Abstract
A 450-bp segment of the mitochondrial control region of species and populations ofNeolamprologus sarvoryi, N. brichardi and N. pulcher and various other lacustrine speciesof the Lamprologini was sequenced to clarify their position within the Lamprologini andto provide a phylogeny of lamprologine species with brood care helpers. The phylogenydemonstrates monophyletic evolution of the recruitment of brood care helpers andsuggests that the N. brichardi–pulcher complex represents an ancient lineage within the Lamprologini.