What's the deal with G. surinamensis!!!

[abarilot]

I'm curious why it seems every geo I see in lfs and on this site are labeled G. surinamensis, when they are really an altifrons, abalios, etc? Why can't retailers get the names straight? Its pretty annoying if you ask me. Are G. surinamensis every imported? Any info to shed light on this matter would be greatly appreciated!

 

[edburress]

G. surinamensis is just a catch all name, similar to "Jurupari" for most Satanoperca species. G. surinamensis are found in only three rivers in the interior of Suriname, and there are no exports from there, except the rare individual or small group. I am skeptical that this species is even in the US

90% of the "surinamensis" I have seen this year have been G. abalios and the other 10% G. altifrons

Read the Cichlids of Suriname link I sent you it discusses how the original description by Gosse of Geophagus surinamensis actually encompassed many distinct species, but after it was addressed by Kullander and narrowed down to a precise description of what is now Geophagus surinamensis, it is a rare species, with a very limited range. There are pages missing from the google review of the book, so the actual book is more useful, but the whole description/discussion of surinamensis is there.

Ed

 

[jgentry]

Very interesting Ed. Thanks for the info!!

 

[abarilot]

Thanks Ed! It had been buggin me for awhile!

 

[peathenster]

An interesting piece by Jeremy Basch on this: http://www.amazoncichlids.com/Pages/ArticleWhatAreGeophagusSurinamensis.html

 

[darth pike]

Also, it was only recently that scientists have been leaning towards the 'splitting' mentality. Prior to the 80's, 'lumping' was in favor with cichlids ... so pretty much everything in the current genus Geophagus was considered one species, just with lots of local variants. Changes in this hobby take time, and 20-30 years isn't considered a long time. Look at the number of people that still use Cichlasoma for central american cichlids, or Geophagus for jurapri ...