks as the critically endangered C. 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.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oreochromini</span> Tribe of fishes

Oreochromini is a tribe of cichlids in the Pseudocrenilabrinae subfamily that is native to Africa and Western Asia, but a few species have been widely introduced to other parts of the world. It was formerly considered to be part of the tribe Tilapiini but more recent workers have found that the Tilapiini sensu lato is paraphyletic. Despite this change, species in Oreochromini are still referred to by the common name tilapia and some of the most important tilapia in aquaculture —certain species of Oreochromis and Sarotherodon— are part of this tribe. In contrast, several species have small ranges and are seriously threatened; a few are already extinct or possibly extinct.

The Antakya minnow is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Crossocheilus. There is some confusion regarding the identity of this fish. Fishbase identifies the species as extinct, formerly occupying the Orontes watershed in Turkey, however a synonym, Hemigrammocapoeta caudomaculata is identified as least concern by the IUCN, and is found in the Asi drainage in Turkey and Syria and Nahr al-Kabir at the border between Syria and Lebanon, and called the Asi golden barb. They may be distinct species.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 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 17 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Borkenhagen, K.; J. Freyhof (2009). "New records of the Levantine endemic cichlid Tristramella simonis from Syria". Cybium. 33 (4): 335–336.
  3. 1 2 3 Gophen, M. (2018). Ecological Research in the Lake Kinneret and Hula Valley (Israel) Ecosystems. pp. 10–11, 234, 247–248.
  4. 1 2 Gophen, S. (2017), Ecological Dynamics in the Kinneret Littoral Ecosystem
  5. 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 .
  6. 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 .
  7. ↑ Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2019). Species of Tristramella in FishBase . November 2019 version.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Serruya, C., ed. (1978). Lake Kinneret. Dr. W. Junk bv Publishers, The Hague–Boston–London. pp. 420–424. ISBN   978-94-009-9954-1.
  10. 1 2 3 4 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.
  11. 1 2 3 4 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.
  12. 1 2 3 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Tristramella simonis" in FishBase . November 2019 version.
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.