Southend Leigh and District Aquarist Society.
The Society has been active since at least 1935 and even held a show in the Kursaal in 1938. Current members range from novices to those with life long experience of fishkeeping in aquariums & ponds.
New members always welcome- you get three meetings at no cost to see if you like us- we won`t ask you to subscribe until your fourth visit.
We have held a Show almost every year since 1948. Traditionally our show is held in May.
Southend-on-Sea commonly referred to simply as Southend, is a large coastal town and wider unitary authority area with city status in southeastern Essex, England.It was granted city status by the Prime Minister on the recent knifing of the popular member of parliament for Southend West, Sir David Amess, who had long championed the town as deserving the city status. The city lies on the north side of the Thames Estuary, 40 miles (64 km) east of central London. It is bordered to the north by Rochford and to the west by Castle Point. It is home to the longest leisure pier in the world, Southend Pier. London Southend Airport is located 1.5 NM (2.8 km; 1.7 mi) north of the city centre.
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Videos of the our Shows from 2001 to 2019 are available on www.vimeo.com/southendaquarist
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Videos of the our Shows from 2001 to 2019 are available on www.vimeo.com/southendaquarist
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More news for the fishkeeper can be found at:- www.facebook.com/groups/181515255319981/?epa=SEARCH_BOX this is derived from newspapers & websites etc.
Animal Genetics • Genet. Mol. Biol. 44 (4) • 2021 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4685-GMB-2020-0068 COPY
Reconstruction of the Doradinae (Siluriformes-Doradidae) ancestral diploid number and NOR pattern reveals new insights about the karyotypic diversification of the Neotropical thorny catfishes
Fábio H. Takagui[...]Lucia Giuliano-CaetanoABOUT THE AUTHORS AbstractDoradinae (Siluriformes: Doradidae) is the most species-rich subfamily among thorny catfishes, encompassing over 77 valid species, found mainly in Amazon and Platina hydrographic basins. Here, we analyzed seven Doradinae species using combined methods (e.g., cytogenetic tools and Mesquite ancestral reconstruction software) in order to scrutinize the processes that mediated the karyotype diversification in this subfamily. Our ancestral reconstruction recovered that 2n=58 chromosomes and simple nucleolar organizer regions (NOR) are ancestral features only for Wertheimerinae and the most clades of Doradinae. Some exceptions were found in Trachydoras paraguayensis (2n=56), Trachydoras steindachneri (2n=60), Ossancora punctata (2n=66) and Platydoras hancockii whose karyotypes showed a multiple NOR system. The large thorny catfishes, such as Pterodoras granulosus, Oxydoras niger and Centrodoras brachiatus share several karyotype features, with subtle variations only regarding their heterochromatin distribution. On the other hand, a remarkable karyotypic variability has been reported in the fimbriate barbells thorny catfishes. These two contrasting karyoevolution trajectories emerged from a complex interaction between chromosome rearrangements (e.g., inversions and Robertsonian translocations) and mechanisms of heterochromatin dispersion. Moreover, we believe that biological features, such as microhabitats preferences, populational size, low vagility and migratory behavior played a key role during the origin and maintenance of chromosome diversity in Doradinae subfamily.
Keywords:
Karyotypic diversification; Cytotaxonomy; 5S rDNA; 18S rDNA; Heterochromatin
IntroductionCytogenetic studies have provided valuable information about the evolutionary trends and relationships in a range of vertebrate species, such as amphibians (Bruschi et al., 2019), reptiles (Viana et al., 2019, 2020), birds (Damas et al., 2019; Sigeman et al., 2019), mammals (Graphodastsky et al., 2011) and fish (Sember et al., 2018; Takagui et al., 2019). Different softwares for reconstruction of ancestral characters (e.g., Chromoevol, Mesquite) have been incorporated into cytogenetic analyses in recent years and provided a better understanding regarding the karyotype evolution in several organisms, as seen in plants (Burchardt et al., 2018), insects (Castillo et al., 2018; Micolino et al., 2019), birds (Damas et al., 2018) and mammals (Kim et al., 2017).
Despite the paucity of studies involving this kind of evolutionary approach in fish, analysis combining cytogenetic data and reconstruction of ancestral features have emerged in recent years (Cardoso et al., 2018; Terra et al., 2019). Therefore, these studies demonstrate the efficiency of combined analysis between robust phylogenetic relationships and pre-establishes chromosomal patterns in generating accurate estimates of ancestral chromosomal states in fish, especially in groups that possess a huge karyotype diversity, as for instance the Doradidae family.
Within Neotropical Siluriformes, Doradidae stands out as one of the most diverse and representative families, with over 96 species (Fricke et al., 2020), commonly known as thorny or spiny catfishes. They are a remarkable group, easily recognized by the presence of a single rows of scutes with thorns along the lateral line. Thorny catfishes are widely distributed across the largest hydrographic basins in South America, although the highest diversity is found in the Amazon and La Plata basins (Ferraris, 2007; Birindelli, 2014). The relationships among Doradidae species were already investigated through morphological and molecular data and the monophyly of this family as well as its subfamilies are usually corroborated by both approaches (Arce et al., 2013; Birindelli, 2014).
Doradidae is classified into three subfamilies: Wertheimerinae (3 species), Astrodoradinae (15 species), and Doradinae (78 species) (Fricke et al., 2020). The latter, represents the most diverse of all subfamilies and includes large species that are found mainly in the main channel of large rivers and exhibit migratory behavior during reproduction, represented by species as Pterodoras granulosus Valenciennes, 1821, Oxydoras niger Valenciennes, 1821, Centrodoras brachiatus Cope, 1872, Megalodoras uranoscopus Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1888, Lithodoras dorsalis Bleeker, 1862 (Goulding, 1980; Agostinho et al., 2003; Birindelli and Sousa 2017). On the other hand, Doradinae also includes tiny species, characterized by the presence of fimbriate barbels, such as Hemidoras, Trachydoras, Ossancora and Tenellus (Sabaj, 2005; Arce et al., 2013; Birindelli, 2014; Birindelli and Sousa 2017). The latter group, which has a wide morphological variability and behavioral lability, not only includes sedentary species but also others with high vagility (Sabaj, 2005; Birindelli and Sousa, 2017).
Karyotype data is available solely for 19 out of the 96 Doradidae species, most of them having 58 chromosomes, except for Anadoras sp. “araguaia” and Trachydoras. paraguayensis Eigenmann & Ward 1907 (2n=56 chromosomes), and Ossancora punctata Kner, 1853 (2n=66 chromosomes), the highest diploid number in the family to date. Additionally, a considerable cytogenetic variability is also observed in the structural level (i.e., karyotype formulas, heterochromatin patterns and rDNA sites distribution), supernumerary chromosomes, as seen in Ossancora punctata, Pterodoras granulosus and Platydoras armatulus Valenciennes, 1840 and a unique ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system in Tenellus trimaculatus Boulenger, 1898 (Table 1). Thus, it is believed that the origin of the current karyotype diversity in Doradidae has been assigned to numerical (Robertsonian translocations), structural (pericentric inversions) and different mechanisms of repetitive DNA dispersion (Baumgärtner et al., 2018; Takagui et al., 2019).
To unravel the evolutionaty processes that drove the karyotype diversification of the Neotropical Doradidae and to better characterize its likely ancestral karyotype state, we applied an extensive suite of cytogenetic tools in a range of Doradinae subspecies, which allowed us to identify patterns of homologies and independent diversification in some particular clades of this subfamily. In addition, we also recovered ancestral features regarding the macro and micro karyotype structure based on a robust phylogeny, providing a better understanding about the karyotype evolution of the Neotropical thorny catfishes.
==========================
.
Reconstruction of the Doradinae (Siluriformes-Doradidae) ancestral diploid number and NOR pattern reveals new insights about the karyotypic diversification of the Neotropical thorny catfishes
Fábio H. Takagui[...]Lucia Giuliano-CaetanoABOUT THE AUTHORS AbstractDoradinae (Siluriformes: Doradidae) is the most species-rich subfamily among thorny catfishes, encompassing over 77 valid species, found mainly in Amazon and Platina hydrographic basins. Here, we analyzed seven Doradinae species using combined methods (e.g., cytogenetic tools and Mesquite ancestral reconstruction software) in order to scrutinize the processes that mediated the karyotype diversification in this subfamily. Our ancestral reconstruction recovered that 2n=58 chromosomes and simple nucleolar organizer regions (NOR) are ancestral features only for Wertheimerinae and the most clades of Doradinae. Some exceptions were found in Trachydoras paraguayensis (2n=56), Trachydoras steindachneri (2n=60), Ossancora punctata (2n=66) and Platydoras hancockii whose karyotypes showed a multiple NOR system. The large thorny catfishes, such as Pterodoras granulosus, Oxydoras niger and Centrodoras brachiatus share several karyotype features, with subtle variations only regarding their heterochromatin distribution. On the other hand, a remarkable karyotypic variability has been reported in the fimbriate barbells thorny catfishes. These two contrasting karyoevolution trajectories emerged from a complex interaction between chromosome rearrangements (e.g., inversions and Robertsonian translocations) and mechanisms of heterochromatin dispersion. Moreover, we believe that biological features, such as microhabitats preferences, populational size, low vagility and migratory behavior played a key role during the origin and maintenance of chromosome diversity in Doradinae subfamily.
Keywords:
Karyotypic diversification; Cytotaxonomy; 5S rDNA; 18S rDNA; Heterochromatin
IntroductionCytogenetic studies have provided valuable information about the evolutionary trends and relationships in a range of vertebrate species, such as amphibians (Bruschi et al., 2019), reptiles (Viana et al., 2019, 2020), birds (Damas et al., 2019; Sigeman et al., 2019), mammals (Graphodastsky et al., 2011) and fish (Sember et al., 2018; Takagui et al., 2019). Different softwares for reconstruction of ancestral characters (e.g., Chromoevol, Mesquite) have been incorporated into cytogenetic analyses in recent years and provided a better understanding regarding the karyotype evolution in several organisms, as seen in plants (Burchardt et al., 2018), insects (Castillo et al., 2018; Micolino et al., 2019), birds (Damas et al., 2018) and mammals (Kim et al., 2017).
Despite the paucity of studies involving this kind of evolutionary approach in fish, analysis combining cytogenetic data and reconstruction of ancestral features have emerged in recent years (Cardoso et al., 2018; Terra et al., 2019). Therefore, these studies demonstrate the efficiency of combined analysis between robust phylogenetic relationships and pre-establishes chromosomal patterns in generating accurate estimates of ancestral chromosomal states in fish, especially in groups that possess a huge karyotype diversity, as for instance the Doradidae family.
Within Neotropical Siluriformes, Doradidae stands out as one of the most diverse and representative families, with over 96 species (Fricke et al., 2020), commonly known as thorny or spiny catfishes. They are a remarkable group, easily recognized by the presence of a single rows of scutes with thorns along the lateral line. Thorny catfishes are widely distributed across the largest hydrographic basins in South America, although the highest diversity is found in the Amazon and La Plata basins (Ferraris, 2007; Birindelli, 2014). The relationships among Doradidae species were already investigated through morphological and molecular data and the monophyly of this family as well as its subfamilies are usually corroborated by both approaches (Arce et al., 2013; Birindelli, 2014).
Doradidae is classified into three subfamilies: Wertheimerinae (3 species), Astrodoradinae (15 species), and Doradinae (78 species) (Fricke et al., 2020). The latter, represents the most diverse of all subfamilies and includes large species that are found mainly in the main channel of large rivers and exhibit migratory behavior during reproduction, represented by species as Pterodoras granulosus Valenciennes, 1821, Oxydoras niger Valenciennes, 1821, Centrodoras brachiatus Cope, 1872, Megalodoras uranoscopus Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1888, Lithodoras dorsalis Bleeker, 1862 (Goulding, 1980; Agostinho et al., 2003; Birindelli and Sousa 2017). On the other hand, Doradinae also includes tiny species, characterized by the presence of fimbriate barbels, such as Hemidoras, Trachydoras, Ossancora and Tenellus (Sabaj, 2005; Arce et al., 2013; Birindelli, 2014; Birindelli and Sousa 2017). The latter group, which has a wide morphological variability and behavioral lability, not only includes sedentary species but also others with high vagility (Sabaj, 2005; Birindelli and Sousa, 2017).
Karyotype data is available solely for 19 out of the 96 Doradidae species, most of them having 58 chromosomes, except for Anadoras sp. “araguaia” and Trachydoras. paraguayensis Eigenmann & Ward 1907 (2n=56 chromosomes), and Ossancora punctata Kner, 1853 (2n=66 chromosomes), the highest diploid number in the family to date. Additionally, a considerable cytogenetic variability is also observed in the structural level (i.e., karyotype formulas, heterochromatin patterns and rDNA sites distribution), supernumerary chromosomes, as seen in Ossancora punctata, Pterodoras granulosus and Platydoras armatulus Valenciennes, 1840 and a unique ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system in Tenellus trimaculatus Boulenger, 1898 (Table 1). Thus, it is believed that the origin of the current karyotype diversity in Doradidae has been assigned to numerical (Robertsonian translocations), structural (pericentric inversions) and different mechanisms of repetitive DNA dispersion (Baumgärtner et al., 2018; Takagui et al., 2019).
To unravel the evolutionaty processes that drove the karyotype diversification of the Neotropical Doradidae and to better characterize its likely ancestral karyotype state, we applied an extensive suite of cytogenetic tools in a range of Doradinae subspecies, which allowed us to identify patterns of homologies and independent diversification in some particular clades of this subfamily. In addition, we also recovered ancestral features regarding the macro and micro karyotype structure based on a robust phylogeny, providing a better understanding about the karyotype evolution of the Neotropical thorny catfishes.
==========================
.
Esomus nimasowi a new species of flying barb (Cypriniformes: Danionidae) from Assam north-eastern India
ROSSELLA · SEPTEMBER 28, 2020
37 4.8K 18
by Santoshkumar Abujam, Budhin Gogoi, Arup Nama Das, Debangshu Narayan Das & Shyama Prasad Biswas – aqua 27 (3) pp. 81-92
Esomus nimasowi, a new species of flying barb, is described from the Phongloso stream (a small tributary of the Kopili River) at Wasubil village in Dima Hasao district, Assam north-eastern India. The new species differs from its congeners including Esomus danrica, Esomus bengalensis and Esomus thermoicos in having a shorter maxillary barbel just reach 1/3rd of pectoral-fin length (vs. maxillary barbel very long, extending to mid of pectorals or ventral fin insertion or slightly beyond anal-fin origin); tip of pectoral fin just reach origin of pelvic fin when adpressed (vs. distinctly crossed beyond pelvic fin base). The new species can be distinguished from its congener except E. bangalensis by the absence (presence) of lateral line in E. danrica (incomplete) and in E. thermoicos (complete) and it also differs from its congeners except E. danrica in having lesser predorsal scales (15-16 vs. 17-20). Further, it differs from all congers by the unique combination of the following characters: pre-ventral length (48.6-54.6% SL), pre-anal length (70.2-75.1% SL), dorsal-fin length (21.0-23.4% SL), ventral-fin length (18.0-20.5% SL), length of ventral- fin base (3.2-4.2% SL), caudal peduncle depth (11.1-11.8% SL), pectoral fin to ventral fin distance (19.5-24.0% SL), eye diameter (24.8-29.2% SL), interorbital distance (31.7-41.6% SL), maxillary barbel (114.9-140.9% SL) and pectoral fin branched ray (i,8-9).
Full Text | PDF (337 KB)
from aquapress
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ROSSELLA · SEPTEMBER 28, 2020
37 4.8K 18
by Santoshkumar Abujam, Budhin Gogoi, Arup Nama Das, Debangshu Narayan Das & Shyama Prasad Biswas – aqua 27 (3) pp. 81-92
Esomus nimasowi, a new species of flying barb, is described from the Phongloso stream (a small tributary of the Kopili River) at Wasubil village in Dima Hasao district, Assam north-eastern India. The new species differs from its congeners including Esomus danrica, Esomus bengalensis and Esomus thermoicos in having a shorter maxillary barbel just reach 1/3rd of pectoral-fin length (vs. maxillary barbel very long, extending to mid of pectorals or ventral fin insertion or slightly beyond anal-fin origin); tip of pectoral fin just reach origin of pelvic fin when adpressed (vs. distinctly crossed beyond pelvic fin base). The new species can be distinguished from its congener except E. bangalensis by the absence (presence) of lateral line in E. danrica (incomplete) and in E. thermoicos (complete) and it also differs from its congeners except E. danrica in having lesser predorsal scales (15-16 vs. 17-20). Further, it differs from all congers by the unique combination of the following characters: pre-ventral length (48.6-54.6% SL), pre-anal length (70.2-75.1% SL), dorsal-fin length (21.0-23.4% SL), ventral-fin length (18.0-20.5% SL), length of ventral- fin base (3.2-4.2% SL), caudal peduncle depth (11.1-11.8% SL), pectoral fin to ventral fin distance (19.5-24.0% SL), eye diameter (24.8-29.2% SL), interorbital distance (31.7-41.6% SL), maxillary barbel (114.9-140.9% SL) and pectoral fin branched ray (i,8-9).
Full Text | PDF (337 KB)
from aquapress
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
SALGADO, Fernando Luiz Kilesse [1]
SALGADO, Fernando Luiz Kilesse. Description of Astyanax argentum new species salgado, 2021 (ostariophysi: characiformes: characidae) from the drainage of the Mogi-Guaçu river, upper Paraná basin.
Revista Científica Multidisciplinar Núcleo do Conhecimento. Year 06, Ed. 11, Vol. 10, pp. 133-161. November 2021. ISSN:2448-0959, Access link in: https://www.nucleodoconhecimento.com.br/biology/description-of-astyanax
Contents [hide]
ABSTRACTAstyanax was defined by Baird & Girard, 1854, based on the description of A. argentatus. Species included in Astyanax Baird & Girard, 1854 are a significant component of Ichthyofauna in the tropical and subtropical waters of South and Central America, in the Nearctic and Neotropical zones. They are commonly known as lambaris, piabas or tambiús in Brazil. They are distributed from the southern United States to Argentina. Among these various species of Astyanax, one has been noted in several river basins of Central and South America, called A. fasciatus, abundant in its environments. Altought, the presence of Astyanax species in the upper Paraná, similar to A. fasciatus, suggest that form with A. fasciatus one complex of forms very close to each other. In this way, to elucidate this question, specimens from the ichthyological collections from MNHN – Muséum National d’Historire Naturelle, Paris; MNRJ – Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro and MZUSP – Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, were examined. Astyanax argentum new species belongs to this complex and can be diagnosed from A. fasciatus by the dorsal profile of the head, between nostrils and occipital bone (straight vs. concave process), by the anterosuperior prolongation of the premaxillar (short and narrow upper apex vs. long and with a wide upper apex), by the posterior end of this same bone (short vs. medium length) and by the shape of the posterior edge of the mesethoid (tip vs. in “v”). It also differs from A. fasciatus and the other Astyanax species because it presents an accentuated concavity in the crowns of the premaxillar internal series vs. teeth without concavity.
Key Words: Astyanax fasciatus complex, New Species, Upper Paraná, Mogi-Guaçu River.
INTRODUCTIONAstyanax was defined by Baird e Girard (1854), based on the description of A. argentatus. The definition for this genus is as follows: “Adipose fin present. Abdominal line not serrated. A double row of teeth on the upper and a single row on the lower jaw and flattened with several conical spines or processes upon their edge. Neither canine nor palative teeth. Dorsal fin above the ventral fin. Scales large”. Species included in Astyanax Baird & Girard, 1854 are a significant component of Ichthyofauna in the tropical and subtropical waters of South and Central America (GÉRY, 1977), in the Nearctic and Neotropical zones. They are commonly known as lambaris, piabas or tambiús in Brazil. They are distributed from the southern United States to Argentina (EIGENMANN, 1921; GÉRY, 1977; WEITZMAN e FINK, 1983; BERTACO e LUCENA, 2006), with a maximum standard length of around 150.00 mm. These species are the most abundant components in several Ichthyofauna surveys (CHARAMASCHI, 1986; CASATTI e CASTRO, 1998). They can be found in several environments, such as headwaters and main river courses, near mangrove areas and even in rivers inside caves, in trogrove forms, with absence of pigments and eye reduction (PARRY et al., 2003; ROMERO e PAULSON, 2001). They have gregarious habits and an omnivorous diet, composed of small arthropods (insects, arachnids, microcrustaceans), algae andplants. Many species have commercial value, being used in sport fishing and in the feeding of several fishivorous species of high commercial value (BARBIERI et al., 1996; CASATTI e CASTRO, 1998; GRACIOLLI et al., 2003; GRAVITOL e MENIN, 1992). Astyanax is one of the main representatives of the Characidae family, containing about 150 valid species (ESCHMEYER e FONG, 2019) and it is very likely that many species will occur still to be described by the few broad taxonomic studies involving their species. This ignorance of Astyanax diversity becomes an example of the advances that need to be made in order to know the Neotropical Ichthyofauna, emphasizing the need for more basic research in systematics as previously suggested by Böhlke et al. (1978).
It is important to note that the first species, today in Astyanax, were described in Tetragonopterus Cuvier, 1816, being transferred by Eigenmann (1907) and Fowler (1906) to Astyanax. Even with the description of A. argentatus Baird & Girard (1854), the genus type specimen and this passage of several species to Astyanax, subsequent authors still described species in Tetragonopterus [eg. Günther (1860, 1864) ̶ description of species for Central America; Steindachner (1876) ̶ description of T. rutilus jequitinhonhae for the river Jequitinhonha, currently valid as A. jequitinhonhae; Regan (1908) ̶ description of T. macrophthalmus, currently valid as A. macrophthalmus, and review of the other Astyanax species of Central America, at that time equally allocated in Tetragonopterus].
Eigenmann (1921, 1927) was the first author to gather all available taxonomic information on Astyanax, through his extensive review. This author, in several papers (1908, 1913, 1914) described several species for South America. For Central America, MEEK’s studies (1909, 1912, 1914) stood out in describing new species. These publications even presented synopses on previously described species or some regional revisions, contributing to a greater scope of these data. Despite the importance of Eigenmann’s review for systematic studies of the genus, there are still many gaps in knowledge about the diversity and morphology of species, which are very similar morphologically to each other and generally difficult to recognize.
Thus, Garutti (1995) in his free teaching thesis presented a review of the Astyanax species with Brazilian humeral oval stain, Melo (2001) reviewed the species found in Serra dos Órgãos and surroundings, Ruiz et al. (2018) reviewed the species with similar stain belonging to the subgroup A. orthodus Eigenmann, 1907, and Oliveira (2018) reviewed the species related to A. scabripinnis. Besides the great morphological similarity, the taxonomic difficulties are also due to other factors: very generalized and not very informative old original descriptions, the precarious state of this material-type and the difficulties of access to these specimens by institutions, generally foreign, where they are fallen, which do not send them for comparative studies in South America. In addition, there are no studies that prove the monophyllism of the genus (WEITZMAN e MALABARBA, 1998).
In order to complement the current knowledge in Astyanax, this article has been developed. Among these various species of Astyanax, one has been noted in several river basins of Central and South America, called A. fasciatus, abundant in its environments (CUVIER, 1819) (EIGENMANN, 1910, 1921; FOWLER, 1948; GODOY, 1987).
This species is popularly known as lambari-do-rabo-velho (GODOY, 1987). Abundant material identified by this binomial is found in many national and foreign ichthyological collections. These identifications follow the concept of A. fasciatus adopted by Eigenmann (1921), broad, covering a synonymic list of 11 nominal species with model localities in several rivers of the Neotropical Region (table 1).
Eigenmann (1921) recognizes five subspecies in addition to the nominal form: A. f. heterurus Eigenmann (1914), A. f. parahybae Eigenmann (1908), A. f. jequitinhonhae (Steindachner, 1876), A. f. macrophthalmus (Regan, 1908) and A. f. aeneus (Günther, 1860). In his key to Astyanax, Eigenmann (1921) presents the following diagnostic characters for A. fasciatus: regular predorsal area, third infraorbital not completely covering the face, vertically elongated humeral spot, 25 or more rays on the anal fin, peduncular spot extending to the end of the median caudal rays, equidistant dorsal fin in relation to the snout and caudal fin, one or two, rarely three teeth in the jaw. Géry (1977) basically follows this definition of A. fasciatus. Thus, due to these attributes of Eigenmann (1921) and the great morphological similarity, many species can be called A. fasciatus. Garruti e Britski (2000), when commenting on the presence of Astyanax species in the upper Paraná, suggest that A. fasciatus is a complex of forms very close to each other. Melo (2005), in a systematic regional review of the genus Astyanax, recognizes two species that could be incorrectly identified as A. fasciatus, which supports the idea that A. fasciatus sensu Eigenmann is a complex of species.
The characters traditionally used in the diagnosis of A. fasciatus generally belong to superficial morphology (number of scales and rays, shape of teeth, etc.) and may represent homoplasms or simpleiomorphies (WEITZMAN e MALABARBA, 1998; ZANATA, 1997), which suggests that further studies of Astyanax’s anatomy should be performed. On the other hand, as Weitzman e Malabarba (1998) have pointed out, groups like Astyanax have little morphological divergence useful for cladistic analysis among their species, but these are characters that allow mortgaging monophyletic groups on a generic level.
Recently some studies (LOZANO-VILANO e CONTRERAS-BALDERAS, 1990; SCHMITTER-SOTO, 1998; MELO, 2005) have ventured to recognize as valid species some of the subspecies of A. fasciatus proposed by Eigenmann (1921), but without defining what A. fasciatus is. These works are in general regional revisions that are based on the fact that a species described for Brazilian Rivers by Cuvier (1819), is a species possibly restricted to the São Francisco River, from where its prototype material was collected (CUVIER e VALENCIENNES, 1849 EIGENMANN, 1921) and on the premise that no freshwater fish species can have such a wide distribution throughout Central and South America, since there are geographical barriers that would prevent the exchange and genetic control of this species (LOZANO-VILANO e CONTRERAS-BALDERAS, 1990). Thus, this article is the initial step in describing these various species related to A. fasciatus.
==========================
SALGADO, Fernando Luiz Kilesse [1]
SALGADO, Fernando Luiz Kilesse. Description of Astyanax argentum new species salgado, 2021 (ostariophysi: characiformes: characidae) from the drainage of the Mogi-Guaçu river, upper Paraná basin.
Revista Científica Multidisciplinar Núcleo do Conhecimento. Year 06, Ed. 11, Vol. 10, pp. 133-161. November 2021. ISSN:2448-0959, Access link in: https://www.nucleodoconhecimento.com.br/biology/description-of-astyanax
Contents [hide]
ABSTRACTAstyanax was defined by Baird & Girard, 1854, based on the description of A. argentatus. Species included in Astyanax Baird & Girard, 1854 are a significant component of Ichthyofauna in the tropical and subtropical waters of South and Central America, in the Nearctic and Neotropical zones. They are commonly known as lambaris, piabas or tambiús in Brazil. They are distributed from the southern United States to Argentina. Among these various species of Astyanax, one has been noted in several river basins of Central and South America, called A. fasciatus, abundant in its environments. Altought, the presence of Astyanax species in the upper Paraná, similar to A. fasciatus, suggest that form with A. fasciatus one complex of forms very close to each other. In this way, to elucidate this question, specimens from the ichthyological collections from MNHN – Muséum National d’Historire Naturelle, Paris; MNRJ – Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro and MZUSP – Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, were examined. Astyanax argentum new species belongs to this complex and can be diagnosed from A. fasciatus by the dorsal profile of the head, between nostrils and occipital bone (straight vs. concave process), by the anterosuperior prolongation of the premaxillar (short and narrow upper apex vs. long and with a wide upper apex), by the posterior end of this same bone (short vs. medium length) and by the shape of the posterior edge of the mesethoid (tip vs. in “v”). It also differs from A. fasciatus and the other Astyanax species because it presents an accentuated concavity in the crowns of the premaxillar internal series vs. teeth without concavity.
Key Words: Astyanax fasciatus complex, New Species, Upper Paraná, Mogi-Guaçu River.
INTRODUCTIONAstyanax was defined by Baird e Girard (1854), based on the description of A. argentatus. The definition for this genus is as follows: “Adipose fin present. Abdominal line not serrated. A double row of teeth on the upper and a single row on the lower jaw and flattened with several conical spines or processes upon their edge. Neither canine nor palative teeth. Dorsal fin above the ventral fin. Scales large”. Species included in Astyanax Baird & Girard, 1854 are a significant component of Ichthyofauna in the tropical and subtropical waters of South and Central America (GÉRY, 1977), in the Nearctic and Neotropical zones. They are commonly known as lambaris, piabas or tambiús in Brazil. They are distributed from the southern United States to Argentina (EIGENMANN, 1921; GÉRY, 1977; WEITZMAN e FINK, 1983; BERTACO e LUCENA, 2006), with a maximum standard length of around 150.00 mm. These species are the most abundant components in several Ichthyofauna surveys (CHARAMASCHI, 1986; CASATTI e CASTRO, 1998). They can be found in several environments, such as headwaters and main river courses, near mangrove areas and even in rivers inside caves, in trogrove forms, with absence of pigments and eye reduction (PARRY et al., 2003; ROMERO e PAULSON, 2001). They have gregarious habits and an omnivorous diet, composed of small arthropods (insects, arachnids, microcrustaceans), algae andplants. Many species have commercial value, being used in sport fishing and in the feeding of several fishivorous species of high commercial value (BARBIERI et al., 1996; CASATTI e CASTRO, 1998; GRACIOLLI et al., 2003; GRAVITOL e MENIN, 1992). Astyanax is one of the main representatives of the Characidae family, containing about 150 valid species (ESCHMEYER e FONG, 2019) and it is very likely that many species will occur still to be described by the few broad taxonomic studies involving their species. This ignorance of Astyanax diversity becomes an example of the advances that need to be made in order to know the Neotropical Ichthyofauna, emphasizing the need for more basic research in systematics as previously suggested by Böhlke et al. (1978).
It is important to note that the first species, today in Astyanax, were described in Tetragonopterus Cuvier, 1816, being transferred by Eigenmann (1907) and Fowler (1906) to Astyanax. Even with the description of A. argentatus Baird & Girard (1854), the genus type specimen and this passage of several species to Astyanax, subsequent authors still described species in Tetragonopterus [eg. Günther (1860, 1864) ̶ description of species for Central America; Steindachner (1876) ̶ description of T. rutilus jequitinhonhae for the river Jequitinhonha, currently valid as A. jequitinhonhae; Regan (1908) ̶ description of T. macrophthalmus, currently valid as A. macrophthalmus, and review of the other Astyanax species of Central America, at that time equally allocated in Tetragonopterus].
Eigenmann (1921, 1927) was the first author to gather all available taxonomic information on Astyanax, through his extensive review. This author, in several papers (1908, 1913, 1914) described several species for South America. For Central America, MEEK’s studies (1909, 1912, 1914) stood out in describing new species. These publications even presented synopses on previously described species or some regional revisions, contributing to a greater scope of these data. Despite the importance of Eigenmann’s review for systematic studies of the genus, there are still many gaps in knowledge about the diversity and morphology of species, which are very similar morphologically to each other and generally difficult to recognize.
Thus, Garutti (1995) in his free teaching thesis presented a review of the Astyanax species with Brazilian humeral oval stain, Melo (2001) reviewed the species found in Serra dos Órgãos and surroundings, Ruiz et al. (2018) reviewed the species with similar stain belonging to the subgroup A. orthodus Eigenmann, 1907, and Oliveira (2018) reviewed the species related to A. scabripinnis. Besides the great morphological similarity, the taxonomic difficulties are also due to other factors: very generalized and not very informative old original descriptions, the precarious state of this material-type and the difficulties of access to these specimens by institutions, generally foreign, where they are fallen, which do not send them for comparative studies in South America. In addition, there are no studies that prove the monophyllism of the genus (WEITZMAN e MALABARBA, 1998).
In order to complement the current knowledge in Astyanax, this article has been developed. Among these various species of Astyanax, one has been noted in several river basins of Central and South America, called A. fasciatus, abundant in its environments (CUVIER, 1819) (EIGENMANN, 1910, 1921; FOWLER, 1948; GODOY, 1987).
This species is popularly known as lambari-do-rabo-velho (GODOY, 1987). Abundant material identified by this binomial is found in many national and foreign ichthyological collections. These identifications follow the concept of A. fasciatus adopted by Eigenmann (1921), broad, covering a synonymic list of 11 nominal species with model localities in several rivers of the Neotropical Region (table 1).
Eigenmann (1921) recognizes five subspecies in addition to the nominal form: A. f. heterurus Eigenmann (1914), A. f. parahybae Eigenmann (1908), A. f. jequitinhonhae (Steindachner, 1876), A. f. macrophthalmus (Regan, 1908) and A. f. aeneus (Günther, 1860). In his key to Astyanax, Eigenmann (1921) presents the following diagnostic characters for A. fasciatus: regular predorsal area, third infraorbital not completely covering the face, vertically elongated humeral spot, 25 or more rays on the anal fin, peduncular spot extending to the end of the median caudal rays, equidistant dorsal fin in relation to the snout and caudal fin, one or two, rarely three teeth in the jaw. Géry (1977) basically follows this definition of A. fasciatus. Thus, due to these attributes of Eigenmann (1921) and the great morphological similarity, many species can be called A. fasciatus. Garruti e Britski (2000), when commenting on the presence of Astyanax species in the upper Paraná, suggest that A. fasciatus is a complex of forms very close to each other. Melo (2005), in a systematic regional review of the genus Astyanax, recognizes two species that could be incorrectly identified as A. fasciatus, which supports the idea that A. fasciatus sensu Eigenmann is a complex of species.
The characters traditionally used in the diagnosis of A. fasciatus generally belong to superficial morphology (number of scales and rays, shape of teeth, etc.) and may represent homoplasms or simpleiomorphies (WEITZMAN e MALABARBA, 1998; ZANATA, 1997), which suggests that further studies of Astyanax’s anatomy should be performed. On the other hand, as Weitzman e Malabarba (1998) have pointed out, groups like Astyanax have little morphological divergence useful for cladistic analysis among their species, but these are characters that allow mortgaging monophyletic groups on a generic level.
Recently some studies (LOZANO-VILANO e CONTRERAS-BALDERAS, 1990; SCHMITTER-SOTO, 1998; MELO, 2005) have ventured to recognize as valid species some of the subspecies of A. fasciatus proposed by Eigenmann (1921), but without defining what A. fasciatus is. These works are in general regional revisions that are based on the fact that a species described for Brazilian Rivers by Cuvier (1819), is a species possibly restricted to the São Francisco River, from where its prototype material was collected (CUVIER e VALENCIENNES, 1849 EIGENMANN, 1921) and on the premise that no freshwater fish species can have such a wide distribution throughout Central and South America, since there are geographical barriers that would prevent the exchange and genetic control of this species (LOZANO-VILANO e CONTRERAS-BALDERAS, 1990). Thus, this article is the initial step in describing these various species related to A. fasciatus.
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Oxynoemacheilus nasreddini • A New Nemacheilid Loach (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from Central Anatolia
Oxynoemacheilus nasreddini
Yoğurtçuoğlu, Kaya & Freyhof, 2021
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4974.1.5
Abstract
Oxynoemacheilus nasreddini, new species, from Lake Akşehir, Eber, Eğirdir, and Ilgın basins in Central Anatolia is distinguished from other species of Oxynoemacheilus in Central Anatolia by having irregularly shaped blotches on flank; 2–4 dark-brown bands on caudal fin; a slender body, and an emarginate caudal fin in which the shortest middle caudal-fin ray is 76–91% of the longest ray of the upper caudal-fin lobe. Molecular data suggest that the new species is closely related to O. mediterraneus from the Aksu and Köprüçay drainages. Although the two species are separated by only a minimum K2P distance of 1.2% in the mtDNA COI barcode region, they are well distinguished morphologically. The situation is complicated by loaches from Lake Eğirdir basin that are identified as O. nasreddini by their morphological character states but are only distinguished from O. mediterraneus by a minimum K2P distance of 0.2% in the mtDNA COI barcode region.
Keywords: Pisces, Freshwater fish, taxonomy, Middle East
Baran Yoğurtçuoğlu, Cüneyt Kaya and Jörg Freyhof. 2021. Oxynoemacheilus nasreddini, A New Nemacheilid Loach from Central Anatolia (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). Zootaxa. 4974(1); 135–150. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4974.1.5
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Oxynoemacheilus nasreddini
Yoğurtçuoğlu, Kaya & Freyhof, 2021
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4974.1.5
Abstract
Oxynoemacheilus nasreddini, new species, from Lake Akşehir, Eber, Eğirdir, and Ilgın basins in Central Anatolia is distinguished from other species of Oxynoemacheilus in Central Anatolia by having irregularly shaped blotches on flank; 2–4 dark-brown bands on caudal fin; a slender body, and an emarginate caudal fin in which the shortest middle caudal-fin ray is 76–91% of the longest ray of the upper caudal-fin lobe. Molecular data suggest that the new species is closely related to O. mediterraneus from the Aksu and Köprüçay drainages. Although the two species are separated by only a minimum K2P distance of 1.2% in the mtDNA COI barcode region, they are well distinguished morphologically. The situation is complicated by loaches from Lake Eğirdir basin that are identified as O. nasreddini by their morphological character states but are only distinguished from O. mediterraneus by a minimum K2P distance of 0.2% in the mtDNA COI barcode region.
Keywords: Pisces, Freshwater fish, taxonomy, Middle East
Baran Yoğurtçuoğlu, Cüneyt Kaya and Jörg Freyhof. 2021. Oxynoemacheilus nasreddini, A New Nemacheilid Loach from Central Anatolia (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). Zootaxa. 4974(1); 135–150. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4974.1.5
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Eleotris (Teleostei: Eleotridae) from Indonesia with Description of Three New Species within the ‘melanosoma’ Neuromast Pattern Group
Eleotris sp.
in Mennesson, Keith, Sauri, Busson, ... et Hubert, 2021.
DOI: 10.2984/75.4.2
borea.MNHN.fr twitter.com/UMR_BOREA
Abstract
The species of Eleotris from Indonesia are reviewed and compared to the known species described from the area. Nine species are recognized including three new species in the ‘melanosoma’ neuromast pattern group. These are described using genetic and morpho-meristic approaches. The new species differ by a high percentage of genetic divergence in partial COI gene (652 bp) and by several characters including the number of pectoral fin rays, the number of scales in lateral, predorsal, forward and zigzag series. The main characteristics of the other known species in the area in the ‘melanosoma’ group, Eleotris melanosoma Bleeker, 1853 and Eleotris macrolepis (Bleeker, 1875), both belonging to this group, are given for comparison. A key for Eleotris species from Indonesia is provided.
Keywords: Eleotris, cryptic species, Indonesia
Marion I. Mennesson, Philippe Keith, Sopian Sauri, Frédéric Busson, Erwan Delrieu-Trottin, Gino Limmon, Tedjo Sukmono, Jiran, Renny Risdawati, Hadi Dahruddin and Nicolas Hubert. 2021. Eleotris (Teleostei: Eleotridae) from Indonesia with Description of Three New Species within the ‘melanosoma’ Neuromast Pattern Group. Pacific Science. 75(4); 469-495. DOI: 10.2984/75.4.2
twitter.com/UMR_BOREA/status/1463145321551302660
Eleotris sp.
in Mennesson, Keith, Sauri, Busson, ... et Hubert, 2021.
DOI: 10.2984/75.4.2
borea.MNHN.fr twitter.com/UMR_BOREA
Abstract
The species of Eleotris from Indonesia are reviewed and compared to the known species described from the area. Nine species are recognized including three new species in the ‘melanosoma’ neuromast pattern group. These are described using genetic and morpho-meristic approaches. The new species differ by a high percentage of genetic divergence in partial COI gene (652 bp) and by several characters including the number of pectoral fin rays, the number of scales in lateral, predorsal, forward and zigzag series. The main characteristics of the other known species in the area in the ‘melanosoma’ group, Eleotris melanosoma Bleeker, 1853 and Eleotris macrolepis (Bleeker, 1875), both belonging to this group, are given for comparison. A key for Eleotris species from Indonesia is provided.
Keywords: Eleotris, cryptic species, Indonesia
Marion I. Mennesson, Philippe Keith, Sopian Sauri, Frédéric Busson, Erwan Delrieu-Trottin, Gino Limmon, Tedjo Sukmono, Jiran, Renny Risdawati, Hadi Dahruddin and Nicolas Hubert. 2021. Eleotris (Teleostei: Eleotridae) from Indonesia with Description of Three New Species within the ‘melanosoma’ Neuromast Pattern Group. Pacific Science. 75(4); 469-495. DOI: 10.2984/75.4.2
==========================
twitter.com/UMR_BOREA/status/1463145321551302660
Eleotris sp.
in Mennesson, Keith, Sauri, Busson, ... et Hubert, 2021.
DOI: 10.2984/75.4.2
borea.MNHN.fr twitter.com/UMR_BOREA
Abstract
The species of Eleotris from Indonesia are reviewed and compared to the known species described from the area. Nine species are recognized including three new species in the ‘melanosoma’ neuromast pattern group. These are described using genetic and morpho-meristic approaches. The new species differ by a high percentage of genetic divergence in partial COI gene (652 bp) and by several characters including the number of pectoral fin rays, the number of scales in lateral, predorsal, forward and zigzag series. The main characteristics of the other known species in the area in the ‘melanosoma’ group, Eleotris melanosoma Bleeker, 1853 and Eleotris macrolepis (Bleeker, 1875), both belonging to this group, are given for comparison. A key for Eleotris species from Indonesia is provided.
Keywords: Eleotris, cryptic species, Indonesia
Marion I. Mennesson, Philippe Keith, Sopian Sauri, Frédéric Busson, Erwan Delrieu-Trottin, Gino Limmon, Tedjo Sukmono, Jiran, Renny Risdawati, Hadi Dahruddin and Nicolas Hubert. 2021. Eleotris (Teleostei: Eleotridae) from Indonesia with Description of Three New Species within the ‘melanosoma’ Neuromast Pattern Group. Pacific Science. 75(4); 469-495. DOI: 10.2984/75.4.2
twitter.com/UMR_BOREA/status/1463145321551302660
Eleotris sp.
in Mennesson, Keith, Sauri, Busson, ... et Hubert, 2021.
DOI: 10.2984/75.4.2
borea.MNHN.fr twitter.com/UMR_BOREA
Abstract
The species of Eleotris from Indonesia are reviewed and compared to the known species described from the area. Nine species are recognized including three new species in the ‘melanosoma’ neuromast pattern group. These are described using genetic and morpho-meristic approaches. The new species differ by a high percentage of genetic divergence in partial COI gene (652 bp) and by several characters including the number of pectoral fin rays, the number of scales in lateral, predorsal, forward and zigzag series. The main characteristics of the other known species in the area in the ‘melanosoma’ group, Eleotris melanosoma Bleeker, 1853 and Eleotris macrolepis (Bleeker, 1875), both belonging to this group, are given for comparison. A key for Eleotris species from Indonesia is provided.
Keywords: Eleotris, cryptic species, Indonesia
Marion I. Mennesson, Philippe Keith, Sopian Sauri, Frédéric Busson, Erwan Delrieu-Trottin, Gino Limmon, Tedjo Sukmono, Jiran, Renny Risdawati, Hadi Dahruddin and Nicolas Hubert. 2021. Eleotris (Teleostei: Eleotridae) from Indonesia with Description of Three New Species within the ‘melanosoma’ Neuromast Pattern Group. Pacific Science. 75(4); 469-495. DOI: 10.2984/75.4.2
==========================
twitter.com/UMR_BOREA/status/1463145321551302660
Typhlachirus lipophthalmus, A Rare Eye-less Sole from Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo (Teleostei: Soleidae)
Typhlachirus lipophthalmus (Károli, 1882)
from Sungai Kuap (Sarawak River basin)
in Tan & Grinang, 2020.
DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1150
An example of the eye-less sole, Typhlachirus lipophthalmus, was collected from a tidal section of the Sadong River in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, in January 2018. It is apparently the second known record of this species since its description in 1882. A description based on selected meristic and morphometric data gathered from the specimen, supported by radiographs and photographs of it, as well as notes on its capture and habitat, are presented.
Fresh coloration of Typhlachirus lipophthalmus (right side), ZRC 59653. 61.2 mm SL, shortly after capture.
Live coloration of Typhlachirus lipophthalmus (ca. 15 cm total length) from Sungai Kuap (Sarawak River basin), showing both right (pigmented) and left side of the fish [copyright Chien Lee, first published in Atack (2006)].
Typhlachirus lipophthalmus (Károli, 1882)
Distribution. Typhlachirus lipophthalmus is presently known only from Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, having been recorded from the lower reaches of Sungai Sadong of the Sadong River basin (Tan & Grinang, 2018 and present study) and from Sungai Kuap of the Sarawak River basin (Atack, 2006). The range of Typhlachirus lipophthalmus is expected to be wider, pending further surveys of estuarine habitats in Borneo. See Figure 7 for the distribution of all three species of Typhlachirus.
Tan Heok Hui and Jongkar Grinang. 2020. Typhlachirus lipophthalmus, A Rare Eye-less Sole from Borneo (Teleostei: Soleidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. IEF-1150. DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1150
pfeil-verlag.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IEF-1150-www.pdf
==========================
Typhlachirus lipophthalmus (Károli, 1882)
from Sungai Kuap (Sarawak River basin)
in Tan & Grinang, 2020.
DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1150
An example of the eye-less sole, Typhlachirus lipophthalmus, was collected from a tidal section of the Sadong River in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, in January 2018. It is apparently the second known record of this species since its description in 1882. A description based on selected meristic and morphometric data gathered from the specimen, supported by radiographs and photographs of it, as well as notes on its capture and habitat, are presented.
Fresh coloration of Typhlachirus lipophthalmus (right side), ZRC 59653. 61.2 mm SL, shortly after capture.
Live coloration of Typhlachirus lipophthalmus (ca. 15 cm total length) from Sungai Kuap (Sarawak River basin), showing both right (pigmented) and left side of the fish [copyright Chien Lee, first published in Atack (2006)].
Typhlachirus lipophthalmus (Károli, 1882)
Distribution. Typhlachirus lipophthalmus is presently known only from Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, having been recorded from the lower reaches of Sungai Sadong of the Sadong River basin (Tan & Grinang, 2018 and present study) and from Sungai Kuap of the Sarawak River basin (Atack, 2006). The range of Typhlachirus lipophthalmus is expected to be wider, pending further surveys of estuarine habitats in Borneo. See Figure 7 for the distribution of all three species of Typhlachirus.
Tan Heok Hui and Jongkar Grinang. 2020. Typhlachirus lipophthalmus, A Rare Eye-less Sole from Borneo (Teleostei: Soleidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. IEF-1150. DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1150
pfeil-verlag.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IEF-1150-www.pdf
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Oxynoemacheilus isauricus • A New Nemacheilid Loach (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from Central Anatolia
Oxynoemacheilus isauricus
Yoğurtçuoğlu, Kaya, Ozulug & Freyhof, 2021
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4975.2.7
twitter.com/yokbaran
Abstract
Oxynoemacheilus isauricus, new species, from the Lakes Beyşehir and Suğla basins in Central Anatolia is distinguished from all other species of the O. angorae group by having a very slender caudal peduncle (its depth 2.2–2.6 times in its length). The new species is further distinguished by having a short head (head length 21–24% SL), and a midlateral series of irregularly shaped blotches on the flank. Oxynoemacheilus isauricus is also distinguished by a minimum K2P sequence divergence of 7.5% and 8.0% in the mtDNA-COI barcode region from O. eregliensis and O. atili, its closest relatives.
Keywords: Pisces, Cytochrome oxidase I, Freshwater fish, Lake Beyşehir, Middle East, Taxonomy
Baran Yoğurtçuoğlu, Cüneyt Kaya, Müfit Ozulug and Jörg Freyhof. 2021. Oxynoemacheilus isauricus, A New Nemacheilid Loach from Central Anatolia (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). Zootaxa. 4975(2); 369–378. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4975.2.7
Researchgate.net/publication/351825529_Oxynoemacheilus_isauricus_a_new_nemacheilid_loach_from_Central_Anatolia
twitter.com/yokbaran/status/1397098300898217985
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Oxynoemacheilus isauricus
Yoğurtçuoğlu, Kaya, Ozulug & Freyhof, 2021
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4975.2.7
twitter.com/yokbaran
Abstract
Oxynoemacheilus isauricus, new species, from the Lakes Beyşehir and Suğla basins in Central Anatolia is distinguished from all other species of the O. angorae group by having a very slender caudal peduncle (its depth 2.2–2.6 times in its length). The new species is further distinguished by having a short head (head length 21–24% SL), and a midlateral series of irregularly shaped blotches on the flank. Oxynoemacheilus isauricus is also distinguished by a minimum K2P sequence divergence of 7.5% and 8.0% in the mtDNA-COI barcode region from O. eregliensis and O. atili, its closest relatives.
Keywords: Pisces, Cytochrome oxidase I, Freshwater fish, Lake Beyşehir, Middle East, Taxonomy
Baran Yoğurtçuoğlu, Cüneyt Kaya, Müfit Ozulug and Jörg Freyhof. 2021. Oxynoemacheilus isauricus, A New Nemacheilid Loach from Central Anatolia (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). Zootaxa. 4975(2); 369–378. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4975.2.7
Researchgate.net/publication/351825529_Oxynoemacheilus_isauricus_a_new_nemacheilid_loach_from_Central_Anatolia
twitter.com/yokbaran/status/1397098300898217985
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Redescription of the Fijian dwarfgoby Eviota cometa (Teleostei: Gobiidae)
Greenfield, David W.; Erdmann, Mark V.
The holotype and paratypes of the dwarfgoby Eviota cometa Jewett & Lachner, 1983 were described from the Fiji Islands, but, unfortunately, non-type specimens of another closely related species from Fiji and other central and western Pacific localities were also included in the description, resulting in ongoing confusion over the identity of E. cometa. This second species, frequently illustrated in the literature as E. cometa, was recently described as Eviota oculineata Tornabene, Greenfield & Erdmann, 2021. Eviota cometa is redescribed here using only material collected from Fiji. Eviota cometa is distinguished from the other species by having thin red diagonal bars crossing the caudal fin in life; a solid dark-reddish iris; a two-part, black, basicaudal spot over the preural centrum; usually 16 or 17 pectoral-fin rays; and a dorsal/anal fin-ray formula of 9/8. The species is known only from Fiji and Tonga.
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Greenfield, David W.; Erdmann, Mark V.
The holotype and paratypes of the dwarfgoby Eviota cometa Jewett & Lachner, 1983 were described from the Fiji Islands, but, unfortunately, non-type specimens of another closely related species from Fiji and other central and western Pacific localities were also included in the description, resulting in ongoing confusion over the identity of E. cometa. This second species, frequently illustrated in the literature as E. cometa, was recently described as Eviota oculineata Tornabene, Greenfield & Erdmann, 2021. Eviota cometa is redescribed here using only material collected from Fiji. Eviota cometa is distinguished from the other species by having thin red diagonal bars crossing the caudal fin in life; a solid dark-reddish iris; a two-part, black, basicaudal spot over the preural centrum; usually 16 or 17 pectoral-fin rays; and a dorsal/anal fin-ray formula of 9/8. The species is known only from Fiji and Tonga.
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A new sqeaker catfish - Synodontis abditus
Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters/IEF-1170/pp. 1-14 Published 5 November 2021 LSID: http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C0521C3A-12B0-4B7E-A8C4-3C65A7F8EB7E DOI: http://doi.org/10.23788/IEF-1170 Synodontis abditus (Teleostei: Mochokidae), a new squeaker catfish from the Ogooué basin, Gabon David De Weirdt*, Charlotte E. T. Huyghe*, ** and Emmanuel J. W. M. N. Vreven*, *** Synodontis abditus, new species, is described from the Ivindo and the Ngounié rivers, respectively a right and a left bank affluent of the Ogooué River (Gabon) in the Lower Guinea (LG) ichthyofaunal province. The new species is readily distinguished from all its congeners from the LG ichthyofaunal province by: the lack of serrations on the anterior side of the dorsal spine; 63-76 mandibular teeth; and 16-28 serrations on the posterior side of the pectoral spine. This discovery illustrates the importance of submitting collections to thorough alpha-taxonomic research in order to screen them for harbouring hidden species richness. The type locality of S. abditus is the stretch of the Loa Loa Rapids on the Ivindo River, which border the Ivindo National Park. In contrast, the other sub-basin where the new species has been found, the Ngounié River, is currently not near to any Protected Area (PA). Nevertheless, the main anthropogenic threats for these sub-basins are deforestation, over-fishing and pollution from nearby towns and iron-ore mining activities. As such, the discovery of yet another Synodontis species, endemic to the LG ichthyofaunal province, further stresses the need and importance for the installation of a well-documented, and extended network of PAs for the effective protection of the Ogooué basin ichthyofauna in particular and its freshwater fauna at large. Synodontis abditus nouvelle espèce est décrite de l’Ivindo et de la Ngounié, respectivement affluent de rive droite et de rive gauche du fleuve Ogooué (Gabon) dans la province ichtyofaunique de la Basse Guinée (BG). La nouvelle espèce se distingue aisément de tous ses congénères de la province ichtyofaunique de la BG par: l’absence de dentelures sur la face antérieure de l’épine dorsale; 63 à 76 dents mandibulaires; et 16 à 28 dentelures sur la face postérieure de l’épine pectorale. Cette découverte illustre l’importance de soumettre les collections à une recherche alpha-taxonomique approfondie afin de les cribler pour héberger une richesse d’espèces cachée. La localité type de S. abditus est le tronçon des rapides Loa Loa sur la rivière Ivindo et qui bordent le Parc National d’Ivindo. Par contre, l’autre sous-bassin où la nouvelle espèce a été trouvée, la rivière Ngounié, se trouve à proximité d’aucune aire protégée (AP). Néanoins, les principales menaces anthropiques pour ces sous-bassins sont la déforestation, la surpêche et la pollution à partir des villes voisines et les activités d’extraction de minerai de fer. En tant que tel, la découverte d’une autre espèce endémique de Synodontis de la province ichtyofaunique de la BG souligne encore la nécessité et l’importance de l’installation d’un réseau bien documenté et étendu d’APs pour la protection efficace de l’ichtyofaune du bassin de l’Ogooué en particulier et de sa faune d’eau douce en général
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Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters/IEF-1170/pp. 1-14 Published 5 November 2021 LSID: http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C0521C3A-12B0-4B7E-A8C4-3C65A7F8EB7E DOI: http://doi.org/10.23788/IEF-1170 Synodontis abditus (Teleostei: Mochokidae), a new squeaker catfish from the Ogooué basin, Gabon David De Weirdt*, Charlotte E. T. Huyghe*, ** and Emmanuel J. W. M. N. Vreven*, *** Synodontis abditus, new species, is described from the Ivindo and the Ngounié rivers, respectively a right and a left bank affluent of the Ogooué River (Gabon) in the Lower Guinea (LG) ichthyofaunal province. The new species is readily distinguished from all its congeners from the LG ichthyofaunal province by: the lack of serrations on the anterior side of the dorsal spine; 63-76 mandibular teeth; and 16-28 serrations on the posterior side of the pectoral spine. This discovery illustrates the importance of submitting collections to thorough alpha-taxonomic research in order to screen them for harbouring hidden species richness. The type locality of S. abditus is the stretch of the Loa Loa Rapids on the Ivindo River, which border the Ivindo National Park. In contrast, the other sub-basin where the new species has been found, the Ngounié River, is currently not near to any Protected Area (PA). Nevertheless, the main anthropogenic threats for these sub-basins are deforestation, over-fishing and pollution from nearby towns and iron-ore mining activities. As such, the discovery of yet another Synodontis species, endemic to the LG ichthyofaunal province, further stresses the need and importance for the installation of a well-documented, and extended network of PAs for the effective protection of the Ogooué basin ichthyofauna in particular and its freshwater fauna at large. Synodontis abditus nouvelle espèce est décrite de l’Ivindo et de la Ngounié, respectivement affluent de rive droite et de rive gauche du fleuve Ogooué (Gabon) dans la province ichtyofaunique de la Basse Guinée (BG). La nouvelle espèce se distingue aisément de tous ses congénères de la province ichtyofaunique de la BG par: l’absence de dentelures sur la face antérieure de l’épine dorsale; 63 à 76 dents mandibulaires; et 16 à 28 dentelures sur la face postérieure de l’épine pectorale. Cette découverte illustre l’importance de soumettre les collections à une recherche alpha-taxonomique approfondie afin de les cribler pour héberger une richesse d’espèces cachée. La localité type de S. abditus est le tronçon des rapides Loa Loa sur la rivière Ivindo et qui bordent le Parc National d’Ivindo. Par contre, l’autre sous-bassin où la nouvelle espèce a été trouvée, la rivière Ngounié, se trouve à proximité d’aucune aire protégée (AP). Néanoins, les principales menaces anthropiques pour ces sous-bassins sont la déforestation, la surpêche et la pollution à partir des villes voisines et les activités d’extraction de minerai de fer. En tant que tel, la découverte d’une autre espèce endémique de Synodontis de la province ichtyofaunique de la BG souligne encore la nécessité et l’importance de l’installation d’un réseau bien documenté et étendu d’APs pour la protection efficace de l’ichtyofaune du bassin de l’Ogooué en particulier et de sa faune d’eau douce en général
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Review of the Indo-Pacific scorpaenoid genus Plectrogenium Gilbert 1905 (Plectrogeniidae) with descriptions of eight new species Ichthyological Research (2021)Cite this article
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Mawsonia sp. • The First late Cretaceous Mawsoniid Coelacanth (Sarcopterygii: Actinistia) from North America: Evidence of A Lineage of Extinct ‘Living Fossils’
Reconstruction of Mawsonia sp. roaming in the brackish or fresh water costal environment of Texas during the Cenomanian.
in Cavin, Toriño, Van Vranken, ... et Winkler, 2021.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259292
twitter.com/PabloTorino4
Original artwork by Zubin Erik Dutta.Abstract
Today, the only living genus of coelacanth, Latimeria is represented by two species along the eastern coast of Africa and in Indonesia. This sarcopterygian fish is nicknamed a "living fossil", in particular because of its slow evolution. The large geographical distribution of Latimeria may be a reason for the great resilience to extinction of this lineage, but the lack of fossil records for this genus prevents us from testing this hypothesis. Here we describe isolated bones (right angular, incomplete basisphenoid, fragments of parasphenoid and pterygoid) found in the Cenomanian Woodbine Formation in northeast Texas that are referred to the mawsoniid coelacanth Mawsonia sp. In order to assess the impact of this discovery on the alleged characteristic of "living fossils" in general and of coelacanths in particular: 1) we compared the average time duration of genera of ray-finned fish and coelacanth in the fossil record; 2) we compared the biogeographic signal from Mawsonia with the signal from the rest of the vertebrate assemblage of the Woodbine formation; and 3) we compared these life traits with those of Latimeria. The stratigraphical range of Mawsonia is at least 50 million years. Since Mawsonia was a fresh, brackish water fish with probably a low ability to cross large sea barriers and because most of the continental components of the Woodbine Fm vertebrate assemblage exhibit Laurasian affinities, it is proposed that the Mawsonia’s occurrence in North America is more likely the result of a vicariant event linked to the break-up of Pangea rather than the result of a dispersal from Gondwana. The link between a wide geographic distribution and the resilience to extinction demonstrated here for Mawsonia is a clue that a similar situation existed for Latimeria, which allowed this genus to live for tens of millions of years.
Systematic paleontology
Actinistia Cope, 1871.
Latimerioidei Schultze, 1993.
Mawsoniidae Schultze, 1993.
Genus Mawsonia Woodward in Mawson and Woodward, 1907
Mawsonia sp.
‘Mid’-Cretaceous paleogeographical map of western Laurasia and western Gondwana showing biogeographical affinities of vertebrates from the woodbine formation (red circle).
Brown areas indicates continental vertebrates and the blue areas indicate brackish and marine vertebrates. Orange dots indicate approximate locations of records of Mawsonia.
Comparison of the geographical distributions of the two extant Latimeria species and their supposedly common ancestor 30 to 40 million years ago (left) with those of Mawsonia in the mid-cretaceous, about 100 million years ago and in the Late Jurassic–basal Cretaceous, about 145 million years ago (right).
Lionel Cavin, Pablo Toriño, Nathan Van Vranken, Bradley Carter, Michael J. Polcyn, Dale Winkler. 2021. The First late Cretaceous Mawsoniid Coelacanth (Sarcopterygii: Actinistia) from North America: Evidence of A Lineage of Extinct ‘Living Fossils’ PLoS ONE. 16(11): e0259292. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259292
twitter.com/PabloTorino4/status/1458976004886732805
==========================
Reconstruction of Mawsonia sp. roaming in the brackish or fresh water costal environment of Texas during the Cenomanian.
in Cavin, Toriño, Van Vranken, ... et Winkler, 2021.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259292
twitter.com/PabloTorino4
Original artwork by Zubin Erik Dutta.Abstract
Today, the only living genus of coelacanth, Latimeria is represented by two species along the eastern coast of Africa and in Indonesia. This sarcopterygian fish is nicknamed a "living fossil", in particular because of its slow evolution. The large geographical distribution of Latimeria may be a reason for the great resilience to extinction of this lineage, but the lack of fossil records for this genus prevents us from testing this hypothesis. Here we describe isolated bones (right angular, incomplete basisphenoid, fragments of parasphenoid and pterygoid) found in the Cenomanian Woodbine Formation in northeast Texas that are referred to the mawsoniid coelacanth Mawsonia sp. In order to assess the impact of this discovery on the alleged characteristic of "living fossils" in general and of coelacanths in particular: 1) we compared the average time duration of genera of ray-finned fish and coelacanth in the fossil record; 2) we compared the biogeographic signal from Mawsonia with the signal from the rest of the vertebrate assemblage of the Woodbine formation; and 3) we compared these life traits with those of Latimeria. The stratigraphical range of Mawsonia is at least 50 million years. Since Mawsonia was a fresh, brackish water fish with probably a low ability to cross large sea barriers and because most of the continental components of the Woodbine Fm vertebrate assemblage exhibit Laurasian affinities, it is proposed that the Mawsonia’s occurrence in North America is more likely the result of a vicariant event linked to the break-up of Pangea rather than the result of a dispersal from Gondwana. The link between a wide geographic distribution and the resilience to extinction demonstrated here for Mawsonia is a clue that a similar situation existed for Latimeria, which allowed this genus to live for tens of millions of years.
Systematic paleontology
Actinistia Cope, 1871.
Latimerioidei Schultze, 1993.
Mawsoniidae Schultze, 1993.
Genus Mawsonia Woodward in Mawson and Woodward, 1907
Mawsonia sp.
‘Mid’-Cretaceous paleogeographical map of western Laurasia and western Gondwana showing biogeographical affinities of vertebrates from the woodbine formation (red circle).
Brown areas indicates continental vertebrates and the blue areas indicate brackish and marine vertebrates. Orange dots indicate approximate locations of records of Mawsonia.
Comparison of the geographical distributions of the two extant Latimeria species and their supposedly common ancestor 30 to 40 million years ago (left) with those of Mawsonia in the mid-cretaceous, about 100 million years ago and in the Late Jurassic–basal Cretaceous, about 145 million years ago (right).
Lionel Cavin, Pablo Toriño, Nathan Van Vranken, Bradley Carter, Michael J. Polcyn, Dale Winkler. 2021. The First late Cretaceous Mawsoniid Coelacanth (Sarcopterygii: Actinistia) from North America: Evidence of A Lineage of Extinct ‘Living Fossils’ PLoS ONE. 16(11): e0259292. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259292
twitter.com/PabloTorino4/status/1458976004886732805
==========================
Molecular Phylogeny and Phylogeography of the Freshwater Fish Genus Pethia (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) in Sri Lanka
in Sudasinghe, Ranasinghe, Herath, ... et Meegaskumbura, 2021.
DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01923-5
Researchgate.net/publication/356120472
Abstract
Background:
Sri Lanka is a continental island separated from India by the Palk Strait, a shallow-shelf sea, which was emergent during periods of lowered sea level. Its biodiversity is concentrated in its perhumid south-western ‘wet zone’. The island’s freshwater fishes are dominated by the Cyprinidae, characterized by small diversifications of species derived from dispersals from India. These include five diminutive, endemic species of Pethia (P. bandula, P. cumingii, P. melanomaculata, P. nigrofasciata, P. reval), whose evolutionary history remains poorly understood. Here, based on comprehensive geographic sampling, we explore the phylogeny, phylogeography and morphological diversity of the genus in Sri Lanka.
Results:
The phylogenetic analyses, based on mitochondrial and nuclear loci, recover Sri Lankan Pethia as polyphyletic. The reciprocal monophyly of P. bandula and P. nigrofasciata, and P. cumingii and P. reval, is not supported. Pethia nigrofasciata, P. cumingii, and P. reval show strong phylogeographic structure in the wet zone, compared with P. melanomaculata, which ranges across the dry and intermediate zones. Translocated populations of P. nigrofasciata and P. reval in the Central Hills likely originate from multiple sources. Morphological analyses reveal populations of P. nigrofasciata proximal to P. bandula, a narrow-range endemic, to have a mix of characters between the two species. Similarly, populations of P. cumingii in the Kalu basin possess orange fins, a state between the red-finned P. reval from Kelani to Deduru and yellow-finned P. cumingii from Bentara to Gin basins.
Conclusions:
Polyphyly in Sri Lankan Pethia suggests two or three colonizations from mainland India. Strong phylogeographic structure in P. nigrofasciata, P. cumingii and P. reval, compared with P. melanomaculata, supports a model wherein the topographically complex wet zone harbors greater genetic diversity than the topographically uniform dry-zone. Mixed morphological characters between P. bandula and P. nigrofasciata, and P. cumingii and P. reval, and their unresolved phylogenies, may suggest recent speciation scenarios with incomplete lineage sorting, or hybridization.
Keywords: Smiliogastrinae, Morphology, Barb, Biodiversity hotspot, India
Conclusions:
Despite Pethia being a widespread freshwater fish genus in South Asia, most studies so far have focused on taxonomy, with little or no emphasis on geographic sampling focusing on phylogeographic work. We focus on phylogeny, phylogeography, using nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA markers, and compare these results with morphology of the group. Polyphyly in Sri Lankan Pethia suggests two or three colonizations from mainland India. Strong phylogeographic structure suggests that the topographically complex wet zone harbors greater genetic diversity than the more uniform dry-zone. Mixed morphological characters between some of the taxa, and their unresolved phylogenies, may suggest recent speciation events with incomplete lineage sorting, or hybridization. The knowledge generated will not only form a foundation for systematics work, but also will help in understanding the processes of speciation and patterns of distribution, allowing for informed conservation of this charismatic group of fishes.
Hiranya Sudasinghe, Tharindu Ranasinghe, Jayampathi Herath, Kumudu Wijesooriya, Rohan Pethiyagoda, Lukas Rüber and Madhava Meegaskumbura. 2021. Molecular Phylogeny and Phylogeography of the Freshwater-fish Genus Pethia (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) in Sri Lanka. BMC Ecology and Evolution. 21: 203. DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01923-5
Researchgate.net/publication/356120472_phylogeny_and_phylogeography_of_Pethia
facebook.com/tharindu2010ac/posts/5267718599921144
==========================
in Sudasinghe, Ranasinghe, Herath, ... et Meegaskumbura, 2021.
DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01923-5
Researchgate.net/publication/356120472
Abstract
Background:
Sri Lanka is a continental island separated from India by the Palk Strait, a shallow-shelf sea, which was emergent during periods of lowered sea level. Its biodiversity is concentrated in its perhumid south-western ‘wet zone’. The island’s freshwater fishes are dominated by the Cyprinidae, characterized by small diversifications of species derived from dispersals from India. These include five diminutive, endemic species of Pethia (P. bandula, P. cumingii, P. melanomaculata, P. nigrofasciata, P. reval), whose evolutionary history remains poorly understood. Here, based on comprehensive geographic sampling, we explore the phylogeny, phylogeography and morphological diversity of the genus in Sri Lanka.
Results:
The phylogenetic analyses, based on mitochondrial and nuclear loci, recover Sri Lankan Pethia as polyphyletic. The reciprocal monophyly of P. bandula and P. nigrofasciata, and P. cumingii and P. reval, is not supported. Pethia nigrofasciata, P. cumingii, and P. reval show strong phylogeographic structure in the wet zone, compared with P. melanomaculata, which ranges across the dry and intermediate zones. Translocated populations of P. nigrofasciata and P. reval in the Central Hills likely originate from multiple sources. Morphological analyses reveal populations of P. nigrofasciata proximal to P. bandula, a narrow-range endemic, to have a mix of characters between the two species. Similarly, populations of P. cumingii in the Kalu basin possess orange fins, a state between the red-finned P. reval from Kelani to Deduru and yellow-finned P. cumingii from Bentara to Gin basins.
Conclusions:
Polyphyly in Sri Lankan Pethia suggests two or three colonizations from mainland India. Strong phylogeographic structure in P. nigrofasciata, P. cumingii and P. reval, compared with P. melanomaculata, supports a model wherein the topographically complex wet zone harbors greater genetic diversity than the topographically uniform dry-zone. Mixed morphological characters between P. bandula and P. nigrofasciata, and P. cumingii and P. reval, and their unresolved phylogenies, may suggest recent speciation scenarios with incomplete lineage sorting, or hybridization.
Keywords: Smiliogastrinae, Morphology, Barb, Biodiversity hotspot, India
Conclusions:
Despite Pethia being a widespread freshwater fish genus in South Asia, most studies so far have focused on taxonomy, with little or no emphasis on geographic sampling focusing on phylogeographic work. We focus on phylogeny, phylogeography, using nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA markers, and compare these results with morphology of the group. Polyphyly in Sri Lankan Pethia suggests two or three colonizations from mainland India. Strong phylogeographic structure suggests that the topographically complex wet zone harbors greater genetic diversity than the more uniform dry-zone. Mixed morphological characters between some of the taxa, and their unresolved phylogenies, may suggest recent speciation events with incomplete lineage sorting, or hybridization. The knowledge generated will not only form a foundation for systematics work, but also will help in understanding the processes of speciation and patterns of distribution, allowing for informed conservation of this charismatic group of fishes.
Hiranya Sudasinghe, Tharindu Ranasinghe, Jayampathi Herath, Kumudu Wijesooriya, Rohan Pethiyagoda, Lukas Rüber and Madhava Meegaskumbura. 2021. Molecular Phylogeny and Phylogeography of the Freshwater-fish Genus Pethia (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) in Sri Lanka. BMC Ecology and Evolution. 21: 203. DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01923-5
Researchgate.net/publication/356120472_phylogeny_and_phylogeography_of_Pethia
facebook.com/tharindu2010ac/posts/5267718599921144
==========================
Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters/IEF-1142/pp. 1-11 Published 5 November 2021 LSID: http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:DCF1D31D-2B80-4C47-A3B2-F9C0A4996F8B DOI: http://doi.org/10.23788/IEF-1142 Homatula dotui, a new cave loach from Central Vietnam (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) Dinh Tao Nguyen*, ***, Hua Wu*, Liang Cao** and E Zhang** Homatula dotui, new species, is described from a cave in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Central Vietnam. This troglobitic loach is the first species of Homatula found in Vietnam and the first subterranean species of the genus. It differs from all congeners by a whitish or pinkish body in life, no scales, incomplete lateral line with 4-5 pores, reduced eyes, and the number of dorsal-fin rays and vertebrae. * School of Life Science, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, Hubei Province, P. R. China. E-mail: wuhua@mail.ccnu.edu.cn ** Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 7 Donghu South Road, Wuhan 430072, Hubei Province, P.R. China. Email: zhange@ihb.ac.cn *** Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, No. 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Hanoi City, Vietnam. E-mail: dinhtao23@gmail.com Introduction The nemacheilid genus Homatula was believed to be endemic to China and actually comprises a total of 18 species known from the upper Mekong River (=Lancang-Jiang in Chinese), Red River (=Yuan-Jiang), Pear River (=Zhu-Jiang), midupper Yangtze River (=Chang-Jiang) drainages, and the Wei-He, a tributary of the Yellow River (=Huang-He) drainage (Li et al., 2019). By the end of the last century, seven species of the genus had been placed in Paracobitis, which is a West Asian genus (Kottelat, 1990; Bânârescu & Nalbant, 1995; Nalbant & Bianco, 1998; Freyhof et al., 2014). These species are: P. anguillioides, P. acuticephala, P. oligolepis, P. erhaiensis, P. potanini, P. variegata and P. wujiangensis. Min et al. (2010) described P. nanpanjiangensis, an additional species from the Chinese Yunnan Province. Hu & Zhang (2010) described Homatula pycnolepis from Yunnan Province and revalidated H. berezowskii from Sichuan Province, South China. Another eight species of Homatula have since been described from China: H. laxiclathra (Gu & Zhang, 2012), H. disparizona (Min et al., 2013), H. change (Endruweit, 2015), H. wenshanensis (Yang et al., 2017), H. coccinocola (Endruweit et al., 2018), and H. anteridorsalis, H. cryptoclathrata and H. nigra (Li et al., 2019). Nguyen (2005) described two Vietnamese loaches in the genus Paracobitis (namely P. hagiangensis and P. phongthoensis). Paracobitis hagiangensis is a valid species in Schistura while P. phongthoensis is a junior synonym of S. caudofurca (Kottelat, 2012a, 2013; Endruweit, 2014). Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters – ISSN 0936-9902 (print) © 2021 by Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil, München, Germany www.pfeil-verlag.de 2 The Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology conducted several expeditions into caves of the karstic areas of Central Vietnam between 2011 and 2015. These expeditions yielded two specimens of subterranean loaches representatives of an undescribed species of the genus Homatula. The purpose of this work is to describe and name this new species. Material and methods Morphological analysis. Fishes were caught by a hand-net. Meristic and morphometric methods follow Kottelat (1990). Measurements were taken point to point using a calliper and recorded to the nearest 0.1 mm. Dorsal, caudal and anal-fin rays were counted from radiographs and pectoral and pelvic-fin rays under a binocular stereomicroscope. Vertebrae were counted from radiographs following Roberts (1989). The number of caudal vertebrae corresponds to the number of centrae bearing a haemal spine, including the urostyle that is counted as one vertebra. Eye diameter was measured horizontally, body depth at dorsal-fin origin, and head length (HL) from the tip of the snout to the posteriormost margin of the operculum excluding the opercular membrane. Data for Homatula wujiangensis were taken from Ding & Deng (1990), H. maolanensis from Ran et al. (2006), H. posterodorsalus from Li et al. (2006), H. nanpanjiangensis from Min et al. (2010), H. disparizona from Min et al. (2013), H. change from Endruweit (2015), H. wenshanensis from Yang et al. (2017) and H. coccinocola from Endruweit et al. (2018). Table 1. List of cyt b gene sequences produced in this study and downloaded from GenBank with information on drainage and country of origin. Species Province/Country Drainage Source Accession # Homatula dotui Quang Binh, Vietnam Gianh This study OK230029 Homatula dotui Quang Binh, Vietnam Gianh This study OK230030 Homatula potanini Sichuan, China Jinsha Min et al., 2012 JF340395 Homatula potanini Sichuan, China Jinsha Min et al., 2012 JF340393 Homatula potanini Sichuan, China Jinsha Min et al., 2012 JF340391 Homatula potanini Sichuan, China Jinsha Min et al., 2012 JF340388 Homatula pycnolepis Yunnan, China Lancang Min et al., 2012 HM010541 Homatula pycnolepis Yunnan, China Nu Yue et al., 2013 KF041000 Homatula pycnolepis Yunnan, China Nu Min et al., 2012 HM010567 Homatula pycnolepis Yunnan, China Lancang Min et al., 2012 HM010549 Homatula anguillioides Yunnan, China Lancang Min et al., 2012 HM010582 Homatula wuliangensis Yunnan, China Lancang Min et al., 2012 HM010517 Homatula longidorsalis Yunnan, China Jinsha Min et al., 2012 HM010550 Homatula longidorsalis Yunnan, China Jinsha Min et al., 2012 HM010522 Homatula longidorsalis Yunnan, China Nanpan Min et al., 2012 HM010519 Homatula acuticephala Yunnan, China Lancang Min et al., 2012 HM010527 Homatula variegata Yunnan, China Jinsha Min et al., 2012 HM010520 Homatula variegata Yunnan, China Jinsha Min et al., 2012 HM010493 Homatula variegata Yunnan, China Jinsha Min et al., 2012 HM010489 Schistura callichroma Yunnan, China Babian Min et al., 2012 JN837652 Schistura caudofurca Yunnan, China Babian Min et al., 2012 JN837651 Schistura latifasciata Yunnan, China Lancang Min et al., 2012 JN837653 Schistura longa Yunnan, China Nu Tang et al., 2006 JF340408 Schistura poculi Thailand Mae Min et al., 2012 JF340407 Schistura desmotes Chiangmai, Thailand Chao Phraya Havird et al., 2010 GQ174368 Schistura fasciolata Yunnan, China – Min et al., 2012 HM010565 Schistura bucculenta Yunnan, China – Min et al., 2012 JN837654 Schistura cryptofasciata Yunnan, China Salween Min et al., 2012 JF340401 Schistura sikmaiensis Yunnan, China Irrawaddy Min et al., 2012 JF340405 Schistura amplizona Yunnan, China Mekong Min et al., 2012 JN837656 Schistura macrotaenia Yunnan, China Nanqi Min et al., 2012 JN837655 Schistura shuangjiangensis Yunnan, China Lancang Min et al., 2012 JF340404 Nguyen et al.: H.
