Analysis of their mtDNA NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) sequence shows that hybridization must have played some role in the evolution of this genus.

A possibility is hybridization between the ancestor of Telmatochromis and a lineage of Julidochromis which later gave rise to J. marlieri and the Convict Julie (J. regani).

[1] T. vittatus on the other hand has a ND2 DNA sequence resembling that of Lamprologus congoensis and L. teugelsi.

But T. vittatus does not at all appear very similar to these species, and in fact may well be closer to T. bifrenatus and T. brichardi than to T. temporalis.

That would mean that male ancestors of T. vittatus had successfully interbred with female Lamprologus after the lineage of the former had diverged from its relatives.