taxonID	type	description	language	source
61C4107860B95EC0B15FCBBE036CF2F7.taxon	description	Description. Based on 36 specimens from Python and Kissenda islands including the holotype. Morphometric, meristic, and dentition characters are given in Table 1. Habitus. Large growing robust and deep-bodied species with a blunt and wide head, few wide bars and conspicuous red (in males) or brown (females) maculae in the soft part of dorsal fin. Dorsal head profile decurved to moderately concave with heavy head appearance. Snout slightly longer than broad, the mouth oblique, and the lips not thickened. Lateral snout outline with isognathous jaws and obtuse. Oral teeth. The teeth in the outer tooth row (Fig. 6 A, C) are unicuspid to weakly bicuspid, short, stout, distantly spaced, and implanted in an upright position. The inner series teeth are small, tricuspid, and are arranged in two rows anteriorly and anterolaterally in both jaws. Dental arcade and tooth band. Dental arcade rounded, not square shaped. Inner rows in both jaws are usually separated from the outer row by a moderate gap. Lower pharyngeal bone and dentition. The lower pharyngeal bone is strongly hypertrophied and stout with strongly enlarged molariform pharyngeal teeth (Fig. 6 B, D). Scales and squamation. The flank is entirely scaled with ctenoid scales. Scales are ovoid with vertical long axis, slender and slightly higher than wide. Operculum: scaled, scales cycloid; cheek: fully scaled, scales cycloid; caudal peduncle: scales moderately ctenoid, chest: entirely scaled; scales cycloid, somewhat deeply embedded, though not as deeply as in many other rock-dwelling cichlids such as Neochromis greenwoodi Seehausen & Bouton, 1998 and Mbipia mbipi Seehausen, Lippitsch & Bouton, 1998 and smaller than on flank. The size transition to the chest is gradual. The belly; is fully scaled, scales moderately ctenoid and not distinctly smaller than on flanks. Dorsal fin; scaleless, caudal fin; partially scaled with cycloid scales, anal fin; scaleless and pectoral fin scaleless. Coloration. Melanin pattern in both sexes: Males and females exhibit four to six broad vertical bars on their flanks (note that these can be hard to see in preserved specimens that have bleached slightly). Preserved specimens of both sexes exhibit a brownish coloration, with some individuals retaining their vertical bars (Fig. 3 A). Male nuptial coloration: Labrochromis mawe sp. nov. exhibits male nuptial color polymorphism and found in two distinct color morphs. One morph is entirely blue on the flanks, including the spinous part of the dorsal fin (Fig. 2 A, D). The other morph is reddish on the dorsal head surface, and red on operculum, anterior flanks and anterior dorsum with the remaining flanks appearing yellowish and greyish towards the posterior dorsum (Fig. 2 B, E; Seehausen and Bouton 1996; Seehausen et. al. 1999). Both morphs possess numerous characteristic red maculae in the soft part of the dorsal fin (Fig. 2). A nape band, nostril, forehead, supraorbital, intraorbital, hind-eye, preopercular and lachrymal stripes (Seehausen et al. 1999) may be visible or not depending on behavioral context; lower lip with a blue sheen. The caudal fin is translucent grey with red streaks and maculae, grading to solid red towards the edge, while the anal fin is proximally blue grey, distally faint red to solid red, with 2 – 6 orange egg dummies. In the red morph, the red color can extend into the spinous part of the dorsal fin. Females have yellowish-brown coloration.	en	Mahulu, Anna, Seehausen, Ole (2025): Two new cichlid species of the genus Labrochromis from rocky reefs of Lake Victoria, Tanzania (Perciformes, Cichlidae). ZooKeys 1240: 117-137, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1240.125699
