Cynotilapia

Li, Shan, Konings, Adrianus F. & Stauffer, Jay R., 2016, A Revision of the Pseudotropheus elongatus species group (Teleostei: Cichlidae) With Description of a New Genus and Seven New Species, Zootaxa 4168 (2), pp. 353-381 : 355

Cynotilapia

(type species Cynotilapia afra, Günther )

Cynotilapia is diagnosed by the following morphological characteristics: 1) the teeth of the oral jaws are unicuspid and widely spaced; 2) the ethmo-vomerine block is moderately-sloped (26–41° to the parasphenoid); 3) the lower jaw is strong and usually a little longer than the upper jaw; 4) the cleft of upper and lower jaws forms a 30–42° angle with the body axis. Cynotilapia have a few (4–8) large conical teeth in the outer row of the upper and lower jaws. Their function is not known, as it appears they are not used in feeding, because individuals belonging to this genus all appear to suction-feed on plankton in the water column ( Konings 2007). Species of Cynotilapia and Metriaclima share certain morphological and behavioral features and it has been suggested that that may be closely related ( Kassam et al. 2005). Microchromis Johnson 1975 is generally considered a junior synonym of Cynotilapia , although Tawil (2011) proposed that it might be used to separate species with a lesser degree of divergence in the size of the central jaw teeth compared to the other teeth. We found this particular characteristic to be variable between individuals of the same population and we therefore do not consider this to be useful distinction and continue to regard Microchromis a junior synonym of Cynotilapia .

The unicuspid teeth and plankton-feeding behavior of Pseudotropheus sp. ‘ elongatus taiwan’ ( Konings 1995) suggest it is best placed in Cynotilapia .