Morphometric and allozyme variation in the black-chinned tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron (Perciformes, Cichlidae), with a revision of the subspecies complex

Based on morphometric and allozyme data of a large sample of black-chinned tilapia, Sarotherodon melanotheron, originating from over its entire geogra phical distribution range, the subspecific classification of this species h as been revised. One subspecies, S. m. paludinosus, is synonymized with S. m. hezldelotii. The validity of another subspecies, S. m. leonensis, is que stioned. The remaining three subspecies, S. m. melanotheron, S. m. heudelot ii and S. m. nigripinnis are clearly distinguished as separate taxa.