61C4107860B95EC0B15FCBBE036CF2F7.taxon	distribution	Distribution and ecology. Labrochromis mawe sp. nov. is known from the northern and central Mwanza Gulf in Lake Victoria, Tanzania. The species has been collected at Anchor, Kissenda, Kilimo, Python, Gabalema, Nyamatala and Hippo islands, Bwiru point, Karumo bay, Nyegezi rocks, Amranda point, Ngoma point, and Capri point (Fig. 1). The species inhabits moderately steep to steep slopes, with medium sized to very large rock boulders (Fig. 7). Subadult individuals are commonly caught in shallow inshore waters between rock boulders while adults inhabit greater depths. At the moderately steep Python Islands, they are found somewhat offshore at depths ranging from 3 meters to at least 8 meters. In very steeply sloping areas, such as Anchor Island and Nyegezi rocks, they are located inshore and at depths starting from 1.5 meters downwards (Seehausen 1996).	en	Mahulu, Anna, Seehausen, Ole (2025): Two new cichlid species of the genus Labrochromis from rocky reefs of Lake Victoria, Tanzania (Perciformes, Cichlidae). ZooKeys 1240: 117-137, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1240.125699
61C4107860B95EC0B15FCBBE036CF2F7.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis and affinities. The nature of its pharyngeal dentition places Labrochromis mawe sp. nov. on the same level of structural modification as other described Labrochromis species (L. ishmaeli, L. humilior, L. pharyngomylus, L. teegelaari, L. mylergates, L. ptistes, L. mawepili sp. nov.). Labrochromis mawe sp. nov. differs from all other species except L. mawepili sp. nov. by eye size (smaller among compared species (21.3 – 25.9 vs 23 – 33), (Table 3), and habitat association. Specifically, L. mawe sp. nov. restricted to rocky substrates, unlike other species inhabiting sand and / or mud bottoms. L. mawe sp. nov. possess shorter head (31.7 – 34.9 % SL) compared to L. ptistes (34.2 – 37.6 % SL) and narrower interorbital width (25.0 – 30.2 % HL) compared to L. mylergates (26.0 – 33.0 % HL). L. mawe sp. nov. and L. mawepili sp. nov. share the habitat (rocky substrate) but L. mawe sp. nov. possess shorter and stouter teeth than L. mawepili sp. nov., wider interorbital width (24.0 – 31.8 % HL) as L. mawepili sp. nov. 23.3 – 27.9 (means 24.6 – 25.4) % HL, and broader lower jaw (22.7 – 34.9 % HL) as L. mawepili sp. nov. (20.2 – 27.5 % HL). L. mawe sp. nov. possesses 31 or 32 scales in the lateral line whereas L. mawepili sp. nov. 32 or 33 scales (Table 1). L. mawe sp. nov. exhibits broad vertical bars and no traces of lateral stripes while L. mawepili possesses broken midlateral and dorsolateral bands that are typically as distinct as or more distinct vertical bars. L. mawe sp. nov. exhibits color polymorphism with two color morphs (Seehausen and Bouton 1996): one morph is entirely blue on the flanks, including the spinous part of the dorsal fin. The other morph is reddish on the dorsal head surface, and red on operculum, anterior flanks and anterior dorsum with the remaining flanks yellow and greyish towards the posterior dorsum. Both morphs possess numerous characteristic red maculae on the soft part of the dorsal fin. The caudal fin is translucent grey with red streaks and maculae, grading to solid red towards the edges. The anal fin is proximally blue grey, distally faint red to solid red, with 2 – 6 orange egg dummies. Male nuptial coloration of L. mawepili sp. nov. is comparable to the blue morphy of L. mawe sp. nov. However, L. mawepili sp. nov. possesses 5 – 10 orange egg dummies in the anal fin. Male nuptial colouration of L. pharyngomylus is blue-grey overlying silver, with a distinct coppery sheen on the flanks. The dorsal fin is hyaline with pinkish lappets and a pink margin in the soft part. The anal fin is hyaline with yellow egg dummies, while the caudal fin is hyaline with a pink flush, most intense distally and on the ventral half of the fin (Greenwood 1981). The male nuptial coloration of L. humilior is dark silvery-grey with intense dusky blotches. A coppery flush extends over the cheek, operculum, and flank up to the origin of the anal fin. The anal and caudal fins are light red, with the color intensifying along the margins of both fins. The anal fin bears two or three yellow egg dummies (Greenwood 1981). Breeding males of L. teegelaari have a purplish-grey dorsum, with the purple color more intense anteriorly. The flanks, chest, and belly are bright red, while the caudal peduncle is yellow with a faint red overlay. Traces of 4 – 6 vertical bars are visible on the flanks. The dorsal head surface is grey with a red flush, and the rest of the head is bright red, except for the lower lip and branchiostegal membrane, which are white. The lachrymal bar is faint, and a dark bar is present on the vertical preopercular limb. The dorsal fin is light grey with a faint red flush, dark grey lappets, and red maculae on the soft part. The anal fin is light red anteriorly and greyish posteriorly, with egg dummies orange to reddish. A nape band, supraorbital, intraorbital, hind-eye, preopercular and lachrymal stripes faint; the caudal fin is hyaline, yellowish proximally, and has red maculae and streaks (Greenwood 1981).	