Lake Malawi Cichlid Geography

Michael K. Oliver is a biologist, ichthyologist specializing in freshwater fishes, and taxonomist of cichlids.  he is the curatorial affiliate in the Vertebrate Zoology division, Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University.  He continues to research systematics of African cichlid fishes.  He was mentored by David Eccles.  Michael is a good friend of mine.

David Eccles (1932-2021) - Ichthyologist and naturalist specialist in the cichlids of Lake Malawi.  Eccles Reef in Lake Malawi is named for him. "He saw patterns and cycles in nature that few others recognized and fewer understood," his son said.  David mentored many colleagues, including  Dr. M.K. Oliver. He received his Member of the Order of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth II at age 32.

Adrianus (“Ad”) F. Konings, ichthyologist, cichlid aquarist, diver, and publisher, whose field work on Lake Malawi cichlids in general and Aulonocara in particular have contributed considerably to our knowledge of these fishes; mentored by Stuart Grant and Ethelwynn Trewavas; species koningsi named for him

Dr. Ethelwynn Trewavas (1900-1993), British ichthyologist who continued the work of Charles Tate Regan.  Ethelwynn was Curator of Fish at the Natural History Museum. Like Regan, many fish species are named in her honor, especially African Rift lake cichlids.

Charles Tate Regan (1878-1943), British ichthyologist who did much work on fish classification. Charles joined the British Museum (Natural History) in 1901. Later, he became Keeper of Zoology. From 1927 to 1938, he was director of the Natural History Museum

Stuart Grant (1937-2007) - prominent fish explorer and exporter, stuartgranti species named for him