Callopanchax monroviae, (Roloff & Ladiges 1972).

Revised 31.05.2010

Firstdescription: Roloff, E. & Prof. Dr. W. Ladiges: -"Roloffia monroviae spec. nov. Beschreibung einer neuen Roloffia-Art aus Liberia."
    DATZ, 25 (9), p.299-301, 1972.

Terra typica:-"Gesammelt von E. Roloff im November 1971 in einem Waldtümpel etwa 25 Meilen von Monrovia in Liberia." (Roloff & Ladiges 1972)

Terra typica:-"Collected by E. Roloff in November 1971 in a forest pool about 25 miles from Monrovia in Liberia."

Note: The definition of the type locality in the first description was not very precise, in a letter to Paul Hoppe, Roloff gave the following explanation. (Roloff: p.1, 1974)-"...I wasn't able to give an exact location in the description, because first we drove approximately 30 miles along a road (not the road to Robertsfield !) and then criss-cross for quite a while along narrow jungle roads. I won't be able to find this location again without the aid from Charles Steiner. ..." In 2005 I contacted Charles Steiner, and he was so kind to provide information about the actual type locality: "Behind Mount Barclay, approximately 12 miles from Monrovia." The forest area mentioned in the original description was a rubber plantation, so the type locality of Cal. monroviae may be defined as follows: A waterhole in a rubber plantation north of Mount Barclay, approximately 12 miles from Monrovia in Liberia (approximately 6° 22' 10'' N; 10° 40' 30'' W). (Dinesen: 2007)

History: In November, 1971 the late Erhard Roloff of Karlsruhe, Germany, undertook what was to be his last journey to the tropics. Roloff flew to the Robertsfield airport near Monrovia, the capital of the West African republic of Liberia. He made several trips by taxi to a number of locations, where he collected various species of fish, mainly killifish. Several were either new species or, at least, species unknown to the hobby. These included Nimbapanchax viridis, Nim. jeanpoli, Nim. leucopterygius, Epiplatys lamottei, Ep. roloffi, and Rhexipanchax nimbaensis. During one day of his stay in Liberia, Roloff visited Charles Steiner, a Swiss citizen then working as a taxidermist at the University of Liberia. Steiner had an aquarium in his home, where he kept several species of freshwater fish which he had collected at different locations in Liberia. Among these fish were specimens of what was later to be described as Cal. monroviae. Steiner had caught this new fish for the first time some years earlier, between 1962 and 1969. He agreed to take Roloff to the location where he had collected them. At the locality they succeeded in catching approximately 20 specimens of the new species. Half of these were preserved shortly after capture. Roloff returned to Germany in early December, 1971. The following year Roloff and Ladiges (Roloff and Ladiges: 1972) described this as a new species. In 1968, Piet Busink succeeded in importing this new, then still undescribed, species to Holland from a location close to the Robertsfield airport (Wildekamp: 1972) and (Nieuwenhuizen: 1974). These two locations formed the basis for the aquarium strains available during the seventies.

Fig. 1: A pair of Cal. monroviae "Blue" from the type-locality, male to the left. Photo E. Roloff.

Fig. 2: A pair of Cal. monroviae "Red" from Robertsfield, male above. Photo E. Roloff.

Etymologi: Named after the capital Monrovia (Liberia, Westafrica), in which vicinity Cal. monroviae was discovered.

Systematics:
Phenotype:
Cal. monroviae belongs to the genus Callopanchax, which includes the species Cal. huwaldi, Cal. monroviae, Cal. occidentalis, Cal. sidibei and Cal. toddi. One particular feature which separates the male of Cal. monroviae from those of other Callopanchax species is the dark marking located at the first two or three fin rays of the dorsal fin. This marking becomes jet-black during mating and aggressive behavior, and apperently have the same function as the woundmark just behind the pectorals in other Callopanchax species. The male has a unique red throat coloration that is extended all the way to the ventral finns (at least in Paynesville population), quite unlike other Callopanchax species where the throat is normally white or blue, but turns black when the male is excited. The red pattern of the female is differnt too, the vertical red rows of spots on the bodyside of the Cal. monroviae female lacks in all other Callopanchax species. In Cal. huwaldi, Cal. occidentalis and C. toddi the last fin rays of the anal fin are generally heavily prolonged, when it comes to adult males. This is not the case in Cal. monroviae.

Fig. 3: Cal. monroviae "Paynesville, L97" #. Photo K. Dinesen.

Fig. 4: Cal. monroviae "Paynesville, L97" #. Photo .

Cal. monroviae can easily be separated from other Callopanchax-species by meristics. The dorsal finn (D) has fewer fin rays than the anal fin (A), and the first fin ray of the dorsal (D) is behind the beginning of the anal fin (A). ###Desuden har# Cal. monroviae fewer finnrays in D than the other Callopanchax-species.

