Exploring the diversity of haplochromines in the Lake Edward system
| dc.contributor.author | Vranken, N. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Van Steenberge, M. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Snoeks, J. | |
| dc.date | 2018 | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-03-14T13:17:08Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-03-14T13:17:08Z | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://orfeo.belnet.be/handle/internal/12209 | |
| dc.description | Haplochromine cichlids are well known for their extraordinary diversity and their ability to form adaptive radiations. In Eastern Africa, they gave rise to the Lake Victoria superflock, which consist of the cichlids from lakes Albert, Edward, George, Kivu, Kyoga, and Victoria, and associated rivers and lakes. Their rapid speciation, numerous ecological adaptations, and distinct colour patterns have intrigued biologists for a long time. The HIPE-project investigates the human impacts on ecosystem health and resources of Lake Edward. Within the framework of this project, we perform a systematic revision of the largely unexplored Haplochromis species assemblage of lakes Edward and George. Hitherto, only 31 of the estimated 100 species that inhabit these lakes have been formally described. As a first step in this revision, specimens are grouped by trophic ecology based on morphological characteristics. For each group, a morphometric study is carried out by taking measurements and counts, which are analysed separately by principal component analyses. Additionally, qualitative characteristics are observed, species are delineated, and stomach content observations are performed to verify their trophic ecology. Newly discovered species are formally described, while valid species are redescribed. Hitherto, 14 new species were discovered and are being described. These include three species of oral snail shellers that use their teeth to grab the soft bodies of snails and tear them out of their shells; three species of paedophages that attack other mouth-brooding cichlids to steal their eggs from out of their mouths; an insectivore with a very slender snout and lobate lips, well adapted to suck insects out of small crevices between rocks; and at least seven species of piscivores, each with a characteristic colour pattern. Observation of museum collections suggests that lakes Edward and George are inhabited by many more species with peculiar morphologies and interesting ecologies. | |
| dc.language | eng | |
| dc.title | Exploring the diversity of haplochromines in the Lake Edward system | |
| dc.type | Conference | |
| dc.subject.frascati | Biological sciences | |
| dc.audience | Scientific | |
| dc.subject.free | Vertebrates | |
| dc.source.title | ZOOLOGY 2018 | |
| Orfeo.peerreviewed | No | |
| dc.identifier.rmca | 5472 |
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