Xanthism in Costa Rican Cichlid fish (Cichliformes: Cichlidae), and ontogenetic variation in Parachromis dovii.
Introduction: Xanthism or xanthocromism is a phenotypic anomaly evidenced by the predominant production of xanthine, a pigment that gives the organism a yellowish coloration. In Costa Rica there are few records of organisms exhibiting such anomaly in natural environments. Objective: To present cases of xanthism in Costa Rican cichlid fish. Methods: We collected records of xanthism from social media, museum specimens and field work. In addition, we reproduced two xanthochromic specimens of Parachromis dovii to determine ontogenetic changes. Results: We recorded xanthism in eight species, six of them cichlids. In the case of the specimens raised in captivity, 100% of the offspring had xanthism after about four months. Conclusions: At least eight species of Costa Rican fish show xanthism, and a genetic (heritable) origin is presumed; this was corroborated in the captive breeding exercise.
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| Format: | Digital revista |
| Language: | spa |
| Published: |
Universidad Estatal a Distancia, Costa Rica
2021
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| Online Access: | https://revistas.uned.ac.cr/index.php/cuadernos/article/view/3093 |
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