Genetics: #Sonnenberg

Ost#: Costa 2009b##Diagnosis for MOR!!Callopanchax monroviae 1111111111 1112011111 111111###(Generelle oplysninger til Callopanchax side??)##The phylogenetic analysis of osteological characters support clades previously defi ned by molecular data (MURPHY & COLLIER, 1997, 1999; MURPHY et al., 1999), such as the clades comprising Callopanchax, Scriptaphyosemion and Archiaphyosemion, and Aphyosemion plus Fundulopanchax (Fig. 7). The clade comprising Callopanchax, Scriptaphyosemion and Archiaphyosemion, three sympatric genera endemic to western Africa, is here supported by the derived shape of the antero-proximal process of the fourth ceratobranchial, which is laterally displaced to form a wide lateral fl ap (Fig. 3C; character: 16.1). ...The proposed sister group relationship between Callopanchax and Scriptaphyosemion (MURPHY & COLLIER, 1997; MURPHY et al., 1999) is highly supported by fi ve synapomorphies: subdistal portion of the posterior arm of the parasphenoid distinctively constricted (Fig. 1B; ch: 2.1), anterior margin of the hyomandibula with a distinct convexity (Fig. 2B; ch: 10.1), cartilaginous portion of the basihyal rectangu-lar, yielding an overall pentagonal shape to basihyal (Fig. 3C; ch: 12.1), pointed, anteriorly projected median process on the fi rst vertebra (Fig. 4A, E; ch: 17.1), and hemal prezygapophysis of the preural centrum 2 long and ventrally directed (Fig. 4C; ch: 23.2). An illustration of the parasphenoid of Archiaphyosemion guineense (AARN & SHEPHERD, 2001: fi g. 11a), a species not available to the present study, shows a distinctively constricted posterior arm of the parasphenoid, as that herein described for Callopanchax and Scriptaphyosemion (Fig. 1B; ch: 2.1), but not present in Archiaphyosemion petersi. This observation supports the hypothesis indicating a paraphyletic condition of the genus Archiaphyosemion, in which A. guineense would be more closely related to Callopanchax and Scriptaphyosemion than to other species of Archiaphyosemion (MURPHY et al., 1999). The group comprising Callopanchax, Scriptaphyosemion, Archiaphyosemion, Aphyosemion, and Fundulopanchax, not corroborated in previous phylogenetic studies, is supported by the loss of second pharyngobranchial teeth (Fig. 3C; Ch: 14.1). No osteological character was found to support an assemblage containing Nothobranchius, Aphyosemion and Fundulopanchax, nor an assemblage including Epiplatys, Callopanchax, Scriptaphyosemion and Archiaphyosemion, as proposed by molecular studies (MURPHY & COLLIER, 1997, 1999; MURPHY et al., 1999).
Monophyly of Callopanchax is supported by three synapomorphies: dorsal margin of the opercle with a conspicuous convexity (Fig. 2B; ch: 10.1), interarcual cartilage long (Fig. 3C; ch: 13.1), and neural prezygapophyses of the anterior caudal vertebrae long (Fig. 4B; ch: 19.1).
Annualism is a unique style of life cycle among teleost fi shes, known to occur in African and South American aplocheiloids. The ability in to complete the entire life cycle in temporary pools implicates in the acquisition of a set of advanced characters, including behavior (bottom spawning), egg structure (thickened chorion), embryonic development (diapauses),

Synonyms:  Roloffia monroviae Roloff & Ladiges 1972.
  Aphyosemion monroviae Huber 1984, Scheel 1990.
  Fundulopanchax monroviae Lazara 1984, Wildekamp 1996.


Meristics:# :-"Description of Holotype: D17; A19; Sql. 35 (+ 3). The distance from the 1'st fin ray of the dorsalfin to the tip of the snout is ## forholder sig til afstanden til haleroden som 7 : 5. The first finray of the dorsalfin is above the 2'nd analfin ray, the last ray of the anal fin is below the last dorsal fin ray. Both fins are #altså ved basis næsten lige lange, ligeledes er de næsten ens i den maximale højde. Begge er afrundet med udtrukne lapper. Lagt ned når brystfinnerne det bagerste af bugfinnernes rod. The caudal fin is ### lige afskåret med fire lige korte spidser." (Roloff: p.299-300, 1972)

Sex

No.

S.L./mm

D

A

Sql
Holotype

H 4654

47

17

19

35 (+3)
Paratype

H 4656

41-51

16

19

35 (+3)
Paratype

H 4656

17

19

34 (+3)
Paratype

H 4655

51

14*

17*

32 (+3)*
Paratype

H 4656

39-72,5

15

18

33 (+3)
Paratype

H 4656

15

19

35 (+3)
Paratype

H 4656

16

18

35 (+3)
Paratype

H 4656

16

19

33 (+3)
Paratype

H 4656

17

18

33 (+3)
*De meristiske værdier for hunnen med museumsnr. H 4655 kan ligeså godt stamme fra en af hunnerne med museumsnr. H 4656. Holotypen og paratyperne opbevares i samlingen hos Hamburg Universität, Zoologisches Staatsinstitut und Zoologisches Museum i Hamburg.

Statistics: As in the case of Cal. occidentalis, there is a tendency of fewer finnrays in females contra males. (Although the statistic material is rather limited).

Avg. D

Avg. A 

Avg. Sql

n

Sex

Dm=15,89  

Am=18,44 

Sqlm=33,89 (+3) 

n=9  

(Both sexes)  

Dm=16,67 

Am=19,00 

Sqlm=34,67 (+3) 

n=3 

(Males) 

Dm=15,50 

Am=18,17 

Sqlm=33,50 (+3) 

n=6 

(Females) 

 

Chromosomes: : n=23 (no further information). (Grimm, H.: p.52, 1974a)

Description::-"Male coloration: ## Hannernes krop og finner er i live farvet grønblå til grøn. Den mere grønlige farve befinder sig i rygfinnen og i øvre del af halefinnen. På kroppen og på finnerne med undtagelse af brystfinnerne befinder der sig talrige røde pletter, som på forkroppen arrangerer sig i korte rækker i længderetningen, bagkroppen og haleroden viser mere tendens til tværstriber. Fra hagen nedenfor øjet til underste del af gællelåget løber en rød streg; fra bagkanten af øjet strækker to i form af et liggende Y forenede streger sig. I D og A findes det røde i forvaskede røde områder og pletter, som især går over i en bred rød kant i A. D har en rødgrøn øvre kant. Et særligt iøjenfaldende kendetegn for arten er de ofte fløjlssorte første to til tre stråler i D. P bærer en smal mørk søm; V er grøn-rød tegnet. C er indrammet af vinrøde kanter, som indrammer et bleggrønt, rødplettet midterfelt, øverst udenpå og bagerst befinder der sig et meget smalt, nederst et bredt skinnende grønt bånd.
Konserveret viser hannerne på steder der var grønne en brunlig-grå grundfarve, på hvilken de røde aftegninger viser sig lyse til hvide. Det vinrøde i C forbliver længst rødligt.
Hunnernes farve: Kroppen er olivenbrun til lys-rødbrun farvet. Samtlige finner er transparente og svagt gulligt tonet. De har ingen tegninger. Derimod findes der på kroppen ca. fem længderækker af små røde prikker og på det øvre hovedparti små røde stregaftegninger (konserveret er alt rødt hvidligt)." (Roloff: p.299-300, 1972)

(Nieuwenhuizen: p.49, 1974):-"Hunnerne af den røde form viser en meget tydelig rød tegning på kroppen - frem for alt på hovedet -, og dette er mindre udpræget hos hunnerne af den blå form."

