Abstract
A color morph of the Tanganyikan scale-eater, Perissodus microlepis (Cichlidae), considered to be an example of aggressive mimicry, is reported from the rocky littoral area at the southern end of Lake Tanganyika, Zambia. The anal fin of the morph is yellow, instead of the usual dark or transparent, being closely similar to that of the gregarious cyprichrominine cichlids, Cyprichromis leptosoma species complex and Paracyprichromis nigripinnis, abundant in the area. The color morph of Perissodus microlepis was observed to mingle with and attack shoals of the prey. About 24% of P. microlepis observed in less than 15 m depth at Kasenga Point were the yellow-fin type. The color variation, which is likely associated with a variation in feeding mode within this population, probably evolved and has been maintained by the local community structure, which included abundant cyprichrominine fishes.
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Hori, M., Watanabe, K. Aggressive Mimicry in the Intra-populational Color Variation of the Tanganyikan Scale-eater Perissodus microlepis (Cichlidae). Environmental Biology of Fishes 59, 111–115 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007657419083
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007657419083