SUNDAY, 17 APRIL 2022 AT 20:00Birmingham Aquatic Club Online Fish Show
Birmingham Aquatic Club Online Fish Show
Interested
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Event by Birmingham Aquatic Club
Public · Anyone on or off Facebook
The club has decided to host another online fish show for 2022! Everyone is welcome to take part. There are award cards for first, second and third place for each class. There will be a medal and award card for best in showThere are different judges for each class. Winners will be announced via Facebook live at 8pm and all award cards will be laminated and posted via Royal Mail. Entries close on the 11th April. We need a 20 - 40 second video of your fish with good lighting in a show/display tank featuring your entry number which you will be given on payment of entry fees.
The classes to enter are:
Betta splenden - Class A
Livebearer - Class B
Fancy Goldfish - Class C
It is £1 per entry and all money raised goes back into the club so we can continue to meet our goals and objectives. More details on how to enter will be coming soon!
==========================
Birmingham Aquatic Club Online Fish Show
Interested
Going
InviteDetails
Event by Birmingham Aquatic Club
Public · Anyone on or off Facebook
The club has decided to host another online fish show for 2022! Everyone is welcome to take part. There are award cards for first, second and third place for each class. There will be a medal and award card for best in showThere are different judges for each class. Winners will be announced via Facebook live at 8pm and all award cards will be laminated and posted via Royal Mail. Entries close on the 11th April. We need a 20 - 40 second video of your fish with good lighting in a show/display tank featuring your entry number which you will be given on payment of entry fees.
The classes to enter are:
Betta splenden - Class A
Livebearer - Class B
Fancy Goldfish - Class C
It is £1 per entry and all money raised goes back into the club so we can continue to meet our goals and objectives. More details on how to enter will be coming soon!
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A review of the conservation status of seasonal Nothobranchius fishes (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes), a genus with a high level of threat, inhabiting ephemeral wetland habitats in AfricaBéla Nagy,Brian R. Watters
First published: 03 November 2021
https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3741
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First published: 03 November 2021
https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3741
Read the full text
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- The small and colourful Nothobranchius fishes inhabit ephemeral habitats in freshwater wetlands of Africa and have extreme life-history adaptations that allow their eggs to survive the periodic drying up of the seasonal natural habitats. They are subject to high levels of threat, with 72% of the 94 assessed species falling into one of the threatened Red List categories, as a consequence of habitat degradation of seasonal wetlands. There is, therefore, a need to conserve ephemeral waters for species that rely on the seasonality of habitats.
- Extinction risk factors for all species of the genus were entirely reworked with IUCN Red List assessments, whereas first-time assessments were established for species that had previously not been evaluated. These fishes complete their seasonal life cycle in ephemeral natural habitats and this makes them highly vulnerable, as such wetland habitats are often degraded owing to multiple interacting human-induced stressors and threats, including cultivation of wetlands for agriculture, abstraction of water, expansion of urban areas and pollution load.
- A fine-scale classification scheme based on habitat type was used for each site to identify ecological characteristics and the pattern of threats. The classification scheme is based on a primary subdivision of natural habitats compared with those modified by human activities, with further subdivision within the two fundamental groupings. Out of the 478 analysed habitat site observations by the authors, 46% were affected by human activities.
- Recommended conservation actions include: conducting surveys to better understand habitat trends and threats; establishing protected areas and effectively allocating resources to preserve wetland habitats; managing protection of the structural integrity of the habitats throughout the seasonal phases of wet and dry seasons; and raising awareness of the importance of healthy wetland systems and the value of the unique seasonal freshwater biodiversity.
Open Research
Early View
Online Version of Record before inclusion in an issue
Recommended
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NATALIA OCAMPO-PEÑUELA, STUART L. PIMM
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Z. L. Nagy, T. Postawa
Cirrhilabrus apterygia • Redescription of Conniella apterygia Allen and Its Reassignment in the Genus Cirrhilabrus Temminck & Schlegel (Teleostei: Labridae), with Comments on Cirrhilabrin Pelvic Morphology
Cirrhilabrus apterygia (Allen, 1983)
in Tea, Allen, ... et Frable, 2021.
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5061.3.5
twitter.com/FishGuyKai
Abstract
Conniella apterygia is redescribed from re-examination of the holotype, two paratypes, and six additional specimens. The genus is closely allied to Cirrhilabrus, sharing similarities in general morphological and meristic details, but is separated from Cirrhilabrus and most other labrid fishes in lacking pelvic fins and a pelvic girdle. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have provided strong evidence for the deep nesting of Conniella within Cirrhilabrus, contradicting its generic validity and suggesting that the loss of pelvic elements is autapomorphic. Consequently, the species is redescribed and assigned to the genus Cirrhilabrus, as Cirrhilabrus apterygia new combination. The pelvic morphologies of related cirrhilabrin labrids are discussed, and a new synapomorphy is identified for Paracheilinus.
Key words: coral-reef fishes; taxonomy; ichthyology; apomorphy; fairy wrasse; morphology
Cirrhilabrus apterygia, underwater photograph from Rowley Shoals, Western Australia.
(A–C) Males and females in loose groups; (D) juvenile, approximately 35 mm total length.
Note mixed aggregations of Pseudanthias engelhardi and Chrysiptera caeruleolineata in (A). Note individual showing ventral stripes from isthmus to anal-fin origin in (B).
Photographs by R.H. Kuiter (A, B, D) and G.R. Allen (C).
Cirrhilabrus apterygia (Allen, 1983), new combination
Connie’s Wrasse
Other names: Mutant Wrasse; Rowley Shoals Wrasse
Diagnosis. A species of Cirrhilabrus distinguished from all other congeners based on the following combination of colouration and morphological characters: absence of pelvic fins and pelvic girdle; lateral line with 21–26 pored scales (16–17 in the dorsoanterior series, 5–9 in the posterior peduncular series); caudal fin rhomboidal to lanceolate in males; both sexes with eight to ten stripes, purple in life and in preservation; preopercle purple in preservation.
Etymology. Allen (1983) named the species apterygia, meaning “without fins,” in reference to the distinctive lack of pelvic fins and associated elements. To be treated as a noun in apposition. We retain the use of Connie’s Wrasse as the preferred common name, after Connie Lagos Allen, wife of the second author, for whom the junior synonym Conniella was named. The species is also commonly referred to as the mutant wrasse, alluding to its atypical pelvic morphology, as well as the eponymous Rowley Shoals Wrasse, after its type locality.
A selection of cirrhilabrin labrids with horizontal striped patterns.
(A) Cirrhilabrus apterygia, underwater photograph from Rowley Shoals; (B) Cirrhilabrus earlei, underwater photograph from Koror, Palau;
(C) Cirrhilabrus marjorie, underwater photograph from Vanua Levu, Fiji; (D) Pseudocheilinus octotaenia, underwater photograph from Levuka, Fiji.
Photographs by R.H. Kuiter (A); K. Nishiyama (B); and M. Rosenstein (C–D).
Yi-Kai Tea, Gerald R. Allen, Christopher H. R. Goatley, Anthony C. Gill and Benjamin W. Frable. 2021. Redescription of Conniella apterygia Allen and Its Reassignment in the Genus Cirrhilabrus Temminck and Schlegel (Teleostei: Labridae), with Comments on Cirrhilabrin Pelvic Morphology. Zootaxa. 5061(3);493-509. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5061.3.5
twitter.com/FishGuyKai/status/1456391937359900678
==========================
Cirrhilabrus apterygia (Allen, 1983)
in Tea, Allen, ... et Frable, 2021.
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5061.3.5
twitter.com/FishGuyKai
Abstract
Conniella apterygia is redescribed from re-examination of the holotype, two paratypes, and six additional specimens. The genus is closely allied to Cirrhilabrus, sharing similarities in general morphological and meristic details, but is separated from Cirrhilabrus and most other labrid fishes in lacking pelvic fins and a pelvic girdle. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have provided strong evidence for the deep nesting of Conniella within Cirrhilabrus, contradicting its generic validity and suggesting that the loss of pelvic elements is autapomorphic. Consequently, the species is redescribed and assigned to the genus Cirrhilabrus, as Cirrhilabrus apterygia new combination. The pelvic morphologies of related cirrhilabrin labrids are discussed, and a new synapomorphy is identified for Paracheilinus.
Key words: coral-reef fishes; taxonomy; ichthyology; apomorphy; fairy wrasse; morphology
Cirrhilabrus apterygia, underwater photograph from Rowley Shoals, Western Australia.
(A–C) Males and females in loose groups; (D) juvenile, approximately 35 mm total length.
Note mixed aggregations of Pseudanthias engelhardi and Chrysiptera caeruleolineata in (A). Note individual showing ventral stripes from isthmus to anal-fin origin in (B).
Photographs by R.H. Kuiter (A, B, D) and G.R. Allen (C).
Cirrhilabrus apterygia (Allen, 1983), new combination
Connie’s Wrasse
Other names: Mutant Wrasse; Rowley Shoals Wrasse
Diagnosis. A species of Cirrhilabrus distinguished from all other congeners based on the following combination of colouration and morphological characters: absence of pelvic fins and pelvic girdle; lateral line with 21–26 pored scales (16–17 in the dorsoanterior series, 5–9 in the posterior peduncular series); caudal fin rhomboidal to lanceolate in males; both sexes with eight to ten stripes, purple in life and in preservation; preopercle purple in preservation.
Etymology. Allen (1983) named the species apterygia, meaning “without fins,” in reference to the distinctive lack of pelvic fins and associated elements. To be treated as a noun in apposition. We retain the use of Connie’s Wrasse as the preferred common name, after Connie Lagos Allen, wife of the second author, for whom the junior synonym Conniella was named. The species is also commonly referred to as the mutant wrasse, alluding to its atypical pelvic morphology, as well as the eponymous Rowley Shoals Wrasse, after its type locality.
A selection of cirrhilabrin labrids with horizontal striped patterns.
(A) Cirrhilabrus apterygia, underwater photograph from Rowley Shoals; (B) Cirrhilabrus earlei, underwater photograph from Koror, Palau;
(C) Cirrhilabrus marjorie, underwater photograph from Vanua Levu, Fiji; (D) Pseudocheilinus octotaenia, underwater photograph from Levuka, Fiji.
Photographs by R.H. Kuiter (A); K. Nishiyama (B); and M. Rosenstein (C–D).
Yi-Kai Tea, Gerald R. Allen, Christopher H. R. Goatley, Anthony C. Gill and Benjamin W. Frable. 2021. Redescription of Conniella apterygia Allen and Its Reassignment in the Genus Cirrhilabrus Temminck and Schlegel (Teleostei: Labridae), with Comments on Cirrhilabrin Pelvic Morphology. Zootaxa. 5061(3);493-509. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5061.3.5
twitter.com/FishGuyKai/status/1456391937359900678
==========================
Chromis sahulensis
Chromis nitida,
Two new species of Chromis (Teleostei: Pomacentridae) from northwestern Australia and the southwestern Pacific Ocean, previously part of C. fumea (Tanaka, 1917) Allen, Gerald R.; Allen, Mark G.
The common coral-reef damselfish, Chromis fumea (Tanaka, 1917) was previously reported as widely distributed in the western Pacific Ocean and northwestern Australia, with disjunct populations in the northwestern Pacific, Western Australia, and the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The present investigation reveals the nominal species is composed of three distinct species, including two new species described herein, forming an anti-tropical species complex with Chromis nitida, from the Great Barrier Reef of Australia to southern New South Wales. The true C. fumea is mainly restricted to Japan and Taiwan, with vagrants ranging southward to Malaysia; it is characterized by a larger body size, a graded color pattern on the body, a small white spot at the base of the last dorsal-fin rays, and black upper and lower margins on the caudal fin. Chromis nitida is sharply bicolored with a black band from the eye to the tip of the soft dorsal fin and no posterior white spot. Chromis norfolkensis, n. sp. is described from 8 specimens, 47.5–83.3 mm SL, collected in the southwestern Pacific Ocean at Norfolk Island, northern New Zealand, and Chesterfield Bank, Coral Sea, with underwater photographic records from New South Wales and New Caledonia. It usually has more gill rakers than C. fumea, and the color pattern in life is diagnostic: adults are brownish above and whitish below, the transition relatively abrupt with a diagonal demarcation from the eye to a conspicuous small, rounded, white spot at the base of the last dorsal-fin rays; both the outer portion of the dorsal fin and the upper and lower margins of the caudal fin have prominent broad black bands with a bright blue-white edge. Chromis sahulensis, n. sp. is a smaller species, described from 86 specimens, 15.3–58.3 mm SL, from northwestern Australia. It has more gill rakers than C. fumea, and the color pattern is diagnostic: yellowish brown dorsally grading to paler grey-brown on the sides, with the white spot at the base of the last dorsal-fin rays more saddle-like and farther onto the upper caudal peduncle, and brownish bands along the upper and lower margins of the caudal fin. The mtDNA COI barcode sequence of C. sahulensis is 3.8% divergent from C. fumea from Taiwan and 5.15% from C. nitida from Queensland.
==========================
The common coral-reef damselfish, Chromis fumea (Tanaka, 1917) was previously reported as widely distributed in the western Pacific Ocean and northwestern Australia, with disjunct populations in the northwestern Pacific, Western Australia, and the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The present investigation reveals the nominal species is composed of three distinct species, including two new species described herein, forming an anti-tropical species complex with Chromis nitida, from the Great Barrier Reef of Australia to southern New South Wales. The true C. fumea is mainly restricted to Japan and Taiwan, with vagrants ranging southward to Malaysia; it is characterized by a larger body size, a graded color pattern on the body, a small white spot at the base of the last dorsal-fin rays, and black upper and lower margins on the caudal fin. Chromis nitida is sharply bicolored with a black band from the eye to the tip of the soft dorsal fin and no posterior white spot. Chromis norfolkensis, n. sp. is described from 8 specimens, 47.5–83.3 mm SL, collected in the southwestern Pacific Ocean at Norfolk Island, northern New Zealand, and Chesterfield Bank, Coral Sea, with underwater photographic records from New South Wales and New Caledonia. It usually has more gill rakers than C. fumea, and the color pattern in life is diagnostic: adults are brownish above and whitish below, the transition relatively abrupt with a diagonal demarcation from the eye to a conspicuous small, rounded, white spot at the base of the last dorsal-fin rays; both the outer portion of the dorsal fin and the upper and lower margins of the caudal fin have prominent broad black bands with a bright blue-white edge. Chromis sahulensis, n. sp. is a smaller species, described from 86 specimens, 15.3–58.3 mm SL, from northwestern Australia. It has more gill rakers than C. fumea, and the color pattern is diagnostic: yellowish brown dorsally grading to paler grey-brown on the sides, with the white spot at the base of the last dorsal-fin rays more saddle-like and farther onto the upper caudal peduncle, and brownish bands along the upper and lower margins of the caudal fin. The mtDNA COI barcode sequence of C. sahulensis is 3.8% divergent from C. fumea from Taiwan and 5.15% from C. nitida from Queensland.
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Full access at:- sciencepress.mnhn.fr/sites/default/files/articles/pdf/zoosystema2021v43a28.pdf
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Join Mars Fishcare and the API® brand for a free webinar presented by Gary Jones on understanding and treating fish disease with the help of API products.
Join us November 11th at 2:00 p.m. EST
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Join us November 11th at 2:00 p.m. EST
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And soon gone? Coral reefs disappearing in many areas.14 Oct, 2021
Acropora corals shedding their zooxanthellae during 2016 bleaching even in the Maldives, Indian Ocean. Credit: The Ocean Agency / Ocean Image BankEarth has lost 14 percent of its coral reef cover in the last decade, according to the largest analysis of coral reef health ever undertaken, largely a consequence of rising sea-surface water temperatures.
Key findings:
The GCRMN 2020 Report is now available for free download. See below.The “Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2020” report, draws on data:
Although reefs cover only 0.2 percent of the ocean floor they are home to at least a quarter of all marine species, providing critical habitat and a fundamental source of protein, as well as life-saving medicines. It is estimated that hundreds of millions of people around the world depend on them for food, jobs, and protection from storms and erosion.
Acropora colony bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef, 2017. Credit: The Ocean Agency / Ocean Image BankSome Good News
However, the report also found that many of the world’s coral reefs remain resilient and can recover if conditions allow, providing hope for the long-term health of coral reefs if immediate steps are taken to stabilize emissions to curb future warming.
Dr. Paul Hardisty, CEO of the Australian Institute of Marine Science: “This study is the most detailed analysis to date on the state of the world’s coral reefs, and the news is mixed. There are clearly unsettling trends toward coral loss, and we can expect these to continue as warming persists. Despite this, some reefs have shown a remarkable ability to bounce back, which offers hope for the future recovery of degraded reefs. A clear message from the study is that climate change is the biggest threat to the world’s reefs, and we must all do our part by urgently curbing global greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating local pressures.”
The analysis which examined 10 coral reef-bearing regions around the world(1) showed that coral bleaching events caused by elevated sea surface temperatures (SSTs) were the main driver of coral loss, including an acute event in 1998 that is estimated to have killed eight percent of the world’s corals, which, to put this in context, is more than all the coral that is currently living on reefs in the Caribbean or the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regions. The longer-term decline seen during the last decade coincided with persistent elevated SSTs.
The analysis investigates changes in the cover of both live hard coral and algae. Live hard coral cover is a scientifically based indicator of coral reef health, while increases in algae are a widely accepted signal of stress to reefs. Since 1978, when the first data used in the report were collected, there has been a 9 percent decline in the amount of hard coral worldwide. Between 2010 and 2019, the amount of algae has increased by 20 percent, corresponding with declines in hard coral cover. This progressive transition from coral to algae-dominated reef communities reduces the complex habitat that is essential to support high levels of biodiversity.
The report also highlighted that although during the last decade the interval between mass coral bleaching events has been insufficient to allow coral reefs to fully recover, some recovery was observed in 2019 with coral reefs regaining 2% of the coral cover. This indicates that coral reefs are still resilient and if pressures on these critical ecosystems ease, then they have the capacity to recover, potentially within a decade, to the healthy, flourishing reefs that were prevalent pre-1998.
Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which provided financial, technical, and communication support to the report: “Since 2009 we have lost more coral, worldwide, than all the living coral in Australia. We are running out of time: we can reverse losses, but we have to act now. At the upcoming climate conference in Glasgow and biodiversity conference in Kunming, decision-makers have an opportunity to show leadership and save our reefs, but only if they are willing to take bold steps. We must not leave future generations to inherit a world without coral.”
Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN)
Download reports: Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN)
https://gcrmn.net/2020-report/
Related Terms:
Top ↑
© 2021 Powered By Reef To Rainforest Media, LLC | CORAL Magazine | AMAZONAS Magazine | Microcosm Publishing
==========================
Acropora corals shedding their zooxanthellae during 2016 bleaching even in the Maldives, Indian Ocean. Credit: The Ocean Agency / Ocean Image BankEarth has lost 14 percent of its coral reef cover in the last decade, according to the largest analysis of coral reef health ever undertaken, largely a consequence of rising sea-surface water temperatures.
Key findings:
- Large-scale coral bleaching events are the greatest disturbance to the world’s coral reefs. The 1998 event alone killed eight percent of the world’s coral, which is the equivalent of about 6,500 square kilometers of coral. The greatest impacts of this mass bleaching event were seen in the Indian Ocean, Japan, and the Caribbean, with smaller impacts observed in the Red Sea, The Gulf, the northern Pacific in Hawaii and the Caroline Islands, and the southern Pacific in Samoa and New Caledonia.
- Between 2009 and 2018, the world lost about 14 percent of the coral on its coral reefs, which equates to around 11,700 square kilometers of coral, more than all the living coral in Australia.
- Reef algae, which grows during periods of stress, has increased by 20 percent over the past decade.
- Prior to this, on average there was twice as much coral on the world’s reefs as algae.
- Coral reefs in East Asia’s Coral Triangle, which is the center of coral reef biodiversity and accounts for more than 30 percent of the world’s reefs, have been less impacted by rising sea surface temperatures. Despite some declines in hard coral during the last decade, on average, these reefs have more coral today than in 1983 when the first data from this region were collected.
- Almost invariably, sharp declines in coral cover corresponded with rapid increases in sea surface temperatures, indicating their vulnerability to spikes, which is a phenomenon that is likely to happen more frequently as the planet continues to warm.
The GCRMN 2020 Report is now available for free download. See below.The “Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2020” report, draws on data:
- spanning 40 years
- in 73 countries
- across 12,000 sites
- collected by more than 300 scientists
- through 2 million individual observations.
Although reefs cover only 0.2 percent of the ocean floor they are home to at least a quarter of all marine species, providing critical habitat and a fundamental source of protein, as well as life-saving medicines. It is estimated that hundreds of millions of people around the world depend on them for food, jobs, and protection from storms and erosion.
Acropora colony bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef, 2017. Credit: The Ocean Agency / Ocean Image BankSome Good News
However, the report also found that many of the world’s coral reefs remain resilient and can recover if conditions allow, providing hope for the long-term health of coral reefs if immediate steps are taken to stabilize emissions to curb future warming.
Dr. Paul Hardisty, CEO of the Australian Institute of Marine Science: “This study is the most detailed analysis to date on the state of the world’s coral reefs, and the news is mixed. There are clearly unsettling trends toward coral loss, and we can expect these to continue as warming persists. Despite this, some reefs have shown a remarkable ability to bounce back, which offers hope for the future recovery of degraded reefs. A clear message from the study is that climate change is the biggest threat to the world’s reefs, and we must all do our part by urgently curbing global greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating local pressures.”
The analysis which examined 10 coral reef-bearing regions around the world(1) showed that coral bleaching events caused by elevated sea surface temperatures (SSTs) were the main driver of coral loss, including an acute event in 1998 that is estimated to have killed eight percent of the world’s corals, which, to put this in context, is more than all the coral that is currently living on reefs in the Caribbean or the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regions. The longer-term decline seen during the last decade coincided with persistent elevated SSTs.
The analysis investigates changes in the cover of both live hard coral and algae. Live hard coral cover is a scientifically based indicator of coral reef health, while increases in algae are a widely accepted signal of stress to reefs. Since 1978, when the first data used in the report were collected, there has been a 9 percent decline in the amount of hard coral worldwide. Between 2010 and 2019, the amount of algae has increased by 20 percent, corresponding with declines in hard coral cover. This progressive transition from coral to algae-dominated reef communities reduces the complex habitat that is essential to support high levels of biodiversity.
The report also highlighted that although during the last decade the interval between mass coral bleaching events has been insufficient to allow coral reefs to fully recover, some recovery was observed in 2019 with coral reefs regaining 2% of the coral cover. This indicates that coral reefs are still resilient and if pressures on these critical ecosystems ease, then they have the capacity to recover, potentially within a decade, to the healthy, flourishing reefs that were prevalent pre-1998.
Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which provided financial, technical, and communication support to the report: “Since 2009 we have lost more coral, worldwide, than all the living coral in Australia. We are running out of time: we can reverse losses, but we have to act now. At the upcoming climate conference in Glasgow and biodiversity conference in Kunming, decision-makers have an opportunity to show leadership and save our reefs, but only if they are willing to take bold steps. We must not leave future generations to inherit a world without coral.”
- Australia, Caribbean, Brazil, East Asian Seas, Eastern Tropical Pacific, Pacific, South Asia, Western Indian Ocean, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and the ROPME Sea Area.
Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN)
Download reports: Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN)
https://gcrmn.net/2020-report/
Related Terms:
Top ↑
© 2021 Powered By Reef To Rainforest Media, LLC | CORAL Magazine | AMAZONAS Magazine | Microcosm Publishing
==========================
Cetopsorhamdia hidalgoi • A New Species of Cetopsorhamdia (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from the Upper Amazon River Basin
Cetopsorhamdia hidalgoi
Faustino-Fuster & de Souza, 2021
DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14914
instagram.com/LesleydeSouza
Abstract
A new species of Cetopsorhamdia is described from material collected on rapid inventories and ichthyological expeditions in the Amazon region of Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. The new species can be differentiated from all other species of Cetopsorhamdia by the colouration pattern on fins, number of vertebrae, number of ribs, level insertion of dorsal fin, number of rays on dorsal and pectoral fin, osteological characters and several other morphometric characters. The new species is distributed along tributaries of the upper Amazon River basin in Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.
Keywords: fresh water, Neotropical, taxonomy, three-barbel catfish
Cetopsorhamdia hidalgoi. MUSM 69550, holotype, 30.7 mm LS, Peru, Loreto, Requena, Tapiche River tributary to Ucayali River basin.
(a) Lateral view, (b) dorsal view and (c) ventral view. Black arrow indicates the urogenital papillae.
Scale bar = 1 cm
Cetopsorhamdia hidalgoi new species
Etymology: Named in honour of the authors’ colleague and friend Max Hidalgo, professor, and curator of the Ichthyology Department at the Museo de Historia Natural in the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (MUSM) for his devotion and dedication to Peru Ichthyology. Hidalgo collected the holotype, in addition to many specimens of the type series on expeditions including several rapid inventories in Peru that have led to the creation of multiple conservation areas.
Geographic distribution: C. hidalgoi is known from the Ucayali, Marañón, Napo and Orteguaza rivers tributaries of the Upper Amazon River in Peru, Ecuador and Colombia and from the Madre de Dios River tributary of the Madeira River basin in Peru (Figure 6).
Ecology: Found in clearwater streams with modest flow, substrate often with submerged leaves and sand.
Dario R. Faustino-Fuster and Lesley S. de Souza. 2021. A New Species of Cetopsorhamdia (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from the Upper Amazon River basin. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14914
instagram.com/p/CVLoGeXrPmM
==========================
Cetopsorhamdia hidalgoi
Faustino-Fuster & de Souza, 2021
DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14914
instagram.com/LesleydeSouza
Abstract
A new species of Cetopsorhamdia is described from material collected on rapid inventories and ichthyological expeditions in the Amazon region of Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. The new species can be differentiated from all other species of Cetopsorhamdia by the colouration pattern on fins, number of vertebrae, number of ribs, level insertion of dorsal fin, number of rays on dorsal and pectoral fin, osteological characters and several other morphometric characters. The new species is distributed along tributaries of the upper Amazon River basin in Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.
Keywords: fresh water, Neotropical, taxonomy, three-barbel catfish
Cetopsorhamdia hidalgoi. MUSM 69550, holotype, 30.7 mm LS, Peru, Loreto, Requena, Tapiche River tributary to Ucayali River basin.
(a) Lateral view, (b) dorsal view and (c) ventral view. Black arrow indicates the urogenital papillae.
Scale bar = 1 cm
Cetopsorhamdia hidalgoi new species
Etymology: Named in honour of the authors’ colleague and friend Max Hidalgo, professor, and curator of the Ichthyology Department at the Museo de Historia Natural in the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (MUSM) for his devotion and dedication to Peru Ichthyology. Hidalgo collected the holotype, in addition to many specimens of the type series on expeditions including several rapid inventories in Peru that have led to the creation of multiple conservation areas.
Geographic distribution: C. hidalgoi is known from the Ucayali, Marañón, Napo and Orteguaza rivers tributaries of the Upper Amazon River in Peru, Ecuador and Colombia and from the Madre de Dios River tributary of the Madeira River basin in Peru (Figure 6).
Ecology: Found in clearwater streams with modest flow, substrate often with submerged leaves and sand.
Dario R. Faustino-Fuster and Lesley S. de Souza. 2021. A New Species of Cetopsorhamdia (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from the Upper Amazon River basin. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14914
instagram.com/p/CVLoGeXrPmM
==========================
DOI: 10.11646/ZOOTAXA.5060.1.3
PUBLISHED: 2021-10-28
Diagnoses of two new species of Parosphromenus (Teleostei: Osphronemidae) from Bangka Island and Kalimantan, Indonesia PISCESBIODIVERSITYCONSERVATIONCYTBMTDNAPHYLOGENYPOLYMORPHISMTAXONOMY AbstractWe describe two new species of Parosphromenus from Indonesia based on morphological and molecular diagnoses. Parosphromenus juelinae, sp. nov., occurs on Bangka Island. Its unpaired fin coloration is similar to that of P. deissneri, but it differs from the latter in having a rounded caudal fin with a non-filamentous branched median ray and a smaller anal fin. Although the new species has the same caudal fin structure as P. bintan, it can be distinguished from the latter by its distinct unpaired fin coloration and the intense red color on the body flanks. Parosphromenus kishii, sp. nov., is found only in a single river system in Kalimantan Tengah. It is distinguished from all other congeners by the unique coloration of its caudal fin. A phylogenetic tree based on the cytochrome b (cytb) gene indicates that the two new species are distinct monophyletic groups constituting distinct phylogenetic branches from their congeners. Cytochrome b Genetic distances between Parosphromenus juelinae, sp. nov., and Parosphromenus kishii, sp. nov., and the other taxa in the phylogenetic tree range from 2.44% to 19.52% and from 8.65% to 17.28%, respectively.
References
PUBLISHED: 2021-10-28
Diagnoses of two new species of Parosphromenus (Teleostei: Osphronemidae) from Bangka Island and Kalimantan, Indonesia PISCESBIODIVERSITYCONSERVATIONCYTBMTDNAPHYLOGENYPOLYMORPHISMTAXONOMY AbstractWe describe two new species of Parosphromenus from Indonesia based on morphological and molecular diagnoses. Parosphromenus juelinae, sp. nov., occurs on Bangka Island. Its unpaired fin coloration is similar to that of P. deissneri, but it differs from the latter in having a rounded caudal fin with a non-filamentous branched median ray and a smaller anal fin. Although the new species has the same caudal fin structure as P. bintan, it can be distinguished from the latter by its distinct unpaired fin coloration and the intense red color on the body flanks. Parosphromenus kishii, sp. nov., is found only in a single river system in Kalimantan Tengah. It is distinguished from all other congeners by the unique coloration of its caudal fin. A phylogenetic tree based on the cytochrome b (cytb) gene indicates that the two new species are distinct monophyletic groups constituting distinct phylogenetic branches from their congeners. Cytochrome b Genetic distances between Parosphromenus juelinae, sp. nov., and Parosphromenus kishii, sp. nov., and the other taxa in the phylogenetic tree range from 2.44% to 19.52% and from 8.65% to 17.28%, respectively.
References
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Astyanax pardensis (Ostariophysi: Characiformes: Characidae), New Species from Das Contas and Pardo Rivers Basins, Bahia, Brazil
Salgado FLK* Sector of Ichthyology, National Museum/UFRJ, Brazil *Corresponding author: Fernando Luiz Kilesse Salgado, Fish Ecology Laboratory, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, CEP 23890-000, Seropédica, Brazil, Tel: flksalgado@yahoo. com.br Research Article Volume 4 Issue 5 Received Date: October 06, 2021 Published Date: October 14, 2021 DOI: 10.23880/izab-16000330 Abstract Astyanax pardensis sp. n. was described for the basins of the Contas and Pardo rivers. This species belongs to the complex of species related to A. fasciatus, differing from A. brevimanus, A. costaricensis, A. cuvieri, A. fulgens, A. jequitinhonhae, A. mexicanus, A. oerstedii, A. panamensis, A. rutilus and A. viejita for number of precaudal vertebrae (16 vs. ≥ 17). Differs from A. fasciatus and all other species A. fasciatus complex by shape in zig-and-zag of first portion of longitudinal band. It is also distinguished from A. jequitinhonhae for shape of the mandible (rounded vs. acuminate). Keywords: New Species; Astyanax Fasciatus Complex; Das Contas; Pardo Basins.
Full paper at:- https://medwinpublishers.com/IZAB/astyanax-pardensis-ostariophysi-characiformes-characidae-new-species-from-das-contas-and-pardo-rivers-basins-bahia-brazil.pdf
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Salgado FLK* Sector of Ichthyology, National Museum/UFRJ, Brazil *Corresponding author: Fernando Luiz Kilesse Salgado, Fish Ecology Laboratory, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, CEP 23890-000, Seropédica, Brazil, Tel: flksalgado@yahoo. com.br Research Article Volume 4 Issue 5 Received Date: October 06, 2021 Published Date: October 14, 2021 DOI: 10.23880/izab-16000330 Abstract Astyanax pardensis sp. n. was described for the basins of the Contas and Pardo rivers. This species belongs to the complex of species related to A. fasciatus, differing from A. brevimanus, A. costaricensis, A. cuvieri, A. fulgens, A. jequitinhonhae, A. mexicanus, A. oerstedii, A. panamensis, A. rutilus and A. viejita for number of precaudal vertebrae (16 vs. ≥ 17). Differs from A. fasciatus and all other species A. fasciatus complex by shape in zig-and-zag of first portion of longitudinal band. It is also distinguished from A. jequitinhonhae for shape of the mandible (rounded vs. acuminate). Keywords: New Species; Astyanax Fasciatus Complex; Das Contas; Pardo Basins.
Full paper at:- https://medwinpublishers.com/IZAB/astyanax-pardensis-ostariophysi-characiformes-characidae-new-species-from-das-contas-and-pardo-rivers-basins-bahia-brazil.pdf
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Astyanax viridis (Characiformes: Characidae), New Species from Southeastern Brazil
Salgado FLK* Fish Ecology Laboratory, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil *Corresponding author: Fernando Luiz Kilesse Salgado, Fish Ecology Laboratory, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, CEP 23890-000, Seropédica, Brazil, Tel: flksalgado@yahoo. com.br Research Article Volume 4 Issue 5 Received Date: September 09, 2021 Published Date: September 17, 2021 DOI: 10.23880/izab-16000327 Abstract Astyanax Baird & Girard, 1854 is one of the most specific fish genera among the characiforms, occurring in freshwater environments between the United States and central Argentina. Astyanax viridis sp. n was described from specimens from southeastern Brazil, earlier identified as A. janeiroensis. These specimens are differentiated from A. janeiroensis holotype, mainly in the maximum maxilla length (35.1-38.9% HL), pelvic-anal fin distances (19.0-21.9% SL) and number of rays divided into anal fin (18-19), justifying its description as a new species. Astyanax viridis sp. n. it presents a horizontally triangular humeral spot (atypical in Astyanax), sharing it with A. laticeps, A. scabripinnis and A. serratus, forming a small exclusive group, inserted in the A. scabripinnis species complex, defined by the elongated body, with depth less than 40% SL and reduced number of rays in the anal fin (17-20). It differs from these three species in that it has 4 large teeth in the dentary (vs. 5), by the head length (26.2-27.9% HL vs. 20.9-21.3%; 23.0-25.2% and 33.9-35.3% HL, in A. laticeps, A. scabripinnis and A. serratus, respectively) and pelvic-anal fin distance (19.1-21.9% SL vs. 30.0-31.5%; 22.0-24.9% and 28.8-31.8% SL in A. laticeps, A. scabripinnis and A. serratus, respectively). Astyanax viridis sp. n. occurs sympatrically with several other species of the genus, A. aff. bimaculatus (A. bimaculatus complex), A. giton, A. hastatus, A. parahybae and A. taeniatus (A. fasciatus complex) and A. intermedius (A. scabripinnis complex), being found in backwater areas in streams and rivers. The new species occurs in the main coastal basins, in the states of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Keywords: Astyanax; New Species; Southeastern Brazillian Basins; Taxonomy
Full report at:- https://medwinpublishers.com/IZAB/astyanax-viridis-characiformes-characidae-new-species-from-southeastern-brazil.pdf
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Salgado FLK* Fish Ecology Laboratory, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil *Corresponding author: Fernando Luiz Kilesse Salgado, Fish Ecology Laboratory, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, CEP 23890-000, Seropédica, Brazil, Tel: flksalgado@yahoo. com.br Research Article Volume 4 Issue 5 Received Date: September 09, 2021 Published Date: September 17, 2021 DOI: 10.23880/izab-16000327 Abstract Astyanax Baird & Girard, 1854 is one of the most specific fish genera among the characiforms, occurring in freshwater environments between the United States and central Argentina. Astyanax viridis sp. n was described from specimens from southeastern Brazil, earlier identified as A. janeiroensis. These specimens are differentiated from A. janeiroensis holotype, mainly in the maximum maxilla length (35.1-38.9% HL), pelvic-anal fin distances (19.0-21.9% SL) and number of rays divided into anal fin (18-19), justifying its description as a new species. Astyanax viridis sp. n. it presents a horizontally triangular humeral spot (atypical in Astyanax), sharing it with A. laticeps, A. scabripinnis and A. serratus, forming a small exclusive group, inserted in the A. scabripinnis species complex, defined by the elongated body, with depth less than 40% SL and reduced number of rays in the anal fin (17-20). It differs from these three species in that it has 4 large teeth in the dentary (vs. 5), by the head length (26.2-27.9% HL vs. 20.9-21.3%; 23.0-25.2% and 33.9-35.3% HL, in A. laticeps, A. scabripinnis and A. serratus, respectively) and pelvic-anal fin distance (19.1-21.9% SL vs. 30.0-31.5%; 22.0-24.9% and 28.8-31.8% SL in A. laticeps, A. scabripinnis and A. serratus, respectively). Astyanax viridis sp. n. occurs sympatrically with several other species of the genus, A. aff. bimaculatus (A. bimaculatus complex), A. giton, A. hastatus, A. parahybae and A. taeniatus (A. fasciatus complex) and A. intermedius (A. scabripinnis complex), being found in backwater areas in streams and rivers. The new species occurs in the main coastal basins, in the states of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Keywords: Astyanax; New Species; Southeastern Brazillian Basins; Taxonomy
Full report at:- https://medwinpublishers.com/IZAB/astyanax-viridis-characiformes-characidae-new-species-from-southeastern-brazil.pdf
==========================
Plectranthias kojii sp. nov., a new perchlet (Perciformes: Serranidae: Anthiinae) from Okinawa, JapanIchthyological Research (2021)Cite this article
AbstractPlectranthias kojii sp. nov. (Perciformes: Serranidae) is described from a single specimen [49.4 mm in standard length (SL)] collected from 150 m depth off Hamahiga-jima Island, near Okinawa-jima Island, Japan. Although the new species is most similar to Plectranthias ryukyuensis Wada, Suzuki, Senou and Motomura 2020, morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding of the former clearly differed from those of congeners. Plectranthias kojii is distinguished from P. ryukyuensis by the following combination of characters: 12 or 13 pectoral-fin rays; 10 scale rows below the lateral line; 2 supraneurals, small head (length 42.5% SL) with rounded upper profile; slightly convex in postorbital region; small eye (diameter 11.9% SL); the anterodorsal margin not protruding above the dorsal head profile; caudal fin slightly convex; fourth dorsal-fin spine long (length 20.0% SL); pre-pelvic-fin short (length 34.8% SL); pectoral fin short (length 37.0% SL); pelvic-fin spine long (length 19.6% SL); body with an arched orange band from bases of 7th to 9th dorsal-fin spines to middle of caudal-fin base; and yellowish-orange spots and blotches on the snout, cheek, jaws, nape, and spinous portion of the dorsal fin.
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AbstractPlectranthias kojii sp. nov. (Perciformes: Serranidae) is described from a single specimen [49.4 mm in standard length (SL)] collected from 150 m depth off Hamahiga-jima Island, near Okinawa-jima Island, Japan. Although the new species is most similar to Plectranthias ryukyuensis Wada, Suzuki, Senou and Motomura 2020, morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding of the former clearly differed from those of congeners. Plectranthias kojii is distinguished from P. ryukyuensis by the following combination of characters: 12 or 13 pectoral-fin rays; 10 scale rows below the lateral line; 2 supraneurals, small head (length 42.5% SL) with rounded upper profile; slightly convex in postorbital region; small eye (diameter 11.9% SL); the anterodorsal margin not protruding above the dorsal head profile; caudal fin slightly convex; fourth dorsal-fin spine long (length 20.0% SL); pre-pelvic-fin short (length 34.8% SL); pectoral fin short (length 37.0% SL); pelvic-fin spine long (length 19.6% SL); body with an arched orange band from bases of 7th to 9th dorsal-fin spines to middle of caudal-fin base; and yellowish-orange spots and blotches on the snout, cheek, jaws, nape, and spinous portion of the dorsal fin.
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A New Species of Killifish of the Genus Profundulus (Atherinomorpha: Profundulidae) from the Upper Reaches of the Papaloapan River in the Mexican State of Oaxaca
Sara E. Dominguez-Cisneros, Ernesto Velázquez-Velázquez, Caleb D. McMahan, Wilfredo A. Matamoros
Author Affiliations +
Ichthyology & Herpetology, 109(4):949-957 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1643/i2020156
AbstractProfundulus adani, new species, is described from the upper reaches of the Papaloapan River in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. The uniqueness of this new species is supported by morphological and molecular evidence. A combination of color patterns and counts separate P. adani, new species, from its congeners. Profundulus adani, new species, is distinguished from all congeners by the absence of a humeral spot in individuals larger than 45 mm SL. It can further be distinguished from P. balsanus, P. chimalapensis, P. kreiseri, P. oaxacae, P. parentiae, and P. punctatus based on the absence of series of dark dots on the sides of the body. Profundulus adani, new species, shows a faded dark band that extends from the tip of the operculum to the end of the caudal peduncle; this band is absent in P. balsanus and P. parentiae. The new species is described using specimens collected in the upper reaches of the Papaloapan River in the Mexican state of Oaxaca; geographically this represents a significant range expansion and extends the Atlantic slope northernmost limit of the Profundulidae.
© 2021 by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
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Sara E. Dominguez-Cisneros, Ernesto Velázquez-Velázquez, Caleb D. McMahan, and Wilfredo A. Matamoros "A New Species of Killifish of the Genus Profundulus (Atherinomorpha: Profundulidae) from the Upper Reaches of the Papaloapan River in the Mexican State of Oaxaca," Ichthyology & Herpetology 109(4), 949-957, (22 October 2021). https://doi.org/10.1643/i2020156
Received: 3 December 2020; Accepted: 17 May 2021; Published: 22 October 2021
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Sara E. Dominguez-Cisneros, Ernesto Velázquez-Velázquez, Caleb D. McMahan, Wilfredo A. Matamoros
Author Affiliations +
Ichthyology & Herpetology, 109(4):949-957 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1643/i2020156
AbstractProfundulus adani, new species, is described from the upper reaches of the Papaloapan River in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. The uniqueness of this new species is supported by morphological and molecular evidence. A combination of color patterns and counts separate P. adani, new species, from its congeners. Profundulus adani, new species, is distinguished from all congeners by the absence of a humeral spot in individuals larger than 45 mm SL. It can further be distinguished from P. balsanus, P. chimalapensis, P. kreiseri, P. oaxacae, P. parentiae, and P. punctatus based on the absence of series of dark dots on the sides of the body. Profundulus adani, new species, shows a faded dark band that extends from the tip of the operculum to the end of the caudal peduncle; this band is absent in P. balsanus and P. parentiae. The new species is described using specimens collected in the upper reaches of the Papaloapan River in the Mexican state of Oaxaca; geographically this represents a significant range expansion and extends the Atlantic slope northernmost limit of the Profundulidae.
© 2021 by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Citation Download Citation
Sara E. Dominguez-Cisneros, Ernesto Velázquez-Velázquez, Caleb D. McMahan, and Wilfredo A. Matamoros "A New Species of Killifish of the Genus Profundulus (Atherinomorpha: Profundulidae) from the Upper Reaches of the Papaloapan River in the Mexican State of Oaxaca," Ichthyology & Herpetology 109(4), 949-957, (22 October 2021). https://doi.org/10.1643/i2020156
Received: 3 December 2020; Accepted: 17 May 2021; Published: 22 October 2021
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New Records and Redescription of Labracinus atrofasciatus (Herre, 1933) (Teleostei: Pseudochromidae)
Labracinus atrofasciatus (Herre, 1933)
in Gill, Sorgon, Brun & Tea, 2021.
RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 69
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Photographs by V. Brun.
Abstract
The pseudochromid Labracinus atrofasciatus (Herre, 1933) is redescribed based on examination of the holotype from Culion, Calamian Islands, and three newly acquired non-type specimens from a fish landing site in Barangay Sandoval, Municipality of Taytay, northern Palawan, Philippines. Prior to this, the species was known only from the holotype; from a photograph of a putative female taken in Lajo Island, Busuanga, Calamian Islands; and from observations at Lajo Island and Tangat Island, Calamian Islands. The new specimens from Macuao Island appear to be males, and their live colouration is reported here for the first time. We also briefly comment on the restricted distribution of other pseudochromids and coral-reef fishes in the Palawan region of the Philippines.
Key words. dottyback, Philippines, endemic, Palawan, Calamian Islands, Culion, Taytay
Freshly dead Labracinus atrofasciatus specimens from Macuao Island, northern Palawan, Philippines.
A, PNM 15645, 146.5 mm SL; B, PNM 15646, 142.0 mm SL; C, AMS I.49470-001, 134.4 mm SL.
Photographs by V. Brun (A) and K. E. S. Sorgon (B, C).
Two specimens of Labracinus atrofasciatus (approximately 150 and 190 mm TL) amongst catch of other reef fishes at a fish landing site in Barangay Sandoval, Municipality of Taytay, northern Palawan, Philippines. Specimens not retained.
Photograph by V. Brun.
Labracinus atrofasciatus (Herre, 1933)
Black-barred dottyback
Diagnosis. Labracinus atrofasciatus differs from congeners in having a series of narrow, dark blue to black oblique bars on the body. It also differs in having relatively high numbers of horizontal scale rows above the anal-fin origin (24–27 + 1 + 4–5 = 30–33), pseudobranch filaments (22–24), and circumpeduncular scales (30–32).
Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin ‘atrum’, black, and ‘fascia’, band, in reference to the striking markings on the body of this species. Labracinus atrofasciatus is known locally as ‘akot’ in Cuyonon, a language spoken mostly in Cuyo Islands and coastal areas of Palawan in the Philippines, where it shares the local name with the congeneric L. cyclophthalmus.
Habitat and distribution. We extend the known distribution of L. atrofasciatus from Culion in the Calamian Islands southward to Taytay, Palawan (Fig. 4A). ...
Map of the Philippines, showing distribution records for selected species of pseudochromids endemic to the Calamian Islands and Palawan regions.
A, Labracinus atrofasciatus, photograph of PNM 15645; B, Pseudochromis colei, photograph of aquarium specimen (not retained);
C, P. eichleri, photograph of AMS I.45651-001 (paratype); D, Manonichthys scintilla, photograph of USNM 382744 (paratype).
Photographs by V. Brun (A), Y. K. Tea (B), G. R. Allen (C), and J. T. Williams (D).
A, putative female of Labracinus atrofasciatus, in situ photograph taken in Lajo Island, Palawan, Philippines;
B, holotype of L. atrofasciatus, CAS-SU 25518, 105.5 mm SL holotype (image adapted from Gill, 2004). Note the posterior dorsal-fin spot and faint vertical bars in both specimens.
Photographs by G. R. Allen & M. V. Erdmann (A) and P. Crabb (B).
Anthony C. Gill, Kent Elson S. Sorgon, Victor Brun and Yi-Kai Tea. 2021. New Records and Redescription of Labracinus atrofasciatus (Herre, 1933) (Teleostei: Pseudochromidae). RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 69; 438–447.
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==========================
Labracinus atrofasciatus (Herre, 1933)
in Gill, Sorgon, Brun & Tea, 2021.
RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 69
facebook.com/KentSorgon
twitter.com/FishGuyKai
Photographs by V. Brun.
Abstract
The pseudochromid Labracinus atrofasciatus (Herre, 1933) is redescribed based on examination of the holotype from Culion, Calamian Islands, and three newly acquired non-type specimens from a fish landing site in Barangay Sandoval, Municipality of Taytay, northern Palawan, Philippines. Prior to this, the species was known only from the holotype; from a photograph of a putative female taken in Lajo Island, Busuanga, Calamian Islands; and from observations at Lajo Island and Tangat Island, Calamian Islands. The new specimens from Macuao Island appear to be males, and their live colouration is reported here for the first time. We also briefly comment on the restricted distribution of other pseudochromids and coral-reef fishes in the Palawan region of the Philippines.
Key words. dottyback, Philippines, endemic, Palawan, Calamian Islands, Culion, Taytay
Freshly dead Labracinus atrofasciatus specimens from Macuao Island, northern Palawan, Philippines.
A, PNM 15645, 146.5 mm SL; B, PNM 15646, 142.0 mm SL; C, AMS I.49470-001, 134.4 mm SL.
Photographs by V. Brun (A) and K. E. S. Sorgon (B, C).
Two specimens of Labracinus atrofasciatus (approximately 150 and 190 mm TL) amongst catch of other reef fishes at a fish landing site in Barangay Sandoval, Municipality of Taytay, northern Palawan, Philippines. Specimens not retained.
Photograph by V. Brun.
Labracinus atrofasciatus (Herre, 1933)
Black-barred dottyback
Diagnosis. Labracinus atrofasciatus differs from congeners in having a series of narrow, dark blue to black oblique bars on the body. It also differs in having relatively high numbers of horizontal scale rows above the anal-fin origin (24–27 + 1 + 4–5 = 30–33), pseudobranch filaments (22–24), and circumpeduncular scales (30–32).
Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin ‘atrum’, black, and ‘fascia’, band, in reference to the striking markings on the body of this species. Labracinus atrofasciatus is known locally as ‘akot’ in Cuyonon, a language spoken mostly in Cuyo Islands and coastal areas of Palawan in the Philippines, where it shares the local name with the congeneric L. cyclophthalmus.
Habitat and distribution. We extend the known distribution of L. atrofasciatus from Culion in the Calamian Islands southward to Taytay, Palawan (Fig. 4A). ...
Map of the Philippines, showing distribution records for selected species of pseudochromids endemic to the Calamian Islands and Palawan regions.
A, Labracinus atrofasciatus, photograph of PNM 15645; B, Pseudochromis colei, photograph of aquarium specimen (not retained);
C, P. eichleri, photograph of AMS I.45651-001 (paratype); D, Manonichthys scintilla, photograph of USNM 382744 (paratype).
Photographs by V. Brun (A), Y. K. Tea (B), G. R. Allen (C), and J. T. Williams (D).
A, putative female of Labracinus atrofasciatus, in situ photograph taken in Lajo Island, Palawan, Philippines;
B, holotype of L. atrofasciatus, CAS-SU 25518, 105.5 mm SL holotype (image adapted from Gill, 2004). Note the posterior dorsal-fin spot and faint vertical bars in both specimens.
Photographs by G. R. Allen & M. V. Erdmann (A) and P. Crabb (B).
Anthony C. Gill, Kent Elson S. Sorgon, Victor Brun and Yi-Kai Tea. 2021. New Records and Redescription of Labracinus atrofasciatus (Herre, 1933) (Teleostei: Pseudochromidae). RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 69; 438–447.
facebook.com/KentSorgon/posts/4602590839763069
twitter.com/FishGuyKai/status/1450722938760531970
all photos not included aare on the original website
==========================
A new species of Cetopsorhamdia ℎ𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑙𝑔𝑜𝑖 (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from the Upper Amazon River basin
Dario R. Faustino-Fuster,Lesley S. de Souza,
First published: 23 September 2021
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14914Funding information: Smithsonian Institution
AbstractA new species of Cetopsorhamdia is described from material collected on rapid inventories and ichthyological expeditions in the Amazon region of Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. The new species can be differentiated from all other species of Cetopsorhamdia by the colouration pattern on fins, number of vertebrae, number of ribs, level insertion of dorsal fin, number of rays on dorsal and pectoral fin, osteological characters and several other morphometric characters. The new species is distributed along tributaries of the upper Amazon River basin in Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.
==========================
Dario R. Faustino-Fuster,Lesley S. de Souza,
First published: 23 September 2021
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14914Funding information: Smithsonian Institution
AbstractA new species of Cetopsorhamdia is described from material collected on rapid inventories and ichthyological expeditions in the Amazon region of Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. The new species can be differentiated from all other species of Cetopsorhamdia by the colouration pattern on fins, number of vertebrae, number of ribs, level insertion of dorsal fin, number of rays on dorsal and pectoral fin, osteological characters and several other morphometric characters. The new species is distributed along tributaries of the upper Amazon River basin in Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.
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Contribution to the trout of Euphrates River, with description of a new species, (Salmo baliki,) and range extension of Salmo munzuricus (Salmoniformes, Salmonidae)
Davut Turan, İsmail Aksu, Münevver Oral, Cüneyt Kaya, Esra BayçelebiAbstractIn an effort to reveal the Euphrates trout taxonomy, the Karasu River, which is one of the eastern drainages of the river, was investigated and three independent populations were identified. Result revealed that two populations belonged to Salmo munzuricus, which was known only in Munzur River, while the other population belonged to an unnamed species. Salmo baliki, a new species, is described from the Murat River, a drainage of Euphrates River. It differs from Salmo species in adjacent water by the combination of the following characters: a grayish body; commonly one, rarely two pale black spots behind eye and on cheek; two to seven black spots on opercle; a few black spots on back and upper part of flank, missing on predorsal area; few to numerous large irregular-shaped red spots in median, upper and lower part of flank, surrounded by a large irregular-shaped white ring; the number of black and red spots not increasing in parallel with size; maxilla short and narrow; adipose-fin medium size, no or rarely one or two red spot its posterior edge; 107–118 lateral line scales; 24–28 scales rows between dorsal-in origin and lateral line; 18–22 scale rows between lateral line and anal–fin origin; maxilla length 7.7–9.1% SL in males, 8.2–9.6 in females. Finally, the genetic study of the Cyt b mitochondrial gene confirmed the morphological data, suggesting the separation of S. baliki from other Salmo species.
Key WordsAnatolia, cytochrome b, freshwater fish, Salmo, taxonomy
IntroductionAnatolia has a high level of species richness and endemism, thus it has been classified as a European biodiversity “hot-spot” (Kosswig 1955; Şekercioğlu et al. 2011), which has also positively reflected in salmonid biodiversity (Bardakçı et al. 2006). Salmo trutta L. 1758 is the most widely distributed freshwater fish native to the Palearctic region. Its natural habitat extends from Northeast Russia and Norway, southward to the Atlas Mountains, also, from the spring waters of the Aral Sea to Iceland (Bernatchez 2001; Lobón-Cerviá 2018 and references there in). Initially, all Anatolian trout had been grouped within the S. trutta or its subspecies (e.g. Kuru 1975; Geldiay and Balık 2007). Further studies based on morphology (Turan et al. 2012, 2014a, 2014b, 2017; Turan and Bayçelebi 2020) and genetic-aided morphology (Turan et al. 2010, 2011, 2020) of Anatolian trout have revealed a much more complex species structure. Overall, fourteen species have been identified in Anatolia within the last decade. Based on our current knowledge, the upper Euphrates River is one of the most species-rich areas for the genus Salmo genus including four well-described species: Salmo euphrataeus Turan, Kottelat & Engin, 2014 from the streams Şenyurt, Kuzgun, Rizekent, Ağırcık and Sırlı, northern Euphrates; S. okumusi Turan, Kottelat & Engin, 2014 from the streams Göksu, Gökpınar and Sürgü, western Euphrates; S. munzuricus Turan, Kottelat & Kaya, 2017 from the stream Munzur, northwestern Euphrates; S. fahrettini Turan, Kalaycı, Bektaş, Kaya & Bayçelebi, 2020 from the streams Ömertepe suyu and Tekke, northern Euphrates.
Traditionally, five major evolutionary lineages of brown trout were described based on their origin, and phylogenetic; including the AD (Adriatic origin), AT (Atlantic), DA (Danubian), MA (Marmaratus) and ME (Mediterranean) (Bernatchez 2001). Further investigations identified new lineages as Duero from Spain (DU; Suárez et al. 2001), TI from Turkey (Tigris; Sušnik et al. 2005; Bardakçı et al. 2006), Dades from Morocco (Snoj et al. 2011) and from Northern Africa (Tougard et al. 2018). Additional molecular studies have placed the trout species from the Euphrates River drainages in the Danubian (S. euphrataeus and S. fahrettini), and the Adriatic (S. okumusi and S. munzuricus) lineages providing the significant species diversity in the Euphrates.
In the scope of this study, three additional trout populations in the Murat River were determined. To reveal the taxonomic status of these novel populations, morphologic and molecular studies were carried out to compare them with the previously identified species in the adjacent waters. Our studies demonstrated that two of these populations belonged to the S. munzuricus, which was previously known from a single locality, while the other population belongs to an unnamed species within the Adriatic lineage.
==========================
Davut Turan, İsmail Aksu, Münevver Oral, Cüneyt Kaya, Esra BayçelebiAbstractIn an effort to reveal the Euphrates trout taxonomy, the Karasu River, which is one of the eastern drainages of the river, was investigated and three independent populations were identified. Result revealed that two populations belonged to Salmo munzuricus, which was known only in Munzur River, while the other population belonged to an unnamed species. Salmo baliki, a new species, is described from the Murat River, a drainage of Euphrates River. It differs from Salmo species in adjacent water by the combination of the following characters: a grayish body; commonly one, rarely two pale black spots behind eye and on cheek; two to seven black spots on opercle; a few black spots on back and upper part of flank, missing on predorsal area; few to numerous large irregular-shaped red spots in median, upper and lower part of flank, surrounded by a large irregular-shaped white ring; the number of black and red spots not increasing in parallel with size; maxilla short and narrow; adipose-fin medium size, no or rarely one or two red spot its posterior edge; 107–118 lateral line scales; 24–28 scales rows between dorsal-in origin and lateral line; 18–22 scale rows between lateral line and anal–fin origin; maxilla length 7.7–9.1% SL in males, 8.2–9.6 in females. Finally, the genetic study of the Cyt b mitochondrial gene confirmed the morphological data, suggesting the separation of S. baliki from other Salmo species.
Key WordsAnatolia, cytochrome b, freshwater fish, Salmo, taxonomy
IntroductionAnatolia has a high level of species richness and endemism, thus it has been classified as a European biodiversity “hot-spot” (Kosswig 1955; Şekercioğlu et al. 2011), which has also positively reflected in salmonid biodiversity (Bardakçı et al. 2006). Salmo trutta L. 1758 is the most widely distributed freshwater fish native to the Palearctic region. Its natural habitat extends from Northeast Russia and Norway, southward to the Atlas Mountains, also, from the spring waters of the Aral Sea to Iceland (Bernatchez 2001; Lobón-Cerviá 2018 and references there in). Initially, all Anatolian trout had been grouped within the S. trutta or its subspecies (e.g. Kuru 1975; Geldiay and Balık 2007). Further studies based on morphology (Turan et al. 2012, 2014a, 2014b, 2017; Turan and Bayçelebi 2020) and genetic-aided morphology (Turan et al. 2010, 2011, 2020) of Anatolian trout have revealed a much more complex species structure. Overall, fourteen species have been identified in Anatolia within the last decade. Based on our current knowledge, the upper Euphrates River is one of the most species-rich areas for the genus Salmo genus including four well-described species: Salmo euphrataeus Turan, Kottelat & Engin, 2014 from the streams Şenyurt, Kuzgun, Rizekent, Ağırcık and Sırlı, northern Euphrates; S. okumusi Turan, Kottelat & Engin, 2014 from the streams Göksu, Gökpınar and Sürgü, western Euphrates; S. munzuricus Turan, Kottelat & Kaya, 2017 from the stream Munzur, northwestern Euphrates; S. fahrettini Turan, Kalaycı, Bektaş, Kaya & Bayçelebi, 2020 from the streams Ömertepe suyu and Tekke, northern Euphrates.
Traditionally, five major evolutionary lineages of brown trout were described based on their origin, and phylogenetic; including the AD (Adriatic origin), AT (Atlantic), DA (Danubian), MA (Marmaratus) and ME (Mediterranean) (Bernatchez 2001). Further investigations identified new lineages as Duero from Spain (DU; Suárez et al. 2001), TI from Turkey (Tigris; Sušnik et al. 2005; Bardakçı et al. 2006), Dades from Morocco (Snoj et al. 2011) and from Northern Africa (Tougard et al. 2018). Additional molecular studies have placed the trout species from the Euphrates River drainages in the Danubian (S. euphrataeus and S. fahrettini), and the Adriatic (S. okumusi and S. munzuricus) lineages providing the significant species diversity in the Euphrates.
In the scope of this study, three additional trout populations in the Murat River were determined. To reveal the taxonomic status of these novel populations, morphologic and molecular studies were carried out to compare them with the previously identified species in the adjacent waters. Our studies demonstrated that two of these populations belonged to the S. munzuricus, which was previously known from a single locality, while the other population belongs to an unnamed species within the Adriatic lineage.
==========================
Glyptothorax rupiri • A New Species of Glyptothorax (Siluriformes: Sisoridae) from the Brahmaputra River Basin, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Glyptothorax rupiri
Kosygin, Singh & Rath, 2021
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5023.2.4
Abstract
Glyptothorax rupiri, a new sisorid catfish, is described from the Brahmaputra River basin in Arunachal Pradesh, northeast India. It differs from its congeners in the Indian subcontinent by the following combination of characters: the presence of plicae on the ventral surface of the pectoral spine and first pelvic-fin ray; a posteriorly serrated dorsal-fin spine, its length 11.3–12.2% SL; body depth at anus 11.2–13.4% SL; a thoracic adhesive apparatus longer than broad, with a V-shaped median depression which opens posteriorly; an arrow-shaped anterior nuchal plate element; adipose-fin base length 10.9–12.6% SL; nasal barbel not reaching anterior orbital margin; 14–18 serrae on posterior margin of the pectoral-fin spine; body with two longitudinal pale-cream stripes; densely tuberculated skin; and the presence of numerous tubercles on the dorsal surface of pectoral and pelvic-fin rays.
Keywords: Pisces, Sisoridae, Glyptothorax rupiri, new species, India
Laishram Kosygin, Pratima Singh and Shibananda Rath. 2021. A New Species of Glyptothorax (Teleostei: Sisoridae) from the Brahmaputra River Basin, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Zootaxa. 5023(2); 239-250. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5023.2.4
twitter.com/DhawanIFS/status/1428671346326736900
==========================
Glyptothorax rupiri
Kosygin, Singh & Rath, 2021
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5023.2.4
Abstract
Glyptothorax rupiri, a new sisorid catfish, is described from the Brahmaputra River basin in Arunachal Pradesh, northeast India. It differs from its congeners in the Indian subcontinent by the following combination of characters: the presence of plicae on the ventral surface of the pectoral spine and first pelvic-fin ray; a posteriorly serrated dorsal-fin spine, its length 11.3–12.2% SL; body depth at anus 11.2–13.4% SL; a thoracic adhesive apparatus longer than broad, with a V-shaped median depression which opens posteriorly; an arrow-shaped anterior nuchal plate element; adipose-fin base length 10.9–12.6% SL; nasal barbel not reaching anterior orbital margin; 14–18 serrae on posterior margin of the pectoral-fin spine; body with two longitudinal pale-cream stripes; densely tuberculated skin; and the presence of numerous tubercles on the dorsal surface of pectoral and pelvic-fin rays.
Keywords: Pisces, Sisoridae, Glyptothorax rupiri, new species, India
Laishram Kosygin, Pratima Singh and Shibananda Rath. 2021. A New Species of Glyptothorax (Teleostei: Sisoridae) from the Brahmaputra River Basin, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Zootaxa. 5023(2); 239-250. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5023.2.4
twitter.com/DhawanIFS/status/1428671346326736900
==========================
OI: 10.11646/ZOOTAXA.5052.3.7
PUBLISHED: 2021-10-15
Descriptions of two new shell-dwelling species of Metriaclima (Cichlidae) from Lake Malaŵi, Africa
PISCESSHELL-DWELLING CICHLIDSGASTROPOD SHELLSAbstractMetriaclima is the most speciose genus of rock-dwelling fishes (mbuna) found in Lake Malaŵi with 32 described species and with about 40 recognized forms that still await formal description. The genus is comprised of many geographically narrow populations restricted to specific habitat landmarks, such as reefs or islands. A few species have taken to the open sandy habitat where empty gastropod shells provide shelter. Two species of such shell-dwellers are here described as new. A combination of a black submarginal band in the dorsal and anal fins and five or fewer bars on the flank distinguishes Metriaclima ngarae sp. n. and M. gallireyae sp. n. from all other species of Metriaclima. Metriaclima ngarae sp. n. differs from M. gallireyae by a greater interorbital width and by a greater ratio of the snout length in the distance between snout tip and pelvic fin origin. Adult males of M. gallireyae have a blue-brown overall coloration obscuring the bar pattern on the flank while males of M. ngarae and those of the closely related M. lanisticola retain the bar pattern and have a coloration very similar to that of females.
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PUBLISHED: 2021-10-15
Descriptions of two new shell-dwelling species of Metriaclima (Cichlidae) from Lake Malaŵi, Africa
PISCESSHELL-DWELLING CICHLIDSGASTROPOD SHELLSAbstractMetriaclima is the most speciose genus of rock-dwelling fishes (mbuna) found in Lake Malaŵi with 32 described species and with about 40 recognized forms that still await formal description. The genus is comprised of many geographically narrow populations restricted to specific habitat landmarks, such as reefs or islands. A few species have taken to the open sandy habitat where empty gastropod shells provide shelter. Two species of such shell-dwellers are here described as new. A combination of a black submarginal band in the dorsal and anal fins and five or fewer bars on the flank distinguishes Metriaclima ngarae sp. n. and M. gallireyae sp. n. from all other species of Metriaclima. Metriaclima ngarae sp. n. differs from M. gallireyae by a greater interorbital width and by a greater ratio of the snout length in the distance between snout tip and pelvic fin origin. Adult males of M. gallireyae have a blue-brown overall coloration obscuring the bar pattern on the flank while males of M. ngarae and those of the closely related M. lanisticola retain the bar pattern and have a coloration very similar to that of females.
==========================
Two new species of the hillstream loach genus Indoreonectes from the northern Western Ghats of India (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae)
Pradeep Kumkar, Manoj Pise, Pankaj A. Gorule, Chandani R. Verma, Lukáš KalousAbstractThe hill stream loach genus Indoreonectes is endemic to peninsular India south of the Satpura hill ranges and is represented by three species I. evezardi, I. keralensis and I. telanganaensis. Indoreonectes evezardi has been suggested as a species complex based on recent genetic studies; however, due to lack of type material the species delimitation has been difficult. Here we redescribe I. evezardi collected from its type locality and describe two new species from the northern Western Ghats of India. Indoreonectes neeleshi, described from Mula River tributary of Godavari river system, can be diagnosed from all its congeners based on a combination of characters: inner rostral barbel reaching middle of nostril; maxillary barbel reaching midway between eye and posterior border of operculum; dorsal hump behind nape; bars on lateral side of the body wider than inter-bar space; total vertebrae 35 and dorsal fin insertion between 13th and 14th abdominal vertebrae. Indoreonectes rajeevi, described from Hiranyakeshi River of the Krishna river system, differs from all its congeners based on a combination of characters: inner rostral barbel reaching anterior margin of eye; maxillary barbel reaching posterior border of operculum; conspicuous black markings on lower lip, dorsal hump absent; total vertebrae 36 and dorsal fin insertion between 12th and 13th abdominal vertebrae. Further, I. neeleshi differs from its congeners by the raw genetic distance of 6.8–14.4% for the cox1 gene and 5.7–16.2% for the cytb gene, while I. rajeevi differs from its congeners by the raw genetic distance of 10.9–14.0% for the cox1 gene and 11.8–15.8% for the cytb gene.
KeywordsBiodiversity hotspot, Godavari river system, Krishna river system, Maharashtra
IntroductionThe genus Indoreonectes Rita, Bănărescu and Nalbant of hill stream loaches (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) was initially proposed as a subgenus of Oreonectes Günther, while describing O. (Indoreonectes) keralensis Rita and Nalbant (Rita et al. 1978). Kottelat (1990a, 1990b, 2012) and Prokofiev (2010) considered Indoreonectes as a valid genus endemic to Peninsular India. The genus is diagnosed based on following combination of characters following Rita et al. (1978) and, Bănărescu and Nalbant (1995): nostrils close to each other, posterior one distant from eye; lateral line present, short; length of nasal barbels variable; free posterior part of air bladder rudimentary; bars on side of body. Currently, the genus is represented by three species, I. evezardi (Day, 1872), I. keralensis (Rita and Nalbant, 1978) and I. telanganaensis (Prasad, Srinivasulu, Srinivasulu, Anoop and Dahanukar, 2020).
Indoreonectes evezardi has been considered to be a widely distributed species in peninsular India north of the Palghat Gap, occurring in the east-flowing Krishna, Godavari and Cauvery river systems in addition to several west-flowing rivers in Goa, Maharashtra, and Gujarat states, while I. keralensis is restricted to river systems south of the Palghat gap, particularly the Periyar, Pampa, Muvattupuzha, and Meenachil rivers of Western Ghats of Kerala (Rita et al. 1978; Menon 1987; Kottelat 1990b; Rema Devi et al. 2002, 2013; Dahanukar et al. 2004; Kazi et al. 2018; Raghavan and Ali 2011). The recently described species I. telanganaensis is currently known only from its type locality, a seasonal stream of the Godavari River within the Kawal Tiger Reserve, Mancheriyal District, Telangana State (Prasad et al. 2020).
Based on extensive genetic sampling from the northern Western Ghats, Keskar et al. (2018) suggested that the wide-ranging taxon Indoreonectes evezardi is a species complex with several undescribed species. However, lack of type material for I. evezardi (see for detailed discussion, Prasad et al. 2020: 344) has made it difficult to diagnose species in the I. evezardi complex. Although Prasad et al. (2020) recognized this issue and provided photographs of I. evezardi from its type locality, they did not redescribe the species in detail.
In the current study we redescribe Indoreonectes evezardi from its type locality using fresh collections and specimens studied by Prasad et al. (2020). Further, we describe two new species from the I. evezardi complex from the Mula River, a tributary of the Godavari river system and from the Hiranyakeshi River, part of the Krishna river system.
from Vertebrate Zoology
==========================
Pradeep Kumkar, Manoj Pise, Pankaj A. Gorule, Chandani R. Verma, Lukáš KalousAbstractThe hill stream loach genus Indoreonectes is endemic to peninsular India south of the Satpura hill ranges and is represented by three species I. evezardi, I. keralensis and I. telanganaensis. Indoreonectes evezardi has been suggested as a species complex based on recent genetic studies; however, due to lack of type material the species delimitation has been difficult. Here we redescribe I. evezardi collected from its type locality and describe two new species from the northern Western Ghats of India. Indoreonectes neeleshi, described from Mula River tributary of Godavari river system, can be diagnosed from all its congeners based on a combination of characters: inner rostral barbel reaching middle of nostril; maxillary barbel reaching midway between eye and posterior border of operculum; dorsal hump behind nape; bars on lateral side of the body wider than inter-bar space; total vertebrae 35 and dorsal fin insertion between 13th and 14th abdominal vertebrae. Indoreonectes rajeevi, described from Hiranyakeshi River of the Krishna river system, differs from all its congeners based on a combination of characters: inner rostral barbel reaching anterior margin of eye; maxillary barbel reaching posterior border of operculum; conspicuous black markings on lower lip, dorsal hump absent; total vertebrae 36 and dorsal fin insertion between 12th and 13th abdominal vertebrae. Further, I. neeleshi differs from its congeners by the raw genetic distance of 6.8–14.4% for the cox1 gene and 5.7–16.2% for the cytb gene, while I. rajeevi differs from its congeners by the raw genetic distance of 10.9–14.0% for the cox1 gene and 11.8–15.8% for the cytb gene.
KeywordsBiodiversity hotspot, Godavari river system, Krishna river system, Maharashtra
IntroductionThe genus Indoreonectes Rita, Bănărescu and Nalbant of hill stream loaches (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) was initially proposed as a subgenus of Oreonectes Günther, while describing O. (Indoreonectes) keralensis Rita and Nalbant (Rita et al. 1978). Kottelat (1990a, 1990b, 2012) and Prokofiev (2010) considered Indoreonectes as a valid genus endemic to Peninsular India. The genus is diagnosed based on following combination of characters following Rita et al. (1978) and, Bănărescu and Nalbant (1995): nostrils close to each other, posterior one distant from eye; lateral line present, short; length of nasal barbels variable; free posterior part of air bladder rudimentary; bars on side of body. Currently, the genus is represented by three species, I. evezardi (Day, 1872), I. keralensis (Rita and Nalbant, 1978) and I. telanganaensis (Prasad, Srinivasulu, Srinivasulu, Anoop and Dahanukar, 2020).
Indoreonectes evezardi has been considered to be a widely distributed species in peninsular India north of the Palghat Gap, occurring in the east-flowing Krishna, Godavari and Cauvery river systems in addition to several west-flowing rivers in Goa, Maharashtra, and Gujarat states, while I. keralensis is restricted to river systems south of the Palghat gap, particularly the Periyar, Pampa, Muvattupuzha, and Meenachil rivers of Western Ghats of Kerala (Rita et al. 1978; Menon 1987; Kottelat 1990b; Rema Devi et al. 2002, 2013; Dahanukar et al. 2004; Kazi et al. 2018; Raghavan and Ali 2011). The recently described species I. telanganaensis is currently known only from its type locality, a seasonal stream of the Godavari River within the Kawal Tiger Reserve, Mancheriyal District, Telangana State (Prasad et al. 2020).
Based on extensive genetic sampling from the northern Western Ghats, Keskar et al. (2018) suggested that the wide-ranging taxon Indoreonectes evezardi is a species complex with several undescribed species. However, lack of type material for I. evezardi (see for detailed discussion, Prasad et al. 2020: 344) has made it difficult to diagnose species in the I. evezardi complex. Although Prasad et al. (2020) recognized this issue and provided photographs of I. evezardi from its type locality, they did not redescribe the species in detail.
In the current study we redescribe Indoreonectes evezardi from its type locality using fresh collections and specimens studied by Prasad et al. (2020). Further, we describe two new species from the I. evezardi complex from the Mula River, a tributary of the Godavari river system and from the Hiranyakeshi River, part of the Krishna river system.
from Vertebrate Zoology
==========================
KILLI - DATA SERIES, 2021, Huber, Rivulus collieri n.sp.
Killi-Data Series 2021 [as a print, ISBN 979-10-93353-12-8, as a PDF document, ISBN 979-10-93353-13-5]
Killi-Data Series 2021: 4-11.
A new but since long misidentified species, Rivulus collieri n. sp., from Peruvian Amazon (Cyprinodontiformes, Rivulidae).
Huber, J.H.
Abstract : Rivulus collieri n. sp., from Amazonian Peru, near town Iquitos, is described following a since-long-known misidentification as Rivulus ornatus Garman, 1895, first published by Mecca (and kept by subsequent authors) following an aquarium trade import with unknown then strongly erroneous origin. The new species is easily diagnosed from its congeners by altogether its smaller size (max. 35 mm T.L.), its very low Dorsal fin ray counts, with a not very low Anal fin ray count, its very high D/A ratio (but Dorsal fin origin, not behind Anal fin ending), its strong dichromatism (with female strongly subdued), its long (but not extremely long) and oval Caudal fin in male. It is very similar and closely related to twin-looking species, Rivulus speciosus Fels & Rham, 1982, but male live color pattern on sides is reversed from speciosus and it is distinctive by karyotype. The status and plausible identification of Rivulus ornatus Garman, 1895 is discussed pending necessary live collection of topotypes.
How to order a print or a PDF of this volume, including this article ? Follow instructions and simply process the ORDER FORM
Killi-Data Series 2021 [as a print, ISBN 979-10-93353-12-8, as a PDF document, ISBN 979-10-93353-13-5]
Killi-Data Series 2021: 4-11.
A new but since long misidentified species, Rivulus collieri n. sp., from Peruvian Amazon (Cyprinodontiformes, Rivulidae).
Huber, J.H.
Abstract : Rivulus collieri n. sp., from Amazonian Peru, near town Iquitos, is described following a since-long-known misidentification as Rivulus ornatus Garman, 1895, first published by Mecca (and kept by subsequent authors) following an aquarium trade import with unknown then strongly erroneous origin. The new species is easily diagnosed from its congeners by altogether its smaller size (max. 35 mm T.L.), its very low Dorsal fin ray counts, with a not very low Anal fin ray count, its very high D/A ratio (but Dorsal fin origin, not behind Anal fin ending), its strong dichromatism (with female strongly subdued), its long (but not extremely long) and oval Caudal fin in male. It is very similar and closely related to twin-looking species, Rivulus speciosus Fels & Rham, 1982, but male live color pattern on sides is reversed from speciosus and it is distinctive by karyotype. The status and plausible identification of Rivulus ornatus Garman, 1895 is discussed pending necessary live collection of topotypes.
