Hi all,
Thought I would pop on here for a quick update (sorry for keeping you all in the dark). A lot has happened since the last MFK update.
First up, I am shocked and devasted we have lost Earl Pigar (King El), he was a fantastic contributor and a mentor to many, the book is dedicated to him and his lasting legacy.
As some of you know, since the Mortiz and Britz study was published, there's been some revisions, nothing major.
I know there's been some concerns with the removal of P. bichir lapradei and P. palmas buettikoferi as subspecies due to some clear differences. Subspecies are typically a regionally isolated version of their prototypical species with a differing apperances; however P. bichir bichir and P. bichir lapradei can be found together in the same regions, right down to the same parts of their habitat, as are the P. palmas complex. Whilst there are visible differences, they are unable to be recognised as subspecies, but rather ecotypes.
Taxonomically an ecotype is equal or below to subspecies, but above variant. Ecotypes are similar to subspecies, but developed those differences, in varying habitats in the same regions. The trinomal names are still valid, although the third name should be quoted, e.g. Polypterus bichir "lapradei" , although that is more for ichthyologists to consider, so continue calling them as you already do (fundamentally, nothing really has changed).
Taking advantage of the time for these revisions, I commisioned award winning illustrator and ichthyologist Dorian Noel to illustrate every species, and reconstruct some extinct ones too. He is currently working through the rest of them as I type this. The detail he has acheived is fantastic, and his prints (and originals) will be avaliable to coincide with the book's release. Depending on the schedule, I am aiming for a late Summer 2020 release (although don't hold me to that).
I've got all the details on www.thebichirhandbook.com
The book will go for sale on here with worldwide shipping and in select UK retailers.
There are a few gaps I need to fill in the meantime if anyone here would like to help with?
High res photos of Buettikoferi, Retropinnis, Endlicheri, Ansorgii, PBB, Congicus and Ropefish (to be used on a double page spread). Specimens need to "typical", i.e. have clear and identifiable markings (not too pale and not too well marked).
Those which have previosuly submitted images before, I am very grateful to. I will inbox those who I may use for confirmation and credit name at a later point.
Very excited to finally see this taking off, and cannot wait until you all get to enjoy it!
All the best
Josh
Thought I would pop on here for a quick update (sorry for keeping you all in the dark). A lot has happened since the last MFK update.
First up, I am shocked and devasted we have lost Earl Pigar (King El), he was a fantastic contributor and a mentor to many, the book is dedicated to him and his lasting legacy.
As some of you know, since the Mortiz and Britz study was published, there's been some revisions, nothing major.
I know there's been some concerns with the removal of P. bichir lapradei and P. palmas buettikoferi as subspecies due to some clear differences. Subspecies are typically a regionally isolated version of their prototypical species with a differing apperances; however P. bichir bichir and P. bichir lapradei can be found together in the same regions, right down to the same parts of their habitat, as are the P. palmas complex. Whilst there are visible differences, they are unable to be recognised as subspecies, but rather ecotypes.
Taxonomically an ecotype is equal or below to subspecies, but above variant. Ecotypes are similar to subspecies, but developed those differences, in varying habitats in the same regions. The trinomal names are still valid, although the third name should be quoted, e.g. Polypterus bichir "lapradei" , although that is more for ichthyologists to consider, so continue calling them as you already do (fundamentally, nothing really has changed).
Taking advantage of the time for these revisions, I commisioned award winning illustrator and ichthyologist Dorian Noel to illustrate every species, and reconstruct some extinct ones too. He is currently working through the rest of them as I type this. The detail he has acheived is fantastic, and his prints (and originals) will be avaliable to coincide with the book's release. Depending on the schedule, I am aiming for a late Summer 2020 release (although don't hold me to that).
I've got all the details on www.thebichirhandbook.com
The book will go for sale on here with worldwide shipping and in select UK retailers.
There are a few gaps I need to fill in the meantime if anyone here would like to help with?
High res photos of Buettikoferi, Retropinnis, Endlicheri, Ansorgii, PBB, Congicus and Ropefish (to be used on a double page spread). Specimens need to "typical", i.e. have clear and identifiable markings (not too pale and not too well marked).
Those which have previosuly submitted images before, I am very grateful to. I will inbox those who I may use for confirmation and credit name at a later point.
Very excited to finally see this taking off, and cannot wait until you all get to enjoy it!
All the best
Josh
