Tropheus Annectens Vs. Polli

[myjohnson]

Are there any real any difference between these two fishes, annectens and polli, or was it just a name change?

I'm getting mixed reports and was wondering what the experts thought.

I posted the same questions here:

http://trophs.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3794

Thanks guys.

[Zulaab]

Ad Konings says the name Polli is a misclassification of the same fish annectens. Fish that are exported as red polli is a brichardi or moorii, as they have different number of spines in their tail section. Annectens have 4 where Brichardi and Moorii have 5 to 7

[jeebus]

So is Polli even a type at all?

[myjohnson]

When I talked to geoff and mike they said that polli and annectens are different.

However, I was drinking so I want to wait on them to comment.

[myjohnson]

So is Polli even a type at all?

noddy posted on trophs, "According top the aqualog bible, it's clear as mud. T. Annectens the iris ring in adults is allways black or grey, while in the T. Polli it is allways bright blue. I know it doesn't answer your question but it may help I.D them."

Glen, when you have time can you check to see what the aqualog says.

thanks.

[geoff_tropheus]

Annectens and Polli are currently two classifications of species of Tropheus.

Tropheus Annectens - Boulenger, 1900
Tropheus Polli - Axelrod, 1977

Polli is only found on the Eastern Shore of the Lake mostly around the Bulu Point Area, Mahale St. Park coastline

Annectens is found on both sides of the Lake and has a much wider distribution.

Currently Polli is only recognized in one color morph.

Annectens has several color morphs.

Physically they have the same body shape, size, and color patterns. Males at Maturity always go one solid color, and Females and Junvinile males keep a stripped pattern. The Blue Iris is very common to both Annectens and Polli, I've not seen them without it.

[geoff_tropheus]

The pictures of Annectens Mtoto has black eyes. So the blue Iris is not 100% for sure thing

[jeebus]

So why are the Polli found on the eastern shores just not considered Annectens?