Wow, they are absolutely stunning...
the tail-fin pattern is so different. is it what Roemer described in CA1 about mendezi and gibbiceps?
Hello blueblue
Mendezi is one of my favourite!
But, I think one of them is A. paucisquamis, or I'm wrong?
Or this one with vertical stripes is tank-bred form?
Piotr>>>
I am aware that populations of both forms of mendezi with horizontal and vertical tail stripes are found in the wild.
Mark.
So Uwe and Koslowski may be wrong in the fact that there are not different geographical populations/variants but one species showing both caudal fin patterns.
This is quite likely... especially when they are NOT geographically separated (fish can swim and migrate) and they can easily cross in the nature (intermediate forms are also present)
Obviously we need more collecting & studying of this phenominon in the wild. I'm ready to volunteer if someone else can find the money, logistics, & permits!:tongue:
This is quite likely... especially when they are NOT geographically separated (fish can swim and migrate) and they can easily cross in the nature (intermediate forms are also present)
Only commercial collectors from Brazil and scientific expeditions - with the hard-to-get permits - are allowed to collect in Brazil right now. Dr. Chao is trying to encourage the government to allow eco-tourism/fish collecting right now. I hope it happens.
I understand that the Rio Uaupés is a source for Cardinal/Red Neon Tetras. There are only a few months during which collecting is allowed. Perhaps this is what you heard.
I'm not so sure about the ease of migration for apistos. since they stick to areas offering shelter (vegetation, leaf litter, ficus roots...) then crossing a few meters of plain sand can be pretty dangerous. sandy bottom, strong current in the middle, cut patches of forrest on the banks and you can have a lot of fairly separated populations. collection along the bank on the distance of 50m could bring fish from different colonies.
I'm making this up as I go, since I haven't been there, but it's an interesting thought to develop
did anyone have contact with the http://www.mikofish.com? they mention collecting trips in Venezuela.
still, it can lead to establishing a separated population in some remote location. the genetic material may be sparse if only a few, related specimens are "moved", which increases chances of mutation.Other ways of migration that might not be done willingly: being flushed downstream during heavy storms in patches of floating meadow or driftwood.