Lethrinops turneri, new species, is described from the southern part of Lake
Malawi/Nyasa and Lake Malombe. It belongs to a group of Lethrinops species
found in shallow water and characterised by a small adult size, a short snout and a
small mouth. Within this group, it is most similar to L. microstoma, immature
L. macrochir, and L. auritus. It is recognised primarily by the colour
pattern of the sexually mature territorial males, which have silvery flanks with
orange iridescence, 8-9 vertical bars below the dorsal fin and a distinctive orange-brown
colour on the dorsal parts of the head. Morphometric and merisitic investigations
using principal component analysis and non-parametric tests revealed further morphological
characters that can also be used to distinguish female and immature male individuals
of L. turneri.