Two New and Remarkably Similarly Colored Species ofLabeotropheus(Perciformes: Cichlidae) from Lake Malaŵi, Africa

Abstract

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.