Cyprichromis

Abstract: Cyprichromis coloratus, a new cichlid species, is described based on 41 type specimens from the Zambian coast of Lake Tanganyika. It differs from Cyprichromis microlepidotus by having fewer scales in the longitudinal line (41-44 v. 59-70 in C. microlepidotus) and upper lateral line (31-36 v. 47-59), from Cyprichromis leptosoma by more dorsal-fin spines (14-15 v. 11-13 in C. leptosoma) and longitudinal line scales (41-44 v. 38-40), from Cyprichromis pavo by fewer dorsal-fin spines and soft rays (29-31, usually 30, in total v. 30-32, usually 31, in C. pavo), and from Cyprichromis zonatus by shallower body depth [24-0-28-5 (26-4 ±1-1) % of standard length v. 24-5-30-5 (28.4 ±1-3) % in C. zonatus] and smaller eye [eye length 25-2-30-9 (27-2 ± 1-1) % of head length v. 27·9-33·3 (30·2 ± 1·2) %]. The new species is also separable from C. microlepidotus, C. pavo and C. zonatus by absence of distinct small spots on the body (v. pearl grey and yellowish small spots along scale rows on body at least in males of C. microlepidotus and C. pavo), its distinct dichromatism (particularly on the caudal fin) between males of the same population (v. dichromatism absent in C. zonatus) and absence of vertical bands (v. three or four distinct vertical bands beneath dorsal fin base in live males of C. zonatus). Cyprichromis coloratus n. sp. also exhibits sexual dimorphism, females having a larger head and males having longer pelvic fin, differences which are discussed in relation to reproductive behaviour. A key to the five species of Cyprichromis is included. A lectotype is designated for Cyprichromis leptosoma.

Abstract: Cyprichromis zonatus, a new cichlid species, is described on the basis of 21 specimens from the Zambian coast of Lake Tanganyika. It differs from its congeners, Cyprichromis leptosoma, Cyprichromis microlepidotus, and Cyprichromis pavo, by having 39–43 scales in longitudinal line (vs 57–71 in C. microlepidotus), 29–36 upper lateral line scales (vs 49–60 in C. microlepidotus), usually 14 or 15 dorsal fin spines (vs 12 or 13 in C. leptosoma, usually 16 in C. pavo), a generally deeper body (24.5–30.3% SL vs 23.1–26.2% in C. microlepidotus, 24.5–26.4% in C. pavo), deeper caudal peduncle (9.9–11.1% SL vs 8.4–9.9% in C. microlepidotus, 9.3–9.9% in C. pavo), longer pectoral fin (27.1–33.0% SL vs 23.1–27.4% in C. leptosoma, 23.0–27.3% in C. microlepidotus), caudal fin dichromatism absent (vs blue and yellow dichromatism in male C. leptosoma), and three or four distinct vertical bands beneath the dorsal fin base in live males (vs absent or very indistinct in other species).

Abstract: The cuckoo catfish Synodontis multipunctatus and S. grandiops are endemic to Lake Tanganyika and the only known nonavian vertebrates that exhibit obligate interspecific brood parasitism. Seven maternal mouth-brooding cichlid fish species are reported to be natural hosts of the parasitic catfish and share a common reproductive behaviour that the catfish exploits: cichlid females spawn eggs on the bottom, allowing the catfish female to place her eggs near the cichlid eggs, and the cichlid females collect the catfish eggs by mouth together with their own eggs. However, so far it has not been reported that the cuckoo catfish exploit different spawning behaviours. The genus Cyprichromis consists of five maternal mouth-brooding species endemic to Lake Tanganyika, most of which spawn and collect eggs in open water. This study reports that the cuckoo catfish also parasitizes the open-water spawning Cyprichromis coloratus, although it may not be a regular host.

Abstract: The phylogenetic relationships among two Paracyprichromis and five Cyprichromis species, included in the Tanganyikan cichlid tribe Cyprichromini, were investigated using morphological features. The previously proposed diagnostic characters of Paracyprichromis are not synapomorphies, because the nonelongated swim bladder is plesiomorphic, the numbers of dorsal and anal fin rays and scales on longitudinal line and around the caudal peduncle overlap with those of Cyprichromis, and these counts and number of vertebrae are all included within the ranges of other Tanganyikan cichlids. The monophyly of Paracyprichromis is supported by a unique condition of infraorbitals to this genus. Additionally, the monophyly of Cyprichromis was reconfirmed by one of the previously proposed diagnostic characters, the presence of an elongated swim bladder.