Two species of Umbee ...

[darth pike]

In their description of the new genus for umbees, the scientists mentioned that the DNA supported two different and distinct species (Panamian and Colombian) but there was nothing in the article that actually showed the differences. Has anyone run across a follow up paper on this?


"Mitochondrial DNA cytb gene (Concheiro Pérez et al., 2007) shows substantial separation (~ 6 My; Říčan et al., 2013) supporting two separate species."

- Říčan, O., Piálek, L., Dragová, K. & Novák, J. (2016): Diversity and evolution of the Middle American cichlid fishes (Teleostei: Cichlidae) with revised classification. Vertebrate Zoology, 66 (1): 1-102

 

[dan518]

Wasn't the Panama umbee always known as the green umbee, hope someone can shed more light on this topic

 

[juddb]

Interesting stuff. Im curious too.

 

[cichlidfish]

This is probably a good question for The cichlid Room Companion. I'm sure someone there could say.
But it makes sense that they are two very different species, like Mayans and Feste.

 

[bigguapote]

My favorite cichlid for the last 20+ years
Actually, I believe there will be at least 3 species of umbies when all is said and done.
The Panamanian one was the first described in 1913.
So based on historical precedence, this fish would be known as K. umbrifera.
I have recently collected this 'green umbie' from extreme southern Panama in Darien State.
The collections have grown into some impressive young adults and I hope to see them breed in my facility.

The species from Guatape watershed is most similar to the Panamanian umbie, but has been separated geographically and they've grown distinctly different in many ways. This species would merit individual species status as well - in my opinion.

Then the largest growing of the umbies known from Magdalena watershed as the 'blue freckled umbie' (the most widely circulated umbie in the trade) would be the 3rd distinct species of Kronoheros.

I have contributed fish to Oldrich Rican over the years for DNA and morphometric analysis and we've communicated many times about evolution, systematics, historical and current geography of American cichlids, etc.

More recently I have submitted samples (just not to Oldrich in this case) of all Caquetaia and Kronoheros species/forms from various wild populations for DNA investigations by another ichthyologist specializing in American cichlids analysis and descriptions.

Until all results are confirmed, I am sorry but am not at liberty to share specifics.

Examples of some of the above mentioned 'umbie' forms can be seen below for reference and comparison.









And some older photos taken many years ago..









And the Guatape basin 'umbie'











And the Magdalena basin fish (of which there is variation over a wide geographic area, but not likely enough to be considered separate species).















This article was written nearly 20 years ago, but is probably still not outdated in terms of captive maintenance of this and other larger growing, biparental, monogamous American cichlid species.

http://www.cichlidae.com/article.php?id=138

 

[darth pike]

Thanks for the response Jeff!

I think it's great that you have provided samples. At least that means we know it is being worked on, though of course things like that do take quite a bit of time. Not knowing the process, I would have thought it would be easier to do the species work at the same time as the genus work, but given that it rarely seems to work out that way I guess establishing the genus first would make sense, then you can see if the fish you are working with fit within or not.

I always called the Umbee the 'bond villian' of ciclids ... the classy version of the dovii.

 

[cichlidfish]

Is the jaw structure different w/ each species? I'm assuming different species in different locations will become more specialized.

 

[Covetous]

Following. Great post Jeff!

 

[MP_cichlid]

awesome post jeff, couldn't be have answered the question better!

 

[Aquamojo]

Good stuff Jeff.