Dimidiochromis
Encyclopedia
Dimidiochromis is a genus
of haplochromine
cichlid
s endemic to Lake Malawi
in East Africa
. All of its species
are elongated in shape and predatory on smaller fishes.
At present, four species are placed in Dimidiochromis:
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of haplochromine
Haplochromine
The haplochromine cichlids are a tribe of cichlids in subfamily Pseudocrenilabrinae called Haplochromini. This group includes the type genus plus a number of closely related genera such as Aulonocara, Astatotilapia, and Chilotilapia. They are endemic to eastern and southern Africa...
cichlid
Cichlid
Cichlids are fishes from the family Cichlidae in the order Perciformes. Cichlids are members of a group known as the Labroidei along with the wrasses , damselfish , and surfperches . This family is both large and diverse. At least 1,300 species have been scientifically described, making it one of...
s endemic to Lake Malawi
Lake Malawi
Lake Malawi , is an African Great Lake and the southernmost lake in the Great Rift Valley system of East Africa. This lake, the third largest in Africa and the eighth largest lake in the world, is located between Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania...
in East Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
. All of its species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
are elongated in shape and predatory on smaller fishes.
At present, four species are placed in Dimidiochromis:
- Dimidiochromis compressiceps – Malawi EyebiterMalawi eyebiterMalawi Eyebiter is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. It is endemic to Lake Malawi, east Africa....
- Dimidiochromis dimidiatus – Ncheni Haplo
- Dimidiochromis kiwingeDimidiochromis kiwingeDimidiochromis kiwinge is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:* Kazembe, J. & Makocho, P. 2005. . Downloaded on 4 August 2007....
- Dimidiochromis strigatus – Sunset Haplo