Variation: C. monroviae er en meget variabel art. Roloff differentierede imellem to, på daværende tidspunkt kendte former, nemlig en blå (Terra Typica) og en rød (Robertsfield) variant. ##Ifølge Roloff har den blå form en blå til grøn grundfarve på kroppen og i finnerne, med et rødt mønster af pletter og streger. Den røde form er kendetegnet ved en rød grundfarve på kroppen og i finnerne, overlagt et rødt plet- og stregmønster.
#??Den yderste kant af P er gul hos den røde form og blå til hvid hos den blå form##.
sidenhen dukkede også en gul variant op i æg og fiskelisterne "Harbel, RL 65" ?##

Hos flere populationer ? (eksempel: "Robertsfield" og "Paynesville, L97") findes der to syntope farvevarianter, en gul og en blå. Hos den gule variant er nederste margin i halefinnen farvet gul, og kropssiderne har generelt mere rødt pigment. Hvorimod marginen er blå hos den blå variant, og kropsfarven er mere blå. Et fænomen som er kendt fra flere arter indenfor Callopanchina: eks.; chaytori, geryi, fredrodi, roloffi (kun Taylor-Town og Brama-Town populationerne), liberiense, occidentalis & (petersi ?). Fænomenet er også kendt fra flere arter af Fundulopanchax & Aphyosemion. Disse farvevarianter er altid interfertile, ##mendelske love. ###The Paynesville and terra typica populations have narrow red vertical bars on the posterior parts of the body sides. These are most obvious in juveniles but also visible in adult males and females. These markings are not present in the red males of Logan-Town and Robertsfield populations.

Udbredelse: Udbredelsen af C. monroviae kan angives som en trekant, me hjørnerne bestående af lokaliteterne Robertsport - Gibi-Range - Robertsfield. ##NE grænse formodentlig omkring , men kan formentlig findes endnu længere mod syd, hvis ikke den afløses af en anden nærtbeslægtet art ?. Udbredelsesgrænsen mod nord kendes heller ikke i detaljer, men MOR afløses tilsyneladende af OCC i området omkring Robertsport. ###

Hver lilla plet markerer et (ca.) findested for Callopanchax monroviae.

Kendte Populationer: Indsamlere

Type

Nr.

Geografiske koordinater
  Mount Barclay, 12 miles from Monrovia (T.T. ?) C. Steiner 1969 ?

B

1
(ca.)6°22'1N-10°40'3W
Ca. 25 mil (ca. 40 km) fra Monrovia (T.T.) E. Roloff & C. Steiner 11.1971

B

1

(ca.) 6°18'N-10°48'W
Sandsynligvis Robertsport eller omegn. (eller OCC?) C. R. Matlock, Jr. 1946.  

2

(ca.) 6°44'N-11°22'W
Robertsfield airport  Busink 1968

R/B

3

6°14'N-10°21'W
Robertsfield airport Busink 1968-71

R/B

 3

6°14'N-10°21'W
Robertsfield airport (biotop udtørret) #Busink, Snijders & A. v. d. Nieuwenhuisen Jan./feb. 1971

-

 3

6°14'N-10°21'W
Sydligt for Klee (Kle), 300 m sv for Ta (RL 22).  V. Etzel & F.-J. Butz 26.11.78

B/?

4

(ca.) 6°36'N-10°53'W
Robertsport (RL ?) ?(Etzel & Berkenkamp: 1981 p.)

B/?

5

(ca.) 6°44'N-11°22'W
Opdæmmet bæk ved pumpehus i Firestone- plantagen, nordøstligt for vejen mellem Monrovia og Harbel (RL 64). ? V. Etzel & W. Pütz 6.11.82

?

6

6°24'N-10°22'W
Gummiplantage ved Harbel, Logan-Town (RL 65). V. Etzel & W. Pütz 6.11.82

R(&?)

7

6°16'N-10°21'W
Gibi-Range, mellem Kakata og Totota (RL 119). T. Muhle & Dr. J. Lempert 7.83

?

8

6°40'N-10°12'W
Paynesville L 97  E. Busch ? 1997

R/B

9

6°16'N-10°43'W
 Liberia, ? Guignard & G. Schmitt 1976       
Figur 3: Kortudsnit over det vestlige Liberia, hvor lok. 1-9 er indtegnet.
Terra typica kendes ikke præcist, men angives at ligge i en afstand af 25 mil (40 km) fra Monrovia, hvilket er markeret ved cirkelbuen (No.1).
Lokalitet No.2, her drejer det sig sandsynligvis om C. occidentalis
Lokalitet No.5, "Robertsport", er makeret på et kort i Berkenkamp & Etzel, 1979 og Etzel, 1992b.
Lokalitet No.8, ligger i højlandet !.
Alle lokaliteter som er markeret på kortet og alle koordinater i tabellen er kun ca. angivelser.

