Species New to Science: Siluriformes

Showing posts with label Siluriformes. Show all posts

Saturday, January 4, 2025

[Ichthyology • 2024] Hypancistrus parkateje • A New Species of Hypancistrus Isbrücker & Nijssen 1991 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the rapids of the middle Rio Tocantins

Hypancistrus parkateje

Araújo, Ferreira, Monteiro & Wosiacki, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15971

x.com/Araujoictio

Abstract

The Hypancistrus genus is recognized in the Río Orinoco basin and Rio Xingu in the Guiana and Brazilian Shields, respectively. Some of its species are important in ornamental fishing. Despite this significance, many other undescribed species are still awaiting to be named. Here we describe a new species of Hypancistrus found on bedrock in the Rio Tocantins, representing an extension of the distribution of the genus. Also, a multigene phylogeny is presented to evaluate the taxonomic position of this species concerning congeners. The new species differs from all congeners by (1) hypertrophied odontodes on cheeks reaching beyond the cleithrum, (2) a supraoccipital crest conspicuously elevated, (3) a supraorbital crest slightly convex, (4) oblique bars on the anterior part of the body, (5) a dark E-shaped mark on the snout, (6) three oblique dark bars on the anterior part of the body and horizontal vermicular bars from the pectoral girdle to the posterior insertion of the dorsal fin, (7) a thin light gray bar on the posterior of the head extending across the branchial opening, (8) a tan background color, (9) a developed suspensorium with a diminished appendix in the metapterygoid, and (10) a dentary plate robust significantly fused with the angulo-articular bone. The molecular phylogenetic results show the new species forming a group with Hypancistrus zebra (Brazilian Shield—Rio Xingu) as a clade, a sister group of a monophyletic group consisting of all congeners from the Río Orinoco.

Keywords: armored catfish, molecular phylogeny, new taxon, rheophilic fish

Holotype of Hypancistrus parkateje, 64.5 mm SL (standard length),
Brazil, Pará, Bom Jesus do Tocantins, Rio Tocantins basin.

Hypancistrus parkateje

Felipe Araújo, Marlon Ferreira, Iann Monteiro and Wolmar Wosiacki. 2024. A New Species of Hypancistrus Isbrücker & Nijssen 1991 (Loricariidae, Siluriformes) from the rapids of the middle Rio Tocantins. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15971

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Friday, January 3, 2025

[Ichthyology • 2024] Horabagrus obscurus • A New sympatric Species of Horabagrus (Siluriformes: Horabagridae) from the Chalakkudy River basin in Kerala, India

Horabagrus obscurus

Kumar, Ravi, Prasoon & Basheer, 2024

https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/IJF

Abstract

We describe a new species of Horabagrus, found in sympatry with H. nigricollaris, from the Chalakkudy river basin in Kerala, South India. Horabagrus obscurus, new species, differs from the two other known species in the genus in its colour pattern, lesser body width at the pectoral girdle, shorter barbels and total vertebral counts. Differences in partial sequences of the mitochondrial COI and CytB genes also serve to distinguish the new species from congeners. The new discovery reasserts the importance of the Chalakkudy river basin as a hotspot of piscine diversity in the Western Ghats.

Keywords: Chalakkudy River, Horabagridae, Western Ghats, Kerala, Mitochondrial CO1

Horabagrus obscurus in life, all from the Chalakkudy River at Vettilappara.
(a) NBFGR/HORHOBS.7, paratype, 248 mm SL,
(b) NBFGR/HORHOBS.4, paratype, 206 mm SL and
(c) NBFGR/HORHOBS.1, paratype, 152 mm SL

Horabagrus obscurus, new species

Diagnosis: Horabagrus obscurus is distinguished from its congeners by a distinctive colour pattern in life, consisting of a greenish-brown ground colour mottled with black and a small black humeral blotch with a yellow to white region immediately anteroventral to the blotch (vs. a yellow ground colour with a large circular black humeral blotch, larger than eye diameter, ringed with pale yellow to white in H. brachysoma; and a distinct black “collar” covering the humeral region and nape, margined by a pale yellow to white band in H. nigricollaris). Horabagrus obscurus can additionally be distinguished from ...

Etymology: From the Latin obscurus, meaning dark or cloudy, a reference to the colour pattern of the fish. The word obscure in english also means cryptic or ambiguous and refers to the confusion between H. obscurus and the sympatric H. nigricollaris.

Rahul G. Kumar, Charan Ravi, N. P. Krishna Prasoon, V. S. Basheer. 2024. A New sympatric Species of Horabagrus (Siluriformes: Horabagridae) from the Chalakkudy River basin in Kerala, India. Indian Journal of Fisheries. 71(4); https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/IJF/article/view/146333

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Monday, December 16, 2024

[Ichthyology • 2023] Glyptothorax irroratus • A New Species of rheophilic catfish (Siluriformes: Sisoridae) from the Mekong River drainage

Glyptothorax irroratus

Ng a& Kottelat, 2023

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2023.2186278

ABSTRACT

Glyptothorax irroratus, a new species of sisorid catfish from the Mekong River drainage in Laos and China, is described. It differs from its Indochinese congeners in having both large and small tubercles arranged irregularly on the lateral surfaces of the body and by combinations of colour pattern, morphometry (with particular regards to the eye, body depth, adipose fin and caudal peduncle) and thoracic adhesive apparatus morphology.