How to order a print or a PDF of this volume, including this article ? Follow instructions and simply process the ORDER FORM
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Three new species of freshwater goby fish found in Japan and the Philippines
Highlights
==========================
Highlights
- Scientists have discovered three new species of goby fish, two found in Okinawa and a third from Palawan in the Philippines
- Each species has a similar body form to known species, Lentipes armatus, but the males of each species display unique color patterns with red markings
- The species found in Okinawa have been named Lentipes kijimuna and Lentipes bunagaya, inspired by the red-colored wood spirits, Kijimuna and Bunagaya, from Okinawan folk mythology
- The third species has been named Lentipes palawanirufus which translates as “red Lentipes goby of Palawan”.
- DNA analysis split the four gobies into four distinct lineages that diverged recently
- The unique color patterns of the males may play an important role in maintaining the separate lineages through their courtship behavior towards females
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SUNDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 2021 AT 13:00Auction
Bradford Academy
Auction to be held on Sunday the 14th November 2021
Auction lots can be booked in from the 14th October.
==========================
Bradford Academy
Auction to be held on Sunday the 14th November 2021
Auction lots can be booked in from the 14th October.
==========================
Psilorhynchus magnaoculus, a new species of torrent minnow (Teleostei: Psilorhynchidae) from Myanmar
Bungdon Shangningam *, Laishram Kosygin
Affiliations
DOI: 10.26515/rzsi/v121/i3/2021/158157
Abstract
Psilorhynchus magnaoculus sp. nov. (Teleostei: Psilorhynchidae) is described from the Yu River, Sagaing region, Myanmar. The new species is distinctive in having a squarish snout, a large eye, contributing 42.6−43.6 per cent of head length, almost equal to the length of snout and a notch on the ethmoid region of the snout.
Keywords
Freshwater Fish, Myanmar, New Torrent minnow, Yu River
Full Text:
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from records of the Zoological Society of India
==========================
Bungdon Shangningam *, Laishram Kosygin
Affiliations
- Zoological Survey of India, Freshwater Fish Section, 27 J.L Nehru Road, Kolkata – 700016, India
DOI: 10.26515/rzsi/v121/i3/2021/158157
Abstract
Psilorhynchus magnaoculus sp. nov. (Teleostei: Psilorhynchidae) is described from the Yu River, Sagaing region, Myanmar. The new species is distinctive in having a squarish snout, a large eye, contributing 42.6−43.6 per cent of head length, almost equal to the length of snout and a notch on the ethmoid region of the snout.
Keywords
Freshwater Fish, Myanmar, New Torrent minnow, Yu River
Full Text:
| (PDF views: 48)
from records of the Zoological Society of India
==========================
Garra jaldhakaensis, a new cyprinid fish (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from West Bengal, India
Laishram Kosygin *, Bungdon Shangningam , Pratima Singh , Ujjal Das
Affiliations
DOI: 10.26515/rzsi/v121/i3/2021/158415
Abstract
Garra jaldhakaensis sp. nov. (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) is described from the Jaldhaka River, Kalimpong district, West Bengal, India. The new species is distinguished from all its congeners in the Indian sub-continent in having a combination of the following characters: a prominent thick unilobed proboscis, protruding downward above the transverse groove; 10–11 predorsal scales, 33 lateral line scales and 16 circumpeduncular scales.
Keywords
Brahmaputra Basin, Cyprinidae, India, New Species
Full Text:
| (PDF views: 48)
from records of the Zoological Society of India
==========================
Laishram Kosygin *, Bungdon Shangningam , Pratima Singh , Ujjal Das
Affiliations
- Zoological Survey of India, Freshwater Fish Section, 27 J.L. Nehru Road, Kolkata − 700016, West Bengal, India
DOI: 10.26515/rzsi/v121/i3/2021/158415
Abstract
Garra jaldhakaensis sp. nov. (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) is described from the Jaldhaka River, Kalimpong district, West Bengal, India. The new species is distinguished from all its congeners in the Indian sub-continent in having a combination of the following characters: a prominent thick unilobed proboscis, protruding downward above the transverse groove; 10–11 predorsal scales, 33 lateral line scales and 16 circumpeduncular scales.
Keywords
Brahmaputra Basin, Cyprinidae, India, New Species
Full Text:
| (PDF views: 48)
from records of the Zoological Society of India
==========================
Esomus nimasowi, a new species of flying barb (Cypriniformes: Danionidae) from Assam, north-eastern India,
Abstract
Esomus nimasowi, a new species of flying barb, is described from the Phongloso stream (a small tributary of the Kopili River) at Wasubil village in Dima Hasao district, Assam north-eastern India. The new species differs from its congeners including Esomus danrica, Esomus bengalensis and Esomus thermoicos in having a shorter maxillary barbel just reach 1/3rd of pectoral-fin length (vs. maxillary barbel very long, extending to mid of pectorals or ventral fin insertion or slightly beyond anal-fin origin); tip of pectoral fin just reach origin of pelvic fin when adpressed (vs. distinctly crossed beyond pelvic fin base). The new species can be distinguished from its congener except E. bangalensis by the absence (presence) of lateral line in E. danrica (incomplete) and in E. thermoicos (complete) and it also differs from its congeners except E. danrica in having lesser predorsal scales (15-16 vs. 17-20). Further, it differs from all congers by the unique combination of the following characters: pre-ventral length (48.6-54.6% SL), pre-anal length (70.2-75.1% SL), dorsal-fin length (21.0-23.4% SL), ventral-fin length (18.0-20.5% SL), length of ventral- fin base (3.2-4.2% SL), caudal peduncle depth (11.1-11.8% SL), pectoral fin to ventral fin distance (19.5-24.0% SL), eye diameter (24.8-29.2% SL), interorbital distance (31.7-41.6% SL), maxillary barbel (114.9-140.9% SL) and pectoral fin branched ray (i,8-9).
from Aqua press
==========================
Abstract
Esomus nimasowi, a new species of flying barb, is described from the Phongloso stream (a small tributary of the Kopili River) at Wasubil village in Dima Hasao district, Assam north-eastern India. The new species differs from its congeners including Esomus danrica, Esomus bengalensis and Esomus thermoicos in having a shorter maxillary barbel just reach 1/3rd of pectoral-fin length (vs. maxillary barbel very long, extending to mid of pectorals or ventral fin insertion or slightly beyond anal-fin origin); tip of pectoral fin just reach origin of pelvic fin when adpressed (vs. distinctly crossed beyond pelvic fin base). The new species can be distinguished from its congener except E. bangalensis by the absence (presence) of lateral line in E. danrica (incomplete) and in E. thermoicos (complete) and it also differs from its congeners except E. danrica in having lesser predorsal scales (15-16 vs. 17-20). Further, it differs from all congers by the unique combination of the following characters: pre-ventral length (48.6-54.6% SL), pre-anal length (70.2-75.1% SL), dorsal-fin length (21.0-23.4% SL), ventral-fin length (18.0-20.5% SL), length of ventral- fin base (3.2-4.2% SL), caudal peduncle depth (11.1-11.8% SL), pectoral fin to ventral fin distance (19.5-24.0% SL), eye diameter (24.8-29.2% SL), interorbital distance (31.7-41.6% SL), maxillary barbel (114.9-140.9% SL) and pectoral fin branched ray (i,8-9).
from Aqua press
==========================
Laimosemion gili (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes: Cynolebiidae), a new miniature species from the Rio Negro basin, Brazil,
Abstract
Laimosemion gili is described from the Rio Preto drainage, Rio Negro basin, Amazonas state, Brazil. The new species was found in a small creek called Garukana, within a tropical rainforest in the vicinity of Campinas do Rio Preto. This miniature species is considered to be a member of the subgenus Owiyeye, which is diagnosed by a unique frontal squamation. Laimosemion gili can be distinguished from all other species of the genus by the unique colour pattern, having a metallic blue stripe starting midbody which reaches the origin of the caudal fin. The new species is apparently related to L. romeri, sharing with this latter species a broad black stripe on flanks in males, but is easily distinguished by some other morphological characters.
PDF (438 KB)
.==========================
Abstract
Laimosemion gili is described from the Rio Preto drainage, Rio Negro basin, Amazonas state, Brazil. The new species was found in a small creek called Garukana, within a tropical rainforest in the vicinity of Campinas do Rio Preto. This miniature species is considered to be a member of the subgenus Owiyeye, which is diagnosed by a unique frontal squamation. Laimosemion gili can be distinguished from all other species of the genus by the unique colour pattern, having a metallic blue stripe starting midbody which reaches the origin of the caudal fin. The new species is apparently related to L. romeri, sharing with this latter species a broad black stripe on flanks in males, but is easily distinguished by some other morphological characters.
PDF (438 KB)
.==========================
Rakthamichthys mumba, a new species of Hypogean eel (Teleostei: Synbranchidae) from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India,
Abstract
Rakthamichthys mumba a new species of synbranchid, hypogean, eel is described from Mumbai City, Maharashtra, India, based on morphological and genetic analysis. It differs from all other species of the genus Rakthamichthys by a combination of characters viz., absence of eyes, jaws equal in forward extent, gill aperture crescentric shaped, cephalic-lateralis system distinct with prominent cephalic pores and a vertebral count of 164 (80-83 preanal + 81-84 caudal vertebrae). The new species differs from a pair-wise sequence of 21.6-22.8% in the COI gene sequence from other members of the genus Rakthamichthys.
==========================
Abstract
Rakthamichthys mumba a new species of synbranchid, hypogean, eel is described from Mumbai City, Maharashtra, India, based on morphological and genetic analysis. It differs from all other species of the genus Rakthamichthys by a combination of characters viz., absence of eyes, jaws equal in forward extent, gill aperture crescentric shaped, cephalic-lateralis system distinct with prominent cephalic pores and a vertebral count of 164 (80-83 preanal + 81-84 caudal vertebrae). The new species differs from a pair-wise sequence of 21.6-22.8% in the COI gene sequence from other members of the genus Rakthamichthys.
==========================
A new species of trout (Teleostei: Salmonidae) from the southern drainage of the Sea of Marmara. Year 2021 , Volume 6, Issue 2, 232 - 239, 30.06.2021Associate Professor. David TURAN Sadi AKSU
https://doi.org/10.35229/jaes.903810SelfA new species, Salmo duhani, is described from the southern Marmara Sea drainage of Turkey. The difference of the species from other Salmo species distributed in nearby basins: the maxilla is short (8-10% SB); head length is short (24-28 % SB); number of ligne lateral scales 115-121; the number of scales between the lateral ligne and the beginning of the dorsal fin is 26-29; the number of scales between the lateral ligne and the beginning of the anal fin is 20-23; the number of scales between the lateral ligne and the beginning of the adipose fin is 15-17; the number of gill spines on the outside of the first gill arch is 17-19; All individuals have large and rectangular 10-13 par along the lateral line.
KeywordsAnatolia , biodiversity , inland fish , Salmo , taxonomy
references
https://doi.org/10.35229/jaes.903810SelfA new species, Salmo duhani, is described from the southern Marmara Sea drainage of Turkey. The difference of the species from other Salmo species distributed in nearby basins: the maxilla is short (8-10% SB); head length is short (24-28 % SB); number of ligne lateral scales 115-121; the number of scales between the lateral ligne and the beginning of the dorsal fin is 26-29; the number of scales between the lateral ligne and the beginning of the anal fin is 20-23; the number of scales between the lateral ligne and the beginning of the adipose fin is 15-17; the number of gill spines on the outside of the first gill arch is 17-19; All individuals have large and rectangular 10-13 par along the lateral line.
KeywordsAnatolia , biodiversity , inland fish , Salmo , taxonomy
references
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𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑢𝑚, a new species described in Nature journal,
as scientists discover that some groups kept as a "model species" for research were not 𝐷. 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑎, but an undescribed species. This may also have implications for identifying 𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 species kept in the hobby.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-97600-0
𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 are tiny, transparent fishes that mature at sizes between 10–15 mm, and represent some of the most extreme cases of vertebrate progenesis known to date. 𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑢𝑚 has one of the smallest adult brains among vertebrates has become a promising new model species for neurophysiological studies.
𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲
The emerging vertebrate model species for neurophysiological studies is 𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑢𝑚, new species (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)
𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Britz, R., Conway, K.W. & Rüber, L. The emerging vertebrate model species for neurophysiological studies is 𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑢𝑚, new species (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Sci Rep 11, 18942 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-97600-0
𝗔𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁
The four described species of 𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 are tiny, transparent fishes that mature at sizes between 10–15 mm, and represent some of the most extreme cases of vertebrate progenesis known to date. The miniature adult size and larval appearance of 𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎, combined with a diverse behavioral repertoire linked to sound production by males, have established 𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 as an important model for neurophysiological studies. The external similarity between the different species of 𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 has offered an important challenge to taxonomic identification using traditional external characters, leading to confusion over the identity of the model species.
Using combined morphological and molecular taxonomic approaches, we show here that the most extensively studied species of 𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 is not 𝐷. 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑎, but represents an undescribed species, 𝐷. 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑢𝑚 𝑛. 𝑠𝑝. that is externally almost identical to 𝐷. 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑎, but differs trenchantly in several internal characters.
Molecular analyses confirm the distinctiveness of 𝐷. 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑢𝑚 and 𝐷. 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑎 and suggest that the two species are not even sister taxa. Analysis of the evolution of sexual dimorphisms associated with the Weberian apparatus reveals significant increases in complexity from the simpler condition found in 𝐷. 𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎, to most complex conditions in 𝐷. 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑢𝑚, 𝐷. 𝑚𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎 and 𝐷. 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑎.
𝗘𝘁𝘆𝗺𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆
The species name 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑢𝑚, Latin for brain, a noun in apposition, makes reference to the fact that this fish with one of the smallest adult brains among vertebrates has become a promising new model species for neurophysiological studies.
𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲
𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑢𝑚. ( a ) male (ca. 10 mm SL) and ( b ) female (ca. 12 mm SL) in life, not preserved; note yellowish chromatophores dorsally on head, melanophores scattered in rows on body in both sexes, and eggs covered by large melanophores in female. Copyright paper authors.
==========================
as scientists discover that some groups kept as a "model species" for research were not 𝐷. 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑎, but an undescribed species. This may also have implications for identifying 𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 species kept in the hobby.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-97600-0
𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 are tiny, transparent fishes that mature at sizes between 10–15 mm, and represent some of the most extreme cases of vertebrate progenesis known to date. 𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑢𝑚 has one of the smallest adult brains among vertebrates has become a promising new model species for neurophysiological studies.
𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲
The emerging vertebrate model species for neurophysiological studies is 𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑢𝑚, new species (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)
𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Britz, R., Conway, K.W. & Rüber, L. The emerging vertebrate model species for neurophysiological studies is 𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑢𝑚, new species (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Sci Rep 11, 18942 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-97600-0
𝗔𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁
The four described species of 𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 are tiny, transparent fishes that mature at sizes between 10–15 mm, and represent some of the most extreme cases of vertebrate progenesis known to date. The miniature adult size and larval appearance of 𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎, combined with a diverse behavioral repertoire linked to sound production by males, have established 𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 as an important model for neurophysiological studies. The external similarity between the different species of 𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 has offered an important challenge to taxonomic identification using traditional external characters, leading to confusion over the identity of the model species.
Using combined morphological and molecular taxonomic approaches, we show here that the most extensively studied species of 𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 is not 𝐷. 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑎, but represents an undescribed species, 𝐷. 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑢𝑚 𝑛. 𝑠𝑝. that is externally almost identical to 𝐷. 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑎, but differs trenchantly in several internal characters.
Molecular analyses confirm the distinctiveness of 𝐷. 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑢𝑚 and 𝐷. 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑎 and suggest that the two species are not even sister taxa. Analysis of the evolution of sexual dimorphisms associated with the Weberian apparatus reveals significant increases in complexity from the simpler condition found in 𝐷. 𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎, to most complex conditions in 𝐷. 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑢𝑚, 𝐷. 𝑚𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎 and 𝐷. 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑎.
𝗘𝘁𝘆𝗺𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆
The species name 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑢𝑚, Latin for brain, a noun in apposition, makes reference to the fact that this fish with one of the smallest adult brains among vertebrates has become a promising new model species for neurophysiological studies.
𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲
𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑢𝑚. ( a ) male (ca. 10 mm SL) and ( b ) female (ca. 12 mm SL) in life, not preserved; note yellowish chromatophores dorsally on head, melanophores scattered in rows on body in both sexes, and eggs covered by large melanophores in female. Copyright paper authors.
==========================
Against the Odds: Hybrid Zones between Mangrove Killifish Species with Different Mating Systems
Waldir M. Berbel-Filho
1,2,*,
Andrey Tatarenkov
3,
George Pacheco
4,
Helder M. V. Espírito-Santo
5,
Mateus G. Lira
6,
Carlos Garcia de Leaniz
2,
John C. Avise
3,
Sergio M. Q. Lima
6,
Carlos M. Rodríguez-López
7 and
Sofia Consuegra
2,*
1
Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
2
Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales SA2 8PP, UK
3
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
4
Section for Evolutionary Genomics, The GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
5
Núcleo de Ecologia Aquática e Pesca da Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Pará, Brazil
6
Laboratório de Ictiologia Sistemática e Evolutiva, Departamento de Botânica e Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Natal 59078-900, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
7
Environmental Epigenetics and Genetics Group, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editor: Malgorzata Pilot
Genes 2021, 12(10), 1486; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes12101486 (registering DOI)
Received: 16 August 2021 / Revised: 21 September 2021 / Accepted: 22 September 2021 / Published: 24 September 2021
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evolutionary Consequences of Hybridisation in==========================
Waldir M. Berbel-Filho
1,2,*,
Andrey Tatarenkov
3,
George Pacheco
4,
Helder M. V. Espírito-Santo
5,
Mateus G. Lira
6,
Carlos Garcia de Leaniz
2,
John C. Avise
3,
Sergio M. Q. Lima
6,
Carlos M. Rodríguez-López
7 and
Sofia Consuegra
2,*
1
Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
2
Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales SA2 8PP, UK
3
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
4
Section for Evolutionary Genomics, The GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
5
Núcleo de Ecologia Aquática e Pesca da Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Pará, Brazil
6
Laboratório de Ictiologia Sistemática e Evolutiva, Departamento de Botânica e Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Natal 59078-900, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
7
Environmental Epigenetics and Genetics Group, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editor: Malgorzata Pilot
Genes 2021, 12(10), 1486; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes12101486 (registering DOI)
Received: 16 August 2021 / Revised: 21 September 2021 / Accepted: 22 September 2021 / Published: 24 September 2021
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evolutionary Consequences of Hybridisation in==========================
==========================
Cylix tupareomanaia • A New Genus and Species of Pygmy Pipehorse (Teleostei, Syngnathidae) from Taitokerau Northland, Aotearoa New Zealand, with a Redescription of Acentronura Kaup, 1853 and Idiotropiscis Whitley, 1947
Cylix tupareomanaia Short, Trnski, & Ngātiwai,
in Short & Trnski, 2021.
DOI: 10.1643/i2020136
Abstract
Cylix tupareomanaia, new genus and species, is described from three specimens (35.5–55.5 mm SL), collected from rocky reefs at 12–17 m depth from Taitokerau Northland, New Zealand. The new taxon shares morphological synapomorphies with the superficially similar Australian endemic Idiotropiscis and Indo-Pacific Acentronura, including head angled ventrally approximately 25° from the principal body axis, enclosed brood pouch, brood pouch plates, prehensile tail, and absence of caudal fin. Cylix tupareomanaia, new genus and species, however, is distinguishable from all other members of the Syngnathidae by the following combination of bony autapomorphic characters: a cup-like crest present anterodorsally on the supraoccipital; and large conspicuous midventral conical spines on the cleithral symphysis and first trunk ring between the pectoral-fin bases. The new species can be further differentiated by genetic divergence in the mitochondrial COX1 gene from Acentronura breviperula, A. tentaculata, Idiotropiscis australe, and I. lumnitzeri (estimated uncorrected p-distances of 19.5%, 20.4%, 17.9%, and 18.4%, respectively). A phylogenetic hypothesis from the analysis of two nuclear loci, 18S and TMO-4C4, supports the placement of C. tupareomanaia, new genus and species, as the sister taxon to a clade comprising the genera Acentronura and Idiotropiscis. Cylix tupareomanaia, new genus and species, represents the eighth member within the pygmy pipehorse clade to be described from the Indo-Pacific and the first new genus and species of syngnathid to be reported from New Zealand since 1921.
Cylix tupareomanaia.
(A) AIM MA122274, female, holotype shortly after death, 31.4 mm SL; Waiatapaua Bay, Whangaruru, Northland, New Zealand (photograph © Auckland Museum).
(B) NMNZ P.056154, female, paratype, shortly after death, 35.5 mm SL; Cavalli Islands, Northland, New Zealand (photograph © Irene Middleton).
Cylix tupareomanaia.
(A) AIM MA122274, female, preserved holotype, 31.4 mm SL; Waiatapaua Bay, Whangaruru, Northland, New Zealand (photograph © Auckland Museum).
(B) NMNZ P.056154, female, preserved paratype, 35.5 mm SL; Cavalli Islands, Northland, New Zealand (photograph © Auckland Museum).
(C) NMNZ P.046322, male, preserved paratype, 55.5 mm SL; east of Oturori Rock, Bay of Islands, Northland, New Zealand (photograph Graham Short).
µCT scan of Cylix tupareomanaia, NMNZ P.046322, male, paratype, 55.5 mm SL.
(A, B) Anterolateral view of the head highlighting the bifurcated and cup-like crest present on the supraoccipital, continuous cleithral ring, and the strongly elevated ventrolateral bulge of the pectoral-fin base.
(C) Anterodorsal aspect of the neurocranium highlighting the bifurcated and cup-like pentamerous bony crest present on the supraoccipital.
Abbreviations: FS, frontal spine; PFB, pectoral-fin base; SC, supraoccipital crest; SCL, supracleithrum.
Cylix tupareomanaia in situ.
(A) AIM MA122274, female, holotype, Waiatapaua Bay, Whangaruru, Northland, New Zealand, 12 m depth (photograph © Shane Housham). (B) Waiatapaua Bay, Whangaruru, Northland, New Zealand, 12 m depth (photograph © Shane Housham).
(C) Waiatapaua Bay, Whangaruru, Northland, New Zealand, 12 m depth (photograph © Richard Smith). (D) Waiatapaua Bay, Whangaruru, Northland, New Zealand, 12 m depth (photograph © Irene Middleton).
(E) Waiatapaua Bay, Whangaruru, Northland, New Zealand, 12 m depth (photograph © Irene Middleton). (F) Poor Knights Islands, Northland, New Zealand, at 10 m depth (photograph © Kent Erickson).
Cylix, new genus
Type species.--Cylix tupareomanaia, new species.
Diagnosis.--A genus of the Syngnathidae that shares numerous morphological synapomorphies with Acentronura and Idiotropiscis, including head angled ventrally approximately 25° from the principal body axis, enclosed brood pouch, brood pouch plates, prehensile tail, and absence of caudal fin. However, Cylix tupareomanaia, new species, differs from all other genera by unique anatomical features of the head, including: a distinct, cup-like crest present anterodorsally on the supraoccipital; and large and conspicuous medioventral conical spines on the cleithral symphysis and the first trunk ring between the pectoral-fin bases. It differs further in having the following combination of morphological characters: prominent supraoccipital; continuous cleithrum; prominent supracleithrum; anterior nuchal plate absent; posterior nuchal plate present with bony dorsomedial crest; large gap present between the supraoccipital and posterior nuchal plate; one to three dorsal spines at midline of snout, posteriormost of these spines large; one large double and rugose lateral head spine present below the cup-like supraoccipital crest; three small blunt lateral head spines on operculum; rim of orbit elevated dorsolaterally and strongly ventrally; two spines on cleithral ring; large rugose spine anterior to ventral third of pectoral-fin base; moderate-sized spine at ventral extent of head; small spine present posterolateral to the pelvic-fin base; four subdorsal spines, forming a square, the dorsal two enlarged.
Etymology.--The generic name Cylix is derived from the Greek kylix, meaning cup or chalice, in reference to the cup-like crest present on the head. Gender masculine.
Cylix tupareomanaia Short, Trnski, and Ngātiwai, new species
Common Names: Māori—Tu pare o manaia,
English—Manaia Pygmy Pipehorse
Hippocampus jugumus: Kuiter, 2009: 93, figs. A, B (Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand).
Acentronura australe: Stewart, 2015: 1053, fig. 148.1 (Bay of Islands, New Zealand).
Idiotropiscis aotearoa: Perkins, 2017 (Whangaruru, New Zealand; http://www.inspiredtodive.com/photo-blog/introducing-idiotropiscis-aotearoa).
Etymology.--The species epithet tupareomanaia is a neologism gifted by kaumātua (tribal elders) of Ngātiwai and references Home Point adjacent to the type locality, referred to by Ngātiwai as Tu Pare o Huia, meaning “the plume of the huia”; the huia was a bird that became extinct in the early 20th century. Tu Pare o Manaia translates as “the garland of the Manaia.” The pare, or garland, references the pentamerous head crest of the new species, and Manaia is the Māori name for a seahorse, and is also an ancestor that appears as a stylized figure used in Māori carvings representing a guardian.
Graham A. Short and Thomas Trnski. 2021. A New Genus and Species of Pygmy Pipehorse from Taitokerau Northland, Aotearoa New Zealand, with a Redescription of Acentronura Kaup, 1853 and Idiotropiscis Whitley, 1947 (Teleostei, Syngnathidae). Ichthyology & Herpetology. 109(3); 806-835 . DOI: 10.1643/i2020136
==========================
Cylix tupareomanaia Short, Trnski, & Ngātiwai,
in Short & Trnski, 2021.
DOI: 10.1643/i2020136
Abstract
Cylix tupareomanaia, new genus and species, is described from three specimens (35.5–55.5 mm SL), collected from rocky reefs at 12–17 m depth from Taitokerau Northland, New Zealand. The new taxon shares morphological synapomorphies with the superficially similar Australian endemic Idiotropiscis and Indo-Pacific Acentronura, including head angled ventrally approximately 25° from the principal body axis, enclosed brood pouch, brood pouch plates, prehensile tail, and absence of caudal fin. Cylix tupareomanaia, new genus and species, however, is distinguishable from all other members of the Syngnathidae by the following combination of bony autapomorphic characters: a cup-like crest present anterodorsally on the supraoccipital; and large conspicuous midventral conical spines on the cleithral symphysis and first trunk ring between the pectoral-fin bases. The new species can be further differentiated by genetic divergence in the mitochondrial COX1 gene from Acentronura breviperula, A. tentaculata, Idiotropiscis australe, and I. lumnitzeri (estimated uncorrected p-distances of 19.5%, 20.4%, 17.9%, and 18.4%, respectively). A phylogenetic hypothesis from the analysis of two nuclear loci, 18S and TMO-4C4, supports the placement of C. tupareomanaia, new genus and species, as the sister taxon to a clade comprising the genera Acentronura and Idiotropiscis. Cylix tupareomanaia, new genus and species, represents the eighth member within the pygmy pipehorse clade to be described from the Indo-Pacific and the first new genus and species of syngnathid to be reported from New Zealand since 1921.
Cylix tupareomanaia.
(A) AIM MA122274, female, holotype shortly after death, 31.4 mm SL; Waiatapaua Bay, Whangaruru, Northland, New Zealand (photograph © Auckland Museum).
(B) NMNZ P.056154, female, paratype, shortly after death, 35.5 mm SL; Cavalli Islands, Northland, New Zealand (photograph © Irene Middleton).
Cylix tupareomanaia.
(A) AIM MA122274, female, preserved holotype, 31.4 mm SL; Waiatapaua Bay, Whangaruru, Northland, New Zealand (photograph © Auckland Museum).
(B) NMNZ P.056154, female, preserved paratype, 35.5 mm SL; Cavalli Islands, Northland, New Zealand (photograph © Auckland Museum).
(C) NMNZ P.046322, male, preserved paratype, 55.5 mm SL; east of Oturori Rock, Bay of Islands, Northland, New Zealand (photograph Graham Short).
µCT scan of Cylix tupareomanaia, NMNZ P.046322, male, paratype, 55.5 mm SL.
(A, B) Anterolateral view of the head highlighting the bifurcated and cup-like crest present on the supraoccipital, continuous cleithral ring, and the strongly elevated ventrolateral bulge of the pectoral-fin base.
(C) Anterodorsal aspect of the neurocranium highlighting the bifurcated and cup-like pentamerous bony crest present on the supraoccipital.
Abbreviations: FS, frontal spine; PFB, pectoral-fin base; SC, supraoccipital crest; SCL, supracleithrum.
Cylix tupareomanaia in situ.
(A) AIM MA122274, female, holotype, Waiatapaua Bay, Whangaruru, Northland, New Zealand, 12 m depth (photograph © Shane Housham). (B) Waiatapaua Bay, Whangaruru, Northland, New Zealand, 12 m depth (photograph © Shane Housham).
(C) Waiatapaua Bay, Whangaruru, Northland, New Zealand, 12 m depth (photograph © Richard Smith). (D) Waiatapaua Bay, Whangaruru, Northland, New Zealand, 12 m depth (photograph © Irene Middleton).
(E) Waiatapaua Bay, Whangaruru, Northland, New Zealand, 12 m depth (photograph © Irene Middleton). (F) Poor Knights Islands, Northland, New Zealand, at 10 m depth (photograph © Kent Erickson).
Cylix, new genus
Type species.--Cylix tupareomanaia, new species.
Diagnosis.--A genus of the Syngnathidae that shares numerous morphological synapomorphies with Acentronura and Idiotropiscis, including head angled ventrally approximately 25° from the principal body axis, enclosed brood pouch, brood pouch plates, prehensile tail, and absence of caudal fin. However, Cylix tupareomanaia, new species, differs from all other genera by unique anatomical features of the head, including: a distinct, cup-like crest present anterodorsally on the supraoccipital; and large and conspicuous medioventral conical spines on the cleithral symphysis and the first trunk ring between the pectoral-fin bases. It differs further in having the following combination of morphological characters: prominent supraoccipital; continuous cleithrum; prominent supracleithrum; anterior nuchal plate absent; posterior nuchal plate present with bony dorsomedial crest; large gap present between the supraoccipital and posterior nuchal plate; one to three dorsal spines at midline of snout, posteriormost of these spines large; one large double and rugose lateral head spine present below the cup-like supraoccipital crest; three small blunt lateral head spines on operculum; rim of orbit elevated dorsolaterally and strongly ventrally; two spines on cleithral ring; large rugose spine anterior to ventral third of pectoral-fin base; moderate-sized spine at ventral extent of head; small spine present posterolateral to the pelvic-fin base; four subdorsal spines, forming a square, the dorsal two enlarged.
Etymology.--The generic name Cylix is derived from the Greek kylix, meaning cup or chalice, in reference to the cup-like crest present on the head. Gender masculine.
Cylix tupareomanaia Short, Trnski, and Ngātiwai, new species
Common Names: Māori—Tu pare o manaia,
English—Manaia Pygmy Pipehorse
Hippocampus jugumus: Kuiter, 2009: 93, figs. A, B (Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand).
Acentronura australe: Stewart, 2015: 1053, fig. 148.1 (Bay of Islands, New Zealand).
Idiotropiscis aotearoa: Perkins, 2017 (Whangaruru, New Zealand; http://www.inspiredtodive.com/photo-blog/introducing-idiotropiscis-aotearoa).
Etymology.--The species epithet tupareomanaia is a neologism gifted by kaumātua (tribal elders) of Ngātiwai and references Home Point adjacent to the type locality, referred to by Ngātiwai as Tu Pare o Huia, meaning “the plume of the huia”; the huia was a bird that became extinct in the early 20th century. Tu Pare o Manaia translates as “the garland of the Manaia.” The pare, or garland, references the pentamerous head crest of the new species, and Manaia is the Māori name for a seahorse, and is also an ancestor that appears as a stylized figure used in Māori carvings representing a guardian.
Graham A. Short and Thomas Trnski. 2021. A New Genus and Species of Pygmy Pipehorse from Taitokerau Northland, Aotearoa New Zealand, with a Redescription of Acentronura Kaup, 1853 and Idiotropiscis Whitley, 1947 (Teleostei, Syngnathidae). Ichthyology & Herpetology. 109(3); 806-835 . DOI: 10.1643/i2020136
==========================
Mustura subhashi
Description of a new species of Mustura Kottelat (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from the Brahmaputra drainage, India
Hrishikesh Choudhury,Rajdeep Das,Ratul Ch. Bharali,Kangkan Sarma,Lalit K. Tyagi,Kuldeep K. Lal,Dandadhar Sarma,
First published: 23 March 2021
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14736LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:9AB2DB0A-5B11-4FCB-AD52-44B3BC147A14
Funding information: ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Grant/Award Number: G/S-NE-NETWORK/2015
Abstract
, new species, is described from the Dikal River, a north bank tributary of the Brahmaputra drainage in Arunachal Pradesh. It is distinguished from all its congeners by having a colour pattern of 14–23 dark-greyish black to dark brown irregular bars on a greyish to pale beige body; pre-dorsal bars thin, numerous, wider than interspaces, weakly contrasted, uniting dorsally at lateral one-third or midway on flank to form thicker bars, coalescing further at lateral one-fifth and continuous on dorsum with contralateral bars; bars below dorsal fin exhibiting similar condition but slightly wider than pre-dorsal bars; post-dorsal bars thicker than anterior bars, wider than interspaces, sharply contrasted, rarely coalescing on flank; and a short bar along the caudal mid-line, rarely forming a blotch. Based on re-examination of the type specimens and additional materials, Mustura dikrongensis is confirmed as a species belonging to Mustura, and M. harkishorei is not sufficiently diagnosed from 'Nemacheilus' corica.
==========================
Hrishikesh Choudhury,Rajdeep Das,Ratul Ch. Bharali,Kangkan Sarma,Lalit K. Tyagi,Kuldeep K. Lal,Dandadhar Sarma,
First published: 23 March 2021
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14736LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:9AB2DB0A-5B11-4FCB-AD52-44B3BC147A14
Funding information: ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Grant/Award Number: G/S-NE-NETWORK/2015
Abstract
, new species, is described from the Dikal River, a north bank tributary of the Brahmaputra drainage in Arunachal Pradesh. It is distinguished from all its congeners by having a colour pattern of 14–23 dark-greyish black to dark brown irregular bars on a greyish to pale beige body; pre-dorsal bars thin, numerous, wider than interspaces, weakly contrasted, uniting dorsally at lateral one-third or midway on flank to form thicker bars, coalescing further at lateral one-fifth and continuous on dorsum with contralateral bars; bars below dorsal fin exhibiting similar condition but slightly wider than pre-dorsal bars; post-dorsal bars thicker than anterior bars, wider than interspaces, sharply contrasted, rarely coalescing on flank; and a short bar along the caudal mid-line, rarely forming a blotch. Based on re-examination of the type specimens and additional materials, Mustura dikrongensis is confirmed as a species belonging to Mustura, and M. harkishorei is not sufficiently diagnosed from 'Nemacheilus' corica.
==========================
Four new species of 𝐶𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑔𝑟𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑠 from the Department of Santander, Colombia
bit.ly/3EkvhX1for Full report
=======================================
bit.ly/3EkvhX1for Full report
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Osteodiscus abyssicola, a new snailfish (Cottoidei: Liparidae) collected off the Pacific coast of northern Japan
PISCESACTINOPTERYGIINEW SPECIESOSTEODISCUS CASCADIAEOSTEODISCUS ANDRIASHEVIOSTEODISCUS RHEPOSTOMIAS AbstractThe snailfish Osteodiscus abyssicola sp. nov. is described from a single specimen collected off the Pacific coast of Hokkaido, northern Japan, at a depth of 4,671–4,744 m. It is distinguished from all currently recognized congeners by the following combination of characters: vertebrae 49; dorsal-fin rays 44; anal-fin rays 39; principal caudal-fin rays 8; pyloric caeca 5; mouth horizontal; teeth on both jaws simple and sharp, without cusps; upper and lower jaw symphyses without diastema; cephalic pore sizes moderate, similar to or slightly larger than nostril; gill slit extending ventrally to 2nd pectoral-fin ray base; pectoral fin notched; mandibular symphysis to center of anus 101.6% head length (HL); posterior edge of pelvic disk to center of anus 15.5% HL; epural 1, reduced; epipleural ribs absent. An emended diagnosis and key to the species of Osteodiscus are provided.
==========================
Hypergastromyzon revisited, with descriptions of a new genus and two new species (Teleostei: Gastromyzontidae)
Tan Heok Hui Abstract. The genus Hypergastromyzon is revised based on fresh topotypic specimens and two other locations in Borneo. Hypergastromyzon humilis is redescribed, along with descriptions of H. abditus, new species, from upper Katingan basin; and H. sambas, new species, from upper Sambas basin. A new genus, Engkaria, is erected to accommodate H. eubranchus. Engkaria differs from Hypergastromyzon in having very distinct sexual characters where males have heavy tuberculation over the opercle and modified pectoral-fin rays, the pelvic fins are not completely fused, and other characters. Engkaria eubranchus is redescribed based on a series of fresh specimens. An artificial key is provided for all species of Hypergastromyzon.
nus.edu/3jSPrii Full paper
==========================
Tan Heok Hui Abstract. The genus Hypergastromyzon is revised based on fresh topotypic specimens and two other locations in Borneo. Hypergastromyzon humilis is redescribed, along with descriptions of H. abditus, new species, from upper Katingan basin; and H. sambas, new species, from upper Sambas basin. A new genus, Engkaria, is erected to accommodate H. eubranchus. Engkaria differs from Hypergastromyzon in having very distinct sexual characters where males have heavy tuberculation over the opercle and modified pectoral-fin rays, the pelvic fins are not completely fused, and other characters. Engkaria eubranchus is redescribed based on a series of fresh specimens. An artificial key is provided for all species of Hypergastromyzon.
nus.edu/3jSPrii Full paper
==========================
Barbodes pyrpholeos • A New Species, the First Cave-dwelling Cyprinid Fish (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) in the Philippines, with Redescription of B. montanoi
Barbodes pyrpholeos
Tan & Husana, 2021
RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 69;
Abstract
Barbodes pyrpholeos, new species, is the first cave-dwelling cyprinid fish reported from the Philippines. It is described from karst systems in Mindanao. It is distinguished from other congeners by having a poorly pigmented body with reddish fins in combination with a smooth dorsal-fin spine without serrations, and several additional morphological characters. It differs from the Indonesian troglobitic congener Barbodes microps by the presence of eyes, and a narrower body amongst other characters. Barbodes montanoi, a putative close relative of the new species, is redescribed based on recently collected material.
Key words. troglobite, Cyprinidae, biodiversity, new species, Southeast Asia
Fig. 1. Barbodes pyrpholeos, in situ photograph of an immature fish near lower part of second author’s leg, about 60 mm SL, Ugnop Cave system.
(Photographs by Daniel Edison M. Husana)
Diagnosis. Barbodes pyrpholeos can be differentiated from all congeners by the following unique combination of characters: body with little brown pigment, appearing white or pinkish in life; unpaired fins with posterior half bright orangey-red in life, anterior half of unpaired fins and paired fins hyaline; eyes present and pigmented, possibly still functional. All other congeners (except the cave-dwelling B. microps) having body with black blotches, bars, stripes, dots, and triangular markings; body and fins appear pigmentless in B. microps (information on colours in life not available). Barbodes pyrpholeos can be further differentiated from B. microps (some data obtained from Haryono, 2006) in having the following characters: eye present, though variable in size (based on available material only) vs. eye absent or represented by a small, possibly non-functional eye in some individuals of B. microps; more dorsal-fin rays (8–9½, vs. 8); greater mean head length (32.3% SL, vs. 30.8%); lower mean predorsal length (55.1% SL, vs. 57.5%); lower mean body depth at anus (20.6% SL, vs. 36.5%); lower mean caudal peduncle depth (12.4% SL, vs. 14.7%); larger eye diameter (14.9–22.3, mean 17.3% HL, vs. 10.2–17.9, mean 14.9, when present).
Distribution. Known only from karstic cave systems in Mindanao Island, the Philippines.
Field notes. See Larson & Husana (2018: 98, fig. 1) and Husana (2020) for view of the habitat and syntopic species. Barbodes pyrpholeos was originally discovered by Arnel Pasilan (Prosperidad Mountaineering Club) during their earlier exploration, and brought to the attention of the second author.
Etymology. The species name is a combination of the Greek words pyr, meaning fire, and pholeos, meaning cave, in reference to the fiery red fins of this cave-dwelling species. Used as a noun in apposition.
Tan Heok Hui and Daniel Edison M. Husana. 2021. Barbodes pyrpholeos, New Species, the First Cave-dwelling Cyprinid fish in the Philippines, with Redescription of B. montanoi (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 69; 309–323. DOI: 10.26107/RBZ-2021-0054
==========================
Barbodes pyrpholeos
Tan & Husana, 2021
RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 69;
Abstract
Barbodes pyrpholeos, new species, is the first cave-dwelling cyprinid fish reported from the Philippines. It is described from karst systems in Mindanao. It is distinguished from other congeners by having a poorly pigmented body with reddish fins in combination with a smooth dorsal-fin spine without serrations, and several additional morphological characters. It differs from the Indonesian troglobitic congener Barbodes microps by the presence of eyes, and a narrower body amongst other characters. Barbodes montanoi, a putative close relative of the new species, is redescribed based on recently collected material.
Key words. troglobite, Cyprinidae, biodiversity, new species, Southeast Asia
Fig. 1. Barbodes pyrpholeos, in situ photograph of an immature fish near lower part of second author’s leg, about 60 mm SL, Ugnop Cave system.
(Photographs by Daniel Edison M. Husana)
Diagnosis. Barbodes pyrpholeos can be differentiated from all congeners by the following unique combination of characters: body with little brown pigment, appearing white or pinkish in life; unpaired fins with posterior half bright orangey-red in life, anterior half of unpaired fins and paired fins hyaline; eyes present and pigmented, possibly still functional. All other congeners (except the cave-dwelling B. microps) having body with black blotches, bars, stripes, dots, and triangular markings; body and fins appear pigmentless in B. microps (information on colours in life not available). Barbodes pyrpholeos can be further differentiated from B. microps (some data obtained from Haryono, 2006) in having the following characters: eye present, though variable in size (based on available material only) vs. eye absent or represented by a small, possibly non-functional eye in some individuals of B. microps; more dorsal-fin rays (8–9½, vs. 8); greater mean head length (32.3% SL, vs. 30.8%); lower mean predorsal length (55.1% SL, vs. 57.5%); lower mean body depth at anus (20.6% SL, vs. 36.5%); lower mean caudal peduncle depth (12.4% SL, vs. 14.7%); larger eye diameter (14.9–22.3, mean 17.3% HL, vs. 10.2–17.9, mean 14.9, when present).
Distribution. Known only from karstic cave systems in Mindanao Island, the Philippines.
Field notes. See Larson & Husana (2018: 98, fig. 1) and Husana (2020) for view of the habitat and syntopic species. Barbodes pyrpholeos was originally discovered by Arnel Pasilan (Prosperidad Mountaineering Club) during their earlier exploration, and brought to the attention of the second author.
Etymology. The species name is a combination of the Greek words pyr, meaning fire, and pholeos, meaning cave, in reference to the fiery red fins of this cave-dwelling species. Used as a noun in apposition.
Tan Heok Hui and Daniel Edison M. Husana. 2021. Barbodes pyrpholeos, New Species, the First Cave-dwelling Cyprinid fish in the Philippines, with Redescription of B. montanoi (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 69; 309–323. DOI: 10.26107/RBZ-2021-0054
==========================
Phylogenomics of the Bumblebee Catfishes (Siluriformes: Pseudopimelodidae) using ultraconserved elements
Representatives of genera of Pseudopimelodidae:
Microglanis (a, b); Batrochoglanis (c, d); Cephalosilurus (e, g);
Lophiosilurus (f, h); Pseudopimelodus (i, k); and Rhyacoglanis (j, l)
in Silva, Melo, Roxo, ... et Oliveira, 2021.
DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12513
twitter.com/BrunFMelo
Abstract
Neotropical catfishes of the family Pseudopimelodidae comprise 53 species allocated to seven genera widely distributed in South America from northwestern Colombia and Venezuela to Argentina and Uruguay. Intergeneric relationships based on morphology-based phylogenies are conflicting, and the interspecific relationships remain incipient. We conducted the first molecular phylogeny of the family by analyzing sequence data from ultraconserved elements (UCEs) of the genome for 33 specimens of Pseudopimelodidae and 19 related taxa. Phylogenetic relationships were accessed by concatenated matrices using Bayesian inference and, maximum likelihood, and the coalescent approach by a species tree analysis. The phylogeny with 868 UCE loci and 906,689 bp strongly support the monophyly of Pseudopimelodidae, and the arrangement of two major subclades herein classified as subfamilies Pseudopimelodinae and the newly proposed Batrochoglaninae. Pseudopimelodinae is composed by Cruciglanis sister to Pseudopimelodus and Rhyacoglanis, whereas the new subfamily Batrochoglaninae is composed by Cephalosilurus and Lophiosilurus as sister to Batrochoglanis and Microglanis. Pseudopimelodinae is supported by five morphological synapomorphies and Batrochoglaninae supported by three such synapomorphies. The results of this study will surely guide future research aiming to delimit and describe species within the monophyletic groups.
Representatives of genera of Pseudopimelodidae:
Microglanis (a, b); Batrochoglanis (c, d); Cephalosilurus (e, g); Lophiosilurus (f, h); Pseudopimelodus (i, k); and Rhyacoglanis (j, l)
CONCLUSIONS:
This study represents the most taxon-rich phylogenetic analysis of Pseudopimelodidae to date with representatives of all genera and 36% of the species diversity. Our results support the recognition of two major clades at the subfamilial level, Pseudopimelodinae and Batrochoglaninae. Although our analysis provides strong support for intergeneric relationships, an increased species-level coverage is needed to test the monophyly of Pseudopimelodus and to better delimit widely distributed taxa such as B. villosus, M. cottoides, and M. poecilus. The relationships will guide future research aiming to delimit species in well-resolved monophyletic groups as defined herein.
Gabriel S. C. Silva, Bruno F. Melo, Fábio F. Roxo, Luz E. Ochoa, Oscar A. Shibatta, Mark H. Sabaj and Claudio Oliveira. 2021. Phylogenomics of the Bumblebee Catfishes (Siluriformes: Pseudopimelodidae) using ultraconserved elements. Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research. DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12513
twitter.com/BrunFMelo/status/1420891201218228229
twitter.com/FishInTheNews/status/1421404031994540033
Representatives of genera of Pseudopimelodidae:
Microglanis (a, b); Batrochoglanis (c, d); Cephalosilurus (e, g);
Lophiosilurus (f, h); Pseudopimelodus (i, k); and Rhyacoglanis (j, l)
in Silva, Melo, Roxo, ... et Oliveira, 2021.
DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12513
twitter.com/BrunFMelo
Abstract
Neotropical catfishes of the family Pseudopimelodidae comprise 53 species allocated to seven genera widely distributed in South America from northwestern Colombia and Venezuela to Argentina and Uruguay. Intergeneric relationships based on morphology-based phylogenies are conflicting, and the interspecific relationships remain incipient. We conducted the first molecular phylogeny of the family by analyzing sequence data from ultraconserved elements (UCEs) of the genome for 33 specimens of Pseudopimelodidae and 19 related taxa. Phylogenetic relationships were accessed by concatenated matrices using Bayesian inference and, maximum likelihood, and the coalescent approach by a species tree analysis. The phylogeny with 868 UCE loci and 906,689 bp strongly support the monophyly of Pseudopimelodidae, and the arrangement of two major subclades herein classified as subfamilies Pseudopimelodinae and the newly proposed Batrochoglaninae. Pseudopimelodinae is composed by Cruciglanis sister to Pseudopimelodus and Rhyacoglanis, whereas the new subfamily Batrochoglaninae is composed by Cephalosilurus and Lophiosilurus as sister to Batrochoglanis and Microglanis. Pseudopimelodinae is supported by five morphological synapomorphies and Batrochoglaninae supported by three such synapomorphies. The results of this study will surely guide future research aiming to delimit and describe species within the monophyletic groups.
Representatives of genera of Pseudopimelodidae:
Microglanis (a, b); Batrochoglanis (c, d); Cephalosilurus (e, g); Lophiosilurus (f, h); Pseudopimelodus (i, k); and Rhyacoglanis (j, l)
CONCLUSIONS:
This study represents the most taxon-rich phylogenetic analysis of Pseudopimelodidae to date with representatives of all genera and 36% of the species diversity. Our results support the recognition of two major clades at the subfamilial level, Pseudopimelodinae and Batrochoglaninae. Although our analysis provides strong support for intergeneric relationships, an increased species-level coverage is needed to test the monophyly of Pseudopimelodus and to better delimit widely distributed taxa such as B. villosus, M. cottoides, and M. poecilus. The relationships will guide future research aiming to delimit species in well-resolved monophyletic groups as defined herein.
Gabriel S. C. Silva, Bruno F. Melo, Fábio F. Roxo, Luz E. Ochoa, Oscar A. Shibatta, Mark H. Sabaj and Claudio Oliveira. 2021. Phylogenomics of the Bumblebee Catfishes (Siluriformes: Pseudopimelodidae) using ultraconserved elements. Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research. DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12513
twitter.com/BrunFMelo/status/1420891201218228229
twitter.com/FishInTheNews/status/1421404031994540033
Kiss Your Cardinal Tetras and Cherry Shrimp Goodbye, Winnipeg!
Aquarists and a wide range of fellow pet enthusiasts are caught up in a massive proposal that aims to ban most freshwater and marine aquarium fish, all aquarium invertebrates, along with a wide swath of other pets. If Winnipeg's proposals are adopted in their current form, January 2022 will see the end of aquarium keeping as we know it in this large Canadian city.
Concerned aquarists only have through September 6th to submit comments regarding the proposals, which some have framed as the "tip of the iceberg" that could impact all Canadian aquarists.
Learn about the proposed new laws, and how to comment...
How Did Winnipeg's Aquarists Wind Up In The Crosshairs?
The city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada has not responded to inquiries seeking explanations behind the massive proposals to ban most pets in the City. However, investigating the story of Winnipeg’s proposals to ban most aquarium life led us down a path that potentially exposes the greater agenda behind the City’s proposals, and the City itself is possibly largely unaware.
If the ubiquitous, harmless, and highly domesticated Ball Python can find itself the target of a ban (along with all but three species of snakes), it pays to understand what is behind these proposals. It's a tale of misinformation and propaganda that aquarists must come to grips with, as they too are now being targeted by anti-pet activists and lobbying.
Winnipeg today, Toronto tomorrow? Everywhere else sometime soon? Aquarium hobbyists must be prepared.
Dive into the depths of misinformation behind Winnipeg's proposals...
Newsletter Sponsor - Zoo Med
Found in Amazonas magazine
==========================
Aquarists and a wide range of fellow pet enthusiasts are caught up in a massive proposal that aims to ban most freshwater and marine aquarium fish, all aquarium invertebrates, along with a wide swath of other pets. If Winnipeg's proposals are adopted in their current form, January 2022 will see the end of aquarium keeping as we know it in this large Canadian city.
Concerned aquarists only have through September 6th to submit comments regarding the proposals, which some have framed as the "tip of the iceberg" that could impact all Canadian aquarists.
Learn about the proposed new laws, and how to comment...
How Did Winnipeg's Aquarists Wind Up In The Crosshairs?
The city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada has not responded to inquiries seeking explanations behind the massive proposals to ban most pets in the City. However, investigating the story of Winnipeg’s proposals to ban most aquarium life led us down a path that potentially exposes the greater agenda behind the City’s proposals, and the City itself is possibly largely unaware.
If the ubiquitous, harmless, and highly domesticated Ball Python can find itself the target of a ban (along with all but three species of snakes), it pays to understand what is behind these proposals. It's a tale of misinformation and propaganda that aquarists must come to grips with, as they too are now being targeted by anti-pet activists and lobbying.
Winnipeg today, Toronto tomorrow? Everywhere else sometime soon? Aquarium hobbyists must be prepared.
Dive into the depths of misinformation behind Winnipeg's proposals...
Newsletter Sponsor - Zoo Med
Found in Amazonas magazine
==========================
Newly published open-access research looks at the phylogeography, genetic diversity and conservation of the Gold Nugget Pleco 𝐵𝑎𝑟𝑦𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑠 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠 L018 (and cohorts L081, L085, L177, LDA060) from the Xingu River and its major tributaries, the Bacajá and Iriri.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0256677
With discussion on the conservation of this iconic catfish and threats posed to maintaining genetic diversity and their natural range.
"Conservation strategies for 𝐵. 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠 must take this phylogeographic pattern into account. The building and operation of the Belo Monte hydropower plant have significantly impacted the availability and connectivity of rocky rapids in the Volta Grande stretch of the Xingu channel and will likely reduce levels of genetic diversity and gene flow among resident populations.
Furthermore, the ornamental fish trade of loricariids such as 𝐵. 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠 should be monitored to avoid overfishing at sensitive localities."
𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲
Phylogeography of 𝐵𝑎𝑟𝑦𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑠 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), a rheophilic catfish endemic to the Xingu River basin in eastern Amazonia
𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Magalhães KX, Silva RDFd, Sawakuchi AO, Gonçalves AP, Gomes GFE, Muriel-Cunha J, et al. (2021) Phylogeography of 𝐵𝑎𝑟𝑦𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑠 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), a rheophilic catfish endemic to the Xingu River basin in eastern Amazonia. PLoS ONE 16(8): e0256677. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256677
𝗔𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁
𝐵𝑎𝑟𝑦𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑠 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠 (Loricariidae) is an endemic fish species from the Xingu River basin with its life history in the shallow rapid waters flowing over bedrock substrates. In order to investigate the genetic diversity and demographic history of 𝐵. 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠 we analyzed sequence data for one mitochondrial gene (Cyt b) and introns 1 and 5 of nuclear genes Prolactin (Prl) and Ribosomal Protein L3 (RPL3). The analyses contain 358 specimens of 𝐵. 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠 from 39 localities distributed throughout its range. The number of genetically diverged groups was estimated using Bayesian inference on Cyt b haplotypes. Haplotype networks, AMOVA and pairwise fixation index was used to evaluate population structure and gene flow.
Historical demography was inferred through neutrality tests and the Extended Bayesian Skyline Plot (EBSP) method. Five longitudinally distributed Cyt b haplogroups for 𝐵. 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠 were identified in the Xingu River and its major tributaries, the Bacajá and Iriri. The demographic analysis suggests that rapids habitats have expanded in the Iriri and Lower Xingu rivers since 200 ka (thousand years) ago. This expansion is possibly related to an increase in water discharge as a consequence of higher rainfall across eastern Amazonia.
Conversely, this climate shift also would have promoted zones of sediment trapping and reduction of rocky habitats in the Xingu River channel upstream of the Iriri River mouth. Populations of 𝐵. 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠 showed strong genetic structure along the free-flowing river channels of the Xingu and its major tributaries, the Bacajá and Iriri.
The recent impoundment of the Middle Xingu channel for the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam may isolate populations at the downstream limit of the species distribution. Therefore, future conservation plans must consider the genetic diversity of 𝐵. 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠 throughout its range.
Photo: Copyright paper authors. Different color patterns present in 𝐵𝑎𝑟𝑦𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑠 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠. Photographs of live specimens taken right after collection. Not all color morphs are represented in the figure.
full paper is at:-doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256677
==========================
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0256677
With discussion on the conservation of this iconic catfish and threats posed to maintaining genetic diversity and their natural range.
"Conservation strategies for 𝐵. 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠 must take this phylogeographic pattern into account. The building and operation of the Belo Monte hydropower plant have significantly impacted the availability and connectivity of rocky rapids in the Volta Grande stretch of the Xingu channel and will likely reduce levels of genetic diversity and gene flow among resident populations.
Furthermore, the ornamental fish trade of loricariids such as 𝐵. 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠 should be monitored to avoid overfishing at sensitive localities."
𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲
Phylogeography of 𝐵𝑎𝑟𝑦𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑠 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), a rheophilic catfish endemic to the Xingu River basin in eastern Amazonia
𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Magalhães KX, Silva RDFd, Sawakuchi AO, Gonçalves AP, Gomes GFE, Muriel-Cunha J, et al. (2021) Phylogeography of 𝐵𝑎𝑟𝑦𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑠 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), a rheophilic catfish endemic to the Xingu River basin in eastern Amazonia. PLoS ONE 16(8): e0256677. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256677
𝗔𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁
𝐵𝑎𝑟𝑦𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑠 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠 (Loricariidae) is an endemic fish species from the Xingu River basin with its life history in the shallow rapid waters flowing over bedrock substrates. In order to investigate the genetic diversity and demographic history of 𝐵. 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠 we analyzed sequence data for one mitochondrial gene (Cyt b) and introns 1 and 5 of nuclear genes Prolactin (Prl) and Ribosomal Protein L3 (RPL3). The analyses contain 358 specimens of 𝐵. 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠 from 39 localities distributed throughout its range. The number of genetically diverged groups was estimated using Bayesian inference on Cyt b haplotypes. Haplotype networks, AMOVA and pairwise fixation index was used to evaluate population structure and gene flow.
Historical demography was inferred through neutrality tests and the Extended Bayesian Skyline Plot (EBSP) method. Five longitudinally distributed Cyt b haplogroups for 𝐵. 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠 were identified in the Xingu River and its major tributaries, the Bacajá and Iriri. The demographic analysis suggests that rapids habitats have expanded in the Iriri and Lower Xingu rivers since 200 ka (thousand years) ago. This expansion is possibly related to an increase in water discharge as a consequence of higher rainfall across eastern Amazonia.
Conversely, this climate shift also would have promoted zones of sediment trapping and reduction of rocky habitats in the Xingu River channel upstream of the Iriri River mouth. Populations of 𝐵. 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠 showed strong genetic structure along the free-flowing river channels of the Xingu and its major tributaries, the Bacajá and Iriri.
The recent impoundment of the Middle Xingu channel for the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam may isolate populations at the downstream limit of the species distribution. Therefore, future conservation plans must consider the genetic diversity of 𝐵. 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠 throughout its range.
Photo: Copyright paper authors. Different color patterns present in 𝐵𝑎𝑟𝑦𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑠 𝑥𝑎𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠. Photographs of live specimens taken right after collection. Not all color morphs are represented in the figure.
full paper is at:-doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256677
==========================
Winnipeg Considers Banning Many Aquarium Fish (and many other pets, too!)
25 Aug, 2021
On August 10th, 2021, Winnipeg, Canada, unveiled a proposal to massively overhaul the city’s pet ownership rules, including restrictions on the ownership of “exotic pets” ranging from birds and small mammals to reptiles and fish.Winnipeg is the largest city in the Canadian province of Manitoba, with a population of approximately 0.75 million people (749,534 per the UN in 2017). It is also home to at least 25 pet and aquarium shops, both chain stores and independent pet retailers.
Winnipeg has announced a sweeping series of proposed rules that, if enacted, would ban the ownership of many types of aquarium life (both fish and invertebrates) along with many other pets under the City’s Responsible Pet Ownership By-Law.
The purpose of the existing by-law is to “regulate the presence of wild and domesticated animals within the City, their activities and the activities of their owners.” The current and active city ordinance, introduced in 2013, makes no mention of fish in any form, but this may be about to change.
Kiss your Cardinal Tetras goodbye, Winnipeg aquarists, as most available in the aquarium trade are wild-caught. An aquascape like this entry in the 2018 Minnesota Aquarium Society fish show just won’t be possible in the Canadian city, should the proposed new rules come into effect. Image credit: Matt PedersenAs of August 10th, 2021, the City of Winnipeg is proposing wide-ranging yet vague new rules that will impact anyone involved with aquarium keeping, as well as anyone keeping anything other than dogs and cats. The project is called the Responsible Pet Ownership By-Law Review. The proposal can be viewed here, or downloaded from our server here.
The proposed bans could put many pet retailers out of business, countless numbers of people out of work, create criminals out of otherwise law-abiding pet owners, potentially outlaw most captive-breeding of exotic animals, and could serve as the blueprint for similar bans elsewhere.
Everything other than cats and dogs appears to fall under the proposed umbrella of “exotic animals”; fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, etc.
The city proposes that these changes are needed by raising the following allegations, which they frame as “issues”:
Goodbye, Goniopora: Whether wild, maricultured, farmed, fragged at home, it won’t matter for Winnipeg reef aquarists and vendors—all aquatic invertebrates will be banned. Image by Matt Pedersen, captured at MACNA 2019.Winnipeg Proposes to Ban Most Aquarium Life
Examining the bans that will impact fish, the rules propose that “commonly-traded, ornamental fishes are allowed,” however, the following ornamental fishes will be prohibited:
Send In The Clowns—because marine aquarists in Winnipeg won’t have many options left if they are limited to only captive-bred marine fish. While all the producers of captive-bred marine fish are making great strides are diversifying the species of fish that are available, only several dozen species are available in the United States in any given year, and probably fewer abroad. You can also take away all the corals in this image of an ORA display tank at the 2018 MACNA, because corals would be off-limits. Image credit: Matt PedersenIn effect, most “commonly-traded ornamental fishes” will be banned by these rules. Consider the following:
Corydoras sterbai brandish bright orange spines on their pectoral fins, capable of delivering a painful, venomous sting to would-be predators and careless aquarists. Would Winnipeg’s venomous animal ban prohibit ownership of ubiquitous aquarium fishes that are, generally speaking, quite benign? Image credit Ron Kuenitz/ShutterstockWe must also address the city’s larger, blanket allegations surrounding exotic animals, as enumerated at the start of the article.
A freshwater aquarium fish species like this Tramitichromis intermedius from Lake Malawi would fall into a very gray area under Winnipeg’s proposals. Available in the aquarium trade both from captive-bred and wild-caught imports, one must ask how anyone could even make a determination of the origins of an individual fish, nevermind that such records could be easily falsified as the species is not under any trade monitoring or restrictions at this time. Image by Matt Pedersen, taken at the 2018 Minnesota Aquarium Society fish show.Pet Keepers Fire Back
Proposals to ban many commonly-kept pets are being met with strong opposition.
PIJAC issued an official statement on Friday, August 20th, in support of widely agreeable revisions to dog ownership laws, but chastising pretty much everything else.
“The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council stands with PIJAC Canada in supporting the proposed changes to the Winnipeg, Manitoba, Responsible Pet Ownership bylaws that lift dog breed restrictions, while opposing those that would ban many commonly-owned specialty pets including certain bird breeds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. This misguided action would only force prospective pet owners to the unscrupulous and illegal black market, endangering pets and owners alike by eliminating highly regulated and legal sources for these companion animals. We urge Winnipeg’s lawmakers to instead focus on enhancing responsible pet ownership educational programs and on protecting both animals and humans by stopping the illegal pet trade.”
Quentin HarmsQuentin Harms, a local reef aquarist and the entrepreneur behind Northern Aquariums, has grave concerns not only for Winnipeg pet owners but all within the region. “With Winnipeg being the hub for the airlines, is that even going to be possible to import [prohibited animals] within the city limits and then transport them to outside the limits?
“I’m concerned that these bans would devastate the hobby’s growth. I’m scared the hobby will entirely die. The [trade in] wild-caught fish, in my opinion, is part of a healthy ecosystem within reasonable numbers.”
Kyle Neufeld, Horticultural Award Program Chair for The Aquarium Society of Winnipeg, noted in public comments that despite the City’s suggestion that they had contacted stakeholders when drafting these proposed new rules, the Aquarium Society of Winnipeg had not been contacted by the City. Neufeld shared several concerns over the propose new rules. “I am quite disturbed by the severity of these proposed bylaws. Currently, I have not seen any repetitive, or major animal welfare issues regarding specialty pets, or as the city refers to them—’exotic animals’—being brought forward in the local media. There was one case of an escaped corn snake, which would fall into the allowable species list of the proposed bylaws anyways.
Kyle Neufeld“This pales in comparison to the sheer volume of escaped and feral cats in the city. The lack of supporting evidence to justify the need for such extreme changes to the bylaw, or to support that these changes are a tested effective approach to solve such a matter are also extremely concerning.
“The resulting financial impact local pet-related businesses will feel won’t be easy. There are whole departments at current large Canadian-based pet supply stores in Winnipeg that will likely have to lay off employees and downsize the sales of care supplies for specialty pets such as fish and reptiles. And all that without any evidence to support there will be any measurable benefit to animal welfare. I find it all quite concerning. Especially that somebody in the position to propose a bylaw change would not have these considerations in mind. I can only hope that City councilors can realize what I have after reviewing the proposed bylaws, and they disregard the unprecedented proposed bylaws regarding an ‘allowable animals list’, and only go ahead with the new changes removing breed-specific bans for canines”
Pet Retailers Facing Uncertainty
Located in Winnipeg, the marine aquarium retail store Into The Blue opened its doors in 2015.Lyndon Jameson and his twin brother Derrick Jameson are the co-owners of Winnipeg marine aquarium retailer Into The Blue. The company is now in its 6th year of business, with 9 employees. Prior to opening the store, Lyndon and Derrick were both trained biologists with a focus on ecology and worked for a fisheries consultant company before they ventured into business to open the store.
Speaking with Lyndon, it’s clear that they would be forced to close their business, and leave 11 people looking for new lines of work, should the current proposals come into effect. Lyndon Jameson shared a lengthy rebuttal of the City’s proposals, which Into The Blue vows to fight.
“Banning a variety of animals for the fear of depletion of wild populations is not the best practice. [It will likely not] stop the animals from being removed from the wild. It would just likely lead to higher proportions being taken without proper monitoring/control and concern for sustainability. Our business prides itself in ensuring that any aquatic species that are not captive-bred or aqua-cultured in captivity are collected from the wild with sustainable practices.
“Instead of banning wild-collected animals, the City should be ensuring that more businesses adhere to sustainable harvest practices and procure captive bred and/or aqua-cultured individuals when available. This would be a far better way to go about ensuring that depletion of wild populations does not occur.
“Banning a variety of animals for fear of improper housing is also not the correct way to address the problem. The vast majority of exotic pet owners do a ton of research into the proper care recommendations for their specific animal (typically prior to purchase as well) in order to ensure they are meeting and more likely exceeding the standards of care (i.e. ensuring they are meeting the 5 freedoms and typically exceeding the minimum cage size requirements by providing as much room as possible in their home for the animal to thrive).
“We can continue to further educate owners at the store and city level, and in addition, stores can ensure that every animal leaving their store is going to an aquarium set-up that will meet their needs by asking questions.
Lyndon (left) and Derrick Jameson, twin brothers and co-owners of Winnipeg’s Into The Blue, a reef and saltwater aquarium retailer.Into the Blue offered, and would welcome, further City involvement if there was truly a need. Jamenson’s counter-proposal invites government oversight. “All stores who sell exotic animals could be required to get an animal health inspection and facility inspection similar to the animal inspections that already occur at zoos, university animal holding facilities, and wildlife rehabilitation centres. Therefore, stores will have well-thought-out SOP’s to follow and adhere to in regards to animal care, and can maintain detailed care records, to allow for review of SOPs and adjust as needed, and as animal care standards evolve.” Jameson even proposes the idea of “Online Modules for Certification”, which could be used for prospective pet owners, shop employees, as well as for the training of inspectors who could, in Jameson’s proposals, could include “secret shoppers.”
What Does Winnipeg Say?
It’s worth noting that many of Jameson’s proposals have parallels in other cities, states, and countries. Whether any of these is needed in the first place, is a question the City and its residents must wrangle with.
We reached out to the City of Winnipeg to ask several questions, seeking background on how and why these proposed rules were developed, but the City has not responded at this time.
What’s Next?
From the Review Project’s Website:
The City is reaching out to stakeholder organizations to get feedback on the proposed updates to the by-law. The objectives are to:
Anyone else who has questions or comments can get in touch through email RPObylaw@winnipeg.ca or Winnipeg residents can also contact the City by phone at 311.
What Can You Do?
If you’re a Winnipeg resident and you’re reading this, there is a good chance this rule-making will impact you if nothing is changed. It is unclear whether the City of Winnipeg even considers the residents who own exotic pets as “stakeholders”, but it is abundantly clear that you have a lot to lose.
Aquarists in the region are facing an uphill battle, given that the impacts of COVID-19 have all but shut down the organized aquarium hobby in many parts of the world. If you are not already involved with the organized aquarium hobby, we suggest trying to connect with the Aquarium Society of Winnipeg (Website, Facebook), and it would make sense to reach out to the Canadian Association of Aquarium Clubs on a more national level. Working together to formulate a unified response based on science and data may be the best way to protect the hobby we all participate in.
How Did Winnipeg’s Aquarists Wind Up In the Crosshairs?
Ball Python misinformation appears to be behind the City of Winnipeg’s propose ban of most every pet snake, allowing just three species to be kept. Learn more about the origins of such misinformation which is likely behind a growing call to ban most forms of aquarium keeping.You could stop reading here, but for those who want to dive deeper, investigating this story led us down a path that potentially exposes the greater agenda behind the City’s proposals, and the City itself is probably largely unaware. This is hardly the first time that anti-pet legislation or rules have been proposed. In fact, it happens rather routinely in the United States, which is one of the reasons USARK exists.
This article appeared in Coral Magazine
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25 Aug, 2021
On August 10th, 2021, Winnipeg, Canada, unveiled a proposal to massively overhaul the city’s pet ownership rules, including restrictions on the ownership of “exotic pets” ranging from birds and small mammals to reptiles and fish.Winnipeg is the largest city in the Canadian province of Manitoba, with a population of approximately 0.75 million people (749,534 per the UN in 2017). It is also home to at least 25 pet and aquarium shops, both chain stores and independent pet retailers.
Winnipeg has announced a sweeping series of proposed rules that, if enacted, would ban the ownership of many types of aquarium life (both fish and invertebrates) along with many other pets under the City’s Responsible Pet Ownership By-Law.
The purpose of the existing by-law is to “regulate the presence of wild and domesticated animals within the City, their activities and the activities of their owners.” The current and active city ordinance, introduced in 2013, makes no mention of fish in any form, but this may be about to change.
Kiss your Cardinal Tetras goodbye, Winnipeg aquarists, as most available in the aquarium trade are wild-caught. An aquascape like this entry in the 2018 Minnesota Aquarium Society fish show just won’t be possible in the Canadian city, should the proposed new rules come into effect. Image credit: Matt PedersenAs of August 10th, 2021, the City of Winnipeg is proposing wide-ranging yet vague new rules that will impact anyone involved with aquarium keeping, as well as anyone keeping anything other than dogs and cats. The project is called the Responsible Pet Ownership By-Law Review. The proposal can be viewed here, or downloaded from our server here.
The proposed bans could put many pet retailers out of business, countless numbers of people out of work, create criminals out of otherwise law-abiding pet owners, potentially outlaw most captive-breeding of exotic animals, and could serve as the blueprint for similar bans elsewhere.
Everything other than cats and dogs appears to fall under the proposed umbrella of “exotic animals”; fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, etc.
The city proposes that these changes are needed by raising the following allegations, which they frame as “issues”:
- Exotic animals are either poached from the wild or born in captivity
- Exotic animals have little quality of life in captivity
- There are currently no limits like dogs and cats, which can lead to hoarding
- Stray exotic animals require law enforcement resources
- Reduce the types and amounts of exotic animals allowed as pets. Limit species kept to “allowable animals” (a whitelist). Previously legal animals can be grandfathered. No traveling shows using limited animals. If rehomed, the animals must leave Winnipeg. Owners of grandfathered animals are prohibited from breeding them.
- Limit each household to five animals per animal ‘family’. This limit is separate to the pre-existing limit set for dogs and cats. For example, one household could own/harbour five snakes, five lizards, and five birds.
- Allowed small mammals are limited to European Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Gerbils, Hamsters, Rates, Mice, and rather unexpected inclusions of Common Degu and Bushy-tail Jird
- Allows only 11 species of lizards
- Allows only 3 species of snake (Milk Snake, Common King Snake, Corn Snake)
- Allows birds including 28 species of finches and sparrows, 3 species of doves, along with Cockatiels and Parakeets (Budgies)
- Bans all amphibians, citing the concern of chytrid.
- Bans all invertebrates, except for “Feeder crickets, mealworms, other worms, flies”
Goodbye, Goniopora: Whether wild, maricultured, farmed, fragged at home, it won’t matter for Winnipeg reef aquarists and vendors—all aquatic invertebrates will be banned. Image by Matt Pedersen, captured at MACNA 2019.Winnipeg Proposes to Ban Most Aquarium Life
Examining the bans that will impact fish, the rules propose that “commonly-traded, ornamental fishes are allowed,” however, the following ornamental fishes will be prohibited:
- Wild-caught saltwater fish
- Wild-caught freshwater fish
- Venomous fish or other fish that pose a medically significant risk to human health or safety
- Fish species that are known to be wide-ranging and/or migratory and that require very large “species” [aquariums/tanks?] in captivity
- Large fish that reach an adult length of 14 inches or more, whether or not a specific fish has reached the length [Note: Goldfish and Koi are exempted from this rule]
- All aquatic invertebrates are banned
Send In The Clowns—because marine aquarists in Winnipeg won’t have many options left if they are limited to only captive-bred marine fish. While all the producers of captive-bred marine fish are making great strides are diversifying the species of fish that are available, only several dozen species are available in the United States in any given year, and probably fewer abroad. You can also take away all the corals in this image of an ORA display tank at the 2018 MACNA, because corals would be off-limits. Image credit: Matt PedersenIn effect, most “commonly-traded ornamental fishes” will be banned by these rules. Consider the following:
- Wild-caught saltwater fish still make up the vast majority of all specimens and species in the aquarium trade. Additionally, we are not aware of any commercial marine ornamental aquaculture facilities in Canada, so this likely limits the availabililty of marine aquarium fish to imported, captive-propagated fishes only.
- Wild-caught freshwater fish remain a vital part of the the aquarium trade, and while limited, documented-sustainable collection programs such as Project Piaba are actually beneficial to the area where these fish originate. Once again, Canada has no commercial scale ornamental freshwater fish farming that we are aware of, leaving only imports and home-grown, hobbyist-sourced fish. While Winnipeg is just one Canadian city, there is a thriving freshwater fish community, with many notable aquarists calling the region home.
- In the case overall only allowing for captive-bred fish, the question must be raised: How is the city of Winnipeg going to police this? How is the city going to certify that a fish is captive-bred vs. wild-caught?
- The very vague exclusions of “venemous fish” could be construed to ban anything from saltwater lionfishes to the rather innocuous Corydoras catfishes, which ironically possess rather benign but venemous spines. It’s impossible to know what constitutes other species that are “medically significant”…will pufferfishes be banned as pets because of their tetrodotoxin, which is only medically significant if somoene eats the fish? To point out the truly foolish nature of such open-ended yet vague rules; as it reads, it could possibly still be legal to own and keep the deadly Blue-Ring Octopus at home.
- The proposal to ban “wide-ranging and/or migratory” species is equally vague. For example, one could argue that the freshwater gobies of the genus Rhinogobius and their relatives, with their diadromous lifestyles, would fall under this ban, even if they were in the trade from some future captive-breeding operation.
- The ban on large fish prohibits any fish that has an adult length of 14 inches (35.5 cm). While a rule prohibiting “monster fishes” can make some sense on the surface, a few quick examples show the error in thinking.
- While many marine angelfishes would be banned because they are not captive-bred, there are some like the Maculosus or Map Angelfish, Pomacanthus maculosus, that are aquacutlured. The speices can reach a maximum adult size of 20 inches (50 cm), although this is more the exception than the rule. Despite being a hardy aquarium captive, and available as captive-bred, it would be banned from ownership at any size because of it’s potential size.
- Consider the bichirs, where many are now captive-bred. They would still be prohibited from ownership, given that the most common species reach adult lengths of 18 to 24 inches (46 to 61 cm).
- No reasons are given for this arbitrary “potential maximum size” limit, nor is consideration given to the fact that aquarists can and do successfully keep these larger fishes as a matter of routine, and aquariums and indoor ponds of several hundreds or thousands of gallons are all within the reach of a private home aquarist willing to make the investment.
- The ban on all aquatic invertebrates is highly ill-informed. The proposal states, “Scientific research regarding the husbandry and welfare needs of most invertebrates, both terrestrial and aquatic, is lacking. As well significant conservation concerns are associated with a number of invertebrates, such as certain tarantula species, that are extracted from the wild for pet trade.” The trade in wild and maricutlured corals, for example, is legitimate and legal, and in many cases well regulated through CITES. To suggest that the “husbandry and welfare needs” of corals are not understood demonstrates a profound lack of basic research behind these proposals.
Corydoras sterbai brandish bright orange spines on their pectoral fins, capable of delivering a painful, venomous sting to would-be predators and careless aquarists. Would Winnipeg’s venomous animal ban prohibit ownership of ubiquitous aquarium fishes that are, generally speaking, quite benign? Image credit Ron Kuenitz/ShutterstockWe must also address the city’s larger, blanket allegations surrounding exotic animals, as enumerated at the start of the article.
- The allegation precludes (overlooks or omits) the reality that there is a legitmate, regulated trade in wild-collected animals for the pet trade, including sustainable-collection programs that may actually help preserve wild places. The implication is that “wild-harvest” can only be bad.
- The allegation for “quality of life” is arbitrary and vauge, and at best debatable, but at worse, dangerously anthropomorphizes to make an emotional arguement with no basis in scientific fact or underestanding.