# Location Collector(s) Date Coordinates (DMS)
1 Mount Barclay, 12 miles from Monrovia (T.T.). C. Steiner 1962-1969 6°22'10''N-10°40'30''W
2 Robertsfield airport. P. Busink 1968 6°14'N-10°21'W
3 Robertsfield airport (biotope arid). P. Busink, Snijders & A.v.d. Nieuwenhuizen 14.Jan.-1. Feb.1972? 6°14'N-10°21'W
4 Mount Barclay, 12 miles from Monrovia (T.T.). E. Roloff & C. Steiner Nov.1971 6°19'N-10°48'W
5 Liberia, No. mnhn 1978-0162 in Paris museum. G. Schmitt & ? 1976-78.
6 South of Klee (Kle), 330 yds. SW of Ta (RL 22). V. Etzel & F.-J. Butz 26.Nov.78 6°36'N-10°53'W
7 On the road to Robertsport, Fanah (RL 27). V. Etzel & F.-J. Butz 28.Nov.78 (RL 22<->RL28)?
8 On the road from Bomi to Robertsport, coll. 12½ miles in advance of the city (RL 28). V. Etzel & F.-J. Butz 28.Nov.78 6°40'N-11°10'W
9 Rubber plantation at Harbel, Logan-Town (RL 65). V. Etzel & W. Pütz 6.Nov.82 6°16'N-10°21'W
10 Gibi-Range, between Kakata and Totota (RL 119). T. Muhle & Dr. J. Lempert Jul.83 6°40'N-10°12'W
11 Paynesville L 97. Associates of E. Busch? 1997 6°16'N-10°42'W
12 Waterholes at Tienii (RL 1). V. Etzel & F.-J. Butz 20.Nov.78 6°58'N-11°18'W
13 Probably vicinity of Robertsport. C. R. Matlock, Jr. 1946. 6°44'N-11°22'W

Fig. 4: #Habitat of Callopanchax monroviae near Ta, south of Klee (RL 22). Photograph by Vollrad Etzel.

Fig. 4: Close up view of the Callopanchax monroviae habitat at Logan-Town (RL 65). Specimens with a beautiful red color hid beneath the leaves when the collectors approached. Photograph by Vollrad Etzel.

Biotoper: 1:(Roloff: p.301, 1972)-"...Den nye Roloffia-art takker jeg Hr. Charles Steiner i Monrovia, som allerede havde opdaget den for flere år siden og holdte den i et akvarium ved mit besøg i november 1971. Hr Steiner bragte mig til findestedet et par dage senere, som befinder sig i et skovområde, ca. 25 mil fra Monrovia. Den nye Roloffia-art fandtes her i et vandhul, som kun bliver fyldt af regnvand og i løbet af tørtiden fuldstændigt tørrer ud. Vi fandt ca. 20 eksemplarer, som endnu ikke var helt udvokset men allerede var kønsmodne. En del af disse fisk blev konserveret på findestedet bestemt for den videnskabelige undersøgelse. Nogle par tog jeg levende med til tyskland. ...Vandet på findestedet havde om eftermiddagen en temperatur på 24° C. En medbragt vandprøve havde en pH-værdi på 6,7 ved en totalhårdhed på 2° dH. ..."

Type locality

Habitats

Three different habitats can be identified:

The terra typica, Mount Barclay, 12 miles from Monrovia. Collectors: C. Steiner and E. Roloff. Date: November, 1971, in the afternoon. Habitat: The fish was caught in a pool in the forest area, with the only water supply being rain. The water was only 4 to 6 inches (about 10 to 15 cm) deep, and there were many tufts of grass growing in the water. Cal. monroviae was found beneath, or close to, roots and overhanging grass. There were no other fish present and the locality contained only a small volume of water, which dried completely in January, during the dry season. The temperature of the water in this pool during the afternoon was 75°F (24°C), the pH was 6.7 and the total hardness measured 2°DH (Combined or Total Hardness) Roloff (1973). There were many small creeks in the vicinity containing Scriptaphyosemion liberiense and Epiplatys species.

The Robertsfield location. Collectors: P. Busink (1968) and, Snijders and A. v. d. Nieuwenhuizen (1972). Date: Several times, first in 1968. Habitat: The collection sites of Busink were in the immediate vicinity of Robertsfield in the Harbel Firestone Plantation. These were not far from the swamp at Robertsfield, but in a different drainage system. The habitat consisted of forest pools that become completely dry during the dry season. Busink always caught fish, which were less than half grown. [This is ambiguous. Do you mean that "Busink caught fish on each occasion that he visited the site and the fish he caught were always less than half grown" OR "The fish that Busink caught each time he visited the site were always only half grown" ?] The first Cal. monroviae can be caught shortly after the beginning of the rainy season. The water temperature averages 75°F (24°C). The range of hardness was from less than 0.5°DH to 2°DH Nieuwenhuizen (1974).

Rubber plantation at Harbel, Logan-Town (See accompanying photograph). Collectors: V. Etzel and F-J. Pütz. Collectors code: RL 65. Date: November 6, 1982, 12.05 p.m. Habitat: Coffee-brown, clear water surrounding individual trees, 1 to 2 inches (about 2.5 to 5 cm) deep. Cal. monroviae was seen at the water surface as is common for Epiplatys. When approached, the fish immediately disappeared into a 1-inch (about 2.5 cm) deep layer of leaves, from which they could be scooped. The males were extremely colorful, predominantly bright red-orange. The water temperature was 76°F (25°C) the pH was 5.5 and the hardness was 1.2°KH (Carbonate hardness) and less than 1 °DH. Air temperature was 75°F (24°C). Epiplatys fasciolatus tototaensis with golden backs and Epiplatys dageti monroviae were also caught in shaded to partially-shaded areas of the same habitat Etzel (1993).

