Oxylapia polli

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Oxylapia polli
Systematics
Ovalentaria
Order : Cichliformes
Family : Cichlids (Cichlidae)
Subfamily : Ptychochrominae
Genre : Oxylapia
Type : Oxylapia polli
Scientific name of the  genus
Oxylapia
Kiener & Maugé , 1966
Scientific name of the  species
Oxylapia polli
Kiener & Maugé, 1966

Oxylapia polli ( Greek : oxy = sharp, pointed + tilapia , an African genus of cichlids) is a species of cichlid that is endemic to eastern Madagascar . The only previously known site of the species is a rapids region of the Nosivolo River near the town of Marolambo in the Atsinanana region. It is about 450 meters above sea level on the eastern edge of the central Madagascar highlands. thus possibly one of the smallest distribution areas of all Malagasy cichlids. Due to the inaccessibility of the region, however, neither the upper reaches of the Nosivolo nor other comparable biotopes have been investigated for an occurrence of the species. The species is the only one of the ( monotypical ) genus Oxylapia and was named in honor of the Belgian ichthyologist Max Poll .

features

Oxylapia polli grows to a maximum of 18 cm and, in adaptation to the habitat in fast-flowing water, has an elongated, streamlined body that is covered with small comb scales that are deeply embedded in the skin. The ventral fins are fleshy and apparently suitable for the fish to attach to the ground, similar to the gobies . The anal fin has three fin spines. The lips are large and fleshy. The teeth of the outer rows of teeth are single-pointed and have brown colored, chisel-like crowns.

Way of life

Stomach examinations revealed that the species feeds on aquatic insects, detritus, and higher aquatic plants. Oxylapia polli is a substrate spawner and lays eggs between stones and rocks. One parent takes care of the brood, while the other defends the territory . After hatching, the young fish are also protected for a relatively long time. The breeding season extends from October to December.

Danger

Like many other Malagasy cichlids, Oxylapia polli is critically endangered, according to the IUCN . In 2010, the rapids of the Nosivolo were designated as a wetland worthy of protection under the Ramsar Convention .

literature

  • MLJ Stiassny: Oxylapia, Songatana , page 876 in Steven M. Goodman, Jonathan P. Benstead, Harald Schütz: The Natural History of Madagascar , University of Chicago Press, ISBN 0-226-30307-1 .
  • Anton Lamboj: Oxylapia. In: Claus Schaefer, Torsten Schröer (Hrsg.): The large lexicon of aquaristics. 2 volumes. Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart 2004, ISBN 3-8001-7497-9 , p. 734.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Oxylapia pollination in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2004. Posted by: Loiselle, P. & participants of the CBSG / ANGAP CAMP "Faune de Madagascar" workshop, Mantasoa, Madagascar 2001, 2004. Accessed December 17, 2015.
  2. ^ Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (September 20, 2010). Nosivolo is designated as Madagascar's first riverine Ramsar site. Retrieved December 17, 2015

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