Two new species of Mylochromis species (Cichlidae) from Lake Malawi, Africa

Abstract

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 M. semipalatus and M. melanonotus (if they are different species) by its relatively shorter snout. Mylochromis durophagus sp. nov. is distinguished from most congeneric species by its strongly molarised pharyngeal dentition. It differs from Mylochromis mola in having a shorter snout, less acutely pointed head profile, deeper body and in having a more continuous oblique stripe. Mylochromis durophagus has a much less steep head profile than Mylochromis anaphyrmus or Mylochromis sphaerodon. It is suggested that Mylochromis rotundus was previously identified informally as Mylochromis sp. 'mollis north', and M. durophagus as M. sp. 'mollis chitande'. Lectotypes are designated for comparator species Mylochromis sphaerodon and Mylochromis subocularis.