When the water quality data for six localities are considered, the following ranges are apparent: Water temperature, 75 to 76°F (24°C); pH: 5.2 to 6.7 (five were acidic and only the terra typica was neutral); hardness less than, or equal to, 2°DH.

e was kind enough to provide The disagreement between the distance from Monrovia as given in the original description compared with that as revealed by Steiner cannot be explained. Steiner also provided a map showing this area, and some photos of himself and Roloff. He still remembered that very day, 35 years earlier: "I still remember well, when I took Roloff to that particular place. The water was very shallow, 4 to 6 inches deep, and there were a lot of grass bundles growing. We tried for a long time with the nets and did not catch a single fish. Roloff started getting angry, telling me that I was fooling him. I felt bad. Then, suddenly we caught the first killifish, and then a couple more. He did not know right away that it was a new species." (Steiner, personal communication, 2005).

####Aphyosemion sjoestedti BNMH 1969.11.19.18
Country: Liberia; Locality: Mount Barclay, 12 miles from Monrovia, in small ponds; Presented; Collector: C. Steiner; No. specimens: 1; Remarks: Coll. Number 3 Kept in aquarium.

(Roloff: p.1, 1974)-"...Der var der mange små bække med R. liberiensis og Epiplatys-arter, men den blå form af R. monroviae fandtes kun et sted, som vil udtørre allerede i januar. ..."

2: (Roloff: p.34-35, 1979)-"...Imellem de 14 paratyper (MAT) befandt sig også et eksemplar, som hørte til slægten Roloffia og som havde 20 Dorsalstråler og 16 stråler i Analfinnen. ...14 Paratyper, hvis længde var angivet til 22 til 43 mm. ...". Typerne for E. matlocki Fowler 1950, som kom fra Robertsport, Liberia, var doneret af Charles R. Matlock, Jr. i 1946. (Note! Hos OCC D>A, hos MOR D<A, A=16 er meget lavt for OCC og A=20 er højt for MOR, hvis dataene var blevet ombyttet)?. Hvis dataene er korrekte, drejer det sig mest sandsynligt om OCC.

3: (Nieuwenhuizen, A.v.d.: p.47-50, 1974) Lok.: Busink's findesteder lå i den umiddelbare omegn af Robertsfield ved Harbel Firestone Plantagen. Det var ikke langt væk fra Sumpen ved Robertsfield, hørte dog ikke til denne sumps oversvømningsområde.
Deltagere: #Busink, #Snijders og Arend van den Nieuwenhuizen.

 

4: (Etzel, V.: p.118, 1992b & Etzel & Berkenkamp: p.4, 1981)-"Ta RL 22...300 m sydvestlig for Ta, syd for Kle. 26.11.78, kl. 11.30-12.05, pH 5,7, °KH <1, °dGH<1. FAS,BRE?(MOR), LIB."

5: (Etzel & Berkenkamp: p.4, 1981)-"...Robertsport...", RL ?.

6: (Etzel, V.: p.35, 1993)-"...RL 64 den 6. november 1982 opdæmmet bæk i Firestone plantagen ved det såkaldte pumpehus; i den damlignende tildannede opdæmmning står tætte bestande af nøkkenroser i vandet og lader med deres flydeblade næsten ingen frie vandområder åbne. Vandet er ca. 170 cm dybt, klart og bliver ved bredderne beskygget af tæt skov. Under flydebladene er talrige ungfisk af Epiplatys fasciolatus tototaensis at finde med en iøjenfaldende guldgul farvet ryg, Roloffia liberiensis er at se igennem bladfrie områder af overfladen ved bladstænglerne - frit svømmende hanner ombejler yngleklare hunner. ...Kl. 11.30-11.45; Tluft 24°C; Tvand 24,5 °C; pH 5,5; °KH 1,5; °dGH <1; TOT,MOR,LIB ..."

7: RL 65 den 6. november 1982 Gummitræplantage ved Harbel, Logan-Town. De enkelte træer står fuldstændigt i vand; i kaffebrunt, klart, 3 til 5 cm dybt vand ser man Roloffia monroviae stå ved vandoverfladen sådan som Epiplatys plejer at gøre. Når man nærmer sig forsvinder fiskene straks i et 2 cm dybt løvlag, ud af hvilket fiskene kan øses op. Fiskene er yderst farveprægtige, overvejende farvet lysende rødorange. Yderligere er - i andre skyggefulde til halvskyggede områder - Epiplatys fasciolatus tototaensis med guldgule farvede rygge såvel Epiplatys dageti monroviae at fange. ...Kl. 12.05; Tluft 24°C; Tvand 24,5 °C; pH 5,5; °KH 1,2; °dGH <1. MON,MOR ..."

8: -"...i højlandet. Zoogeografisk ny er i denne sammenhæng fundet af R. monroviae i Gibi-Range (Note: RL 119). ...7.83..."

Habitattype: Terra Typica Nov. 1971 Tvand eftermiddag 24° C. En medbragt vandprøve havde en pH-værdi på 6,7 ved en totalhårdhed på 2° dH.
RL 22 26.11.78, kl. 11.30-12.05, pH 5,7, °KH <1, °dGH<1
RL 64 den 6. november 1982 Kl. 11.30-11.45; Tluft 24°C; Tvand 24,5 °C; pH 5,5; °KH 1,5; °dGH <1
RL 65 6. november 1982 Kl. 12.05; Tluft 24°C; Tvand 24,5 °C; pH 5,5; °KH 1,2; °dGH <1.

