Ptychochromis Explained

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 NaNcm (-2,147,483,648inches), but P. insolitus reaches 25cm (10inches), while P. grandidieri and P. oligacanthus reach 35cm (14inches) and 20cm (10inches) respectively. The largest species was P. onilahy which may have reached as much as 45cm (18inches) if reports of fishermen are to be believed.^[1]

Species

There are currently 10 recognized species in this genus:

• Ptychochromis curvidens Stiassny & Sparks, 2006
• Ptychochromis ernestmagnusi Sparks & Stiassny, 2010
• Ptychochromis grandidieri Sauvage, 1882
• Ptychochromis inornatus Sparks, 2002
• Ptychochromis insolitus Stiassny & Sparks, 2006
• Ptychochromis loisellei Stiassny & Sparks, 2006
• Ptychochromis makira Stiassny & Sparks, 2006
• Ptychochromis mainty C. M. Martinez, Arroyave-Gutiérrez & Sparks, 2015^[2]
• Ptychochromis oligacanthus (Bleeker, 1868)
• Ptychochromis onilahy Stiassny & Sparks, 2006

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

Notes and References

1. 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. Martinez, C.M., Arroyave, J. & Sparks, J.S. (2015): A new species of Ptychochromis from southeastern Madagascar (Teleostei: Cichlidae). Zootaxa, 4044 (1): 79–92.