Polychromatism in native populations of peacock basses Cichla kelberi and Cichla piquiti (Cichlidae)

• Published in: Environmental biology of fishes 2022-08, Vol.105 (8), p.1129-1137
• Main Authors: Pelicice, Fernando Mayer, de Souza Andrade, Geovana, Borges, Lucas Elias Oliveira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Bars; Bass; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cichla kelberi; Cichla piquiti; Cichlidae; Color; Coloration; Colour; Environment; Fins; Fish; Fish populations; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Indigenous species; Investigations; Laboratories; Life Sciences; Mathematical analysis; Nature Conservation; Ocelli; Ontogeny; Operculum; Populations; Reproductive cycle; Shades; Spots; Variation; Zoology
• ISSN: 0378-1909; 1573-5133
• DOI: 10.1007/s10641-022-01313-w

The present study described in detail the occurrence of polychromatism in two peacock bass species ( Cichla kelberi and Cichla piquiti ) endemic to the Tocantins-Araguaia Basin, Brazil. Based on the data collected in the Lajeado Reservoir between 2010 and 2020, we analyzed the photographs obtained from live individuals in order to describe the range of color variation in the body, fins, and other aspects (spots, ocelli, and bars) and calculated the frequency of color patterns in each species. The results indicated wide variation in body coloration of C. kelberi , ranging from yellow (golden, dark, light, and greenish) to gray (gray, brown, and black) patterns; most fish had different shades of yellow. All fish had three vertical bars, but their sharpness was variable, and some fish had additional faint bars. The operculum region showed colorful patterns (red), but it was highly variable among individuals. Some fish had small dark blotches on the body and whitish-yellow spots on the fins. Cichla piquiti also showed wide variation in body coloration, including gray (with blue hues), yellow, and brown patterns, which were evenly observed in the population. Fish had four to five vertical bars, but some individuals had additional faint bars. The operculum region showed light yellow hues, with little variation. White spots were recorded in the body of some fish, including adults and young; in some, white spots formed unique patterns in the head. Our results demonstrate extensive polychromatism within native populations of both species, a pattern likely associated with ontogenetic changes and the reproductive cycle.