Focus Central America

Focus Central America

Though the Central American Cichlid fauna is well described on the species level, the ecology and evolution as well as the generic affiliation of many species is still unclear. This section has the objective to comment on views and news on ecology, evolution and taxonomy of this wonderful assemblage of cichlid fauna.

By Michi Tobler

Overviews

A short introduction to Focus Central America: The aims and scope
Checklist of genera and species
FCA Reader
HOTTIES: New publications on Central American cichlids
Short synopsis of Amphilophus Agassiz, 1859
Short synopsis of Archocentrus Gill, 1877
Short synopsis of Astatheros Pellegrin, 1904
Short synopsis of Herichthys Baird & Girard, 1854
Short synopsis of Herotilapia Pellegrin, 1904
Short synopsis of Hypsophrys Agassiz, 1859
Short synopsis of Nandopsis Gill, 1862
Short synopsis of Neetroplus Günther, 1867
Short synopsis of Parachromis Agassiz, 1859
Short synopsis of Paraneetroplus Regan, 1905
Short synopsis of Petenia Günther, 1862
Short synopsis of Theraps Günther, 1862
Short synopsis of Thorichthys Meek, 1904
Short synopsis of Tomocichla Regan, 1908
Short synopsis of Vieja Fernandez-Yepez, 1969
South Americans reaching Central America

Phylogenetic Relationships and Implications for Taxonomy

Archocentrus vs. Cryptoheros
Hypsophrys & Neetroplus: A monophyletic group?

Species of unknown status

The systematic status of Cichlasoma cutteri
The systematic status of Cichlasoma zonatum and Heros guttulatus
The systematic status of Cryptoheros altoflavus
The systematic status of Herichthys geddesi
The systematic status of Herichthys teporatus
The systematic status of Heros margaritifer
The systematic status of Heros montezuma
The "Cichlasoma" urophthalmus species group
T. maculipinnis vs. T. ellioti

Species insertae sedis

Groups proposed for the species currently listed Insertae Sedis
The generic assignment of "C." grammodes and "C." istlanum
The generic assignment of "Cichlasoma" octofasciatum
The generic assignment of "Cichlasoma" ramsdeni
The generic assignment of "Cichlasoma" ufermanni
The generic assignment of 'Cichlasoma' salvini
The generic assignment of 'Cichlasoma' trimaculatum
The generic assignment of Archocentrus panamensis

Undescribed species?

Cichlids and Science: Nesting For Success
Potentially undescribed species of the genus Amphilophus
Potentially undescribed species of the genus Archocentrus
Potentially undescribed species of the genus Herichthys
Potentially undescribed species of the genus Thorichthys

Comments on behavior, ecology and evolution

Cichlids from Rio Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. By Ron Coleman
Color polymorphisms in Central American cichlids
Death feigning in Parachromis friedrichsthalii
Extremophile fish: Any reports from Central American cichlids?
Female ornamentation and courtship behavior in Cryptoheros: Implications for classification?
Mixed broods in Archocentrus myrnae