- The allegation implies and passes judgement that there is a problem with a reptile breeder or aquarist who may have more than just a few individual animals, making the false equivalency to large domesticated pets like dogs or cats.
- The city should disclose exactly the number of incidents of stray exotic animals…perhaps saltwater fish…and the burden they have placed on law enforcement.
- Whitelists are inherentily overly restrictive and inflexible, and when combined with incredibly vauge, open-ended bans, the system crumbles. It relies heavily on intention leaves a whole host of open ended questions that ultimately may fall to descretionary if not arbitrary enforcement. In other cases, it creates conflict within the rules itself. When it comes to something like wild-caught aquarium fish, which would be “grandfathered” in, the rule then to prohibits breeding them. This eliminates one of the possible future sources for “captive-bred” fishes, which are permissible. It eliminates the ability for Winnipeg residents to even try to create a captive-bred source for fish within their city, using the existing, legally owned fish they already have.
- Placing posessions limits on exotics creates a false equivaliency between a small reptile and a dog or cat. These limits also outlaw the breeding of most any exotic animals in the city of Winnipeg, whether intentional or not. It is notable that fish are not called out, another area that creates a vague, open-ended rule. We’re hesitant to even point out that fihs aren’t listed, for concerns that such an oversight could be “remedied” by lawmakers.
A freshwater aquarium fish species like this Tramitichromis intermedius from Lake Malawi would fall into a very gray area under Winnipeg’s proposals. Available in the aquarium trade both from captive-bred and wild-caught imports, one must ask how anyone could even make a determination of the origins of an individual fish, nevermind that such records could be easily falsified as the species is not under any trade monitoring or restrictions at this time. Image by Matt Pedersen, taken at the 2018 Minnesota Aquarium Society fish show.Pet Keepers Fire Back
Proposals to ban many commonly-kept pets are being met with strong opposition.
PIJAC issued an official statement on Friday, August 20th, in support of widely agreeable revisions to dog ownership laws, but chastising pretty much everything else.
“The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council stands with PIJAC Canada in supporting the proposed changes to the Winnipeg, Manitoba, Responsible Pet Ownership bylaws that lift dog breed restrictions, while opposing those that would ban many commonly-owned specialty pets including certain bird breeds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. This misguided action would only force prospective pet owners to the unscrupulous and illegal black market, endangering pets and owners alike by eliminating highly regulated and legal sources for these companion animals. We urge Winnipeg’s lawmakers to instead focus on enhancing responsible pet ownership educational programs and on protecting both animals and humans by stopping the illegal pet trade.”
Quentin HarmsQuentin Harms, a local reef aquarist and the entrepreneur behind Northern Aquariums, has grave concerns not only for Winnipeg pet owners but all within the region. “With Winnipeg being the hub for the airlines, is that even going to be possible to import [prohibited animals] within the city limits and then transport them to outside the limits?
“I’m concerned that these bans would devastate the hobby’s growth. I’m scared the hobby will entirely die. The [trade in] wild-caught fish, in my opinion, is part of a healthy ecosystem within reasonable numbers.”
Kyle Neufeld, Horticultural Award Program Chair for The Aquarium Society of Winnipeg, noted in public comments that despite the City’s suggestion that they had contacted stakeholders when drafting these proposed new rules, the Aquarium Society of Winnipeg had not been contacted by the City. Neufeld shared several concerns over the propose new rules. “I am quite disturbed by the severity of these proposed bylaws. Currently, I have not seen any repetitive, or major animal welfare issues regarding specialty pets, or as the city refers to them—’exotic animals’—being brought forward in the local media. There was one case of an escaped corn snake, which would fall into the allowable species list of the proposed bylaws anyways.
Kyle Neufeld“This pales in comparison to the sheer volume of escaped and feral cats in the city. The lack of supporting evidence to justify the need for such extreme changes to the bylaw, or to support that these changes are a tested effective approach to solve such a matter are also extremely concerning.
“The resulting financial impact local pet-related businesses will feel won’t be easy. There are whole departments at current large Canadian-based pet supply stores in Winnipeg that will likely have to lay off employees and downsize the sales of care supplies for specialty pets such as fish and reptiles. And all that without any evidence to support there will be any measurable benefit to animal welfare. I find it all quite concerning. Especially that somebody in the position to propose a bylaw change would not have these considerations in mind. I can only hope that City councilors can realize what I have after reviewing the proposed bylaws, and they disregard the unprecedented proposed bylaws regarding an ‘allowable animals list’, and only go ahead with the new changes removing breed-specific bans for canines”
Pet Retailers Facing Uncertainty
Located in Winnipeg, the marine aquarium retail store Into The Blue opened its doors in 2015.Lyndon Jameson and his twin brother Derrick Jameson are the co-owners of Winnipeg marine aquarium retailer Into The Blue. The company is now in its 6th year of business, with 9 employees. Prior to opening the store, Lyndon and Derrick were both trained biologists with a focus on ecology and worked for a fisheries consultant company before they ventured into business to open the store.
Speaking with Lyndon, it’s clear that they would be forced to close their business, and leave 11 people looking for new lines of work, should the current proposals come into effect. Lyndon Jameson shared a lengthy rebuttal of the City’s proposals, which Into The Blue vows to fight.
“Banning a variety of animals for the fear of depletion of wild populations is not the best practice. [It will likely not] stop the animals from being removed from the wild. It would just likely lead to higher proportions being taken without proper monitoring/control and concern for sustainability. Our business prides itself in ensuring that any aquatic species that are not captive-bred or aqua-cultured in captivity are collected from the wild with sustainable practices.
“Instead of banning wild-collected animals, the City should be ensuring that more businesses adhere to sustainable harvest practices and procure captive bred and/or aqua-cultured individuals when available. This would be a far better way to go about ensuring that depletion of wild populations does not occur.
“Banning a variety of animals for fear of improper housing is also not the correct way to address the problem. The vast majority of exotic pet owners do a ton of research into the proper care recommendations for their specific animal (typically prior to purchase as well) in order to ensure they are meeting and more likely exceeding the standards of care (i.e. ensuring they are meeting the 5 freedoms and typically exceeding the minimum cage size requirements by providing as much room as possible in their home for the animal to thrive).
“We can continue to further educate owners at the store and city level, and in addition, stores can ensure that every animal leaving their store is going to an aquarium set-up that will meet their needs by asking questions.
- What size tank do you have?
- How long has your tank been running?
- What other fish are already in your tank?
- How many fish do you have?
- What kind of lighting does your tank have?
- What kind of filtration system do you have?”
Lyndon (left) and Derrick Jameson, twin brothers and co-owners of Winnipeg’s Into The Blue, a reef and saltwater aquarium retailer.Into the Blue offered, and would welcome, further City involvement if there was truly a need. Jamenson’s counter-proposal invites government oversight. “All stores who sell exotic animals could be required to get an animal health inspection and facility inspection similar to the animal inspections that already occur at zoos, university animal holding facilities, and wildlife rehabilitation centres. Therefore, stores will have well-thought-out SOP’s to follow and adhere to in regards to animal care, and can maintain detailed care records, to allow for review of SOPs and adjust as needed, and as animal care standards evolve.” Jameson even proposes the idea of “Online Modules for Certification”, which could be used for prospective pet owners, shop employees, as well as for the training of inspectors who could, in Jameson’s proposals, could include “secret shoppers.”
What Does Winnipeg Say?
It’s worth noting that many of Jameson’s proposals have parallels in other cities, states, and countries. Whether any of these is needed in the first place, is a question the City and its residents must wrangle with.
We reached out to the City of Winnipeg to ask several questions, seeking background on how and why these proposed rules were developed, but the City has not responded at this time.
What’s Next?
From the Review Project’s Website:
The City is reaching out to stakeholder organizations to get feedback on the proposed updates to the by-law. The objectives are to:
- Inform stakeholders about current pet ownership issues
- Explain the need to update the by-law
- Share proposed ideas
- Gather feedback from stakeholders
Anyone else who has questions or comments can get in touch through email RPObylaw@winnipeg.ca or Winnipeg residents can also contact the City by phone at 311.
What Can You Do?
If you’re a Winnipeg resident and you’re reading this, there is a good chance this rule-making will impact you if nothing is changed. It is unclear whether the City of Winnipeg even considers the residents who own exotic pets as “stakeholders”, but it is abundantly clear that you have a lot to lose.
Aquarists in the region are facing an uphill battle, given that the impacts of COVID-19 have all but shut down the organized aquarium hobby in many parts of the world. If you are not already involved with the organized aquarium hobby, we suggest trying to connect with the Aquarium Society of Winnipeg (Website, Facebook), and it would make sense to reach out to the Canadian Association of Aquarium Clubs on a more national level. Working together to formulate a unified response based on science and data may be the best way to protect the hobby we all participate in.
How Did Winnipeg’s Aquarists Wind Up In the Crosshairs?
Ball Python misinformation appears to be behind the City of Winnipeg’s propose ban of most every pet snake, allowing just three species to be kept. Learn more about the origins of such misinformation which is likely behind a growing call to ban most forms of aquarium keeping.You could stop reading here, but for those who want to dive deeper, investigating this story led us down a path that potentially exposes the greater agenda behind the City’s proposals, and the City itself is probably largely unaware. This is hardly the first time that anti-pet legislation or rules have been proposed. In fact, it happens rather routinely in the United States, which is one of the reasons USARK exists.
This article appeared in Coral Magazine
==========================
This a joint event organised in partnership witht the British Killifish Association, the British Cichlid Association and our sister association the Fancy Guppies UK.
This is promising to be the best show you will attend this year
Tickets can be purchased through the link, please allow time for the booking page to load. https://killis.org.uk/wp/fishkeeping-extravaganza-2021/
More details will be posted as they become available
This is promising to be the best show you will attend this year
Tickets can be purchased through the link, please allow time for the booking page to load. https://killis.org.uk/wp/fishkeeping-extravaganza-2021/
More details will be posted as they become available
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Registration is OPEN for vendors for the Sept 19th MASI Fall Swap Meet ! We have 50+ tables full of locally and regionally raised Fish, plants, plus foods, decor, tanks and more !
If your interested in vending, just let me know. We still have almost 20 tables available, at 25.00 each. Electric access still available also !
300+ are expected to walk through, so don't miss out !
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If your interested in vending, just let me know. We still have almost 20 tables available, at 25.00 each. Electric access still available also !
300+ are expected to walk through, so don't miss out !
==========================
A review of the Eviota zebrina complex, with descriptions of four new species (Teleostei, Gobiidae)
Luke Tornabene, David W. Greenfield, Mark V. ErdmannAbstractThe Eviota zebrina complex includes eight species of closely-related dwarfgobies, four of which are herein described as new. The complex is named for Eviota zebrina Lachner & Karnella, 1978, an Indian Ocean species with the holotype from the Seychelles Islands and also known from the Maldives, which was once thought to range into the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea eastward to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. Our analysis supports the recognition of four genetically distinct, geographically non-overlapping, species within what was previously called E. zebrina, with E. zebrina being restricted to the Indian Ocean, E. marerubrum sp. nov. described from the Red Sea, E. longirostris sp. nov. described from western New Guinea, and E. pseudozebrina sp. nov. described from Fiji. The caudal fin of all four of these species is crossed by oblique black bars in preservative, but these black bars are absent from the four other species included in the complex. Two of the other species within the complex, E. tetha and E. gunawanae are morphologically similar to each other in having the AITO cephalic-sensory pore positioned far forward and opening anteriorly. Eviota tetha is known from lagoonal environments in Cenderawasih Bay and Raja Ampat, West Papua, and E. gunawanae is known only from deeper reefs (35–60 m) from Fakfak Regency, West Papua. The final two species are E. cometa which is known from Fiji and Tonga and possesses red bars crossing the caudal fin (but lost in preservative) and a 9/8 dorsal/anal-fin formula, and E. oculineata sp. nov., which is described as new from New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, and possesses an 8/7 dorsal/anal-fin formula and lacks red caudal bars. Eviota oculineata has been confused with E. cometa in the past.
Keywordscoral-reef fishes, dwarfgoby, Eviota cometa, gobies, ichthyology, taxonomy, systematics
IntroductionThe genus Eviota, commonly known as dwarfgobies, contains 124 species (Greenfield 2021; Greenfield and Erdmann 2021), making it one of the most speciose genera of marine fishes. Several putatively widespread species of Eviota displaying morphological variation have recently been shown to be complexes of distinct species that are often distinguishable by a combination of genetic differences, subtle morphological characters, and/or differences in live coloration (Greenfield and Tornabene 2014; Tornabene et al. 2015, 2016). Another example of this phenomenon is demonstrated by the Eviota zebrina complex, a group containing eight genetic lineages based on mtDNA, including the nominal species Eviota zebrina Lachner & Karnella, 1978, E. cometa Jewett & Lachner, 1983, E. gunawanae Greenfield et al., 2019, E. tetha Greenfield & Erdmann, 2014, and several undescribed species (Greenfield et al. 2019). All species in this complex possess: (i) unbranched pectoral-fin rays; (ii) reduced fifth pelvic-fin rays (absent or rudimentary to ~ 15% length of fourth ray); (iii) pore patterns lacking only the IT pores, or both the IT and nasal pores Figure 1); (iv) fourth pelvic-fin ray with only 3–7 branches; (v) a red or dark brown lateral stripe on the body (stripe faint in E. pseudozebrina sp. nov.) that terminates in distinct black spot on the base of the caudal fin that is sometimes bordered with yellow in life (spot faint in E. tetha). The combination of the lateral stripe and black caudal spot are present only in two other species, E. sebreei Jordan & Seale, 1906 and E. punyit Tornabene et al., 2016, both of which differ from the E. zebrina complex in having a pore pattern lacking the PITO pore, and in having a fourth pelvic-fin ray with many more branches (11–15 vs. 3–7).
https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/66675/element/2/110/
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Luke Tornabene, David W. Greenfield, Mark V. ErdmannAbstractThe Eviota zebrina complex includes eight species of closely-related dwarfgobies, four of which are herein described as new. The complex is named for Eviota zebrina Lachner & Karnella, 1978, an Indian Ocean species with the holotype from the Seychelles Islands and also known from the Maldives, which was once thought to range into the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea eastward to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. Our analysis supports the recognition of four genetically distinct, geographically non-overlapping, species within what was previously called E. zebrina, with E. zebrina being restricted to the Indian Ocean, E. marerubrum sp. nov. described from the Red Sea, E. longirostris sp. nov. described from western New Guinea, and E. pseudozebrina sp. nov. described from Fiji. The caudal fin of all four of these species is crossed by oblique black bars in preservative, but these black bars are absent from the four other species included in the complex. Two of the other species within the complex, E. tetha and E. gunawanae are morphologically similar to each other in having the AITO cephalic-sensory pore positioned far forward and opening anteriorly. Eviota tetha is known from lagoonal environments in Cenderawasih Bay and Raja Ampat, West Papua, and E. gunawanae is known only from deeper reefs (35–60 m) from Fakfak Regency, West Papua. The final two species are E. cometa which is known from Fiji and Tonga and possesses red bars crossing the caudal fin (but lost in preservative) and a 9/8 dorsal/anal-fin formula, and E. oculineata sp. nov., which is described as new from New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, and possesses an 8/7 dorsal/anal-fin formula and lacks red caudal bars. Eviota oculineata has been confused with E. cometa in the past.
Keywordscoral-reef fishes, dwarfgoby, Eviota cometa, gobies, ichthyology, taxonomy, systematics
IntroductionThe genus Eviota, commonly known as dwarfgobies, contains 124 species (Greenfield 2021; Greenfield and Erdmann 2021), making it one of the most speciose genera of marine fishes. Several putatively widespread species of Eviota displaying morphological variation have recently been shown to be complexes of distinct species that are often distinguishable by a combination of genetic differences, subtle morphological characters, and/or differences in live coloration (Greenfield and Tornabene 2014; Tornabene et al. 2015, 2016). Another example of this phenomenon is demonstrated by the Eviota zebrina complex, a group containing eight genetic lineages based on mtDNA, including the nominal species Eviota zebrina Lachner & Karnella, 1978, E. cometa Jewett & Lachner, 1983, E. gunawanae Greenfield et al., 2019, E. tetha Greenfield & Erdmann, 2014, and several undescribed species (Greenfield et al. 2019). All species in this complex possess: (i) unbranched pectoral-fin rays; (ii) reduced fifth pelvic-fin rays (absent or rudimentary to ~ 15% length of fourth ray); (iii) pore patterns lacking only the IT pores, or both the IT and nasal pores Figure 1); (iv) fourth pelvic-fin ray with only 3–7 branches; (v) a red or dark brown lateral stripe on the body (stripe faint in E. pseudozebrina sp. nov.) that terminates in distinct black spot on the base of the caudal fin that is sometimes bordered with yellow in life (spot faint in E. tetha). The combination of the lateral stripe and black caudal spot are present only in two other species, E. sebreei Jordan & Seale, 1906 and E. punyit Tornabene et al., 2016, both of which differ from the E. zebrina complex in having a pore pattern lacking the PITO pore, and in having a fourth pelvic-fin ray with many more branches (11–15 vs. 3–7).
https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/66675/element/2/110/
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Lethrinus mitchelli, a new species of emperor fish (Teleostei: Lethrinidae) from Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea Allen, Gerald R.; Victor, Benjamin C.; Erdmann, Mark. V.
A new species of emperor fish, Lethrinus mitchelli, is described on the basis of three specimens, 109.4–111.3 mm SL, collected from 20 m at the East Cape region of Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. It is similar to the sympatric relatives L. semicinctus and L. rubrioperculatus, but differs in color pattern and has a narrower cheek (cheek height 3.2–3.6 in head length vs. 2.4–2.9). Other diagnostic features include head length (2.7 in SL) greater than body depth (3.0–3.1 in SL); the snout excluding the lip 1.3–1.4 in cheek height; the snout profile nearly straight, without a prominent hump, and about 55° to the upper jaw; conical lateral jaw teeth; the interorbital area nearly flat or convex; the fourth dorsal-fin spine longest; lateral-line scales 47; transverse scale rows below and above the lateral line 15 and 4.5 rows; and a fully-scaled area adjacent to the prominent bony spine at the posteriormost margin of the opercle (excluding fleshy flap). The new species has a distinctive color pattern: brown dorsally, whitish ventrally, with a broad, brown, posteriorly tapering band on the midlateral body, partially split anteriorly by a relatively broad, ascending diagonal white band. Lethrinus mitchelli is 6.11% sequence divergent (pairwise) in the mtDNA COI marker from its nearest relative, L. semicinctus, also from the East Indies. A table of COI divergences among mtDNA lineages assigned to 27 of the 28 known species of Lethrinus shows a set of distinctly different lineages, from 3.32% to 20.85% divergent from each other (minimum interspecific distances).
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A new species of emperor fish, Lethrinus mitchelli, is described on the basis of three specimens, 109.4–111.3 mm SL, collected from 20 m at the East Cape region of Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. It is similar to the sympatric relatives L. semicinctus and L. rubrioperculatus, but differs in color pattern and has a narrower cheek (cheek height 3.2–3.6 in head length vs. 2.4–2.9). Other diagnostic features include head length (2.7 in SL) greater than body depth (3.0–3.1 in SL); the snout excluding the lip 1.3–1.4 in cheek height; the snout profile nearly straight, without a prominent hump, and about 55° to the upper jaw; conical lateral jaw teeth; the interorbital area nearly flat or convex; the fourth dorsal-fin spine longest; lateral-line scales 47; transverse scale rows below and above the lateral line 15 and 4.5 rows; and a fully-scaled area adjacent to the prominent bony spine at the posteriormost margin of the opercle (excluding fleshy flap). The new species has a distinctive color pattern: brown dorsally, whitish ventrally, with a broad, brown, posteriorly tapering band on the midlateral body, partially split anteriorly by a relatively broad, ascending diagonal white band. Lethrinus mitchelli is 6.11% sequence divergent (pairwise) in the mtDNA COI marker from its nearest relative, L. semicinctus, also from the East Indies. A table of COI divergences among mtDNA lineages assigned to 27 of the 28 known species of Lethrinus shows a set of distinctly different lineages, from 3.32% to 20.85% divergent from each other (minimum interspecific distances).
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Evidence for genetic integration of mating behavior and morphology in a behaviorally plastic alternative reproductive tacticEvolutionary Ecology (2021)Cite this article
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Indoreonectes neeleshi & I. rajeevi • Two New Species of the Hillstream Loach Genus Indoreonectes (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from the northern Western Ghats of India
Indoreonectes evezardi (Day, 1872),
Indoreonectes neeleshi &
Indoreonectes rajeevi
Kumkar, Pise, Gorule, Verma & Kalous, 2021
DOI: 10.3897/vz.71.e62814
Abstract
The hill stream loach genus Indoreonectes is endemic to peninsular India south of the Satpura hill ranges and is represented by three species I. evezardi, I. keralensis and I. telanganaensis. Indoreonectes evezardi has been suggested as a species complex based on recent genetic studies; however, due to lack of type material the species delimitation has been difficult. Here we redescribe I. evezardi collected from its type locality and describe two new species from the northern Western Ghats of India. Indoreonectes neeleshi, described from Mula River tributary of Godavari river system, can be diagnosed from all its congeners based on a combination of characters: inner rostral barbel reaching middle of nostril; maxillary barbel reaching midway between eye and posterior border of operculum; dorsal hump behind nape; bars on lateral side of the body wider than inter-bar space; total vertebrae 35 and dorsal fin insertion between 13th and 14th abdominal vertebrae. Indoreonectes rajeevi, described from Hiranyakeshi River of the Krishna river system, differs from all its congeners based on a combination of characters: inner rostral barbel reaching anterior margin of eye; maxillary barbel reaching posterior border of operculum; conspicuous black markings on lower lip, dorsal hump absent; total vertebrae 36 and dorsal fin insertion between 12th and 13th abdominal vertebrae. Further, I. neeleshi differs from its congeners by the raw genetic distance of 6.8–14.4% for the cox1 gene and 5.7–16.2% for the cytb gene, while I. rajeevi differs from its congeners by the raw genetic distance of 10.9–14.0% for the cox1 gene and 11.8–15.8% for the cytb gene.
Keywords: Biodiversity hotspot, Godavari river system, Krishna river system, Maharashtra
Indoreonectes evezardi (BNHS FWF 1070, 33.5 mm SL), topotype,
collected from Kuran, Mutha River, Pune
Indoreonectes evezardi (Day, 1872)
Habitat and distribution: Indoreonectes evezardi was collected from fast-flowing clear streams with substrate consisting of rock, pebbles and sand. Co-occurring fish species include Paracanthocobitis mooreh, Schistura denisoni, Rasbora dandia and Devario malabaricus. Indoreonectes evezardi sensu stricto is currently known only from its type locality in Pune (see Keskar et al. 2018) from Mutha River a tributary of the east flowing Krishna river system, Maharashtra, India (Fig. 1).
Indoreonectes neeleshi holotype (BNHS FWF 1071, 38.54 mm SL).
Indoreonectes rajeevi holotype (BNHS FWF 1081, 45.76 mm SL).
Indoreonectes neeleshi sp. nov.
Common name: Neelesh’s hill stream loach
Diagnosis: Indoreonectes neeleshi can be distinguished from all congeners by having the lateral bars wider than inter-bar spaces (vs. narrower in I. evezardi, I. keralensis I. telanganaensis, and I. rajeevi). Further, Indoreonectes neeleshi can be distinguished from I. keralensis by having long nasal barbel reaching middle of eye (vs. short nasal barbel barely reaching anterior margin of eye); inner rostral barbel reaching middle of nostril (vs. reaching further posteriorly to anterior margin of eye); presence of dorsal hump behind nape (vs. absence); presence of a dark brown to black spot on base of first dorsal-fin ray and distinct spots on the dorsal side of head (vs. absence); caudal peduncle as deep as long (vs. longer than deep); spots on cheek below eye absent (vs. present). Indoreonectes neeleshi can be distinguished from I. evezardi by having caudal peduncle as deep as long (vs. deeper than long); caudal peduncle bar not divided (vs. divided into two spots). Indoreonectes neeleshi can be distinguished from I. telanganaensis by having inner rostral barbel reaching middle of nostril (vs. reaching further posteriorly to anterior margin of eye); spots on cheek below eye absent (vs. present). Indoreonectes neeleshi can be distinguished from I. rajeevi by having inner rostral barbel reaching middle of nostril (vs. reaching further posteriorly to anterior margin of eye); maxillary barbel not reaching posterior border of operculum (vs. reaching to posterior border of operculum); absence of conspicuous black marking on lower lip (vs. presence); presence of dorsal hump behind nape (vs. absence); dorsal-fin insertion between neural spines of 13th and 14th abdominal vertebrae (vs. between 12th and 13th abdominal vertebrae); caudal peduncle as deep as long (vs. slightly longer than deep); total vertebrae 35 (vs. 36).
Etymology: The species name honours Neelesh Dahanukar researcher from Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, India, for his remarkable contributions to the understanding of the systematics and evolution of Indian freshwater fishes.
Habitat and Distribution: Indoreonectes neeleshi was found in a fast-flowing clear stream with a rocky substrate. Co-occurring fish species include Parapsilorhynchus sp. and the exotic Gambusia affinis. Currently, Indoreonectes neeleshi is known only from its type locality in the Mula tributary of East flowing Godavari River at Harishchandragad, Maharashtra, India (Fig. 1).
Indoreonectes rajeevi sp. nov.
Common name: Rajeev’s hill stream loach
Diagnosis:
Indoreonectes rajeevi can be distinguished from all congeners by having maxillary barbel reaching the posterior border of operculum (vs. not reaching); presence of conspicuous black marking on the lower lip of mouth (vs. absence).
Indoreonectes rajeevi is further distinguished from I. keralensis by having long nasal barbel reaching middle of eye (vs. short nasal barbel barely reaching anterior margin of eye); dorsal-fin origin vertical from pelvic-fin base ...
Etymology: The species name honours Rajeev Raghavan from Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), Kochi, India, for his remarkable contributions to the understanding of the Systematics and Evolution of Indian freshwater fishes.
Habitat and Distribution: Indoreonectes rajeevi was found in a slow-flowing clear stream with boulders, pebbles and mud as major substratum. Co-occurring fish species includes Parapsilorhynchus sp., Schistura sp., Balitora laticauda, Rasbora dandia and Garra mullya. Currently, Indoreonectes rajeevi is known only from its type locality in the Hiranyakeshi tributary of east flowing Krishna River at Amboli, Maharashtra, India (Fig. 1).
Pradeep Kumkar, Manoj Pise, Pankaj A. Gorule, Chandani R. Verma and Lukáš Kalous. 2021. Two New Species of the Hillstream Loach Genus Indoreonectes from the northern Western Ghats of India (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). Vertebrate Zoology. 71: 517-533. DOI: 10.3897/vz.71.e62814
==========================
Indoreonectes evezardi (Day, 1872),
Indoreonectes neeleshi &
Indoreonectes rajeevi
Kumkar, Pise, Gorule, Verma & Kalous, 2021
DOI: 10.3897/vz.71.e62814
Abstract
The hill stream loach genus Indoreonectes is endemic to peninsular India south of the Satpura hill ranges and is represented by three species I. evezardi, I. keralensis and I. telanganaensis. Indoreonectes evezardi has been suggested as a species complex based on recent genetic studies; however, due to lack of type material the species delimitation has been difficult. Here we redescribe I. evezardi collected from its type locality and describe two new species from the northern Western Ghats of India. Indoreonectes neeleshi, described from Mula River tributary of Godavari river system, can be diagnosed from all its congeners based on a combination of characters: inner rostral barbel reaching middle of nostril; maxillary barbel reaching midway between eye and posterior border of operculum; dorsal hump behind nape; bars on lateral side of the body wider than inter-bar space; total vertebrae 35 and dorsal fin insertion between 13th and 14th abdominal vertebrae. Indoreonectes rajeevi, described from Hiranyakeshi River of the Krishna river system, differs from all its congeners based on a combination of characters: inner rostral barbel reaching anterior margin of eye; maxillary barbel reaching posterior border of operculum; conspicuous black markings on lower lip, dorsal hump absent; total vertebrae 36 and dorsal fin insertion between 12th and 13th abdominal vertebrae. Further, I. neeleshi differs from its congeners by the raw genetic distance of 6.8–14.4% for the cox1 gene and 5.7–16.2% for the cytb gene, while I. rajeevi differs from its congeners by the raw genetic distance of 10.9–14.0% for the cox1 gene and 11.8–15.8% for the cytb gene.
Keywords: Biodiversity hotspot, Godavari river system, Krishna river system, Maharashtra
Indoreonectes evezardi (BNHS FWF 1070, 33.5 mm SL), topotype,
collected from Kuran, Mutha River, Pune
Indoreonectes evezardi (Day, 1872)
Habitat and distribution: Indoreonectes evezardi was collected from fast-flowing clear streams with substrate consisting of rock, pebbles and sand. Co-occurring fish species include Paracanthocobitis mooreh, Schistura denisoni, Rasbora dandia and Devario malabaricus. Indoreonectes evezardi sensu stricto is currently known only from its type locality in Pune (see Keskar et al. 2018) from Mutha River a tributary of the east flowing Krishna river system, Maharashtra, India (Fig. 1).
Indoreonectes neeleshi holotype (BNHS FWF 1071, 38.54 mm SL).
Indoreonectes rajeevi holotype (BNHS FWF 1081, 45.76 mm SL).
Indoreonectes neeleshi sp. nov.
Common name: Neelesh’s hill stream loach
Diagnosis: Indoreonectes neeleshi can be distinguished from all congeners by having the lateral bars wider than inter-bar spaces (vs. narrower in I. evezardi, I. keralensis I. telanganaensis, and I. rajeevi). Further, Indoreonectes neeleshi can be distinguished from I. keralensis by having long nasal barbel reaching middle of eye (vs. short nasal barbel barely reaching anterior margin of eye); inner rostral barbel reaching middle of nostril (vs. reaching further posteriorly to anterior margin of eye); presence of dorsal hump behind nape (vs. absence); presence of a dark brown to black spot on base of first dorsal-fin ray and distinct spots on the dorsal side of head (vs. absence); caudal peduncle as deep as long (vs. longer than deep); spots on cheek below eye absent (vs. present). Indoreonectes neeleshi can be distinguished from I. evezardi by having caudal peduncle as deep as long (vs. deeper than long); caudal peduncle bar not divided (vs. divided into two spots). Indoreonectes neeleshi can be distinguished from I. telanganaensis by having inner rostral barbel reaching middle of nostril (vs. reaching further posteriorly to anterior margin of eye); spots on cheek below eye absent (vs. present). Indoreonectes neeleshi can be distinguished from I. rajeevi by having inner rostral barbel reaching middle of nostril (vs. reaching further posteriorly to anterior margin of eye); maxillary barbel not reaching posterior border of operculum (vs. reaching to posterior border of operculum); absence of conspicuous black marking on lower lip (vs. presence); presence of dorsal hump behind nape (vs. absence); dorsal-fin insertion between neural spines of 13th and 14th abdominal vertebrae (vs. between 12th and 13th abdominal vertebrae); caudal peduncle as deep as long (vs. slightly longer than deep); total vertebrae 35 (vs. 36).
Etymology: The species name honours Neelesh Dahanukar researcher from Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, India, for his remarkable contributions to the understanding of the systematics and evolution of Indian freshwater fishes.
Habitat and Distribution: Indoreonectes neeleshi was found in a fast-flowing clear stream with a rocky substrate. Co-occurring fish species include Parapsilorhynchus sp. and the exotic Gambusia affinis. Currently, Indoreonectes neeleshi is known only from its type locality in the Mula tributary of East flowing Godavari River at Harishchandragad, Maharashtra, India (Fig. 1).
Indoreonectes rajeevi sp. nov.
Common name: Rajeev’s hill stream loach
Diagnosis:
Indoreonectes rajeevi can be distinguished from all congeners by having maxillary barbel reaching the posterior border of operculum (vs. not reaching); presence of conspicuous black marking on the lower lip of mouth (vs. absence).
Indoreonectes rajeevi is further distinguished from I. keralensis by having long nasal barbel reaching middle of eye (vs. short nasal barbel barely reaching anterior margin of eye); dorsal-fin origin vertical from pelvic-fin base ...
Etymology: The species name honours Rajeev Raghavan from Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), Kochi, India, for his remarkable contributions to the understanding of the Systematics and Evolution of Indian freshwater fishes.
Habitat and Distribution: Indoreonectes rajeevi was found in a slow-flowing clear stream with boulders, pebbles and mud as major substratum. Co-occurring fish species includes Parapsilorhynchus sp., Schistura sp., Balitora laticauda, Rasbora dandia and Garra mullya. Currently, Indoreonectes rajeevi is known only from its type locality in the Hiranyakeshi tributary of east flowing Krishna River at Amboli, Maharashtra, India (Fig. 1).
Pradeep Kumkar, Manoj Pise, Pankaj A. Gorule, Chandani R. Verma and Lukáš Kalous. 2021. Two New Species of the Hillstream Loach Genus Indoreonectes from the northern Western Ghats of India (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). Vertebrate Zoology. 71: 517-533. DOI: 10.3897/vz.71.e62814
==========================
Cirrhilabrus aquamarinus & C. chaliasi • Redescription of Cirrhilabrus solorensis Bleeker, with Description of Two New Species of Fairy Wrasses (Teleostei: Labridae: Cirrhilabrus)
Cirrhilabrus aquamarinus
Tea, Allen & Dailami, 2021
DOI: 10.1643/i2021022
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Abstract
The labrid fish Cirrhilabrus solorensis was first described in 1853 by Bleeker, based on specimens collected from the Indonesian island of Solor, off the eastern tip of Flores in the Lesser Sunda Islands. Although sufficient at the time, Bleeker's description of the species was brief, resulting in subsequent taxonomic confusion concerning the true identity of this taxon. Presently, the name has been applied to several fishes with notable differences in coloration, particularly in the terminal males. On the basis of additional non-type material and photographic examination of Bleeker's holotype, we redescribe Cirrhilabrus solorensis and resolve the long-standing contention regarding its taxonomic identity. In doing so, we describe two species as new, Cirrhilabrus aquamarinus, new species, on the basis of the holotype and eight paratypes from Sulawesi and the surrounding islands of Banggai and Wakatobi, Indonesia, and Cirrhilabrus chaliasi, new species, described on the basis of the holotype and nine paratypes from Bali, Indonesia. These three species are closely related and, together with C. aurantidorsalis, C. cyanopleura, C. luteovittatus, C. randalli, and C. ryukyuensis, form a complex of species that differ from congeners in having the following combination of characters: caudal fin in males weakly rhomboidal; median fins hyaline with sinuous filigree in both sexes; body with scales edged in inky blue to indigo, their margins often patterned in an argyle motif; and osseus elements that preserve blue to blue-green in alcohol. We briefly discuss the phylogenetic relationships of species in this complex based on results of a companion study detailed elsewhere.
Cirrhilabrus solorensis, freshly euthanized and wild individuals showing coloration in life.
(A) BPBM 30166, 71 mm SL, male, Gili Ayer, Lombok, Indonesia;
(B) BPBM 32146, 75 mm SL, male, Maumere Bay, Flores, Indonesia; (
C) BPBM, 18612, 56 mm SL, male, Ambon Bay, Indonesia;
(D) a large harem of C. solorensis comprising both sexes, underwater photograph from Flores, Indonesia. Note extensive hard coral cover;
(E) Cirrhilabrus solorensis, male, underwater photograph from Flores, Indonesia.
Photographs by J. E. Randall (A–C) and R. Whitton (D, E).
Cirrhilabrus solorensis Bleeker, 1853
Solor Fairy Wrasse
Etymology.--Named after the type location of the species, Lawajong, Solor Island, Indonesia.
A selection of freshly euthanized and preserved species of Cirrhilabrus.
Cirrhilabrus solorensis, (A–B) NTM S.17835-002, 93.0 mm SL, male, Franklin Shoal Timor Sea;
(C) RMNH.PISC.6547 (holotype), 87.5 mm SL, male, Solor Island, Indonesia;
Cirrhilabrus aquamarinus, new species, (D) AMS I.49509-001, 55.0 mm SL, male, Kendari, Sulawesi;
(E) MZB 26051 (formerly WAM P.34500-001), 77.4 mm SL, male, Lintea Selatan Channel, Wakatobi Group, Banda Sea, Indonesia;
(F) WAM P.34500-001, 73.8 mm SL, male, Lintea Selatan Channel, Wakatobi Group, Banda Sea, Indonesia;
Cirrhilabrus chaliasi, new species, (G–H) MZB 26052 (holotype), 60.1 mm SL, male, Bali, Indonesia;
(I) WAM P.35201-001, 65.1 mm SL, male, Bali, Indonesia.
Photographs by M. Hammer (A–B), E. Dondorp (C), Y. K. Tea (D), G. R. Allen (E–F), H. H. Tan (G), and Y. K. Tea (H–I).
A selection of species of Cirrhilabrus in life.
(A) Cirrhilabrus solorensis, male, underwater photograph from Rinca, Indonesia;
(B) Cirrhilabrus solorensis, male, underwater photograph from Pura, Indonesia;
(C) Cirrhilabrus solorensis, underwater photograph from Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Note Pseudanthias tuka and live hard coral cover;
(D) Cirrhilabrus aquamarinus, new species, transitioning male, underwater photograph from Wakatobi, Sulawesi, Indonesia;
(E) Cirrhilabrus aquamarinus, new species, terminal male, aquarium specimen from Kendari, Sulawesi, Indonesia;
(F) Cirrhilabrus aquamarinus, new species, males and females, underwater photograph from Kendari, Sulawesi;
(G) Cirrhilabrus chaliasi, new species, young male, underwater photograph from Bali, Indonesia;
(H–I) Cirrhilabrus chaliasi, new species, terminal males and females, underwater photograph from Bali, Indonesia.
Photographs by F. Libert (A–B), S. Penisson (C), G. R. Allen (D), K. Kohen (E), V. Chalias (F), J. Heard (G), H. Chan (H), and V. Chalias (I).
Distribution records for species of the Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura complex.
Dashed line represents the Coral Triangle. Shaded regions (open circles) represent general distributional ranges. Closed circles represent locality records.
Photographs of C. ryukyuensis by S. Harazaki; C. aff. ryukyuensis by G. R. Allen; all others by Y. K. Tea.
Cirrhilabrus aquamarinus, new species
Chin-strap Fairy Wrasse
Habitat and distribution.— Cirrhilabrus aquamarinus occurs primarily in eastern Sulawesi and the surrounding islands of Banggai and Wakatobi. Rare individuals have also been reported from Banda Neira. The species frequents shallow exposed rubble at depths between 5–20 m (Fig. 5F).
Etymology.— The specific epithet is given after the brilliant teal to aquamarine males, an unusual color shared with no other species of Cirrhilabrus. The common name alludes to the chin-strapped appearance formed by the intensely pigmented opercular scales of the males.
Cirrhilabrus chaliasi, new species
Ruby-headed Fairy Wrasse
Habitat and distribution.— Cirrhilabrus chaliasi is known from Bali, Sumbawa, Lombok, Flores, Komodo, and Rinca. It is also reported from Wakatobi, Sulawesi, where it overlaps with C. aquamarinus, though this appears to be a rare distribution record. It frequents the same habitat as other species in its complex, consisting of rubble zones with sporadic coral cover at depths between 8–20 m.
Etymology.--The specific epithet is given in honour of Vincent Chalias, a skilled underwater photographer, field biologist, and proponent of coral and fish aquaculture in Bali. He greatly assisted in the description of the new species through his excellent underwater photographs and detailed field observations.
Yi-Kai Tea, Gerald R. Allen and Muhammad Dailami. 2021. Redescription of Cirrhilabrus solorensis Bleeker, with Description of Two New Species of Fairy Wrasses (Teleostei: Labridae: Cirrhilabrus). Ichthyology & Herpetology. 109(3); 669-684. DOI: 10.1643/i2021022
twitter.com/IchsAndHerps/status/1426263809426079753
twitter.com/FishGuyKai/status/1426176461673697282
==========================
Cirrhilabrus aquamarinus
Tea, Allen & Dailami, 2021
DOI: 10.1643/i2021022
twitter.com/IchsAndHerps
twitter.com/FishGuyKai
Abstract
The labrid fish Cirrhilabrus solorensis was first described in 1853 by Bleeker, based on specimens collected from the Indonesian island of Solor, off the eastern tip of Flores in the Lesser Sunda Islands. Although sufficient at the time, Bleeker's description of the species was brief, resulting in subsequent taxonomic confusion concerning the true identity of this taxon. Presently, the name has been applied to several fishes with notable differences in coloration, particularly in the terminal males. On the basis of additional non-type material and photographic examination of Bleeker's holotype, we redescribe Cirrhilabrus solorensis and resolve the long-standing contention regarding its taxonomic identity. In doing so, we describe two species as new, Cirrhilabrus aquamarinus, new species, on the basis of the holotype and eight paratypes from Sulawesi and the surrounding islands of Banggai and Wakatobi, Indonesia, and Cirrhilabrus chaliasi, new species, described on the basis of the holotype and nine paratypes from Bali, Indonesia. These three species are closely related and, together with C. aurantidorsalis, C. cyanopleura, C. luteovittatus, C. randalli, and C. ryukyuensis, form a complex of species that differ from congeners in having the following combination of characters: caudal fin in males weakly rhomboidal; median fins hyaline with sinuous filigree in both sexes; body with scales edged in inky blue to indigo, their margins often patterned in an argyle motif; and osseus elements that preserve blue to blue-green in alcohol. We briefly discuss the phylogenetic relationships of species in this complex based on results of a companion study detailed elsewhere.
Cirrhilabrus solorensis, freshly euthanized and wild individuals showing coloration in life.
(A) BPBM 30166, 71 mm SL, male, Gili Ayer, Lombok, Indonesia;
(B) BPBM 32146, 75 mm SL, male, Maumere Bay, Flores, Indonesia; (
C) BPBM, 18612, 56 mm SL, male, Ambon Bay, Indonesia;
(D) a large harem of C. solorensis comprising both sexes, underwater photograph from Flores, Indonesia. Note extensive hard coral cover;
(E) Cirrhilabrus solorensis, male, underwater photograph from Flores, Indonesia.
Photographs by J. E. Randall (A–C) and R. Whitton (D, E).
Cirrhilabrus solorensis Bleeker, 1853
Solor Fairy Wrasse
Etymology.--Named after the type location of the species, Lawajong, Solor Island, Indonesia.
A selection of freshly euthanized and preserved species of Cirrhilabrus.
Cirrhilabrus solorensis, (A–B) NTM S.17835-002, 93.0 mm SL, male, Franklin Shoal Timor Sea;
(C) RMNH.PISC.6547 (holotype), 87.5 mm SL, male, Solor Island, Indonesia;
Cirrhilabrus aquamarinus, new species, (D) AMS I.49509-001, 55.0 mm SL, male, Kendari, Sulawesi;
(E) MZB 26051 (formerly WAM P.34500-001), 77.4 mm SL, male, Lintea Selatan Channel, Wakatobi Group, Banda Sea, Indonesia;
(F) WAM P.34500-001, 73.8 mm SL, male, Lintea Selatan Channel, Wakatobi Group, Banda Sea, Indonesia;
Cirrhilabrus chaliasi, new species, (G–H) MZB 26052 (holotype), 60.1 mm SL, male, Bali, Indonesia;
(I) WAM P.35201-001, 65.1 mm SL, male, Bali, Indonesia.
Photographs by M. Hammer (A–B), E. Dondorp (C), Y. K. Tea (D), G. R. Allen (E–F), H. H. Tan (G), and Y. K. Tea (H–I).
A selection of species of Cirrhilabrus in life.
(A) Cirrhilabrus solorensis, male, underwater photograph from Rinca, Indonesia;
(B) Cirrhilabrus solorensis, male, underwater photograph from Pura, Indonesia;
(C) Cirrhilabrus solorensis, underwater photograph from Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Note Pseudanthias tuka and live hard coral cover;
(D) Cirrhilabrus aquamarinus, new species, transitioning male, underwater photograph from Wakatobi, Sulawesi, Indonesia;
(E) Cirrhilabrus aquamarinus, new species, terminal male, aquarium specimen from Kendari, Sulawesi, Indonesia;
(F) Cirrhilabrus aquamarinus, new species, males and females, underwater photograph from Kendari, Sulawesi;
(G) Cirrhilabrus chaliasi, new species, young male, underwater photograph from Bali, Indonesia;
(H–I) Cirrhilabrus chaliasi, new species, terminal males and females, underwater photograph from Bali, Indonesia.
Photographs by F. Libert (A–B), S. Penisson (C), G. R. Allen (D), K. Kohen (E), V. Chalias (F), J. Heard (G), H. Chan (H), and V. Chalias (I).
Distribution records for species of the Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura complex.
Dashed line represents the Coral Triangle. Shaded regions (open circles) represent general distributional ranges. Closed circles represent locality records.
Photographs of C. ryukyuensis by S. Harazaki; C. aff. ryukyuensis by G. R. Allen; all others by Y. K. Tea.
Cirrhilabrus aquamarinus, new species
Chin-strap Fairy Wrasse
Habitat and distribution.— Cirrhilabrus aquamarinus occurs primarily in eastern Sulawesi and the surrounding islands of Banggai and Wakatobi. Rare individuals have also been reported from Banda Neira. The species frequents shallow exposed rubble at depths between 5–20 m (Fig. 5F).
Etymology.— The specific epithet is given after the brilliant teal to aquamarine males, an unusual color shared with no other species of Cirrhilabrus. The common name alludes to the chin-strapped appearance formed by the intensely pigmented opercular scales of the males.
Cirrhilabrus chaliasi, new species
Ruby-headed Fairy Wrasse
Habitat and distribution.— Cirrhilabrus chaliasi is known from Bali, Sumbawa, Lombok, Flores, Komodo, and Rinca. It is also reported from Wakatobi, Sulawesi, where it overlaps with C. aquamarinus, though this appears to be a rare distribution record. It frequents the same habitat as other species in its complex, consisting of rubble zones with sporadic coral cover at depths between 8–20 m.
Etymology.--The specific epithet is given in honour of Vincent Chalias, a skilled underwater photographer, field biologist, and proponent of coral and fish aquaculture in Bali. He greatly assisted in the description of the new species through his excellent underwater photographs and detailed field observations.
Yi-Kai Tea, Gerald R. Allen and Muhammad Dailami. 2021. Redescription of Cirrhilabrus solorensis Bleeker, with Description of Two New Species of Fairy Wrasses (Teleostei: Labridae: Cirrhilabrus). Ichthyology & Herpetology. 109(3); 669-684. DOI: 10.1643/i2021022
twitter.com/IchsAndHerps/status/1426263809426079753
twitter.com/FishGuyKai/status/1426176461673697282
==========================
Glaucostegus younholeei • A New Species of Giant Guitarfish (Rhinopristiformes: Glaucostegidae) from the northern Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh
Glaucostegus younholeei
Habib & Islam, 2021
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4995.1.7
twitter.com/HabibKaziAhsan
Abstract
A new species of giant guitarfish, Glaucostegus younholeei sp. nov., is described from 13 specimens, 730–933 mm total length, collected from fish landing center of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation in Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh. The new species is distinguished from congeners in having the following combination of characters: Body brownish or greyish in color with a narrowly wedge-shaped disc, and long narrow bluntly pointed snout (angle 31–40°), and broad oblique nostrils with the narrow anterior opening. Nostrils about half of the mouth width, subequal (0.98–1.33) to internasal width; ~55–57 nasal lamellae; anterior nasal flaps slightly penetrating into internasal space, their interspace 2.20– 2.61 in length of the posterior nasal aperture. Orbit very small in adults, diameter 8.19–11.62 in preorbital length, 2.25–2.69 in interorbital space. Rostral ridges almost joined along their entire length; margin of cranium sharply demarcated before eyes. Spiracular folds very short and widely separated. Skin rough, densely covered with small denticles, more coarsely granular on the dorsal surface than ventrally, enlarged between orbits and in a distinct band between nape and first dorsal fin. Tail relatively longer, length 1.15–1.48 in disc length; dorsal fins narrowly spaced, interspace 1.32–2.11 in base length of the first dorsal fin. Clasper length in adult male 4.37–5.70 in total length. Phylogenetic analysis of DNA barcode sequences also shows the clear divergence of Glaucostegus younholeei from other congeneric species obtained from GenBank. A key is provided to the 8 known members including new species of the genus Glaucostegus.
Keywords: Pisces, Bangladeshi guitarfish, taxonomy, morphology, DNA Barcoding, Vulnerable
Glaucostegus younholeei sp. nov.,
Kazi Ahsan Habib and Md Jayedul Islam. 2021. Description of A New Species of Giant Guitarfish, Glaucostegus younholeei sp. nov. (Rhinopristiformes: Glaucostegidae) from the northern Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh. Zootaxa. 4995(1); 129-146. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4995.1.7
Researchgate.net/publication/352817163_a_new_species_of_Glaucostegus_from_the_northern_Bay_of_Bengal_Bangladesh
twitter.com/HabibKaziAhsan/status/1410482809349689345
==========================
Glaucostegus younholeei
Habib & Islam, 2021
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4995.1.7
twitter.com/HabibKaziAhsan
Abstract
A new species of giant guitarfish, Glaucostegus younholeei sp. nov., is described from 13 specimens, 730–933 mm total length, collected from fish landing center of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation in Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh. The new species is distinguished from congeners in having the following combination of characters: Body brownish or greyish in color with a narrowly wedge-shaped disc, and long narrow bluntly pointed snout (angle 31–40°), and broad oblique nostrils with the narrow anterior opening. Nostrils about half of the mouth width, subequal (0.98–1.33) to internasal width; ~55–57 nasal lamellae; anterior nasal flaps slightly penetrating into internasal space, their interspace 2.20– 2.61 in length of the posterior nasal aperture. Orbit very small in adults, diameter 8.19–11.62 in preorbital length, 2.25–2.69 in interorbital space. Rostral ridges almost joined along their entire length; margin of cranium sharply demarcated before eyes. Spiracular folds very short and widely separated. Skin rough, densely covered with small denticles, more coarsely granular on the dorsal surface than ventrally, enlarged between orbits and in a distinct band between nape and first dorsal fin. Tail relatively longer, length 1.15–1.48 in disc length; dorsal fins narrowly spaced, interspace 1.32–2.11 in base length of the first dorsal fin. Clasper length in adult male 4.37–5.70 in total length. Phylogenetic analysis of DNA barcode sequences also shows the clear divergence of Glaucostegus younholeei from other congeneric species obtained from GenBank. A key is provided to the 8 known members including new species of the genus Glaucostegus.
Keywords: Pisces, Bangladeshi guitarfish, taxonomy, morphology, DNA Barcoding, Vulnerable
Glaucostegus younholeei sp. nov.,
Kazi Ahsan Habib and Md Jayedul Islam. 2021. Description of A New Species of Giant Guitarfish, Glaucostegus younholeei sp. nov. (Rhinopristiformes: Glaucostegidae) from the northern Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh. Zootaxa. 4995(1); 129-146. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4995.1.7
Researchgate.net/publication/352817163_a_new_species_of_Glaucostegus_from_the_northern_Bay_of_Bengal_Bangladesh
twitter.com/HabibKaziAhsan/status/1410482809349689345
==========================
Registration is OPEN for vendors for the Sept 19th MASI Fall Swap Meet !
We have 50+ tables full of locally and regionally raised Fish, plants, plus foods, decor, tanks and more !
If your interested in vending, just let me know. We still have almost 20 tables available, at 25.00 each. Electric access still available also !
300+ are expected to walk through, so don't miss out !
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We have 50+ tables full of locally and regionally raised Fish, plants, plus foods, decor, tanks and more !
If your interested in vending, just let me know. We still have almost 20 tables available, at 25.00 each. Electric access still available also !
300+ are expected to walk through, so don't miss out !
==========================
Lethrinus mitchelli, a new species of emperor fish (Teleostei: Lethrinidae) from Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea Allen, Gerald R.; Victor, Benjamin C.; Erdmann, Mark. V.
A new species of emperor fish, Lethrinus mitchelli, is described on the basis of three specimens, 109.4–111.3 mm SL, collected from 20 m at the East Cape region of Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. It is similar to the sympatric relatives L. semicinctus and L. rubrioperculatus, but differs in color pattern and has a narrower cheek (cheek height 3.2–3.6 in head length vs. 2.4–2.9). Other diagnostic features include head length (2.7 in SL) greater than body depth (3.0–3.1 in SL); the snout excluding the lip 1.3–1.4 in cheek height; the snout profile nearly straight, without a prominent hump, and about 55° to the upper jaw; conical lateral jaw teeth; the interorbital area nearly flat or convex; the fourth dorsal-fin spine longest; lateral-line scales 47; transverse scale rows below and above the lateral line 15 and 4.5 rows; and a fully-scaled area adjacent to the prominent bony spine at the posteriormost margin of the opercle (excluding fleshy flap). The new species has a distinctive color pattern: brown dorsally, whitish ventrally, with a broad, brown, posteriorly tapering band on the midlateral body, partially split anteriorly by a relatively broad, ascending diagonal white band. Lethrinus mitchelli is 6.11% sequence divergent (pairwise) in the mtDNA COI marker from its nearest relative, L. semicinctus, also from the East Indies. A table of COI divergences among mtDNA lineages assigned to 27 of the 28 known species of Lethrinus shows a set of distinctly different lineages, from 3.32% to 20.85% divergent from each other (minimum interspecific distances).
Preview
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A new species of emperor fish, Lethrinus mitchelli, is described on the basis of three specimens, 109.4–111.3 mm SL, collected from 20 m at the East Cape region of Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. It is similar to the sympatric relatives L. semicinctus and L. rubrioperculatus, but differs in color pattern and has a narrower cheek (cheek height 3.2–3.6 in head length vs. 2.4–2.9). Other diagnostic features include head length (2.7 in SL) greater than body depth (3.0–3.1 in SL); the snout excluding the lip 1.3–1.4 in cheek height; the snout profile nearly straight, without a prominent hump, and about 55° to the upper jaw; conical lateral jaw teeth; the interorbital area nearly flat or convex; the fourth dorsal-fin spine longest; lateral-line scales 47; transverse scale rows below and above the lateral line 15 and 4.5 rows; and a fully-scaled area adjacent to the prominent bony spine at the posteriormost margin of the opercle (excluding fleshy flap). The new species has a distinctive color pattern: brown dorsally, whitish ventrally, with a broad, brown, posteriorly tapering band on the midlateral body, partially split anteriorly by a relatively broad, ascending diagonal white band. Lethrinus mitchelli is 6.11% sequence divergent (pairwise) in the mtDNA COI marker from its nearest relative, L. semicinctus, also from the East Indies. A table of COI divergences among mtDNA lineages assigned to 27 of the 28 known species of Lethrinus shows a set of distinctly different lineages, from 3.32% to 20.85% divergent from each other (minimum interspecific distances).
Preview
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The Birmingham Aquatic Club is hosting our second in person event of 2021.
Please come and join us for a fishkeeping afternoon. Everyone is welcome to attend and will be greeted with a warm welcome. If you are not a member, feel free to sign up for a membership at this event. We have hired a large private function room for this event. There will be a large fish auction, raffle, tombola, goody bags for members, hot and cold refreshments, the fishkeepers library scheme, free water testing, product reps, display tanks and much more! Don't forget to bring some bags if you plan on buying some fish. The club has an auction rack so you can have a good look at all the fish up for sale before bidding. The auction starts at 3.30pm.
If you want to auction any fish, please get in touch by emailing birmingham.aquatic.club@hotmail.com so you can be given an auction reference for your lots
==========================
Please come and join us for a fishkeeping afternoon. Everyone is welcome to attend and will be greeted with a warm welcome. If you are not a member, feel free to sign up for a membership at this event. We have hired a large private function room for this event. There will be a large fish auction, raffle, tombola, goody bags for members, hot and cold refreshments, the fishkeepers library scheme, free water testing, product reps, display tanks and much more! Don't forget to bring some bags if you plan on buying some fish. The club has an auction rack so you can have a good look at all the fish up for sale before bidding. The auction starts at 3.30pm.
If you want to auction any fish, please get in touch by emailing birmingham.aquatic.club@hotmail.com so you can be given an auction reference for your lots
==========================
Pseudanthias hangapiko • A New Anthiadine Serranid (Perciformes, Serranidae, Anthiadinae) from Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
Pseudanthias hangapiko
Shepherd, Pinheiro, Phelps, Pérez-Matus & Rocha, 2021
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1054.64508
Abstract
Pseudanthias hangapiko sp. nov. (Teleostei, Serranidae, Anthiadinae) is herein described from three specimens collected from a depth of 83 m in a mesophotic coral ecosystem off Hanga Piko, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile. Pseudanthias hangapiko sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners in live coloration and by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays X, 17; anal-fin rays III, 8; pectoral-fin rays 16 (left side of one specimen 17); vertebrae 10+16; scales relatively large, two scales above lateral-line to base of fifth dorsal spine, and 16–17 circumpeduncular scales; gill rakers 11+23; and a slender body, with greatest body depth 3.6 (3.4–3.8) in SL. The most similar DNA barcodes (mitochondrial COI gene) are from Pseudanthias ventralis Randall, 1979 and Pseudanthias hawaiiensis Randall, 1979, with 16.8% and 17.0% uncorrected divergence, respectively. This fish is one of four new species that were documented from a pair of technical dives at a single location in Rapa Nui, emphasizing the high number of undescribed species likely still unknown in mesophotic coral ecosystems, especially in geographically remote locations. Pseudanthias hangapiko sp. nov. adds to the Rapa Nui ichthyofauna, which hosts the second-highest level of endemism in both shallow and deep-water fishes.
Keywords: Biodiversity, coral-reef twilight zone, ichthyology, island, mesophotic coral ecosystem, reef fish, taxonomy
Pseudanthias hangapiko sp. nov.
Diagnosis: The following combination of characters distinguishes Pseudanthias hangapiko sp. nov. from congeners: dorsal rays X, 17; anal rays III, 8; pectoral rays 16 (left side of one specimen 17); vertebrae 10+16; scales relatively large, two scales between lateral line and base of fifth dorsal spine, and 16 (17) circumpeduncular scales; gill rakers 11+22–23; body very slender and compressed, the greatest body depth 3.4–3.8 in SL; caudal peduncle short, its length 2.6–3.3 in HL; sexually dichromatic, with male coloration red dorsally, yellow laterally, silvery-pink on throat and belly; females pink, silvery-pink on operculum, throat and belly; both sexes dark red on top of head, along anterior two-thirds of dorsal fin base; both sexes with rows of irregularly-spaced metallic magenta spots laterally, and red dorsal and caudal fins with yellow highlights.
Etymology: The species is named for the location where it was collected, Hanga Piko, meaning “hidden bay” in the Rapa Nui language. To be treated as a noun in apposition.
Common name: Rapa Nui Fairy Basslet.
Bart Shepherd, Hudson T. Pinheiro, Tyler A. Y. Phelps, Alejandro Pérez-Matus and Luiz A. Rocha. 2021. Pseudanthias hangapiko, A New Anthiadine Serranid (Teleostei, Serranidae, Anthiadinae) from Rapa Nui (Easter Island). ZooKeys. 1054: 1-13. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1054.64508
==========================
Pseudanthias hangapiko
Shepherd, Pinheiro, Phelps, Pérez-Matus & Rocha, 2021
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1054.64508
Abstract
Pseudanthias hangapiko sp. nov. (Teleostei, Serranidae, Anthiadinae) is herein described from three specimens collected from a depth of 83 m in a mesophotic coral ecosystem off Hanga Piko, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile. Pseudanthias hangapiko sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners in live coloration and by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays X, 17; anal-fin rays III, 8; pectoral-fin rays 16 (left side of one specimen 17); vertebrae 10+16; scales relatively large, two scales above lateral-line to base of fifth dorsal spine, and 16–17 circumpeduncular scales; gill rakers 11+23; and a slender body, with greatest body depth 3.6 (3.4–3.8) in SL. The most similar DNA barcodes (mitochondrial COI gene) are from Pseudanthias ventralis Randall, 1979 and Pseudanthias hawaiiensis Randall, 1979, with 16.8% and 17.0% uncorrected divergence, respectively. This fish is one of four new species that were documented from a pair of technical dives at a single location in Rapa Nui, emphasizing the high number of undescribed species likely still unknown in mesophotic coral ecosystems, especially in geographically remote locations. Pseudanthias hangapiko sp. nov. adds to the Rapa Nui ichthyofauna, which hosts the second-highest level of endemism in both shallow and deep-water fishes.
Keywords: Biodiversity, coral-reef twilight zone, ichthyology, island, mesophotic coral ecosystem, reef fish, taxonomy
Pseudanthias hangapiko sp. nov.
Diagnosis: The following combination of characters distinguishes Pseudanthias hangapiko sp. nov. from congeners: dorsal rays X, 17; anal rays III, 8; pectoral rays 16 (left side of one specimen 17); vertebrae 10+16; scales relatively large, two scales between lateral line and base of fifth dorsal spine, and 16 (17) circumpeduncular scales; gill rakers 11+22–23; body very slender and compressed, the greatest body depth 3.4–3.8 in SL; caudal peduncle short, its length 2.6–3.3 in HL; sexually dichromatic, with male coloration red dorsally, yellow laterally, silvery-pink on throat and belly; females pink, silvery-pink on operculum, throat and belly; both sexes dark red on top of head, along anterior two-thirds of dorsal fin base; both sexes with rows of irregularly-spaced metallic magenta spots laterally, and red dorsal and caudal fins with yellow highlights.
Etymology: The species is named for the location where it was collected, Hanga Piko, meaning “hidden bay” in the Rapa Nui language. To be treated as a noun in apposition.
Common name: Rapa Nui Fairy Basslet.
Bart Shepherd, Hudson T. Pinheiro, Tyler A. Y. Phelps, Alejandro Pérez-Matus and Luiz A. Rocha. 2021. Pseudanthias hangapiko, A New Anthiadine Serranid (Teleostei, Serranidae, Anthiadinae) from Rapa Nui (Easter Island). ZooKeys. 1054: 1-13. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1054.64508
==========================
Coloconger maculatus sp. nov., a species of short-tail eel from eastern Taiwan (Anguilliformes: Colocongridae)
PISCESACTINOPTERYGIIELOPOMORPHATAXONOMYICHTHYOLOGYAbstractA new species of Coloconger is described from a large female collected off eastern Taiwan. It can be distinguished from congeners by having a large black blotch on rear portion of tail; posterior end of tail white; and combination of characters: head small 15.7% TL; 4 supratemporal pores, middle 2 in pair; 7 supraorbital pores, 2 pores over posterior nostril; 12 or 14 infraorbital pores; 14 preoperculomandibular pores; 226 dorsal-fin rays and 122 anal-fin rays; preanal vertebrae 77 and total vertebrae 145; rictus through a vertical of posterior margin of pupil; snout shorter than eye diameter; distance between origins of pectoral and dorsal fins 69.4% pectoral-fin length; and body brownish gray dorsally, light gray ventrally, and dorsal fin dark gray. Data and variations of Coloconger japonicus found in Taiwan are provided and discussed.
References
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Kanazawa, R.H. (1957) A new species of eel, Coloconger meadi, and new records for the ateleopid fish, Ijimaia antellarum Howell Rivero, both from the Gulf of Mexico. Copeia, 1957 (3), 234‒235. https://doi.org/10.2307/1439373
Kanazawa, R.H. (1961) A new eel, Coloconger cadenati and a redescription of the heterocongrid eel, Taenioconger longissimus (Günther) both from the coast of Senegal. Bulletin de l'Institut Français d'Afrique Noire, Série A, Sciences Naturelles, 23 (1), 108‒115, pls. 1‒2.
Karrer, C. (1982) Anguilliformes du canal de Mozambique (Pisces, Teleostei). In: Collection Faunae Tropicale. No. XXIII. Office de la recherche scientifique et technique outre-mer, Paris, 115 pp.
López, J.A., Westneat, M.W. & Hanel, R. (2007) The phylogenetic affinities of the mysterious anguilliform genera Coloconger and Thalassenchelys as supported by mtDNA sequences. Copeia, 2007 (4), 959– 966. https://doi.org/10.1643/0045-8511(2007)7[959:TPAOTM]2.0.CO;2
Okamura, O. & Kitajima, T. (Eds.) (1984) Fishes of the Okinawa Trough and the adjacent waters. Vol. I. The intensive research of unexploited fishery resources on continental slopes. Japan Fisheries Resource Conservation Association, Tokyo, 414 pp.
Quéro, J.-C. (2001) Colocongridae (Pisces: Anguilliformes) de Nouvelle‒Calédonie (Pacifique sud-ouest). Description de Coloconger saldanhai sp. n. Boletim do Museu Municipal do Funchal, Supplement 6, 53‒64.
Shao, K.-T., Ho, H.-C., Lin, P.-L., Lee, P.-F., Lee, M.-Y., Tsai, C.-Y., Liao, Y.-C. & Lin, Y.-C. (2008) A checklist of the fishes of southern Taiwan, Northern South China Sea. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, Supplement 19, 233‒271.
da Silva, J.P.C.B., Datovo, A. & Johnson, G.D. (2019) Phylogenetic interrelationships of the eel families Derichthyidae and Colocongridae (Elopomorpha: Anguilliformes) based on the pectoral skeleton. Journal of Morphology, 280, 934–947. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.20991
Smith, D.G. (1989) Family Colocongridae. In Böhlke, E.B. (Ed.), Orders Anguilliformes and Saccopharyngiformes. Memoirs of the Sears Foundation for Marine Research, 1 (9), pp. 413–419. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvbcd0dm.14
Smith, D.G. (1999) Elopidae, Megalopidae, and most eel families. In: Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (Eds.), Species identification guide for fisheries purposes. The living marine resources of the western central Pacific. Batoid fishes, chimeras and bony fishes part 1 (Elopidae to Linophrynidae). Vol. 3. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, pp. 1398‒2068.
Tang, K.L. & Fielitz, C. (2013) Phylogeny of moray eels (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae), with a revised classification of true eels (Teleostei: Elopomorpha: Anguilliformes). Mitochondrial DNA, 24, 55–66. https://doi.org/10.3109/19401736.2012.710226
Moenkhausia cambacica • A New Species of Moenkhausia(Characiformes: Characidae) from the Madeira river basin, Brazil , with Comments on the Evolution and Development of the Lateral Line Trunk System in Characids
Moenkhausia cambaca
Marine, Ohara & Dagosta, 2021
DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2020-0118
Abstract
A new species of Moenkhausiais described from the river Machado drainage, Amazon basin, Brazil. It is different from congeners by its color pattern, consisting of the concentration of chromatophores on the anterior portion of the body scales, the horizontally and longate blotch on the caudal peduncle, a bright golden coloration of the dorsal portion of the eye when, and a dark line crossing the eye horizontally. The new species has variable morphology regarding trunk lateral-line channels. Most fully grown individuals do not have enclosed bony tube in many lateral line scales, resembling early developmental stages of tube formation of other species. This paedomorphic condition is interpreted as a result of developmental truncation. Such evolutionary process may have been responsible for the presence of distinct levels of trunk lateral line reductions in small characids. Variation in this feature is common, even between the sides of the same individual. We reassert that the degree of trunk lateral-line tube development must be used with care in taxonomic and phylogenetic studies, because reductions in the laterosensory system may be parallel loss in the Characidae. We suggest the new species to be categorized Near Threatened due to the restricted geographical distribution and continuing decline in habitat quality.
Keywords: Developmental Truncation; Evolution; Intraspecific Variation; Paedomorphy; scale
Moenkhausia cambacica , new species
Diagnosis. Moenkhausia cambacica is distinguished from all congeners, except M. chlorophthalma Sousa, Netto-Ferreira & Birindelli, 2010, M. petymbuaba Lima & Birindelli, 2006, M. plumbea Sousa, Netto-Ferreira & Birindelli, 2010, and M. parecis Ohara & Birindelli, 2010, and M. parecis Ohara & Marinho, 2016 by the presence of a large dark blotch on each scale of the second to seventh longitudinal series of body which are formed by a higher concentration of chromatophores on the previous portion of scales (vs. pigmentation absent or, when present, concentrated at the middle or posterior margin of scales, forming stripes or a reticulate pattern). Moenkhausia cambacacan be distinguished from all the aforementioned species by having a conspicuous, well-defined, horizontally elongate blotch on the caudal peduncle, extending to the middle caudal-fin rays, not reaching the upper and lower edges of the caudal peduncle (vs. absent or poorly defined blotch, continuous with the longitudinal stripe of body in M. chlorophthalma, M. petymbuaba, and M. plumbea ; round blotch in M. parecis ). Additionally, it can be distinguished from M. petymbuaba by the absence of a conspicuous longitudinal black stripe on body (vs. black stripe present), from M. plumbea and M. chlorophthalma by the absence of a dark, diffuse, slightly concave midlateral stripe on body in live specimens (vs. dark stripe present), and from M. parecis by a shorter upper jaw length (41.5–48.8% HL vs. 50.6–55.0% HL ), and, in life, by having a bright golden coloration of the dorsal portion of the eye and a dark shaded line crossing the eye horizontally (vs. eye entirely bright blue, with no horizontal dark line).
Etymology. The specific name, cambacica , is after the one of the Brazilian popular name for Coereba flaveola (Linnaeus, 1758), the small neotropical bird whose coloration resembles that of the new species, which is bright yellow underparts, dark back coloration and a dark line crossing the region of the eye horizontally, contrasting with a light area above it. A noun in apposition.
==========================
Moenkhausia cambaca
Marine, Ohara & Dagosta, 2021
DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2020-0118
Abstract
A new species of Moenkhausiais described from the river Machado drainage, Amazon basin, Brazil. It is different from congeners by its color pattern, consisting of the concentration of chromatophores on the anterior portion of the body scales, the horizontally and longate blotch on the caudal peduncle, a bright golden coloration of the dorsal portion of the eye when, and a dark line crossing the eye horizontally. The new species has variable morphology regarding trunk lateral-line channels. Most fully grown individuals do not have enclosed bony tube in many lateral line scales, resembling early developmental stages of tube formation of other species. This paedomorphic condition is interpreted as a result of developmental truncation. Such evolutionary process may have been responsible for the presence of distinct levels of trunk lateral line reductions in small characids. Variation in this feature is common, even between the sides of the same individual. We reassert that the degree of trunk lateral-line tube development must be used with care in taxonomic and phylogenetic studies, because reductions in the laterosensory system may be parallel loss in the Characidae. We suggest the new species to be categorized Near Threatened due to the restricted geographical distribution and continuing decline in habitat quality.
Keywords: Developmental Truncation; Evolution; Intraspecific Variation; Paedomorphy; scale
Moenkhausia cambacica , new species
Diagnosis. Moenkhausia cambacica is distinguished from all congeners, except M. chlorophthalma Sousa, Netto-Ferreira & Birindelli, 2010, M. petymbuaba Lima & Birindelli, 2006, M. plumbea Sousa, Netto-Ferreira & Birindelli, 2010, and M. parecis Ohara & Birindelli, 2010, and M. parecis Ohara & Marinho, 2016 by the presence of a large dark blotch on each scale of the second to seventh longitudinal series of body which are formed by a higher concentration of chromatophores on the previous portion of scales (vs. pigmentation absent or, when present, concentrated at the middle or posterior margin of scales, forming stripes or a reticulate pattern). Moenkhausia cambacacan be distinguished from all the aforementioned species by having a conspicuous, well-defined, horizontally elongate blotch on the caudal peduncle, extending to the middle caudal-fin rays, not reaching the upper and lower edges of the caudal peduncle (vs. absent or poorly defined blotch, continuous with the longitudinal stripe of body in M. chlorophthalma, M. petymbuaba, and M. plumbea ; round blotch in M. parecis ). Additionally, it can be distinguished from M. petymbuaba by the absence of a conspicuous longitudinal black stripe on body (vs. black stripe present), from M. plumbea and M. chlorophthalma by the absence of a dark, diffuse, slightly concave midlateral stripe on body in live specimens (vs. dark stripe present), and from M. parecis by a shorter upper jaw length (41.5–48.8% HL vs. 50.6–55.0% HL ), and, in life, by having a bright golden coloration of the dorsal portion of the eye and a dark shaded line crossing the eye horizontally (vs. eye entirely bright blue, with no horizontal dark line).
Etymology. The specific name, cambacica , is after the one of the Brazilian popular name for Coereba flaveola (Linnaeus, 1758), the small neotropical bird whose coloration resembles that of the new species, which is bright yellow underparts, dark back coloration and a dark line crossing the region of the eye horizontally, contrasting with a light area above it. A noun in apposition.
==========================
SUNDAY, 10 OCTOBER 2021 AT 10:00 UTC+01N.E.T.S. Charity Aquatics auction. (Fish+plants only)
The Teams Club
N.E.T.S. chairty Aquatics auction. (Fish+plants only)
Interested
Going
InviteDetails
208 people responded
Event by Paul Andy, Michael Dixon and Andrew Flinn
The Teams Club
Public · Anyone on or off Facebook
Finally were back.
Time to have an auction.
10th of October fish and plants only. doors open 10am auction starts 11am sharp.
This could be subject to change with regards to the current covid situation.
We will be raising money for 2 charitys.
Charitys are still waiting to be confirmed.
Auction lots will be given on a raffle draw system. Please ask for details.
Dry goods tables available for £10
We will accept any donations of fish, dry good and aquatic related items for the first lot. (all money raised from this lot will go to the charitys )
MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW BUT ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO INBOX ME
==========================
The Teams Club
N.E.T.S. chairty Aquatics auction. (Fish+plants only)
Interested
Going
InviteDetails
208 people responded
Event by Paul Andy, Michael Dixon and Andrew Flinn
The Teams Club
Public · Anyone on or off Facebook
Finally were back.
Time to have an auction.
10th of October fish and plants only. doors open 10am auction starts 11am sharp.
This could be subject to change with regards to the current covid situation.
We will be raising money for 2 charitys.
Charitys are still waiting to be confirmed.
Auction lots will be given on a raffle draw system. Please ask for details.
Dry goods tables available for £10
We will accept any donations of fish, dry good and aquatic related items for the first lot. (all money raised from this lot will go to the charitys )
MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW BUT ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO INBOX ME
==========================
Parotocinclus jacksoni, a new hypoptopomatine catfish (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the Rio Mamanguape basin, north-eastern Brazil
Telton P. A. Ramos, Silvia Y. Lustosa-Costa, Luciano de F. Barros-Neto, José E. L. Barbosa
First published: 16 July 2021
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14855
AbstractA new species of Parotocinclus is described from the Rio Mamanguape basin, in the State of Paraíba, north-eastern Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from all of its congeners, except for P. bahiensis, P. cesarpintoi, P. jumbo, P. nandae and P. spilosoma, by the presence of an abdomen covered by a few small and dispersed platelets (vs. an abdomen entirely covered by large plates in adult individuals or the absence of plates in that region). The new species differs from those mentioned above with respect to several features, such as an exposed pectoral girdle and supporting odontodes medially and laterally, the number of premaxillary and dentary teeth, odontodes covering only the lateral portion of the cleithrum and the absence of irregular golden lines on the head and body (colour in vivo). The new species was collected only in the upper and middle portions of the Rio Mamanguape basin, suggesting a geographic distribution restricted to the Caatinga biome.
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Telton P. A. Ramos, Silvia Y. Lustosa-Costa, Luciano de F. Barros-Neto, José E. L. Barbosa
First published: 16 July 2021
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14855
AbstractA new species of Parotocinclus is described from the Rio Mamanguape basin, in the State of Paraíba, north-eastern Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from all of its congeners, except for P. bahiensis, P. cesarpintoi, P. jumbo, P. nandae and P. spilosoma, by the presence of an abdomen covered by a few small and dispersed platelets (vs. an abdomen entirely covered by large plates in adult individuals or the absence of plates in that region). The new species differs from those mentioned above with respect to several features, such as an exposed pectoral girdle and supporting odontodes medially and laterally, the number of premaxillary and dentary teeth, odontodes covering only the lateral portion of the cleithrum and the absence of irregular golden lines on the head and body (colour in vivo). The new species was collected only in the upper and middle portions of the Rio Mamanguape basin, suggesting a geographic distribution restricted to the Caatinga biome.
==========================
A New Species of the Loricariid Catfish Genus Loricariichthys (Teleostei: Siluriformes) from Eastern Brazil
Roberto E. Reis, Fábio Vieira, Edson H. L. Pereira
Author Affiliations +
Ichthyology & Herpetology, 109(2):557-566 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1643/i2020013
AbstractA new species of Loricariichthys is described from the Rio Itabapoana and Rio Itapemirim basins, two small, adjacent, yet independent, coastal drainages in south Espírito Santo State. Loricariichthys melanurus, new species, is distinguished from most congeners by the anterior margin of abdominal plates falling at or slightly ahead of the transverse line between the pectoral-fin spines, not reaching the level of the lower end of the gill slits, further on other features of external morphology. The new species can be differentiated from L. castaneus, the most similar and geographically closest species, by the possession of a conspicuous black marginal band at the distal portion of middle and lower caudal-fin rays and a darkened distal half of dorsal fin, which are absent in the former. Samples analyzed of the two species have a COI pairwise genetic distance of 4.6%. The paleodrainage reconstruction inferred for a sea-level-retreat of maximum glacial period of the Pleistocene suggests that neither the Itabapoana and Itapemirim Rivers, nor the other coastal rivers of eastern Brazil, where L. castaneus occurs, have been in contact during this period.