Biologi: Tørtider #i Liberia i området omkring Monrovia begynder regntiden i juni og varer til slutningen af oktober (Etzel, V.: p.19, 1992)
Tørtider: (AVDN:p.#, 1973):
##Roloff&Steiner Nov. 1971 (Ikke helt udvokset, kønsmodne), udtørret januar (Steiner ?). Kønsmodne efter 2-3 måneder, inkubationstid 10 uger (8-12)
#Busink, Nieuwenhuisen & Sneider: #Jan-Feb 1971#(Biotop udtørret) inkubationstid 3 måneder

Firestone-Palntagen, Botanical Research Center, 100 fod, 6°23'20''N-10°25'11''W

Month 1971 (mm) Avg. 30 Years (mm) Max idem (mm) Min idem (mm)  
JAN 0,00 35,56 147,32 0,00

FEB 22,61 56,39 197,36 7,11
MAR 70,10 125,22 364,24 26,92
APR 145,54 166,62 307,85 72,90
MAY 171,45 276,10 465,84 98,30
JUN 334,01 405,64 681,23 137,67
JUL 202,44 437,90 1203,20 77,47
AUG 304,55 483,36 956,56 191,52
SEP 674,37 598,93 933,45 331,47
OCT 268,73 376,43 646,18 146,56
NOV 180,59 184,66 324,61 100,33
DEC 159,00 77,47 163,32 10,41
Total yearly 2533,40 3221,99 4312,92 2320,04

Etzel RL 22 ##26.11.78
Etzel RL 64 ##6.11.82
Etzel RL 65 ##6.11.82 (udvokset)
Etzel RL 119 ##.07.83

Hvis man sammenholder disse sparsomme oplysninger, kan en formodet livscyklus være flg:

 Okt./nov.-dec./jan. Kønsmodne fisk. Æggene lægges   
 Dec/Jan/-mar/apr.? Tørtid, voksne fisk dør.  
Jan-Maj-Juni   æg i diapause.     
Maj-Juni   Æggene klækker  
 Jun./jul./aug./sep. Ungerne vokser op og bliver kønsmodne  

Breeding: :-"Ich ließ diese Fische in einem kleinen Becken ablaichen, das eine etwa zwei Zentimeter starke Schicht aus feinkörnigem roten Sand enthielt, aus dem ich unmittelbar nach dem Laichen die Eier heraussuchte. Ich überführte die Laichkörner in kleine Plastikschälchen, die ich in einem Brutschrank unterbrachte, den ich auf eine konstante Temperatur von 23° C eingestellt hatte. Obgleich fast sämtliche Eier befruchtet zu sein schienen, Iösten sie sich nacheinander innerhalb von zwei Wochen auf. Ich wiederholte diesen Versuch noch zweimal auf die gleiche Weise und mit dem gleichen negativen Ergebnis, wobei ich jeweils 30 bis 50 Laichkörner in einer Plastikschale im Brutschrank unterbrachte. Danach unternahm ich drei weitere Versuche, bei denen ich die Laichkörner einen Tag nach dem Unterbringen in Plastikschalen wieder aus dem Wasser herausnahm und sodann in Torf solange zum Trocknen aufstellte, bis nur noch sehr wenig Feuchtigkeit vorhanden war. Die Plastikdosen mit dem Torf verschloß ich daraufhin mit Tesa-Film Iuftdicht und brachte sie im Brutschrank unter. Bei einer Überprüfung der Eier nach vier Wochen zeigten diese noch wenig Entwicklung. Erst nach acht bis zwölf Wochen schlüpften die Jungfische aus, sobald ich den Torf mit Wasser übergoß. Die besten Ergebnisse erzielte ich, wenn ich nach zehn Wochen aufgoß.
Die ausgeschlüpften Jungfische fressen sofort Artemia-Nauplien. Sie sind sehr schnellwüchsig und leicht mit lebendem Futter aufzuziehen. Bei guter Ernährung dürften sie bereits im Alter von zwei bis drei Monaten fortpflanzungsfähig sein. Die Maximalgröße der Art beträgt etwa 8 cm. Ich hielt Roloffia monroviae mit gutem Erfolg bei einer Temperatur von 22 bis 24° C in einem Wasser mit einem pH-Wert von 7 und einer Härte von 8° dH. Bei einer Laichabgabe können mehr als 100 Laichkörner gezählt werden." (Roloff: p.301, 1972)

Akvarie stammer:

Stamme 

Population 

Status

Importeret af: 

"Blå" 

Terra Typica

Ikke længere tilgængelig.
Roloff & Steiner, 1971.

"Rød" 

Robertsfield

Ikke længere tilgængelig.
Busink 1968-1971

"Robertsport"

Robertsport

Ikke længere tilgængelig.
#Schmitt & Guignard, 1976#

"Gul"

Harbel ?

Ikke længere tilgængelig.
Etzel & Pütz 1982 ?

"Harbel"

