Ptychochromis

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Ptychochromis
Ptychochromis insolitus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cichliformes
Family: Cichlidae
Subfamily: Ptychochrominae
Genus: Ptychochromis
Steindachner, 1880
Type species
Tilapia oligacanthus
Bleeker, 1868

Ptychochromis is a genus of cichlids endemic to rivers and lakes in Madagascar. One species (P. grandidieri) can also be seen in brackish water.[1] Most species in this genus are threatened, and P. onilahy is probably extinct.[1] Most reach a length of 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 in), but P. insolitus reaches 25 cm (10 in), while P. grandidieri and P. oligacanthus reach 35 cm (14 in) and 20 cm (8 in) respectively. The largest species was P. onilahy which may have reached as much as 45 cm (18 in) if reports of fishermen are to be believed.[1][2]

Species[edit]

There are currently 10 recognized species in this genus:[2]

Additionally, cichlid from the eastern Anosy Region in far southeastern Madagascar may actually represent an undescribed species, popularly known as Ptychochromis sp. "Manampanihy".[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Stiassny, M.L.J. & Sparks, J.S. (2006): Phylogeny and Taxonomic Revision of the Endemic Malagasy Genus Ptychochromis (Teleostei: Cichlidae), with the Description of Five New Species and a Diagnosis for Katria, New Genus. American Museum Novitates, 3535: 1-56.
  2. ^ a b Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2015). Species of Ptychochromis in FishBase. October 2015 version.
  3. ^ Martinez, C.M., Arroyave, J. & Sparks, J.S. (2015): A new species of Ptychochromis from southeastern Madagascar (Teleostei: Cichlidae). Zootaxa, 4044 (1): 79–92.