Eggspots Elsewhere - Welt der Fische / World of Fishes

section doesn’t continue from a point posterior to that at which the upper terminates, as in
many other haplochromines, but the two parts overlap.
The size difference between the scales on the breast and flanks is not marked and takes place
gradually, just as GREENWOOD (1979) also describes as typical for Astatotilapia. As can be seen
from the photos showing flank scales, H. desfontainesi corresponds precisely to the type 10 of
LIPPITSCH. GREENWOOD’s statement that in Astatotilapia the ctenii are generally strong and
extend around the greater part of the scale’s free margin does not apply in the case of the type
species, where they are rather small and cover only a small part of the scale margin.
In the large specimens I studied (only males were available) the jaw dentition was
predominantly unicuspid, although it was possible to discern individual variation. In some
specimens the teeth are comparatively robust and the crowns rounded and pointed, and
slightly incurved. In other individuals they are noticeably more slender and look as if they may
actually be bicuspid teeth whose
minor cusp has been partially worn
away. The pharyngeal dentition
resembles that of H. flaviijosephi, of
which GREENWOOD (1979) writes that
it constitutes an exceptional case in
Astatotilapia, as only this species
develops somewhat enlarged teeth
with submolariform crowns in the
central series.
The gill rakers correspond to
expectations for Astatotilapia,
following GREENWOOD (1979) in form
First gill arch of H. desfontainesi.
eggspots No. 4
Left and below: Pharyngeal dentition of H.
desfontainesi: the large submolariform
teeth in the upper centre are distinctive and
typical, and their arrangement is regarded
as characteristic for the genus Astatotilapia.
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