KEYWORDS: Sisoroidea, Sisorinae, Bagariini, Mekong River

Glyptothorax irroratus sp. nov.

Etymology: The Latin adjective irroratus (-us, -a, -um) means covered with dew; in zoology used to mean besprinkled with drops or particles. This is used in allusion to the irregular tuberculation on the sides of the body and caudal peduncle.

Heok Hee Ng and Maurice Kottelat. 2023. Glyptothorax irroratus, A New Species of rheophilic catfish from the Mekong River drainage (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Sisoridae). Journal of Natural History. 57(5-8); 358-371. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2023.2186278

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

[Ichthyology • 2019] Farlowella azpelicuetae • A New Species of Farlowella (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper Bermejo River, La Plata River basin, northwestern Argentina

Farlowella azpelicuetae

Terán, Ballen, Alonso, Aguilera & Mirande, 2019

DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-20180114

Researchgate.net/publication/334060121

ABSTRACT

A new species of Farlowella is described from the Bermejo River basin, in Salta and Jujuy provinces, northwestern Argentina. The new species belongs to the Farlowella nattereri species group. The new species is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: marbled rostrum, five rows of lateral plates series, relatively short snout (snout-mouth length less than 50.0% of head length), complete half-moon shaped spot on caudal fin, and short predorsal distance (37.8-41.8% of standard length).

Keywords: Armored catfish; Chaco Ecoregion; Endemic species; Loricariinae; Taxonomy

Farlowella azpelicuetae

Argentina, Salta, Bermejo River, La Plata River basin.

holotype, CI-FML 7277, 142.4 mm SL, a. lateral, b. dorsal, and c. ventral views.
paratype, CI-FML 7265, 193.9 mm SL. a. detail of the coloration of the snout; b. coloration pattern of caudal fin; c. coloration of live specimen.

Farlowella azpelicuetae, new species

Diagnosis. Farlowella azpelicuetae differs from most congeners, except F. altocorpus, F. gianetii, F. gracilis, F. hasemani, F. isbrueckeri, F. jauruensis, F. nattereri, and F. odontotumulus, by the presence of five rows on lateral plate series of body (vs. four). Farlowella azpelicuetae differs from F. gracilis, F. hasemani, F. isbrueckeri, F. nattereri, and F. odontotumulus by having proportionally-shorter snout-mouth length (less than 50% HL vs. more than 50% HL). The new species differs from F. jauruensis and F. gianetii by its marbled coloration pattern of snout (vs. snout completely dark and snout darkly pigmented only laterally, respectively). Farlowella azpelicuetae differs from F. altocorpus by having a continuous half-moon pigmentation pattern on the caudal fin (vs. discontinuous half-moon shaped pattern) and by the shorter predorsal length (37.8-41.8 % SL vs. 43.7-45.6% SL). The new species can be further distinguished by the presence of three rows of abdominal plates (vs. two in F. acus, F. amazonum, F. colombiensis, F. henriquei, F. martini, F. rugosa, F. venezuelensis, F. vittata, and F. yarigui and an incomplete median disjunct row of abdominal plates in F. mitoupibo). Additionally, F. azpelicuetae differs from F. hahni, F. knerii, F. oxyrryncha, F. reticulata, and F. schreitmuelleri by having irregular dark brown blotches on ...

Etymology. The species is named azpelicuetae after Dr. María de las Mercedes Azpelicueta, in recognition of her prominent contributions to ichthyology, especially to the systematics of Argentinian fishes. She described numerous species and was essential to the formation of subsequent generations of freshwater fish systematists in Argentina. A matronym in genitive case.

Guillermo E. Terán, Gustavo A. Ballen, Felipe Alonso, Gastón Aguilera and J. Marcos Mirande. 2019. A New Species of Farlowella (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper Bermejo River, La Plata River basin, northwestern Argentina. Neotropical Ichthyology. 17(2); e180114. DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-20180114

Researchgate.net/publication/334060121_A_new_species_of_Farlowella_from_La_Plata_River_basin_NW_Argentina

RESUMEN: Se describe una nueva especie de Farlowella de la cuenca del Río Bermejo, en las provincias de Salta y Jujuy, en el noroeste de Argentina. La nueva especie pertenece al grupo de Farlowella nattereri. La nueva especie se diagnostica con la siguiente combinación de caracteres: rostro veteado, cinco hileras de placas laterales en el cuerpo, hocico relativamente corto (longitud hocico-boca menor a 50.0% longitud cabeza), mancha en forma de media luna completa en la aleta caudal, y distancia predorsal corta (37.8-41.8% longitud estándar).

