Five new species of the genus Petrotilapia (Teleostei: Cichlidae), from Lake Malâi Africa

Most rocky shores of Lake Malâi harbor three different members of Petrotilapia, each one occurring in its own preferred habitat. None of the known species of Petrotilapia has a lake-wide distribution and similar habitats at separate localities harbor sometimes different species. The relationship between the members of each of the three groups is not only reflected in the habitat preference but often also in the basic melanin pattern. The three species groups have been referred to as the P. tridentiger group, the P. nigra group and the P. genalulea group. Five new species from various habitats throughout the lake are described: P. xanthos, P. flaviventris (both P. nigra group), P. palingnathos (P. tridentiger group), P. pyroscelos (P. genalutea group), and P. mumboensis which is the only species that cannot satisfactorily be assigned to any of these groups.