© 2021 by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Citation Download Citation
Roberto E. Reis, Fábio Vieira, and Edson H. L. Pereira "A New Species of the Loricariid Catfish Genus Loricariichthys (Teleostei: Siluriformes) from Eastern Brazil," Ichthyology & Herpetology 109(2), 557-566, (14 July 2021). https://doi.org/10.1643/i2020013
Received: 27 January 2020; Accepted: 17 January 2021; Published: 14 July 2021
==========================
Roberto E. Reis, Fábio Vieira, Edson H. L. Pereira
Author Affiliations +
Ichthyology & Herpetology, 109(2):557-566 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1643/i2020013
AbstractA new species of Loricariichthys is described from the Rio Itabapoana and Rio Itapemirim basins, two small, adjacent, yet independent, coastal drainages in south Espírito Santo State. Loricariichthys melanurus, new species, is distinguished from most congeners by the anterior margin of abdominal plates falling at or slightly ahead of the transverse line between the pectoral-fin spines, not reaching the level of the lower end of the gill slits, further on other features of external morphology. The new species can be differentiated from L. castaneus, the most similar and geographically closest species, by the possession of a conspicuous black marginal band at the distal portion of middle and lower caudal-fin rays and a darkened distal half of dorsal fin, which are absent in the former. Samples analyzed of the two species have a COI pairwise genetic distance of 4.6%. The paleodrainage reconstruction inferred for a sea-level-retreat of maximum glacial period of the Pleistocene suggests that neither the Itabapoana and Itapemirim Rivers, nor the other coastal rivers of eastern Brazil, where L. castaneus occurs, have been in contact during this period.
© 2021 by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Citation Download Citation
Roberto E. Reis, Fábio Vieira, and Edson H. L. Pereira "A New Species of the Loricariid Catfish Genus Loricariichthys (Teleostei: Siluriformes) from Eastern Brazil," Ichthyology & Herpetology 109(2), 557-566, (14 July 2021). https://doi.org/10.1643/i2020013
Received: 27 January 2020; Accepted: 17 January 2021; Published: 14 July 2021
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This is a joint event organised in partnership with the British Killifish Association, the British Cichlid Association and our sister association the Fancy Guppies UK.
This is promising to be the best show you will attend this year
Tickets can be purchased through the link, please allow time for the booking page to load. https://killis.org.uk/wp/fishkeeping-extravaganza-2021
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This is promising to be the best show you will attend this year
Tickets can be purchased through the link, please allow time for the booking page to load. https://killis.org.uk/wp/fishkeeping-extravaganza-2021
==========================
Moenkhausia andrica (Characiformes: Characidae): a new species from the rio Tapajós basin, Brazil, with minute fin hooklets in females
Lais Reia, Claudio Oliveira, Ricardo C. Benine
First published: 14 July 2021
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14847This article has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Fish Biology and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as doi: 10.1111/jfb.14847.
AbstractA new species of Moenkhausia is described from the upper rio Juruena, rio Tapajós basin, Brazil. It is distinguished from all congeners by the presence of minute bony hooks in all fins of both mature females and males and combination of the a prepelvic region flattened, dorsal portion of the humeral blotch extending two scales horizontally and vertically, lateral line with 28 to 32 scales, five scale series above and below lateral line; circumpeduncular scales 13−14, anal-fin rays 16−19, and dorsal portion of eyes blue in live specimens. The new species is also supported by high divergence in the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI). Discussions on the presence of minute fin bony hooks in both females and males, population variations, and late development of the lateral line in Moenkhausia andrica are provided.
==========================
Lais Reia, Claudio Oliveira, Ricardo C. Benine
First published: 14 July 2021
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14847This article has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Fish Biology and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as doi: 10.1111/jfb.14847.
AbstractA new species of Moenkhausia is described from the upper rio Juruena, rio Tapajós basin, Brazil. It is distinguished from all congeners by the presence of minute bony hooks in all fins of both mature females and males and combination of the a prepelvic region flattened, dorsal portion of the humeral blotch extending two scales horizontally and vertically, lateral line with 28 to 32 scales, five scale series above and below lateral line; circumpeduncular scales 13−14, anal-fin rays 16−19, and dorsal portion of eyes blue in live specimens. The new species is also supported by high divergence in the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI). Discussions on the presence of minute fin bony hooks in both females and males, population variations, and late development of the lateral line in Moenkhausia andrica are provided.
==========================
- Badis kaladanensis, a new fish species (Teleostei: Badidae) from Mizoram, northeast India
- Lal Ramliana,
- Samuel Lalronunga,
- Mahender Singh
- Published: July 28, 2021
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246466
Badis kaladanensis, a new percoid fish is described from the Kaladan basin of Mizoram, northeast India. It belongs to the Badis badis species group but can be easily distinguished from its congeners, except from B. kanabos and B. tuivaiei, in having a dark blotch on the dorsal fin between the base of 3rd to 5th spines. It is further distinguished from B. kanabos in having more scales in lateral row (27–30 vs. 25–26), more circumpeduncular scale rows (18–20 vs. 16–17) and smaller eye (7.5–8.9% SL vs. 9.5–12.7); and from B. tuivaiei in having fewer vertebrae (28–29 vs. 30–31) and more rakers on the first gill arch (9 vs. 6–8). The analysis of the mitochondrial DNA (coi and cytb) revealed the distinctness of B. kaladanensis from all other Badis species with the interspecific distance ranges from 5.4–20.4%. (coi) and 5.1–26.3% (cytb).
For full report go to :-doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246466
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Zoologischer AnzeigerVolume 294, September 2021, Pages 39-49
Oxynoemacheilus fatsaensis, a new nemacheilid loach from the Elekçi Stream in Northern Anatolia (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae)Author links open overlay panelSerkanSaygunaSevanAğdamarbMüfitÖzuluğc
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcz.2021.07.011Get rights and contentAbstractWe report a new species, Oxynoemacheilus fatsaensis, from the Elekçi Stream, a small stream that flows to the Black Sea in Northern Turkey. It is distinguished from other Oxynoemacheilus species in the Black Sea, Upper Euphrates, and Kura-Aras River basins by having a suborbital groove in males, an axillary lobe at the pelvic-fin base, no dorsal adipose crest on the caudal peduncle, a deeply emarginate caudal fin, small inner and outer rostral barbels, and mottled flank pattern. Molecular data suggest that the new species is separated by a minimum p-distance of 3.3% from O. banarescui in the mitochondrial DNA COI barcode region.
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A new species of nine-spined stickleback, Pungitius modestus (Gasterosteiformes, Gasterosteidae), from northern Honshu, Japan
GASTEROSTEIDAENINE-SPINED STICKLEBACKNEW SPECIESYAMAGATA PREFECTURENORTHERN JAPANPISCESAbstractA new species of nine-spined stickleback, Pungitius modestus, is described based on the holotype and 17 paratypes (38.7–51.7 mm standard length) collected from the inland area of Yamagata Prefecture, northern Honshu, Japan. The new species is distinguished from the other species of Pungitius by the following combination of characters: 30–32 small unconnected lateral plates; dorsal-fin rays VIII–X (usually IX)+9–11; anal-fin rays 7–10 (usually 8); pectoral-fin rays 10; a short spiny dorsal fin base (26.5%–29.8% SL); the first spiny dorsal fin spine behind the pectoral-fin base; a long pre-anal fin (59.9%–67.4% SL); the anal-fin spine below the 1st–3rd dorsal-fin rays; a short pelvic-fin spine (6.3%–9.1% SL); a short anal-fin spine (4.1%–6.0% SL); a long caudal peduncle (14.3%–19.7% SL); no body markings; membranes of the dorsal-fin spines dark brown with black pigments; the entire male body, and soft dorsal and anal fins, becoming black in the breeding season; the anteroventral process of the ectocoracoid present; and the dorsal extension of the ascending process of the pelvis level with the dorsal-most actinost.
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14 July 2021
A New Species of the Loricariid Catfish Genus Loricariichthys (Teleostei: Siluriformes) from Eastern Brazil.( Loricarichthys melanurus)
Roberto E. Reis, Fábio Vieira, Edson H. L. Pereira
Author Affiliations +
Ichthyology & Herpetology, 109(2):557-566 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1643/i2020013
AbstractA new species of Loricariichthys is described from the Rio Itabapoana and Rio Itapemirim basins, two small, adjacent, yet independent, coastal drainages in south Espírito Santo State. Loricariichthys melanurus, new species, is distinguished from most congeners by the anterior margin of abdominal plates falling at or slightly ahead of the transverse line between the pectoral-fin spines, not reaching the level of the lower end of the gill slits, further on other features of external morphology. The new species can be differentiated from L. castaneus, the most similar and geographically closest species, by the possession of a conspicuous black marginal band at the distal portion of middle and lower caudal-fin rays and a darkened distal half of dorsal fin, which are absent in the former. Samples analyzed of the two species have a COI pairwise genetic distance of 4.6%. The paleodrainage reconstruction inferred for a sea-level-retreat of maximum glacial period of the Pleistocene suggests that neither the Itabapoana and Itapemirim Rivers, nor the other coastal rivers of eastern Brazil, where L. castaneus occurs, have been in contact during this period.
© 2021 by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Citation Download Citation
Roberto E. Reis, Fábio Vieira, and Edson H. L. Pereira "A New Species of the Loricariid Catfish Genus Loricariichthys (Teleostei: Siluriformes) from Eastern Brazil," Ichthyology & Herpetology 109(2), 557-566, (14 July 2021). https://doi.org/10.1643/i2020013
Received: 27 January 2020; Accepted: 17 January 2021; Published: 14 July 202114 July 2021
==========================
A New Species of the Loricariid Catfish Genus Loricariichthys (Teleostei: Siluriformes) from Eastern Brazil.( Loricarichthys melanurus)
Roberto E. Reis, Fábio Vieira, Edson H. L. Pereira
Author Affiliations +
Ichthyology & Herpetology, 109(2):557-566 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1643/i2020013
AbstractA new species of Loricariichthys is described from the Rio Itabapoana and Rio Itapemirim basins, two small, adjacent, yet independent, coastal drainages in south Espírito Santo State. Loricariichthys melanurus, new species, is distinguished from most congeners by the anterior margin of abdominal plates falling at or slightly ahead of the transverse line between the pectoral-fin spines, not reaching the level of the lower end of the gill slits, further on other features of external morphology. The new species can be differentiated from L. castaneus, the most similar and geographically closest species, by the possession of a conspicuous black marginal band at the distal portion of middle and lower caudal-fin rays and a darkened distal half of dorsal fin, which are absent in the former. Samples analyzed of the two species have a COI pairwise genetic distance of 4.6%. The paleodrainage reconstruction inferred for a sea-level-retreat of maximum glacial period of the Pleistocene suggests that neither the Itabapoana and Itapemirim Rivers, nor the other coastal rivers of eastern Brazil, where L. castaneus occurs, have been in contact during this period.
© 2021 by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Citation Download Citation
Roberto E. Reis, Fábio Vieira, and Edson H. L. Pereira "A New Species of the Loricariid Catfish Genus Loricariichthys (Teleostei: Siluriformes) from Eastern Brazil," Ichthyology & Herpetology 109(2), 557-566, (14 July 2021). https://doi.org/10.1643/i2020013
Received: 27 January 2020; Accepted: 17 January 2021; Published: 14 July 202114 July 2021
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Hypostomus hermanni redescription and a new species Hypostomus robertsoni (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Upper Paraná River basin, Brazil
Angelica Corrêa Dias1 , and Cláudio Henrique Zawadzki2
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C5821725-E2DE-4258-80EB-7538804B4F14
PDF: EN XML: EN | Cite this article
Abstract A redescription of Hypostomus hermanni is presented herein along with the description of a new species of Hypostomus, which is apparently endemic to the Ivaí River basin, a tributary of the Upper Paraná River basin, Brazil. Hypostomus hermanni is diagnosed from congeners mainly by having: usually large black blotches on body and fins; absence of keels on compound pterotic, on pre-dorsal plates, and on lateral series of bony plates; by having parieto-supraoccipital and predorsal region flat; and by having less than 46 teeth per each premaxilla or dentary ramus. The new species is distinguished from congeners mainly for lacking conspicuous blotches, parieto-supraoccipital non-carinate, and villiform bicuspid teeth.
Keywords: Armored catfishes, Hypostomini, Hypostominae, Neotropical fishes, Taxonomy.
IntroductionHypostomus Lacepède, 1803 is the richest genus of the subfamily Hypostominae, comprising about 140 valid species (Zawadzki et al., 2018) as well as the second largest genus within Siluriformes. Besides that, Hypostomus is one of the most diverse and complex genera of South American catfishes (Carvalho et al., 2010; Tencatt et al., 2014). Its representatives are mainly differentiated from other Hypostominae genera by lacking a strong eversible operculum, unexposed scapular bridge, and oval-shaped caudal peduncle (Weber, 2003). The same author suggested that through morphological and molecular shreds of evidence, one-third of the species of the genus were not yet described. Despite some recent descriptions of new species (Oliveira et al., 2020; Zawadzki et al., 2020), this scenario has not been substantially changed. Additionally, to the high diversity of Hypostomus, the briefness of the descriptions from the former centuries allied to the absence of knowledge of the distribution patterns of each species lead to a common high amount of misidentifications in literature, museums, and conservation status lists.
Ihering (1905) presented the original description of Hypostomus hermanni as Plecostomus hermanni, from the Piracicaba River, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, based solely on the analysis of the holotype, which was reported to have 240 mm in total length. In the original description, he reported traces of dark blotches on the upper surface of the head; however, he did not cite blotches being present on trunk or fins. The author also mentioned the dorsal fin with the posterior part of each interradial membrane dusky. Other important remarks of Ihering’s description was “snout moderately narrowed anteriorly; supraorbital edges not raised; parieto-supraoccipital nearly flat; temporal plates (compound pterotic) not carinate; scutes spinulose, not carinate; and a lower surface of head and abdomen in great part covered with small granular scales, with a naked area at the base of each ventral” (Ihering, 1905:560). However, the actual differentiation of H. hermanni from other congeners is commonly hampered by the relatively great ontogenetic and interspecific variation found in several species of the genus. Limits of a species sometimes superpose the limits of other species of the genus.
This scenario is especially seen in the Upper La Plata River basin. Some ancestral lineages of Hypostomus may have migrated to the basin to find an area relatively free from the competition of Amazonian algivorous/detritivorous fishes and this allowed them to experience adaptive radiation (Silva et al.,2016). Therefore, the high species diversity creates great difficulty for most ichthyologists to identify species of Hypostomus in this basin. Then, as important as revealing the new species, redescriptions with emphasis on the morphological variability along the distribution area of each valid species from the La Plata River basin are needed.
Herein, a redescription of H. hermanni is provided based on the analysis of the holotype, and based on the analysis of a great amount of recently collect material of H. hermanni including some specimens from its type-locality, the Piracicaba River. A morphologically similar species to H. hermanni was also found. This species seems to be restricted to Ivaí River basin, a subbasin of the Upper Paraná River basin. This new species, which is syntopic to H. hermanni in the Ivaí River, is described in the present work.
Full article at-
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==========================
Angelica Corrêa Dias1 , and Cláudio Henrique Zawadzki2
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C5821725-E2DE-4258-80EB-7538804B4F14
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Abstract A redescription of Hypostomus hermanni is presented herein along with the description of a new species of Hypostomus, which is apparently endemic to the Ivaí River basin, a tributary of the Upper Paraná River basin, Brazil. Hypostomus hermanni is diagnosed from congeners mainly by having: usually large black blotches on body and fins; absence of keels on compound pterotic, on pre-dorsal plates, and on lateral series of bony plates; by having parieto-supraoccipital and predorsal region flat; and by having less than 46 teeth per each premaxilla or dentary ramus. The new species is distinguished from congeners mainly for lacking conspicuous blotches, parieto-supraoccipital non-carinate, and villiform bicuspid teeth.
Keywords: Armored catfishes, Hypostomini, Hypostominae, Neotropical fishes, Taxonomy.
IntroductionHypostomus Lacepède, 1803 is the richest genus of the subfamily Hypostominae, comprising about 140 valid species (Zawadzki et al., 2018) as well as the second largest genus within Siluriformes. Besides that, Hypostomus is one of the most diverse and complex genera of South American catfishes (Carvalho et al., 2010; Tencatt et al., 2014). Its representatives are mainly differentiated from other Hypostominae genera by lacking a strong eversible operculum, unexposed scapular bridge, and oval-shaped caudal peduncle (Weber, 2003). The same author suggested that through morphological and molecular shreds of evidence, one-third of the species of the genus were not yet described. Despite some recent descriptions of new species (Oliveira et al., 2020; Zawadzki et al., 2020), this scenario has not been substantially changed. Additionally, to the high diversity of Hypostomus, the briefness of the descriptions from the former centuries allied to the absence of knowledge of the distribution patterns of each species lead to a common high amount of misidentifications in literature, museums, and conservation status lists.
Ihering (1905) presented the original description of Hypostomus hermanni as Plecostomus hermanni, from the Piracicaba River, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, based solely on the analysis of the holotype, which was reported to have 240 mm in total length. In the original description, he reported traces of dark blotches on the upper surface of the head; however, he did not cite blotches being present on trunk or fins. The author also mentioned the dorsal fin with the posterior part of each interradial membrane dusky. Other important remarks of Ihering’s description was “snout moderately narrowed anteriorly; supraorbital edges not raised; parieto-supraoccipital nearly flat; temporal plates (compound pterotic) not carinate; scutes spinulose, not carinate; and a lower surface of head and abdomen in great part covered with small granular scales, with a naked area at the base of each ventral” (Ihering, 1905:560). However, the actual differentiation of H. hermanni from other congeners is commonly hampered by the relatively great ontogenetic and interspecific variation found in several species of the genus. Limits of a species sometimes superpose the limits of other species of the genus.
This scenario is especially seen in the Upper La Plata River basin. Some ancestral lineages of Hypostomus may have migrated to the basin to find an area relatively free from the competition of Amazonian algivorous/detritivorous fishes and this allowed them to experience adaptive radiation (Silva et al.,2016). Therefore, the high species diversity creates great difficulty for most ichthyologists to identify species of Hypostomus in this basin. Then, as important as revealing the new species, redescriptions with emphasis on the morphological variability along the distribution area of each valid species from the La Plata River basin are needed.
Herein, a redescription of H. hermanni is provided based on the analysis of the holotype, and based on the analysis of a great amount of recently collect material of H. hermanni including some specimens from its type-locality, the Piracicaba River. A morphologically similar species to H. hermanni was also found. This species seems to be restricted to Ivaí River basin, a subbasin of the Upper Paraná River basin. This new species, which is syntopic to H. hermanni in the Ivaí River, is described in the present work.
Full article at-
www.ni.bio.br/1982-0224-2020-0093/
==========================
A new reefgoby, Priolepis duostella (Perciformes: Gobiidae) collected from off Kashiwa-jima Island, Kochi, JapanIchthyological Research (2021)Cite this article
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Diversity of Loricariidae (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes) assemblages in two Conservation Areas of the Middle Xingu River, Brazilian Amazon, and their suitability for sustainable ornamental fisheries
Maria Dayanne Lima de Lucena1 , Tatiana da Silva Pereira1, 2 Alany Pedrosa Gonçalves3 Karina Dias Silva1, 2 and Leandro Melo de Sousa1, 2, 4
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Abstract The Xingu River has one of the most diverse fish faunas in the Amazon region. Loricariidae stands out as the most diverse family in the basin, comprising more than 60 species distributed over 26 genera. Species of Loricariidae are some of the most economically valued in the ornamental market worldwide. The loss of fishing environments in Altamira region due to dam impacts is driving a shift of ornamental fishing to areas upstream, among which are included the Xingu River and Iriri River Extractive Reserve Areas. Thus, the objective of this work was to inventory fish species with ornamental potential in these extractive reserves to serve as a baseline to help guide the future management of ornamental fishing in those areas. Thirty-two species of Loricariidae were collected in these reserves through either free diving or diving with compressed air. The composition of species varied according to the sampling method and area. The majority of species found in the reserves are also found in the impacted areas of Belo Monte near Altamira. The study areas showed high diversity of fish species in rapids environments, suggesting that this area could serve as an additional source of income for the residents of these reserves.
Keywords: Conservation units, Fish diversity, Ornamental fishery, Sustainable management.
IntroductionThe Xingu River is notable for being the fourth biggest tributary in the Amazon Basin (Goulding et al., 2003) and having the most extensive network of rapids in the world (Sawakuchi et al., 2015). The richness of Xingu fishes is among the highest in the Amazon region, comprising approximately 502 species in the entire basin (Dagosta, de Pinna, 2019); 50 of which are endemic to the Xingu (Zuanon, 1999; Sabaj-Pérez, 2015).
Among the Xingu’s fishes, Loricariidae is one of the most diverse families, accounting for 60 species belonging to 26 genera (Camargo et al., 2012; Camargo et al., 2013), inhabiting the myriad rocky rapids, channels, islands, and different substrate matrices. Some Loricariidae species in the region are among the most important in the ornamental fish market; according to Araújo (2016), it is the group that attracts the most commercial interest in the region, being an important source of income for local fishermen.
Due to combinations of overharvesting for the ornamental fish trade and habitat destruction, some species of Loricariidae have become threatened (Batista et al., 2004; Roman, 2011). A complete understanding of the conservation status of many of the discussed species, though, is hindered by the fact that many species and/or phenotypically and genetically distinct populations have still not been described taxonomically and are poorly understood both biologically and ecologically. As a result, it has not been possible to establish guidelines for managing these economic resources (Torres et al., 2008).
The ornamental fish fishery in the Xingu River basin began in the late 1980s, when unemployed dredge miners started to use their diving equipment to capture fish associated to the bottom (Barthem, 2001). The ornamental fisheries on the Xingu River is focused mainly on Loricariidae, supported by the high species richness of this family on the basin (more than 60 species) and great demand for this family in the international aquarium market (Prang, 2007; Ramos et. al., 2015; Araújo et al., 2017). Prior to the implementation of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP), the Xingu River Basin ornamental Loricariidae fishery extended from the mouth of Xingu River, at Porto de Moz, upstream to São Félix do Xingu in the middle Xingu River, in addition to the lower stretch of the Iriri River. Historically, the highest concentration of ornamental fishing was in the region of the Volta Grande do Xingu, near the city of Altamira. According to several studies as well as fishermen observations, loricariid diversity in the Xingu region has already been impacted by the completion and operation of the Belo Monte HPP. Many environments, including rapids, deeper channels, and floodplain habitats are being lost, and previously clean substrates required by loricariids are being covered in silt and sediment (Sabaj-Pérez, 2015; Sawakuchi et al., 2015; Lees et al., 2016).
The especially severe impact of Belo Monte on habitats from which ornamental fishes were collected in the Altamira region is forcing the ornamental fisheries to relocate upstream. According to de Francesco, Carneiro (2015), fisheries areas have already been displaced to further upstream from the main dam, causing territorial conflicts among fishermen. This situation, as well as an increase in local demand, are pushing fishermen into some Sustainable Use Conservation Areas (CA), specifically those upstream of the area affected by Belo Monte. Studies performed in two extractive reserves (RESEX in Portuguese) of the Xingu and Iriri Rivers have reported that residents and officials in these regions are concerned about the increased extractive pressure inside the reserves, specially by non-residents (ICMBio, 2010, 2012). The collection and commerce of natural goods on Sustainable Use Conservation Areas can be allowed, since management plans have been settled between the residents and the official regulatory agencies (Brasil, 2011). These plans are proven to be a good way to preserve a given area, as the local residents control who can or cannot harvest in the reserve. A mandatory step to begin the management plan discussions is to have a list of the species of the area. As such, the objective of this study was to inventory species of Loricariidae in the Xingu and Iriri River RESEXes. Although not a major study goal, we also explored potential influences of methods of collection and differences among Loricariidae composition on the two protected areas. This study thus establishes a baseline for further studies of the sustainable extraction of ornamental fishes in the in the Xingu and Iriri River RESEXes.
Material and methodsSampling sites. This research was undertaken in two Sustainable Use Conservation Areas (CA), both located in the Terra do Meio region, an area consisting of various protected areas between the Xingu and Iriri Rivers in the state of Pará, Brazil (Fig. 1). This region exhibits enormous environmental and social diversity and holds significant importance with respect to cultural heritage due to the presence of extractive, river-dependent, and indigenous populations (ICMBio, 2012).
Located in Pará, in the north of the Xingu River Basin, the Iriri River RESEX was established by Brazilian Federal Decree on June 5, 2006. It consists of roughly 398,000 hectares and has 285 residents, according to 2009 census (ICMBio, 2010).
The Xingu River RESEX is also located in Pará and was created by Brazilian Federal Decree on June 5, 2008. It has an area of approximately 303,841 hectares and 298 residents as of August 2011 (ICMBio, 2012).
The Iriri and the Xingu rivers drain the Brazilian Shield and are considered clear water rivers with rocky bottom and similar water parameters: pH 6.5-7.2, conductivity 20 µS, visibility varying from 0 (rainy season) to 3 m (dry season). The Iriri River at most parts is shallower than the Xingu River, leading to warmer temperatures (up to average 34°C compared to 32°C of Xingu in dry season).
Data collection and analysis. The collection and use of animals complied with Brazilian animal welfare laws, guidelines and policies as approved by SISBIO License #52313-1. Fishes were collected in 2016 over two different periods: the rainy season (January and February), and the dry season (August and September). The collections alternated between the reserves and lasted 17 days each; as such, there were two expeditions to each RESEX. Field collections were focused on the family Loricariidae, given its relevance to the fishermen of this region due to the high prices of these fishes on the ornamental market.
FIGURE 1 | Map of the collection areas in the Xingu and Iriri River Extractive Reserves.
The first collections took place in the rainy season. In every locality, two local fishermen collected ornamental fishes, using cast nets and compressed-air diving equipment. A total of 39 points were sampled in the Iriri RESEX and 40 in the Xingu RESEX in the rainy season. In the dry season, fishes were collected by free diving, with only cast nets and “vaquetas” (a wooden stick instrument, produced by the fishermen). Collections were performed by local fishermen who were at liberty to choose their collection points, thereby prioritizing local ecological knowledge. In the dry season, 14 and 23 points were sampled in the Iriri and Xingu River RESEXes, respectively.
Although collection methods differed between seasons, all dives were conducted in environments with rocky substrates and were standardized by time. Most dives lasted about one hour.
In the rainy season, collected fishes were packed in plastic bags, separated by sample, tagged, and afterward euthanised with clove oil and fixed in a 10% formaldehyde solution. In the dry season, most fishes were sorted and identified while still in the field, then released afterward. Some specimens were sacrificed and processed as in the rainy season. All voucher specimens are deposited at Laboratório de Ictiologia de Altamira (LIA) fish collection of the Federal University of Pará, Altamira Campus.
In the laboratory, fishes were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible. Identifications were based on specific literature sources; whenever necessary, specialists for each group were consulted. The L-number code (a parataxonomical system coined by German magazine Deutsche Aquarien- und Terrarien-Zeitschrift – DATZ) was utilized to refer to undescribed morphospecies in some cases. Afterward, samples were separated into groups (for species and sample point), transferred to 70% alcohol, and catalogued.
In order to evaluate the specificity and fidelity of each species for each RESEX, an indicator value (IndVal) was calculated (Dufrêne, Legendre, 1997), with values varying from 0 to 100, where numbers closest to 100 meaning more specificity and fidelity to each variable.
After evaluating whether the composition of the species varied based on the collection method, a Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance (PERMANOVA) was performed (Anderson, 2001), using a significance threshold of p = 0.05. An independent sample t-test was used to test for differences in the richness of the collected species by location and different collection methods utilized. To test for differences in species composition on the two reserves, a permutational multivariate dispersion test (PERMDISP) and a PERMANOVA were performed (Anderson, 2001), using a significance threshold of p = 0.05. In order to graphically visualize the differences in species composition, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed (Legendre, Legendre, 2012); a Hellinger transformation was overlaid using a Decostand function, in order to remove the arch effect in biotic communities (Legendre, Gallagher, 2001). All analyses were performed in the program R, using the packages Indcspecies (IndVal), Vegan with Adonis and Bray Curtis method (PERMANOVA), Betadisper (PERMDISP), and RDA (composition PCA) functions (R Core Team, 2016).
Results
In total, 6,059 individual fishes were collected, of which 3,232 were preserved and deposited in the LIA fish collection. The remaining fishes were returned alive to where they were collected as described above. The collected samples were assigned to 32 species or morphotypes of Loricariidae (Tab. 1).
TABLE 1 | List of registered species and number of collected specimens in the Xingu and Iriri River RESEXes.
Species/morphospecies
Voucher
Iriri River RESEX
Xingu River RESEX
Total
Rainy season
Dry season
Rainy season
Dry season
Ancistomus feldbergae (de Oliveira, Rapp Py-Daniel, Zuanon & Rocha, 2012)
LIA 6226
174
116
4
294
Ancistrus cf. ranunculus Muller, Rapp Py-Daniel & Zuanon, 1994 (L255)
LIA 3780
174
9
183
Ancistrus ranunculus Muller, Rapp Py-Daniel & Zuanon, 1994
LIA 3541
34
1
35
Ancistrus sp.1
LIA 3810
2
2
Ancistrus sp.2
LIA 6186
25
1
1
27
Ancistrus sp.3
LIA 3468
34
5
13
4
56
Ancistrus sp.4
LIA 3494
8
8
Ancistrus sp.5
LIA 6019
3
3
Ancistrus sp.6
LIA 3996
2
2
Aphanotorulus aff. emarginatus (Valenciennes, 1840)
LIA 3470
15
1
2
18
Baryancistrus aff. niveatus (Castelnau, 1855)
LIA 3562
45
15
3
63
Baryancistrus chrysolomus Rapp Py-Daniel, Zuanon & Ribeiro de Oliveira, 2011
LIA 3881
1
17
24
42
Baryancistrus xanthellus Rapp Py-Daniel, Zuanon & Ribeiro de Oliveira, 2011
LIA 3483
385
1087
33
522
2027
Farlowella amazonum (Günther, 1864)
LIA 6007
1
2
4
7
Hopliancistrus wolverine de Oliveira, Zuanon, Rapp Py-Daniel, Birindelli, & Sousa, 2021
LIA 3870
6
7
8
8
29
Hopliancistrus xikrin de Oliveira, Zuanon, Rapp Py-Daniel, Birindelli & Sousa, 2021
LIA 3495
4
1
5
Hypostomus gr. cochliodon Kner, 1854
LIA 6159
1
1
Hypostomus gr. plecostomus (Linnaeus, 1758)
LIA 3676
7
1
4
12
Leporacanthicus heterodon Isbrücker & Nijssen, 1989
LIA 3591
3
22
8
33
Panaque armbrusteri Lujan, Hidalgo & Stewart, 2010
LIA 6000
1
1
1
3
Parancistrus aurantiacus (Castelnau, 1855)
LIA 3515
205
61
235
103
604
Peckoltia sabaji Armbruster, 2003
LIA 3887
11
8
29
48
Peckoltia vittata (Steindachner, 1881)
LIA 3905
10
4
7
21
Pseudacanthicus pirarara Chamon & Sousa, 2016
LIA 3613
9
16
2
2
29
Pseudancistrus asurini Silva, Roxo & Oliveira, 2015
LIA 3612
21
30
35
60
146
Rineloricaria sp.
LIA 2555
1
1
Scobinancistrus aureatus Burgess, 1994
LIA 3627
6
19
22
47
Scobinancistrus pariolispos Isbrücker & Nijssen, 1989
LIA 3646
10
5
10
27
52
Scobinancistrus sp. L253
LIA 6040
8
7
1
22
38
Spatuloricaria tuira Fichberg, Oyakawa & de Pinna, 2014
LIA 3696
4
26
3
68
101
Spectracanthicus punctatissimus (Steindachner, 1881)
LIA 3476
377
166
86
395
1024
Spectracanthicus zuanoni Chamon & Rapp Py-Daniel, 2014
LIA 3505
191
86
280
541
1098
Overall Total
1595
1659
935
1870
6059
Out of the total, 24 species were found in both RESEXes, whereas only 3 and 5 were exclusive to the Iriri and Xingu River RESEXes, respectively (Fig. 2).
When comparing the two sampling methods, eleven species presented significant IndVal values for free diving (by apnea) while two species for air compressed diving (Tab. 2).
When taking into account drainage in the RESEXes, A. feldbergae, P. pirarara, A. ranunculus, and Ancistrus sp.4 were more representative of the Iriri River RESEX, reaching IndVal values of 85.3, 48.2, 30.7 and 30.7, respectively. On the other hand, the species that best represented the Xingu River RESEX were Ancistrus cf. ranunculus L255, P. sabaji, and B. chrysolomus, with values of up to 64.8, 40.9, and 33.1, respectively (Tab. 3).
In relation to the richness of the species, there were significant differences between the samples, both based on free diving (x = 8.48) and diving with compressed air (x = 5.71). On average, there was more variation when comparing the richness of three species using the free diving method (t = 5.88, df = 113, p < 0.01). However, species richness didn’t vary significantly between the reserves (t = 1.311, df = 113, p = 0.09).
The composition of species changed depending on the method of capture (R² = 0.09; p < 0.01) (Fig. 3). Ancistrus sp.5, Hypostomus gr. cochliodon, Rineloricaria sp. were only collected by free diving, whereas the Ancistrus sp.1, Ancistrus sp.4, Ancistrus sp.6, and Hopliancistrus xikrin were only collected using compressed-air diving equipment.
FIGURE 2 | Venn diagram showing the compositions of the Loricariidae species found in both extractive reserves.
TABLE 2 | Indicator value (IndVal) of the species for different sampling methods.
Species
Sampling method
IndVal
Mean
SD
p
Baryancistrus xanthellus
Free diving
90.4
17.62
3.28
0.0002
Spatuloricaria tuira
Free diving
80.8
0.86
2.34
0.0002
Pseudancistrus asurini
Free diving
73.7
1.26
1.97
0.0002
Scobinancistrus aureatus
Free diving
59.5
0.40
1.36
0.0002
Scobinancistrus pariolispos
Free diving
52.1
0.45
1.15
0.0036
Scobinancistrus sp. L253
Free diving
51.0
0.33
1.12
0.0016
Leporacanthicus heterodon
Free diving
50.8
0.28
1.41
0.0008
Pseudacanthicus pirarara
Free diving
45.8
0.25
0.77
0.0124
Peckoltia sabaji
Free diving
45.4
0.41
1.44
0.0064
Hopliancistrus wolverine
Free diving
43.3
0.25
0.66
0.0278
Farlowella amazonum
Free diving
35.4
0.06
0.27
0.0116
Baryancistrus aff. niveatus
Air Compressor
60.9
0.54
1.06
0.0004
Ancistrus cf. ranunculus L255
Air Compressor
50.4
1.59
4.05
0.0124
TABLE 3 | Indicator values (IndVal) of the species, taking into account drainage in the Xingu and Iriri River RESEXes.
Species
RESEX
IndVal
Mean
SD
p
Ancistomus feldbergae
Iriri
85.3
2.55
5.29
0.0002
Pseudacanthicus pirarara
Iriri
48.2
0.25
0.77
0.0010
Ancistrus ranunculus
Iriri
30.7
0.30
1.94
0.0234
Ancistrus sp.4
Iriri
30.7
0.06
0.34
0.0190
Ancistrus cf. ranunculus L255
Xingu
64.8
1.59
4.05
0.0002
Peckoltia sabaji
Xingu
40.9
0.41
1.44
0.0267
Baryancistrus chrysolomus
Xingu
33.1
0.36
2.35
0.0380
FIGURE 3 | Principal component analysis (PCA) for composition of ornamental fish species based on the method of capture (Hellinger transformation), considering the two extractive reserves.
FIGURE 4 | Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of fish composition in the drainages of both the Xingu and Iriri River RESEXes (Hellinger transformation). Only species names that made greatest contributions to compositional differences are shown.
The PERMDISP showed that the variation in composition within the reserves does not differ (F = 0.002; p = 0.974). However, the PERMANOVA analysis showed that the species composition was significantly different between the reserves (F = 10.381; p < 0.001). Spectracanthicus punctatissimus, B. xanthellus, and A. feldbergae from the Iriri River RESEX and Parancistrus aurantiacus, Ancistrus. cf. ranunculus L255 and S. zuanoni from the Xingu River RESEX made the greatest contributions to compositional differences found between the two reserves (Fig. 4).
DiscussionAccording to Herbert et al. (2010), freshwater biodiversity in protected areas in Brazil is still poorly understood, with very few studies addressing these areas. Until now, no research had been completed on the ichthyofauna of the Conservation Areas of Middle Xingu. Management plans for these CAs currently lack data on the diversity and richness of the ichthyofauna in rapids environments. However, they do contain statements from fishermen that ornamental fish species richness is high in the area, and that these species were regularly captured in these areas before the reserves were created (ICMBio, 2010, 2012).
In this study, 32 Loricariidae species were captured across the two reserves. This value represents approximately 60% of the total Loricariidae species already registered in the Xingu River Basin (Sabaj-Pérez, 2015). The majority of species found in both CAs are also found downstream in the Volta Grande area, which nowadays are experiencing severe alterations from the Belo Monte hydroelectric complex. Some species, however, are unique to the reserves, like Ancistrus cf. ranunculus L255, Ancistrus sp.2, Ancistrus sp.5, and Ancistrus sp.6. A study performed in the Madeira River indicated a diverse environment of 71 Loricariidae species (Torrente-Vilara et al., 2013). Meanwhile, Anjos et al. (2008), identified Loricariidae as the second richest family, at 11 total species, in a compositional study of fishes in the upper Purus River, specifically in two tributaries, the Caeté and Macapá rivers, in the state of Acre, Brazil. Ferreira et al. (2011) came to the same conclusion after recording 23 species in a survey of the Araguaia River, in Cantão State Park in Tocantins, near the border with Pará.
Of all the species in this study, 8 were registered for only one reserve or the other, with 3 for the Iriri River RESEX and 5 for the Xingu River RESEX. This fact highlights the importance of creating multiple conservation areas in sub-basins that are near each other, as not all species of a given region can be found in just one CA.
Few of the exclusive species have been taxonomically named yet, the majority of which might be new species without any scientific record. This precludes inferences on endemicity of these species to this region, but it does indicate the need to continue studying the area. However, given that the CAs are in different sub-basins, some of the species could, in fact, be exclusive to one reserve or the other. The Xingu River is known for its high rates of endemism (Sabaj-Pérez, 2015; Sawakuchi et al., 2015; Winemiller et al., 2016; Dagosta, de Pinna, 2019; Jézéquel et al., 2020). For example, Ancistrus cf. ranunculus L255 was collected only in the Xingu River RESEX, thereby reinforcing the results from previous, unpublished research that showed that this species has a limited distribution in the Xingu River upstream from its confluence with the Iriri River.
Despite of the strong selectivity towards Loricariidae during all sampling sessions, the composition of the captured species varies depending on the method used. According to Carvalho Júnior et al. (2009), diving with an air compressor allows for the capture of species that live at greater depths, regardless of the time of year. In addition, this method provides more diving time, which could lead to a greater number of collected species. Meanwhile, free diving allows for capturing species in shallower environments; these are performed preferentially in dry periods (Mesquita, Isaac-Nahum, 2015).
Contrary to what fishermen commonly argue, our study found a greater richness of species captured through free diving compared to compressed air dives. In this case, other factors might have impacted our results. For example, the free divers were residents of the area, meaning that they knew the region, whereas those who dived using compressed air were not from the reserves, but were knowledgeable, experienced fishermen who were selected due to their skills in diving with a compressor in another areas. In addition, the seasonal bias needs also to be accounted. Free diving was conducted mainly in the dry season and compressed air diving in the rainy season. Espírito-Santo et al. (2009) studied the Ducke Reserve, near the city of Manaus, Amazonas, and found that fish species richness and numbers of individuals captured were greater in the dry season, with a different composition and abundance observed depending on the season. Such results can also be found when considering river seasonality (Copatti et al., 2009). The rapids portions of the Xingu River diminish during dry periods, thereby comparably affecting the habitats of the studied species. This might lead to a greater abundance and richness of species concentrated in a smaller area. That being said, Loricariidae species are dependent on the substrate, given that all their food sources are from the flora and fauna found in this habitat (Reis et al., 2003; Lujan et al., 2012). Collection conditions in the rainy season are worse: the transparency of the water is severally reduced and because the capture of loricariids while diving is mostly visual, collections are negatively affected during this period. However, the comparison of efficiency of each sampling method was not a major goal of this study design and we suggest that a proper comparison (with delimited number of sampling and replicates by each method) should be the goal of a future study.
The reserves are located on different rivers, each one having a myriad of rapids and backwaters of their own, serving as geographical barriers that might limit migration and promote speciation. These geographical barriers, according to Silva et al. (2016), could be an important factor in determining the composition of the ichthyofauna. The Iriri River has a complex regional slope, in addition to the significant variations in water level across seasons (ICMBio, 2010). Furthermore, the Xingu River has morphological characteristics and a substrate composition that fundamentally affects its aquatic ecology and biodiversity (Sawakuchi et al., 2015). These local structural characteristics work together with regional and historical factors in determining how fish species congregate, meaning that different habitats can lead to different combinations (Súarez, 2008).
Furthermore, this study identified several species that are classified as vulnerable by the Brazil Red Book of Threatened Species of Fauna, such as S. aureatus and S. pariolispos (ICMBio, 2018). The presence of these species in protected areas demonstrates the importance of conducting an inventory of ichthyofauna such as the one we conducted here. Information about diversity of an area is required to make qualified decisions about the management of natural areas (Silveira et al., 2010). The detection of Scobinancistrus aureatus in the Iriri River RESEX is very interesting, as previous research had restricted its distribution to the middle and lower portions of the Xingu River (Camargo et al., 2004), and the species had only been found between Cachoeira do Espelho and the rapids of Belo Monte (Camargo et al., 2013). As such, this observation considerably increases the known distribution of this species and can contribute to new discussions about its conservation status.
Of the 32 Loricariidae species that were inventoried, 16 are already being sold in the ornamental market, with local market prices ranging from 0.20 to 100.00 Brazilian Reais per animal (Araújo, 2016), or 0.08 to 40.00 USD on 2015 currency. Nevertheless, few species fall in the higher part of this range (Gonçalves et al., 2009; Camargo et al., 2012). The environmental changes resulting from the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant have negatively affected many fishing areas that are important in the Volta Grande region and that sustained the ornamental fish market in Altamira and the region for decades. This loss of fishing areas near Altamira city is increasing the fishing pressures in protected areas upstream, with the RESEX regions being a new alternative for ornamental fisheries. However, these actions need to be closely monitored and a Management Plan must be created to regulate the use of the natural resources inside the reserves. The use of protected areas by non-resident fishermen can generate escalating conflicts and the reserve’s residents are seeking regulations that protect their rights to the use of this resource. We recommend that fishing areas should be delimited with participation of local villagers and be rotated to avoid overfishing inside the reserves. Exploitation of fisheries resources in the reserve areas should be for the residents only.
The income of the residents of these reserves is based on forest products, like Brazil nuts, latex, and fish for human consumption, among other goods. These products have a strong seasonal availability. Brazil nut, for example, are harvested during the rainy season, whereas fishing for food is more common in the dry season. Ornamental fishing could be another option to complement the incomes of the families who live in the reserves. Nonetheless, additional biological and ecological research is necessary, so that the life history and population dynamics of species within these CAs can be understood. This would allow these species to be managed sustainably, with as little an impact as possible on the fish population of the rapids of the region.
Protected areas have been a pillar of conservation throughout the world. However, their effectiveness and importance have not been adequately evaluated (Gaston et al., 2008). Our results contribute to the understanding of the extent to which protected areas could be essential to maintaining the ichthyofauna of the Xingu region, thereby, reinforcing the importance of creating different protected areas throughout the basin. Such reserves could help preserve the regions distinctive ichthyofauna by maintaining the species in these environments. Inventories such as conducted by this study are needed to provide a baseline understanding of diverse natural resources and help guide the development, delimitation, and management of Conservation Areas to protect those resources.
Acknowledgments
We thank the Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio) for their logistical and financial support during the sample collection process the Fundação Amazônia de Amparo a Estudos e Pesquisas (FAPESPA) for the master’s scholarship funding. In addition, we ackonwledge Paulo Trindade (UFPA, Belém), Nayana Marques (INPA), Madoka Ito (INPA), and Douglas Bastos (INPA) for their contributions to the collection process. The expeditions were partially financed by Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq 486376/2013-3). Finally, many thanks to the fishermen for their willingness to help collect the specimens and, finally, to the residents of the extractive reserves for welcoming us into their homes.
Diversity of Loricariidae (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes) assemblages in two Conservation Areas of the Middle Xingu River, Brazilian Amazon, and their suitability for sustainable ornamental fisheries
Maria Dayanne Lima de Lucena1 , Tatiana da Silva Pereira1, 2 Alany Pedrosa Gonçalves3 Karina Dias Silva1, 2 and Leandro Melo de Sousa1, 2, 4
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Abstract The Xingu River has one of the most diverse fish faunas in the Amazon region. Loricariidae stands out as the most diverse family in the basin, comprising more than 60 species distributed over 26 genera. Species of Loricariidae are some of the most economically valued in the ornamental market worldwide. The loss of fishing environments in Altamira region due to dam impacts is driving a shift of ornamental fishing to areas upstream, among which are included the Xingu River and Iriri River Extractive Reserve Areas. Thus, the objective of this work was to inventory fish species with ornamental potential in these extractive reserves to serve as a baseline to help guide the future management of ornamental fishing in those areas. Thirty-two species of Loricariidae were collected in these reserves through either free diving or diving with compressed air. The composition of species varied according to the sampling method and area. The majority of species found in the reserves are also found in the impacted areas of Belo Monte near Altamira. The study areas showed high diversity of fish species in rapids environments, suggesting that this area could serve as an additional source of income for the residents of these reserves.
Keywords: Conservation units, Fish diversity, Ornamental fishery, Sustainable management.
IntroductionThe Xingu River is notable for being the fourth biggest tributary in the Amazon Basin (Goulding et al., 2003) and having the most extensive network of rapids in the world (Sawakuchi et al., 2015). The richness of Xingu fishes is among the highest in the Amazon region, comprising approximately 502 species in the entire basin (Dagosta, de Pinna, 2019); 50 of which are endemic to the Xingu (Zuanon, 1999; Sabaj-Pérez, 2015).
Among the Xingu’s fishes, Loricariidae is one of the most diverse families, accounting for 60 species belonging to 26 genera (Camargo et al., 2012; Camargo et al., 2013), inhabiting the myriad rocky rapids, channels, islands, and different substrate matrices. Some Loricariidae species in the region are among the most important in the ornamental fish market; according to Araújo (2016), it is the group that attracts the most commercial interest in the region, being an important source of income for local fishermen.
Due to combinations of overharvesting for the ornamental fish trade and habitat destruction, some species of Loricariidae have become threatened (Batista et al., 2004; Roman, 2011). A complete understanding of the conservation status of many of the discussed species, though, is hindered by the fact that many species and/or phenotypically and genetically distinct populations have still not been described taxonomically and are poorly understood both biologically and ecologically. As a result, it has not been possible to establish guidelines for managing these economic resources (Torres et al., 2008).
The ornamental fish fishery in the Xingu River basin began in the late 1980s, when unemployed dredge miners started to use their diving equipment to capture fish associated to the bottom (Barthem, 2001). The ornamental fisheries on the Xingu River is focused mainly on Loricariidae, supported by the high species richness of this family on the basin (more than 60 species) and great demand for this family in the international aquarium market (Prang, 2007; Ramos et. al., 2015; Araújo et al., 2017). Prior to the implementation of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP), the Xingu River Basin ornamental Loricariidae fishery extended from the mouth of Xingu River, at Porto de Moz, upstream to São Félix do Xingu in the middle Xingu River, in addition to the lower stretch of the Iriri River. Historically, the highest concentration of ornamental fishing was in the region of the Volta Grande do Xingu, near the city of Altamira. According to several studies as well as fishermen observations, loricariid diversity in the Xingu region has already been impacted by the completion and operation of the Belo Monte HPP. Many environments, including rapids, deeper channels, and floodplain habitats are being lost, and previously clean substrates required by loricariids are being covered in silt and sediment (Sabaj-Pérez, 2015; Sawakuchi et al., 2015; Lees et al., 2016).
The especially severe impact of Belo Monte on habitats from which ornamental fishes were collected in the Altamira region is forcing the ornamental fisheries to relocate upstream. According to de Francesco, Carneiro (2015), fisheries areas have already been displaced to further upstream from the main dam, causing territorial conflicts among fishermen. This situation, as well as an increase in local demand, are pushing fishermen into some Sustainable Use Conservation Areas (CA), specifically those upstream of the area affected by Belo Monte. Studies performed in two extractive reserves (RESEX in Portuguese) of the Xingu and Iriri Rivers have reported that residents and officials in these regions are concerned about the increased extractive pressure inside the reserves, specially by non-residents (ICMBio, 2010, 2012). The collection and commerce of natural goods on Sustainable Use Conservation Areas can be allowed, since management plans have been settled between the residents and the official regulatory agencies (Brasil, 2011). These plans are proven to be a good way to preserve a given area, as the local residents control who can or cannot harvest in the reserve. A mandatory step to begin the management plan discussions is to have a list of the species of the area. As such, the objective of this study was to inventory species of Loricariidae in the Xingu and Iriri River RESEXes. Although not a major study goal, we also explored potential influences of methods of collection and differences among Loricariidae composition on the two protected areas. This study thus establishes a baseline for further studies of the sustainable extraction of ornamental fishes in the in the Xingu and Iriri River RESEXes.
Material and methodsSampling sites. This research was undertaken in two Sustainable Use Conservation Areas (CA), both located in the Terra do Meio region, an area consisting of various protected areas between the Xingu and Iriri Rivers in the state of Pará, Brazil (Fig. 1). This region exhibits enormous environmental and social diversity and holds significant importance with respect to cultural heritage due to the presence of extractive, river-dependent, and indigenous populations (ICMBio, 2012).
Located in Pará, in the north of the Xingu River Basin, the Iriri River RESEX was established by Brazilian Federal Decree on June 5, 2006. It consists of roughly 398,000 hectares and has 285 residents, according to 2009 census (ICMBio, 2010).
The Xingu River RESEX is also located in Pará and was created by Brazilian Federal Decree on June 5, 2008. It has an area of approximately 303,841 hectares and 298 residents as of August 2011 (ICMBio, 2012).
The Iriri and the Xingu rivers drain the Brazilian Shield and are considered clear water rivers with rocky bottom and similar water parameters: pH 6.5-7.2, conductivity 20 µS, visibility varying from 0 (rainy season) to 3 m (dry season). The Iriri River at most parts is shallower than the Xingu River, leading to warmer temperatures (up to average 34°C compared to 32°C of Xingu in dry season).
Data collection and analysis. The collection and use of animals complied with Brazilian animal welfare laws, guidelines and policies as approved by SISBIO License #52313-1. Fishes were collected in 2016 over two different periods: the rainy season (January and February), and the dry season (August and September). The collections alternated between the reserves and lasted 17 days each; as such, there were two expeditions to each RESEX. Field collections were focused on the family Loricariidae, given its relevance to the fishermen of this region due to the high prices of these fishes on the ornamental market.
FIGURE 1 | Map of the collection areas in the Xingu and Iriri River Extractive Reserves.
The first collections took place in the rainy season. In every locality, two local fishermen collected ornamental fishes, using cast nets and compressed-air diving equipment. A total of 39 points were sampled in the Iriri RESEX and 40 in the Xingu RESEX in the rainy season. In the dry season, fishes were collected by free diving, with only cast nets and “vaquetas” (a wooden stick instrument, produced by the fishermen). Collections were performed by local fishermen who were at liberty to choose their collection points, thereby prioritizing local ecological knowledge. In the dry season, 14 and 23 points were sampled in the Iriri and Xingu River RESEXes, respectively.
Although collection methods differed between seasons, all dives were conducted in environments with rocky substrates and were standardized by time. Most dives lasted about one hour.
In the rainy season, collected fishes were packed in plastic bags, separated by sample, tagged, and afterward euthanised with clove oil and fixed in a 10% formaldehyde solution. In the dry season, most fishes were sorted and identified while still in the field, then released afterward. Some specimens were sacrificed and processed as in the rainy season. All voucher specimens are deposited at Laboratório de Ictiologia de Altamira (LIA) fish collection of the Federal University of Pará, Altamira Campus.
In the laboratory, fishes were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible. Identifications were based on specific literature sources; whenever necessary, specialists for each group were consulted. The L-number code (a parataxonomical system coined by German magazine Deutsche Aquarien- und Terrarien-Zeitschrift – DATZ) was utilized to refer to undescribed morphospecies in some cases. Afterward, samples were separated into groups (for species and sample point), transferred to 70% alcohol, and catalogued.
In order to evaluate the specificity and fidelity of each species for each RESEX, an indicator value (IndVal) was calculated (Dufrêne, Legendre, 1997), with values varying from 0 to 100, where numbers closest to 100 meaning more specificity and fidelity to each variable.
After evaluating whether the composition of the species varied based on the collection method, a Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance (PERMANOVA) was performed (Anderson, 2001), using a significance threshold of p = 0.05. An independent sample t-test was used to test for differences in the richness of the collected species by location and different collection methods utilized. To test for differences in species composition on the two reserves, a permutational multivariate dispersion test (PERMDISP) and a PERMANOVA were performed (Anderson, 2001), using a significance threshold of p = 0.05. In order to graphically visualize the differences in species composition, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed (Legendre, Legendre, 2012); a Hellinger transformation was overlaid using a Decostand function, in order to remove the arch effect in biotic communities (Legendre, Gallagher, 2001). All analyses were performed in the program R, using the packages Indcspecies (IndVal), Vegan with Adonis and Bray Curtis method (PERMANOVA), Betadisper (PERMDISP), and RDA (composition PCA) functions (R Core Team, 2016).
Results
In total, 6,059 individual fishes were collected, of which 3,232 were preserved and deposited in the LIA fish collection. The remaining fishes were returned alive to where they were collected as described above. The collected samples were assigned to 32 species or morphotypes of Loricariidae (Tab. 1).
TABLE 1 | List of registered species and number of collected specimens in the Xingu and Iriri River RESEXes.
Species/morphospecies
Voucher
Iriri River RESEX
Xingu River RESEX
Total
Rainy season
Dry season
Rainy season
Dry season
Ancistomus feldbergae (de Oliveira, Rapp Py-Daniel, Zuanon & Rocha, 2012)
LIA 6226
174
116
4
294
Ancistrus cf. ranunculus Muller, Rapp Py-Daniel & Zuanon, 1994 (L255)
LIA 3780
174
9
183
Ancistrus ranunculus Muller, Rapp Py-Daniel & Zuanon, 1994
LIA 3541
34
1
35
Ancistrus sp.1
LIA 3810
2
2
Ancistrus sp.2
LIA 6186
25
1
1
27
Ancistrus sp.3
LIA 3468
34
5
13
4
56
Ancistrus sp.4
LIA 3494
8
8
Ancistrus sp.5
LIA 6019
3
3
Ancistrus sp.6
LIA 3996
2
2
Aphanotorulus aff. emarginatus (Valenciennes, 1840)
LIA 3470
15
1
2
18
Baryancistrus aff. niveatus (Castelnau, 1855)
LIA 3562
45
15
3
63
Baryancistrus chrysolomus Rapp Py-Daniel, Zuanon & Ribeiro de Oliveira, 2011
LIA 3881
1
17
24
42
Baryancistrus xanthellus Rapp Py-Daniel, Zuanon & Ribeiro de Oliveira, 2011
LIA 3483
385
1087
33
522
2027
Farlowella amazonum (Günther, 1864)
LIA 6007
1
2
4
7
Hopliancistrus wolverine de Oliveira, Zuanon, Rapp Py-Daniel, Birindelli, & Sousa, 2021
LIA 3870
6
7
8
8
29
Hopliancistrus xikrin de Oliveira, Zuanon, Rapp Py-Daniel, Birindelli & Sousa, 2021
LIA 3495
4
1
5
Hypostomus gr. cochliodon Kner, 1854
LIA 6159
1
1
Hypostomus gr. plecostomus (Linnaeus, 1758)
LIA 3676
7
1
4
12
Leporacanthicus heterodon Isbrücker & Nijssen, 1989
LIA 3591
3
22
8
33
Panaque armbrusteri Lujan, Hidalgo & Stewart, 2010
LIA 6000
1
1
1
3
Parancistrus aurantiacus (Castelnau, 1855)
LIA 3515
205
61
235
103
604
Peckoltia sabaji Armbruster, 2003
LIA 3887
11
8
29
48
Peckoltia vittata (Steindachner, 1881)
LIA 3905
10
4
7
21
Pseudacanthicus pirarara Chamon & Sousa, 2016
LIA 3613
9
16
2
2
29
Pseudancistrus asurini Silva, Roxo & Oliveira, 2015
LIA 3612
21
30
35
60
146
Rineloricaria sp.
LIA 2555
1
1
Scobinancistrus aureatus Burgess, 1994
LIA 3627
6
19
22
47
Scobinancistrus pariolispos Isbrücker & Nijssen, 1989
LIA 3646
10
5
10
27
52
Scobinancistrus sp. L253
LIA 6040
8
7
1
22
38
Spatuloricaria tuira Fichberg, Oyakawa & de Pinna, 2014
LIA 3696
4
26
3
68
101
Spectracanthicus punctatissimus (Steindachner, 1881)
LIA 3476
377
166
86
395
1024
Spectracanthicus zuanoni Chamon & Rapp Py-Daniel, 2014
LIA 3505
191
86
280
541
1098
Overall Total
1595
1659
935
1870
6059
Out of the total, 24 species were found in both RESEXes, whereas only 3 and 5 were exclusive to the Iriri and Xingu River RESEXes, respectively (Fig. 2).
When comparing the two sampling methods, eleven species presented significant IndVal values for free diving (by apnea) while two species for air compressed diving (Tab. 2).
When taking into account drainage in the RESEXes, A. feldbergae, P. pirarara, A. ranunculus, and Ancistrus sp.4 were more representative of the Iriri River RESEX, reaching IndVal values of 85.3, 48.2, 30.7 and 30.7, respectively. On the other hand, the species that best represented the Xingu River RESEX were Ancistrus cf. ranunculus L255, P. sabaji, and B. chrysolomus, with values of up to 64.8, 40.9, and 33.1, respectively (Tab. 3).
In relation to the richness of the species, there were significant differences between the samples, both based on free diving (x = 8.48) and diving with compressed air (x = 5.71). On average, there was more variation when comparing the richness of three species using the free diving method (t = 5.88, df = 113, p < 0.01). However, species richness didn’t vary significantly between the reserves (t = 1.311, df = 113, p = 0.09).
The composition of species changed depending on the method of capture (R² = 0.09; p < 0.01) (Fig. 3). Ancistrus sp.5, Hypostomus gr. cochliodon, Rineloricaria sp. were only collected by free diving, whereas the Ancistrus sp.1, Ancistrus sp.4, Ancistrus sp.6, and Hopliancistrus xikrin were only collected using compressed-air diving equipment.
FIGURE 2 | Venn diagram showing the compositions of the Loricariidae species found in both extractive reserves.
TABLE 2 | Indicator value (IndVal) of the species for different sampling methods.
Species
Sampling method
IndVal
Mean
SD
p
Baryancistrus xanthellus
Free diving
90.4
17.62
3.28
0.0002
Spatuloricaria tuira
Free diving
80.8
0.86
2.34
0.0002
Pseudancistrus asurini
Free diving
73.7
1.26
1.97
0.0002
Scobinancistrus aureatus
Free diving
59.5
0.40
1.36
0.0002
Scobinancistrus pariolispos
Free diving
52.1
0.45
1.15
0.0036
Scobinancistrus sp. L253
Free diving
51.0
0.33
1.12
0.0016
Leporacanthicus heterodon
Free diving
50.8
0.28
1.41
0.0008
Pseudacanthicus pirarara
Free diving
45.8
0.25
0.77
0.0124
Peckoltia sabaji
Free diving
45.4
0.41
1.44
0.0064
Hopliancistrus wolverine
Free diving
43.3
0.25
0.66
0.0278
Farlowella amazonum
Free diving
35.4
0.06
0.27
0.0116
Baryancistrus aff. niveatus
Air Compressor
60.9
0.54
1.06
0.0004
Ancistrus cf. ranunculus L255
Air Compressor
50.4
1.59
4.05
0.0124
TABLE 3 | Indicator values (IndVal) of the species, taking into account drainage in the Xingu and Iriri River RESEXes.
Species
RESEX
IndVal
Mean
SD
p
Ancistomus feldbergae
Iriri
85.3
2.55
5.29
0.0002
Pseudacanthicus pirarara
Iriri
48.2
0.25
0.77
0.0010
Ancistrus ranunculus
Iriri
30.7
0.30
1.94
0.0234
Ancistrus sp.4
Iriri
30.7
0.06
0.34
0.0190
Ancistrus cf. ranunculus L255
Xingu
64.8
1.59
4.05
0.0002
Peckoltia sabaji
Xingu
40.9
0.41
1.44
0.0267
Baryancistrus chrysolomus
Xingu
33.1
0.36
2.35
0.0380
FIGURE 3 | Principal component analysis (PCA) for composition of ornamental fish species based on the method of capture (Hellinger transformation), considering the two extractive reserves.
FIGURE 4 | Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of fish composition in the drainages of both the Xingu and Iriri River RESEXes (Hellinger transformation). Only species names that made greatest contributions to compositional differences are shown.
The PERMDISP showed that the variation in composition within the reserves does not differ (F = 0.002; p = 0.974). However, the PERMANOVA analysis showed that the species composition was significantly different between the reserves (F = 10.381; p < 0.001). Spectracanthicus punctatissimus, B. xanthellus, and A. feldbergae from the Iriri River RESEX and Parancistrus aurantiacus, Ancistrus. cf. ranunculus L255 and S. zuanoni from the Xingu River RESEX made the greatest contributions to compositional differences found between the two reserves (Fig. 4).
DiscussionAccording to Herbert et al. (2010), freshwater biodiversity in protected areas in Brazil is still poorly understood, with very few studies addressing these areas. Until now, no research had been completed on the ichthyofauna of the Conservation Areas of Middle Xingu. Management plans for these CAs currently lack data on the diversity and richness of the ichthyofauna in rapids environments. However, they do contain statements from fishermen that ornamental fish species richness is high in the area, and that these species were regularly captured in these areas before the reserves were created (ICMBio, 2010, 2012).
In this study, 32 Loricariidae species were captured across the two reserves. This value represents approximately 60% of the total Loricariidae species already registered in the Xingu River Basin (Sabaj-Pérez, 2015). The majority of species found in both CAs are also found downstream in the Volta Grande area, which nowadays are experiencing severe alterations from the Belo Monte hydroelectric complex. Some species, however, are unique to the reserves, like Ancistrus cf. ranunculus L255, Ancistrus sp.2, Ancistrus sp.5, and Ancistrus sp.6. A study performed in the Madeira River indicated a diverse environment of 71 Loricariidae species (Torrente-Vilara et al., 2013). Meanwhile, Anjos et al. (2008), identified Loricariidae as the second richest family, at 11 total species, in a compositional study of fishes in the upper Purus River, specifically in two tributaries, the Caeté and Macapá rivers, in the state of Acre, Brazil. Ferreira et al. (2011) came to the same conclusion after recording 23 species in a survey of the Araguaia River, in Cantão State Park in Tocantins, near the border with Pará.
Of all the species in this study, 8 were registered for only one reserve or the other, with 3 for the Iriri River RESEX and 5 for the Xingu River RESEX. This fact highlights the importance of creating multiple conservation areas in sub-basins that are near each other, as not all species of a given region can be found in just one CA.
Few of the exclusive species have been taxonomically named yet, the majority of which might be new species without any scientific record. This precludes inferences on endemicity of these species to this region, but it does indicate the need to continue studying the area. However, given that the CAs are in different sub-basins, some of the species could, in fact, be exclusive to one reserve or the other. The Xingu River is known for its high rates of endemism (Sabaj-Pérez, 2015; Sawakuchi et al., 2015; Winemiller et al., 2016; Dagosta, de Pinna, 2019; Jézéquel et al., 2020). For example, Ancistrus cf. ranunculus L255 was collected only in the Xingu River RESEX, thereby reinforcing the results from previous, unpublished research that showed that this species has a limited distribution in the Xingu River upstream from its confluence with the Iriri River.
Despite of the strong selectivity towards Loricariidae during all sampling sessions, the composition of the captured species varies depending on the method used. According to Carvalho Júnior et al. (2009), diving with an air compressor allows for the capture of species that live at greater depths, regardless of the time of year. In addition, this method provides more diving time, which could lead to a greater number of collected species. Meanwhile, free diving allows for capturing species in shallower environments; these are performed preferentially in dry periods (Mesquita, Isaac-Nahum, 2015).
Contrary to what fishermen commonly argue, our study found a greater richness of species captured through free diving compared to compressed air dives. In this case, other factors might have impacted our results. For example, the free divers were residents of the area, meaning that they knew the region, whereas those who dived using compressed air were not from the reserves, but were knowledgeable, experienced fishermen who were selected due to their skills in diving with a compressor in another areas. In addition, the seasonal bias needs also to be accounted. Free diving was conducted mainly in the dry season and compressed air diving in the rainy season. Espírito-Santo et al. (2009) studied the Ducke Reserve, near the city of Manaus, Amazonas, and found that fish species richness and numbers of individuals captured were greater in the dry season, with a different composition and abundance observed depending on the season. Such results can also be found when considering river seasonality (Copatti et al., 2009). The rapids portions of the Xingu River diminish during dry periods, thereby comparably affecting the habitats of the studied species. This might lead to a greater abundance and richness of species concentrated in a smaller area. That being said, Loricariidae species are dependent on the substrate, given that all their food sources are from the flora and fauna found in this habitat (Reis et al., 2003; Lujan et al., 2012). Collection conditions in the rainy season are worse: the transparency of the water is severally reduced and because the capture of loricariids while diving is mostly visual, collections are negatively affected during this period. However, the comparison of efficiency of each sampling method was not a major goal of this study design and we suggest that a proper comparison (with delimited number of sampling and replicates by each method) should be the goal of a future study.
The reserves are located on different rivers, each one having a myriad of rapids and backwaters of their own, serving as geographical barriers that might limit migration and promote speciation. These geographical barriers, according to Silva et al. (2016), could be an important factor in determining the composition of the ichthyofauna. The Iriri River has a complex regional slope, in addition to the significant variations in water level across seasons (ICMBio, 2010). Furthermore, the Xingu River has morphological characteristics and a substrate composition that fundamentally affects its aquatic ecology and biodiversity (Sawakuchi et al., 2015). These local structural characteristics work together with regional and historical factors in determining how fish species congregate, meaning that different habitats can lead to different combinations (Súarez, 2008).
Furthermore, this study identified several species that are classified as vulnerable by the Brazil Red Book of Threatened Species of Fauna, such as S. aureatus and S. pariolispos (ICMBio, 2018). The presence of these species in protected areas demonstrates the importance of conducting an inventory of ichthyofauna such as the one we conducted here. Information about diversity of an area is required to make qualified decisions about the management of natural areas (Silveira et al., 2010). The detection of Scobinancistrus aureatus in the Iriri River RESEX is very interesting, as previous research had restricted its distribution to the middle and lower portions of the Xingu River (Camargo et al., 2004), and the species had only been found between Cachoeira do Espelho and the rapids of Belo Monte (Camargo et al., 2013). As such, this observation considerably increases the known distribution of this species and can contribute to new discussions about its conservation status.
Of the 32 Loricariidae species that were inventoried, 16 are already being sold in the ornamental market, with local market prices ranging from 0.20 to 100.00 Brazilian Reais per animal (Araújo, 2016), or 0.08 to 40.00 USD on 2015 currency. Nevertheless, few species fall in the higher part of this range (Gonçalves et al., 2009; Camargo et al., 2012). The environmental changes resulting from the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant have negatively affected many fishing areas that are important in the Volta Grande region and that sustained the ornamental fish market in Altamira and the region for decades. This loss of fishing areas near Altamira city is increasing the fishing pressures in protected areas upstream, with the RESEX regions being a new alternative for ornamental fisheries. However, these actions need to be closely monitored and a Management Plan must be created to regulate the use of the natural resources inside the reserves. The use of protected areas by non-resident fishermen can generate escalating conflicts and the reserve’s residents are seeking regulations that protect their rights to the use of this resource. We recommend that fishing areas should be delimited with participation of local villagers and be rotated to avoid overfishing inside the reserves. Exploitation of fisheries resources in the reserve areas should be for the residents only.
The income of the residents of these reserves is based on forest products, like Brazil nuts, latex, and fish for human consumption, among other goods. These products have a strong seasonal availability. Brazil nut, for example, are harvested during the rainy season, whereas fishing for food is more common in the dry season. Ornamental fishing could be another option to complement the incomes of the families who live in the reserves. Nonetheless, additional biological and ecological research is necessary, so that the life history and population dynamics of species within these CAs can be understood. This would allow these species to be managed sustainably, with as little an impact as possible on the fish population of the rapids of the region.
Protected areas have been a pillar of conservation throughout the world. However, their effectiveness and importance have not been adequately evaluated (Gaston et al., 2008). Our results contribute to the understanding of the extent to which protected areas could be essential to maintaining the ichthyofauna of the Xingu region, thereby, reinforcing the importance of creating different protected areas throughout the basin. Such reserves could help preserve the regions distinctive ichthyofauna by maintaining the species in these environments. Inventories such as conducted by this study are needed to provide a baseline understanding of diverse natural resources and help guide the development, delimitation, and management of Conservation Areas to protect those resources.
Acknowledgments
We thank the Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio) for their logistical and financial support during the sample collection process the Fundação Amazônia de Amparo a Estudos e Pesquisas (FAPESPA) for the master’s scholarship funding. In addition, we ackonwledge Paulo Trindade (UFPA, Belém), Nayana Marques (INPA), Madoka Ito (INPA), and Douglas Bastos (INPA) for their contributions to the collection process. The expeditions were partially financed by Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq 486376/2013-3). Finally, many thanks to the fishermen for their willingness to help collect the specimens and, finally, to the residents of the extractive reserves for welcoming us into their homes.
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A new miniature species of Priocharax (Characiformes: Characidae) from the upper rio Ipixuna, Purus drainage, BrazilGeorge Mendes Taliaferro MattoxCamila da Silva de SouzaMônica Toledo-PizaClaudio OliveiraABOUT THE AUTHORSAbstractA new species of miniature fish of the characid genus Priocharax is described from a small lake near the rio Ipixuna, rio Purus drainage, Amazonas State, Brazil. It is distinguished from all congeners except P. pygmaeus by the lower number of teeth on the maxilla and dentary. It differs from P. pygmaeus by the presence of two postcleithra and 22–27 branched anal-fin rays (vs absence and 19–22). The new species is further distinguished from other species of Priocharax by a combination of characters involving the number of pelvic-fin rays and branched anal-fin rays, the number of postcleithra, the shape of postcleithrum 3, and the absence of the claustrum. Molecular evidence based on COI sequences of all valid species of Priocharax also corroborates the validity of this new species.
Full paper at:- Neotrop. ichthyol. 19 (02) • 2021 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2021-0048
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Full paper at:- Neotrop. ichthyol. 19 (02) • 2021 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2021-0048
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Synanceia quinque, a new species of stonefish (Synanceiidae) from Borneo and FloresIchthyological Research (2021)Cite this article
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Aborichthys barapensis, a new species of river loach (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, the eastern Himalaya, IndiaArticle Sidebar
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Published: Jun 29, 2021
Updated: 2021-06-29
Versions:
2021-06-29 (2)
2021-06-26 (1)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5989.13.7.18800-18808
Keywords:
Barap Stream northeastern India upper Brahmaputra River basinMain Article ContentP. Nanda
Department of Zoology
Lakpa Tamang
Department of Zoology, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, 791112, India.
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2552-062XAbstractA new species of nemachilid loach Aborichthys barapensis, is described based on two adult specimens (91 and 97 mm SL) from the Barap Stream (a tributary of the Brahmaputra River basin) in the southeastern most part of the state of Arunachal Pradesh bordering Myanmar. The new species is distinguished from its congeners in having a narrow black basicaudal bar without a black ocellus on the upper end (vs. present); and in having a very low dorsal and ventral adipose crests (vs. prominent; absent in A. waikhomi). The new species is further distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: body with 24–26 oblique bars along the flank; interspace narrower than bars on body; moderately rounded caudal fin with five distinct black to brown cross bars; vent closer to the caudal-fin base (44.1–45.1 % standard length) than to snout tip.
Article DetailsHow to Cite
Nanda, P. and Tamang, L. 2021. Aborichthys barapensis, a new species of river loach (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, the eastern Himalaya, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa. 13, 7 (Jun. 2021), 18800–18808. DOI:https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5989.13.7.18800-18808.
==========================
PDF/AHTML
Published: Jun 29, 2021
Updated: 2021-06-29
Versions:
2021-06-29 (2)
2021-06-26 (1)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5989.13.7.18800-18808
Keywords:
Barap Stream northeastern India upper Brahmaputra River basinMain Article ContentP. Nanda
Department of Zoology
Lakpa Tamang
Department of Zoology, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, 791112, India.
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2552-062XAbstractA new species of nemachilid loach Aborichthys barapensis, is described based on two adult specimens (91 and 97 mm SL) from the Barap Stream (a tributary of the Brahmaputra River basin) in the southeastern most part of the state of Arunachal Pradesh bordering Myanmar. The new species is distinguished from its congeners in having a narrow black basicaudal bar without a black ocellus on the upper end (vs. present); and in having a very low dorsal and ventral adipose crests (vs. prominent; absent in A. waikhomi). The new species is further distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: body with 24–26 oblique bars along the flank; interspace narrower than bars on body; moderately rounded caudal fin with five distinct black to brown cross bars; vent closer to the caudal-fin base (44.1–45.1 % standard length) than to snout tip.
Article DetailsHow to Cite
Nanda, P. and Tamang, L. 2021. Aborichthys barapensis, a new species of river loach (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, the eastern Himalaya, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa. 13, 7 (Jun. 2021), 18800–18808. DOI:https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5989.13.7.18800-18808.
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A new species of Hetereleotris (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Socotra Archipelago (north-western Indian Ocean), a rare case of a hole-associated adaptation in gobiid fishes
PISCESARABIAN SEAPHYLOGENETIC ANALYSISENDEMICSCRYPTOBENTHIC SPECIESAbstractA new cryptobenthic gobiid species Hetereleotris nasoramosa sp. nov. is described based on the holotype and five paratypes collected from the north-eastern part of Socotra Island, Arabian Sea, from moderately large pieces of coral rocks with holes at depths of 8–11 m. Molecular phylogenetic analysis placed the new species within the genus Hetereleotris. Hetereleotris nasoramosa sp. nov., differs from all species of Hetereleotris in having developed tentacles extending from each anterior and posterior nostril and five transverse suborbital papillae rows (instead four or six in other species). The new species superficially resembles the recently described Red Sea endemic species Cerogobius petrophilus by having forward-set, elevated eyes, a short snout, a moderately large mouth, a relatively deep and short caudal peduncle, and developed tentacles on the head, but differs from it by the same characters of developed tentacles extending from each anterior and posterior nostril and five transverse suborbital papillae rows as from other Hetereleotris species. Both species also share a specific habitat preference for tight holes in rock covered by micro-algae. A full description of the species is provided as well as a revised key to the species of Hetereleotris.
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Aborichthys barapensis, a new species of river loach (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, the eastern Himalaya, IndiaArticle Sidebar
PDF/AHTML
Published: Jun 29, 2021
Updated: 2021-06-29
Versions:
2021-06-29 (2)
2021-06-26 (1)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5989.13.7.18800-18808
Keywords:
Barap Stream northeastern India upper Brahmaputra River basinMain Article ContentP. Nanda
Department of Zoology
Lakpa Tamang
Department of Zoology, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, 791112, India.
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2552-062XAbstractA new species of nemachilid loach Aborichthys barapensis, is described based on two adult specimens (91 and 97 mm SL) from the Barap Stream (a tributary of the Brahmaputra River basin) in the southeastern most part of the state of Arunachal Pradesh bordering Myanmar. The new species is distinguished from its congeners in having a narrow black basicaudal bar without a black ocellus on the upper end (vs. present); and in having a very low dorsal and ventral adipose crests (vs. prominent; absent in A. waikhomi). The new species is further distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: body with 24–26 oblique bars along the flank; interspace narrower than bars on body; moderately rounded caudal fin with five distinct black to brown cross bars; vent closer to the caudal-fin base (44.1–45.1 % standard length) than to snout tip.
