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    Published: January 5, 2015

    Systematics and Taxonomy of Cichlids in the Genus Thorichthys

    Stephanie Ware, Manager, Morphology Labs, SEM

    Project Mentor: Dr. Caleb McMahan (Collections Manager, Fishes, Gantz Family Collections Center)

    Project Description: The genus Thorichthys includes eight currently recognized species of Middle American cichlids, found in rivers and lakes of southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. The most recognizable species in this genus is the firemouth cichlid, Thorichthys meeki, characterized by the bright orange and red coloration under the jaw. Recent and ongoing molecular phylogenetic research has shown this group of fishes is in need of thorough systematic study and taxonomic revision.

    Research methods and techniques: This project will use morphological and molecular data to study the evolutionary history and taxonomy of fire-mouth cichlids, with particular focus on investigating morphological characters to better diagnose species within the genus and re-assess currently recognized species diversity. The intern will be trained in organismal biology of the family Cichlidae, with emphasis on neotropical cichlids. The intern will examine morphological characters based on the skeleton and coloration and will be involved in analytical parts of the project.

    Stephanie Ware
    Manager, Morphology Labs

    Stephanie started volunteering at the Field Museum in 1998, working with Curator John Bates in the Bird Division. In 1999, John Bates hired her as a research assistant. After that project finished in 2007, she went to work for Carl Dick in the Division of Insects helping him to complete his work on the museum's Bat Fly collection. She spent a great deal of time generating images for the Bat Fly portion of theDiptera Taxonomy Database. When Carl left for University of Kentucky in 2009, she continued her imaging work in the Insect Division. In the intervening years, she has imaged hundreds specimens, mostly types, from the rove beetle (Staphylinidae), ant and myriapoda collections.

    Stephanie began working with the Chicago Peregrine Program in 2006.  Initially, she monitored the Metropolitan Correctional Center nest in downtown Chicago.  Over time, her duties have expanded to include other nests in the metro region, emphasizing the identification of nesting adults.  In March of 2007, Stephanie created a group called Midwest Peregrine Falcons on the photo sharing website Flickr with the goal of providing a place for photographers across the country to submit their photographs of peregrine sightings in the Midwestern United States. She also has many of her own peregrine photos on Flickr as well.