Palabras clave: Ecoregion Chaco; Especie endémica; Loricariinae; Taxonomía; Viejita del agua

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

[Ichthyology • 2024] Pseudacanthicus nyktos • A New Species of Pseudacanthicus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the rio Xingu, Amazon, Brazil

Pseudacanthicus nyktos

Lopes, Sousa & Chamon, 2024

www.scielo.br/j/NI

Abstract

The genus Pseudacanthicus encompasses eight recognized species so far: P. histrix, P. serratus, P. spinosus, P. fordii, P. leopardus, P. pitanga, P. pirarara, P. major. Only P. pirarara has been formally described from the rio Xingu basin. To address this gap in taxonomic knowledge of the region, a new species of the Pseudacanthicus is described here, aimed at enhancing our understanding of the genus within the rio Xingu basin and contributing to conservation efforts. The new species is primarily found downstream the impact zone of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Power Plant. It can be promptly diagnosed from congeners by the color pattern of the body dark brown to black with light gray vermicular spots on the dorsal and ventral surfaces, and fins; lower maximum number of teeth in premaxilla and dentary; and other osteological characters. It’s worth noting that the ichthyofauna of the Amazonian drainages lacks comprehensive taxonomic and biological information regarding Pseudacanthicus. In this context, unchecked anthropogenic activities are leading to changes in the ecosystem, often resulting in the extinction of species even before they are scientifically addressed.

Keywords: Acanthicus clade; Amazon basin; Ancistrini; Conservation; Taxonomy

Holotype of Pseudacanthicus nyktos, INPA-ICT 060701, 190.18 mm SL, rio Xingu, Vitória do Xingu.
A. Dorsal view; B. Lateral view; C. Ventral view.

Ventral view of mouth and barbels of Pseudacanthicus nyktos. Specimen not preserved.
Premaxillary and dentary teeth of a skeletonized paratype of Pseudacanthicus nyktos (LIA 8173, 154 mm SL).

Pseudacanthicus nyktos, new species

Diagnosis: Pseudacanthicus nyktos differs from all congeners by a dark brown to black body with light gray vermicular spots on the dorsal and ventral surfaces, and fins (vs. body with dark gray to dark brown background with black dots or spots and fins with intense orange to red color in P. leopardus, P. pitanga and P. pirarara; body and fins with dark gray background color and white dots or spots in P. serratus and P. fordii, more conspicuous in ventral region; body with a gray color and black dots or spots in P. histrix and P. spinosus; and body with a dark brown color without spots or dots; with white transverse bars on the dorsal and caudal fins ...

Etymology: The specific epithet nyktos derives from Greek meaning “night”, in allusion to the dark color of the specimens in comparison with other species of the genus and also to the deep locations where they can be found, where there is no light. An adjective.

Body shape and color in life of Pseudacanthicus nyktos shown to scale.
Specimens not preserved. Scale bars = 1 cm.

Maria Letícia Batista Galvão Lopes, Leandro Melo de Sousa and Carine Cavalcante Chamon. 2024. New Species of Pseudacanthicus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the rio Xingu, Amazon, Brazil. Neotrop. ichthyol. 22(3) • 2024 • DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2024-0033 www.scielo.br/j/ni/a/XHfLffzyJxq445HxZs4bnkF

Thursday, November 28, 2024

[Ichthyology • 2024] Parauchenoglanis dolichorhinus, P. megalasma, P. poikilos, ... • Nine in One: Integrative Taxonomic Evidence of Hidden Species Diversity in the widespread Zambezi Grunter, Parauchenoglanis ngamensis (Siluriformes: Auchenoglanididae), from southern and south-central Africa

Parauchenoglanis spp.

Sithole, Vreven, Bragança, Musschoot & Chakona, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae121

saiab.AC.za

Abstract

The Zambezi grunter, Parauchenoglanis ngamensis, is currently distributed across four (sub)basins in southern and south-central Africa, namely the Okavango, upper Zambezi, Kwanza, and Kasai. The present study used a combination of molecular (barcoding), colour pattern, and other morphological data to explore the possible existence of hidden species diversity within this species. Based on the available samples, analyses of molecular data uncovered seven well-supported (.96–1.00 Bayesian posterior probabilities) candidate species, with 1.6%−8.5% genetic divergence between them. These, in addition to two more candidate species without genetic data, exhibited a combination of consistent colour pattern and other morphological differences that supported their distinction. The present study redescribes P. ngamensis, which is confined to the Okavango and upper Zambezi (sub)basins, and describes eight new species: two from the Kwanza Basin and six from the Kasai sub-basin. The fact that some of the species occur allopatrically, whereas others are sympatric and even syntopic indicates the complex palaeogeographical history of these basins. In addition, the high species diversity discovered in the Kasai sub-basin seems to be related to its highly peculiar hydrography. Accurate delimitation of species boundaries and mapping of their distribution is crucial for conservation assessments and guiding their protection.

allopatric speciation, barcoding, catfish, colour pattern, conservation

A. Parauchenoglanis patersoni

This species is named in honour of Dr. Angus Paterson, who was the Managing Director of the NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB) the time this paper was accepted. The name acknowledges Dr. Paterson’s dedication to developing taxonomic expertise and advancing ichthyological research in the poorly explored regions of southern Africa.

B. Parauchenoglanis ernstswartzi

This species is named in honour of Dr. Ernst Swartz, recognising his significant contributions to ichthyology, including the collection of specimens used in this study. Dr. Swartz’s pioneering exploration of the Kwanza and Kasai basins was instrumental in the discovery of several new species.