RL 65

Tilgængelig..
Etzel & Pütz 1982

"Paynesville, L97" blå

Paynesville, L97

Tilgængelig.
Busch & ?, 1997 

"Paynesville, L97" rød

Paynesville, L97

Tilgængelig.
Busch & ?, 1997 

References:
Berkenkamp, H.O. & V.Etzel: -"The Roloffia species of Liberia with research into the identity of Roloffia melantereon (FOWLER, 1950) and a description of Roloffia jeanpoli spec. nov."
  BKA-Publ.: 15pp., 1. Dec.1979 (BER,BRE,GUI,JEA,LIB,MAE,MEL,MOR,OCC,SMI,VIR) 
Berkenkamp, H.O. & V. Etzel.: -"Informationen über die vier Arten der Gattung Callopanchax MYERS, 1933 der ehemaligen Gattung Roloffia Clausen, 1966."
  Deutsche Killifisch Gemeinschaft Journal 35 (6): 205-214, 2003.
Cauvet, C.: -"Les Callopanchax ou Roloffias annuels. Présentation Observations dans la nature et en aquarium.''
  Killi Revue, (Killi Club de France) 6/05: p.2-44, 2005.
Costa, W. J. E. M.: -"Osteology of the African annual killifish genus Callopanchax (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) and phylogenetic implications."
  Vertebrate Zoology 59 (1), p.31- 40, 2009b.
Dinesen, K.: -"A review of Callopanchax monroviae (Roloff & Ladiges, 1972) - With notes on the type locality, distribution, natural life cycle, and phenotypes."
  JAKA., Vol. 39(3/4): p.103-113, May/June/July/August 2007.
Etzel, V.:  -"Killifischstudien in Liberia. Einleitung." 
  DKG-Journal, 24 (2): p.17-21, 1992a. 
Etzel, V.:  -"Killifischstudien in Liberia. Biotope und Fische in West-Liberia." 
  DKG-Journal, 24 (8): p.113-120, 1992b. 
Etzel, V.:  -"Killifischstudien in Liberia. Biotope und Fische Zentral-Liberias."
  DKG-Journal, 25 (3): p.33-40, 1993. 
Etzel, V. & H.O.Berkenkamp:   -"Etudes biochimiques sur le groupe R. occidentalis." 
  AKFB-Publ., 17pp, Dec. 1981. (HUW,MOR,OCC,TOD) 
Fowler, H.W.:  -"Some fishes from Liberia, West Africa, with descriptions of two new species."
  Notulae Naturae, No. 225, p.1-8, 1950. 
Grimm, H.: -"Zum Problem der Unterscheidung der Gattungen Roloffia und Aphyosemion."
  DATZ, 27 (2), p.50-53, Stuttgart 1974. (BER,BRE,CAB,CHY,GER,GUI, LIB, MAE, MEL,MOR, OCC,PET,ROL, TOD,VIR, CALDAL,HAS) 
Grimm, H.:  -"To the Problem of the Identification of Roloffia and Aphyosemion." 
  JAKA with KN, 7 (3), p.81-87, March 1974. (BER,BRE,CAB,CHY,GER,GUI, LIB, MAE, MEL, MOR, OCC, PET, ROL, TOD, VIR, CALDAL, HAS) 
Hoppe, P.J.:  -"Roloffia monroviae Roloff & Ladiges 1972.
  KN 6(6): p.11-12, June 1973. (MOR)
Hoppe, P.:  -"Letters to the Editor." (Note! Corrections to article in AKA-KN, June 1973)
  AKA KILLIE NOTES, Vol. 6, No. 10, p.33, October 1973. (MOR).
Huber, J.:  -"Killi-Data 1994. Updated checklist of taxonomic names, collecting localities & bibliographic references of oviparous Cyprinodont fishes (Cyprinodontoidei)." 
  Cybium, Soc. fr. Ichtyologie, Ed., Paris: 2 ed., 366 pp., 1.Jan.1994. 
Nieuwenhuizen, A.v.d.: -"Viele kleine machen ein Großes!." 
  DATZ, 26 (2), p.37-41, Stuttgart 1973.
Nieuwenhuizen, A.v.d.:  -"Leuchtende Edelsteine vom Schwarzen Erdteil."
  DATZ, 27 (2), p.46-50, Stuttgart 1974. 
Roloff, E. & Prof. Dr.W. Ladiges: -"Roloffia monroviae spec. nov. Beschreibung einer neuen Roloffia-Art aus Liberia."
  DATZ, 25 (9), p.299-301, 1972.
Roloff, E.:  -"Roloffia monroviae Roloff & Ladiges 1972."
  TFH, Vol. 21, No. 7 (#205), p.5-6 & 9-10, March 1973.
Roloff, E.:  Korrespondance til Hr. P. Hoppe. 
  1 p., 28 Jan. 1974.  
Roloff, E.:  -"Epiplatys barmoiensis oder Epiplatys matlocki ?."
  DKG-Journal, 11 (3), p.33-37, 1979.
Wildekamp, R. H.: -"Eine grosse Roloffia-art aus Liberia." 
  Deutsche Killifisch Gemeinschaft Journal 4 (9): p.89-92, 1972.
Wildekamp, R. H.:  -"A World of Killies. Atlas of the Oviparous Cyprinodontiform Fishes of the World." 
  AKA publ., Vol. III: 330 pp., 1996.

#Langton, R. 1979. "A Numbering System to Indicate Peat Moss Wetness" Journal of the American Killifish Assoiation, 12 (6):187 188.
http://www.planiglobe.com

Schmitt #197#
############

Distribution

The known distribution of Cal. monroviae can be defined by a triangle formed by Lake Piso east of Robertsport, Gibi-Range of hills [what is this, a range of mountains ?] and Robertsfield. [Make sure these places should appear on the accompanying map] The northwestern border is presumably just southeast of Lake Piso. Cal. monroviae is apparently replaced by Cal. occidentalis at Robertsport, a town on the coast northwest of Monrovia. One unidentified specimen of Callopanchax which, on the basis of meristic data, is considered most likely to be Cal. occidentalis, was collected by C. R. Matlock, Jr. in 1946 near Robertsport Roloff (1979). The only positive record of Cal. occidentalis from Liberia was reported by Etzel (1992). Etzel and F.J. Butz collected one female of this species near Tienii, close to the Sierra Leone border. Cal. monroviae is easily distinguished from the other Callopanchax species, by the position of the first dorsal fin ray in relation to the first anal fin ray. In Cal. occidentalis, Cal. huwaldi and Cal. toddi this dorsal fin ray is clearly in advance of that of the anal fin. This is in contrast to their relative positions on Cal. monroviae, where the first anal fin ray is in advance of that of the dorsal fin.

The southeastern border of the known range of distribution is close to the Robertsfield Airport, to the immediate southeast of Monrovia. It can be theorized that this species might also occur further southeastwards along the coast, as suitable biotopes do exist there. That is, if Cal. monroviae is not replaced there by a closely related but yet to be discovered species ?

Natural life cycle

From Nieuwenhuizen (1974) and Roloff (Hoppe persn. Comm. 2002?) it is known that the habitats are dry in January. In Liberia there are two seasons, the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season is approximately from May to October. This indicates an incubation time of approximately four to five months (January to May). Nieuwenhuizen (1974) reports the occurrence of Cal. monroviae shortly after the beginning of the rainy season, and Etzel (1993) reports the collection by Muhle and Lempert in July. Most collections were made in the month of November, when young but sexually mature specimens could be caught. Reports of fully grown specimens in the wild are very rare.

