The discovery of Coptodon guineensis (Günther, 1862) (Perciformes, Cichlidae) in the Moulay Bousselham lagoon extends the species’ range 1000 km northward in Morocco

Abstract

Two specimens of Coptodon guineensis (Günther, 1862) were unexpectedly found in the Canal de Nador, Moulay Bousselham lagoon, almost 1000 km north of the Aabar River the northernmost river previously recorded. To confirm this identification nineteen measurements were recorded from each specimen and compared with other specimens of C. guineensis from Morocco and Mauritania. The COI gene was partially sequenced and compared with formerly published sequences of Coptodon species of the region. Both morphology and DNA revealed no differences with specimens from known populations of C. guineensis in Morocco.