C. Parauchenoglanis dolichorhinus

The name ‘dolichorhinus’ is derived from the Greek words “dolichos” meaning “long,” and “rhinus” meaning “snout”. This name refers to the notably long snout of this species compared to others in the P. ngamensis group.

D. Parauchenoglanis poikilos

The name of this species is derived from the Greek adjective “poikilos,” which means “spotted”. The numerous distinctive spots along its body are a key characteristic of its identification.

E. Parauchenoglanis megalasma

The name of this species is derived from the Greek words “mega” meaning “large,” and “melasma” meaning “black spot”. It refers to the prominent, large black blotches along its lateral line.

G. Parauchenoglanis lueleensis

The suffix “-ensis” means “lives in” and refers to the Luele River in the Kasai sub-basin, where this species is found.

H. Parauchenoglanis luendaensis

Named after the Luenda River in the Kasai sub-basin, this species also carries the suffix “-ensis,” indicating the region it inhabits.

I. Parauchenoglanis chiumbeensis

This species is named after the Chiumbe River, which is also located in the Kasai sub-basin. The name acknowledges the region as the habitat of this newly identified species.

Yonela Sithole, Emmanuel J W M N Vreven, Pedro H N Bragança, Tobias Musschoot, Albert Chakona. 2024. Nine in One: Integrative Taxonomic Evidence of Hidden Species Diversity in the widespread Zambezi Grunter, Parauchenoglanis ngamensis (Siluriformes: Auchenoglanididae), from southern and south-central Africa. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 202(3); zlae121. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae121 saiab.AC.za

Unveiling New Species: How Eight New Catfish Species Were Named

saiab.AC.za/unveiling-new-species-how-eight-new-catfish-species-were-named/

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

[Ichthyology • 2024] Urkumayu gen. nov. & ‘Hoplisoma’ osvaldoi • Integrative Phylogeny of Corydoradinae (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) with an emphasis on Northwestern La Plata Species, including Descriptions of A New Genus and Species

Urkumayu micracanthus (Regan 1912)
Urkumayu gladysae (Calviño & Alonso 2010)

Urkumayu, new genus

Alonso, Terán, Aguilera, Montes, Serra Alanís, Calviño, Vera-Alcaraz, Cardoso, Koerber & Mirande, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.jcz.2024.11.006

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Highlights

• New phylogenetic hypothesis for diverse Neotropical fish genus Corydoras

• Integration of molecular and morphological data from 153 species

• Discovery of a new clade, including Andean and upper Paraná basin species

• Identification of emerging endemicity hotspots in NW La Plata basin

• Description of a new species and assessment of conservation status

Abstract

The knowledge about the diversity and phylogeny of South American callichthyid armored catfishes of the subfamily Corydoradinae is still growing, after important recent contributions, and many species have uncertain relationships. In this study, we present the first combined phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus based on five genes, 83 morphological characters, and 153 species, providing synapomorphies for some of the main genera of Corydoradinae, as recently defined. The inclusion of species not previously analyzed in a phylogenetic context challenged the monophyly of Hoplisoma and required the definition of a new genus for endemic species from the Andean portion of the northwestern La Plata basin (ANWLP): Hoplisoma gladysae, H. micracanthum, and H. petracinii. We found Hoplisoma non monophyletic with Hoplisoma sensu stricto not sister to a clade of species herein named the ‘Hoplisoma’ paleatum clade. In this clade we recovered a new species of Hoplisoma, which is endemic to the upper Bermejo basin, as sister to ‘Hoplisoma’ paleatum from the lower La Plata basin. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by a unique coloration similar to that of the syntopic H. micracanthum, suggesting a putative case of Müllerian co-mimicry.

Key words: Müllerian co-mimicry, coloration, endemic species, Upper Bermejo, threatened species

Live individuals. (A) Urkumayu micracanthus (CI-FML 7014, 30.3 mm SL).
(B) Urkumayu gladysae (CI-FML 8109, 30.1 mm SL).
(C) Urkumayu petracinii (CI-FML 8110, 26.9 mm SL).

Urkumayu, new genus Alonso, Terán, Aguilera, Montes, Serra Alanís, Calviño, Vera-Alcaraz, Cardoso, Koerber, Mirande

Type species: Corydoras gladysae Calviño & Alonso 2010

Diagnosis: Urkumayu is distinguished from the remaining genera of Corydoradinae by the following unique combination of characters: supraoccipital and nuchal plate not in contact, posterior expansion of pharyngobranchial triangular, and ossified portion of pectoral spine strongly reduced.

Included species: Urkumayu gladysae (Calviño & Alonso 2010) n. comb., Urkumayu micracanthus (Regan 1912) n. comb., Urkumayu petracinii (Calviño & Alonso 2010) n. comb.

Etymology: Urkumayu, masculine gender, from the Quechua language, compound of urku meaning mountain and mayu for river, referring to the habitat where most species of this genus are found.

Distribution: It has a disjunct distribution in northwestern Andean La Plata Basin in Argentina.

