New Apistogramma-species list!

[Tom C]

I happily announce that it's ready and published:

Mike Wise & Co's (2018 -) revised list of more than 430 species / forms of Apistogramma,
arranged in lineages, groups, complexes and subcomplexes.

(And as I have learned some more HTML/CSS, the list is now published in a new look.)

 

[gerald]

Thanks Tom, Mike and Frank ! Question: Is Apistogrammoides still considered a valid genus? If it is within the A. regani phylogeny group, shouldn't it be Apistogramma pucallpaensis ? If not, then all other Apisto species outside of the regani group would need new genus names, correct ?

 

[Mike Wise]

Yes, Apistogrammoides Meinken 1965 is still considered a valid genus for now - at least until it is changed in a scientific publication. And yes, Ap. pucallpaensis is recognized as being part of Kullander's (1980) Apistogramma regani-group by most taxonomists familiar with both genera. Rules of the ICZN require that until changed and accepted it will not change. Will the genus be split (like Central American cichlasomines)? Probably yes, once genetics is better understood for species in the genus.

 

[gerald]

In other words, Apistogrammoides remains "valid" even though everybody agrees it isn't.

 

[Mike Wise]

Yes, exactly. Isn't taxonomy fun? Let's face it, Man wants to 'cubby hole' everything but Nature couldn't care less.

 

[gerald]

"Taxonomy is the diaper used to organize the mess of evolution into discrete packages"
(Dr. Michael Sandel -- soon after becoming a father)