Darien Gap Biotope

[duanes]

The Darien Gap, is (besides being part of the geo-political news of late) is the area where Central America (Panama) and South America (Colombia) join, and is a unique zone where species from both continents collided, as volcanos erupted connecting the two continents. It’s kind of remote, and the Panamanian highway changes from a smooth two lane superhighway, to a rutted up one lane, then to a dirt path, and into simply jungle, so my collecting forays have just skirted its western edge so far.

It is an area where species from the soft, low pH rivers of S America, have adapted (or not), to the hard, calcium rich, high pH waters of Central America, or…. if unable to adapt, have either died out, or evolved into some other entirely new species over millennia.
Only 2 cichlid species from two S American genera have adapted almost unchanged, to the waters there.

Andinoacara coeruleopunctatus, almost identical to S America’s Andinoacara pulcher, has radiated throughout Panama and Costa Rica,
and Geophagus crassilabrus, which is the spittin image of the west Andean Geophagines, steindachneri, and pellegrini, and have evolved tolerance for the high pH and hard waters of Panama. This Geophagine is high on my wish list, to collect,(no luck so far).
Others from the Darien Gap are unique enough to be the only individuals in their respective genera.

Isthmoheros tuyrense, closely related to the Amphilophines

Darienheros calobrensiis closely related to Astatherines

Talamancaheros seiboldi which is related to Tomocichla.


But not only just unique cichlids, there are also Characins such as the toothless Curimatid, Cyphocharax magdalenae, found both in Panama and Colombia,

and the gar Characin, Ctenolucius beanii, which has a sister species in Colombia Ctenolucius hujeta, among others.

Another interesting species that has crossed Colombia and into the gap into Panama is the pleco, Chaetestoma fischeri

 

[tlindsey]

The Darien Gap is a fascinating ecological and evolutionary hotspot, marking the boundary where species from South and Central America meet and adapt to different environmental challenges. Volcanic activity connected the two continents, leading to species migration and evolution.

Notable fish in the region include:

• Andinoacara coeruleopunctatus (similar to A. pulcher) and Geophagus crassilabrus, which adapted to Central America’s harder, high-pH waters.
• Unique genera like Isthmoheros tuyrense, Darienheros calobrensis, and Talamancaheros sieboldi.
• Characins like Cyphocharax magdalenae and Ctenolucius beanii, showing ties to Colombian species.
• The pleco Chaetestoma fischeri, bridging Panama and Colombia.

Welcome aboard.

 

[duanes]

For me (although a bit west of the Darien) the edge of the separation of some unique species begins at the Rio Mamoni.

One of anotther unique species that transcends the boundary between north and South America (although I haven't come across it yet).
Is the spotted hatchet fish, Gasteropelecus maculatus, hopefully to be founds with my next foray east.

 

[RD.]

The Darien Gap is a fascinating ecological and evolutionary hotspot, marking the boundary where species from South and Central America meet and adapt to different environmental challenges. Volcanic activity connected the two continents, leading to species migration and evolution.

Notable fish in the region include:

• Andinoacara coeruleopunctatus (similar to A. pulcher) and Geophagus crassilabrus, which adapted to Central America’s harder, high-pH waters.
• Unique genera like Isthmoheros tuyrense, Darienheros calobrensis, and Talamancaheros sieboldi.
• Characins like Cyphocharax magdalenae and Ctenolucius beanii, showing ties to Colombian species.
• The pleco Chaetestoma fischeri, bridging Panama and Colombia.

Xmas bot

 

[jjohnwm]

The Darien Gap is a fascinating ecological and evolutionary hotspot, marking the boundary where species from South and Central America meet and adapt to different environmental challenges. Volcanic activity connected the two continents, leading to species migration and evolution.

Notable fish in the region include:

• Andinoacara coeruleopunctatus (similar to A. pulcher) and Geophagus crassilabrus, which adapted to Central America’s harder, high-pH waters.
• Unique genera like Isthmoheros tuyrense, Darienheros calobrensis, and Talamancaheros sieboldi.
• Characins like Cyphocharax magdalenae and Ctenolucius beanii, showing ties to Colombian species.
• The pleco Chaetestoma fischeri, bridging Panama and Colombia.

I may be incorrect, but...I think this is the first time a bot has re-worded and basically copied somebody's post...and then posted it immediately after the original! Usually there's a gap in between with some other posts buffering the stark contrast of original and copy.

Of all the electronic gall...

 

[duanes]

Here are some of the dithering type tetra species found in the Gap.
Many have sister species in Colombia in the same genera that hail from black water rivers like the Orinoco and Rio Negro, (Brycon, Astyanax, Roeboides and the like) that may have taken generations to adapt to the gauntlet and liquid rock of the Mamoni and other such rivers.

 

[duanes]

There are also a number of brackish and sea water tolerant species that have entered rivers of the Darien, and set up shop, such as the Mamoni (and rivers all over Panama) by sea.
Awaous banana above
The Robalo /Snook (Ctentropomus sp.).


Above and below, Gobiomorus dormitor, a very predatory Goby.
In my tank it grew very quickly from only a few inches, to over a foot, by eating half the fish in tank, belore it was given its own tank.
It started with Tetras, moving up to catfish and Plecos, and finally cichlids

And below, an Eleotris goby