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Type: Article
Published: 2007-11-14
Page range: 39–49
Abstract views: 36
PDF downloaded: 33

The first case of aggressive mimicry among lamprologines in a new species of Lepidiolamprologus (Perciformes: Cichlidae) from Lake Tanganyika

Department of Ichthyology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th St., New York, NY 10024, USA
Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwakecho, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa
Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwakecho, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
Perciformes Lepidiolamprologus mimicus new species Lamprologini taxonomy Lake Tanganyika aggressive mimicry

Abstract

Lepidiolamprologus mimicus n. sp. is described from material collected along the Zambian coast of Lake Tanganyika. It is distinguished from congeners by its unique color pattern of bright yellow fins, a brownish-tan flank coloration and large, dark brown spots along the flanks, in addition to a series of meristic and morphometric characters. Lepidiolamprologus mimicus n. sp. exhibits an interesting feeding ecology, in which individuals blend into schools of their prey, yellow-finned cyprichromines, with the aid of similar coloration. This is the first instance of aggressive mimicry reported for lamprologines.

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