Uwe Römer

Uwe Römer (born 1959) is a German biologist and ichthyologist known for his research on South American dwarf cichlids, particularly species of the genus Apistogramma.

Biography Römer developed an interest in nature during his early childhood and, as a youth, studied the protection and biology of native fishes, amphibians, and reptiles. His later scientific focus expanded to ornithology and nature conservation, resulting in several long-term ecological studies. His early ornithological research included fieldwork on North Atlantic bird islands, in Scandinavia, and in North America.

During his studies at Bielefeld University, Römer's research interests shifted toward Neotropical fishes, particularly the genus Apistogramma, as well as ecological and ethnological questions relating to the Amazon Basin. In the 1990s, he conducted several research expeditions to the Rio Negro region of the Amazon.

In 1998, Römer completed his doctoral dissertation on the biology of Neotropical dwarf cichlids of the genus Apistogramma. After several years as an ichthyologist at a biological station, he refocused his studies on Neotropical cichlids, emphasizing biodiversity, evolutionary relationships, and the ecological roles of their physiological traits and social behavior. His work has included studies on environmental sex determination and the potential effects of climate change on cichlid life histories.

Römer received his habilitation in 2006 from the Department of Geosciences at the University of Trier, where he obtained the venia legendi for biogeography. He has described several new species of Apistogramma, including Apistogramma mendezi in 1994, named for Brazilian environmentalist Chico Mendes, and Apistogramma barlowi in 2007, co-described with Ingo Hahn and named in honor of George W. Barlow.

He is also an accomplished photographer, with his photographs illustrating most of his publications and presentations, including both volumes of Cichlid Atlas: Natural History of South American Dwarf Cichlids. In addition to his scientific work, Römer teaches biology and chemistry at a school, lectures at Trier University, and continues to write and photograph professionally.

In recognition of his contributions to ichthyology, the species Laimosemion roemeri was named after him.

Species described Apistogramma aguarico Römer & Hahn, 2013 Apistogramma allpahuayo Römer et al., 2012 Apistogramma arua Römer & Warzel, 1998 Apistogramma atahualpa Römer, 1997 Apistogramma baenschi Römer, 2004 Apistogramma barlowi Römer & Hahn, 2008 Apistogramma cinilabra Römer, Duponchelle, Vela-Diaz, Garcia-Davilla, Sirvas, Diaz-Catchay & Renno, 2011 Apistogramma feconat Römer, Soares, García Dávila, Duponchelle, Renno & Hahn, 2015 Apistogramma huascar Römer, Pretor & Hahn, 2006 Apistogramma martini Römer, Hahn, Römer, Soares & Wöhler, 2003 Apistogramma megastoma Römer, Römer, Estivals, Díaz, Duponchelle, García Dávila, Hahn & Renno, 2017 Apistogramma mendezi Römer, 1994 Apistogramma panduro Römer, 1997 Apistogramma pantalone Römer, Römer, Soares & Hahn, 2006 Apistogramma paulmuelleri Römer, Beninde, Duponchelle, Vela-Díaz & Renno, 2013 Apistogramma playayacu Römer, Beninde & Hahn, 2011 Apistogramma rositae Römer, Römer & Hahn, 2006 Apistogramma wapisana Römer, Hahn & Conrad, 2006 Apistogramma wolli Römer, Soares, García Dávila, Duponchelle, Renno & Hahn, 2015 Dicrossus foirni Römer, Hahn & Vergara, 2010 Dicrossus warzeli Römer, Hahn & Vergara, 2010

Genera Ivanacara Römer & Hahn, 2006

Selected publications