‘Hoplisoma’ osvaldoi n. sp. alive individual immediately after capture (CI-FML 5360, 41.6 mm SL).
‘Hoplisoma’ osvaldoi n. sp. (left) (CI-FML 5360, 41.6 mm SL) and Urkumayu micracanthus (right) (CI-FML 7011, 28.8 mm SL) immediately after capture. Anta Muerta creek (-23.117134 S, -64.497133 W).

Hoplisoma osvaldoi, new species Alonso, Terán, Aguilera, Montes, Serra Alanís, Calviño, Vera-Alcaraz, Cardoso, Koerber, Mirande

Etymology: The specific epithet honors Jorge Osvaldo Fernández Santos, an esteemed aquarist and fish collector who made significant contributions to the knowledge of Argentinean fish by collecting and generously donating numerous specimens to scientific collections and collaborating with ichthyologists. He had been an avid promoter of the fish keeping hobby, particularly with respect to native species. As a result, this species is named in recognition of Osvaldo’s contributions to the study and knowledge of Argentina’s fishes.

Felipe Alonso, Guillermo Enrique Terán, Gastón Aguilera, Martin Miguel Montes, Wilson Sebastián Serra Alanís, Pablo Calviño, Héctor Samuel Vera-Alcaraz, Yamila Cardoso, Stefan Koerber and Juan Marcos Mirande. 2024. Integrative Phylogeny of Corydoradinae (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) with an emphasis on Northwestern La Plata Species, including Descriptions of A New Genus and Species. Zoologischer Anzeiger. In Press. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.jcz.2024.11.006

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Wednesday, October 30, 2024

[Ichthyology • 2024] Chaetostoma sacramento • The Ornate Rubbernose Pleco (Siluriformes: Loricariidae: Chaetostoma), A New Species from the Ucayali River Basin, Peru

Chaetostoma sacramento

Meza-Vargas, Ramirez & Lujan, 2024

DOI: 10.3897/zse.100.118522

Abstract

A new species in the rubbernose catfish genus Chaetostoma is described from the Aguaytia, Pisqui and Palcazu Rivers, which drain the Pampa de Sacramento Region in the Ucayali River drainage of central Peru. The new species is distinguished from congeners, except C. anomalum, C. branickii, C. dorsale, C. leucomelas, C. microps, C. nudirostre, C. palmeri and C. thomsoni by having distinct, white, variably-shaped spots or vermiculations ½–2× nostril diameter on dark grey to black background on the head (vs. spots absent or black on light-coloured background). The new species is distinguished from C. anomalum, C. branickii, C. dorsale, C. microps, C. nudirostre and C. thomsoni by having highly variable, distinct white spots, vermiculations or bands ½–10× nostril diameter on the body, from C. leucomelas by having dorsal and caudal fin indistinctly and variably-patterned with zero to four bands (vs. dorsal and caudal fin consistently having five or more uniform bands) and from C. palmeri by having two predorsal plates (vs. three), supraoccipital excrescence present (vs. absent) and pelvic-fin insertion slightly posterior to dorsal-fin insertion (vs. pelvic-fin insertion at middle of dorsal-fin base). Species delimitation analyses of the COI and Cytb genes further support the recognition of this new species.

Key Words: Amazon, Andes, Chaetostoma clade, freshwater, molecular, Neotropical, taxonomy

Live holotype of Chaetostoma sacramento MUSM 72045, 65.1 cm, collected from the Yamino River, a tributary of the Aguaytía River. Photos by D. Faustino.

 Chaetostoma sacramento sp. nov.

Chaetostoma sp. nov. Ucayali: Lujan et al. (2015b) [molecular phylogeny].

Diagnosis: Chaetostoma sacramento can be diagnosed from all congeners, except C. anomalum, C. branickii, C. dorsale, C. leucomelas, C. microps, C. nudirostre, C. palmeri and C. thomsoni by having distinct, white, variably-shaped spots or vermiculations ½–2× nostril diameter on grey to brown background on the head (vs. spots absent or black on light-coloured background). Chaetostoma sacramento is distinguished from C. anomalum, C. branickii, C. dorsale, C. nudirostre and C. thomsonii by having highly variable, small to large distinct white spots, vermiculations or bands on the body (vs. spots, vermiculations or bands absent or black on light-coloured background), from C. anomalum by having adipose fin fully formed (vs. rudimentary), from C. dorsale by having uniformly brown adipose fin (vs. adipose fin with black spot), from C. leucomelas by having golden spots across the dorsal fin rays (vs. light bands), from C. microps by having eight branched dorsal-fin rays (vs. nine), from C. nudirostre by having curved cheek odontodes (vs. strait), from C. palmeri by having two predorsal plates (vs. three), excrescence present (vs. absent) and pelvic-fin insertion slightly posterior of dorsal-fin insertion (vs. pelvic-fin insertion at middle of dorsal-fin base).

