Illustrated Gene Tree 11.0: exact evidence instead of invented ancestors
Malili: two origin events, not an invented tip-order
The 2010 phylogenetic study inferred two independent arrivals by riverine ancestors among 15 endemic Malili taxa. One event gave rise to 14 species; the other remained a separate species lineage. We do not infer which specific commercial shrimp descends from which molecular branch.
Poso blue versus red represents biological species
Field evidence first showed two genetically distinct, differently colored forms called C. ensifera. Original 2009 and 2021 revisions identify blue C. caerulea and red C. ensifera as separate wild taxa; not recessive commercial color morphs.
Cardinal shrimp: official versus new conservation evidence
The IUCN 2018 record says C. dennerli was Critically Endangered and Possibly Extinct in the Wild after 2017–2018 non-detections. A 2025 local TARSIUS survey later reports presence at 12/24 Lake Matano sites. The April 2026 survey used 23 localities but no corresponding new detection numerator is public. Recent presence is hopeful, not proof of ecological recovery or an IUCN reassessment.
Conservation priority
Malili habitats face invasive predators, siltation, mining-linked disturbance, and ecological change. Avoid wild capture, unknown-source purchases and release of aquarium species; conservation reports do not authorize collecting.
Original papers and on-the-ground field evidence
- von Rintelen & Cai 2009 systematic revision, Raffles Bulletin of Zoology
Original taxonomic revision of the ancient-lake Caridina and eight described species; This paper documents field taxa and anatomy; not commercial genetic pedigrees
- von Rintelen et al. 2010 ancient Malili adaptive radiation
Peer-reviewed mitochondrial phylogeny and substrate counts for 15 endemic taxa; 2010 lake-wide sample; two colonization events, one producing 14 taxa, without a validated chromosome-level or hobby mating tree
- von Rintelen et al. 2007 Lake Poso colour and cryptic diversity
Voucher-based mtDNA study distinguishing formerly lumped ensifera colour forms; Do not treat ornamental blue/red grades as single-species color inheritance
- Klotz, Wowor & von Rintelen 2021 Lake Poso five new species original study
Original diagnoses of five species, ecological substrate observations and comparative morphology; 2021 taxonomy, not claims that these wild species were created by aquarium breeders
- IUCN 2018 Cardinal shrimp C. dennerli assessment
Red List original CR possibly extinct in wild based on 2017/18 nondetections; Snapshot assessment based on historical surveys; superseded for detection by more recent NGO report but not formally recategorized here
- TARSIUS Indonesia Lake Matano surveys August 2025 and April 2026
First-person conservation field report: C. dennerli encountered at 12/24 sites Aug 2025; 23 survey sites Apr 2026; Non-peer-reviewed conservation field post; 12/24 is occupancy detections not shrimp abundance, and second survey does not publish matching species-specific count