Article DetailsHow to Cite
Nanda, P. and Tamang, L. 2021. Aborichthys barapensis, a new species of river loach (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, the eastern Himalaya, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa. 13, 7 (Jun. 2021), 18800–18808. DOI:https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5989.13.7.18800-18808.
==========================
PDF/AHTML
Published: Jun 29, 2021
Updated: 2021-06-29
Versions:
2021-06-29 (2)
2021-06-26 (1)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5989.13.7.18800-18808
Keywords:
Barap Stream northeastern India upper Brahmaputra River basinMain Article ContentP. Nanda
Department of Zoology
Lakpa Tamang
Department of Zoology, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, 791112, India.
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2552-062XAbstractA new species of nemachilid loach Aborichthys barapensis, is described based on two adult specimens (91 and 97 mm SL) from the Barap Stream (a tributary of the Brahmaputra River basin) in the southeastern most part of the state of Arunachal Pradesh bordering Myanmar. The new species is distinguished from its congeners in having a narrow black basicaudal bar without a black ocellus on the upper end (vs. present); and in having a very low dorsal and ventral adipose crests (vs. prominent; absent in A. waikhomi). The new species is further distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: body with 24–26 oblique bars along the flank; interspace narrower than bars on body; moderately rounded caudal fin with five distinct black to brown cross bars; vent closer to the caudal-fin base (44.1–45.1 % standard length) than to snout tip.
Article DetailsHow to Cite
Nanda, P. and Tamang, L. 2021. Aborichthys barapensis, a new species of river loach (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, the eastern Himalaya, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa. 13, 7 (Jun. 2021), 18800–18808. DOI:https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5989.13.7.18800-18808.
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DOI: 10.11646/ZOOTAXA.4996.2.6
PUBLISHED: 2021-07-05
Pseudobagarius eustictus, a new species of catfish from northern Laos (Siluriformes: Akysidae)
PISCESMEKONG RIVER DRAINAGESISOROIDEAOSTARIOPHYSIAbstractPseudobagarius eustictus, new species, is described from the Nam Heung drainage (a tributary of the Mekong River) in northern Laos. It is distinguished from congeners in having a unique combination of the following characters: a weakly-produced snout in which the upper jaw extends only slightly beyond the margin of the lower jaw when viewed ventrally, 3 tubercles on the posterior margin of the pectoral spine, eye diameter 8% HL, head width 24.1% SL, dark yellow dorsal and lateral surfaces of the head, pectoral spine lacking elongate extensions, pectoral fin reaching the pelvic-fin base when adpressed against the body, dorsolateral surfaces of body without longitudinal series of prominent tubercles, body depth at anus 13.7% SL, length of adipose-fin base 17.7% SL, caudal-peduncle depth 7.0% SL, and 33 vertebrae.
References
PUBLISHED: 2021-07-05
Pseudobagarius eustictus, a new species of catfish from northern Laos (Siluriformes: Akysidae)
PISCESMEKONG RIVER DRAINAGESISOROIDEAOSTARIOPHYSIAbstractPseudobagarius eustictus, new species, is described from the Nam Heung drainage (a tributary of the Mekong River) in northern Laos. It is distinguished from congeners in having a unique combination of the following characters: a weakly-produced snout in which the upper jaw extends only slightly beyond the margin of the lower jaw when viewed ventrally, 3 tubercles on the posterior margin of the pectoral spine, eye diameter 8% HL, head width 24.1% SL, dark yellow dorsal and lateral surfaces of the head, pectoral spine lacking elongate extensions, pectoral fin reaching the pelvic-fin base when adpressed against the body, dorsolateral surfaces of body without longitudinal series of prominent tubercles, body depth at anus 13.7% SL, length of adipose-fin base 17.7% SL, caudal-peduncle depth 7.0% SL, and 33 vertebrae.
References
- Ballen, G.A. & de Pinna, M.C.C. (2021) A standardized terminology of spines in the order Siluriformes (Actinopterygii: Ostariophysi). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, zlab008. [published online] https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab008
Ferraris, C.J. (2007) Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes, Siluriformes) and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa, 1418 (1), 1–628. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.1418.1.1
Kottelat, M. (2001) Fishes of Laos. WHT Publications, Colombo, 198 pp.
Kottelat, M. (2013) The fishes of inland waters of Southeast Asia: a catalogue and core bibliography of the fishes known to occur in freshwaters, mangroves and estuaries. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, Supplement, 27, 1–663.
Ng, H.H. & Kottelat, M. (2013) Revision of the Asian catfish genus Hemibagrus Bleeker, 1862 (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Bagridae). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 61, 205–291.
Sabaj, M.H. (2020) Codes for natural history collections in herpetology and ichthyology. Copeia, 108, 593–669. https://doi.org/10.1643/ASIHCODONS2020
Taki, Y. (1974) Fishes of the Lao Mekong basin. United States Agency for International Development Mission to Laos Agriculture Division, Vientiane, 232 pp.
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SUNDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 2021 AT 13:00 UTC+01Catfish Study Group Show and Auction
Derwent Hall
Annual open show and auction of aquatic goods. Doors will open from 1100hrs, benching of show entries by 1230hrs, auction will start at 1300hrs. A canteen will serve hot and cold drinks and snacks. The show will be a reduced class show, further details to follow. Auction lots can be booked from 1st August and lot numbers will be drawn a week later, with initial draw preference for full CSG members. Additional details will be included on the CSG Facebook site, all arrangements subject to change depending on COVID restrictions. Show and auction will be run as per the rules of the CSG.
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Derwent Hall
Annual open show and auction of aquatic goods. Doors will open from 1100hrs, benching of show entries by 1230hrs, auction will start at 1300hrs. A canteen will serve hot and cold drinks and snacks. The show will be a reduced class show, further details to follow. Auction lots can be booked from 1st August and lot numbers will be drawn a week later, with initial draw preference for full CSG members. Additional details will be included on the CSG Facebook site, all arrangements subject to change depending on COVID restrictions. Show and auction will be run as per the rules of the CSG.
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Original article • Neotrop. ichthyol. 19 (02) • 2021 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2020-0152
A new species of Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás, Brazil
Marcelo R. S. MeloBárbara B. BouquerelFlávia T. MasumotoRayane S. FrançaAndré L. Netto-FerreiraABOUT THE AUTHORS
Keywords:
Cerrado; Characidium stigmosum; Endemism; Rio Tocantins basin; Taxonmy
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A new species of Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás, Brazil
Marcelo R. S. MeloBárbara B. BouquerelFlávia T. MasumotoRayane S. FrançaAndré L. Netto-FerreiraABOUT THE AUTHORS
-
Keywords:
Cerrado; Characidium stigmosum; Endemism; Rio Tocantins basin; Taxonmy
==========================
https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2020-0152
A new species of Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás, Brazil
Marcelo R. S. MeloBárbara B. BouquerelFlávia T. MasumotoRayane S. FrançaAndré L. Netto-FerreiraABOUT THE AUTHORS Abstract
AbstractA new species of Characidium is described from the tributaries of the rio Tocantinzinho, rio Tocantins basin, located in the southern portion of the Chapada dos Veadeiros, at about 1,200 meters of elevation, Goiás, Brazil. The new species can be diagnosed by an unusual combination of two apomorphic features present in distinct clades of Characidium, the presence of a scaleless isthmus in allied to with a single row of dentary teeth. Additionally, the new species has a unique color pattern of inconspicuous vertical bars disconnected from the dorsal midline, forming seven to nine square blotches along body sides, and the presence of a dark saddle-shaped mark at the dorsal-fin base. Osteologically, it can be diagnosed by having the first and second anal-fin proximal radials fused and contacting the third hemal spine, which is branched. The new species also has a peculiar, unusual variation of fin-ray counts among its congeners.
Keywords:
Cerrado; Characidium stigmosum; Endemism; Rio Tocantins basin; Taxonomy
==========================
A new species of Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás, Brazil
Marcelo R. S. MeloBárbara B. BouquerelFlávia T. MasumotoRayane S. FrançaAndré L. Netto-FerreiraABOUT THE AUTHORS Abstract
AbstractA new species of Characidium is described from the tributaries of the rio Tocantinzinho, rio Tocantins basin, located in the southern portion of the Chapada dos Veadeiros, at about 1,200 meters of elevation, Goiás, Brazil. The new species can be diagnosed by an unusual combination of two apomorphic features present in distinct clades of Characidium, the presence of a scaleless isthmus in allied to with a single row of dentary teeth. Additionally, the new species has a unique color pattern of inconspicuous vertical bars disconnected from the dorsal midline, forming seven to nine square blotches along body sides, and the presence of a dark saddle-shaped mark at the dorsal-fin base. Osteologically, it can be diagnosed by having the first and second anal-fin proximal radials fused and contacting the third hemal spine, which is branched. The new species also has a peculiar, unusual variation of fin-ray counts among its congeners.
Keywords:
Cerrado; Characidium stigmosum; Endemism; Rio Tocantins basin; Taxonomy
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A new psammophilous catfish of the genus Microcambeva watu
(Teleostei: Trichomycteridae) from the Rio Doce basin, southeastern Brazil.
Medeiros, Lucas S., Luisa M. Sarmento-Soares & Sergio M. Q. Lima. 2021.
Microcambeva watu Medeiros, Sarmento-Soares & Lima, 2021.
Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters/IEF-1147/pp. 1-13
http://doi.org/10.23788/IEF-1147 Note this link doesn`t work
Etymology. Watu is the Krenak’s name for the Rio Doce, meaning “sacred big river”. The Krenaks are an ethnic group that inhabits the Rio Doce region, at Aymorés, Minas Gerais State. They were named Botocudos by the Portuguese colonizers. In Krenak cosmogony, the natural elements, as rivers, mountains, trees, and caves have a mythological aspect, and one of the most important natural elements is the Watu, the Rio Doce (Reis & Genovez, 2013). This ethnic group was one of the most affected by the mining disaster in the basin in 2015 (Fiorott & Zaneti, 2017). The specific name, a noun in apposition, is in honor of the indigenous people who lives in the margins of the Rio Doce.
Fig: Microcambeva watu, MNRJ 51962, holotype, 25.7 mm SL; a, left lateral view; b, head, dorsal view; c, head,
ventral view; Brazil: Espírito Santo State, Rio Doce basin.
(Teleostei: Trichomycteridae) from the Rio Doce basin, southeastern Brazil.
Medeiros, Lucas S., Luisa M. Sarmento-Soares & Sergio M. Q. Lima. 2021.
Microcambeva watu Medeiros, Sarmento-Soares & Lima, 2021.
Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters/IEF-1147/pp. 1-13
http://doi.org/10.23788/IEF-1147 Note this link doesn`t work
Etymology. Watu is the Krenak’s name for the Rio Doce, meaning “sacred big river”. The Krenaks are an ethnic group that inhabits the Rio Doce region, at Aymorés, Minas Gerais State. They were named Botocudos by the Portuguese colonizers. In Krenak cosmogony, the natural elements, as rivers, mountains, trees, and caves have a mythological aspect, and one of the most important natural elements is the Watu, the Rio Doce (Reis & Genovez, 2013). This ethnic group was one of the most affected by the mining disaster in the basin in 2015 (Fiorott & Zaneti, 2017). The specific name, a noun in apposition, is in honor of the indigenous people who lives in the margins of the Rio Doce.
Fig: Microcambeva watu, MNRJ 51962, holotype, 25.7 mm SL; a, left lateral view; b, head, dorsal view; c, head,
ventral view; Brazil: Espírito Santo State, Rio Doce basin.
A new species of Moenkhausia (Characiformes: Characidae) from the rio Madeira basin, Brazil, with comments on the evolution and development of the trunk lateral line system in characids
Moenkhausia cambacica
AbstractA new species of Moenkhausia is described from the rio Machado drainage, Amazon basin, Brazil. It is diagnosed from congeners by its color pattern, consisting of the concentration of chromatophores on the anterior portion of body scales, the horizontally elongate blotch on caudal peduncle, a bright golden coloration of the dorsal portion of eye when alive, and a dark line crossing the eye horizontally. The new species has variable morphology regarding trunk lateral-line canals. Most fully grown individuals do not have enclosed bony tube in many lateral line scales, resembling early developmental stages of tube formation of other species. This paedomorphic condition is interpreted as a result of developmental truncation. Such evolutionary process may have been responsible for the presence of distinct levels of trunk lateral line reductions in small characids. Variation in this feature is common, even between the sides of the same individual. We reassert that the degree of trunk lateral-line tube development must be used with care in taxonomic and phylogenetic studies, because reductions in the laterosensory system may constitute parallel loss in the Characidae. We suggest the new species to be categorized Near Threatened due to the restricted geographical distribution and continuing decline in habitat quality.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2020-0118
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Moenkhausia cambacica
AbstractA new species of Moenkhausia is described from the rio Machado drainage, Amazon basin, Brazil. It is diagnosed from congeners by its color pattern, consisting of the concentration of chromatophores on the anterior portion of body scales, the horizontally elongate blotch on caudal peduncle, a bright golden coloration of the dorsal portion of eye when alive, and a dark line crossing the eye horizontally. The new species has variable morphology regarding trunk lateral-line canals. Most fully grown individuals do not have enclosed bony tube in many lateral line scales, resembling early developmental stages of tube formation of other species. This paedomorphic condition is interpreted as a result of developmental truncation. Such evolutionary process may have been responsible for the presence of distinct levels of trunk lateral line reductions in small characids. Variation in this feature is common, even between the sides of the same individual. We reassert that the degree of trunk lateral-line tube development must be used with care in taxonomic and phylogenetic studies, because reductions in the laterosensory system may constitute parallel loss in the Characidae. We suggest the new species to be categorized Near Threatened due to the restricted geographical distribution and continuing decline in habitat quality.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2020-0118
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Corydoras bethanae • A New Arc-striped Species of Corydoras Lacépède, 1803 (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) from the Peruvian Amazon
A. Corydoras bethanae, female holotype, río Blanco, Department of Loreto, Peru.
B. Corydoras arcuatus unpreserved aquarium specimen.
Bentley, Grant & Tencatt, 2021
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4948.2.2
Researchgate.net/publication/350186091
Photos by Steven Grant & Hans-Georg Evers.
Abstract
A new Corydoras is described from the Blanco and Ucayali river basins in Peru. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by having the following features: (I) posterior margin of dorsal-fin spine with laminar serrations directed towards the origin of the spine; (II) a long, wide, arched, and continuous black stripe, which runs parallel to the dorsal profile of the body, extending at least from the region below anterior origin of dorsal fin to the anterior half of the ventral caudal-fin lobe; (III) a black stripe transversally crossing the eye, forming the typical mask-like blotch; mask clearly not fused to arched stripe in most specimens; some specimens with mask separated from arched stripe by a thin line around the suture between neurocranium (in the region composed by the posteroventral margin of parieto-supraoccipital plus the posterodorsal margin of the compound pterotic) and first dorsolateral body plate; (IV) posterior margin of pectoral-fin spine with laminar serrations directed towards the origin of the spine; (V) pointed snout, presenting a long mesethmoid, with anterior tip larger than 50% of the entire length of the bone; and (V) ventral surface of trunk covered by small, non-coalescent platelets. A discussion on the possible positive adaptive value of the arc-striped color pattern is also provided.
Keywords: Pisces, Aposematism, Corydoradinae, mimicry, río Blanco, taxonomy
Rebecca Frances Bentley, Steven Grant and Luiz Fernando Caserta Tencatt. 2021. A New Arc-striped Species of Corydoras Lacépède, 1803 (Teleostei: Callichthyidae) from the Peruvian Amazon. Zootaxa. 4948(2); 184–200. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4948.2.2
Researchgate.net/publication/350186091_A_new_species_of_Corydoras_from_the_Peruvian_Amazon
facebook.com/FishoftheWorld/photos/4254167741270657
==========================
A. Corydoras bethanae, female holotype, río Blanco, Department of Loreto, Peru.
B. Corydoras arcuatus unpreserved aquarium specimen.
Bentley, Grant & Tencatt, 2021
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4948.2.2
Researchgate.net/publication/350186091
Photos by Steven Grant & Hans-Georg Evers.
Abstract
A new Corydoras is described from the Blanco and Ucayali river basins in Peru. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by having the following features: (I) posterior margin of dorsal-fin spine with laminar serrations directed towards the origin of the spine; (II) a long, wide, arched, and continuous black stripe, which runs parallel to the dorsal profile of the body, extending at least from the region below anterior origin of dorsal fin to the anterior half of the ventral caudal-fin lobe; (III) a black stripe transversally crossing the eye, forming the typical mask-like blotch; mask clearly not fused to arched stripe in most specimens; some specimens with mask separated from arched stripe by a thin line around the suture between neurocranium (in the region composed by the posteroventral margin of parieto-supraoccipital plus the posterodorsal margin of the compound pterotic) and first dorsolateral body plate; (IV) posterior margin of pectoral-fin spine with laminar serrations directed towards the origin of the spine; (V) pointed snout, presenting a long mesethmoid, with anterior tip larger than 50% of the entire length of the bone; and (V) ventral surface of trunk covered by small, non-coalescent platelets. A discussion on the possible positive adaptive value of the arc-striped color pattern is also provided.
Keywords: Pisces, Aposematism, Corydoradinae, mimicry, río Blanco, taxonomy
Rebecca Frances Bentley, Steven Grant and Luiz Fernando Caserta Tencatt. 2021. A New Arc-striped Species of Corydoras Lacépède, 1803 (Teleostei: Callichthyidae) from the Peruvian Amazon. Zootaxa. 4948(2); 184–200. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4948.2.2
Researchgate.net/publication/350186091_A_new_species_of_Corydoras_from_the_Peruvian_Amazon
facebook.com/FishoftheWorld/photos/4254167741270657
==========================
Two new species of freshwater stingrays of the genus Paratrygon (Chondrichthyes: Potamotrygonidae) from the Orinoco basin, with comments on the taxonomy of Paratrygon aiereba
www.scielo.br/j/ni/a/MRzqZKT9Y5ycQgz4nPQ6yTy/?lang=en for full paper.
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www.scielo.br/j/ni/a/MRzqZKT9Y5ycQgz4nPQ6yTy/?lang=en for full paper.
==========================
Description of two new sand-dwelling gobies (Gobiidae: Hazeus) from the tropical western Pacific Ocean ROSSELLA · MAY 31, 2021
0 3.9K 11
by Gerald R. Allen and Mark V. Erdmann – aqua 27 (2) pp. 37-56
Two new species belonging to the gobiid genus Hazeus are described from sand-bottom habitats in the tropical western Pacific. Hazeus ammophilus n. sp. is described on the basis of 54 specimens, 11.6-33.4 mm SL from Papua New Guinea (Milne Bay Province) and Indonesia (West Papua Province and Anambas Islands, South China Sea). It also ranges to the Philippines and southern Japan, based on underwater photographs. Diagnostic features include: third or fourth dorsal spine longest, segmented dorsal and anal rays usually 10 (sometimes 9), pectoral rays 13-17 (usually 16); lateral scales 25-28 (usually 26); transverse-scales 7; predorsal scales 6-9 (usually 7, rarely 8-9); ctenoid scales covering body and nape, except cycloid, embedded scales on prepelvic area and pectoral-fin base; cheek and opercle naked; longitudinal pattern of cephalic sensory papillae; adult male in life blotchy golden brown with whitish to pale grey flecks on head and sides, midlateral row of five, large darkbrown spots; female with similar, but less vivid coloration, and lack double row of transverse brown streaks and brown outer margin on dorsal fins, instead with broad, submarginal whitish band. Hazeus profusus n. sp. is described on the basis of 35 specimens, 14.1-28.6 mm SL, from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Philippines, and Indonesia. Diagnostic features include third dorsal spine longest, segmented dorsal and anal rays usually 10 (sometimes 9), pectoral rays 16-18 (rarely 16); branched caudal-fin rays 12-13 (usually 12); lateral scales 24-26 (rarely 24); transverse scales 7; predorsal scales 6-8 (usually 7); ctenoid scales covering body and nape, except cycloid on prepelvic area, pectoral-fin base, and most of cheek; head completely scaled, ctenoid scales on opercle and posterior cheek; “mixed” pattern of cephalic sensory papillae including two primary longitudinal rows and several transverse rows; colour in life generally tan to whitish ventrally with 5-6 diffuse brown saddles dorsally on head and body, five large rectangular,dark-brown spots midlaterally on side of body, and numerous smaller dark-brown and white spots on dorsal half of head and body. The new taxa are compared with the six other species in the genus, some of which were previously assigned to Oplopomops and Opua, which are herein recognized as junior synonyms of Hazeus.
Full Text | PDF (1,6 MB)
from Aqua Press
==========================
0 3.9K 11
by Gerald R. Allen and Mark V. Erdmann – aqua 27 (2) pp. 37-56
Two new species belonging to the gobiid genus Hazeus are described from sand-bottom habitats in the tropical western Pacific. Hazeus ammophilus n. sp. is described on the basis of 54 specimens, 11.6-33.4 mm SL from Papua New Guinea (Milne Bay Province) and Indonesia (West Papua Province and Anambas Islands, South China Sea). It also ranges to the Philippines and southern Japan, based on underwater photographs. Diagnostic features include: third or fourth dorsal spine longest, segmented dorsal and anal rays usually 10 (sometimes 9), pectoral rays 13-17 (usually 16); lateral scales 25-28 (usually 26); transverse-scales 7; predorsal scales 6-9 (usually 7, rarely 8-9); ctenoid scales covering body and nape, except cycloid, embedded scales on prepelvic area and pectoral-fin base; cheek and opercle naked; longitudinal pattern of cephalic sensory papillae; adult male in life blotchy golden brown with whitish to pale grey flecks on head and sides, midlateral row of five, large darkbrown spots; female with similar, but less vivid coloration, and lack double row of transverse brown streaks and brown outer margin on dorsal fins, instead with broad, submarginal whitish band. Hazeus profusus n. sp. is described on the basis of 35 specimens, 14.1-28.6 mm SL, from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Philippines, and Indonesia. Diagnostic features include third dorsal spine longest, segmented dorsal and anal rays usually 10 (sometimes 9), pectoral rays 16-18 (rarely 16); branched caudal-fin rays 12-13 (usually 12); lateral scales 24-26 (rarely 24); transverse scales 7; predorsal scales 6-8 (usually 7); ctenoid scales covering body and nape, except cycloid on prepelvic area, pectoral-fin base, and most of cheek; head completely scaled, ctenoid scales on opercle and posterior cheek; “mixed” pattern of cephalic sensory papillae including two primary longitudinal rows and several transverse rows; colour in life generally tan to whitish ventrally with 5-6 diffuse brown saddles dorsally on head and body, five large rectangular,dark-brown spots midlaterally on side of body, and numerous smaller dark-brown and white spots on dorsal half of head and body. The new taxa are compared with the six other species in the genus, some of which were previously assigned to Oplopomops and Opua, which are herein recognized as junior synonyms of Hazeus.
Full Text | PDF (1,6 MB)
from Aqua Press
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Two new catfish species from central Brazil comprising a new clade supported by molecular phylogeny and comparative osteology (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae)Author links open overlay panelWilson J.E.M.CostaJosé Leonardo O.MattosAxel M.Katz
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcz.2021.05.008Get rights and contentAbstractThe Trichomycterinae is a diversified catfish clade exhibiting numerous ecological specializations, thus offering fine opportunities for studies on vertebrate evolution, but insufficient knowledge on phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy impedes advanced evolutionary studies. Recent studies have contributed to a better taxonomical resolution of some trichomycterine groups, but several taxa remain poorly known, with taxonomical placement still undetermined. This study is directed to two similar undescribed species with unclear generic placement, collected in the savannahs of central Brazil, in the headwaters of the two most important South American river systems, the Amazon and Paraná basins central Brazil. A multigene phylogeny integrated to a comparative osteological analysis supports a clade, with the new species forming a subclade sister to a trichomycterine subclade endemic to southern South America. The comparative osteological analysis provided some characters from the jaw suspensorium, opercular series, branchial arches, neurocranium, and pectoral girdle that are useful to diagnose members of the clade. The two species may be distinguished by meristic data, morphometrics, osteology, and colour pattern. Following recent efforts for a better understanding about diversity and relationships of trichomycterines, the present study provides phylogenetic and morphological basis for the taxonomical resolution of this important trichomycterine clade. However, much more research is necessary to improve trichomycterine taxonomy, including further studies providing a proper generic classification encompassing the whole Trichomycterinae.
==========================
Show more
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcz.2021.05.008Get rights and contentAbstractThe Trichomycterinae is a diversified catfish clade exhibiting numerous ecological specializations, thus offering fine opportunities for studies on vertebrate evolution, but insufficient knowledge on phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy impedes advanced evolutionary studies. Recent studies have contributed to a better taxonomical resolution of some trichomycterine groups, but several taxa remain poorly known, with taxonomical placement still undetermined. This study is directed to two similar undescribed species with unclear generic placement, collected in the savannahs of central Brazil, in the headwaters of the two most important South American river systems, the Amazon and Paraná basins central Brazil. A multigene phylogeny integrated to a comparative osteological analysis supports a clade, with the new species forming a subclade sister to a trichomycterine subclade endemic to southern South America. The comparative osteological analysis provided some characters from the jaw suspensorium, opercular series, branchial arches, neurocranium, and pectoral girdle that are useful to diagnose members of the clade. The two species may be distinguished by meristic data, morphometrics, osteology, and colour pattern. Following recent efforts for a better understanding about diversity and relationships of trichomycterines, the present study provides phylogenetic and morphological basis for the taxonomical resolution of this important trichomycterine clade. However, much more research is necessary to improve trichomycterine taxonomy, including further studies providing a proper generic classification encompassing the whole Trichomycterinae.
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Two new, remarkably coloured species of the Neotropical catfish genus Cetopsorhamdia Eigenmann & Fisher, 1916
(Siluriformes, Heptapteridae) from Chapada dos Parecis, western Brazil, with an assessment of the morphological characters
bearing on their phylogenetic relationships
https://www.revistas.usp.br/paz/article/view/185662/172138?fbclid=IwAR0V7DWv5miQOtLrbZE-Kt3ckw6YFD7t4mYVMZqgjMwoaFRRTECV3HILjRE
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(Siluriformes, Heptapteridae) from Chapada dos Parecis, western Brazil, with an assessment of the morphological characters
bearing on their phylogenetic relationships
https://www.revistas.usp.br/paz/article/view/185662/172138?fbclid=IwAR0V7DWv5miQOtLrbZE-Kt3ckw6YFD7t4mYVMZqgjMwoaFRRTECV3HILjRE
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Parotocinclus kwarup • A New Species of the Armored Catfish Parotocinclus (Loricariidae: Hypoptopomatinae) from the Upper Xingu River Basin, Brazil
Parotocinclus kwarup
Lehmann A. & Reis, 2021
DOI: 10.1643/i2021046
twitter.com/IchsAndHerps
Abstract
Parotocinclus kwarup, new species, is described as a new hypoptopomatine cascudinho from tributaries of the upper Xingu River in the Amazon basin of Brazil. The new species is distinguished from its congeners in northeastern and southeastern Brazil by having the cheek canal plate elongated posteriorly on the ventral surface of the head and in contact with the cleithrum. Parotocinclus kwarup, new species, is diagnosed from other species of Parotocinclus in the Amazon, Orinoco, and Guianas watersheds by the number of oral teeth, the snout length, having odontodes on the ventral surface of the first pelvic-fin ray bent and pointing mesially, lacking a Y-shaped light marking dorsally on the head (from the posterodorsal margin of orbit to posterior parieto-supraoccipital tip), lacking premaxillary and dentary accessory teeth, and having an adipose fin. The extinction risk of the new species is preliminarily assessed as Least Concern based on its wide distribution area and its inferred presence in the large Xingu Indigenous Park.
Holotype of Parotocinclus kwarup, MZUSP 125830, 21.9 mm SL, female, Rio Couto de Magalha˜es near Vila São José do Couto, Campinápolis, MT, Brazil.
Parotocinclus kwarup, new species
Etymology.— Parotocinclus kwarup in named after the Kwarup (also known as Kuarup or Quarup), an annual ritual celebrated by the upper Xingu indigenous people in honor of their beloved dead, that originally aimed to bring them back to life. A noun in apposition. This name is in honor to the nearly 5,500 people belonging to 14 different ethnicities that currently live in the Xingu Indigenous Park, which plays an essential role in the conservation of this and other fish species.
Pablo Lehmann A. and Roberto E. Reis. 2021. A New Species of the Armored Catfish Parotocinclus (Loricariidae: Hypoptopomatinae) from the Upper Xingu River Basin, Brazil. Ichthyology & Herpetology, 109(2); 449-455. DOI: 10.1643/i2021046
twitter.com/IchsAndHerps/status/1400478613011681285
==========================
Parotocinclus kwarup
Lehmann A. & Reis, 2021
DOI: 10.1643/i2021046
twitter.com/IchsAndHerps
Abstract
Parotocinclus kwarup, new species, is described as a new hypoptopomatine cascudinho from tributaries of the upper Xingu River in the Amazon basin of Brazil. The new species is distinguished from its congeners in northeastern and southeastern Brazil by having the cheek canal plate elongated posteriorly on the ventral surface of the head and in contact with the cleithrum. Parotocinclus kwarup, new species, is diagnosed from other species of Parotocinclus in the Amazon, Orinoco, and Guianas watersheds by the number of oral teeth, the snout length, having odontodes on the ventral surface of the first pelvic-fin ray bent and pointing mesially, lacking a Y-shaped light marking dorsally on the head (from the posterodorsal margin of orbit to posterior parieto-supraoccipital tip), lacking premaxillary and dentary accessory teeth, and having an adipose fin. The extinction risk of the new species is preliminarily assessed as Least Concern based on its wide distribution area and its inferred presence in the large Xingu Indigenous Park.
Holotype of Parotocinclus kwarup, MZUSP 125830, 21.9 mm SL, female, Rio Couto de Magalha˜es near Vila São José do Couto, Campinápolis, MT, Brazil.
Parotocinclus kwarup, new species
Etymology.— Parotocinclus kwarup in named after the Kwarup (also known as Kuarup or Quarup), an annual ritual celebrated by the upper Xingu indigenous people in honor of their beloved dead, that originally aimed to bring them back to life. A noun in apposition. This name is in honor to the nearly 5,500 people belonging to 14 different ethnicities that currently live in the Xingu Indigenous Park, which plays an essential role in the conservation of this and other fish species.
Pablo Lehmann A. and Roberto E. Reis. 2021. A New Species of the Armored Catfish Parotocinclus (Loricariidae: Hypoptopomatinae) from the Upper Xingu River Basin, Brazil. Ichthyology & Herpetology, 109(2); 449-455. DOI: 10.1643/i2021046
twitter.com/IchsAndHerps/status/1400478613011681285
==========================
Aborichthys uniobarensis, a new species of river loach (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India.
Full report will be found at:-
www.ajcb.in/journals/full_papers_july_2021/AJCB-Vol10-No1-63277_Nanda%20et%20al.pdf
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Full report will be found at:-
www.ajcb.in/journals/full_papers_july_2021/AJCB-Vol10-No1-63277_Nanda%20et%20al.pdf
==========================
A new arc-striped species of Corydoras Lacépède, 1803 (Teleostei: Callichthyidae) from the Peruvian Amazon (Corydoras bethanae)
REBECCA FRANCES BENTLEY, STEVEN GRANT, LUIZ FERNANDO CASERTA TENCATT
Abstract
A new Corydoras is described from the Blanco and Ucayali river basins in Peru. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by having the following features: (I) posterior margin of dorsal-fin spine with laminar serrations directed towards the origin of the spine; (II) a long, wide, arched, and continuous black stripe, which runs parallel to the dorsal profile of the body, extending at least from the region below anterior origin of dorsal fin to the anterior half of the ventral caudal-fin lobe; (III) a black stripe transversally crossing the eye, forming the typical mask-like blotch; mask clearly not fused to arched stripe in most specimens; some specimens with mask separated from arched stripe by a thin line around the suture between neurocranium (in the region composed by the posteroventral margin of parieto-supraoccipital plus the posterodorsal margin of the compound pterotic) and first dorsolateral body plate; (IV) posterior margin of pectoral-fin spine with laminar serrations directed towards the origin of the spine; (V) pointed snout, presenting a long mesethmoid, with anterior tip larger than 50% of the entire length of the bone; and (V) ventral surface of trunk covered by small, non-coalescent platelets. A discussion on the possible positive adaptive value of the arc-striped color pattern is also provided.
Keywords
Pisces, Aposematism, Corydoradinae, mimicry, río Blanco, taxonomy
Full Text:
PDF/A (7MB)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4948.2.2
==========================
BIOTOPE AQUARIUM Project
30cd MtSSpogogaay fnsghat 1ore2amd:oom0di0 ·
Let's give our warm welcome to BAC2021 Judge in the category #CentralAmerica Juan Miguel Artigas Azas, well known as naturalist, author, Cichlidae expert and creator of The Cichlid Room Companion!
#biotope #biotopeaquarium #biotopeaquariumproject #biotopeaquariumcontest #bac2021 #bap #juanmiguelartigasazas #bin #bam #naturalhabitat #explorehabitat
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30cd MtSSpogogaay fnsghat 1ore2amd:oom0di0 ·
Let's give our warm welcome to BAC2021 Judge in the category #CentralAmerica Juan Miguel Artigas Azas, well known as naturalist, author, Cichlidae expert and creator of The Cichlid Room Companion!
#biotope #biotopeaquarium #biotopeaquariumproject #biotopeaquariumcontest #bac2021 #bap #juanmiguelartigasazas #bin #bam #naturalhabitat #explorehabitat
==========================
Pachycara angeloi • A New Eelpout (Perciformes: Zoarcidae) from Deep-sea Hydrothermal Vent Fields in the Indian Ocean
Pachycara angeloi
Thiel, Knebelsberger, Kihara & Gerdes, 2021
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4980.1.6
Abstract
A new species of eelpout genus Pachycara Zugmayer, 1911 is described based on five specimens caught at a depth of 2419–3275 m along the Central and Southeast Indian Ridges in the Indian Ocean. The specimens were collected during the INDEX cruises in 2016, 2018 and 2019, respectively. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: scales and pelvic fins absent; lateral line configuration mediolateral; dorsal fin origin associated with vertebrae 7–9 with no free predorsal pterygiophores; vertebrae 27–28 + 57–59 = 85–87; dorsal-fin rays 78–80, anal-fin rays 58–62; pectoral fin rays 13–15. DNA sequences of a mitochondrial COI gene fragment showed low intra-specific variation ranging from 0–0.3 % sequence divergence and do not reflect different vent sites. This is the 29th species of Pachycara, which is the fifth to be described from specimens collected only from chemosynthetic environments and the sixth known from the Indian Ocean.
Keywords: Pisces, Lycodinae, DNA barcoding, Southern Central Indian Ridge, Northern Southeast Indian Ridge
Lateral view photographs of Pachycara angeloi sp. nov. in fresh condition
from Central Indian Ridge, Indian Ocean.
A: Holotype, ZMH 26363, Kairei Vent Field, male, 208 mm SL;
B: Paratype, SMF 38801, Edmond Vent Field, male, 244 mm SL
Ralf Thiel, Thomas Knebelsberger, Terue C. Kihara and Klaas Gerdes. 2021. Description of A New Eelpout Pachycara angeloi sp. nov. (Perciformes: Zoarcidae) from Deep-sea Hydrothermal Vent Fields in the Indian Ocean. Zootaxa. 4980(1); 99–112. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4980.1.6
==========================
Pachycara angeloi
Thiel, Knebelsberger, Kihara & Gerdes, 2021
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4980.1.6
Abstract
A new species of eelpout genus Pachycara Zugmayer, 1911 is described based on five specimens caught at a depth of 2419–3275 m along the Central and Southeast Indian Ridges in the Indian Ocean. The specimens were collected during the INDEX cruises in 2016, 2018 and 2019, respectively. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: scales and pelvic fins absent; lateral line configuration mediolateral; dorsal fin origin associated with vertebrae 7–9 with no free predorsal pterygiophores; vertebrae 27–28 + 57–59 = 85–87; dorsal-fin rays 78–80, anal-fin rays 58–62; pectoral fin rays 13–15. DNA sequences of a mitochondrial COI gene fragment showed low intra-specific variation ranging from 0–0.3 % sequence divergence and do not reflect different vent sites. This is the 29th species of Pachycara, which is the fifth to be described from specimens collected only from chemosynthetic environments and the sixth known from the Indian Ocean.
Keywords: Pisces, Lycodinae, DNA barcoding, Southern Central Indian Ridge, Northern Southeast Indian Ridge
Lateral view photographs of Pachycara angeloi sp. nov. in fresh condition
from Central Indian Ridge, Indian Ocean.
A: Holotype, ZMH 26363, Kairei Vent Field, male, 208 mm SL;
B: Paratype, SMF 38801, Edmond Vent Field, male, 244 mm SL
Ralf Thiel, Thomas Knebelsberger, Terue C. Kihara and Klaas Gerdes. 2021. Description of A New Eelpout Pachycara angeloi sp. nov. (Perciformes: Zoarcidae) from Deep-sea Hydrothermal Vent Fields in the Indian Ocean. Zootaxa. 4980(1); 99–112. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4980.1.6
==========================
Two new annual fishes (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) unexpectedly discovered in the highlands of southern Brazil
LUIS ESTEBAN KRAUSE LANÉS, MATHEUS VIEIRA VOLCAN, LEONARDO MALTCHIK
Abstract
Two new species of Austrolebias are described based on specimens collected from temporary pools located in natural grassland landscape within the Araucaria Forest domain at exceptionally high altitudes (~1000 meters a.s.l.). Austrolebias botocudo sp. n. and Austrolebias nubium sp. n. occur, respectively, in drainages of upper rio Apuaê-Inhandava (upper rio Uruguay basin) and upper rio Taquari-Antas (upper rio Jacuí, Laguna dos Patos basin), in the Meridional Plateau of southern Brazil. Despite an intensive survey conducted in the area, only two populations of each species were recorded. Both new species occurs at altitudes that are among the higher recorded for species of the genus, and both are assigned to the subgenus Acrolebias. The new species described herein are easily distinguished for its congeners by the colour pattern of males, by presence of melanophores irregularly distributed in different parts of the body, contact organs cover the body and anal fins, position of fins related with vertebrae, by preopercular and mandibular series of neuromasts united, by a series of morphometric features and by larger maximum standard length. Austrolebias botocudo and A. nubium are distinguished from each other by colour pattern of males, length of contact organs in the flank and number of contact organs in scales of lateral line, dorsal profile of head, number of neuromasts in the preopercular + mandibular series, body depth in females, and by basihyal cartilage length. Additionally, we discuss the conservation status of the new species, and provided an identification key for the species of the subgenus Acrolebias.
Keywords
Pisces, Acrolebias, killifish, temporary wetlands, high-altitude grasslands
Full Text:
PDF/A (11MB)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4949.3.4.
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| capoeta_kosswigi_karaman_1969_a_junior_synonym_of_capoeta_damascina.pdf |
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The British Cichlid Association are proud to announce that, in collaboration with The British Killifish Association, The British Livebearer Association and Fancy Guppies UK
there is the formation of a new Fishkeeping Extravaganza that will be held over the weekend of Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th September 2021 at The Holiday Inn, Carter Lane East, South Normanton, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 2EH.
The event will consist of Fish shows, Auctions, Raffles, Trade Stands, Question and Answer sessions and Presentations from many leading scientists, collectors and fishkeepers who are at the forefront of the aquatic hobby. The BCA will also be holding a short thirty minute AGM at 10am on the Sunday morning before Tom Williams will give a presentation about the “Cichlids of Madagascar and their conservation” at approx. 10.30am. The BCA auction is on the Sunday afternoon so if you wish to enter lots contact Mark Breeze at ma.breeze@mail.com with details of your lots. The Guppy, Livebearer and Killifish Associations are also hosting auctions at the event. The whole ethos of the event will be loosely based upon fish conservation which the BCA supports with its regular donations to the Stuart Grant Conservation Fund.
4* double, twin and single Rooms are available within the Holiday Inn at discounted rates to BCA members until 30th June. There is also an evening carvery dinner on the Saturday evening if you wish to attend. Please contact Mark Breeze at ma.breeze@mail.com or Darren Evans at vicechair@british-cichlid.org.uk for booking details and you will be given a link to a booking page.
The event is located only a stone’s throw away from Wharf Aquatics, 65-67 Wharf Road, Pinxton, Nottingham, NG16 6LH. Wharf, which is only a five mile or eight minute drive away from the event venue, are offering discounts to all those attending the event all weekend.
I hope to see as many of you as possible at the event.
Mark...
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there is the formation of a new Fishkeeping Extravaganza that will be held over the weekend of Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th September 2021 at The Holiday Inn, Carter Lane East, South Normanton, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 2EH.
The event will consist of Fish shows, Auctions, Raffles, Trade Stands, Question and Answer sessions and Presentations from many leading scientists, collectors and fishkeepers who are at the forefront of the aquatic hobby. The BCA will also be holding a short thirty minute AGM at 10am on the Sunday morning before Tom Williams will give a presentation about the “Cichlids of Madagascar and their conservation” at approx. 10.30am. The BCA auction is on the Sunday afternoon so if you wish to enter lots contact Mark Breeze at ma.breeze@mail.com with details of your lots. The Guppy, Livebearer and Killifish Associations are also hosting auctions at the event. The whole ethos of the event will be loosely based upon fish conservation which the BCA supports with its regular donations to the Stuart Grant Conservation Fund.
4* double, twin and single Rooms are available within the Holiday Inn at discounted rates to BCA members until 30th June. There is also an evening carvery dinner on the Saturday evening if you wish to attend. Please contact Mark Breeze at ma.breeze@mail.com or Darren Evans at vicechair@british-cichlid.org.uk for booking details and you will be given a link to a booking page.
The event is located only a stone’s throw away from Wharf Aquatics, 65-67 Wharf Road, Pinxton, Nottingham, NG16 6LH. Wharf, which is only a five mile or eight minute drive away from the event venue, are offering discounts to all those attending the event all weekend.
I hope to see as many of you as possible at the event.
Mark...
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Revalidation and Redescription of “Lacustricola” chobensis (Fowler, 1935) and Description of a New Miniature Species of “Lacustricola” from Southern Africa (Cyprinodontiformes: Procatopodidae)
Pedro Henrique Negreiros De Bragança, Paul Harvey Skelton, Roger Bills, Denis Tweddle, Albert Chakona
Author Affiliations +
Ichthyology & Herpetology, 109(1):123-137 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1643/i2020046
AbstractThe “Lacustricola” hutereaui species complex is herein defined by the possession of banded dorsal, anal, and caudal fins in males and also by the pointed premaxilla ascending process, in which the premaxilla medial surface is slightly convex. “Lacustricola” pygmaeus, new species, known from the Okavango, Cuando, and upper Zambezi Rivers, is distinguished from the other species belonging to the “L.” hutereaui species complex by the following exclusive character states: an inconspicuous reticulate pattern on scale margins (vs. conspicuous); banded anal, dorsal, and caudal fin in females (vs. hyaline); faint bands in the middle rays of caudal fin in males (vs. conspicuous bands); rounded caudal fin in males (vs. slender); bright green-blue color in some of the flank scales (vs. absent); quadrate posterior margin with a deep concavity (vs. convex or about straight); and first dorsal-fin ray inserted in a vertical to second and third anal-fin ray (vs. fourth to eighth). Additionally, other morphometric, meristic, and osteological characters in combination proved to be useful in distinguishing the new species. Through the analysis of type material and recently collected specimens, the little known species “L.” chobensis is considered as a valid species and redescribed. It is easily distinguished from the other species belonging to the “L.” hutereaui species complex by a combination of external morphology, osteology, and coloration pattern characters. Comprehensive information on the osteology and external morphology of topotypes of “L.” hutereaui are presented, and description of coloration in life is provided for specimens from the Ubangui River, in the Central African Republic.
© 2021 by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Citation Download Citation
Pedro Henrique Negreiros De Bragança, Paul Harvey Skelton, Roger Bills, Denis Tweddle, and Albert Chakona "Revalidation and Redescription of “Lacustricola” chobensis (Fowler, 1935) and Description of a New Miniature Species of “Lacustricola” from Southern Africa (Cyprinodontiformes: Procatopodidae)," Ichthyology & Herpetology 109(1), 123-137, (29 March 2021). https://doi.org/10.1643/i2020046
Received: 26 March 2020; Accepted: 2 October 2020; Published: 29 March 2021
=============================
Pedro Henrique Negreiros De Bragança, Paul Harvey Skelton, Roger Bills, Denis Tweddle, Albert Chakona
Author Affiliations +
Ichthyology & Herpetology, 109(1):123-137 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1643/i2020046
AbstractThe “Lacustricola” hutereaui species complex is herein defined by the possession of banded dorsal, anal, and caudal fins in males and also by the pointed premaxilla ascending process, in which the premaxilla medial surface is slightly convex. “Lacustricola” pygmaeus, new species, known from the Okavango, Cuando, and upper Zambezi Rivers, is distinguished from the other species belonging to the “L.” hutereaui species complex by the following exclusive character states: an inconspicuous reticulate pattern on scale margins (vs. conspicuous); banded anal, dorsal, and caudal fin in females (vs. hyaline); faint bands in the middle rays of caudal fin in males (vs. conspicuous bands); rounded caudal fin in males (vs. slender); bright green-blue color in some of the flank scales (vs. absent); quadrate posterior margin with a deep concavity (vs. convex or about straight); and first dorsal-fin ray inserted in a vertical to second and third anal-fin ray (vs. fourth to eighth). Additionally, other morphometric, meristic, and osteological characters in combination proved to be useful in distinguishing the new species. Through the analysis of type material and recently collected specimens, the little known species “L.” chobensis is considered as a valid species and redescribed. It is easily distinguished from the other species belonging to the “L.” hutereaui species complex by a combination of external morphology, osteology, and coloration pattern characters. Comprehensive information on the osteology and external morphology of topotypes of “L.” hutereaui are presented, and description of coloration in life is provided for specimens from the Ubangui River, in the Central African Republic.
© 2021 by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Citation Download Citation
Pedro Henrique Negreiros De Bragança, Paul Harvey Skelton, Roger Bills, Denis Tweddle, and Albert Chakona "Revalidation and Redescription of “Lacustricola” chobensis (Fowler, 1935) and Description of a New Miniature Species of “Lacustricola” from Southern Africa (Cyprinodontiformes: Procatopodidae)," Ichthyology & Herpetology 109(1), 123-137, (29 March 2021). https://doi.org/10.1643/i2020046
Received: 26 March 2020; Accepted: 2 October 2020; Published: 29 March 2021
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Oxynoemacheilus phasicus, a new nemacheilid loach from the eastern Black Sea basin with some remarks on other Caucasian Oxynoemacheilus (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae)
JÖRG FREYHOF, CÜNEYT KAYA, GIORGI EPITASHVILI, MATTHIAS F. GEIGER
Abstract
Oxynoemacheilus phasicus, new species, is described from the Rioni and Enguri River drainages in Georgia. It is distinguished from other Oxynoemacheilus species in the O. brandtii group by a mottled or marbled flank pattern in adults, a slightly emarginate caudal fin, and a deep caudal peduncle. Molecular data suggest that the new species is characterized by a minimum K2P distance of 7.5% from O. brandtii from the Kura drainage in the mtDNA COI barcode region. Oxynoemacheilus brandtii and O. elsae are re-diagnosed. A very slender Oxynoemacheilus from the Aras drainage clusters as sister to O. elsae in our molecular analysis and not with O. brandtii from the Kura River. However, it is identified as O. brandtii as it is indistinguishable from this species in morphological characters.
Keywords
Pisces, Freshwater fish, Taxonomy, Cytochrome oxidase I, Middle East
Full Text:
PDF/A (7MB)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4952.1.8
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https://biotopeaquariumproject.com/biotope-aquarium-contest/guidelines/ for more information
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Liobagrus huaiheensis, a new species of torrent catfish (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Amblycipitidae) from the Huaihe River basin in Central China
ZHONGGUANG CHEN, JIAYUN WU, ANXIANG WEN
Abstract
Liobagrus huaiheensis, a new species of catfish, is described from the Shihe River, a tributary of the Huaihe River, in Henan Province, Central China. It shares a serrated posterior edge of the pectoral-fin spine with L. marginatus, L. nigricauda, L. kingi, L. chenghaiensis, L. andersoni, L. mediadiposalis, L. obesus, L. somjinensis, and L. hyeongsanensis, but it is distinguished from these nine species by having combination of the following characters: 2–3 serrations on the posterior edge of the pectoral-fin spine; 15–17 anal-fin rays; an upper jaw longer than lower one; a rounded caudal-fin with 50–55 rays; 35–37 post-Weberian vertebrae; anus close to pelvic-fin insertion and an adipose-fin posteriorly continuous with caudal-fin, with a marked incision at confluence.
Keywords
Pisces, Amblycipitidae, taxonomy, morphology, Henan Province
Full Text:
PDF/A (2MB)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4952.2.11
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Garra orontesi, a new species from the Orontes River drainage (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)
ESRA BAYÇELEBİ, CÜNEYT KAYA, DAVUT TURAN, JÖRG FREYHOF
Abstract
Garra orontesi, new species, is described from the Orontes River drainage in the eastern Mediterranean Sea basin in Turkey and Syria. It is distinguished from its congeners in the Mediterranean Sea basin and adjacent Mesopotamia by possessing 17–21 gill rakers on the lower part of the first gill arch, the pelvic-fin origin usually below the second branched dorsal-fin ray, 8½ branched dorsal-fin rays, usually 2–3 scales between the tip of the pectoral and pelvic-fin origins, and no tubercles behind the upper posterior eye margin. It is also distinguished by a minimum K2P distance of 2.7% in its COI barcode region against G. rufa, and 3.9% against the geographically adjacent G. turcica.
Keywords
Pisces, Freshwater fish, Middle East, Levant, taxonomy
Full Text:
PDF/A (2MB)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4952.1.10
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ESRA BAYÇELEBİ, CÜNEYT KAYA, DAVUT TURAN, JÖRG FREYHOF
Abstract
Garra orontesi, new species, is described from the Orontes River drainage in the eastern Mediterranean Sea basin in Turkey and Syria. It is distinguished from its congeners in the Mediterranean Sea basin and adjacent Mesopotamia by possessing 17–21 gill rakers on the lower part of the first gill arch, the pelvic-fin origin usually below the second branched dorsal-fin ray, 8½ branched dorsal-fin rays, usually 2–3 scales between the tip of the pectoral and pelvic-fin origins, and no tubercles behind the upper posterior eye margin. It is also distinguished by a minimum K2P distance of 2.7% in its COI barcode region against G. rufa, and 3.9% against the geographically adjacent G. turcica.
Keywords
Pisces, Freshwater fish, Middle East, Levant, taxonomy
Full Text:
PDF/A (2MB)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4952.1.10
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A new species of driftwood catfish Centromochlus Kner, 1858 (Siluriformes, Auchenipteridae, Centromochlinae) from Tocantins-Araguaia River drainage
FERNANDA L. COELHO, CARINE C. CHAMON, LUISA M. SARMENTO-SOARES
Abstract
The genus Centromochlus includes eight catfish species in the Amazon and Orinoco river systems: C. schultzi from Xingu and Tocantins-Araguaia rivers; C. melanoleucus from Tapajós and Teles Pires rivers; C. macracanthus from Negro River; C. orca from Nhamundá River; C. heckelii and C. existimatus from Amazon and additionally at the Essequibo rivers; C. carolae and C. musaica from Orinoco River system. Recent field expeditions and collection examination revealed an undescribed species of Centromochlinae that has compatible features with Centromochlus. We herein describe a new species of Centromochlus from the Tocantins-Araguaia River drainage, diagnosed among most Centromochlinae by having a vermiculated color pattern on the dorsum and included in Centromochlus by sharing the derived features: ventrolateral position of eye socket; sphenotic notched for the exit of infraorbital canal; and posterior serrations along pectoral-fin spine numerous. The new species is diagnosed from congeners by having the pectoral-fin spine with dark bars, alternating with light bars (vs. pectoral-fin spine with light and uniform color in all Centromochlus); and it is further distinguished from its congeners (except C. carolae) by the ventral surface of head moderate to largely pigmented (vs. ventral surface of head unpigmented in C. heckelii, C. existimatus, C. orca, C. musaicus, C. schultzi, with few scattered dark chromatophores in C. macracanthus and C. melanoleucus; see diagnosis). A discussion about the systematics of the genus, plus the conservation status of the new species, and an identification key to species of Centromochlus, are also provided.
Keywords
Pisces, Neotropical, Taxonomy, Systematics, Doradoidea, Conservation
Full Text:
PDF/A (15MB)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4950.1
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Nothobranchius nikiforovi, a new species of seasonal killifish from the lower Matandu drainage in south-eastern coastal Tanzania (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae)
BÉLA NAGY, BRIAN R. WATTERS, ALEXANDRA A. RASPOPOVA
Abstract
Nothobranchius nikiforovi, a new species known from seasonal habitats in the lower Matandu drainage in south-eastern coastal Tanzania is described. It is distinguished from all other congeners, except N. eggersi, by males presenting two colour phenotypes: the blue phenotype having a bright iridescent light blue to blue-green body, with narrow red-brown scale margins creating irregular reticulated pattern, forming chevron-shaped crossbars on the posteroventral portion of body and light blue median fins with red-brown dotted pattern; the red phenotype has a dark red head, light blue dorsal and anal fins proximally and medially, dark red distally, with dark red stripes parallel to the fin rays, and a plain dark red caudal fin. Nothobranchius nikiforovi differs from N. eggersi by male colour pattern, the blue phenotypes having median fins with dark grey distal portion, some of the rays of dorsal and anal fins with white tips (vs. median fins with distinct slender white distal band), and the caudal fin lacking a spotted pattern (vs. dots arranged into irregular curved stripes); the red phenotype with golden stripe between the nape and dorsal-fin origin (vs. light-blue stripe), the dorsal and anal fins with a plain red distal portion and lacking a light distal band (vs. with distinct narrow white distal band), the pelvic fin lacking a distal band (vs. with distinct slender light blue to white distal band), and some morphometric differences. Phylogenetic analyses also support the genetic distinction of the new species from its closest known relative, N. eggersi, and confirm its position in the N. guentheri species group within the Adiniops subgenus.
Keywords
Acari, Adiniops subgenus, Coastal East Africa ecoregion, molecular phylogeny, Nothobranchius eggersi, taxonomy
Full Text:
PDF/A (14MB)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4950.1.5.
Descriptions of two new species of Callogobius (Gobiidae) found in Japan Ichthyological Research (2021)Cite this article
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AcknowledgementsWe are grateful to Naomi Delventhal (Manitoba University, Canada) for useful information on Callogobius bifasciatus, C. clarki and C. winterbottomi, and her critical reading of the manuscript, Tetsuji Nakabo (Kyoto University) for his critical reading of the manuscript, Graham S. Hardy (Ngunguru, New Zealand) for helping with English, and Douglass F. Hoese (AMS) for useful information on Australian Callogobius and a paratype of C. swifti. We also thank M. Eric Anderson (SAIAB), Donugh Currie and Richard Winterbottom (ROM), late John E. Randall and Arnold Y. Suzumoto (BPBM) for the loan of specimens; Mark McGrouther, Amanda Hay and Kerryn Parkinson (AMS), Philippe Keith (MNHN), Gento Shinohara (NSMT), Ofer Gon, Nkosinathi Mazungula and Bafo Konqobe (SAIAB), Jeffrey T. Williams and Shirleen Smith (USNM) for the deposition of type specimens; Gerald R. Allen (WAM) for reexamining cephalic sensory canal pores of the holotype of C. swifti for responding to our request; Mark Allen (WAM) for taking photos of a paratype of C. swifti; Atsushi Ono (Diving Service Ono-nini), Takeshi Matsumoto (Yakushima Nature Activity Center), Kiyoshi Hagiwara (YCM), Toshihiko Yonezawa (The foundation of Kagoshima Environmental Research and Service), Kayo Sugiyama (Cabinet Office) and Masahiro Aizawa (formerly Imperial Household Agency) for helping collect specimens; Hiroshi Senou (KPM), Hiroaki Hayashi (volunteer stuff of KPM) and staff of the Iriomote Marine Research Station, Tokai University for their cooperation. We are also indebted to Masayoshi Hayashi and Munenori Kishida (Imperial Household Agency), Katsusuke Meguro (formerly Imperial Household Agency) for their helpful suggestions.
Author informationAffiliations
Additional informationPublisher's NoteSpringer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
This article was registered in the Official Registry of Zoological Nomenclature (ZooBank) as EA0C4A15-9A46-4973-9CDB-BC6E3B083E08.
This article was published as an Online First article on the online publication date shown on this page. The article should be cited by using the doi number.
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AcknowledgementsWe are grateful to Naomi Delventhal (Manitoba University, Canada) for useful information on Callogobius bifasciatus, C. clarki and C. winterbottomi, and her critical reading of the manuscript, Tetsuji Nakabo (Kyoto University) for his critical reading of the manuscript, Graham S. Hardy (Ngunguru, New Zealand) for helping with English, and Douglass F. Hoese (AMS) for useful information on Australian Callogobius and a paratype of C. swifti. We also thank M. Eric Anderson (SAIAB), Donugh Currie and Richard Winterbottom (ROM), late John E. Randall and Arnold Y. Suzumoto (BPBM) for the loan of specimens; Mark McGrouther, Amanda Hay and Kerryn Parkinson (AMS), Philippe Keith (MNHN), Gento Shinohara (NSMT), Ofer Gon, Nkosinathi Mazungula and Bafo Konqobe (SAIAB), Jeffrey T. Williams and Shirleen Smith (USNM) for the deposition of type specimens; Gerald R. Allen (WAM) for reexamining cephalic sensory canal pores of the holotype of C. swifti for responding to our request; Mark Allen (WAM) for taking photos of a paratype of C. swifti; Atsushi Ono (Diving Service Ono-nini), Takeshi Matsumoto (Yakushima Nature Activity Center), Kiyoshi Hagiwara (YCM), Toshihiko Yonezawa (The foundation of Kagoshima Environmental Research and Service), Kayo Sugiyama (Cabinet Office) and Masahiro Aizawa (formerly Imperial Household Agency) for helping collect specimens; Hiroshi Senou (KPM), Hiroaki Hayashi (volunteer stuff of KPM) and staff of the Iriomote Marine Research Station, Tokai University for their cooperation. We are also indebted to Masayoshi Hayashi and Munenori Kishida (Imperial Household Agency), Katsusuke Meguro (formerly Imperial Household Agency) for their helpful suggestions.
Author informationAffiliations
- Emperor Emeritus’ Residence, 1-14-1 Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 100-0074, Japan
Akihito - Imperial Household Agency, 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-8111, Japan
Yuji Ikeda
Additional informationPublisher's NoteSpringer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
This article was registered in the Official Registry of Zoological Nomenclature (ZooBank) as EA0C4A15-9A46-4973-9CDB-BC6E3B083E08.
This article was published as an Online First article on the online publication date shown on this page. The article should be cited by using the doi number.
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Lake Malawi cichlids latest check list.
malawicichlids.com/cichlid_checklist_2021-may-21.pdf
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Oxynoemacheilus sarus, a new nemacheilid loach from the lower Ceyhan and Seyhan in southern Anatolia (Teleostei: Nemacheilida
JÖRG FREYHOF, BARAN YOĞURTÇUOĞLU, CÜNEYT KAYA
Abstract
Oxynoemacheilus sarus, new species, is described from the lower Ceyhan and Seyhan drainages in southern Anatolia. It is distinguished from other Oxynoemacheilus species in Cilicia (including the Göksu, Seyhan and Ceyhan drainages) by possession of a series of irregularly shaped midlateral blotches, 3–5 dark-brown bands on the caudal fin, a complete lateral line, a forked caudal fin (shortest middle caudal-fin ray is 56–70% of longest ray of the upper caudal-fin lobe), the caudal peduncle depth 1.4–1.8 times in its length, and a suborbital groove in male individuals. The new species occurs in sympatry with superficially similar O. seyhanicola and O. evreni, and is distinguished by colour pattern as well as morphometric and molecular characters. Molecular data suggest that the closest relatives to the new species in our dataset are O. euphraticus and O. shehabi, which is characterised by a minimum K2P distance of 3.6% and 3.8%, respectively, in the COI mtDNA barcode region.
Keywords
Freshwater fish, taxonomy, Middle East, Turkey, Pisces
Full Text:
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4964.1.6
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JÖRG FREYHOF, BARAN YOĞURTÇUOĞLU, CÜNEYT KAYA
Abstract
Oxynoemacheilus sarus, new species, is described from the lower Ceyhan and Seyhan drainages in southern Anatolia. It is distinguished from other Oxynoemacheilus species in Cilicia (including the Göksu, Seyhan and Ceyhan drainages) by possession of a series of irregularly shaped midlateral blotches, 3–5 dark-brown bands on the caudal fin, a complete lateral line, a forked caudal fin (shortest middle caudal-fin ray is 56–70% of longest ray of the upper caudal-fin lobe), the caudal peduncle depth 1.4–1.8 times in its length, and a suborbital groove in male individuals. The new species occurs in sympatry with superficially similar O. seyhanicola and O. evreni, and is distinguished by colour pattern as well as morphometric and molecular characters. Molecular data suggest that the closest relatives to the new species in our dataset are O. euphraticus and O. shehabi, which is characterised by a minimum K2P distance of 3.6% and 3.8%, respectively, in the COI mtDNA barcode region.
Keywords
Freshwater fish, taxonomy, Middle East, Turkey, Pisces
Full Text:
PDF/A (6MB)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4964.1.6
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Two new species of Hypostomus suckermouth armored catfishes (Teleostei: Loricariidae) from Central Brazil
Yan Felipe Figueira Soares
Pedro De Podestà Uchôa de Aquino
Justin C. Bagley
Francisco Langeani
Guarino R. Colli
First published: 06 May 2021
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14777
This article has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Fish Biology and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as doi: 10.1111/jfb.14777.
Abstract We describe two new endemic Hypostomus species from central Brazil, which were previously identified as genetically distinct lineages in a recent genomic study that recommended their testing and potential description based on morphological data. A machine learning classification procedure (random forest) was used to investigate morphological variation and identify putatively diagnostic characters for these candidate species, and revealed that each is morphologically distinct. The new species Hypostomus cafuringa is characterized by small size, dark spots under a light background color, deeper caudal peduncle, and shorter first ray of the pectoral‐fin and base of the dorsal‐fin when compared to congeneric species from the region. Hypostomus cafuringa is known from the headwaters of the Maranhão River, upper Tocantins River basin, Distrito Federal, Brazil. The second new species, Hypostomus crulsi, is characterized as having dark spots under a light background color, absence of plates along the abdomen region, shorter first ray of the pelvic‐fin, shorter first ray of the pectoral‐fin, and smaller body size. Hypostomus crulsi is known from the headwaters of the São Bartolomeu River, upper Paraná River basin, Distrito Federal, Brazil. The rapid conversion of natural habitats for agricultural development and the isolation of protected areas represents a serious threat to the continued existence of these two newly described and endemic species, which warrant conservation assessment.
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Yan Felipe Figueira Soares
Pedro De Podestà Uchôa de Aquino
Justin C. Bagley
Francisco Langeani
Guarino R. Colli
First published: 06 May 2021
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14777
This article has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Fish Biology and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as doi: 10.1111/jfb.14777.
Abstract We describe two new endemic Hypostomus species from central Brazil, which were previously identified as genetically distinct lineages in a recent genomic study that recommended their testing and potential description based on morphological data. A machine learning classification procedure (random forest) was used to investigate morphological variation and identify putatively diagnostic characters for these candidate species, and revealed that each is morphologically distinct. The new species Hypostomus cafuringa is characterized by small size, dark spots under a light background color, deeper caudal peduncle, and shorter first ray of the pectoral‐fin and base of the dorsal‐fin when compared to congeneric species from the region. Hypostomus cafuringa is known from the headwaters of the Maranhão River, upper Tocantins River basin, Distrito Federal, Brazil. The second new species, Hypostomus crulsi, is characterized as having dark spots under a light background color, absence of plates along the abdomen region, shorter first ray of the pelvic‐fin, shorter first ray of the pectoral‐fin, and smaller body size. Hypostomus crulsi is known from the headwaters of the São Bartolomeu River, upper Paraná River basin, Distrito Federal, Brazil. The rapid conversion of natural habitats for agricultural development and the isolation of protected areas represents a serious threat to the continued existence of these two newly described and endemic species, which warrant conservation assessment.
==========================
“No longer shall we know our Maroon Clownfish as Premnas biaculeatus; the species is now, at least for the moment, re-christened Amphiprion biaculeatus….”
After 205 years, a Maroon Clownfish by any other name is still an anemonefish like no other…
A recent, expansive phylogenetic analysis of the damselfishes creates new genera and relegates others to the dustbin. The study, Systematics of Damselfishes, was authored by Kevin L. Tang (Associate Professor of Biology, University of Michigan-Flint), Melanie L. J. Stiassny (Axelrod Research Curator of Ichthyology at the American Museum of Natural History), Richard L. Mayden (Professor; W. S. Barnickle Endowed Chair of Natural Sciences, St. Louis University), and Robert DeSalle (Curator, Molecular Systematics at the American Museum of Natural History). It was published as an open-access article on May 5, 2021, in the journal Ichthyology & Herpetology.
One of the most notable changes: Premnas, the monotypic genus containing the charismatic Maroon Clownfish or Spinecheek Anemonefish, has finally fallen by the wayside. No longer shall we know our Maroon Clownfishes as Premnas biaculeatus; they are now, for the moment, all considered Amphiprion biaculeatus.
The pivotal text? “Based on the relationships presented herein, as well as the overwhelming consensus from past studies, we treat Premnas as a junior synonym of Amphiprion. Both genera are masculine in gender, so the species name remains unchanged in the new combination as Amphiprion biaculeatus.”
Inspiration for the opening artwork, this Maroon Clownfish or Spinecheek Anemonfish photographed in East Timor by Nick Hobgood shall henceforth be known as Amphiprion biaculeatus. CC BY-SA 3.0.Researcher Reactions
“I’m happy to see the change,” wrote zoologist Dr. Ben Titus, an authority on sea anemones and their clownfish symbionts. He continued to explain, “The most recent phylogenies show that biaculeatus, ocellaris, and percula form a small clade sister to the rest of the clownfishes. With the old taxonomy that makes Amphiprion a paraphyletic genus. If one of the primary goals of taxonomy and systematics is to circumscribe groups, then this is an important change.”
CORAL Editor Matt Pedersen found himself wondering, “What makes this particular research paper the definitive ‘end’ to Premnas?”
The paper itself cites many different sources that effectively waffle back and forth over the validity of the genus. for years. He put the question to reef fish taxonomist Yi-Kai Tea, “Why is this the paper that gets to abolish Premnas for good?”
“It’s not,” responded Tea in a rather surprising response. He explained, “But it is the most comprehensive revision at the family level, with the largest molecular dataset yet. So, if anything, this is about as formal as it gets.”
But could the genus Premnas ever be resurrected? Is there anything else that could come back and refute the genus move, or are we going to see this change adopted and endorsed by the scientific community as a whole?
Wild Amphriopon biculeatus displaying prominent cheek spine beneath the eye, a trait characteristic of the species but not seen in other anemonefishes in the same genus. Image: Denise Nielsen Tackett.“It’s not likely,” continued Tea. “Premnas has been refuted for ages. The justification for Premnas is based on a single character—the cheek spine.” (Editor: For this reason, the species is also sometimes dubbed the Spinecheek Anemonefish.)
“But, overwhelmingly, [Premnas] is nested in Amphiprion; DNA studies support this. So the cheek-spine character is just a derived trait unique to Amphiprion biaculeatus. We call that an autapomorphy. [It’s a physical, morphological characteristic that] doesn’t reflect relationships.”
So that settles it, for now! RIP Premnas: 1816-2021. You had a good run.
By Reef To Rainforest Media, LLC | CORAL Magazine | AMAZONAS Magazine | Microcosm Publishing
==========================
After 205 years, a Maroon Clownfish by any other name is still an anemonefish like no other…
A recent, expansive phylogenetic analysis of the damselfishes creates new genera and relegates others to the dustbin. The study, Systematics of Damselfishes, was authored by Kevin L. Tang (Associate Professor of Biology, University of Michigan-Flint), Melanie L. J. Stiassny (Axelrod Research Curator of Ichthyology at the American Museum of Natural History), Richard L. Mayden (Professor; W. S. Barnickle Endowed Chair of Natural Sciences, St. Louis University), and Robert DeSalle (Curator, Molecular Systematics at the American Museum of Natural History). It was published as an open-access article on May 5, 2021, in the journal Ichthyology & Herpetology.
One of the most notable changes: Premnas, the monotypic genus containing the charismatic Maroon Clownfish or Spinecheek Anemonefish, has finally fallen by the wayside. No longer shall we know our Maroon Clownfishes as Premnas biaculeatus; they are now, for the moment, all considered Amphiprion biaculeatus.
The pivotal text? “Based on the relationships presented herein, as well as the overwhelming consensus from past studies, we treat Premnas as a junior synonym of Amphiprion. Both genera are masculine in gender, so the species name remains unchanged in the new combination as Amphiprion biaculeatus.”
Inspiration for the opening artwork, this Maroon Clownfish or Spinecheek Anemonfish photographed in East Timor by Nick Hobgood shall henceforth be known as Amphiprion biaculeatus. CC BY-SA 3.0.Researcher Reactions
“I’m happy to see the change,” wrote zoologist Dr. Ben Titus, an authority on sea anemones and their clownfish symbionts. He continued to explain, “The most recent phylogenies show that biaculeatus, ocellaris, and percula form a small clade sister to the rest of the clownfishes. With the old taxonomy that makes Amphiprion a paraphyletic genus. If one of the primary goals of taxonomy and systematics is to circumscribe groups, then this is an important change.”
CORAL Editor Matt Pedersen found himself wondering, “What makes this particular research paper the definitive ‘end’ to Premnas?”
The paper itself cites many different sources that effectively waffle back and forth over the validity of the genus. for years. He put the question to reef fish taxonomist Yi-Kai Tea, “Why is this the paper that gets to abolish Premnas for good?”
“It’s not,” responded Tea in a rather surprising response. He explained, “But it is the most comprehensive revision at the family level, with the largest molecular dataset yet. So, if anything, this is about as formal as it gets.”
But could the genus Premnas ever be resurrected? Is there anything else that could come back and refute the genus move, or are we going to see this change adopted and endorsed by the scientific community as a whole?
Wild Amphriopon biculeatus displaying prominent cheek spine beneath the eye, a trait characteristic of the species but not seen in other anemonefishes in the same genus. Image: Denise Nielsen Tackett.“It’s not likely,” continued Tea. “Premnas has been refuted for ages. The justification for Premnas is based on a single character—the cheek spine.” (Editor: For this reason, the species is also sometimes dubbed the Spinecheek Anemonefish.)
“But, overwhelmingly, [Premnas] is nested in Amphiprion; DNA studies support this. So the cheek-spine character is just a derived trait unique to Amphiprion biaculeatus. We call that an autapomorphy. [It’s a physical, morphological characteristic that] doesn’t reflect relationships.”
So that settles it, for now! RIP Premnas: 1816-2021. You had a good run.
By Reef To Rainforest Media, LLC | CORAL Magazine | AMAZONAS Magazine | Microcosm Publishing
==========================
Integrative taxonomy supports high species diversity of south-eastern Brazilian mountain catfishes of the T. reinhardti group (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae)
Wilson J. E. M. Costa &Axel M. Katz
Published online: 09 Apr 2021
AbstractThe mountain area between the Mantiqueira and Espinhaço ranges of south-eastern Brazil is of special interest for biologists by sheltering headwaters of two of the largest South American river basins, as well as comprising sections of two main world biodiversity hotspots. Mineral exploitation activities have caused great environmental impact, but biological inventories have demonstrated a rich biota with some organisms still poorly known. We herein analyse catfishes of the Trichomycterus reinhardti species group, endemic to this area. With the objective of inferring species limits, we combine morphological variation to unilocus coalescent methods of species delimitation using fragments of the mitochondrial genome (total of 1924 bp) for 38 individuals collected in 14 sites. The phylogenetic analysis supported a clade endemic to the Rio São Francisco basin and neighbouring Rio Doce headwaters, Espinhaço mountain range, and another one, endemic to the Rio Grande drainage, Rio Paraná basin, between Mantiqueira and Canastra mountain ranges. This biogeographic pattern may be explained by geological evidence indicating that the upper Rio Grande drainage was connected to the upper Rio São Francisco basin until the Middle Miocene, instead of being part of the Rio Paraná basin as today. The integrative analysis supported a total of 10 species, six of which are new and here described. Interestingly, the small areas inhabited by species here delimited are highly coincident with the distribution range of other mountain fish species. High level of local species endemism is possibly related to the uncommon regional relief, with small subdrainages crossed by transversal hills as a result of geological gaps, supporting a complex palaeogeographic scenario favouring isolation of taxa in small areas. Under a conservation perspective, these small areas of endemism for mountain fishes deserve special attention due to the process of environmental decline along centuries in the region.
http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0E3981E9-D7A9-4C9B-B56A-85621F33A7CB
Key words:
Siluriformesmountain biodiversityneotropical river basinsosteologyspecies delimitation
Previous articleView latest articlesNext articleAcknowledgementsWe are grateful to M.A. Barbosa, C.P. Bove, P.H.N. Bragança, J.L.O. Mattos, F.P. Ottoni, F.S.R. Pereira and R.C. Rizzieri for assistance during field expeditions; to M. Britto (MNRJ/UFRJ) and A. Datovo (MZUSP) for the assistance during visits to their institutions and the loan of material; to S. Rodrigues (Associação para Proteção Ambiental do Vale do Mutuca - PROMUTUCA), for assistance during a field expedition. Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade gave permits for fish collections.
Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Supplemental materialSupplemental material for this article can be accessed online here: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14772000.2021.1900947.
Associate Editor: Kevin Conway
Additional informationFundingThis work was supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq; grant 307349/2015-2 to WJEMC and 153329/2015-7 to AMK). This study was also supported by CAPES (Finance Code 001) through Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética/UFRJ and Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Museu Nacional/UFRJ.
==========================
Wilson J. E. M. Costa &Axel M. Katz
Published online: 09 Apr 2021
AbstractThe mountain area between the Mantiqueira and Espinhaço ranges of south-eastern Brazil is of special interest for biologists by sheltering headwaters of two of the largest South American river basins, as well as comprising sections of two main world biodiversity hotspots. Mineral exploitation activities have caused great environmental impact, but biological inventories have demonstrated a rich biota with some organisms still poorly known. We herein analyse catfishes of the Trichomycterus reinhardti species group, endemic to this area. With the objective of inferring species limits, we combine morphological variation to unilocus coalescent methods of species delimitation using fragments of the mitochondrial genome (total of 1924 bp) for 38 individuals collected in 14 sites. The phylogenetic analysis supported a clade endemic to the Rio São Francisco basin and neighbouring Rio Doce headwaters, Espinhaço mountain range, and another one, endemic to the Rio Grande drainage, Rio Paraná basin, between Mantiqueira and Canastra mountain ranges. This biogeographic pattern may be explained by geological evidence indicating that the upper Rio Grande drainage was connected to the upper Rio São Francisco basin until the Middle Miocene, instead of being part of the Rio Paraná basin as today. The integrative analysis supported a total of 10 species, six of which are new and here described. Interestingly, the small areas inhabited by species here delimited are highly coincident with the distribution range of other mountain fish species. High level of local species endemism is possibly related to the uncommon regional relief, with small subdrainages crossed by transversal hills as a result of geological gaps, supporting a complex palaeogeographic scenario favouring isolation of taxa in small areas. Under a conservation perspective, these small areas of endemism for mountain fishes deserve special attention due to the process of environmental decline along centuries in the region.
http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0E3981E9-D7A9-4C9B-B56A-85621F33A7CB
Key words:
Siluriformesmountain biodiversityneotropical river basinsosteologyspecies delimitation
Previous articleView latest articlesNext articleAcknowledgementsWe are grateful to M.A. Barbosa, C.P. Bove, P.H.N. Bragança, J.L.O. Mattos, F.P. Ottoni, F.S.R. Pereira and R.C. Rizzieri for assistance during field expeditions; to M. Britto (MNRJ/UFRJ) and A. Datovo (MZUSP) for the assistance during visits to their institutions and the loan of material; to S. Rodrigues (Associação para Proteção Ambiental do Vale do Mutuca - PROMUTUCA), for assistance during a field expedition. Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade gave permits for fish collections.
Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Supplemental materialSupplemental material for this article can be accessed online here: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14772000.2021.1900947.
Associate Editor: Kevin Conway
Additional informationFundingThis work was supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq; grant 307349/2015-2 to WJEMC and 153329/2015-7 to AMK). This study was also supported by CAPES (Finance Code 001) through Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética/UFRJ and Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Museu Nacional/UFRJ.
