Revised diagnosis of Metriaclima (Teleostei: Cichlidae) with description of a new species from Lake Malaŵi National Park, Africa

The diagnosis of Metriaclima is expanded to include several feeding behavioral characteristics. Species of Metriaclima feed at almost perpendicular angles to the substrate and are able to align the teeth of both upper and lower jaws in the same plane by abducting the jaws to a 180°-angle opening. While closing the mouth, the teeth comb through the algae anchored to the substrate and collect loose material. The bites to the substrate follow in rapid succession. We have further expanded the diagnosis of Metriaclima zebra to include a population without distinct vertical bars. Finally, we describe a new species, M. flavifemina, which inhabits the rock-sand interface in the southern part of the lake.