Hemitaeniochromis brachyrhynchus, a new species of cichlid fish from Lake Malaŵi, with comments on some other supposed members of the genus (Teleostei: Cichlidae)

Abstract

Hemitaeniochromis brachyrhynchus, an anatomically distinctive and apparently rare new cichlid, is described and illustrated from specimens collected at two widely separated localities within Lake Malaŵi. It is easily distinguished from H. urotaenia, type species of the genus, by its narrow lacrimal bone which is only one-third of the orbit length, a character thought to be unique not only in Hemitaeniochromis but among all known Lake Malaŵi cichlids. The genus Hemitaeniochromis Eccles & Trewavas (1989) is redefined to allow provisional inclusion of this new species. Two species placed in Protomelas by Eccles & Trewavas (1989) [P. insignis (Trewavas) and P. spilopterus (Trewavas)] were recently transferred to Hemitaeniochromis by some authors, without much evidence. The generic placement of these controversial taxa, and of several undescribed species known only from underwater photographs, is briefly reconsidered. Copyright © 2012 · Magnolia Press.