Phyletic relations within the haplochromine cichlids of East Africa were investigated using
scale and squamation characters. Within the L. Victoria—Edward—Kivu species flock
most of the genera proposed in Greenwood's revision could be confirmed by this approach.
In addition the genera could be interrelated phylogenetically. They form two distinct
superlineages comprising several genera each. The genus Astatotilapia as conceived by
Greenwood is diphyletic. The fluviatile members of the genus form the sister taxon of the
L. Victoria—Edward—Kivu flock, while the rest are a subgroup of that flock. The flock
seems to be of monophyletic origin.