==========================
The Glyptothorax Catfishes (Teleostei: Sisoridae) of the Euphrates and Tigris with the Description of A New Species
Glyptothorax kurdistanicus (Berg, 1931)
in Freyhof, Kaya, et al., 2021.
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4969.3.2
twitter.com/Jorg_Freyhof
Abstract
The Glyptothorax species inhabiting the Euphrates and Tigris drainages are reviewed and six species are recognised, one of which is described herein as new species. Glyptothorax armeniacus is endemic to headwater streams in the Euphrates drainage. Glyptothorax kurdistanicus is endemic to the upper Tigris downstream to the Lesser Zab drainage. Glyptothorax cous and G. steindachneri are riverine species widespread in both the Euphrates and Tigris drainages. Glyptothorax silviae is endemic to Iran. Glyptothorax daemon, new species, from the Greater Zab and Yanarsu in the upper Tigris drainage, is distinguished by having the thoracic adhesive apparatus strongly elevated, 1.1–1.2 times longer than wide, without tubercles on the head, well developed anteromedial striae, the medial pit without striae, and a short adipose fin. Glyptothorax daemon is separated into two mitochondrial lineages, externally indistinguishable and separated by a minimum K2P distance of 2.0% in the DNA barcode region. These lineages are paraphyletic in our analysis indicating past introgressive hybridisation with G. cous. All six species are diagnosed and all, except unstudied G. steindachneri, form distinct mitochondrial clades with between 1.2% and 3.4% minimum K2P distance between them. Species from the Euphrates and Tigris form a monophyletic mitochondrial group separated from 53 other Glyptothorax species studied from India and areas further east.
Keywords: Pisces, freshwater fish, taxonomy, Cytochrome oxidase I, Middle East
Glyptothorax kurdistanicus (Berg, 1931)
Jörg Freyhof, Cüneyt Kaya, Younis Sabir Abdullah and Matthias F. Geiger. 2021. The Glyptothorax Catfishes of the Euphrates and Tigris with the Description of A New Species (Teleostei: Sisoridae). Zootaxa. 4969(3); 453–491. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4969.3.2
twitter.com/Jorg_Freyhof/status/1392368835165138945
Researchgate.net/publication/351513534_Glyptothorax_of_the_Euphrates_and_Tigris
==========================
Glyptothorax kurdistanicus (Berg, 1931)
in Freyhof, Kaya, et al., 2021.
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4969.3.2
twitter.com/Jorg_Freyhof
Abstract
The Glyptothorax species inhabiting the Euphrates and Tigris drainages are reviewed and six species are recognised, one of which is described herein as new species. Glyptothorax armeniacus is endemic to headwater streams in the Euphrates drainage. Glyptothorax kurdistanicus is endemic to the upper Tigris downstream to the Lesser Zab drainage. Glyptothorax cous and G. steindachneri are riverine species widespread in both the Euphrates and Tigris drainages. Glyptothorax silviae is endemic to Iran. Glyptothorax daemon, new species, from the Greater Zab and Yanarsu in the upper Tigris drainage, is distinguished by having the thoracic adhesive apparatus strongly elevated, 1.1–1.2 times longer than wide, without tubercles on the head, well developed anteromedial striae, the medial pit without striae, and a short adipose fin. Glyptothorax daemon is separated into two mitochondrial lineages, externally indistinguishable and separated by a minimum K2P distance of 2.0% in the DNA barcode region. These lineages are paraphyletic in our analysis indicating past introgressive hybridisation with G. cous. All six species are diagnosed and all, except unstudied G. steindachneri, form distinct mitochondrial clades with between 1.2% and 3.4% minimum K2P distance between them. Species from the Euphrates and Tigris form a monophyletic mitochondrial group separated from 53 other Glyptothorax species studied from India and areas further east.
Keywords: Pisces, freshwater fish, taxonomy, Cytochrome oxidase I, Middle East
Glyptothorax kurdistanicus (Berg, 1931)
Jörg Freyhof, Cüneyt Kaya, Younis Sabir Abdullah and Matthias F. Geiger. 2021. The Glyptothorax Catfishes of the Euphrates and Tigris with the Description of A New Species (Teleostei: Sisoridae). Zootaxa. 4969(3); 453–491. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4969.3.2
twitter.com/Jorg_Freyhof/status/1392368835165138945
Researchgate.net/publication/351513534_Glyptothorax_of_the_Euphrates_and_Tigris
==========================
New Species of Freshwater Fish Discovered: Fergana Stone Loach
May 11, 2021 by Sergio Prostak
«
|
A team of ichthyologists from China’s Southwest University has discovered a new species of the loach genus Triplophysa living in a high-altitude stream in Fergana Valley of Central Asia.
Left lateral, dorsal, and ventral views of the Fergana stone loach (Triplophysa ferganaensis), female, 8.75 cm standard length, Yordon village, Fergana Region, Uzbekistan. Image credit: Sheraliev & Peng, doi: 10.1111/jfb.14764.
The genus Triplophysa is one of the largest genera in the stone loach family Nemacheilidae.
It includes over 150 recognized species, most of which are distributed on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau and in adjacent areas.
Triplophysa species exhibit strong sexual dimorphism: mature males have breeding tubercles, elevated skin on both sides of the head in paired patches stretching from the lower margin of the eyes to the base of the outer barbel, and a thickened pad on the dorsal surfaces of the widened pectoral-fin rays.
Furthermore, their nostrils are situated close together, part of the bladder capsule is bony, and the bony bladder is dumbbell-shaped.
“Triplophysa are highland fishes that evolved along with the intense orogeny since the Miocene,” said Bakhtiyor Sheraliev, a Ph.D. student in the Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development at the Southwest University School of Life Science.
“They are an ideal material for studying paleogeology and paleoclimate.”
Sheraliev and his colleague, Southwest University’s Professor Zuogang Peng, found a new Triplophysa species in the Shakhimardan stream in Yordon village, an exclave of Uzbekistan in Kyrgyzstan.
Named the Fergana stone loach (Triplophysa ferganaensis), the species is likely endemic to this high-altitude area.
It is threatened by spring flooding and overfishing, and cohabits with Schizothorax eurystomus, a typical high-altitude species of carp.
“The description of a new species of fish is a rare discovery in a region with a poor fish fauna, like Uzbekistan,” Sheraliev said.
“Specimens from the Triplophysa genus caught my attention during my fieldwork in Fergana Valley in 2019.”
“It was not possible to identify the sample at the species level on the site. At first, I thought I cannot identify them at the species level because of the complexity of Central Asian Triplophysa species taxonomy.”
“However, later long-term morphological and molecular analysis in the laboratory revealed that the specimens are of a new species that are not yet known to science.”
“The importance of our contribution is defined by the lack of taxonomic work on this taxon in the Central Asia area,” he added.
“In particular, no work on Triplophysa in the Syr Darya basin has been reported for the last seven decades. Thus, we hope our new finding fills some gaps.”
The team’s paper was published on April 26, 2021 in the Journal of Fish Biology.
_____
Bakhtiyor Sheraliev & Zuogang Peng. Triplophysa ferganaensis, a new loach species from Fergana Valley in Central Asia (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). Journal of Fish Biology, published online April 26, 2021; doi: 10.1111/jfb.14764
Tagged as
Central AsiaFergana stone loachFergana ValleyFishKyrgyzstanLoachNemacheilidaeShakhimardan streamStone loachSyr DaryaTriplophysaTriplophysa ferganaensisUzbekistan
==========================
May 11, 2021 by Sergio Prostak
«
|
A team of ichthyologists from China’s Southwest University has discovered a new species of the loach genus Triplophysa living in a high-altitude stream in Fergana Valley of Central Asia.
Left lateral, dorsal, and ventral views of the Fergana stone loach (Triplophysa ferganaensis), female, 8.75 cm standard length, Yordon village, Fergana Region, Uzbekistan. Image credit: Sheraliev & Peng, doi: 10.1111/jfb.14764.
The genus Triplophysa is one of the largest genera in the stone loach family Nemacheilidae.
It includes over 150 recognized species, most of which are distributed on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau and in adjacent areas.
Triplophysa species exhibit strong sexual dimorphism: mature males have breeding tubercles, elevated skin on both sides of the head in paired patches stretching from the lower margin of the eyes to the base of the outer barbel, and a thickened pad on the dorsal surfaces of the widened pectoral-fin rays.
Furthermore, their nostrils are situated close together, part of the bladder capsule is bony, and the bony bladder is dumbbell-shaped.
“Triplophysa are highland fishes that evolved along with the intense orogeny since the Miocene,” said Bakhtiyor Sheraliev, a Ph.D. student in the Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development at the Southwest University School of Life Science.
“They are an ideal material for studying paleogeology and paleoclimate.”
Sheraliev and his colleague, Southwest University’s Professor Zuogang Peng, found a new Triplophysa species in the Shakhimardan stream in Yordon village, an exclave of Uzbekistan in Kyrgyzstan.
Named the Fergana stone loach (Triplophysa ferganaensis), the species is likely endemic to this high-altitude area.
It is threatened by spring flooding and overfishing, and cohabits with Schizothorax eurystomus, a typical high-altitude species of carp.
“The description of a new species of fish is a rare discovery in a region with a poor fish fauna, like Uzbekistan,” Sheraliev said.
“Specimens from the Triplophysa genus caught my attention during my fieldwork in Fergana Valley in 2019.”
“It was not possible to identify the sample at the species level on the site. At first, I thought I cannot identify them at the species level because of the complexity of Central Asian Triplophysa species taxonomy.”
“However, later long-term morphological and molecular analysis in the laboratory revealed that the specimens are of a new species that are not yet known to science.”
“The importance of our contribution is defined by the lack of taxonomic work on this taxon in the Central Asia area,” he added.
“In particular, no work on Triplophysa in the Syr Darya basin has been reported for the last seven decades. Thus, we hope our new finding fills some gaps.”
The team’s paper was published on April 26, 2021 in the Journal of Fish Biology.
_____
Bakhtiyor Sheraliev & Zuogang Peng. Triplophysa ferganaensis, a new loach species from Fergana Valley in Central Asia (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). Journal of Fish Biology, published online April 26, 2021; doi: 10.1111/jfb.14764
Tagged as
Central AsiaFergana stone loachFergana ValleyFishKyrgyzstanLoachNemacheilidaeShakhimardan streamStone loachSyr DaryaTriplophysaTriplophysa ferganaensisUzbekistan
==========================
Reef-A-Palooza Orlando
DATE: May 15-16, 2021
VENUE: Caribe Royale Orlando8101 World Center Dr, Orlando, FL 32821
This May Reef-A-Palooza is going to celebrate its 7th year in Orlando. Join us May 15 & 16, 2021 at the beautiful Caribe Royale Orlando.
Immerse yourself with the latest products and hottest corals on the showroom floor and then head out to experience Orlando. Choose between all of Orlando’s top restaurants, nightlife spots, shopping districts, sporting events, museums, and performing arts.
Reef-A-Palooza can best be described as an indoor marketplace where sellers, exhibitors, and hobbyists of all types can buy, sell, trade, and showcase their products to the marine hobbyist community.
==========================
DATE: May 15-16, 2021
VENUE: Caribe Royale Orlando8101 World Center Dr, Orlando, FL 32821
This May Reef-A-Palooza is going to celebrate its 7th year in Orlando. Join us May 15 & 16, 2021 at the beautiful Caribe Royale Orlando.
Immerse yourself with the latest products and hottest corals on the showroom floor and then head out to experience Orlando. Choose between all of Orlando’s top restaurants, nightlife spots, shopping districts, sporting events, museums, and performing arts.
Reef-A-Palooza can best be described as an indoor marketplace where sellers, exhibitors, and hobbyists of all types can buy, sell, trade, and showcase their products to the marine hobbyist community.
==========================
Copperbands bred ! see
www.reef2rainforest.com/2021/05/04/captive-bred-copperband-butterflyfish-chelmon-rostratus/
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www.reef2rainforest.com/2021/05/04/captive-bred-copperband-butterflyfish-chelmon-rostratus/
==========================
Research on Lake Victoria cichlids uncovers the processes of rapid species adaptation
Date:
May 7, 2021
Source:
Tokyo Institute of Technology
Summary:
New genetic analyses of cichlids in Lake Victoria highlight several candidate genes that may drive adaptive radiation and provide evidence for decisive selective events that cause particular genetic variants to quickly gain dominance within populations. These findings broaden scientific understanding of how new species arise.
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FULL STORY
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) have recently published the results of their investigations into adaptive radiation, which is when organisms rapidly evolve from an ancestral species into novel forms. Their genetic analyses of cichlids in Lake Victoria highlight several candidate genes that may drive adaptive radiation and provide evidence for decisive selective events that cause particular genetic variants to quickly gain dominance within populations. These findings broaden scientific understanding of how new species arise.
Biologists use the term adaptive radiation to describe a phenomenon in which new species rapidly evolve from an ancestral species, often in response to changes in the local environment that lead to new biological niches becoming available. To understand this process, biologists often turn to the cichlids of Lake Victoria, in which over 500 species of the fish have evolved over the past 14,600 years. As Professor Masato Nikaido of Tokyo Tech explains, "The level of genetic differentiation among species is considered very low due to the short period of time after these different species began evolving, and this limited genetic differentiation provides us with a great opportunity to find candidate genes that have contributed to adaptive radiation and the evolution of new species."
Past studies on Lake Victoria cichlids have shown that species living at different depths in the lake differ considerably with respect to the alleles for a gene that determines visual abilities. Spurred by this evidence, Professor Nikaido and his colleagues, including scientists from the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, wanted to learn more about the genetic processes underlying adaptation to different environmental conditions. They therefore analyzed the genomes of three species of Lake Victoria cichlids: Haplochromis chilotes and H. sauvagei, which inhabit only rocky shores, and Lithochromis rufus, which inhabits diverse lake-bottom environments, including rocky and sandy areas and areas with vegetation. Their findings are soon to appear in Molecular Biology and Evolution.
Comparisons of genomic data from these different species led to the identification of 678 different genes located within genomic regions that exhibited considerable between-species variation. The researchers saw these genes as potentially playing critical roles in adaptive radiation, and they identified 43 that were specific to H. chilotes, 54 that were specific to H. sauvagei, and 63 that were specific to L. rufus. Some of these genes were related to behavioral variables, such as circadian rhythms, locomotion, and the development of sensory systems.
The genomic analyses also revealed signs of what biologists call "selective sweep events," in which selective pressures cause a beneficial mutation to rapidly increase its frequency within a population and become present in all members of a species. Furthermore, many of the species-specific alleles appeared to have existed alongside several alternative alleles prior to the adaptive radiation that produced different species of fish.
In conclusion, these analyses of Lake Victoria cichlids offer novel insights into the genetic processes underlying adaptive radiation. As Professor Nikaido puts it, "Our analyses uncovered the processes of species-specific adaption of Lake Victoria cichlids and the complexity of the genomic substrate that facilitated this adaptation."
The evidence for species-specific genetic alleles being derived from preexisting genetic variation is a particularly interesting finding that may prove useful to biologists who wish to understand adaptive radiation processes in different environments.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Tokyo Institute of Technology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
Cite This Page: Tokyo Institute of Technology. "Research on Lake Victoria cichlids uncovers the processes of rapid species adaptation." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 7 May 2021. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210428133011.htm>.
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==========================
Date:
May 7, 2021
Source:
Tokyo Institute of Technology
Summary:
New genetic analyses of cichlids in Lake Victoria highlight several candidate genes that may drive adaptive radiation and provide evidence for decisive selective events that cause particular genetic variants to quickly gain dominance within populations. These findings broaden scientific understanding of how new species arise.
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FULL STORY
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) have recently published the results of their investigations into adaptive radiation, which is when organisms rapidly evolve from an ancestral species into novel forms. Their genetic analyses of cichlids in Lake Victoria highlight several candidate genes that may drive adaptive radiation and provide evidence for decisive selective events that cause particular genetic variants to quickly gain dominance within populations. These findings broaden scientific understanding of how new species arise.
Biologists use the term adaptive radiation to describe a phenomenon in which new species rapidly evolve from an ancestral species, often in response to changes in the local environment that lead to new biological niches becoming available. To understand this process, biologists often turn to the cichlids of Lake Victoria, in which over 500 species of the fish have evolved over the past 14,600 years. As Professor Masato Nikaido of Tokyo Tech explains, "The level of genetic differentiation among species is considered very low due to the short period of time after these different species began evolving, and this limited genetic differentiation provides us with a great opportunity to find candidate genes that have contributed to adaptive radiation and the evolution of new species."
Past studies on Lake Victoria cichlids have shown that species living at different depths in the lake differ considerably with respect to the alleles for a gene that determines visual abilities. Spurred by this evidence, Professor Nikaido and his colleagues, including scientists from the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, wanted to learn more about the genetic processes underlying adaptation to different environmental conditions. They therefore analyzed the genomes of three species of Lake Victoria cichlids: Haplochromis chilotes and H. sauvagei, which inhabit only rocky shores, and Lithochromis rufus, which inhabits diverse lake-bottom environments, including rocky and sandy areas and areas with vegetation. Their findings are soon to appear in Molecular Biology and Evolution.
Comparisons of genomic data from these different species led to the identification of 678 different genes located within genomic regions that exhibited considerable between-species variation. The researchers saw these genes as potentially playing critical roles in adaptive radiation, and they identified 43 that were specific to H. chilotes, 54 that were specific to H. sauvagei, and 63 that were specific to L. rufus. Some of these genes were related to behavioral variables, such as circadian rhythms, locomotion, and the development of sensory systems.
The genomic analyses also revealed signs of what biologists call "selective sweep events," in which selective pressures cause a beneficial mutation to rapidly increase its frequency within a population and become present in all members of a species. Furthermore, many of the species-specific alleles appeared to have existed alongside several alternative alleles prior to the adaptive radiation that produced different species of fish.
In conclusion, these analyses of Lake Victoria cichlids offer novel insights into the genetic processes underlying adaptive radiation. As Professor Nikaido puts it, "Our analyses uncovered the processes of species-specific adaption of Lake Victoria cichlids and the complexity of the genomic substrate that facilitated this adaptation."
The evidence for species-specific genetic alleles being derived from preexisting genetic variation is a particularly interesting finding that may prove useful to biologists who wish to understand adaptive radiation processes in different environments.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Tokyo Institute of Technology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Haruna Nakamura, Mitsuto Aibara, Rei Kajitani, Hillary D J Mrosso, Semvua I Mzighani, Atsushi Toyoda, Takehiko Itoh, Norihiro Okada, Masato Nikaido. Genomic Signatures for Species-Specific Adaptation in Lake Victoria Cichlids Derived from Large-Scale Standing Genetic Variation. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 2021; DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab084
Cite This Page: Tokyo Institute of Technology. "Research on Lake Victoria cichlids uncovers the processes of rapid species adaptation." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 7 May 2021. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210428133011.htm>.
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Feb. 10, 2017 -- The rapid evolution of Africa's Lake Victoria cichlids -- brightly colored, perch-like fish -- was facilitated by earlier hybridization between two distantly related cichlid species from the Upper ...
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Feb. 10, 2017 -- No less than 500 new species of cichlids, brightly coloured perch-like fish, evolved in Lake Victoria (East Africa) over the past 15,000 years -- a record in the animal and plant world.
==========================
A new species of Microcharacidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the Central Amazon, BrazilAuthors: L.S. Vieira lolly.vieirasa@gmail.com and A.L. Netto-FerreiraAUTHORS INFO & AFFILIATIONS
Publication: Canadian Journal of Zoology • 8 January 2021 • https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2020-0138
327
Canadian Journal of Zoology
Volume 99, Number 1
January 2021
Zarske (1997) described a fourth species for the genus, “Microcharacidium” geryi, which was assigned to Microcharacidium based mainly on the absence of maxillary teeth and the reduced number of rays on the caudal and pectoral fins (17 caudal-fin rays and 8–9 pectoral-fin rays). However, the inclusion of that species in the genus was questioned by Buckup (2003), who considered M. geryi incertae sedis in Crenuchidae. Later, Melo et al. (2016) suggested relocating the species to Characidium, classification assumed since then.
The number of circumpeduncular scales is an important diagnostic character allowing for the prompt recognition of M. gnomus (14 scales) from M. eleotrioides and M. weitzmani (both with 10 scales), with the distinction between the latter two based mostly on the number of tooth cusps, and the number of scales of the lateral line series, among other characters (Buckup 1993b). During a revisionary study of the genus, an additional species with a color pattern resembling that of M. eleotrioides with 12 circumpeduncular scales and conical teeth was identified from the middle Rio Amazonas and its major tributaries in the central Amazon, and it is described herein. In addition, an updated identification key for the genus is provided and the affinities of the new species with other Microcharacidium are discussed.Materials and methodsCounts and measurements followed Buckup (1993b). Measurements were made under a stereoscopic microscope (Binocular Model; zoom 0.8× ∼ 5×, magnification 8× ∼ 50×, and 2 W transmitted and reflected LED illumination) with a scaled reticle. All measurements are presented as proportions of standard length (SL), except for subunits of the head, which are presented as proportions of the head length (HL). In the description, the values for each meristic data are followed by their frequency in parentheses with an asterisk indicating the values for the holotype. Counts of vertebrae, supraneurals, procurrent caudal-fin rays, branchiostegal rays, and teeth were taken from cleared and stained paratypes (C and S), prepared according to Taylor and Van Dyke (1985). The total number of vertebrae includes those of the Weberian Apparatus (counted as four elements) and the fused preural 1 (PU1+) with ural 1 (U1) of the caudal region as a single element. In the present contribution, bars are preferred over vertical bands (sensu Buckup 1993b) as a more widely employed term for vertically arranged color pattern elements in the Characiformes literature.
Institutional abbreviations are Academy of Natural Sciences of the Drexel University (ANSP), Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Museo de Biología de la Universidad Central de Venezuela (MBUCV), Natural History Museum of Geneva (MHNG), Museu Nacional do Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ), Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi (MPEG), Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZUSP), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), and National Museum of Natural History/Smithsonian Institution (USNM).ResultsMicrocharacidium bombioides sp. nov.
Fig. 1; Table 1
Microcharacidium eleotrioides non-Géry, 1970 — Dias et al. 2010 (environmental impact study, inferred according to the distribution); Rodrigues-Filho et al. 2018 (ecological study, inferred according to the distribution).
Fig. 1.
Fig. 1. Microcharacidium bombioides sp. nov., holotype. UFRGS 28560, 15.7 mm SL, Brazil, Amazonas, Novo Airão, Rio Negro basin (02°37′17″S, 60°56′39″W), 07 Sep 2007, H.M.V. Espírito Santo.
Table 1.
Table 1. Morphometric data of Microcharacidium bombioides sp. nov. and 66 paratypes.zoobank lsid:urn:lsid:zoobank.org:ato:F2C9E68A-953C-48FC-B25E-4C75CD079AE9.holotype:UFRGS 28560, 15.7 mm SL, Brazil, Amazonas, Novo Airão, Rio Negro basin (02°37′17″S, 60°56′39″W), 07 Sep 2007, H.M.V. Espírito Santo.paratypes:All from Brazil, Rio Amazonas basin: ANSP 207545 (3, 11.4–15.0 mm SL), INPA 29389 (34, 11.0–15.5 mm SL), MNRJ 52125 (4, 12.7–16.1 mm SL), MZUSP 125821 (4, 10.6–15.4 mm SL), UFRGS 28565 (7, 12.0–16.2 mm SL) collected with the holotype; INPA 29912 (29, 10.0–13.5 mm SL), Amazonas, Manaus (03°06′07″S, 60°1′30″W), 11 Jul 2005, L.N. Carvalho; INPA 31722 (33, 10.0–15.5 mm SL), Amazonas, Itacoatiara (03°08′35″S, 58°26′39″W), 26 Jul 2007, M.S. Dias; INPA 32754 (7, 12.7–14.7 mm SL), Amazonas, Novo Airão (02°37′17″S, 60°56′39″W), 05 Apr 2008, M.S. Dias, R.G. Frederico; INPA 37394 (9, 13.5–15.1 mm SL), Amazonas, São Sebastião do Uatumã (02°34′17″S, 57°52′13″W), 23 Sep 2011, L. Rapp Py-Daniel et al.; MPEG 14585 (14.0 mm SL), Pará, Oriximiná, Rio Patauá (01°45′31″S, 56°21′40″W), 11 Jun 2007, L.F.A. Montag; MPEG 24056 (14, 10.0–12.8 mm SL), Pará, Santarém, Rio Maró, afluente do rio Arapiuns (03°10′32″S, 56°20′38″W), 17 Jun 2011, N. Benone; MPEG 24080 (13, 10.5–13.5 mm SL; 2 C and S), Pará, Santarém, Rio Maró, afluente do rio Arapiuns (03°10′56″S, 55°50′57″W), 17 Jun 2011, N. Benone; MPEG 26000 (4, 12.1–13.1 mm SL), Pará, Juruti, Igarapé da Ponte (02°10′48″S, 56°04′40″W), 29 Nov 2012, M. Mendonça; MPEG 30301 (5, 13.0–16.4 mm SL), Pará, Juruti, Igarapé Rio Branco (02°20′58″S, 56°01′26″W), 12 Dec 2013, M. Mendonça; MPEG 30303 (6, 10.6–12.6 mm SL), Pará, Juruti, Igarapé Café Torrado (02°18′02″S, 56°04′21″W), 12 Dec 2013, M. Mendonça; MPEG 32637 (11, 13.6–15.0 mm SL), Pará, Juruti, Igarapé Socó (02°27′31″S, 56°00′54″W), 22 Mar 2015, M. Mendonça; MPEG 32638 (7, 11.3–12.7 mm SL), Pará, Juruti, Igarapé São Francisco (02°34′52″S, 55°54′11″W), 26 Mar 2015, M. Mendonça; MPEG 32639 (32, 13.1–14.0 mm SL), Pará, Juruti, Igarapé Mutum (02°36′46″S, 56°11′37″W), 20 Mar 2015, M. Mendonça; UFRGS 28565 (7, 12.0–16.2 mm SL), Amazonas, Novo Airão (02°37′17″S, 60°56′39″W), 07 Sep 2007, H.M.V. Espírito Santo.diagnosis:Microcharacidium bombioides sp. nov. differs from all congeners by the presence of 12 circumpeduncular scales (compared with 10 in M. eleotrioides and M. weitzmani and 14 in M. gnomus), the presence of 19 precaudal vertebrae (compared with 16–17), and the presence of 7 dark bars on the body connected to their contralateral parts both dorsally and ventrally (compared with 8–9 not contacting their contralateral parts ventrally). The new species further differs from M. weitzmani and M. gnomus by the presence of two, short dark suborbital stripes (compared with a single suborbital stripe). Microcharacidium bombioides differs from M. eleotrioides by the having conical teeth on both jaws (compared with tricuspid teeth), and from M. gnomus by the presence of less total dorsal-fin rays (10–11 compared with 12) and the presence of less perforated scales in the lateral line series (3–5 compared with 7–11).
==========================
Publication: Canadian Journal of Zoology • 8 January 2021 • https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2020-0138
327
Canadian Journal of Zoology
Volume 99, Number 1
January 2021
Zarske (1997) described a fourth species for the genus, “Microcharacidium” geryi, which was assigned to Microcharacidium based mainly on the absence of maxillary teeth and the reduced number of rays on the caudal and pectoral fins (17 caudal-fin rays and 8–9 pectoral-fin rays). However, the inclusion of that species in the genus was questioned by Buckup (2003), who considered M. geryi incertae sedis in Crenuchidae. Later, Melo et al. (2016) suggested relocating the species to Characidium, classification assumed since then.
The number of circumpeduncular scales is an important diagnostic character allowing for the prompt recognition of M. gnomus (14 scales) from M. eleotrioides and M. weitzmani (both with 10 scales), with the distinction between the latter two based mostly on the number of tooth cusps, and the number of scales of the lateral line series, among other characters (Buckup 1993b). During a revisionary study of the genus, an additional species with a color pattern resembling that of M. eleotrioides with 12 circumpeduncular scales and conical teeth was identified from the middle Rio Amazonas and its major tributaries in the central Amazon, and it is described herein. In addition, an updated identification key for the genus is provided and the affinities of the new species with other Microcharacidium are discussed.Materials and methodsCounts and measurements followed Buckup (1993b). Measurements were made under a stereoscopic microscope (Binocular Model; zoom 0.8× ∼ 5×, magnification 8× ∼ 50×, and 2 W transmitted and reflected LED illumination) with a scaled reticle. All measurements are presented as proportions of standard length (SL), except for subunits of the head, which are presented as proportions of the head length (HL). In the description, the values for each meristic data are followed by their frequency in parentheses with an asterisk indicating the values for the holotype. Counts of vertebrae, supraneurals, procurrent caudal-fin rays, branchiostegal rays, and teeth were taken from cleared and stained paratypes (C and S), prepared according to Taylor and Van Dyke (1985). The total number of vertebrae includes those of the Weberian Apparatus (counted as four elements) and the fused preural 1 (PU1+) with ural 1 (U1) of the caudal region as a single element. In the present contribution, bars are preferred over vertical bands (sensu Buckup 1993b) as a more widely employed term for vertically arranged color pattern elements in the Characiformes literature.
Institutional abbreviations are Academy of Natural Sciences of the Drexel University (ANSP), Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Museo de Biología de la Universidad Central de Venezuela (MBUCV), Natural History Museum of Geneva (MHNG), Museu Nacional do Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ), Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi (MPEG), Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZUSP), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), and National Museum of Natural History/Smithsonian Institution (USNM).ResultsMicrocharacidium bombioides sp. nov.
Fig. 1; Table 1
Microcharacidium eleotrioides non-Géry, 1970 — Dias et al. 2010 (environmental impact study, inferred according to the distribution); Rodrigues-Filho et al. 2018 (ecological study, inferred according to the distribution).
Fig. 1.
Fig. 1. Microcharacidium bombioides sp. nov., holotype. UFRGS 28560, 15.7 mm SL, Brazil, Amazonas, Novo Airão, Rio Negro basin (02°37′17″S, 60°56′39″W), 07 Sep 2007, H.M.V. Espírito Santo.
Table 1.
Table 1. Morphometric data of Microcharacidium bombioides sp. nov. and 66 paratypes.zoobank lsid:urn:lsid:zoobank.org:ato:F2C9E68A-953C-48FC-B25E-4C75CD079AE9.holotype:UFRGS 28560, 15.7 mm SL, Brazil, Amazonas, Novo Airão, Rio Negro basin (02°37′17″S, 60°56′39″W), 07 Sep 2007, H.M.V. Espírito Santo.paratypes:All from Brazil, Rio Amazonas basin: ANSP 207545 (3, 11.4–15.0 mm SL), INPA 29389 (34, 11.0–15.5 mm SL), MNRJ 52125 (4, 12.7–16.1 mm SL), MZUSP 125821 (4, 10.6–15.4 mm SL), UFRGS 28565 (7, 12.0–16.2 mm SL) collected with the holotype; INPA 29912 (29, 10.0–13.5 mm SL), Amazonas, Manaus (03°06′07″S, 60°1′30″W), 11 Jul 2005, L.N. Carvalho; INPA 31722 (33, 10.0–15.5 mm SL), Amazonas, Itacoatiara (03°08′35″S, 58°26′39″W), 26 Jul 2007, M.S. Dias; INPA 32754 (7, 12.7–14.7 mm SL), Amazonas, Novo Airão (02°37′17″S, 60°56′39″W), 05 Apr 2008, M.S. Dias, R.G. Frederico; INPA 37394 (9, 13.5–15.1 mm SL), Amazonas, São Sebastião do Uatumã (02°34′17″S, 57°52′13″W), 23 Sep 2011, L. Rapp Py-Daniel et al.; MPEG 14585 (14.0 mm SL), Pará, Oriximiná, Rio Patauá (01°45′31″S, 56°21′40″W), 11 Jun 2007, L.F.A. Montag; MPEG 24056 (14, 10.0–12.8 mm SL), Pará, Santarém, Rio Maró, afluente do rio Arapiuns (03°10′32″S, 56°20′38″W), 17 Jun 2011, N. Benone; MPEG 24080 (13, 10.5–13.5 mm SL; 2 C and S), Pará, Santarém, Rio Maró, afluente do rio Arapiuns (03°10′56″S, 55°50′57″W), 17 Jun 2011, N. Benone; MPEG 26000 (4, 12.1–13.1 mm SL), Pará, Juruti, Igarapé da Ponte (02°10′48″S, 56°04′40″W), 29 Nov 2012, M. Mendonça; MPEG 30301 (5, 13.0–16.4 mm SL), Pará, Juruti, Igarapé Rio Branco (02°20′58″S, 56°01′26″W), 12 Dec 2013, M. Mendonça; MPEG 30303 (6, 10.6–12.6 mm SL), Pará, Juruti, Igarapé Café Torrado (02°18′02″S, 56°04′21″W), 12 Dec 2013, M. Mendonça; MPEG 32637 (11, 13.6–15.0 mm SL), Pará, Juruti, Igarapé Socó (02°27′31″S, 56°00′54″W), 22 Mar 2015, M. Mendonça; MPEG 32638 (7, 11.3–12.7 mm SL), Pará, Juruti, Igarapé São Francisco (02°34′52″S, 55°54′11″W), 26 Mar 2015, M. Mendonça; MPEG 32639 (32, 13.1–14.0 mm SL), Pará, Juruti, Igarapé Mutum (02°36′46″S, 56°11′37″W), 20 Mar 2015, M. Mendonça; UFRGS 28565 (7, 12.0–16.2 mm SL), Amazonas, Novo Airão (02°37′17″S, 60°56′39″W), 07 Sep 2007, H.M.V. Espírito Santo.diagnosis:Microcharacidium bombioides sp. nov. differs from all congeners by the presence of 12 circumpeduncular scales (compared with 10 in M. eleotrioides and M. weitzmani and 14 in M. gnomus), the presence of 19 precaudal vertebrae (compared with 16–17), and the presence of 7 dark bars on the body connected to their contralateral parts both dorsally and ventrally (compared with 8–9 not contacting their contralateral parts ventrally). The new species further differs from M. weitzmani and M. gnomus by the presence of two, short dark suborbital stripes (compared with a single suborbital stripe). Microcharacidium bombioides differs from M. eleotrioides by the having conical teeth on both jaws (compared with tricuspid teeth), and from M. gnomus by the presence of less total dorsal-fin rays (10–11 compared with 12) and the presence of less perforated scales in the lateral line series (3–5 compared with 7–11).
==========================
Lanxangichthys alticephalus • A New Lepisosteiformes (Actinopterygii: Ginglymodi) from the Early Cretaceous of Laos and Thailand, Southeast Asia
Lanxangichthys alticephalus
Cavin, Deesri, Veran, Khentavong, Jintasakul, Chanthasit & Allain, 2019
DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2018.1426060
dinosauria.org
Abstract
A new genus and new species of ginglymodian is described from the Aptian Grès supérieurs Formation of the Savannakhet Basin, Laos (Lao People's Democratic Republic), found at the Ban Lamthouay locality. The fish is known from a single isolated head, which shows enough diagnostic characters to characterize a new taxon. It represents the first named actinopterygian fish from the Mesozoic of Laos. Among the derived characters are a very short and deep head, a series of very deep anterior infraorbitals, and a mosaic arrangement of the suborbitals. Recognition of this new form led us to identify isolated bones previously found in the Thai Khok Kruat Formation in Thailand, a lateral equivalent of the Grès supérieurs Formation. Two localities, Ban Saphan Hin and Khok Pha Suam, have yielded remains, in particular bones of the skull roof and of the circumorbital series as well as a partial postcranial body, assignable, with caution, to the new genus. When included in a cladistic analysis, the new taxon is placed at the base of the lepisosteoid lineage, together with Isanichthys known from an older formation in Thailand. The phylogenetic pattern obtained differs in some details from previous analyses and points out the pivotal role that some taxa play in the reconstruction of the phylogenies of ginglymodians. This new taxon enriches the diverse Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous ginglymodian assemblage in South-east Asia, which surprisingly shows no evidence of teleosts.
Keywords: systematics, Holostei, Mesozoic, stratigraphy, freshwater environment
Holostei Müller, 1844 (sensu Grande 2010)
Ginglymodi Cope, 1872 (sensu Grande 2010)
Lepisosteiformes Hay, 1929 (sensu López-Arbarello 2012)
Genus Lanxangichthys gen. nov.
Type species. Lanxangichthys alticephalus gen. et sp. nov.
Diagnosis. As for the type and only species.
Derivation of name. From the Kingdom of Lan Xang, Kingdom of the ‘million elephants’ (1354–1070 BC), which covered the main part of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and of the Isan region in Thailand, the area where the genus is found; and ichthys, meaning fish in Greek.
Lanxangichthys alticephalus sp. nov.
Derivation of name. From the Latin altus, meaning high or deep, and cephalicus, meaning head, in reference to the deep head of the new species.
Locus typicus. Ban Lamthouay, Tang Vay District, Savannakhet Province, Laos.
. Phylogenetic relationships of Ginglymodi with the position of Lanxangichthys alticephalus gen. et sp. nov. (red).
cf. Lanxangichthys (Figs 4A–H, 5, 6)
Locality. Ban Sapan Hin, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand.
Lanxangichthys sp. (Figs 4I, J, 6)
Locality. Khok Pha Suam, Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand.
Conclusions:
Lanxangichthys alticephalus represents a new and strange ginglymodian and confirms the high diversity of this group during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous in South-east Asia. Although not related to each other, this species belongs to the ginglymodians with deep and short heads, which is a morphotype already present in the Triassic with the Chinese genera Luoxiongichthys and Kyphosichthys, for instance (Wen et al. 2012; Sun & Ni 2017). This morphotype corresponds to an effective and repeated mode of life, located at the opposite position to gars in body morphospace. The new taxon also provides interesting new data about the faunal connection that links the Gres superieurs and the Khok Kruat formations. Its inclusion in a phylogenetic analysis blurs slightly the signal obtained in previous analyses, but this is an interesting clue that the phylogenetic patterns formerly obtained are probably too simple. Lanxangichthys, together with other genera such as Isanichthys, Neosemionotus and Luoxiongichthys, may play a pivotal role in the understanding of the evolutionary history of this diverse group of fishes.
==========================
Lanxangichthys alticephalus
Cavin, Deesri, Veran, Khentavong, Jintasakul, Chanthasit & Allain, 2019
DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2018.1426060
dinosauria.org
Abstract
A new genus and new species of ginglymodian is described from the Aptian Grès supérieurs Formation of the Savannakhet Basin, Laos (Lao People's Democratic Republic), found at the Ban Lamthouay locality. The fish is known from a single isolated head, which shows enough diagnostic characters to characterize a new taxon. It represents the first named actinopterygian fish from the Mesozoic of Laos. Among the derived characters are a very short and deep head, a series of very deep anterior infraorbitals, and a mosaic arrangement of the suborbitals. Recognition of this new form led us to identify isolated bones previously found in the Thai Khok Kruat Formation in Thailand, a lateral equivalent of the Grès supérieurs Formation. Two localities, Ban Saphan Hin and Khok Pha Suam, have yielded remains, in particular bones of the skull roof and of the circumorbital series as well as a partial postcranial body, assignable, with caution, to the new genus. When included in a cladistic analysis, the new taxon is placed at the base of the lepisosteoid lineage, together with Isanichthys known from an older formation in Thailand. The phylogenetic pattern obtained differs in some details from previous analyses and points out the pivotal role that some taxa play in the reconstruction of the phylogenies of ginglymodians. This new taxon enriches the diverse Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous ginglymodian assemblage in South-east Asia, which surprisingly shows no evidence of teleosts.
Keywords: systematics, Holostei, Mesozoic, stratigraphy, freshwater environment
Holostei Müller, 1844 (sensu Grande 2010)
Ginglymodi Cope, 1872 (sensu Grande 2010)
Lepisosteiformes Hay, 1929 (sensu López-Arbarello 2012)
Genus Lanxangichthys gen. nov.
Type species. Lanxangichthys alticephalus gen. et sp. nov.
Diagnosis. As for the type and only species.
Derivation of name. From the Kingdom of Lan Xang, Kingdom of the ‘million elephants’ (1354–1070 BC), which covered the main part of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and of the Isan region in Thailand, the area where the genus is found; and ichthys, meaning fish in Greek.
Lanxangichthys alticephalus sp. nov.
Derivation of name. From the Latin altus, meaning high or deep, and cephalicus, meaning head, in reference to the deep head of the new species.
Locus typicus. Ban Lamthouay, Tang Vay District, Savannakhet Province, Laos.
. Phylogenetic relationships of Ginglymodi with the position of Lanxangichthys alticephalus gen. et sp. nov. (red).
cf. Lanxangichthys (Figs 4A–H, 5, 6)
Locality. Ban Sapan Hin, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand.
Lanxangichthys sp. (Figs 4I, J, 6)
Locality. Khok Pha Suam, Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand.
Conclusions:
Lanxangichthys alticephalus represents a new and strange ginglymodian and confirms the high diversity of this group during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous in South-east Asia. Although not related to each other, this species belongs to the ginglymodians with deep and short heads, which is a morphotype already present in the Triassic with the Chinese genera Luoxiongichthys and Kyphosichthys, for instance (Wen et al. 2012; Sun & Ni 2017). This morphotype corresponds to an effective and repeated mode of life, located at the opposite position to gars in body morphospace. The new taxon also provides interesting new data about the faunal connection that links the Gres superieurs and the Khok Kruat formations. Its inclusion in a phylogenetic analysis blurs slightly the signal obtained in previous analyses, but this is an interesting clue that the phylogenetic patterns formerly obtained are probably too simple. Lanxangichthys, together with other genera such as Isanichthys, Neosemionotus and Luoxiongichthys, may play a pivotal role in the understanding of the evolutionary history of this diverse group of fishes.
==========================
Myroconger pietschi • A New Species of the Rare Genus Myroconger Günther, 1870 (Anguilliformes: Myrocongridae) from Brazilian Waters, Tropical western Atlantic
Myroconger pietschi
Espíndola, Caires, Tighe, De Pinna & De Melo, 2021
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4965.3.7
instagram.com/fishontherocks
Abstract
The family Myrocongridae comprises some of the rarest and least known benthopelagic eel species. It is composed of a single genus, Myroconger Günther, 1870, and five valid species: M. compressus Günther, 1870, from the Atlantic Ocean; M. gracilis Castle, 1991, M. prolixus Castle & Béarez, 1995, and M. nigrodentatus Castle & Béarez, 1995, from the Pacific Ocean; and M. seychellensis Karmovskaya, 2006, from the Indian Ocean. Herein, we report on an additional species from the Atlantic Ocean, Myroconger pietschi n. sp., based on a specimen obtained on the Aracati Bank, North Brazilian ridge, off Ceará State, western South Atlantic. Myroconger pietschi can be diagnosed by having 190 anal-fin rays, a short pectoral fin (16.6% HL), the posterior portion of the ethmovomerine teeth arranged in a single row, teeth on lower and upper pharyngeal tooth plate 24 and 27, and 10 branchiostegal rays.
Keywords: Pisces, CT-Scan, Deep Sea, Elopomorpha, North Brazilian ridge, Northeastern Brazil
Vinicius C. Espíndola, Rodrigo A. Caires, Kenneth A. Tighe, Mario C. C. De Pinna and Marcelo R. S. De Melo. 2021. A New Species of the Rare Genus Myroconger Günther, 1870 (Anguilliformes: Myrocongridae) from Brazilian Waters, Tropical western Atlantic. Zootaxa. 4965(3); 529–540. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4965.3.7
instagram.com/p/CORQJvJB_h- @fishontherocks
==========================
Myroconger pietschi
Espíndola, Caires, Tighe, De Pinna & De Melo, 2021
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4965.3.7
instagram.com/fishontherocks
Abstract
The family Myrocongridae comprises some of the rarest and least known benthopelagic eel species. It is composed of a single genus, Myroconger Günther, 1870, and five valid species: M. compressus Günther, 1870, from the Atlantic Ocean; M. gracilis Castle, 1991, M. prolixus Castle & Béarez, 1995, and M. nigrodentatus Castle & Béarez, 1995, from the Pacific Ocean; and M. seychellensis Karmovskaya, 2006, from the Indian Ocean. Herein, we report on an additional species from the Atlantic Ocean, Myroconger pietschi n. sp., based on a specimen obtained on the Aracati Bank, North Brazilian ridge, off Ceará State, western South Atlantic. Myroconger pietschi can be diagnosed by having 190 anal-fin rays, a short pectoral fin (16.6% HL), the posterior portion of the ethmovomerine teeth arranged in a single row, teeth on lower and upper pharyngeal tooth plate 24 and 27, and 10 branchiostegal rays.
Keywords: Pisces, CT-Scan, Deep Sea, Elopomorpha, North Brazilian ridge, Northeastern Brazil
Vinicius C. Espíndola, Rodrigo A. Caires, Kenneth A. Tighe, Mario C. C. De Pinna and Marcelo R. S. De Melo. 2021. A New Species of the Rare Genus Myroconger Günther, 1870 (Anguilliformes: Myrocongridae) from Brazilian Waters, Tropical western Atlantic. Zootaxa. 4965(3); 529–540. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4965.3.7
instagram.com/p/CORQJvJB_h- @fishontherocks
==========================
Zebrus pallaoroi sp. nov.: a new species of goby (Actinopterygii: Gobiidae) from the Mediterranean Sea with a dna-based phylogenetic analysis of the Gobius-lineageIn: Contributions to Zoology
Authors: Marcelo Kovačić1, Radek Šanda2, Katarína Čekovská3, Tereza Soukupová3, and Jasna Vukić3
View More
Online Publication Date:
30 Mar 2021
In:
Advance Articles
Article Type:
Research Article
Pages:
1–33
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1163/18759866-bja10018
Keywords:
cryptic species; cryptobenthic fishes; genetic diversity; Gobiinae; phylogeny; Zebrus pallaoroi sp. nov
Open Access
Download PDFAbstractThe gobies (Gobiidae) are the most diverse fish family in the Mediterranean Sea. Nevertheless, knowledge on their diversity, taxonomy, and phylogenetic relationships is still inadequate. The phylogenetic analyses reveal two genetically highly distinct clades among specimens identified as Zebrus zebrus. A new species, Zebrus pallaoroi sp. nov., is described based on an integrative approach. The neotype of Zebrus zebrus is designated. Genetic data confirm a pronounced level of divergence between Z. pallaoroi and Z. zebrus, with the mean genetic distance on cytochrome b being 18.1% and 1.07% on rhodopsin. Phylogenetic relationships within the Gobius-lineage were estimated on both markers. Morphologically, Z. pallaoroi is distinguished from the only congener Z. zebrus by having a snout longer than its eye, posterior nostril about 4/5–9/10 of the anterior nostril, eye diameter 4.3−4.7 in head length, ventrolateral head ridges transversally connected on the anterior side by a short transversal ridge, anterior membrane midline depth about 2/3 of the spinous ray, head canal pore α diameter about half of the distance between pore ρ and ρ1, suborbital sensory papillae row 5i going downwards to or near the level of row d, the distance between row 5i and row d absent or much smaller than the length of row 5i, and the body with ten to eleven vertical dark brown bands. Zebrus pallaoroi was recorded from the southern Adriatic, northern Ionian, and northern and western Aegean Seas, and is a cryptobenthic fish from very shallow waters.
Keywords: cryptic species; cryptobenthic fishes; genetic diversity; Gobiinae; phylogeny; Zebrus pallaoroi sp. novZoobank: http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3E49FAFC-8EDE-4627-9F26-B9F2C7F12A6B and http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:01212C4A-3C6A-48D1-8F0F-24E133039E60
IntroductionThe gobies (Gobiidae) are the most species-rich fish family (Fricke et al., 2020a), and one of the most evolutionary successful fish groups. It is also the most diverse fish family of the European seas (Miller, 1986). European gobies belong to three distinct evolutionary lineages; the Gobius-, Pomatoschistus-, and Aphia-lineages (Agorreta et al., 2013). However, knowledge on the diversity and taxonomy of European gobies is still inadequate, and the distribution of many species is not well known. New species are still being described from European seas, not only from bathyal depths (Kovačić et al., 2018, 2019b) and deeper shelves (Kovačić et al., 2016, 2017; Engin & Seyhan, 2017; Schliewen et al., 2019), but also from shallow coastal areas with depths of only a few meters (Kovačić & Šanda, 2016; Engin & Innal, 2017; Engin et al., 2018a). Six of these newly discovered species belong to the Pomatoschistus-lineage (Kovačić et al., 2016, 2017, 2018; Engin & Seyhan, 2017; Engin & Innal, 2017; Schliewen et al., 2019), while only two belong to the Gobius-lineage (Kovačić & Šanda, 2016; Kovačić et al., 2019b). One more gobiid species described from the Mediterranean Sea is, in fact, a Lessepsian migrant, curiously only discovered out of its native range (Engin et al., 2018a).
Cryptic diversity can be successfully revealed by genetic methods (Hebert et al., 2003), and the species-rich family Gobiidae has already shown a marked degree of cryptic diversity in studied examples (Victor, 2014). However, among European and Mediterranean marine gobiid species, there has been just one published example (Kovačić & Šanda, 2016) of a cryptic species hidden among morphologically similar, valid, and well-known species. The morphologically cryptic species, Gobius incognitus Kovačić & Šanda, 2016, was first detected among specimens originally identified as the well-known and common infralittoral Gobius bucchichi Steindachner, 1870, by detailed genetic investigations, and it turned out to be also well-diagnosable morphologically. Furthermore, Gobius incognitus was found to be widespread in the Mediterranean Sea, while the confirmed distribution of G. bucchichi is restricted only to the Adriatic and Ionian Seas (Kovačić & Šanda, 2016). The sand goby Pomatoschistus minutus (Pallas, 1770) is another European gobiid species known to show large genetic differences between populations, and which is expected to include cryptic species (Stefanni & Thorley, 2003; Stefanni et al., 2003; Gysels et al., 2004; Boissin et al., 2011). However, no morphological or taxonomical efforts have addressed this problem.
The genus Zebrus de Buen, 1930 was erected as a subgenus of Gobius to host small cryptobenthic Mediterranean gobies Gobius zebrus Risso, 1827 and Gobius thori de Buen, 1928, though the latter is now synonym of Thorogobius ephippiatus(Lowe, 1839) (de Buen, 1930; Miller, 1973). The subgenus Zebrus was first elevated to the rank of genus by Miller (1966), but without any data or explanation supporting this decision. Later, Miller (1977) provided the redescription of Zebrus as a monotypic genus and the redescription of the only species within it, Z. zebrus.
The phylogenetic analyses reported here reveal two genetically distinct clades among samples first identified as Z. zebrusby the valid diagnostic characters of this species (Miller, 1977; Miller, 1986). The aim of the present paper is to describe a new overlooked species based on its morphological and genetic differences from Z. zebrus, as well as to designate the neotype of Z. zebrus.
Materials and methodsMorphological methodsMorphometric methods, measurements, and definitions follow those used in Schliewen & Kovačić (2008). Measurements smaller than 20 mm were taken with interactively selected points in Olympus cellSens Entry 2.2 software using an Olympus SC180 camera and Olympus U-TV0.5XC-3 camera adapter on an Olympus SZX10 stereomicroscope. Specimens were repositioned for each measuriment in such a way that the plane in which the line segment lies is perpendicular to the objective to avoid parallax distortion of length. Measurements > 20 mm were taken by digital caliper (i.e., direct point to point measurements). Specimen length is presented as the standard length + caudal-fin length. Standard length (sl) is measured from the median anterior point of the upper lip to the base of the caudal fin (posterior end of the hypural plate). Morphometric data are given as a ratio in the text and as percentages of sl in the tables. Count of scales and fins follows Schliewen et al. (2018). Terminology of the lateral-line system follows Sanzo (1911) and Miller (1986). The term “ventrolateral head ridge” (Kovačić et al., 2019a) describes the ridge on the underside of the head formed by the ventral margin of the cheek and matches the “hypohyal ridge” of Miller & El-Tawil (1974). The type material and the comparative material were reversibly stained in a 2% solution of Cyanine Blue in distilled water (Saruwatari et al., 1997) for the positive data on morphometrics, fin counts, scales, head canals, and sensory papillae rows. The specimens were briefly air-dried and then incubated in the staining solution for 60 seconds. After examination, they were returned to the original preservative (70% ethanol) where they returned to the original state (i.e., completely lost any trace of the prior staining). The original preservative, having diluted stain from the specimens, was replaced with fresh ethanol after 24 hours. Digital X-ray radiographs of the Zebrus pallaoroi sp. nov type material and the comparative material of Z. zebrus and Millerigobius macrocephalus (Kolombatović, 1891) were taken from the left side using UltraFocus Digital Radiography System (Faxitron Bioptics, Arizona, USA), housed in the Zoological State Collection, Munich, Germany. The dorsal pterygiophore insertion pattern follows the terminology of Birdsong et al. (1988).
The type material and the comparative material used for morphology have been deposited in the National Museum, Prague (nmp), Czech Republic. Additional non-type material of the new species revealed by molecular methods that was used for molecular analyses and for geographic and ecological results was available as tissue only (nmp collection), and is listed in table S1.
Molecular methodsThe right pectoral fin was clipped and preserved in 96% ethanol for molecular analyses, while voucher specimens were labelled, preserved in 4% formaldehyde, and later transferred to 70% ethanol for permanent storage. Vouchers are deposited in the nmp. A list of the Zebrus and Millerigobius specimens included in the genetic analyses with all details is provided in table S1. Apart from Zebrus and Millerigobius, additional species were included in the molecular analyses to complement the phylogenetic datasets by including representatives of the European gobiid genera from the Gobius-lineage sensu Agorreta et al. (2013) to maximum extent (table 1). dna was extracted using a Geneaid® dna Isolation Kit. Samples were amplified for the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b using either primers ajg and H5 (Akihito et al., 2000) or GluF and ThrR (Machordom & Doadrio, 2001), and for the nuclear gene rhodopsin with primers RhodF and RhodR (Taylor & Hellberg, 2005). The polymerase chain reaction (pcr) was performed in 25 μl volume containing 12.5 μl of ppp Master Mix (TopBio), 9.7 μl of ultrapure H2O, 0.65 μl of each primer, and 2 μl of dna isolate. Amplification of cytochrome b was carried out according to the protocol described in Šanda et al. (2008). For rhodopsin, the pcr cycle consisted of an initial denaturation at 94°C for 5 min, followed by 35 cycles of denaturation, annealing, and elongation (94°C for 45 s, 53°C for 1 min, and 72°C for 2 min), and the final elongation at 72°C for 10 min. pcr products were purified with ExoSAP-IT and sequencing was performed by Macrogen Europe (Netherlands). For cytochrome b sequencing in Zebrus and Millerigobius, specific internal primers were designed: ZzebF1 (5’- GYG CCA CMG TYA TTA CTA ACC-3’) and ZzebR1 (5’- GAA KGG KAC TTT GTC GGA GT CG-3’), while the amplification primers were used for sequencing of other species. Rhodopsin was sequenced with newly designed internal primers RHSQF1 (5’- GCC TCC ACC TGG KTC ATG GC-3’) and RHSQR1 (5’- CAG GAA GCC GAT CAC CAT GA-3’).
==========================
Authors: Marcelo Kovačić1, Radek Šanda2, Katarína Čekovská3, Tereza Soukupová3, and Jasna Vukić3
View More
Online Publication Date:
30 Mar 2021
In:
Advance Articles
Article Type:
Research Article
Pages:
1–33
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1163/18759866-bja10018
Keywords:
cryptic species; cryptobenthic fishes; genetic diversity; Gobiinae; phylogeny; Zebrus pallaoroi sp. nov
Open Access
Download PDFAbstractThe gobies (Gobiidae) are the most diverse fish family in the Mediterranean Sea. Nevertheless, knowledge on their diversity, taxonomy, and phylogenetic relationships is still inadequate. The phylogenetic analyses reveal two genetically highly distinct clades among specimens identified as Zebrus zebrus. A new species, Zebrus pallaoroi sp. nov., is described based on an integrative approach. The neotype of Zebrus zebrus is designated. Genetic data confirm a pronounced level of divergence between Z. pallaoroi and Z. zebrus, with the mean genetic distance on cytochrome b being 18.1% and 1.07% on rhodopsin. Phylogenetic relationships within the Gobius-lineage were estimated on both markers. Morphologically, Z. pallaoroi is distinguished from the only congener Z. zebrus by having a snout longer than its eye, posterior nostril about 4/5–9/10 of the anterior nostril, eye diameter 4.3−4.7 in head length, ventrolateral head ridges transversally connected on the anterior side by a short transversal ridge, anterior membrane midline depth about 2/3 of the spinous ray, head canal pore α diameter about half of the distance between pore ρ and ρ1, suborbital sensory papillae row 5i going downwards to or near the level of row d, the distance between row 5i and row d absent or much smaller than the length of row 5i, and the body with ten to eleven vertical dark brown bands. Zebrus pallaoroi was recorded from the southern Adriatic, northern Ionian, and northern and western Aegean Seas, and is a cryptobenthic fish from very shallow waters.
Keywords: cryptic species; cryptobenthic fishes; genetic diversity; Gobiinae; phylogeny; Zebrus pallaoroi sp. novZoobank: http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3E49FAFC-8EDE-4627-9F26-B9F2C7F12A6B and http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:01212C4A-3C6A-48D1-8F0F-24E133039E60
IntroductionThe gobies (Gobiidae) are the most species-rich fish family (Fricke et al., 2020a), and one of the most evolutionary successful fish groups. It is also the most diverse fish family of the European seas (Miller, 1986). European gobies belong to three distinct evolutionary lineages; the Gobius-, Pomatoschistus-, and Aphia-lineages (Agorreta et al., 2013). However, knowledge on the diversity and taxonomy of European gobies is still inadequate, and the distribution of many species is not well known. New species are still being described from European seas, not only from bathyal depths (Kovačić et al., 2018, 2019b) and deeper shelves (Kovačić et al., 2016, 2017; Engin & Seyhan, 2017; Schliewen et al., 2019), but also from shallow coastal areas with depths of only a few meters (Kovačić & Šanda, 2016; Engin & Innal, 2017; Engin et al., 2018a). Six of these newly discovered species belong to the Pomatoschistus-lineage (Kovačić et al., 2016, 2017, 2018; Engin & Seyhan, 2017; Engin & Innal, 2017; Schliewen et al., 2019), while only two belong to the Gobius-lineage (Kovačić & Šanda, 2016; Kovačić et al., 2019b). One more gobiid species described from the Mediterranean Sea is, in fact, a Lessepsian migrant, curiously only discovered out of its native range (Engin et al., 2018a).
Cryptic diversity can be successfully revealed by genetic methods (Hebert et al., 2003), and the species-rich family Gobiidae has already shown a marked degree of cryptic diversity in studied examples (Victor, 2014). However, among European and Mediterranean marine gobiid species, there has been just one published example (Kovačić & Šanda, 2016) of a cryptic species hidden among morphologically similar, valid, and well-known species. The morphologically cryptic species, Gobius incognitus Kovačić & Šanda, 2016, was first detected among specimens originally identified as the well-known and common infralittoral Gobius bucchichi Steindachner, 1870, by detailed genetic investigations, and it turned out to be also well-diagnosable morphologically. Furthermore, Gobius incognitus was found to be widespread in the Mediterranean Sea, while the confirmed distribution of G. bucchichi is restricted only to the Adriatic and Ionian Seas (Kovačić & Šanda, 2016). The sand goby Pomatoschistus minutus (Pallas, 1770) is another European gobiid species known to show large genetic differences between populations, and which is expected to include cryptic species (Stefanni & Thorley, 2003; Stefanni et al., 2003; Gysels et al., 2004; Boissin et al., 2011). However, no morphological or taxonomical efforts have addressed this problem.
The genus Zebrus de Buen, 1930 was erected as a subgenus of Gobius to host small cryptobenthic Mediterranean gobies Gobius zebrus Risso, 1827 and Gobius thori de Buen, 1928, though the latter is now synonym of Thorogobius ephippiatus(Lowe, 1839) (de Buen, 1930; Miller, 1973). The subgenus Zebrus was first elevated to the rank of genus by Miller (1966), but without any data or explanation supporting this decision. Later, Miller (1977) provided the redescription of Zebrus as a monotypic genus and the redescription of the only species within it, Z. zebrus.
The phylogenetic analyses reported here reveal two genetically distinct clades among samples first identified as Z. zebrusby the valid diagnostic characters of this species (Miller, 1977; Miller, 1986). The aim of the present paper is to describe a new overlooked species based on its morphological and genetic differences from Z. zebrus, as well as to designate the neotype of Z. zebrus.
Materials and methodsMorphological methodsMorphometric methods, measurements, and definitions follow those used in Schliewen & Kovačić (2008). Measurements smaller than 20 mm were taken with interactively selected points in Olympus cellSens Entry 2.2 software using an Olympus SC180 camera and Olympus U-TV0.5XC-3 camera adapter on an Olympus SZX10 stereomicroscope. Specimens were repositioned for each measuriment in such a way that the plane in which the line segment lies is perpendicular to the objective to avoid parallax distortion of length. Measurements > 20 mm were taken by digital caliper (i.e., direct point to point measurements). Specimen length is presented as the standard length + caudal-fin length. Standard length (sl) is measured from the median anterior point of the upper lip to the base of the caudal fin (posterior end of the hypural plate). Morphometric data are given as a ratio in the text and as percentages of sl in the tables. Count of scales and fins follows Schliewen et al. (2018). Terminology of the lateral-line system follows Sanzo (1911) and Miller (1986). The term “ventrolateral head ridge” (Kovačić et al., 2019a) describes the ridge on the underside of the head formed by the ventral margin of the cheek and matches the “hypohyal ridge” of Miller & El-Tawil (1974). The type material and the comparative material were reversibly stained in a 2% solution of Cyanine Blue in distilled water (Saruwatari et al., 1997) for the positive data on morphometrics, fin counts, scales, head canals, and sensory papillae rows. The specimens were briefly air-dried and then incubated in the staining solution for 60 seconds. After examination, they were returned to the original preservative (70% ethanol) where they returned to the original state (i.e., completely lost any trace of the prior staining). The original preservative, having diluted stain from the specimens, was replaced with fresh ethanol after 24 hours. Digital X-ray radiographs of the Zebrus pallaoroi sp. nov type material and the comparative material of Z. zebrus and Millerigobius macrocephalus (Kolombatović, 1891) were taken from the left side using UltraFocus Digital Radiography System (Faxitron Bioptics, Arizona, USA), housed in the Zoological State Collection, Munich, Germany. The dorsal pterygiophore insertion pattern follows the terminology of Birdsong et al. (1988).
The type material and the comparative material used for morphology have been deposited in the National Museum, Prague (nmp), Czech Republic. Additional non-type material of the new species revealed by molecular methods that was used for molecular analyses and for geographic and ecological results was available as tissue only (nmp collection), and is listed in table S1.
Molecular methodsThe right pectoral fin was clipped and preserved in 96% ethanol for molecular analyses, while voucher specimens were labelled, preserved in 4% formaldehyde, and later transferred to 70% ethanol for permanent storage. Vouchers are deposited in the nmp. A list of the Zebrus and Millerigobius specimens included in the genetic analyses with all details is provided in table S1. Apart from Zebrus and Millerigobius, additional species were included in the molecular analyses to complement the phylogenetic datasets by including representatives of the European gobiid genera from the Gobius-lineage sensu Agorreta et al. (2013) to maximum extent (table 1). dna was extracted using a Geneaid® dna Isolation Kit. Samples were amplified for the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b using either primers ajg and H5 (Akihito et al., 2000) or GluF and ThrR (Machordom & Doadrio, 2001), and for the nuclear gene rhodopsin with primers RhodF and RhodR (Taylor & Hellberg, 2005). The polymerase chain reaction (pcr) was performed in 25 μl volume containing 12.5 μl of ppp Master Mix (TopBio), 9.7 μl of ultrapure H2O, 0.65 μl of each primer, and 2 μl of dna isolate. Amplification of cytochrome b was carried out according to the protocol described in Šanda et al. (2008). For rhodopsin, the pcr cycle consisted of an initial denaturation at 94°C for 5 min, followed by 35 cycles of denaturation, annealing, and elongation (94°C for 45 s, 53°C for 1 min, and 72°C for 2 min), and the final elongation at 72°C for 10 min. pcr products were purified with ExoSAP-IT and sequencing was performed by Macrogen Europe (Netherlands). For cytochrome b sequencing in Zebrus and Millerigobius, specific internal primers were designed: ZzebF1 (5’- GYG CCA CMG TYA TTA CTA ACC-3’) and ZzebR1 (5’- GAA KGG KAC TTT GTC GGA GT CG-3’), while the amplification primers were used for sequencing of other species. Rhodopsin was sequenced with newly designed internal primers RHSQF1 (5’- GCC TCC ACC TGG KTC ATG GC-3’) and RHSQR1 (5’- CAG GAA GCC GAT CAC CAT GA-3’).
==========================
Four new species of Serranochromis (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from the Cuanza and Okavango river systems in Angola, including a preliminary key for the genus
JAY R. JR. STAUFFER, ROGER BILLS, PAUL H. SKELTON
Abstract
The present study describes Serranochromis alvum n. sp., Serranochromis swartzi n. sp., Serranochromis cuanza n. sp., and Serranochromis cacuchi n. sp. from Angolan tributaries of the Cuanza and Okavango systems in Angola. The presence of four or five scale rows between the posterior margin of the orbit and the ascending arm of the preoperculum, the presence of widely set unicuspid teeth on the jaws, widely separated gill rakers, and anal fins with egg ocelli place these four species in Serranochromis. The Serranochromis described herein are distinguishable based on a combination of morphological and meristic characters, as well as pigmentation patterns. The interorbital width (14.3–15.9 % HL) of S. alvum is narrower than that of S. swartzi (17.6–19.8), S. cuanza (16.3–18.0), and S. cacuchi (20.0–21.7). Moreover, the interorbital width of S. cacuchi is greater than the other three described species. Serranochromis swartzi has a smaller preorbital depth (16.2–18.9 % HL) and snout length (29.6–31.9 % HL) than Serranochromis cuanza (PD 19.1–22.2, SNL 35.2–39.6 % HL). Serranochromis alvum is known only from the type locality at Cuito-Cuanavale at the junction of the Cuito and Cuanavale rivers, tributary to the Okavango River in Angola. Serranochromis swartzi is known only from the type locality in the Cuanza River, Angola. Serranochromis cuanza is restricted to the Cuanza River, below Capanda Dam, Angola, while S. cacuchi is known only from the Cacuchi River, a tributary of the Cuchi-Cubango River in Angola. The limited distribution of all four species and the absence of many congeners suggest, that in addition to previous studies that invoked a lacustrine speciation model, vicariance through drainage isolation seems to have played an important role in driving speciation in this group. The minimum polygon clusters that are formed when the first principal components of the meristic data are plotted against the second sheared principal components of the morphometric data show separation of the four new species.
Keywords
Pisces, Blue-Headed Largemouth Bream, Red-flanked Largemouth Bream, Black-finned Largemouth Bream, Cacuchi Largemouth Bream, taxonomy
Full Text:
PDF/A (3MB)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4908.1.4
==========================
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Genomic consequences of domestication of the Siamese fighting fishYoung Mi Kwon, View ORCID ProfileNathan Vranken, Carla Hoge, Madison R Lichak, Kerel X Francis, Julia Camacho-Garcia, View ORCID ProfileIliana Bista, View ORCID ProfileJonathan Wood, View ORCID ProfileShane McCarthy, View ORCID ProfileWilliam Chow, Heok Hui Tan, View ORCID ProfileKerstin Howe, View ORCID ProfileSepalika Bandara, View ORCID ProfileJohannes von Lintig, Lukas Rüber, Richard Durbin, Hannes Svardal, Andres Bendesky
doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.04.29.442030
This article is a preprint and has not been certified by peer review [what does this mean?].AbstractSiamese fighting fish, commonly known as betta, are among the world's most popular and morphologically diverse pet fish, but the genetic processes leading to their domestication and phenotypic diversification are largely unknown. We assembled de novo the genome of a wild Betta splendens and whole-genome sequenced multiple individuals across five species within the B. splendens species complex, including wild populations and domesticated ornamental betta. Given our estimate of the mutation rate from pedigrees, our analyses suggest that betta were domesticated at least 1,000 years ago, centuries earlier than previously thought. Ornamental betta individuals have variable contributions from other Betta species and have also introgressed into wild populations of those species. We identify dmrt1 as the main sex determination gene in ornamental betta but not in wild B. splendens, and find evidence for recent directional selection at the X-allele of the locus. Furthermore, we find genes with signatures of recent, strong selection that have large effects on color in specific parts of the body, or the shape of individual fins, and are almost all unlinked. Our results demonstrate how simple genetic architectures paired with anatomical modularity can lead to vast phenotypic diversity generated during animal domestication, and set the stage for using betta as a modern system for evolutionary genetics.
Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.
Copyright
The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under a CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.
==========================
Genomic consequences of domestication of the Siamese fighting fishYoung Mi Kwon, View ORCID ProfileNathan Vranken, Carla Hoge, Madison R Lichak, Kerel X Francis, Julia Camacho-Garcia, View ORCID ProfileIliana Bista, View ORCID ProfileJonathan Wood, View ORCID ProfileShane McCarthy, View ORCID ProfileWilliam Chow, Heok Hui Tan, View ORCID ProfileKerstin Howe, View ORCID ProfileSepalika Bandara, View ORCID ProfileJohannes von Lintig, Lukas Rüber, Richard Durbin, Hannes Svardal, Andres Bendesky
doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.04.29.442030
This article is a preprint and has not been certified by peer review [what does this mean?].AbstractSiamese fighting fish, commonly known as betta, are among the world's most popular and morphologically diverse pet fish, but the genetic processes leading to their domestication and phenotypic diversification are largely unknown. We assembled de novo the genome of a wild Betta splendens and whole-genome sequenced multiple individuals across five species within the B. splendens species complex, including wild populations and domesticated ornamental betta. Given our estimate of the mutation rate from pedigrees, our analyses suggest that betta were domesticated at least 1,000 years ago, centuries earlier than previously thought. Ornamental betta individuals have variable contributions from other Betta species and have also introgressed into wild populations of those species. We identify dmrt1 as the main sex determination gene in ornamental betta but not in wild B. splendens, and find evidence for recent directional selection at the X-allele of the locus. Furthermore, we find genes with signatures of recent, strong selection that have large effects on color in specific parts of the body, or the shape of individual fins, and are almost all unlinked. Our results demonstrate how simple genetic architectures paired with anatomical modularity can lead to vast phenotypic diversity generated during animal domestication, and set the stage for using betta as a modern system for evolutionary genetics.
Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.
Copyright
The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under a CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.
==========================
A new miniature Pristella (Actinopterygii: Characiformes: Characidae) with reversed sexual dimorphism from the rio Tocantins and rio São Francisco basins, BrazilAuthors: F.C.T. Lima fctlima@gmail.com, R.A. Caires, C.C. Conde-Saldaña, J.M. Mirande, and F.R. CarvalhoAUTHORS INFO & AFFILIATIONS
Publication: Canadian Journal of Zoology • 26 April 2021 • https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2020-0241
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Canadian Journal of Zoology
AbstractA new species of the genus Pristella Eigenmann, 1908 (Pristella crinogi sp. nov.) is described from the middle rio Tocantins and middle rio São Francisco basins, Brazil. The new species can be diagnosed from its two congeners, Pristella ariporo Conde-Saldaña, Albornoz-Garzón, García-Melo, Villa-Navarro, Mirande, and Lima, 2019 and Pristella maxillaris (Ulrey, 1894), by a combination of color pattern and teeth morphology characters. A phylogenetic analysis of the genus recovered P. crinogi as the sister taxa of P. ariporo. Pristella crinogi, along with P. ariporo, are the first characiform fishes, and one of the first bony fishes, to be reported as presenting a reversed sexual dimorphism, with females presenting a more developed color pattern than males. Comments on the miniaturization of the species, as well as remarks on the biogeography of the genus Pristella, are presented.
==========================
Publication: Canadian Journal of Zoology • 26 April 2021 • https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2020-0241
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Canadian Journal of Zoology
AbstractA new species of the genus Pristella Eigenmann, 1908 (Pristella crinogi sp. nov.) is described from the middle rio Tocantins and middle rio São Francisco basins, Brazil. The new species can be diagnosed from its two congeners, Pristella ariporo Conde-Saldaña, Albornoz-Garzón, García-Melo, Villa-Navarro, Mirande, and Lima, 2019 and Pristella maxillaris (Ulrey, 1894), by a combination of color pattern and teeth morphology characters. A phylogenetic analysis of the genus recovered P. crinogi as the sister taxa of P. ariporo. Pristella crinogi, along with P. ariporo, are the first characiform fishes, and one of the first bony fishes, to be reported as presenting a reversed sexual dimorphism, with females presenting a more developed color pattern than males. Comments on the miniaturization of the species, as well as remarks on the biogeography of the genus Pristella, are presented.
==========================
Chondrostoma smyrnae • A New Nase (Cypriniformes, Leuciscidae) from the Tahtalı Reservoir Drainage in the Aegean Sea Basin
Chondrostoma smyrnae
Küçük, Çiftçi, Güçlü & Turan, 2021
DOI: 10.3897/zse.97.63691
Abstract
Chondrostoma smyrnae, a new species, from the Tahtalı reservoir drainage is distinguished by having a slightly arched lower jaw with a well-developed keratinised edge, a deep and cylindric body, a complete lateral line with 47–52+1 total scales, 8–9 scale rows between the lateral line and the dorsal-fin origin, 4 scale rows between the lateral line and the pelvic fin-origin, and 19–23 gill rakers on the first gill arch. Moreover, molecular analyses using full cyt b (1141 bp) and partial coI (652 bp) sequences of the mitochondrial genome from specimens of the new species, C. smyrnae and specimens belonging to other Chondrostoma species from central and western Anatolia demonstrated that the C. smyrnae is easily differentiated by their high pairwise genetic distances of cyt b and coI data set (>2.20 and 1.03%, respectively) and by their position in the phylogenetic trees obtained through Maximum Likelihood (ML) methodology.
Key Words: Cytochrome b, Cytochrome oxidase I, freshwater fish, taxonomy, Western Anatolia
Figure . a. Chondrostoma smyrnae, IFC-ESUF 03–1567, just after fixation form, 167 mm SL, Turkey: Tahtalı reservoir; b. IFC-ESUF 03–1566, holotype, 191 mm SL, Turkey: Tahtalı reservoir; c. IFC-ESUF 03–1567, paratype 205 mm SL, Turkey: Tahtalı reservoir;
d. Chondrostoma turnai, IFC-ESUF 03–1557, 197 mm SL, Turkey: Çine stream.
Chondrostoma smyrnae sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Chondrostoma smyrnae is distinguished from other species occur to adjacent basin by a cylindrical body (body width at dorsal-fin origin 16.8–19.3% SL, vs. 13.3–15.4 in C. turnai (Fig. 3d), 14.1–16.6 in C. meandrense, 12.0–16.3 in C. holmwoodii, 12.4–15.7 in C. fahirae, except C. beysehirense), a wider head (head width at anterior margin of eye 55–65% HL, vs. 42–54), by having less lateral line scales (48–53 vs. 60–67 in C. beysehirense, 60–66 in C. holmwoodii and 56–60 in meandrense, except C. turnai and C. fahirae). Chondrostoma smyrnae is further distinguished from C. turnai by the absence keel between pelvic fin-origin and anus (vs. present in specimens larger than 160 mm SL), a straight or slightly arched lower jaw (vs. arched), more total lateral line scales (48–53, vs. 44–51), and fewer gill rakers on first gill arch (19–23, vs. 22–27). Also, C. smyrnae further differs from C. turnai by the shape of jaws, hyomandibular, quadrate and the fifth brachial gill arc. In C. smyrnae, the dentary thick and coronoid process inclined forward (vs. thin and coronoid process nearly vertical); premaxilla very deep and posterior edge short (vs. slender and posterior edge long); hyomandibular long and narrow (vs. short and wide), the fifth brachial gill arc wide angle (vs. narrow angle) and pharyngeal teeth wide (vs. thin); outer margin of quadrate slightly pointed (vs. rounded) (Figs 4, 5).
Etymology: The species is named for Smyrna, the historic name of the city known today as Izmir. A noun in genitive, indeclinable.
Fahrettin Küçük, Yılmaz Çiftçi, Salim Serkan Güçlü and Davut Turan. 2021. Chondrostoma smyrnae, A New Nase from the Tahtalı Reservoir Drainage in the Aegean Sea Basin (Teleostei, Leuciscidae). Zoosystematics and Evolution. 97(1): 235-248. DOI: 10.3897/zse.97.63691
==========================
Chondrostoma smyrnae
Küçük, Çiftçi, Güçlü & Turan, 2021
DOI: 10.3897/zse.97.63691
Abstract
Chondrostoma smyrnae, a new species, from the Tahtalı reservoir drainage is distinguished by having a slightly arched lower jaw with a well-developed keratinised edge, a deep and cylindric body, a complete lateral line with 47–52+1 total scales, 8–9 scale rows between the lateral line and the dorsal-fin origin, 4 scale rows between the lateral line and the pelvic fin-origin, and 19–23 gill rakers on the first gill arch. Moreover, molecular analyses using full cyt b (1141 bp) and partial coI (652 bp) sequences of the mitochondrial genome from specimens of the new species, C. smyrnae and specimens belonging to other Chondrostoma species from central and western Anatolia demonstrated that the C. smyrnae is easily differentiated by their high pairwise genetic distances of cyt b and coI data set (>2.20 and 1.03%, respectively) and by their position in the phylogenetic trees obtained through Maximum Likelihood (ML) methodology.
