Herichthys


Herichthys is a small genus of cichlid fishes. Most are endemic to Mexico, but H. cyanoguttatus is also found in southern Texas, and has been introduced to central Texas and Florida. In 2015, the genus was split, and 7 species moved into Nosferatu.

Species

There are currently 7 recognized species in this genus. Separate mitochondrial DNA analyses by Husley et al., Rican et al., and Oldfield et al., support H. minckleyi as monophyletic and sister to all other Herichthys species. Moreover, molecular analysis conducted separately by López-Fernández, et al., and De la Maza-Benignos, et al., did not support H. tamasopoensis, H. cyanoguttatus, H. teporatus, and H. carpintis as distinct from each other. However, morphological and zoogeographical analysis by De la Maza-Benignos, et al., confirmed the validity of these four species, as well as differential evolutionary trends. Analysis also supported the separation of Herichthys into three distinct geomorphological groups + H. minckleyi. These are, from South to North:
The Catalog of Fishes classifies the genus Nosferatu as synonymous with Herichthys.