In summary, the biotopes become dry in January and are filled again by the first rains in May. The first Cal. monroviae can be caught shortly thereafter. Sexually mature specimens can be caught in November, and fully grown individuals have rarely been collected in the wild. The accompanying drawing illustrates the expected annual cycle of Cal. monroviae. One observation made by Steiner (personal communication, 2005) is that: "During the last 20 years the seasons are not as precise as they used to be". This raises concern for the future of annual killifish in West Africa because climate change may threaten many populations.

Breeding

The following brief notes about breeding Cal. monroviae are based primarily on experiences with the Paynesville population. In the early breeding reports, an incubation time of 10 weeks to 3 months was recommended. However, Kadlec (reference ?) recommends an incubation time of 4 to 5 months, which is the same duration as the expected natural dry period. For the best results, the peat moss containing the eggs during incubation should be quite wet. When harvested from the breeding tank, the peat moss should be squeezed to remove excess water but not dried any further before placing in a bag. It should be about 3 to 4 on the Langton peat moss wetness scale (Langton, 1979).

The eggs are quite large, 1.4 to 1.5 mm (about 0.06 inches), and fine particles of peat or mud will adhere to them. The fry are very large, are able to eat Artemia nauplii and grow rapidly. The fry were raised on a combination of live Artemia and Cyclops, and later frozen and living mosquito larvae and frozen Mysis (tiny shrimp caught in the ocean) [Is this feeding routine based on your personal experience or that of someone else, and if so, who ?] . Sexual maturity is reached at an age of two or three months and full size, of 3 to 4 inches, a couple of months later.

Phenotype and variability

Shortly after the introduction of Cal. monroviae to the hobby, some confusion arose as to the various phenotypes Hoppe (1973a and b). The variability of Cal. monroviae can generally, be described by two varieties that normally occur in the same biotope. These are known as the "blue" and "red" varieties. The red is also often referred to as the "yellow" variety. The blue variety has a blue body coloration with blue margins to the caudal fin. The red variety has a red to orange body coloration (that may be blue in some populations) and a yellow lower margin in the caudal fin. This phenomenon of color variation is well known among the species Fundulopanchax gardneri, Scritaphyosemion chaytori, Scr. liberiense and others.

Roloff distinguished between two varieties in a very different manner. He distributed one strain designated as "blue" and one as "red". The "blue" originated from the terra typica (see photo of Cal. monroviae "blue") [this is confusing] and the "red" originated from a location close to the Robertsfield Airport. In the Roloff "red" most males have uniformly red body coloration with yellow margins in caudal fin; however, blue males do occur in this population, although they are very rare (see photo of Cal. monroviae "red" from Robertsfield). [this is also very confusing] [perhaps you could rewrite this paragraph ?]

During the 1980s a yellow strain was available in the hobby, most likely originating from the import made by Etzel and Pütz in 1982 from Harbel (RL 65). The yellow body coloration was probably a result of a diet low in carotenes or due to keeping the fish in well-lit tanks with light-colored gravel. This strain, remarkably enough, was still present in Germany in 2005. Callopanchax strains seldom survive in the hobby for that long.

Although not confirmed, the populations in the northwestern parts of the distribution range - RL 22, RL 27 and RL 28 - appear to be predominantly of the blue variety (see photo of blue male from Robertsport), and have very few red markings on the body sides. The central populations (terra typica and Paynesville) appear to have a majority of the blue variety, although the red variety is also present. In the southeastern populations (Logan-Town and Robertsfield) the red variety is dominant by far, although a few males of the blue type can be found. The latter populations are incredibly beautiful, with their uniform red to orange coloration.

Phenotypic and meristic characters indicate that Cal. monroviae occupies a very isolated position in the Callopanchax group.

About the discoverer of Callopanchax monroviae

Charles Steiner worked at the University of Liberia from 1962 to 1990. There he started scientific collections of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and insects. He also prepared teaching and demonstration materials for the biology department. Although he is a professional taxidermist, his love is for living animals. He reared orphaned baby animals and birds and, because of the great interest people had in seeing these creatures, often for the first time in their lives, he developed "Steiner's Zoo and Animal Orphanage". There he could explain to visitors about the lives and usefulness of the animals and he could positively approach them on matters of conservation. In July, 1990 all the animals were killed. Charles and his Liberian wife Annie had to flee Liberia in 1990 due to the civil war, leaving behind almost all their belongings. However, they hope to return some day and rebuild their zoo (Steiner, personal communication, 2005).

 

Figure captions:

 

Image 02a or 2b: Charles Steiner (left) and Erhard Roloff (right) in Monrovia, November, 1971. Photographer unknown.

Image 03: Portion of U.S. Army 50K map 2437 I (U.S. Army Topographic Command, 1972), showing the approximate location of the terra typica, marked by the red ellipse. The side of each square of the grid equals 1 kilometer (0.62 miles). The black rectangle in the overview map (top left) represents the location of the map portion.

Image 04: The only specimen of Callopanchax occidentalis from Liberia that has been identified with certainty. Collected at Tienii RL 1 by Etzel and Butz. Photograph by Vollrad Etzel.

Image 05: Map showing the distribution of Callopanchax species in Liberia.

 

Image 07: Biotope of Callopanchax monroviae near Robertsport (RL 28). Photograph by Vollrad Etzel.

Image 08: The natural lifecycle of Callopanchax monroviae.

Image 11: A blue male Callopanchax monroviae from Robertsport. Photograph by J.P. Vandersmissen.

 

Table caption:

Known collection sites of Callopanchax species in Liberia. The first 11 represent Callopanchax monroviae; number 12 and most likely number 13 represent Callopanchax occidentalis. All geographical coordinates are approximate and in degrees/minutes/seconds.