Sarotherodon

Sarotherodon comprises approximately 25 species of mouth-brooding tilapias, all but one of which are endemic to West and Central Africa. Of particular interest is the adaptive radiation of 11 closely related species in Barombi Mbo, a crater lake in Cameroon. This represents one of the most spectacular examples of sympatric speciation. It appears that Sarotherodon is paraphyletic, with several new generic names expected to be described. It is unlikely that S. galilaeus will remain in that genus. Alternatively, several other genera of mouth-brooding tilapias, including Iranocichla, Oreochromis, and Tristramella, might become synonyms of Sarotherodon . However, no conclusive phylogenetic concept has been proposed until now. Furthermore, S. galilaeus appears to have been largely introgressed by Oreochromis aureus, indicating that both species have undergone extensive hybridisation in the past. Additionally, there is a high genetic diversity within S. galilaeus, particularly in West and Central Africa. Consequently, a critical taxonomic revision of this species is required.

Further reading. Trewavas et al. 1972; Schliewen et al. 1994 (Barombi Mbo); Dunz & Schliewen 2013 (phylogeny).