Maylandia sp. 'black dorsal mbenji' Mbenji Island ; Metriaclima sp. 'black dorsal mbenji' Mbenji Island

Genus:	Maylandia
Geographic distribution:	Lake Malawi at the Mbenji Islands.
Sexual dimorphism:	Females show vertical barring on a blue-brown ground color and lack the yellow fin coloration typical of other female members of the black-dorsal group. This contrasts with females of Maylandia sp. ‘aggressive bars’, which are brown and unbarred.
Aggression:	Members of the black-dorsal group are generally milder in territorial defense than Maylandia species from purely rocky habitats, likely related to lower population densities in intermediate environments. In aquarium conditions, however, territorial behavior can become much more pronounced.
Special notes:	This undescribed mbuna is assigned to the black-dorsal group of zebra-like cichlids and occurs at the Mbenji Islands. Although it has traditionally been associated with that group, it may be more closely related to the rock-dwelling Maylandia sp. ‘aggressive bars’ than to Maylandia flavifemina. The species was previously regarded as a member of Cynotilapia, but its feeding technique and the presence of bicuspid teeth indicate placement within Maylandia. The earlier confusion may have been caused by the coexistence of two different Cynotilapia species at the Mbenji Islands.

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