The distribution and systematic status of cichlid fishes (Teleostei, Cichliformes: Cichlidae) from Morocco

Abstract

Cichlids in Morocco are relict populations of the fauna that was extant during the last glacial episodes. In recent millennia, these fishes underwent numerous bottleneck episodes that led to a significant reduction in their numbers. While the literature reports the presence of three (3) genera (Oreochromis, Coptodon, Sarotherodon) and four (4) species (O. aureus, C. guineensis, C. zillii, S. galilaeus) in Morocco, an intensive search for these fishes throughout this country and a thorough genetic and morphometric study in fact revealed the presence of only two (2) genera (Oreochromis, Coptodon) and four (4) species: three (3) native (O. aureus, C. guineensis, C. zillii) and one (1) introduced (O. niloticus). Sarotherodon galilaeus was not found, even in the watershed from which it was originally reported. Species encountered were identified morphologically and their identification was confirmed genetically (ND2/COI). For O. niloticus, we found two haplotypes with a difference of 7.5 % between Oued Sebou and Oued Bouregreg watersheds. For C. guineensis sampled in Oued Aabar and Sebkha Imlili, a taxonomic incongruence occurred on the basis of significant differences between seventeen (17) of the thirty-seven (37) morphometric characters studied (including dentition).