Ammersee Ruffe

The Ammersee - ruffe ( Gymnocephalus ambriaelacus ) is a Genuine bone fish of the family of the Real perch. He lives endemic to the Ammersee and was first described in 2010 as a separate species.

Features

The student Matthias Geiger was noticed in 2005 that ruffe from the Ammersee bigger eyes, another drawing and other proportions than the nominate subspecies of the genus Gymnocephalus, the ( Common ) ruffe ( Gymnocephalus cernua ). Genetic studies hardened then published in 2010, now by the experts accepted view, if it were its own kind

The Ammersee - ruffe reaches about 12 cm in length. The color is silvery light gray. The partly yellowish fins have spot series. It differs from the ( Commons ) ruffe by a higher back, statistically a slightly longer dorsal fin (D1 15 instead of 14 ), greater eyes and only small dark spots without pattern. From Donaukaulbarsch ( Gymnocephalus baloni ) it differs by something bigger eyes, a slightly lower caudal peduncle, more P- fin rays (15 instead of 13 ) and a steeper head profile.

The Ammersee - ruffe has 37 lateral line scales ( less than two oblique rows ). As with all Kaulbarschen the head side lines do not run in bone tubes, but in gutters that are externally covered only by a thin skin - so that the fish can also at night, without vision, track food from the ground.

Fins formula: D1 XII- XV, D2 I/10-12, A II/5-6.

Habitat

This species was previously found only in Ammersee. It developed after the end of the Pleistocene since about 12 000 years ago in this Gletscherrandsee isolated from other populations. Ruffe come in lakes of the Alpine foothills before hardly ever. Most closely related to the Ammersee - ruffe is the Donaukaulbarsch. Currently, this congregation and the ruffe is in the Isar as nearest pig waters before, but not in the Amper, the feeder from the Ammersee.

In medieval Latin the Ammersee Ambriae lacus was called. The choice of Artepithetons ambriaelacus was based on this concept.

Probably tart introduced by careless anglers, now comes before the congregation also ruffe Gymnocephalus cernua in Ammersee.

Way of life

The fish spawns near the shore (about 3-5 m depth) in May. The eggs float or sink to the sandy bottom. But they hardly adhere to the floor.