Aphyosemion bivittatum

Aphyosemion bivittatum (twostripe lyretail, two-banded killi, red lyretail) is a species of freshwater fish belonging to the family Aplocheilidae. It is found in rivers in southeastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon.[2] It was originally described as Fundulus bivittatus by Swedish zoologist Einar Lönnberg in 1895. The holotype was discovered near a waterfall in the Ndian River in Cameroon and currently is located in the Stockholm Museum.[3]

Aphyosemion bivittatum
Aphyosemion bivittatum Male
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cyprinodontiformes
Family: Nothobranchiidae
Genus: Aphyosemion
Species:
A. bivittatum
Binomial name
Aphyosemion bivittatum
(Lönnberg, 1895)
Synonyms[2]
  • Chromaphyosemion bivittatum (Lönnberg, 1895)
  • Fundulus bivittatus (Lönnberg, 1895)
  • Aphyosemion hollyi Myers, 1933

Appearance edit

A. bivittatum has an elongated, brightly coloured body with two dark bands made up of red spots running along each side, with the colors varying between populations.[4] Individual males are commonly found with golden-brown dorsal surfaces, bluish sides, and golden ventral surfaces.[4] The males have a maximum body length of approximately 5 centimetres (2.0 in) and have brightly marked, tall and pointed anal and dorsal fins that are yellow to pastel green with red edges.[4] The caudal and dorsal fins are green with red spots and bright yellow tips.[4] It has 10–13 spines in its dorsal fin and 12–15 in its anal fin.[5]

Habitat edit

The species is found in small calcium rich steams in the coastal rainforests of southeastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon. They are benthopelagic, meaning they float just above the riverbed.[1] They prefer water with a pH of 6 to 6.5 and temperature of 22 to 24 °C (72 to 75 °F).[6][2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Olaosebikan, B.D. (2020). "Aphyosemion bivittatum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T181757A134751405. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T181757A134751405.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Aphyosemion bivittatum (Lönnberg, 1895)". Fish Base. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  3. ^ "Aphyosemiom bivittatum (Lönnberg 1895)". Killifish of Western Africa. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d Butler, Rhett. "Two Stripe Killifish Aphyosemion bivittatum". Mongabay.com. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  5. ^ Huber, J.H. (1996). "Killi-Data 1996. Updated checklist of taxonomic names, collecting localities and bibliographic references of oviparous Cyprinodont fishes (Atherinomorpha, Pisces)". Société Française d'Ichtyologie, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle: 399.
  6. ^ Riehl, R.; H.A. Baensch (1991). Aquarien Atlas Volume 1. Germany: Melle: Mergus, Verlag für Natur-und Heimtierkunde. p. 992.

External links edit