Etymology: The species epithet sacramento refers to the plain (pampa) in central Peru between the Huallaga and Ucayali Rivers, approximately delimited by the Pisqui River in the north and Palcazu River in the south. Chaetostoma sacramento is currently known exclusively from this region, known as the Pampa de Sacramento, which occupies a valley between Huánuco and Ucayali provinces that is part of the Peruvian subandean belt and surrounds Boqueron del Padre Abad in the Cordillera Azul. The Pampa de Sacramento was first encountered by Europeans on 21 June 1726, by an expedition led by Don Juan Nunez Lobo and was christened Pampa del Sacramento to commemorate the Catholic ceremony of the Corpus Christi. Subsequent Franciscan missionaries highlighted the rich ethnic diversity of this region (IBC 2016). A noun in apposition.

Vanessa Meza-Vargas, Jorge L. Ramirez and Nathan K. Lujan. 2024. The Ornate Rubbernose Pleco (Siluriformes, Loricariidae, Chaetostoma), A New Species from the Ucayali River Basin, Peru. Zoosystematics and Evolution 100(4): 1387-1400. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.100.118522

Monday, October 21, 2024

[Ichthyology • 2024] Rineloricaria atratoensis & R. giua • Two New Species of Rineloricaria (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Trans-Andean Rivers of Colombia, Unveiled through Iterative Taxonomy

Rineloricaria giua

Castellanos-Mejía, Londoño-Burbano, Ochoa, García-Alzate & DoNascimiento, 2024

DOI: 10.1643/i2023091

Photographs by José Luis Londoño-López

Abstract

Two new species of Rineloricaria are described from the trans-Andean region of Colombia. Rineloricaria atratoensis, new species, is distributed in the Atrato River and is distinguished by the absence of the mid-dorsal plate series and by having three rows of median abdominal plates, first (unbranched) ray of dorsal, pectoral, and pelvic fins extended as a short filament, and breeding males with hypertrophied odontodes on sides of head and dorsum of pectoral fin. Rineloricaria giua, new species, is found in the Magdalena and Ranchería Rivers and is distinguished by absence of mid-dorsal plate series and by having four or five rows of median abdominal plates, four plates along sides of dorsal-fin base, lateral margins of snout straight, and breeding males with hypertrophied odontodes on sides of head and dorsum of pectoral fin. Phylogenetic analyses of COI sequences of species of Rineloricaria from trans-Andean and Central American river basins revealed the different phylogenetic positions of the new species. Likewise, species delimitation analyses corroborated their status as independent lineages. An identification key for the trans-Andean and Central American species of Rineloricaria is provided.

Rineloricaria atratoensis, new species

Diagnosis.—Rineloricaria atratoensis is distinguished from all trans-Andean and Central American congeners by having the first (unbranched) ray of dorsal, pectoral, and pelvic fins extended as a short filament (vs. coterminous with branched rays in R. altipinnis, R. giua, new species, R. jubata, R. magdalenae, R. rupestris, R. sneiderni, and R. uracantha). Rineloricaria atratoensis can also be distinguished from this group of species (except R. magdalenae) by having a paired deep depression between the nostrils and the ...

Etymology.—The species name atratoensis is in reference to its type locality, the Atrato River.

Paratypes of Rineloricaria giua, CIUA 8370, 79.5 mm SL, female, Tucuy River, Magdalena River basin, La Jagua de Ibirico, Cesar, Colombia, 9°35′13″N, 73°18′34.9″W. (A) Preserved specimen; (B) live specimen.

Photographs by José Luis Londoño-López, copyright Colección de Ictiología de la Universidad de Antioquia; used with permission. Scale bar 1 cm.

Rineloricaria giua, new species

Diagnosis.—Rineloricaria giua is distinguished from most trans-Andean and Central American congeners (except R. jubata and R. uracantha) by having four or five rows of median abdominal plates (vs. three in R. atratoensis and R. magdalenae, more than six in R. altipinnis, R. rupestris, and R. sneiderni). Rineloricaria giua is also distinguished from this group of species (except R. magdalenae) by having lateral margins of the snout straight (vs. convex in R. altipinnis, R. atratoensis, R. jubata, R. rupestris, R. uracantha, and R. sneiderni). Rineloricaria giua differs from R. atratoensis, R. jubata and R. rupestris by having four plates along sides of dorsal-fin base (vs. five). Also, R. giua is distinguished from R. atratoensis and R. magdalenae by absence of a paired deep depression between the nostrils and the interorbital region (vs. present) and postorbital notch small and shallow (vs. large and deep). The new species is further distinguished from most of its congeners (except R. atratoensis, R. aurata, ...

Etymology.—In honor of the Grupo de Ictiología of Universidad de Antioquia (acronym GIUA). Used as a noun in apposition.

