2024/12/10 by George F. Turner · 1 voice
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Environmental Science · #Fish Biology and Ecology Studies #Fish biology, ecology, and behavior #Aquatic Ecosystems and Biodiversity
paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/jfb.16014
openalex publication_date 2024/12/10 · openalex created_date 2024/12/11 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Two new species of Mylochromis Regan 1920 are described from specimens collected on shallow rocky habitats on the northwestern coast of Lake Malawi. The generic designation is based on their prominent oblique-striped pattern and lack of any of the unique features of other Malawi cichlid genera with this pattern. Mylochromis rotundus sp. nov. is distinguished from most congeneric species by its relatively deep, rounded body and lack of enlarged pharyngeal teeth. It is further distinguished from Mylochromis semipalatus and Mylochromis melanonotus (if they are different species) by its relatively shorter snout. Mylochromis durophagus sp. nov. is distinguished from most congeneric species by its strongly molarized pharyngeal dentition. It differs from Mylochromis mola by having a shorter snout, a less acutely pointed head profile, a deeper body, and a more continuous oblique stripe. M. durophagus has a much less steep head profile than Mylochromis anaphyrmus or Mylochromis sphaerodon. It is suggested that M. rotundus was previously identified informally as Mylochromis sp. "mollis north," and M. durophagus as Mylochromis sp. "mollis chitande." Lectotypes are designated for comparator species M. sphaerodon and Mylochromis subocularis.