Color polymorphisms in Central American cichlids

Central American cichlids from various phylogenetic groups show a stricking color polymorphism in natural populations that remind at the polymorphisms known from haplochromine cichlids in the great lakes of the African rift valley. Beside the normal color morph, these species show an alternative color morph which is usually named "golden" or "yellow" morph. These alternative morphs are characterized by a ground coloration that ranges from whitish to yellow to orange, and covers sometimes only parts but usually the full body.

The alternative color morphs coexist apparently stable in the same habitats with the normal morphs. The color pattern of fish have important biological functions including camouflage and communication. It can thus be assumed that aberrantly colored individuals have severe disadvantages in terms of survival (e.g. higher conspicuousness to predators) and maybe even in terms of reproductive succes (e.g. disadvantages in mate choice or in communication during courtship (mate-mate-interactions) and breeding (parents-offspring-interactions)). If this is the case, golden morphs should be counterselected by natural and sexual selection and become extinct. Apparently, the alternative morphs can at least partially cope with the potential disadvantages. Although the questions on the stability of such color polymorphisms has been adressed by George Barlow and his students, our knowlege about this phenomenon is still fragmentary.

Golden morphs have been reported from following Central American cichlids:

Species	Location	Reference
Amphilophus citinellus	Lago Nicaragua, Nicaragua	Meek, 1907; Barlow, 1976
Amphilophus labiatus	Lago Nicaragua, Nicaragua	Barlow & Munsey, 1976
Amphilophus sagittae	Laguna de Xiloa, Nicaragua	McKaye, et. al., 2002; Stauffer & McKaye, 2002
Amphilophus xiloaensis	Laguna de Xiloa, Nicaragua	McKaye, et. al., 2002; Stauffer & McKaye, 2002
Herichthys minckleyi	Cuatro Cienegas, México	Konings, 1994
Parachromis dovii	Laguna Arenal, Costa Rica	Barlow, 1972
Petenia splendida	Rio Candelaria, Guatemala; White Water Creek, Belize	Hubbs, 1935; Stawikowski & Werner, 1998
Vieja fenestrata	Lago Catemaco, México	Staeck, 1998