New genus of West African cichlid

[Mike Wise]

Lamboj and co-authors have split the Pv. humilus-group species from the genus Pelvicachromis. They are now in the new genus Wallaceochromis.

 

[gerald]

What are your thoughts on the validity of this split? Is it any more or less well justified than Enigmatochromis?

 

[Mike Wise]

Well, I'm not a krib expert, but Dr. Lamboj is a careful taxonomist. He lists some structural differences from Pelvicachromis. These and the fact that the humilus-group/Wallaceochromis are from a different faunal realm (separated from Pelvicachromis by the Guinea region), my guess is that they actually are separate, sibling genera.

 

[philip wood]

So has Roloffi got a new genera then ? and if not why. Surrly Enigmatichromis and Roloffi must be of the same Genera.

 

[Mike Wise]

As far as I know, Pv. roloffi is still considered a Pelvicachromis, at least Fishbase still lists it as one. Yes, it's geographically isolated from the other members of the genus. I wouldn't be surprised if it's removed from the genus as some later date, but I don't know if it will be added to either of the other krib genera or not.

 

[gerald]

Sometimes a new genus gets created for a new species description, but then it takes many years before people bother to publish papers reassigning the previously-described and obviously related species into that genus. This seems to be the case with Lamprologus and Neolamprologus. In some cases, arguments about the validity of the new genus is part of the delay.

 

[aquaticclarity]

So has Roloffi got a new genera then ? and if not why. Surrly Enigmatichromis and Roloffi must be of the same Genera.

VERY similar but I believe how the eggs are laid is different. Pelvicachromis eggs are laid tightly against the cave surface while Enigmatochromis eggs are on extended threads, they actually wave at you with the mildest of water movement! Enough of a difference to a separate genus (although I'm sure there are other factors as well).