Adult in the Asososca Lagoon
An adult of Amphilophus tolteca in the asososca Lagoon [Nicaragua]. Photo by Ad Konings.

Family
Cichlidae

Sub-family
Cichlinae

Tribe
Therapsini

Genus
Amphilophus

Group
Citrinellus


Last updated on:
01-Nov-2013

Amphilophus tolteca Recknagel, Kusche, Elmer & Meyer, 2013


06-Nov-2013 — Two new Amphilophus species
By Juan Miguel Artigas Azas

Two new species of Amphilophus have been described by Hans Recknagel, H. Kusche, K.R. Elmer & A. Meyer from the crater lakes of Nicaragua in the San Juan River basin. The adaptation of an Ancient species (Amphilophus citrinellus) to the now isolated lakes has recently been a major topic of research after it was demonstrated that speciation could not only occur in allopatry (species geographic separation) but also in sympatry (a new species derives from another in the same location). At this point, 13 species of Amphilophus have been recognized from the Nicaraguan lakes. Seven of them (five endemic) from the small crater Lake Apoyo. Four endemic species are recognized from Lake Xiloá, one of them, Amphilophus viridis, is described in this paper. Two species are now recognized from the Asososca lagoon at Managua; A. citrinellus and A. tolteca, the latter endemic to this lake and also described in this paper. Yet more species of Amphilophus are expected to be recognized scientifically from the fascinating lakes of Nicaragua.

Recknagel, Hans & H. Kusche, K.R. Elmer, A. Meyer. 2013. "Two new endemic species in the Midas cichlid species complex from Nicaraguan crater lakes: Amphilophus tolteca and Amphilophus viridis (Perciformes, Cichlidae)". Aqua: International Journal of Ichthyology. 19(4):207-224 (crc05757) (abstract)