Above:
Copadichromis trewavasae (which has been known as
Copadichromis "virginalis mloto Likoma") is one of three new Utaka species
described by Konings (1999).
(The other two are
C. geertsi and
C. ilesi.)
Both of the C. trewavasae above are males.
The one with its dorsal fin lowered was
photographed underwater at Lupingu, Tanzania; that
with its dorsal raised, at Makonde, Tanzania. [The type locality of this
species is Membe Point, Likoma Island, Malawi. Several of the paratypes
came from Chizumulu (Chisumulu) Island. Konings did not illustrate
any of his type specimens, which are deposited in the Musée royal de
l'Afrique Centrale in Tervuren, Belgium.]
Scroll down for an underwater photo of a female, photographed underwater
at Chizumulu (Chisumulu) Island, showing the spot pattern shared by this
and several other Utaka species. According to Konings' diagnosis,
C. trewavasae differs from other three-spotted Copadichromis
species
...by the male breeding color (black with a light blue to white
'blaze' on head and dorsum). It has fewer gill rakers (15 to 18) than
C. nkatae and
C. quadrimaculatus,
fewer dorsal rays (in total, 27 to 28 vs. 29) than
C. trimaculatus.
It differs from
C. mbenjii
in the shape of the head, from
C. verduyni and
C. azureus
in having a longer caudal peduncle (5.9 times vs. 7.4
and 6.5 times respectively in SL), and from
C. chrysonotus by a
shallower caudal peduncle (8.1 times vs. 7.2 in SL).
(Konings, 1999)
A valuable part of Konings' 1999 paper is the revised key to
his concept of Copadichromis, which excludes striped
species (but not unmarked ones). However, the publishers
unfortunately introduced errors into the key; for corrections,
see my note on this and other editorial
gaffes in the article.
All photos by Ad Konings, used by his kind permission and that of
T.F.H. Publications, Inc.
