Lufubuchromis, Schedel & Kupriyanov & Katongo & Schliewen, 2020

Schedel, Frederic D. B., Kupriyanov, Viviane M. S., Katongo, Cyprian & Schliewen, Ulrich K., 2020, Palaeoplex gen. nov. and Lufubuchromis gen. non, two new monotypic cichlid genera (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from northern Zambia, Zootaxa 4718 (2), pp. 191-229 : 209-210

Lufubuchromis new genus

Type species: Lufubuchromis relictus sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Lufubuchromis gen. nov. belongs to the megadiverse lineage of haplotilapiines (sensu Schliewen & Stiassny 2003) characterised by tricuspid teeth in the inner tooth rows of the oral jaws. Within haplotilapiines it belongs to the still weakly defined tribe Haplochromini characterized generally by the combination of following characters: basioccipital bone forming together with parasphenoid the apophysis for the upper pharyngeal bones, type A infraorbitals (sensu Takahashi, 2003a), bicuspid outer and tricuspid inner teeth on both jaws, ctenoid scales on flanks and by being maternal mouthbrooders ( Poll 1986, Eccles & Trewavas 1989, Takahashi 2003b). Within the Haplochromini it is placed within the Pseudocrenilabrus group (including Palaeoplex , Pseudocrenilabrus , Orthochromis machadoi and Haplochromis moeruensis ) by the presence of a Pseudocrenilabrus blotch at the distal end of the anal fin in adult males, a placement which is supported by genetic analyses. The genus Lufubuchromis is monotypic and characterised by the unique combination of the following characters: (1) a fully developed infraorbital series, however without a distinct gap between posterior margin of the lachrymal and the second infraorbital bone (in some cases the opening of the laterosensory tubule of both bones appears to be shared); (2) hypuralia 1+2 either fused (or sometimes fused with distinctly visible suture) and hypuralia 3+4 fused. Further, Lufubuchromis exhibits (3) a male colour pattern characterised by deep, crimson red coloured areas on the anterior and ventral flank regions, on parts of the chest and belly, and on the suborbital head region; and with dorsal fin lappets orange (same colour as Pseudocrenilabrus blotch). In addition, (4) the Pseudocrenilabrus blotch at the distal end of the anal fin is present in both sexes of Lufubuchromis (vs. only present in only present in males of Palaeoplex and Pseudocrenilabrus ).

Lufubuchromis is distinguished from all members of the genus Pseudocrenilabrus and from Haplochromis moeruensis by having no distinct gap between the lachrymal and second infraorbital bone (vs. distinct gap always present, varying from narrow to very wide). In addition, the infraorbital series of Lufubuchromis is composed of the lachrymal bone (= first infraorbital bone), four infraorbital bones, and in some cases a dermosphenotic element (sixth infraorbital bone), thereby contrasting with Pseudocrenilabrus , where a trend towards the reduction of the infraorbital series is observed including various combinations of fusion and loss of entire infraorbital bones is (see Fig. 9 , see also Greenwood 1989).

Lufubuchromis with its single species L. relictus differs from Ps. multicolor by having more abdominal vertebrae (14–15 vs. 13); from Ps. nicholsi by having more abdominal vertebrae (14–15 vs. 12–13), more total vertebrae (27–29 vs. 25–26), and more dorsal fin spines (15–16 vs. 13–14); and from Ps. pyrrhocaudalis by having more abdominal vertebrae (14–15 vs. 12–13).

It is distinguished form Ps. philander philander populations from the type locality and from the Orange River drainage ( South Africa) by more abdominal vertebrae (14–15 vs. 12–13); from Ps. philander dispersus and from several other examined Pseudocrenilabrus of yet undefined taxonomic status, i.e., Ps. sp. “Lufira”, Ps. sp. “Lunzua”, Ps. sp. “ Botswana ”, Ps. sp. “Kalungwishi”, Ps. sp. “Luongo”, and Ps. sp. “Mukuleshi”, by having more abdominal vertebrae (14–15 vs. 13); in addition Lufubuchromis relictus has more dorsal fin spines than Ps. philander dispersus (15–16 vs. 13–14), and from the putatively new species Pseudocrenilabrus sp. “Upper Kalungwishi” it is distinguished by having more total vertebrae 27–29 vs. 26.

From Orthochromis machadoi it is distinguished by having comparatively large scales on the chest (vs. a partially scaleless chest, with only deeply embedded and minute scales); furthermore, Lufubuchromis relictus tends to have more abdominal vertebrae (14–15 vs. 13–14) and fewer caudal vertebrae (13–15 vs. 15–16).

Lufubuchromis relictus is distinguished form the Northern Zambian Orthochromis by having a large orange Pseudocrenilabrus blotch at the distal end of the anal fin (vs. absent), and by having comparatively large scales on belly and chest (vs. small to minute scales, if present deeply embedded on chest). Further, Lufubuchromis relictus is distinguished from the Northern Zambian Orthochromis by having fewer caudal vertebrae (13–15 vs. 16–18) and fewer total vertebrae (27–29 vs. 30–33).

Apart from coloration and its smaller maximum size (maximum recorded SL: 93.2 vs. 143.4 mm) Lufubuchromis is distinguished from Palaeoplex by its shorter dorsal fin spines (length of last dorsal fin spine: 10.9–14.2 vs. 14.7– 18.6 % SL) and by having lower total gill raker counts (10–12 vs. 12–17).

Etymology: Lufubu- refers to the Lufubu River as the only species of the genus is restricted to the Upper Lufubu and its tributaries in northern Zambia; and - chromis a widely used suffix for cichlid genera. Gender masculine.

Included species. Lufubuchromis relictus sp. nov.

Figures

FIGURE 9. Overview of snout and infraorbital area of different taxa of the Pseudocrenilabrus group and related taxa. Where applicable, the gap between the lachrymal and 2nd infraorbital bone is indicated by red arrows, i.e. not in Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor as the infraorbital series of this species appears to be highly reduced. A. Paleoplex palimpsest sp. nov. (Paratype, ZSM 44438, ID: DRC-2012/3683, 81.9 mm SL, no gap between lachrymal and 2nd infraorbital bone present) B. Lufubuchromis relictus sp. nov. (Paratype, ZSM 44312, ID: DRC-2012/3249, 50.0 mm SL, no gap between lachrymal and 2nd infraorbital bone present) C. Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor (ZSM 40011, ID: Nr. 1, 46.0 mm SL) D. Pseudocrenilabrus philander (ZSM 40918, 58.9 mm SL) E. Pseudocrenilabrus nicholsi (ZSM 47140, ID: Nr. 1, 46.2 mm SL) F. Pseudocrenilabrus pyyrochaudalis (Paratype, MRAC-A7-034-P-0238-0247; ID: Nr.5, 64.2 mm SL) G. Orthochromis machadoi (BMNH 1984.2.6.104-108, ID: Nr. 1, 51.9 mm SL) H. Haplochromis moeruensis (Syntype, MRAC 216-222, ID: Nr. 222, 48.4 mm SL).