Evolution and Diversity of Lamprologine Cichlids of the Congo River

Lamprologine cichlids are a diverse group of fishes distributed in Lake Tanganyika and the Congo River. Unlike other genera within the tribe Lamprologini, Lamprologus comprises 9 species that are fully riverine species found throughout the Congo River drainage. Riverine taxa exhibit unique adaptations to the often extreme environmental conditions they encounter, including fluctuating water levels and strong currents. The most remarkable species in the lower Congo River is Lamprologus lethops Roberts & Stewart, 1976, the only known cryptophthalmic and fully depigmented cichlid species, but little is known about the natural history and evolution of this enigmatic species. This project aims to alleviate the knowledge gap about the origin and evolution of freshwater diversity in the Congo River.