Enigmatochromis, Lamboj, Anton, 2009

Lamboj, Anton, 2009, A new dwarf cichlid genus and species (Teleostei, Cichlidae) from Guinea, West Africa, Zootaxa 2173, pp. 41-48 : 42-44

Enigmatochromis new genus

( Figs. 1 & 2 .; Table 1)

Type species. Enigmatochromis lucanusi , new species by original designation.

Diagnosis. The new genus is distinguished from all other chromidotilapiine genera by a unique combination of characters. It posseses twelve scales around the caudal peduncle vs. (13 or 14 scales) in Limbochromis Greenwood 1987 , (14–16 scales) in Chromidotilapia, Boulenger 1898 , and (16 scales) in Benitochromis Lamboj 2001 , Pelvicachromis Thys van den Audenaerde 1968 and Thysochromis Daget 1988 . Among the remaining chromidotilapiine genera with twelve circumpenducular scales this new genus is further distinguished from Congochromis Stiassny & Schliewen 2007 and Nanochromis Pellegrin 1904 by: an infraorbital series containing a lachrymal and three additional tubular bones, and a gap between the 2nd and 3rd tubular infraorbitals (vs. lachrymal and one tubular bone), plus the lateral line is clearly separated from the dorsal-fin base (vs. posterior part contiguous with the dorsal-fin base). It is distinguished from Divandu Lamboj & Snoeks 2000 by: an infraorbital series with a lachrymal and three additional tubular bones and a gap between the 2nd and 3rd tubular infraorbitals (vs. four tubular bones), only four openings of the laterosensory system in the lachrymal bone (vs. five), the first ray of pelvic fin in adult females is of equal length or longer than second ray of this fin (vs. first ray always longer), being a pair-bonding cave breeder (vs. a mouthbrooder), and by well developed sexual dichromatism (vs. weakly developed). Finally it is distinguished from Parananochromis Greenwood 1987 by: an infraorbital series with a lachrymal and three additional tubular bones with a gap between the 2nd and 3rd tubular infraorbitals (vs. four tubular bones in some species of Parananochromis ), juveniles with 3 or 4 rows of irregular dark brown to black dots on body (vs. maximum of 2 rows), and the first ray of pelvic fin in adult females of equal length or longer than the second ray of this fin (vs. second ray slightly longer or of equal length).

Etymology. Enigma from enigmatic, refers to the somewhat intermediate characters between Pelvicachromis and Parananochromis in possessing pigmentation similarities to the first, but anatomical similarities to the second genus; and chromis – a common ending for African cichlid fishes. Gender masculine.

% of caudal peduncle depth

Caudal peduncle length 74.4 71.7 7.0 58.7–86.3

Figures

FIGURE 1. Enigmatochromis lucanusi, NMW 95063, holotype, male, 44.7 mm SL; Guinea: Small creek near the village of Fria, north of Conakry. Scale bar = 10 mm.

FIGURE 2. Photographs showing coloration of Enigmatochromis lucanusi, nov. sp.: A) male, wild collected specimen in aquaria, ~ 40 mm SL, not preserved, displaying submissive coloration; B) male, wild collected specimen in aquaria, ~ 42 mm SL, not preserved, displaying aggressive coloration; C) female, wild collected specimen in aquaria, ~ 38 mm SL, not preserved, displaying submissive coloration; D) female, wild collected specimen in aquaria, ~ 39 mm SL, not preserved, displaying aggressive coloration; E) female, wild collected specimen in aquaria, ~ 38 mm SL, with juveniles at the age of approx. one week after swimming free and size of less than 12 mm TL, not preserved; F) aquarium bred juveniles with the age of app. one week after swimming free, size less than 12 mm TL, not preserved.