Scott's older definition was the one I grew up with and it was quite a shock for me to come to grips with all the newer tools such as electrophoresis etc. The problem of interspecific hybrids in Rainbowfishes is further complicated by the fact that interg
eneric hybridisation occurs readily in this family also. On the other hand I seem to remember that in Pseudomugilidae hybrids are rare even when purposely attempted and the only such crossing in my literature was between P. conniae and P. furcatus and the
resulting fry were weak and sterile (I think - it was in one of the very early "Fishes of Sahul").
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From: Walter Ivantsoff[SMTP:wivantso at rna.bio.mq.edu.au]
Sent: Friday, 24 May 1996 20:29
<<How
about it fellows, lets fund a Ph.D. student who will study hybridization
of melanotaeniids in the lab and in the wild? 15 grand a year, students
will live on a smell of vegemite for four years the sake of seeking a
little truth and not idle speculation.>>
I'll see if the ANGFA National Committee will start stockpiling Vegemite in anticipation of the project. I'm sure we would be happy to supply most of the species required for any such experiments and probably could convince Neil Armstrong and Gunther Schm
ida to help out with photos but I don't think we would like to be seen to be a group devoted to hybridising Rainbowfishes - even in the cause of "science".
Bruce Hansen ANGFA
Attachment Converted: c:\eudora\attach\RE Lets be careful6