I thought about weather it would be worth posting this. In view of a couple of recent threads about the importance of names and weather or not you can "eyeball" the genetic make-up of a species with any accuracy I thought this might provoke some thought on the subject. The evolution and classification of cichlids has always fascinated me.
I have an interest in the various species of wild angelfish. I’m presently keeping all three currently recognized species, P. Altum, P. Scalare and P. Leopoldi. Here’s the rub, the more I read and research the more I’m convinced there is at least one more currently un-described species under the P. scalare umbrella. I also realize I’m not the only one with this opinion. The “border species” that live in the overlapping areas between Altum and Scalare might in fact be and intermediate species or at least an un-described sub species of the two. I believe the area of occupation between the Heckle discus & Tefe is a similar situation but I digress. The question is weather the fish which exhibit traits of both species in this intermediate area of inhabitation are a sub species, a naturally occurring hybrid, a scalare, an Altum or an as yet un-described species. Some of these fish certainly have strong traits of both species and makes me wonder. I know all about the flooded Rio Nanay facility story from the early 70’s but that not withstanding what about Rio Negro fish. The upper and lower parts of the river go from the black waters of the upper section to the clearer sections of the lower river and see the Altum give way to the Scalare.
I find this a very interesting subject and the history of the evolution of these species has always fascinated me. I would love to see some information on the most recent common ancestor of the two species.
Then take it back further to the evolution of the Mesonauta and Pterophyllum species. We’ll leave that for another discussion.
Here’s an interesting discussion on the subject from a couple of years ago.
http://angelfishkisses.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2061
I have an interest in the various species of wild angelfish. I’m presently keeping all three currently recognized species, P. Altum, P. Scalare and P. Leopoldi. Here’s the rub, the more I read and research the more I’m convinced there is at least one more currently un-described species under the P. scalare umbrella. I also realize I’m not the only one with this opinion. The “border species” that live in the overlapping areas between Altum and Scalare might in fact be and intermediate species or at least an un-described sub species of the two. I believe the area of occupation between the Heckle discus & Tefe is a similar situation but I digress. The question is weather the fish which exhibit traits of both species in this intermediate area of inhabitation are a sub species, a naturally occurring hybrid, a scalare, an Altum or an as yet un-described species. Some of these fish certainly have strong traits of both species and makes me wonder. I know all about the flooded Rio Nanay facility story from the early 70’s but that not withstanding what about Rio Negro fish. The upper and lower parts of the river go from the black waters of the upper section to the clearer sections of the lower river and see the Altum give way to the Scalare.
I find this a very interesting subject and the history of the evolution of these species has always fascinated me. I would love to see some information on the most recent common ancestor of the two species.
Then take it back further to the evolution of the Mesonauta and Pterophyllum species. We’ll leave that for another discussion.
Here’s an interesting discussion on the subject from a couple of years ago.
http://angelfishkisses.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2061
