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In 2002, two papers on the Midas cichlid species complex in Nicaraguan lakes were published (Stauffer & McKaye, 2002; McKaye et. al, 2002). Stauffer & McKaye (2002) descibed three new, sympatric species from the Laguna de Xiloa (A. amarillo, A. sagittae and A. xiloaensis). They mention further forms from the Laguna de Xiloa that may in fact be different species.

Furthermore, they mention another species complex in the Laguna de Apoyo. This species complex has similar ecotypes than the complex of the Laguna de Xiloa. From the Laguna de Apoyo only one species is descibed: A. zaliosus. This is the ecological couterpart of A. sagittae in the Laguna de Xiloa.

In Nicaragua, further crater lakes may be found which harbor further Amphilophus species complexes.

The mentioned publication can be downloaded from the literature section of the Kocher Lab and shows some great pictures of Nicaraguan Amphilophus. All page numbers mentioned below refer to this pdf-file.

The mentioned forms include:

Amphilophus sp. "Fat lips Xiloa"

In the Laguna de Xiloa, a morphotype with hypertrophic lips occurs. This morphotype appears to be very rare in the Laguna, which is the reason why it is only marginally mentioned in McKaye et al. (2002). Despite its rareness, pairs of A. sp. "Fat lips Xiloa" breed always true. Ad Konings provided excellent photos of this morphotype from which we can tell, that there is quite some variation in coloration (see picture on page 35 vs. 47).

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Amphilophus sp. "Apoyo amarillo"

In the Laguna de Apoyo, an ecotype can be found that resembles A. amarillo from the Laguna de Xiloa. Genetically, this form is very similar to A. sp. "Short". A picture of Ad Konings can be found on page 35.

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Amphilophus sp. "Chancho"

A. sp. "Chancho" is reported from the Laguna de Apoyo. It is genetically very distinct from the sympatric Amphilophus. Pictures of Ad Konings can be found on page 31. They show a form with a comparatively large head.

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Amphilophus sp. "Short"

A. sp. "Short" was also reported from the Laguna de Apoyo and show a comparatively compact body. Genetically, this form is very similar to A. sp. "Apoyo amarillo ". Pictures of Ad Konings can be found on page 35.

References:

• Stauffer, Jay Richard Jr. & McKaye. 2002. "Descriptions of Three New Species of Cichlid Fishes (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from Lake Xiloá, Nicaragua". Cuadernos de investigacion de la Universided de Centro América. v. 12; 1-18 (crc00010) (abstract).

© Copyright 2005 Michi Tobler, all rights reserved

Citation:

Tobler, Michi. (August 11, 2005). "Potentially undescribed species of the genus Amphilophus". The Cichlid Room Companion. Retrieved on May 21, 2013, from: http://www.cichlidae.com/section.php?id=27.