Xenotilapia burtoni
| Xenotilapia burtoni | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cichliformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Genus: | Xenotilapia |
| Species: | X. burtoni
|
| Binomial name | |
| Xenotilapia burtoni Poll, 1951
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Xenotilapia burtoni is a species of cichlid endemic to Burton Bay in Lake Tanganyika, Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is the only Xenotilapia species restricted to a single bay in the lake, and is classified as endangered due to its extremely limited range and ongoing habitat degradation.[1]
Taxonomy
The species was first described by the Belgian ichthyologist Max Poll in 1951 as Xenotilapia longispinis burtoni, a subspecies of Xenotilapia longispinis, based on specimens collected from Burton Bay during the 1946–1947 hydrobiological exploration of Lake Tanganyika.[2][3] It was subsequently elevated to full species status. The specific name burtoni refers to Burton Bay, the type locality of the species; the bay itself is named after the British explorer Richard Francis Burton, who reached Lake Tanganyika in 1858.[2]
Xenotilapia burtoni belongs to the tribe Ectodini, a diverse lineage of Lake Tanganyika cichlids that includes both sand-dwelling and rock-dwelling species. Phylogenetic analyses place Xenotilapia within a benthic clade alongside the genera Asprotilapia, Enantiopus, and Microdontochromis.[4]
Description
Xenotilapia burtoni can reach a maximum total length of 17.7 centimetres (7.0 in).[2] Like other members of its genus, it has a streamlined body and a somewhat pointed snout adapted for sifting through substrate.[3]
Distribution and habitat
The species is known only from its type locality, Burton Bay, on the western (Congolese) shore of Lake Tanganyika.[2][1] It inhabits sandy and muddy bottoms at an average depth of around 10 metres (33 ft), though specimens have been collected as deep as 40 metres (130 ft).[2][5] It is considered rare within this already limited range.[1]
Ecology
Xenotilapia burtoni is a demersal species that forms schools over sandy or silty substrates.[2] It feeds primarily on insect larvae and small crustaceans, sifting mouthfuls of sediment to extract prey. Remnants of ostracods and shells have also been found in its diet.[2][5]
Conservation
Xenotilapia burtoni was assessed as Vulnerable under criterion D2 by the IUCN in 2006, reflecting its restriction to a single location.[6] It was reassessed in 2025 and upgraded to Endangered under criterion B1ab(iii), which reflects a continuing decline in the quality of its habitat.[1] The principal threats are sedimentation, water pollution, and habitat disturbance within Burton Bay.[1][6] No specific conservation measures are currently in place for this species.[6]
In the aquarium
The species is occasionally available in the aquarium trade.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Mushagalusa, D. (2025). "Xenotilapia burtoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2025 e.T60716A47211264. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-2.RLTS.T60716A47211264.en. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Xenotilapia burtoni". FishBase. April 2013 version.
- ^ a b Konings, A. (1998). Tanganyika Cichlids in Their Natural Habitat (1st ed.). Cichlid Press. p. 272.
- ^ Koblmüller, S.; Salzburger, W.; Sturmbauer, C. (2004). "Evolutionary relationships in the sand-dwelling cichlid lineage of Lake Tanganyika suggest multiple colonization of rocky habitats and convergent origin of biparental mouthbrooding". Journal of Molecular Evolution. 58 (1): 79–96. doi:10.1007/s00239-003-2527-1. PMID 14743316.
- ^ a b Poll, M. (1956). Poissons Cichlidae. Exploration hydrobiologique du lac Tanganika (1946–1947) – Résultats scientifiques. Vol. III. Brussels: Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique. pp. 1–619.
- ^ a b c Bigirimana, C. (2006). "Xenotilapia burtoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2006 e.T60716A12397529. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2006.RLTS.T60716A12397529.en. Retrieved 9 February 2026.