Project:BB|1572

Title
Systematics of cichlids (Pisces) from Lake Malawi/Nyasa/Niassa (Africa)
Acronym
 
URL
StartDate
1996-01-01
EndDate
 
Amount
 

Abstract

A thorough revision has been made of the genera Alticorpus, Nimbochromis and Ctenopharynx. In collaboration with B. Ngatunga (TAFIRI, Tanzania) the shallow-water Lethrinops s.l. have been revised as well. Their taxonomy is very complicated. In this morphometric revision, up to now 28 shallow-water taxa from the three genera Lethrinops, Taeniolethrinops and Tramitichromis are recognised. A key has been compiled. Many species have a lake-wide distribution. The deep-bodied, spotted Utaka(Copadichromis spp.) have been revised in collaboration with J. Chisambo (FRU, Malawi) They live mainly over underwater reefs where they feed on plankton and are caught in large numbers by special chirimila nets. In this morphometric revision 18 species are recognised and their distribution discussed. A new key has been compiled. A new sub-flock of deep-water Placidochromis is revised by M. Hanssens. They are small, very similar, deep-water cichlids that are tentatively classified in the genus Placidochromis. At present more than 40 of these species are recognised, most of which have never been reported before. Many of them have only been found in very small areas and are quite rare, while others appear to have a lack-wide distribution. Research is also continuing on the deep-water Lethrinops (longipinnis-complex) and the Copadichromis virginalis complex. A book is in preparation: "The cichlid diversity of Lake Malawi/Nyasa: identification, distribution and taxonomy"

Keywords

cichlids, endemicity, speciation, adaptive radiation, evolution, biodiversity, freshwater, taxonomy, systematics, fishes, phylogeny, distribution, lakes, ichthyology, zoology, limnology, Biogeography, Morphology, Phylogeny and evolution, Systematics and taxonomy, Ponds and lakes , standing waters, Origins, Maintenance and Change of Biodiversity, Systematics, Inventorying and Classification, Monitoring of Biodiversity, Conservation, Restoration and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity, Inland Water Biodiversity, 10. Human Dimensions, Africa, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Lake Malawi, Lake Nyasa, Lago Niassa, Metazoa, Vertebrata, Cichlidae, Alticorpus, Nimbochromis, Ctenopharynx, Placidochromis, Lethrinops, Tramitichromis, Taeniolethrinops, Otopharynx, Mylochromis, Maravichromis, Copadichromis, Pisces

Classifications

Malawi {Geographical scope}
Mozambique {Geographical scope}
Tanzania {Geographical scope}
Inland Waters {Habitat type}

People

Name Role Start End
Snoeks, Jos promotor

Orgunits

Name Role Start End
Section Vertebrates unknown

Publications

Reference Role
Derijst, E. & Snoeks, J. 1992. - Maravichromis Eccles & Trewavas, 1989, a junior synonym of Mylochromis Regan, 1920 (Teleostei, Cichlidae). Cybium 16 (2) : 173. author
Nyasulu, T. & Snoeks, J. 1999. - A review of the genus Ctenopharynx of Lake Malawi/Nyasa. SADC/GEF Lake Malawi/Nyasa Biodiversity Conservation Project, extended abstracts. Senga Bay, Malawi : 19-20. author
Arnegard, M.E. & Snoeks, J. 2001. - A new three-spotted cichlid species with hypertrophied lips (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from the deep waters of Lake Malawi/Nyasa, Africa. Copeia 2001 (3). author
Ngatunga, B. & Snoeks, J. 1998.- Morphometrics of sand-dwelling cichlids of the genus Lethrinops from Lake Malawi/Nyasa. Abstr. 41st IAGLR Conference. Great Lakes, habitat, restoration and conservation, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada : 123. author
Chisambo, J. & Snoeks, J. 1998. - Taxonomy of the deep-bodied spotted utaka (Copadichromis spp., Cichlidae) from Lake Malawi/Nyasa. Abstr. African Fishes and Fisheries. Diversity and Utilisation, Grahamstown, South Africa : 27. author
Hanssens, M. & Snoeks, J. 1998. - Preliminary results of a taxonomic study of the deep-water Placidochromis (Cichlidae) from Lake Malawi/Nyasa. Abstr. African Fishes and Fisheries. Diversity and Utilisation, Grahamstown, South Africa : 43. author
Ngatunga, B. & Snoeks, J. 1998. - Taxonomy of the shallow-water Lethrinops Regan, sensu lato (Cichlidae) from Lake Malawi/Nyasa. Abstr. African Fishes and Fisheries. Diversity and Utilisation, Grahamstown, South Africa : 65. author
Manuel, J. & Snoeks, J. 1999. - A review of the kaligono or sleepers (Nimbochromis) of Lake Malawi/Nyasa. SADC/GEF Lake Malawi/Nyasa Biodiversity Conservation Project, extended abstracts. Senga Bay, Malawi : 17-18. author
Chisambo, J. & Snoeks, J. 1999. - The deep-bodied spotted utaka (Copadichromis spp.) of Lake Malawi/Nyasa: preliminary results of their revision. SADC/GEF Lake Malawi/Nyasa Biodiversity Conservation Project, extended abstracts. Senga Bay, Malawi : 23-24. author
Ngatunga, B. & Snoeks, J. 1999. - The taxonomy of the shallow water Lethrinops sensu lato of Lake Malawi/Nyasa: some examples. SADC/GEF Lake Malawi/Nyasa Biodiversity Conservation Project, extended abstracts. Senga Bay, Malawi : 25-28. author

created:2011-12-14 14:18:59 UTC, source:biodiv

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