Genus of fishes
Amphilophus is a genus of cichlid fishes from Central America, ranging from southern Mexico to Panama. The genus currently contains 23 species, including several that are well known from the aquarium trade. However, studies led by Oldřich Říčan in 2008 and 2016 suggested that several species within "Amphilophus" should be moved to the genus "Astatheros". Species proposed to be moved to "Astatheros" in 2008 were "A. alfari", "A. altifrons", "A. bussingi", "A. diquis", "A. longimanus", "A. macracanthus" (which would be the type species for "Astatheros"), "A. margaritifer", "A. rhytisma", "A. robertsoni" and "A. rostratus". Further genetic studies led Říčan to put "A. macracanthus" in "Astatheros", but to put "A. alfari", "A. altifrons", "A. bussingi", "A. diquis", "A. longimanus", "A. rhytisma", "A. robertsoni" and "A. rostratus" within the genus "Cribroheros". Říčan's study suggests that the "Astatheros" species are more closely related to the Jack Dempsey and rainbow cichlid than to the remaining "Amphilophus" species.
Several species from this genus are endemic to the small Lake Apoyo (6 species) and Lake Xiloá (4 species) in Nicaragua, and are believed to be the result of sympatric speciation.
Species.
According to FishBase, there are currently 16 recognized species in this genus, listed below. According to Catalog of Fishes, "Amphilophus erythraeus" is a valid species (considered a synonym of "A. labiatus" by FishBase), "Amphilophus margaritifer" is an invalid species, and "Amphilophus" includes two additional species, "Amphilophus istlanus" and "Amphilophus trimaculatus" (both these are placed in "Cichlasoma" by FishBase). Whereas "trimaculatus" belongs in "Amphilophus" based on genetics, appearance and behavior, the position of "istlanus" is less clear, as nDNA places it in "Amphilophus", but mDNA places it in "Mayaheros"; "istlanus" is likely the result of hybrid speciation involving "A. trimaculatus" and "Mayaheros beani".
References.
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