María Camila Castellanos-Mejía, Alejandro Londoño-Burbano, Luz E. Ochoa, Carlos A. García-Alzate and Carlos DoNascimiento. 2024. Two New Species of Rineloricaria (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Trans-Andean Rivers of Colombia, Unveiled through Iterative Taxonomy. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 112 (3), 429-443. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2023091

Se describen dos especies nuevas de Rineloricaria de la región transandina de Colombia. Rineloricaria atratoensis, especie nueva, se distribuye en el río Atrato y se distingue por no tener la serie de placas dorsales medias, y por poseer tres series de placas abdominales medias, el primer radio (no ramificado) de las aletas dorsal, pectoral y pélvica extendido como un filamento corto, y machos reproductores con odontodes hipertrofiados en los lados de la cabeza y el dorso de la aleta pectoral. Rineloricaria giua, especie nueva, se encuentra en los ríos Magdalena y Ranchería y se distingue por la ausencia de la serie de placas dorsales medias, y por tener cuatro o cinco series de placas abdominales medias, cuatro placas a los lados de la base de la aleta dorsal, márgenes laterales del hocico rectos y machos reproductores con odontodes hipertrofiados en los lados de la cabeza y el dorso de la aleta pectoral. Los análisis filogenéticos de las secuencias COI de especies de Rineloricaria de las cuencas transandinas y centroamericanas, revelaron la diferente posición filogenética de las especies nuevas. Asimismo, los análisis de delimitación de especies corroboraron su condición de linajes independientes. Se proporciona una clave de identificación para las especies transandinas y centroamericanas de Rineloricaria.

Saturday, September 21, 2024

[Ichthyology • 2023] Lasiancistrus wiwa • Phylogenetic Revision of Whisker-cheeked Suckermouth Catfishes (Siluriformes: Loricariidae: Lasiancistrus) from east of the Andes: Five Species where once there were Two

Lasiancistrus wiwa

Poveda-Cuellar, Conde-Saldaña, Villa-Navarro, Lujan & Santos, 2024

DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad042

Researchgate.net/publication/372161393

Abstract

We integrated large sample sizes, morphometric and molecular data, and phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses to test the 17-year-old hypothesis that only two species of whisker-cheeked suckermouth catfishes (genus Lasiancistrus) occur in river drainages west of the Andes Mountains. Our results reject this hypothesis, demonstrating that, in addition to the previously recognized Lasiancistrus guacharote from Lake Maracaibo, a Lasiancistrus clade from west of the Sierra de Perijá contains at least four allopatric, genetically differentiated and morphologically distinct lineages. One of these lineages had no previous name associated with it and is described here as the new species Lasiancistrus wiwa. Phylogenetic relationships and geographical distributions of all five trans-Andean lineages are concordant with watershed boundaries and major mountain ranges that form these boundaries, with the following five freshwater basins or regions each containing a single species: Lake Maracaibo (L. guacharote), Rancheria River basin (L. wiwa), Upper and Middle Magdalena River and lower Cauca River basins (Lasiancistrus volcanensis), Upper Cauca River basin (Lasiancistrus caucanus) and Pacific Coastal watersheds between central Colombia and central Panama (Lasiancistrus mayoloi). Evolutionary relationships among these lineages suggest that Andean uplift-mediated vicariance contributed significantly to the cladogenesis and allopatric distributions of these fishes.

Andes, biodiversity, biogeography, molecular phylogeny, South America, morphology, anatomy

Holotype of Lasiancistrus wiwa, CZUTIC17449, 79.6 mm standard length, from Colombia, Departamento de La Guajira, Ranchería River basin, Manantial Cañaverales. Scale bar: 10 mm.

Lasiancistrus wiwa

Etymology: Wiwa is a noun in apposition, referring to indigenous peoples who live in what is now northern Cesar Department and southern La Guajira Department, Colombia. The Wiwa have been displaced to between 900 and 2500 m a.s.l. in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and their population currently numbers< 14 000 people.

José Luis Poveda-Cuellar, Cristhian Camilo Conde-Saldaña, Francisco Antonio Villa-Navarro, Nathan K Lujan and Jorge Abdala Dergam dos Santos. 2024. Phylogenetic Revision of Whisker-cheeked Suckermouth Catfishes (Loricariidae: Lasiancistrus) from east of the Andes: Five Species where once there were Two. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 199(3); 688–712. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad042

Researchgate.net/publication/372161393_Phylogenetic_revision_of_Lasiancistrus_from_east_of_the_Andes

x.com/Novatax_Col/status/1821004988958617910

Monday, September 2, 2024

[Ichthyology • 2024] Glyptothorax pongoensis • A New Species of rheophilic catfish (Siluriformes: Sisoridae) from the Brahmaputra River drainage, Nagaland, India

Glyptothorax pongoensis

Tenali, Singh, Pratap, Phom, Ratnaraju & Kosygin, 2024

DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2024.2385137

ABSTRACT

Glyptothorax pongoensis, sp. n. is described from the Yongmon River in Nagaland, India. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners in the Indian subcontinent by the following combination of characters: an ovate-shaped thoracic adhesive apparatus with skin ridges present over the entire apparatus, including the subulate-shaped median depression; presence of plicae on the ventral surface of the pectoral fin spine and the first ray of the pelvic fin; W-shaped anterior nuchal plate element; dorsal-fin origin nearer to the snout tip than to the origin of the adipose fin; posterior margin of dorsal spine rugose with 4–5 ridges, tuberculate skin, and nasal barbel not reaching eye when adpressed.

