The "new" whitei (was KillieTalk Digest V4 #445 )

[RuevenM at aol_com]

Hi All,

Dave wrote:
 
 
 >>>>I looked over the paper by Costa last night from the Icthyological
 Exploration of Freshwaters.  As for the difference between Nematolebias
 whitei and papilliferus I examined the photos and checked both of my stocks
 that are labeled "whitei" and discovered that I had both fish.  Costa does
 give a way to distinguish differences but after examining the photos and
 looking at the fish it was blatantly obvious they are different.  Nem.
 whitei is distinguished in the males by patterns of the gold pearl spots on
 the flanks of the body.  Although the pattern seems regular, on the Nem.
 papilliferus those spots form vertical bars.  Further differentiating
 species, what are patterned rows of pearl spots on the unpaired fins of Nem.
 whitei become solid stripes between the rays in Nem. papilliferus.<<<<


     Now, correct me if I am wrong, but I thought taxonomy had progressed, 
using DNA, beyond basing new descriptions of a genus on such tiny color 
differences. I thought this was the kind of approach that got killie taxonomy 
in a mess starting way back with Boulenger and Ahl. Of course, I am still 
trying to see the difference between magnificus and picturatus!

 
 >>>What separates "myersi" into Simpsonicthys is not very obvious and the
 reasons are primarily dorsal fin ray patterns.  Which, guess what, is
 suggesting further review of Simpsonicthys and potential further
 splitting!!!!<<<<


       Is any of Costa's work based on DNA analysis?
 
 Robert
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