en	Mahulu, Anna, Seehausen, Ole (2025): Two new cichlid species of the genus Labrochromis from rocky reefs of Lake Victoria, Tanzania (Perciformes, Cichlidae). ZooKeys 1240: 117-137, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1240.125699
61C4107860B95EC0B15FCBBE036CF2F7.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Species name mawe from the Swahili word, for stone, referring to the habitat occupation of the species that is confined to rocks.	en	Mahulu, Anna, Seehausen, Ole (2025): Two new cichlid species of the genus Labrochromis from rocky reefs of Lake Victoria, Tanzania (Perciformes, Cichlidae). ZooKeys 1240: 117-137, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1240.125699
947426EF975F5C089D8629D89116E173.taxon	description	Description. Based on 17 specimens from Makobe Island, Lake Victoria, Tanzania (Table 1) including the holotype. Habitus. Large growing robust species, relatively deep-bodied with broken mid and dorsolateral bands and vertical bars creating a broken chessboard pattern in both sexes. The dorsal head profile is straight to moderately concave with a heavy head appearance. Oblique mouth with neither enlarged nor thickened lips. Oral teeth. Teeth in the outer tooth row slender, unicuspid to weakly bicuspid, distantly spaced, slightly recurved, their implantation in the lower jaw is somewhat procumbent (Fig. 6 E). The inner series teeth are small, tricuspid, and are arranged in two rows anteriorly and anterolaterally in both jaws Dental arcade and tooth band. Dental arcade rounded, not square shaped. Inner rows in both jaws usually separated from the outer row by a moderate gap. Two rows of inner teeth, anteriorly and anterolaterally in both jaws. The lower pharyngeal bone jaw and dentition. The lower pharyngeal jaw is strongly hypertrophied and stout with strongly enlarged molariform pharyngeal teeth (Fig. 6 F). Scales and squamation. The flank scales are ctenoid, ovoid with vertical long axis, slender and somewhat higher than wide. Operculum; scaled with cycloid scales, cheek; fully scaled with cycloid scales, caudal peduncle; fully scaled, scales moderately ctenoid, the chest; is fully scaled with smaller cycloid scales compared to those on the flanks somewhat deeply embedded although not as deeply as in many other rock-dwelling cichlids. The size transition is gradual. The belly is entirely scaled, with scales moderately ctenoid and not distinctly smaller than on flanks and somewhat deeply embedded. Dorsal fin; scaleless, caudal fin; partially scaled with cycloid scales, anal fin scaleless and pectoral fin; scaleless. Coloration. Melanin pattern in both sexes: Both adults and subadults exhibit a broken dorso lateral and broken mid-lateral bands, together with the 4 vertical bars creating a broken chessboard pattern. The broken chessboard pattern is more prominent in females and subadult males (Fig. 2 H, I) while adult males more often have the lateral bands purely expressed (Fig. 2 G). Male nuptial coloration: Adult males are metallic blueish on the posterior flanks, the mid flanks are purplish, anterior and posterior dorsum are greyish (Fig. 2). Dorsal fin is blue grey with numerous red maculae within the soft part of the fin. A nape band, supraorbital, intraorbital, hind-eye, preopercular and lachrymal stripes faint; lower lip with a greenish sheen. The caudal fin is blue grey with red streaks and maculae, and the anal fin is proximally blue grey, distally faint red with 5 – 10 orange egg dummies (Fig. 2). Preserved specimens of both sexes are brownish and retain their broken longitudinal bands and fin maculae.	en	Mahulu, Anna, Seehausen, Ole (2025): Two new cichlid species of the genus Labrochromis from rocky reefs of Lake Victoria, Tanzania (Perciformes, Cichlidae). ZooKeys 1240: 117-137, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1240.125699
