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

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Published: Nov 19, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.57890/w2wjxv35
Keywords:
Cichlidae, Morocco, Introduced species, Morphometry, genetics

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H. Louizi
Laboratory Biodiversity, Ecology and Genome, Research Center Plant and Microbial Biotechnology, Biodiversity and Environment, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Faculty of Sciences, Morocco
J.-F. Agnese
ISEM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, IRD, EPHE, Montpellier, France
A. R. Bitja Nyom
University of Douala, Institute of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, PO Box 7236 Douala, Cameroon
I. De Buron
Department of Biology, College of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
O. Berrada Rkhami
Laboratory Biodiversity, Ecology and Genome, Research Center Plant and Microbial Biotechnology, Biodiversity and Environment, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Faculty of Sciences, Morocco
A. Benhoussa
Laboratory Biodiversity, Ecology and Genome, Research Center Plant and Microbial Biotechnology, Biodiversity and Environment, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Faculty of Sciences, Morocco
A. Qninba
Mohammed V University in Rabat, Institut Scientifique, Avenue Ibn Battouta, B.P. 703, 10090, Agdal, Rabat, Morocco
A. Pariselle
1) Laboratory Biodiversity, Ecology and Genome, Research Center Plant and Microbial Biotechnology, Biodiversity and Environment, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Faculty of Sciences, Morocco 2) ISEM , CNRS, Université de Montpellier, IRD, EPHE, Montpellier, France

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).
 

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The distribution and systematic status of cichlid fishes (Teleostei, Cichliformes: Cichlidae) from Morocco. (2025). Life and Environment, 69(2/3), 95-106. https://doi.org/10.57890/w2wjxv35
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Vol. 69 No. 2/3 (2019)
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Articles
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