Two New and Remarkably Similarly Colored Species of Labeotropheus (Perciformes: Cichlidae) from Lake Malaŵi, Africa
The haplochromine cichlid genus Labeotropheus is endemic to Lake Malaŵi, Africa. This genus presently contains two recognized species, Labeotropheus fuelleborni and L. trewavasae. As currently recognized, both species consist of geographically isolated populations scattered throughout the lake, each distinguished by a unique male nuptial color pattern. While other such allopatric populations of Lake Malaŵi cichlids have been described as different species, those of Labeotropheus have not, largely due to misunderstandings or misinterpretations of criteria applied to other Malaŵian endemics. Taking a refined approach to the recognition of putative species of Labeotropheus, I used morphometric, meristic, and color characteristics to describe two new, very similarly colored, species of Labeotropheus, both of which are found near Katale Island alongside the Luromo Peninsula in northwestern Lake Malaŵi.
Map of Lake Malawi displaying where specimens were collected. (A) Lake Malawi; (B) Detail of Luromo Peninsula, especially Katale Island.
Measurements made on the heads of specimens of Labeotropheus. A: rostral corner of bony orbit; B: anterior tip of snout; C: rostral corner of lachrymal bone; D: rostralmost tip of premaxilla; E: ventralmost point of bony orbit; F: ventralmost point of ventral border of adductor muscle; G: posterior tip of premaxilla; H: anterior tip of premaxilla; A-B: rostral length; A-C: preorbital depth; A-D: snout length; B-H: snout pad length; E-F: cheek depth; G-H: upper jaw length.
Holotype of L. chlorosiglos. Male, 103.5 mm SL, MPM 50039.
Graph of body depth versus standard length in three species of Labeotropheus. Labeotropheus chlorosiglos is clearly distinguished from L. fuelleborni, with only a slight overlap with L. trewavasae; see Table 1 for details.
Relationship between dorso-lateral scale rows and pectoro-pelvic scale rows in both L. chlorosiglos and L. fuelleborni. Individual L. chlorosiglos always have more scale rows between the dorsal fin and lateral line than scale rows between the pectoral and pelvic fins, while individual L. fuelleborni always have more scale rows between the pectoral and pelvic fins than scale rows between the dorsal fin and lateral line.
Typical color patterns of adult L. chlorosiglos. (A) Non-type, male aquarium specimen, (B) female paratype (89.2 mm SL; from MPM 50040), photographed before preservation. Note that the backgrounds of both 6A and B have been manipulated in Photoshop to better display the color patterns of the specimens.
Holotype of L. simoneae. Male, 101.3 mm SL, MPM 50048.
Typical color patterns of adult L. simoneae. (A) Male, holotype (101.3 mm SL; MPM 50048), photographed before preservation, (B) female paratype (92.9 mm SL; from MPM 50049), photographed before preservation. Note that the background of 6A has been manipulated in Photoshop to better display the color patterns of the male.
Contributor Notes
Associate Editor: D. Buth.