947426EF975F5C089D8629D89116E173.taxon	distribution	Distribution and ecology. Labrochromis mawepili sp. nov. is exclusively known from the Speke Gulf in Lake Victoria, Tanzania with one observation from the northern Mwanza Gulf. The species has been observed at Makobe, Ruti, Igombe, and Hippo islands (Fig. 1) The species predominantly inhabits offshore areas beyond 4 meters in water depth with gentle to modest slopes. At steeply sloping islands it is often associated with the gently sloping small boulders habitat at the base of the larger and steeply sloping rocks (Fig. 7) in depths of 10 meters and beyond. Females of Labrochromis mawepili sp. nov. are more commonly encountered than males, distinguishing it as one of the few rock-dwelling haplochromines with such a prevalence. Despite (or perhaps because of) sharing similar habitat affinities as L. mawe sp. nov., sympatry between these two species is rare and is only known from Hippo Island where L. mawe sp. nov. was frequently encountered in crevices among inshore rocks, while L. mawepili sp. nov. was only encountered once, ~ 10 m offshore in deeper water (Seehausen 1996). Labrochromis mawepili sp. nov. coexists with Astatoreochromis alluaudi at all islands, but while L. mawepili sp. nov. occupies offshore areas beyond 4 meters depth, A. alluaudi tends to be more common in shallower waters.	en	Mahulu, Anna, Seehausen, Ole (2025): Two new cichlid species of the genus Labrochromis from rocky reefs of Lake Victoria, Tanzania (Perciformes, Cichlidae). ZooKeys 1240: 117-137, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1240.125699
947426EF975F5C089D8629D89116E173.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis and affinities. Labrochromis mawepili sp. nov. shares a comparable structural modification in pharyngeal dentition with other described Labrochromis species (L. ishmaeli, L. humilior, L. pharyngomylus, L. teegelaari, L. mylergates, L. ptistes, L. mawe sp. nov.) and shares its rocky habitat association with L. mawe sp. nov. It differs from L. ishmaeli, L. humilior, L. pharyngomylus, L. teegelaari, L. mylergates, L. ptistes, L. mawe sp. nov. in color patterns and habitat association. Labrochromis mawepili sp. nov. exhibit broken longitudinal stripes and vertical bars while L. mawe sp. nov. displays vertical bars without longitudinal stripes. Male nuptial coloration of L. mawepili sp. nov. are shared with those of the blue morph of L. mawe sp. nov. (See above in diagnosis of L. mawe sp. nov.). L. mawepili sp. nov. possess a narrower interorbital width (23.3 – 27.9 % HL) than L. mawe sp. nov. (24.0 – 31.8 % HL), L. teegelaari (25.0 – 30.0 % HL) and L. mylergates (26.0 – 33.0 % HL). Longer snout (30.7 – 36.0 % HL) than L. ptistes (29.4 – 32.4 % HL), L. pharyngomylus (27.3 – 33.3 % HL), L. humilior (27.0 – 34.8 % HL), L. mylergates (28.0 – 33 % HL) and L. teegelaari (27.0 – 31.0); (Table 3; Greenwood 1980). Labrochromis mawepili sp. nov. possess smaller eyes (18.7 – 25.8 % HL) than ‘ H. ’ theliodon (24.1 – 26.8 % HL), L. ishmaeli (23.0 – 31.0), L. ptistes (26.5 – 32.4 % HL), L. pharyngomylus (23.0 – 31.8 % HL), L. humilior (27.0 – 32.5 % HL), L. mylergates (28.0 – 33.0 % HL), L. teegelaari (27.0 – 33.0 % HL), and slightly smaller than L. mawe sp. nov. (21.3 – 25.9).	en	Mahulu, Anna, Seehausen, Ole (2025): Two new cichlid species of the genus Labrochromis from rocky reefs of Lake Victoria, Tanzania (Perciformes, Cichlidae). ZooKeys 1240: 117-137, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1240.125699
947426EF975F5C089D8629D89116E173.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Species name mawepili, from Swahili, mawe means stone and pili means second. Refers to similarity in habitat association between this species and L. mawe and the superficial resemblance with the latter.	en	Mahulu, Anna, Seehausen, Ole (2025): Two new cichlid species of the genus Labrochromis from rocky reefs of Lake Victoria, Tanzania (Perciformes, Cichlidae). ZooKeys 1240: 117-137, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1240.125699
