Damba
The damba (Paretroplus damii) is a species of cichlid. EtymologyThe genus name Paretroplus is composed by the Greek Para (meaning similar to) and Etroplus (a closely related genus of Indian cichlids).[3] The Latin species name damii honors the naturalist Douwe Casparus van Dam (1827-1898).[4] DescriptionP. damii is the largest Paretroplus, reaching the total length of about 17–40 centimetres (6.7–15.7 in). No sexual dimorphism exists in size or in other characteristics. These fishes have a rounded shape, with a light pink / grey colouration in absence of vertical barring.[3][5][6] DistributionThis species can be found in several river basins in northwestern Madagascar.[7] This includes populations in far northern Madagascar that some have speculated represented an undescribed species, but a comparison of specimens did not support this, instead maintaining them as part of P. damii.[6] In contrast, populations in the Mahanara River in northeastern Madagascar were formerly also included in P. damii, but these were described as a separate species, P. loisellei, in 2011, and populations in the Ankofia River basin in northwestern Madagascar (south of true P. damii) appear to represent a closely related undescribed species.[7] Bibliography
References
External links
|