Evolutionary relationships within three Tilapiine genera (Pisces: Cichlidae)

Citation

McAndrew B & Majumdar KC (1984) Evolutionary relationships within three Tilapiine genera (Pisces: Cichlidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 80 (4), pp. 421-435. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1096-3642.1984.tb02553.x

Abstract
Species of the cichlid genera Tilapia, Sarotherodon and Oreochromis were studied by electrophoresis at 25 enzyme loci. The levels of similarities within and between genera, and the distribution of genetic identities at individual loci are similar to those found in other fish species. The evolutionary relationships between the species remains equivocal, and it is still not possible to decide between the hypotheses of Trewavas (1980) or that of Peters & Berns (1978, 1982). Further work needs to be undertaken on additional Tilapia and Sarotherodon species. The unexpected relationship of O. jipe to the other Oreochromis species is probably the strongest argument against Trewavas' hypothesis. But the close similarity of the maternal mouth brooders to each other, and the closer relationship of S. galilaeus to the Oreochromis species than to the Tilapia does not favour the hypothesis of Peters & Berns (1982). The difficulties in obtaining pure species from the wild due to widespread introduction of non-endemic species are likely to hinder progress in evolutionary and aquacultural studies.

Keywords
Evolution; electrophoresis; dendograms; genetic distance; enzymes; Oreochromis; Sarotherodon; Tilapia

Journal
Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society: Volume 80, Issue 4