TAXONOMIC HEADACHE

[SGypsyMermaid]

ok--HELP!! melanochromis joanjohnsonae, labidochromis exasperatus, labidochromis textilis, labidochromis flavigulis...same fish, different fish...one fish, two fish...gray fish, blue fish...aaarrrggghhh!!!

[tom]

It seems the confusion surrounding M. joanjohnsonae and L. exasperatus (along with M. exasperatus--all three names referring to the same fish) is the product of a fundamental disagreement on classification. Loiselle, for example, apparently considers M. joanjohnsonae and M. exasperatus nomina nuda and has argued (succesfully? I don't know) for the reclassication of this species as Lab. exasperatus.

The other two species are distinct, as far as I know.

[SGypsyMermaid]

while i was researching info on l. flavigulis, i noticed that konings listed 'exasperatus' as a synonym for flavigulis--that's what sent me into the tailspin. :confused: :shock: :confused:

[tom]

And the disagreement goes on, I guess. The types and descriptions for M. exasperatus/joanjohnsonae are distinct from L. flavigulis--again, as far as I know (which ain't much). Suggestion: Ask Konings directly.