KEYWORDS: Siluriformes, Pongo Forest, Nagaland

Glyptothorax pongoensis

Diamond Rajakumar Tenali, Pratima Singh, Gudabandi Vijaya Pratap, Nyamkham Phom, Maka Ratnaraju and Laishram Kosygin. 2024. Glyptothorax pongoensis, A New Species of rheophilic catfish (Sisoridae) from the Brahmaputra River drainage, Nagaland, India. Journal of Natural History. 58(37-40); 1377-1391. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2024.2385137

facebook.com/FishInTheNews/posts/925655959583909

Friday, August 16, 2024

[PaleoIchthyology • 2024] Bunocephalus serranoi • First Fossil Record of Aspredinidae: A New Species from the late Miocene of northeastern Argentina

Bunocephalus serranoi

Bogan & Agnolin, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5493.4.5

Researchgate.net/publication/383064860

Abstract

This study aims to describe a new fossil species of the extant aspredinid genus Bunocephalus. The new species is represented by a nearly complete skull and pectoral girdle coming from late Miocene Ituzaingó Formation beds of Paraná City, Entre Ríos Province, Argentina. The specimen constitutes the first fossil record for the genus and the family Aspredinidae. This finding demonstrates that large temporal and geographical gaps are still present in the fossil record of the South American continent, evidencing the lack of knowledge of the geographical and temporal distribution of many freshwater fish clades.

Pisces, Ituzaingó Formation, Paraná City, Neogene, Siluriformes, Bunocephalus

Holotype of Bunocephalus serranoi nov. sp. (MAS-PV-795) compared with extant Bunocephalus doriae (CFAIC- 6516) in A, C, dorsal; and B, D, ventral views.

Abbreviations. Cl, cleithrum; Cl S, cleithrum suture; Cor, coracoid; Cor S, coracoid suture; Dor lam Web, dorsal lamina of the Weberian apparatus; Dor P, dorsal process of cleithrum; Hum P, humeral process of cleithrum; Hyo, hyomandibular; Op, opercle Po, preopercle; Scl, supracleithrum; Sp, pectoral spine. Scale bar: 5 mm.

Reconstruction of Bunocephalus serranoi

Bunocephalus serranoi nov. sp.

Sergio Bogan and Federico L. Agnolin. 2024. First Fossil Record of Aspredinidae: A New Species from the late Miocene of northeastern Argentina. Zootaxa. 5493(4); 392-400. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5493.4.5

Researchgate.net/publication/383064860_FIRST_FOSSIL_RECORD_of_ASPREDINIDAE_A_New_Species_from the_Late_MIOCENE_of_NE_ARGENTINA

Sunday, August 4, 2024

[Ichthyology • 2024] Re-description of Xyliphius barbatus (Siluriformes: Aspredinidae), with comments on Osteology and Distribution

 Xyliphius barbatus Alonso de Arámburu & Arámburu, 1962,

in Terán, Méndez-López, Benitez, Serra, Bogan et Aguilera, 2024.

DOI: 10.3897/zse.100.121396

Abstract

The banjo catfish, Xyliphius barbatus, belongs to the Aspredinidae family and typically inhabits the main channels of medium to large rivers in the La Plata River basin. The mimetic coloration with the substrate and the benthic lifestyle likely contribute to the challenge of sampling this species, resulting in its underrepresentation in museums and ichthyological collections. In fact, the original description of X. barbatus was based solely on two specimens. Consequently, little is known about its osteology, distribution, and phylogenetic relations. In this work, these information gaps are filled and the distributional range for X. barbatus is extended to northwestern Argentina.

Key Words: Banjo catfish, fossorial fishes, La Plata River basin, morphology, osteology

Lateral, dorsal and ventral views of Xyliphius barbatus. CI-FML 7944. San Francisco River, Bermejo River basin, Jujuy province. Scale bar: 10 mm.

CI-FML 7944. Xyliphius barbatus. Live specimen, 92.4 mm SL. San Francisco River, Bermejo River basin, Jujuy. Scale bar: 10 mm.

 Xyliphius barbatus Alonso de Arámburu & Arámburu, 1962

Diagnosis: Xyliphius barbatus is distinguishable from the remaining species of genus by the following combination of characters: (1) seven to 11 retrorse dentations on posterior margin of pectoral-fin spine (vs. six in X. anachoretes and four or five in X. magdalenae); (2) 24 to 30 dendriform papillae on inferior lip (vs. 20–22 in X. magdalenae, 30 in X. sofiae, and 22 to 27 triangular papillae, with only the lateral ones branched in X. kryptos); (3) I,3 or I,4 dorsal-fin rays (vs. I,5 in X. lepturus and X. melanopterus); (4) absence of dorsal pale band from snout tip to caudal-fin origin (vs. presence in X. anachoretes, X. magdalenae and X. melanopterus); (5) absence of a latero-dorsal band following the second row of tubercles on anterior part of body (vs. present in X. magdalenae and X. melanopterus); (6) eyes present and reduced (vs. absent in X. sofiae); (7) five to eight anal-fin rays (vs. nine in X. lepturus).

Guillermo E. Terán, Alejandro Méndez-López, Mauricio F. Benitez, Wilson S. Serra, Sergio Bogan and Gastón Aguilera. 2024. Re-description of Xyliphius barbatus (Siluriformes, Aspredinidae), with comments on Osteology and Distribution. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 100(3): 1085-1097. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.100.121396