Key Words: Cytochrome b, Cytochrome oxidase I, freshwater fish, taxonomy, Western Anatolia
Figure . a. Chondrostoma smyrnae, IFC-ESUF 03–1567, just after fixation form, 167 mm SL, Turkey: Tahtalı reservoir; b. IFC-ESUF 03–1566, holotype, 191 mm SL, Turkey: Tahtalı reservoir; c. IFC-ESUF 03–1567, paratype 205 mm SL, Turkey: Tahtalı reservoir;
d. Chondrostoma turnai, IFC-ESUF 03–1557, 197 mm SL, Turkey: Çine stream.
Chondrostoma smyrnae sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Chondrostoma smyrnae is distinguished from other species occur to adjacent basin by a cylindrical body (body width at dorsal-fin origin 16.8–19.3% SL, vs. 13.3–15.4 in C. turnai (Fig. 3d), 14.1–16.6 in C. meandrense, 12.0–16.3 in C. holmwoodii, 12.4–15.7 in C. fahirae, except C. beysehirense), a wider head (head width at anterior margin of eye 55–65% HL, vs. 42–54), by having less lateral line scales (48–53 vs. 60–67 in C. beysehirense, 60–66 in C. holmwoodii and 56–60 in meandrense, except C. turnai and C. fahirae). Chondrostoma smyrnae is further distinguished from C. turnai by the absence keel between pelvic fin-origin and anus (vs. present in specimens larger than 160 mm SL), a straight or slightly arched lower jaw (vs. arched), more total lateral line scales (48–53, vs. 44–51), and fewer gill rakers on first gill arch (19–23, vs. 22–27). Also, C. smyrnae further differs from C. turnai by the shape of jaws, hyomandibular, quadrate and the fifth brachial gill arc. In C. smyrnae, the dentary thick and coronoid process inclined forward (vs. thin and coronoid process nearly vertical); premaxilla very deep and posterior edge short (vs. slender and posterior edge long); hyomandibular long and narrow (vs. short and wide), the fifth brachial gill arc wide angle (vs. narrow angle) and pharyngeal teeth wide (vs. thin); outer margin of quadrate slightly pointed (vs. rounded) (Figs 4, 5).
Etymology: The species is named for Smyrna, the historic name of the city known today as Izmir. A noun in genitive, indeclinable.
Fahrettin Küçük, Yılmaz Çiftçi, Salim Serkan Güçlü and Davut Turan. 2021. Chondrostoma smyrnae, A New Nase from the Tahtalı Reservoir Drainage in the Aegean Sea Basin (Teleostei, Leuciscidae). Zoosystematics and Evolution. 97(1): 235-248. DOI: 10.3897/zse.97.63691
==========================
Utricularia lihengiae (Lentibulariaceae) • A New Species from Northwest Yunnan, China
Utricularia lihengiae C. L. Long & Z. Cheng
in Cheng, Fang, Wang & Long, 2021.
李恒挖耳草 || DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.177.63346
Abstract
Utricularia lihengiae, a new species from the Dulongjiang region of northwest Yunnan, China, is here described and illustrated. The new species belongs to the section Oligocista and is similar to U. bifida L. and U. scandens Benj., from which it can be easily distinguished by the dark purple stripe on the corolla. The new species also differs in its shorter inflorescence and the shape of the calyx lobes.
Keywords: Bladderwort, insectivorous plant, taxonomy, Yunnan Province
Utricularia lihengiae C. L. Long & Z. Cheng
A habitat B whole plant C traps and laminar leaves D leaf E calyx upper lobe F calyx lower lobe G bracts H–J frontal, dorsal and lateral view of the flower
(A–J Photos by Z. Cheng.).
Utricularia lihengiae C. L. Long & Z. Cheng, sp. nov.
“李恒挖耳草” (Li Heng Wa Er Cao)
Diagnosis: U. lihengiae is similar to U. bifida L. (1753: 18), but differs by the inflorescences 2–4 cm long (vs. mostly 10–20 cm long in U. bifida), calyx upper and lower with apex acuminate (vs. calyx upper lobe, apex obtuse, calyx lower lobe, apex rounded or very shortly bifid in U. bifida), 3–5 dark purple stripes on the upper corolla lip, 3 dark purple stripes on lower corolla lip (vs. absent in the upper and lower corolla lip in U. bifida); U. lihengiae is similar to U. scandens Benj. (1847: 309), but differs by the smaller inflorescence 2–4 cm long (vs. mostly 15–35 cm long in U. scandens), peduncle of U. lihengiae is erect (vs. peduncle usually twining in U. scandens), calyx lower lobe with apex acuminate (vs. calyx lower lobe with apex rounded or very shortly bifid in U. scandens), upper calyx lobe of U. lihengiae is shorter than upper corolla lip (vs. upper calyx lobe longer than upper corolla lip in U. scandens), 3–5 dark purple stripes on the upper corolla lip, 3 dark purple stripes on lower corolla lip (vs. absent in the upper and lower corolla lip in U. scandens).
Distribution and habitat: The only known locality of this taxon is in Dulongjiang Township, Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County, Northwest Yunnan, China. The site is located in an open area in a primeval forest dominated by Fagaceae, Magnoliaceae and Ericaceae. The observed population is very small, with fewer than 80 plants growing in the moss amongst damp grass on the roadside, accompanied by the moss Polytrichum commune Hedwig (1801: 88), as well as Vaccinium chaetothrix Sleumer (1941: 432), and Acorus tatarinowii Schott (1859: 101). The elevation is 2800–2900 metres above sea level. The climate here is rainy and humid, with rain falling for most of the year.
Etymology: Named in honor of Prof. Li Heng, a Chinese botanist who has made significant contributions to the knowledge of the flora of Dulongjiang region.
Zhuo Cheng, Qiong Fang, Fei Wang and Chun-Lin Long. 2021. Utricularia lihengiae (Lentibulariaceae), A New Species from Northwest Yunnan, China. PhytoKeys. 177: 17-24. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.177.63346
==========================
Utricularia lihengiae C. L. Long & Z. Cheng
in Cheng, Fang, Wang & Long, 2021.
李恒挖耳草 || DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.177.63346
Abstract
Utricularia lihengiae, a new species from the Dulongjiang region of northwest Yunnan, China, is here described and illustrated. The new species belongs to the section Oligocista and is similar to U. bifida L. and U. scandens Benj., from which it can be easily distinguished by the dark purple stripe on the corolla. The new species also differs in its shorter inflorescence and the shape of the calyx lobes.
Keywords: Bladderwort, insectivorous plant, taxonomy, Yunnan Province
Utricularia lihengiae C. L. Long & Z. Cheng
A habitat B whole plant C traps and laminar leaves D leaf E calyx upper lobe F calyx lower lobe G bracts H–J frontal, dorsal and lateral view of the flower
(A–J Photos by Z. Cheng.).
Utricularia lihengiae C. L. Long & Z. Cheng, sp. nov.
“李恒挖耳草” (Li Heng Wa Er Cao)
Diagnosis: U. lihengiae is similar to U. bifida L. (1753: 18), but differs by the inflorescences 2–4 cm long (vs. mostly 10–20 cm long in U. bifida), calyx upper and lower with apex acuminate (vs. calyx upper lobe, apex obtuse, calyx lower lobe, apex rounded or very shortly bifid in U. bifida), 3–5 dark purple stripes on the upper corolla lip, 3 dark purple stripes on lower corolla lip (vs. absent in the upper and lower corolla lip in U. bifida); U. lihengiae is similar to U. scandens Benj. (1847: 309), but differs by the smaller inflorescence 2–4 cm long (vs. mostly 15–35 cm long in U. scandens), peduncle of U. lihengiae is erect (vs. peduncle usually twining in U. scandens), calyx lower lobe with apex acuminate (vs. calyx lower lobe with apex rounded or very shortly bifid in U. scandens), upper calyx lobe of U. lihengiae is shorter than upper corolla lip (vs. upper calyx lobe longer than upper corolla lip in U. scandens), 3–5 dark purple stripes on the upper corolla lip, 3 dark purple stripes on lower corolla lip (vs. absent in the upper and lower corolla lip in U. scandens).
Distribution and habitat: The only known locality of this taxon is in Dulongjiang Township, Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County, Northwest Yunnan, China. The site is located in an open area in a primeval forest dominated by Fagaceae, Magnoliaceae and Ericaceae. The observed population is very small, with fewer than 80 plants growing in the moss amongst damp grass on the roadside, accompanied by the moss Polytrichum commune Hedwig (1801: 88), as well as Vaccinium chaetothrix Sleumer (1941: 432), and Acorus tatarinowii Schott (1859: 101). The elevation is 2800–2900 metres above sea level. The climate here is rainy and humid, with rain falling for most of the year.
Etymology: Named in honor of Prof. Li Heng, a Chinese botanist who has made significant contributions to the knowledge of the flora of Dulongjiang region.
Zhuo Cheng, Qiong Fang, Fei Wang and Chun-Lin Long. 2021. Utricularia lihengiae (Lentibulariaceae), A New Species from Northwest Yunnan, China. PhytoKeys. 177: 17-24. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.177.63346
==========================
Etelis boweni • A New Cryptic Deepwater Eteline Snapper (Perciformes: Lutjanidae) from the Indo‐Pacific
Etelis boweni
Andrews, Fernandez‐Silva, Randall & Ho, 2021
DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14720
hawaii.edu
Photo: NOAA Fisheries
Abstract
A new species of Etelis is described based on 16 specimens collected from the Red Sea and Western Australia, with confirmed genetic records throughout the Indo‐West Pacific. It is similar to and was often misidentified as Etelis carbunculus Cuvier, with both species sharing the diagnostic character of low number of developed gill rakers. Nonetheless, the two species are genetically divergent and differ morphologically in adult body length; proportions of eye, snout, cheek and caudal fin; shape of head, opercular spine and sagittal otolith; and coloration of the tip of the upper caudal fin. Etelis boweni has a wide Indo‐west Pacific distribution that largely overlaps with E. carbunculus, and the two species are often caught on the same fishing line.
Keywords: Actinopterygii, cryptic species, ichthyology, Pisces, snappers, taxonomy
Etelis boweni sp. nov.
Bowen's Red Snapper, Giant Ruby Snapper
Etymology: The authors are grateful to name this fish after Dr. Brian W. Bowen of the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaiʻi, in recognition of his contributions to the field of Ichthyology, and in particular for his use of molecular genetic techniques in support of the taxonomy of fishes.
A picture of freshly caught specimen of Etelis boweni sp. nov. from East Bank, American Sāmoa in 2016, weight 31 kg, estimated >1 m total length.
Photo: NOAA Fisheries
Kimberly R. Andrews, Iria Fernandez‐Silva, John E. Randall and Hsuan‐Ching Ho. 2021. Etelis boweni sp. nov., A New Cryptic Deepwater Eteline Snapper from the Indo‐Pacific (Perciformes: Lutjanidae). Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14720
hawaii.edu/news/2021/04/16/newly-discovered-ehu
facebook.com/MNMRC/posts/4225631444122511
twitter.com/ToBoLab/status/1383178764356493312
==========================
Etelis boweni
Andrews, Fernandez‐Silva, Randall & Ho, 2021
DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14720
hawaii.edu
Photo: NOAA Fisheries
Abstract
A new species of Etelis is described based on 16 specimens collected from the Red Sea and Western Australia, with confirmed genetic records throughout the Indo‐West Pacific. It is similar to and was often misidentified as Etelis carbunculus Cuvier, with both species sharing the diagnostic character of low number of developed gill rakers. Nonetheless, the two species are genetically divergent and differ morphologically in adult body length; proportions of eye, snout, cheek and caudal fin; shape of head, opercular spine and sagittal otolith; and coloration of the tip of the upper caudal fin. Etelis boweni has a wide Indo‐west Pacific distribution that largely overlaps with E. carbunculus, and the two species are often caught on the same fishing line.
Keywords: Actinopterygii, cryptic species, ichthyology, Pisces, snappers, taxonomy
Etelis boweni sp. nov.
Bowen's Red Snapper, Giant Ruby Snapper
Etymology: The authors are grateful to name this fish after Dr. Brian W. Bowen of the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaiʻi, in recognition of his contributions to the field of Ichthyology, and in particular for his use of molecular genetic techniques in support of the taxonomy of fishes.
A picture of freshly caught specimen of Etelis boweni sp. nov. from East Bank, American Sāmoa in 2016, weight 31 kg, estimated >1 m total length.
Photo: NOAA Fisheries
Kimberly R. Andrews, Iria Fernandez‐Silva, John E. Randall and Hsuan‐Ching Ho. 2021. Etelis boweni sp. nov., A New Cryptic Deepwater Eteline Snapper from the Indo‐Pacific (Perciformes: Lutjanidae). Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14720
hawaii.edu/news/2021/04/16/newly-discovered-ehu
facebook.com/MNMRC/posts/4225631444122511
twitter.com/ToBoLab/status/1383178764356493312
==========================
Due to ongoing pandemic concerns, MACNA will again be held as a virtual event in 2021,
with a plan to return to an in-person format in 2022.via Marine Aquarium Societies of North America (MASNA)
MACNA 2021 now virtual, MACNA in Atlanta, GA to be rescheduled, MACNA 2021 Sponsorships, Booths, & Tickets transferred to an in-person MACNA 2022.
Dear MACNA 2021 Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Guests,
Once again, the safety of the entire world, our nation, and our marine aquarium community is paramount to the MASNA Board and the MACNA 2021 committee. It is essential that we continue to limit our unnecessary travel to allow for the continued suppression of the spread of the pandemic.
As such, as the leading marine aquarium education organization in our science based community, we cannot in good conscience ask thousands of you to once again risk your lives and those of your loved ones to travel across the state, country, and world to Atlanta, Georgia later this summer.
After feedback from many of our sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, and meeting with both venues, we have decided that MACNA in Atlanta, GA will be rescheduled to a later date, and all MACNA 2021 booths and tickets will have their credit transferred to an in-person MACNA 2022.
MACNA 2022 will be publicly announced on April 19, 2021.
After the hugely successful virtual MACNA 2020 Phoenix Rising, and mini MACNA, the MACNA 2021 committee will be working in the coming weeks to put together a virtual program to be held during the same dates as MACNA 2021, September 3-5, so that we can still come together for the Education, Trade, and Community that so much of us need in this trying time.
We’d like to thank the marine aquarium industry & community for your support during these past months, and for helping us make this decision. MASNA is actively working with all parties in Atlanta to reschedule the facilities for a future date.
We encourage marine aquarium clubs to utilize our MASNA Speaks program in order to offset the cost of bringing MACNA quality speakers to their next virtual club meeting. Through our MASNA Speaks program, remote presentations are reimbursable up to $100, for speakers using on-line or teleconferencing delivery methods. More information can be found here: www.masna.org/club-resources/masna-speaks-2
Want to contact us with regards to MACNA? Use our contact form here: www.macna.org/contact-us
Want to make a tax deductible donation to MASNA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit? Find out more information here: www.macna.org/donate-to-masna
-MASNA Board of Directors
==========================
with a plan to return to an in-person format in 2022.via Marine Aquarium Societies of North America (MASNA)
MACNA 2021 now virtual, MACNA in Atlanta, GA to be rescheduled, MACNA 2021 Sponsorships, Booths, & Tickets transferred to an in-person MACNA 2022.
Dear MACNA 2021 Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Guests,
Once again, the safety of the entire world, our nation, and our marine aquarium community is paramount to the MASNA Board and the MACNA 2021 committee. It is essential that we continue to limit our unnecessary travel to allow for the continued suppression of the spread of the pandemic.
As such, as the leading marine aquarium education organization in our science based community, we cannot in good conscience ask thousands of you to once again risk your lives and those of your loved ones to travel across the state, country, and world to Atlanta, Georgia later this summer.
After feedback from many of our sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, and meeting with both venues, we have decided that MACNA in Atlanta, GA will be rescheduled to a later date, and all MACNA 2021 booths and tickets will have their credit transferred to an in-person MACNA 2022.
MACNA 2022 will be publicly announced on April 19, 2021.
After the hugely successful virtual MACNA 2020 Phoenix Rising, and mini MACNA, the MACNA 2021 committee will be working in the coming weeks to put together a virtual program to be held during the same dates as MACNA 2021, September 3-5, so that we can still come together for the Education, Trade, and Community that so much of us need in this trying time.
We’d like to thank the marine aquarium industry & community for your support during these past months, and for helping us make this decision. MASNA is actively working with all parties in Atlanta to reschedule the facilities for a future date.
We encourage marine aquarium clubs to utilize our MASNA Speaks program in order to offset the cost of bringing MACNA quality speakers to their next virtual club meeting. Through our MASNA Speaks program, remote presentations are reimbursable up to $100, for speakers using on-line or teleconferencing delivery methods. More information can be found here: www.masna.org/club-resources/masna-speaks-2
Want to contact us with regards to MACNA? Use our contact form here: www.macna.org/contact-us
Want to make a tax deductible donation to MASNA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit? Find out more information here: www.macna.org/donate-to-masna
-MASNA Board of Directors
==========================
Anablepsoides origuelai, a new species of the Anablepsoides ornatus species group (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) from Rio Tapajós drainage, Amazon basin, Brazil
ROSSELLA · MARCH 22, 2021
0 3.6K 11
by Dalton Tavares Bressane Nielsen and Renato Pastor Veiga – aqua 27 (1) pp. 5-10
Anablepsoides origuelai, new species, is described from the Rio Tapajós drainage, near at its mouth at the Amazon River, Brazil. It was found in lentic portions of a tributary of rio Tapajós. The new species is a member of the Anablepsoides ornatus species group, which includes another five species, all occurring in the central portion of the Amazon basin. The new species differs from the other species of the Anablepsoides ornatus species group by presenting a similar orange color pattern in the dorsal and ventral portions of the caudal fin, less rays in the caudal fin and a lower number of vertebrae. The new species seems to be more closely related to A. ornatus, with which it shares a pattern of red dots distributed irregularly across the sides of the body.
Full Text | PDF (311 KB)
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ROSSELLA · MARCH 22, 2021
0 3.6K 11
by Dalton Tavares Bressane Nielsen and Renato Pastor Veiga – aqua 27 (1) pp. 5-10
Anablepsoides origuelai, new species, is described from the Rio Tapajós drainage, near at its mouth at the Amazon River, Brazil. It was found in lentic portions of a tributary of rio Tapajós. The new species is a member of the Anablepsoides ornatus species group, which includes another five species, all occurring in the central portion of the Amazon basin. The new species differs from the other species of the Anablepsoides ornatus species group by presenting a similar orange color pattern in the dorsal and ventral portions of the caudal fin, less rays in the caudal fin and a lower number of vertebrae. The new species seems to be more closely related to A. ornatus, with which it shares a pattern of red dots distributed irregularly across the sides of the body.
Full Text | PDF (311 KB)
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The Birmingham Aquatic Club is proudly hosting an online fish show
on November 23rd 2020. This show is open to anybody who wants to take part and for this reason we have tried to keep things as simple as possible. Award cards, prizes and rosettes will be awarded to those that have placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each class. All those that are awarded a 1st place will then be judged overall for best in show. All award cards and rosettes will be posted out to the winners. Entries close on November 20th at 12pm. Winners will be announced via facebook live on November 23rd at 3PM.
To enter and find out more: https://birminghamaquaticclub.co.uk/online-fish-show
==========================
on November 23rd 2020. This show is open to anybody who wants to take part and for this reason we have tried to keep things as simple as possible. Award cards, prizes and rosettes will be awarded to those that have placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each class. All those that are awarded a 1st place will then be judged overall for best in show. All award cards and rosettes will be posted out to the winners. Entries close on November 20th at 12pm. Winners will be announced via facebook live on November 23rd at 3PM.
To enter and find out more: https://birminghamaquaticclub.co.uk/online-fish-show
==========================
Yunnanilus chuanheensis • A New Loach Species (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from the upper Lixianjiang River in Yunnan, China
Yunnanilus chuanheensis
Jiang, Zhao, Du & Wang, 2021
川河云南鳅 || DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.287
Abstract
A new loach species (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae: Yunnanilini), Yunnanilus chuanheensis sp. nov., was caught from Chuanhe in the upper reaches of the Lixianjiang River, a tributary of the Red River in Nanjian County, Yunnan Province, China. This species is a member of the traditional Y. pleurotaenia species group based on the presence of a lateral line and cephalic lateral-line canals. It can be distinguished from other species in the Y. pleurotaenia species group by the following characters: lips without papillae, anterior and posterior nostrils separated, whole body scaled, eye diameter smaller than interorbital width, outer gill raker absent on first gill arch, eye diameter greater than 18% of head length, 10–11 inner gill rakers on first gill arch, and lateral line not extending to vertical through dorsal fin insertion. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first Yunnanilus species recorded from the Red River drainage.
Keywords: Loach, New species, Nemacheilidae, Yunnanilus, Red River, Yunnan
Figure 1. Yunnanilus chuanheensis sp. nov.
Pictures show living (A) and preserved paratype (B, male, KIZ 2016007380);
living(C) and lateral, dorsal, ventral, and X-ray views of preserved holotype (D, female, KIZ 2016007379);
habitat photo of type locality at time of collection (E).
Yunnanilus chuanheensis sp. nov. Jiang, Zhao, Du & Wang
Diagnosis: The new species belongs to the Y. pleurotaenia species group and is distinguished from the Y. nigromaculatus species group based on lateral line and cephalic lateral-line canals present (vs. sensory canals absent). For the other species within the Y. pleurotaenia species group, Yunnanilus chuanheensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from: (1) Y. cruciatus and Y. pulcherrimus by papillae on lips absent (vs. present); (2) Y. jinxiensis by anterior and posterior nostril separated (vs. closely placed); (3) Y. analis, Y. beipanjiangensis, Y. chui, Y. discoloris, Y. elakatis, Y. forkicaudalis, Y. macrositanus, Y. nanpanjiangensis, Y. paludosus, and Y. sichuanensis by whole body scaled (vs. scaleless or only caudal peduncle scaled); (4) Y. jiuchiensis and Y. longibulla by eye diameter smaller than interorbital width (vs. larger); (5) Y. ganheensis, Y. macrolepis, and Y. spanisbripes by outer gill raker on first gill arch absent (vs. present); (6) Y. macrogaster by eye diameter greater than 18% of head length (vs. smaller than 12%); (7) Y. parvus by 10–11 inner gill rakers on first gill arch (vs. 8–9); and (8) Y. pleurotaenia by lateral line not extending to vertical through dorsal fin insertion (vs. extending to).
Distribution map of Yunnanilus chuanheensis sp. nov.
Distribution and habitat: Specimens were collected from Chuanhe in the upper reaches of the Lixianjiang River, a tributary of the Red River basin (Figure 1F). The type locality at the time of capture (dry season) consisted of clear and slow-flowing water, with a sand- and cobble-covered bottom and water depth mostly less than 1 m. The banks were fully covered with secondary forest, mostly shrubs (Figure 1E). Another Nemacheiline loach, Schistura fasciolata, was the only species collected syntopically with this new species.
Etymology: The name of the new species, chuanheensis, is derived from the Chinese name of the locality river, Chuanhe (川河), and therefore the Chinese name of this new species is "川河云南鳅".
phylogenetic position of Yunnanilus chuanheensis sp. nov.
Wan-Sheng Jiang, Ya-Peng Zhao, Li-Na Du and Mo Wang. 2021. Yunnanilus chuanheensis, A New Loach Species (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from the upper Lixianjiang River in Yunnan, China. Zoological Research. 42(2); 241-245. DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.287
==========================
Yunnanilus chuanheensis
Jiang, Zhao, Du & Wang, 2021
川河云南鳅 || DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.287
Abstract
A new loach species (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae: Yunnanilini), Yunnanilus chuanheensis sp. nov., was caught from Chuanhe in the upper reaches of the Lixianjiang River, a tributary of the Red River in Nanjian County, Yunnan Province, China. This species is a member of the traditional Y. pleurotaenia species group based on the presence of a lateral line and cephalic lateral-line canals. It can be distinguished from other species in the Y. pleurotaenia species group by the following characters: lips without papillae, anterior and posterior nostrils separated, whole body scaled, eye diameter smaller than interorbital width, outer gill raker absent on first gill arch, eye diameter greater than 18% of head length, 10–11 inner gill rakers on first gill arch, and lateral line not extending to vertical through dorsal fin insertion. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first Yunnanilus species recorded from the Red River drainage.
Keywords: Loach, New species, Nemacheilidae, Yunnanilus, Red River, Yunnan
Figure 1. Yunnanilus chuanheensis sp. nov.
Pictures show living (A) and preserved paratype (B, male, KIZ 2016007380);
living(C) and lateral, dorsal, ventral, and X-ray views of preserved holotype (D, female, KIZ 2016007379);
habitat photo of type locality at time of collection (E).
Yunnanilus chuanheensis sp. nov. Jiang, Zhao, Du & Wang
Diagnosis: The new species belongs to the Y. pleurotaenia species group and is distinguished from the Y. nigromaculatus species group based on lateral line and cephalic lateral-line canals present (vs. sensory canals absent). For the other species within the Y. pleurotaenia species group, Yunnanilus chuanheensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from: (1) Y. cruciatus and Y. pulcherrimus by papillae on lips absent (vs. present); (2) Y. jinxiensis by anterior and posterior nostril separated (vs. closely placed); (3) Y. analis, Y. beipanjiangensis, Y. chui, Y. discoloris, Y. elakatis, Y. forkicaudalis, Y. macrositanus, Y. nanpanjiangensis, Y. paludosus, and Y. sichuanensis by whole body scaled (vs. scaleless or only caudal peduncle scaled); (4) Y. jiuchiensis and Y. longibulla by eye diameter smaller than interorbital width (vs. larger); (5) Y. ganheensis, Y. macrolepis, and Y. spanisbripes by outer gill raker on first gill arch absent (vs. present); (6) Y. macrogaster by eye diameter greater than 18% of head length (vs. smaller than 12%); (7) Y. parvus by 10–11 inner gill rakers on first gill arch (vs. 8–9); and (8) Y. pleurotaenia by lateral line not extending to vertical through dorsal fin insertion (vs. extending to).
Distribution map of Yunnanilus chuanheensis sp. nov.
Distribution and habitat: Specimens were collected from Chuanhe in the upper reaches of the Lixianjiang River, a tributary of the Red River basin (Figure 1F). The type locality at the time of capture (dry season) consisted of clear and slow-flowing water, with a sand- and cobble-covered bottom and water depth mostly less than 1 m. The banks were fully covered with secondary forest, mostly shrubs (Figure 1E). Another Nemacheiline loach, Schistura fasciolata, was the only species collected syntopically with this new species.
Etymology: The name of the new species, chuanheensis, is derived from the Chinese name of the locality river, Chuanhe (川河), and therefore the Chinese name of this new species is "川河云南鳅".
phylogenetic position of Yunnanilus chuanheensis sp. nov.
Wan-Sheng Jiang, Ya-Peng Zhao, Li-Na Du and Mo Wang. 2021. Yunnanilus chuanheensis, A New Loach Species (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from the upper Lixianjiang River in Yunnan, China. Zoological Research. 42(2); 241-245. DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.287
==========================
A Revision of the Gobiid fish Genus Pseudogobius (Gobiidae, Tridentigerinae), with Description of Seven New Species from Australia and South-east Asia
Pseudogobius eos
Larson & Hammer, 2021
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4961.1.1
Abstract
The tridentigerine genus Pseudogobius is widespread, from temperate to tropical areas of the Indo-west Pacific. A morphological review of the genus was carried out, with the initial focus on South-east Asian and Australian species. There are about 21 nominal species in the genus; however, the type specimens for some nominal species are missing. Our work recognises 15 valid species so far, including seven new species, which are described herein: Pseudogobius aquilonius n. sp., P. cinctus n. sp., P. eos n. sp., P. hoesei n. sp., P. jeffi n. sp., P. rhizophora n. sp. and P. verticalis n. sp. We also conclude that P. poicilosoma (Bleeker, 1849) is the senior synonym of P. javanicus (Bleeker, 1856). Pseudogobius poicilosoma, P. gastrospilos (Bleeker, 1853) and P. javanicus are accepted here as conspecific, although the types are in poor condition (note that all three names were given to specimens collected within close proximity to each other in coastal Java, Indonesia). A key to valid species is presented. The revision benefited from an adaptive feedback loop with companion genetic analyses, with the most comprehensive data available for the Australian region. Broader preliminary genetic data suggest the potential for recognition of additional cryptic species, with the current study providing a platform for future systematic work. Pseudogobius are a prominent part of estuarine biodiversity in the Indo-west Pacific, and this study helps to highlight the need to better understand the taxonomy and conservation requirements of cryptobenthic fishes.
Keywords: Pisces, Indo-west Pacific, morphology, estuarine, biodiversity
Helen K. Larson and Michael P. Hammer. 2021. A Revision of the Gobiid fish Genus Pseudogobius (Teleostei, Gobiidae, Tridentigerinae), with Description of Seven New Species from Australia and South-east Asia. Zootaxa. 4961(1); 1-85. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4961.1.1
=========================
Pseudogobius eos
Larson & Hammer, 2021
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4961.1.1
Abstract
The tridentigerine genus Pseudogobius is widespread, from temperate to tropical areas of the Indo-west Pacific. A morphological review of the genus was carried out, with the initial focus on South-east Asian and Australian species. There are about 21 nominal species in the genus; however, the type specimens for some nominal species are missing. Our work recognises 15 valid species so far, including seven new species, which are described herein: Pseudogobius aquilonius n. sp., P. cinctus n. sp., P. eos n. sp., P. hoesei n. sp., P. jeffi n. sp., P. rhizophora n. sp. and P. verticalis n. sp. We also conclude that P. poicilosoma (Bleeker, 1849) is the senior synonym of P. javanicus (Bleeker, 1856). Pseudogobius poicilosoma, P. gastrospilos (Bleeker, 1853) and P. javanicus are accepted here as conspecific, although the types are in poor condition (note that all three names were given to specimens collected within close proximity to each other in coastal Java, Indonesia). A key to valid species is presented. The revision benefited from an adaptive feedback loop with companion genetic analyses, with the most comprehensive data available for the Australian region. Broader preliminary genetic data suggest the potential for recognition of additional cryptic species, with the current study providing a platform for future systematic work. Pseudogobius are a prominent part of estuarine biodiversity in the Indo-west Pacific, and this study helps to highlight the need to better understand the taxonomy and conservation requirements of cryptobenthic fishes.
Keywords: Pisces, Indo-west Pacific, morphology, estuarine, biodiversity
Helen K. Larson and Michael P. Hammer. 2021. A Revision of the Gobiid fish Genus Pseudogobius (Teleostei, Gobiidae, Tridentigerinae), with Description of Seven New Species from Australia and South-east Asia. Zootaxa. 4961(1); 1-85. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4961.1.1
=========================
Corydoras fulleri (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae), a new catfish species from the rio Madeira basin, PeruL. F. C. Tencatt
S. A. dos santos
H.‐G. Evers
M. R. Britto
First published: 09 April 2021
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14750
This article has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Fish Biology and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as doi: 10.1111/jfb.14750.
AbstractA new long‐snouted Corydoras species is described from two tributaries of the río Manuripe and a tributary of the río Madre de Dios, rio Madeira basin, Peru. Corydoras fulleri can be distinguished from its congeners by having the following features: (I) branch of the temporal sensory canal at sphenotic, which gives rise to the supraorbital canal, with two pores; (III) upper tooth plate of branchial arch with three series of teeth; (III) area at the corner of the mouth, ventral to the maxillary barbel, with a small fleshy flap; (IV) two moderate‐sized dark brown or black blotches on caudal‐fin base, one on its lateral portion and another one on its dorsal portion, blotches variably diffuse and/or fused with each other; (V) absence of a dark brown or black stripe transversally crossing the orbit; (VI) a longitudinal dark brown or black stripe on postdorsal region of flank midline, variably fused with the lateral peduncular blotch, some specimens with slender, longitudinally elongated, dark brown or black blotch on flank midline, forming a dash‐like marking, stripe or dash‐like blotch diffuse in some specimens; and (VII) region around dorsal‐fin origin generally lacking dark brown or black blotch, or displaying diffuse blotch.
==========================
S. A. dos santos
H.‐G. Evers
M. R. Britto
First published: 09 April 2021
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14750
This article has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Fish Biology and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as doi: 10.1111/jfb.14750.
AbstractA new long‐snouted Corydoras species is described from two tributaries of the río Manuripe and a tributary of the río Madre de Dios, rio Madeira basin, Peru. Corydoras fulleri can be distinguished from its congeners by having the following features: (I) branch of the temporal sensory canal at sphenotic, which gives rise to the supraorbital canal, with two pores; (III) upper tooth plate of branchial arch with three series of teeth; (III) area at the corner of the mouth, ventral to the maxillary barbel, with a small fleshy flap; (IV) two moderate‐sized dark brown or black blotches on caudal‐fin base, one on its lateral portion and another one on its dorsal portion, blotches variably diffuse and/or fused with each other; (V) absence of a dark brown or black stripe transversally crossing the orbit; (VI) a longitudinal dark brown or black stripe on postdorsal region of flank midline, variably fused with the lateral peduncular blotch, some specimens with slender, longitudinally elongated, dark brown or black blotch on flank midline, forming a dash‐like marking, stripe or dash‐like blotch diffuse in some specimens; and (VII) region around dorsal‐fin origin generally lacking dark brown or black blotch, or displaying diffuse blotch.
==========================
TROPICAL FISH OPEN SHOW and Table top sale of Home bred fish on Sunday 15th of August 2021.
The new DURHAM AQUARIST SOCIETY may only be 5 of us but all of us are active and miss the fish shows and auctions of the North East way too much.
The will be held at the -Belmont hall -on Broom side lane ,Durham. This venue is very close to the A1.
There will be at least 40 classes of fish to view on the day. Exhibitors are invited from all over ,all will be warmly welcomed.
For best in show,best egg layer ,best live bearer,best catfish and best goldfish there will be prizes of external power filters.
With the total demise of the show and auction scene in the North East during the past 5 years and the fact that Stamps show is on its last legs and from what we hear may never happen again due to members health and ages ,we decided that something needs to be done.
3 of us are members of the old Washington fish club,so if you remember that event we will try to make it like one of those great days of their open shows.
Please message me for information or perhaps you want volunteer for helping on the day of the show.
Arni Basslet on Facebook
==========================
The new DURHAM AQUARIST SOCIETY may only be 5 of us but all of us are active and miss the fish shows and auctions of the North East way too much.
The will be held at the -Belmont hall -on Broom side lane ,Durham. This venue is very close to the A1.
There will be at least 40 classes of fish to view on the day. Exhibitors are invited from all over ,all will be warmly welcomed.
For best in show,best egg layer ,best live bearer,best catfish and best goldfish there will be prizes of external power filters.
With the total demise of the show and auction scene in the North East during the past 5 years and the fact that Stamps show is on its last legs and from what we hear may never happen again due to members health and ages ,we decided that something needs to be done.
3 of us are members of the old Washington fish club,so if you remember that event we will try to make it like one of those great days of their open shows.
Please message me for information or perhaps you want volunteer for helping on the day of the show.
Arni Basslet on Facebook
==========================
==========================
Chimaera compacta • A New Species (Chondrichthyes: Chimaeridae) from southern Indian Ocean, and An Estimate of Phylogenetic Relationships within the Genus Chimaera
Chimaera compacta
Iglésias, Kemper & Naylor, 2021
DOI: 10.1007/s10228-021-00810-9
twitter.com/ISYEBsp
Abstract
Chimaera compacta sp. nov., a new species of shortnose chimaera (Holocephali: Chimaeriformes: Chimaeridae), is described from a single specimen collected at 595–655 m depth, off Amsterdam Island, in the southern Indian Ocean. The species is easily distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: massive head with short snout; stocky and relatively long trunk 44% BDL, short tail with second dorsal fin base 72% BDL; long pelvic fin anterior margin 26% BDL. Caudal fin dorsal origin slightly posterior to caudal fin ventral origin. Firm, non-deciduous skin; brown color with yellow blotches. Chimaera compacta sp. nov. is morphologically close to Chimaera lignaria Didier 2002 from New Zealand and Chimaera willwatchi Clerkin, Ebert and Kemper 2017 from south western Indian Ocean. The new species can be distinguished from other Chimaera species based on DNA sequences divergence of the COI and NADH2 genes. This species has a nucleotide sequence divergence (uncorrected p distances) for the studied genes of 4.2 and 4.1%, respectively, with its closest relatives. Phylogenetically, Chimaera compacta sp. nov. is nested within a well-supported group including Chimaera carophila Kemper, Ebert, Naylor and Didier 2014, Chimaera didierae Clerkin, Ebert and Kemper 2017, C. lignaria, Chimaera macrospina Didier, Last and White 2008, Chimaera notafricana Kemper, Ebert, Compagno and Didier 2010, Chimaera opalescens Luchetti, Iglésias and Sellos 2011, and C. willwatchi. It is the first Chimaeridae described for the Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.
Keywords: New species, Holocephali, DNA barcoding, Phylogeny, Saint-Paul and Amsterdam Islands
Chimaera compacta sp. nov.
(New English name: Stubby Chimaera;
new French name: Chimère trapue)
Etymology: The epithet compacta is from the Latin compactus (stocky, stubby) and refers to the stubby body, short tail and massive head characteristic of the species.
Samuel P. Iglésias, Jenny M. Kemper and Gavin J. P. Naylor. 2021. Chimaera compacta, A New Species from southern Indian Ocean, and An Estimate of Phylogenetic Relationships within the Genus Chimaera (Chondrichthyes: Chimaeridae). Ichthyological Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-021-00810-9
twitter.com/ISYEBsp/status/1377665843866255363
Chimaera compacta
Iglésias, Kemper & Naylor, 2021
DOI: 10.1007/s10228-021-00810-9
twitter.com/ISYEBsp
Abstract
Chimaera compacta sp. nov., a new species of shortnose chimaera (Holocephali: Chimaeriformes: Chimaeridae), is described from a single specimen collected at 595–655 m depth, off Amsterdam Island, in the southern Indian Ocean. The species is easily distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: massive head with short snout; stocky and relatively long trunk 44% BDL, short tail with second dorsal fin base 72% BDL; long pelvic fin anterior margin 26% BDL. Caudal fin dorsal origin slightly posterior to caudal fin ventral origin. Firm, non-deciduous skin; brown color with yellow blotches. Chimaera compacta sp. nov. is morphologically close to Chimaera lignaria Didier 2002 from New Zealand and Chimaera willwatchi Clerkin, Ebert and Kemper 2017 from south western Indian Ocean. The new species can be distinguished from other Chimaera species based on DNA sequences divergence of the COI and NADH2 genes. This species has a nucleotide sequence divergence (uncorrected p distances) for the studied genes of 4.2 and 4.1%, respectively, with its closest relatives. Phylogenetically, Chimaera compacta sp. nov. is nested within a well-supported group including Chimaera carophila Kemper, Ebert, Naylor and Didier 2014, Chimaera didierae Clerkin, Ebert and Kemper 2017, C. lignaria, Chimaera macrospina Didier, Last and White 2008, Chimaera notafricana Kemper, Ebert, Compagno and Didier 2010, Chimaera opalescens Luchetti, Iglésias and Sellos 2011, and C. willwatchi. It is the first Chimaeridae described for the Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.
Keywords: New species, Holocephali, DNA barcoding, Phylogeny, Saint-Paul and Amsterdam Islands
Chimaera compacta sp. nov.
(New English name: Stubby Chimaera;
new French name: Chimère trapue)
Etymology: The epithet compacta is from the Latin compactus (stocky, stubby) and refers to the stubby body, short tail and massive head characteristic of the species.
Samuel P. Iglésias, Jenny M. Kemper and Gavin J. P. Naylor. 2021. Chimaera compacta, A New Species from southern Indian Ocean, and An Estimate of Phylogenetic Relationships within the Genus Chimaera (Chondrichthyes: Chimaeridae). Ichthyological Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-021-00810-9
twitter.com/ISYEBsp/status/1377665843866255363
Channa kelaartii • A Valid Species of Dwarf Snakehead (Teleostei: Channidae) from Sri Lanka and southern peninsular India
Coloration of Channa kelaartii in life. All from Sri Lanka.
in Sudasinghe, Pethiyagoda, ... et Britz, 2020.
DOI: 10.26049/VZ70-2-2020-05
facebook.com/HiranyaSudasinghe
Abstract
The dwarf snakehead Channa gachua (Hamilton, 1822) (type locality Bengal) has been reported from a vast range, from Iran to Taiwan, and northern India to Sri Lanka. Here, adopting an integrative taxonomic approach, we show that the Sri Lankan snakehead previously referred to as C. gachua is in fact a distinct species, for which the name C. kelaartii (Günther, 1861) is available. Widely distributed in streams and ponds throughout Sri Lanka's lowlands, and also recorded here from the east-flowing drainages of southern peninsular India, C. kelaartii is distinguished from all the other species of the C. gachua species group by the combination of head shape, dorsal-and anal-fin ray counts, scale counts, the presence of pelvic fins, and live adult coloration. Further, C. kelaartii is genetically distinct from topotypical C. gachua by an uncorrected pairwise distance of 7.9-8.8 % for the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene.
Key words: Channa gachua, integrative taxonomy, DNA barcoding, biogeography, Western Ghats-Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot.
Coloration of Channa kelaartii in life. All from Sri Lanka.
A, juvenile, DZ 4073, 26.7 mm SL, Deraniyagala, Kelani River;
B, subadult, ~ 40 mm SL, Wellawaya, Kirindi Oya;
C, subadult, ~45 mm SL, Peradeniya, Mahaweli River;
D, adult, ~ 70 mm SL, Gurulupotha, Mahaweli River;
E, adult, ~ 90 mm SL, southwestern Sri Lanka.
Channa kelaartii (Günther, 1861)
Diagnosis. Channa kelaartii is distinguished from the other members of the Gachua group by the following combination of characters: pelvic fin present; lateral head profile pointed anteriorly as in Figure 2A; adults usually possessing 2 – 4, rarely 5 or 6, brown concentric bands in the pectoral fin; 38 –43 lateral-line scales; 5 –½5+1+6½ scales in transverse line on body; 24–28 circumpeduncular scales; 31 –35 dorsal-fin rays; 19 – 23 anal-fin rays; 39 – 42 vertebrae; and live adult coloration as in Figure 3.
Habitat, distribution and natural history. Channa kelaartii is a widely distributed fsh in Sri Lanka (Fig. 5B), occurring mostly in lotic waters such as streams and rivers but also in lentic habitats such as pools and ditches in the lowlands. It is usually associated with submerged roots, leaf debris and marginal vegetation during daytime, with adults being solitary or occurring as pairs. During the night, individuals can be more easily observed in open waters. Channa kelaartii and C. orientalis do occur in close proximity in south-western Sri Lanka, where their ranges overlap; they are occasionally encountered in syntopy. Channa kelaartii occurs even in highly modifed habitats such as concretized drains and canals in urban areas. The highest elevation at which we recorded C. kelaartii in Sri Lanka was ca 700 m asl at Lunugala, but Deraniyagala (1929) reported it from Diyatalawa, ca 1200 m asl. Channa kelaartii is not endemic to Sri Lanka and is reported in this study also from east-fowing drainages of southern peninsular India (Fig. 5A).
Channa gachua. The type locality of Channa gachua was given by Hamilton (1822) simply as ‘ponds and ditches in Bengal’, a vast area that includes Bangladesh and much of the Indian state of West Bengal (the illustration that accompanied the original description is reproduced in colour in Britz, 2019).
....
Hiranya Sudasinghe, Rohan Pethiyagoda, Madhava Meegaskumbura, Kalana Maduwage and Ralf Britz. 2020. Channa kelaartii, A Valid Species of Dwarf Snakehead from Sri Lanka and southern peninsular India (Teleostei: Channidae). Vertebrate Zoology. 70(2); 157-170. DOI: 10.26049/VZ70-2-2020-05
facebook.com/HiranyaSudasinghe/posts/10219949443379349
Researchgate.net/publication/341001240_Channa_kelaartii_from_Sri_Lanka_and_peninsular_India
==========================
Coloration of Channa kelaartii in life. All from Sri Lanka.
in Sudasinghe, Pethiyagoda, ... et Britz, 2020.
DOI: 10.26049/VZ70-2-2020-05
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Abstract
The dwarf snakehead Channa gachua (Hamilton, 1822) (type locality Bengal) has been reported from a vast range, from Iran to Taiwan, and northern India to Sri Lanka. Here, adopting an integrative taxonomic approach, we show that the Sri Lankan snakehead previously referred to as C. gachua is in fact a distinct species, for which the name C. kelaartii (Günther, 1861) is available. Widely distributed in streams and ponds throughout Sri Lanka's lowlands, and also recorded here from the east-flowing drainages of southern peninsular India, C. kelaartii is distinguished from all the other species of the C. gachua species group by the combination of head shape, dorsal-and anal-fin ray counts, scale counts, the presence of pelvic fins, and live adult coloration. Further, C. kelaartii is genetically distinct from topotypical C. gachua by an uncorrected pairwise distance of 7.9-8.8 % for the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene.
Key words: Channa gachua, integrative taxonomy, DNA barcoding, biogeography, Western Ghats-Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot.
Coloration of Channa kelaartii in life. All from Sri Lanka.
A, juvenile, DZ 4073, 26.7 mm SL, Deraniyagala, Kelani River;
B, subadult, ~ 40 mm SL, Wellawaya, Kirindi Oya;
C, subadult, ~45 mm SL, Peradeniya, Mahaweli River;
D, adult, ~ 70 mm SL, Gurulupotha, Mahaweli River;
E, adult, ~ 90 mm SL, southwestern Sri Lanka.
Channa kelaartii (Günther, 1861)
Diagnosis. Channa kelaartii is distinguished from the other members of the Gachua group by the following combination of characters: pelvic fin present; lateral head profile pointed anteriorly as in Figure 2A; adults usually possessing 2 – 4, rarely 5 or 6, brown concentric bands in the pectoral fin; 38 –43 lateral-line scales; 5 –½5+1+6½ scales in transverse line on body; 24–28 circumpeduncular scales; 31 –35 dorsal-fin rays; 19 – 23 anal-fin rays; 39 – 42 vertebrae; and live adult coloration as in Figure 3.
Habitat, distribution and natural history. Channa kelaartii is a widely distributed fsh in Sri Lanka (Fig. 5B), occurring mostly in lotic waters such as streams and rivers but also in lentic habitats such as pools and ditches in the lowlands. It is usually associated with submerged roots, leaf debris and marginal vegetation during daytime, with adults being solitary or occurring as pairs. During the night, individuals can be more easily observed in open waters. Channa kelaartii and C. orientalis do occur in close proximity in south-western Sri Lanka, where their ranges overlap; they are occasionally encountered in syntopy. Channa kelaartii occurs even in highly modifed habitats such as concretized drains and canals in urban areas. The highest elevation at which we recorded C. kelaartii in Sri Lanka was ca 700 m asl at Lunugala, but Deraniyagala (1929) reported it from Diyatalawa, ca 1200 m asl. Channa kelaartii is not endemic to Sri Lanka and is reported in this study also from east-fowing drainages of southern peninsular India (Fig. 5A).
Channa gachua. The type locality of Channa gachua was given by Hamilton (1822) simply as ‘ponds and ditches in Bengal’, a vast area that includes Bangladesh and much of the Indian state of West Bengal (the illustration that accompanied the original description is reproduced in colour in Britz, 2019).
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Hiranya Sudasinghe, Rohan Pethiyagoda, Madhava Meegaskumbura, Kalana Maduwage and Ralf Britz. 2020. Channa kelaartii, A Valid Species of Dwarf Snakehead from Sri Lanka and southern peninsular India (Teleostei: Channidae). Vertebrate Zoology. 70(2); 157-170. DOI: 10.26049/VZ70-2-2020-05
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Researchgate.net/publication/341001240_Channa_kelaartii_from_Sri_Lanka_and_peninsular_India
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Triplophysa wulongensis, a new species of cave-dwelling loach (Teleostei, Nemacheilidae) from Chongqing, Southwest China
Shijing Chen, Bakhtiyor Sheraliev, Lu Shu, Zuogang PengAbstractWe describe a new species of cave-dwelling loach, Triplophysa wulongensis sp. nov., based on specimens collected in a subterranean pool in a cave in Wulong County, Chongqing, Southwest China. The pool is connected to the Wujiang River drainage. Triplophysa wulongensis differs from its congeners by the following combination of characters: eyes present, caudal fin with 18 branched rays; posterior chamber of the air bladder degenerate; stomach U-shaped; intestine without bends or loops immediately posterior to stomach; body smooth and scaleless, and lateral line complete. The mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence differs from those of other published sequences of species of Triplophysa by 14.9–24.9% in K2P distance. Phylogenetic analysis based on cytochrome b gene sequences recovered T. wulongensis as sister taxon to all other cave-dwelling species of Triplophysa.
KeywordsCavefish, cytb sequence, freshwater fish, ichthyology, phylogeny
IntroductionThe genus Triplophysa Rendahl, 1933, currently comprises approximately 160 valid species, most of which are known from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and to a lesser extent from Central Asia (Zhu 1989; Prokofiev 2010; Kottelat 2012; Fricke et al. 2020). Triplophysa is distinguished from other genera of Nemacheilidae by a marked sexual dimorphism, in which males have tubercle-bearing, elevated skin on the side of the head, and a thickened tuberculated pad on the dorsal surface of the thickened and widened rays of the pectoral fin. Species of Barbatula Linck, 1790 share the same sexual dimorphism, but Triplophysa can be distinguished from Barbatula by the closely situated nostrils (Bănărescu and Nalbant 1968; Prokofiev 2010; Yang et al. 2012; Liu et al. 2017).
To date, 33 cave-dwelling species of Triplophysa have been described from the karst areas of southern China where karst caves and subterranean streams are dominant geological features (Lan et al. 2013; Liu et al. 2017; Wu et al. 2018a). According to Lan et al. (2013), these species can be placed into three groups based on the state of the eyes, namely, eyes normal, reduced, or absent
zookeys.pensoft.net/article/61570/element/7/0/triplophysa/
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Shijing Chen, Bakhtiyor Sheraliev, Lu Shu, Zuogang PengAbstractWe describe a new species of cave-dwelling loach, Triplophysa wulongensis sp. nov., based on specimens collected in a subterranean pool in a cave in Wulong County, Chongqing, Southwest China. The pool is connected to the Wujiang River drainage. Triplophysa wulongensis differs from its congeners by the following combination of characters: eyes present, caudal fin with 18 branched rays; posterior chamber of the air bladder degenerate; stomach U-shaped; intestine without bends or loops immediately posterior to stomach; body smooth and scaleless, and lateral line complete. The mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence differs from those of other published sequences of species of Triplophysa by 14.9–24.9% in K2P distance. Phylogenetic analysis based on cytochrome b gene sequences recovered T. wulongensis as sister taxon to all other cave-dwelling species of Triplophysa.
KeywordsCavefish, cytb sequence, freshwater fish, ichthyology, phylogeny
IntroductionThe genus Triplophysa Rendahl, 1933, currently comprises approximately 160 valid species, most of which are known from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and to a lesser extent from Central Asia (Zhu 1989; Prokofiev 2010; Kottelat 2012; Fricke et al. 2020). Triplophysa is distinguished from other genera of Nemacheilidae by a marked sexual dimorphism, in which males have tubercle-bearing, elevated skin on the side of the head, and a thickened tuberculated pad on the dorsal surface of the thickened and widened rays of the pectoral fin. Species of Barbatula Linck, 1790 share the same sexual dimorphism, but Triplophysa can be distinguished from Barbatula by the closely situated nostrils (Bănărescu and Nalbant 1968; Prokofiev 2010; Yang et al. 2012; Liu et al. 2017).
To date, 33 cave-dwelling species of Triplophysa have been described from the karst areas of southern China where karst caves and subterranean streams are dominant geological features (Lan et al. 2013; Liu et al. 2017; Wu et al. 2018a). According to Lan et al. (2013), these species can be placed into three groups based on the state of the eyes, namely, eyes normal, reduced, or absent
zookeys.pensoft.net/article/61570/element/7/0/triplophysa/
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Revision of the Tubenose Poacher Genus Pallasina
Until 19 May, access free PDF: https://bit.ly/2QQeh6Cbit.ly/2QQeh6C
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Until 19 May, access free PDF: https://bit.ly/2QQeh6Cbit.ly/2QQeh6C
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A new species of Diplotaxodon (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) from Lake Malaŵi
JAY R JR. STAUFFER, ADRIANUS F. KONINGS
Abstract
A species of haplochromine cichlid fish of the genus Diplotaxodon Trewavas, endemic to Lake Malaŵi is described: Diplotaxodon dentatus, new species. All eight type specimens were trawled together off Thumbi East Island in the Southeastern arm of the lake at 73 meters in 1985. They were initially identified as D. argenteus because the teeth on the oral jaws were fully exposed with a closed mouth. The shorter snout length of D. dentatus (26.6–29.2 % HL) clearly separates it from D. argenteus (31.7–34.2 % HL). A plot of a principal components analysis further supports the separation of D. dentatus from D. argenteus.
Keywords
Pisces, Bentho-pelagic cichlids, Ndunduma, commercial fisheries
Full Text:
PDF/A (1MB)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4903.2.7
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Redescription of the Guiana Shield Darter Species Characidium crandellii and C. declivirostre
29 March 2021Redescription of the Guiana Shield Darter Species Characidium crandellii and C. declivirostre (Crenuchidae) with Descriptions of Two New Species
Jonathan W. Armbruster, Nathan K. Lujan, Devin D. Bloom
Author Affiliations +
Ichthyology & Herpetology, 109(1):102-122 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1643/i2019299
AbstractBased on collections made in the western Guiana Shield over the last 21 years, Characidium crandellii and C. declivirostre are redescribed and two similar species are described from Guyana. These species all have enlarged paired fins with three to four rays thickened ventrally on the pectoral fin and two rays thickened on the pelvic fin. The species can be separated from all other Characidium and Melanocharacidium by having the venter unscaled from the isthmus to the pelvic origin. Characidium crandellii is found in the Essequibo and Takutu River systems and in an isolated population above Tencua Falls in the Ventuari River and the upper Paragua River (Orinoco River basin). Characidium declivirostre is found throughout the right-bank, shield tributaries of the Orinoco River system and in the upper Negro River. Characidium duplicatum, new species, appears to be rare but widely distributed in the Essequibo River system. Characidium wangyapoik, new species, is only known from the upper Ireng River, Branco River basin, along the border between Brazil and Guyana.
Characidium is the most species-rich genus (70 species, Fricke et al., 2019) in the South American darter family Crenuchidae (Characiformes); it consists of small (generally less than 8 cm SL; although a 10.7 cm specimen is described here), benthic fishes found in rivers and streams throughout most of tropical South America and southern Panama. To date, the most extensive phylogenetic analysis of Characidium was Buckup (1993a), who developed a matrix of 64 morphological characters observed across a broad diversity of Characidium and its relatives. His analysis of this matrix found support for a clade comprising Characidium crandellii and C. declivirostre (Clade C3), both of which were described by Steindachner (1915). The sister relationship between these species was supported by three unique and two homoplastic synapomorphies: 1) scaleless area of isthmus extending posteroventrally between pectoral fins to pelvics (unique); 2) branchiostegal membranes united across the isthmus (unique); 3) dermal flaps around anterior and posterior nares independent but touching each other distally (unique); 4) posterior process of coracoid reduced to squarish protuberance (homoplastic); 5) basicaudal spot secondarily absent (homoplastic). Additionally, the species have thickened pads of tissue on the ventral side of the anterior pectoral and pelvic-fin rays (Fig. 1; Conway et al., 2012).
Fig. 1Thickened, keratinized pads on the undersurface of the anterior pectoral-fin rays of (A) Characidium wangyapoik, new species, CSBD F-3615, holotype, and (B) C. crandellii, AUM 67142. Photos by N. K. Lujan.
After nearly two decades collecting in rivers of the western Guiana Shield in Venezuela and Guyana, we have amassed over 300 specimens assignable to C. crandellii, C. declivirostre, and two undescribed, similar species (from the Ireng and Essequibo River basins), providing the justification and basis for this first taxonomic revision of the rheophilic Characidium of the Guiana Shield.
MATERIALS AND METHODSIn species location information, the total number of specimens analyzed (C. crandellii and C. declivirostre) or total number of specimens in the lot (new species) is indicated, followed in parentheses by the number used in standard morphometric (mo), meristic (me), geometric morphometric (gm), and cleared and stained (cs) analyses. Size ranges in mm standard length (SL) are for specimens analyzed (C. crandellii and C. declivirostre) or all specimens (types of new species).
Species were identified through a combination of standard morphometrics and meristics, geometric morphometrics, examination of color patterns, and geographic range. Taxonomic assessment began by first dividing each of the four identified morphotypes into separate basins and/or localities, and evaluating whether finer-scale taxonomic divisions were recognizable.
Standard morphometrics and meristics.--Measurements and meristics were preferentially taken on the left side of specimens (unless damaged) according to Buckup (1993b) using digital Mitutoyo calipers accurate to 0.1 mm. All raw count and measurement data are provided as supplemental material (see Data Accessibility).
Geometric morphometrics.--We photographed the right side of specimens in lateral view with a Canon Eos Rebel T3i digital camera with a 100 mm macro lens and an LED-illuminated light box. Specimens were mounted so that their flanks were parallel with the camera lens. Fifteen landmarks were placed on the photographs using Stereomorph (Olsen and Westneat, 2015; Fig. 2A). Stereomorph creates individual files for each specimen, and these are combined into a single tps file in R (R Core Team, 2013) using the writeLMToTPS command. The tps file was entered into MorphoJ (Klingenberg, 2011), a generalized Procrustes analysis (GPA) was performed, the data were checked for outliers (one improperly digitized specimen was removed), and a covariance matrix created, all using the Preliminaries menu of MorphoJ. We performed a PCA on the data to examine morphological differences between populations (Fig. 2B–D). Specimens in the PCA were initially separated and compared according to locality and morphotype. We additionally duplicated the analyses in geomorph (Adams et al., 2020) and ran an allometric correction using the procD.allometry command, but we do not present this analysis as it did not alter the results. Landmarks were defined as follows: 1) snout tip, 2) anterior edge of nares, 3) posterior edge of maxilla, 4) anterior margin of orbit along longest axis, 5) posterior margin of orbit along longest axis, 6) end of supraoccipital, 7) posteriormost extent of opercle, 8) insertion of first unbranched pectoral-fin ray, 9) insertion of first unbranched dorsal-fin ray, 10) insertion of last dorsal-fin ray, 11) insertion of first unbranched pelvic-fin ray, 12) anterior edge of adipose fin, 13) insertion of first unbranched anal-fin ray, 14) insertion of posteriormost anal-fin ray, and 15) end of caudal peduncle at lateral line. Photographs and tps files of AUM specimens examined are available via the AUM fish collection catalog search page available at http://aumnh.auburn.edu.
Fig. 2(A) Landmarks used in geometric morphometrics. Specimens were propped to maintain bodies orthogonal to the lens (Characidium declivirostre, AUM 36674, 44.0 mm SL); photo by J. W. Armbruster. (B) Wireframes of changes along PC1; gray is average shape and black is a shape that corresponds to a shape with +0.1 Procrustes units. (C) Wireframes of changes along PC2 colored as in B. (D) Results of PCA of geometric morphometrics; specimens of C. crandellii are split by basin with a syntype (Amazon basin) indicated in black.
RESULTSWe initially identified four morphotypes based on a combination of color pattern, meristics, and fin positions (see descriptions): one containing primary types and topotypes of C. declivirostre, one that was similar to type material of C. crandellii, one from the upper Ireng River that did not match any described species (described herein as C. wangyapoik, new species), and one that was patchily distributed throughout the Essequibo River system that also did not match any described species (described herein as C. duplicatum, new species). Separating the morphotypes by location did not reveal any differences in the geometric morphometric PCA, and all that is retained in Figure 2 are the basins for C. crandellii to demonstrate that the PCA was insufficient in finding differences between these populations and the type specimens.
The PCA showed extensive overlap between Characidium declivirostre, C. duplicatum, new species, and C. wangyapoik, new species, and slight overlap between Characidium declivirostre and C. wangyapoik, new species, with C. crandellii. PC1 (Fig. 2B) explained 37.0% of variation focused on differences in mouth position, dorsal-fin size, fin positioning, and angle of the ventral portion of the body posterior to the anal fin. Characidium crandellii was mostly separated from the other species along PC1, and this species tends to have the snout downturned, a longer dorsal-fin base, and the anal-fin base (between landmarks 14 and 15) forming a smaller angle than in other species and landmark 15 (end of caudal peduncle) more ventral (this is particularly true when compared to the largest C. wangyapoik, new species). In C. wangyapoik, new species, the angle of the ventral portion of the body posterior to the anal fin is more steeply angled, particularly in larger specimens, and the tip of the snout is more elevated. PC2 (Fig. 2C) explained 18.5% of the variation focused on differences in head length and anteroposterior position of the eye, with C. duplicatum, new species, and some C. crandellii having the highest values (longer head, more posteriorly positioned eye).
There is considerable allometry in eye size and other head measurements. Smaller individuals have relatively larger eyes when the ratio of orbital diameter vs. head length is plotted against SL (Fig. 3). This difference is also apparent when comparing Figures 4 and 5 of a larger vs. a smaller specimen of C. crandellii. An allometric correction on the geometric morphometric data did not significantly change the results, so only the standard PCA is presented.
Fig. 3Plot of the ratio of orbital diameter to head length versus standard length for all measured specimens of fast-water Characidium of the Guiana Shield showing allometry in eye size.
Fig. 4Dorsal, lateral, and ventral views of Characidium crandellii in life, potential nuptial male, AUM 67142, 106.9 mm SL; Ireng River population. Photos by N. K. Lujan.
Fig. 5Dorsal and lateral views of Characidium crandellii in life, common coloration, AUM 62874, 57.0 mm SL; Kuribrong River population. Photos by J. W. Armbruster.
Characidium crandellii Steindachner, 1915
Figures 1B, 4–6
Table 1Morphometrics for Characidium crandellii and C. declivirostre (n = 20 each).
Characidium declivirostre Steindachner, 1915
Figures 2A, 7–9
Fig. 9Distributions of Characidium declivirostre, C. duplicatum, new species, and C. wangyapoik, new species. Type localities indicated by T's (approximated for C. declivirostre).
Fig. 8Dorsal, lateral, and ventral views of a specimen of Characidium declivirostre from the same stream as the type locality, AUM 36625, 50.1 mm SL. Scale = 1 cm. Photos by J. W. Armbruster.
Characidium duplicatum, new species
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:11B1C6B7-9273-4C91-959A31FDF3C0797B
Figure 10
Table 2Morphometrics for Characidium duplicatum, new species (n = 20), and C. wangyapoik, new species (n = 21).
Characidium wangyapoik, new species
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:1EBB34BE-431E-4D03-A343-6E8132EE810C
Figures 1A, 11–12
Fig. 12Dorsal, lateral, and ventral views of Characidium wangyapoik, new species, after preservation, CSBD F-3615, holotype, 72.6 mm SL; Kuribrong River population. Photos by J. W. Armbruster.
KEY TO SPECIES OF THE FAST-WATER CHARACIDIUM OF THE GUIANA SHIELD1a. Twelve circumpeduncular scales. Dorsal fin falcate with a medial dark band and terminal white band (Figs. 4, 5). Origin of adipose fin centered at vertical above insertion of posteriormost anal-fin ray (Figs. 4, 5). Pectoral fin uniformly dark or peripherally dark with lighter center. Proximal dentary and premaxillary teeth wide and tri- to pentacuspid (central cusp longest)Characidium crandellii
1b. Ten circumpeduncular scales. Dorsal fin only slightly concave along distal margin and with two or more thin dark bands (Figs. 7, 8, 10–12). Origin of adipose fin at vertical over center of anal-fin base or more anterior. Pectoral fin light with at least one (usually two or three) dark bands made of separate elongate spots (Figs. 7, 8, 10–12). Proximal dentary and premaxillary teeth narrow, peg-like, tricuspid, but only central cusp conspicuous2
2a. Pelvic fin with two unbranched rays. Pectoral fin with four unbranched rays (Fig. 1B)C. duplicatum, new species
2b. Pelvic fin with one unbranched ray. Pectoral fin with three unbranched rays (Fig. 1A)3
3a. Dorsal coloration consisting of prominent saddles that extend to a faint midlateral stripe that may appear as a series of blotches (stripe most prominent in preserved specimens). No accessory bars between saddles. Ventral portion of sides with few, rectangular to square blotches that do not extend dorsal to midlateral stripe (Figs. 7, 8)C. declivirostre
3b. Dorsal saddles not prominent in adults, and usually confluent with thin bands from below midlateral stripe, which is usually demarcated by a faint stripe made of zig-zag lines with the stripe most prominent in smaller individuals. Thin bars also present in lighter interspaces between saddles, some of which extend below midlateral stripe (Figs. 11, 12). Ventral portion of sides with numerous narrow bars that extend above midlateral stripe (in juveniles, only some bars may continue dorsal to midlateral stripe; Figs. 11, 12)C. wangyapoik, new species
DISCUSSIONLike their North American namesakes (Welsh and Perry, 1998), South American darters seem to partition benthic habitats by water speed and associated sediment types; with some species inhabiting slow-flowing, sandy habitats, or even backwaters, while others occur largely on bedrock in fast-flowing water (Leitão and Buckup, 2014). Benthic, rheophilic fishes have many adaptations to maintain position in swift currents (Lujan and Conway, 2015). One such adaptation in darters and various similar fishes in streams throughout the world (Conway et al., 2012; Lujan and Conway, 2015) is having large, angled pectoral fins that generate downforce from water flowing over them. These fins often have ventral pads of tissue that help to resist abrasion and increase adhesion via microscopic keratinous structures known as unculi. In their review of paired-fin pads across the Ostariophysi, Conway et al. (2012) examined C. declivirostre (misidentified as Melanocharacidium pectorale) and described it as having Type I pads (thickening of the epidermis with no contribution from subepidermal layers) on the first three pectoral-fin rays and first two pelvic-fin rays. The epidermis was thicker ventrally, the subdermis thicker dorsally, unicellular, rearward-facing unculi present on the ventral surfaces of the pads, and alarm substance cells and mucocytes present and common dorsally and present ventrally only on areas without the pads.
Fast-water specialist fishes seem to be particularly diverse in rivers draining the Guiana Shield, which are naturally low in sediment, have abundant bedrock shoals and rapids, and a complex history of geological uplift and erosion (Lujan and Armbruster, 2011; Lujan et al., 2013; Lehmberg et al., 2018). Characidium crandellii was described from the Branco River, a tributary of the Negro River, and C. declivirostre was described from the Caroni River, a tributary of the Orinoco River. Although the type localities of the two species are relatively close in linear distance (south and north of the Pakaraima Mountains near the Brazil/Venezuela border), they are quite far from each other in terms of the modern Orinoco and Negro River channels, which only connect via the Casiquiare Canal. However, a hypothesized paleo-river, the proto-Berbice, may have once united these type localities in a single river basin that drained into the Caribbean Sea through the current mouth of the Berbice River as recently as the Pleistocene (McConnell, 1959; Gibbs and Barron, 1983; Lujan and Armbruster, 2011). This paleo-river likely contributed to the disjunct distributions of species or species groups distributed throughout the highlands of the western Guiana Shield (Lujan et al., 2018). Characidium crandellii is an excellent example of such taxa, along with the loricariid species Ancistrus saudades (Souza et al., 2019) and the genus Exastilithoxus (Lujan et al., 2018) whose disjunct distributions suggest that some portion of the upper Ventuari River above Tencua Falls and upper courses of other south bank Orinoco tributaries such as the Paragua River once flowed in the opposite direction, forming headwaters of the proto-Berbice. A series of transcurrent faults run approximately east-west in Bolivar and Amazonas, Venezuela. Although these faults formed in the early Precambrian, they were rejuvenated in the late Mesozoic (de Loczy, 1973; Gibbs and Barron, 1983). Fish distributions suggest a recent switch of the upper courses of south bank Orinoco tributaries from the proto-Berbice perhaps due to tilting along these transcurrent faults. It is notable that despite fairly heavy sampling of south-bank Orinoco tributaries, C. crandellii is only found in the headwaters of those tributaries that have been proposed to have switched between the proto-Berbice and Orinoco. The Ventuari specimen of C. crandellii looks a little different than other specimens suggesting that isolation may be leading to speciation; however, one specimen is not enough to draw conclusions, and the Paragua specimens appear identical to other specimens in the range. All Orinoco specimens have shapes that fall within the main cluster of C. crandellii (Fig. 3). A more thorough test of the proto-Berbice hypothesis for these species' distributions will require material from intervening sites in the Uraricoera River drainage in northernmost Brazil—a river that remains largely unsampled by ichthyologists.
Buckup (1993b) described two species of Melanocharacidium that have a similar coloration and morphology to C. crandellii, C. declivirostre, C. duplicatum, and C. wangyapoik: M. depressum and M. pectorale (clade Me2 in Buckup, 1993a). These species of Melanocharacidium have the anterior pectoral- and pelvic-fin rays less thickened than that of the aforementioned Characidium, and they have a venter lacking scales from the isthmus to just posterior of the pectoral-fin base (vs. nearly to pelvic-fin origin). Buckup (1993a, 1993b) diagnosed Melanocharacidium based on several characteristics including loss of the supraorbital, presence of three supraneurals, and the supracleithrum posteriorly arched. Characidium crandellii, C. declivirostre, C. duplicatum, and C. wangyapoik lack all of the synapomorphies of Melanocharacidium with the exception of a lack of maxillary teeth, which was homoplastic in Buckup's analysis (Buckup included C. crandellii and C. declivirostre in his analysis, and we confirmed his characters in our specimens and the new species).
In addition, Buckup (1993a, 1993b) recognized a convergence between C. declivirostre and M. depressum and M. pectorale in fusion of the vertebrae of the Weberian apparatus, with M. depressum and M. pectorale having all four vertebrae fused and C. declivirostre having the third and fourth and maybe the second fused (we confirmed that vertebrae 2–4 are fused). Characidium duplicatum and C. wangyapoik also share the fusion of vertebrae 2–4 with C. declivirostre. In addition, Buckup describes the presence of a ventral lamellar process of the homolog of the pleural rib of vertebra 4 extending below the tripus to articulate with the homolog of the lateral process of vertebra 2 to form an osseus wall covering the anterior wall of the swim bladder as characters to diagnose the clade of M. depressum + M. pectorale. Characidium declivirostre, C. duplicatum, and C. wangyapoik also appear to have the osseus wall, and this was very similar to what we saw in a specimen of M. pectorale (AUM 40995).
DATA ACCESSIBILITYSupplemental material is available at https://www.ichthyologyandherpetology.org/i2019299. Unless otherwise indicated in the figure caption, the published images and illustrations in this article are licensed by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists for use if the use includes a citation to the original source in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution CC BY License. ZooBank publication urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:24A53251-5BE2-4F5E-8666-9CBA2AA644A5.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTSWe would like to thank O. Leon Mata, in memoriam (Curator of Fishes, Museo de Ciencias Naturales de la UNELLEZ, Guanare, Venezuela) and D. Taphorn (UNELLEZ) for facilitating field work in Venezuela, and E. Liverpool (University of Guyana), O. Williams (Guyana Ministry of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs), D. Taphorn (UNELLEZ), L. Page (University of Florida), A. Williams (World Wildlife Fund Guianas), C. Hutchinson (WWF Guianas), and D. Fernandes (Guyana Protected Areas Commission) for facilitating field work in Guyana. We especially thank the Patamona community of Kaibarupai for hosting our expedition to the upper Ireng River and sharing their knowledge and skills in the field. We also thank the collection managers E. Holm (ROM), M. Burridge (ROM), D. Stacey (ROM), M. Sabaj (ANSP), B. Brown (in memoriam, AMNH), and R. Arrindell (AMNH) for facilitating visits to their collections and sharing specimens via loans. We especially thank all of the people who aided us in the field and deposited specimens in collections including: D. Abraham, C. Allison, M. Arce, D. Arjoon, J. Baskin, M. Benjamin, R. Betancur, J. Birindelli, T. Carvalho, C. Chin, J. Correia, R. Daniel, L. de Souza, K. Dookram, J. Evans, D. Fernandes, C. Ferraris, D. Gordon, M. Grant, M. Hardman, J. Hartsell, D. Hemraj, J. Knouft, E. Liverpool, H. López-Fernández, S. Lord, A. Luna, V. Meza, T. Pera, P. Peters, W. Prince, F. Provenzano, M. Ram, E. Richmond, R. Royero-I., M. Sabaj, S. Schaefer, D. Taphorn, J. Thomas, M. Thomas, D. Werneke, T. Wesley, A. Yarumore, and L. Ziccardi. This project was supported by NSF grants DEB-0107751 and DEB-0315963, National Geographic CRE grants to JWA and NKL (8721-09), and a Coypu Foundation grant to NKL and JWA and funding from the WWF-Guianas and the Inter-American Development Bank. Salary support for NKL was provided by a Gerstner Fellowship from the American Museum of Natural History.
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Jonathan W. Armbruster, Nathan K. Lujan, and Devin D. Bloom "Redescription of the Guiana Shield Darter Species Characidium crandellii and C. declivirostre (Crenuchidae) with Descriptions of Two New Species," Ichthyology & Herpetology 109(1), 102-122, (29 March 2021). https://doi.org/10.1643/i2019299
Received: 9 October 2019; Accepted: 16 September 2020; Published: 29 March 2021
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29 March 2021Redescription of the Guiana Shield Darter Species Characidium crandellii and C. declivirostre (Crenuchidae) with Descriptions of Two New Species
Jonathan W. Armbruster, Nathan K. Lujan, Devin D. Bloom
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Ichthyology & Herpetology, 109(1):102-122 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1643/i2019299
AbstractBased on collections made in the western Guiana Shield over the last 21 years, Characidium crandellii and C. declivirostre are redescribed and two similar species are described from Guyana. These species all have enlarged paired fins with three to four rays thickened ventrally on the pectoral fin and two rays thickened on the pelvic fin. The species can be separated from all other Characidium and Melanocharacidium by having the venter unscaled from the isthmus to the pelvic origin. Characidium crandellii is found in the Essequibo and Takutu River systems and in an isolated population above Tencua Falls in the Ventuari River and the upper Paragua River (Orinoco River basin). Characidium declivirostre is found throughout the right-bank, shield tributaries of the Orinoco River system and in the upper Negro River. Characidium duplicatum, new species, appears to be rare but widely distributed in the Essequibo River system. Characidium wangyapoik, new species, is only known from the upper Ireng River, Branco River basin, along the border between Brazil and Guyana.
Characidium is the most species-rich genus (70 species, Fricke et al., 2019) in the South American darter family Crenuchidae (Characiformes); it consists of small (generally less than 8 cm SL; although a 10.7 cm specimen is described here), benthic fishes found in rivers and streams throughout most of tropical South America and southern Panama. To date, the most extensive phylogenetic analysis of Characidium was Buckup (1993a), who developed a matrix of 64 morphological characters observed across a broad diversity of Characidium and its relatives. His analysis of this matrix found support for a clade comprising Characidium crandellii and C. declivirostre (Clade C3), both of which were described by Steindachner (1915). The sister relationship between these species was supported by three unique and two homoplastic synapomorphies: 1) scaleless area of isthmus extending posteroventrally between pectoral fins to pelvics (unique); 2) branchiostegal membranes united across the isthmus (unique); 3) dermal flaps around anterior and posterior nares independent but touching each other distally (unique); 4) posterior process of coracoid reduced to squarish protuberance (homoplastic); 5) basicaudal spot secondarily absent (homoplastic). Additionally, the species have thickened pads of tissue on the ventral side of the anterior pectoral and pelvic-fin rays (Fig. 1; Conway et al., 2012).
Fig. 1Thickened, keratinized pads on the undersurface of the anterior pectoral-fin rays of (A) Characidium wangyapoik, new species, CSBD F-3615, holotype, and (B) C. crandellii, AUM 67142. Photos by N. K. Lujan.
After nearly two decades collecting in rivers of the western Guiana Shield in Venezuela and Guyana, we have amassed over 300 specimens assignable to C. crandellii, C. declivirostre, and two undescribed, similar species (from the Ireng and Essequibo River basins), providing the justification and basis for this first taxonomic revision of the rheophilic Characidium of the Guiana Shield.
MATERIALS AND METHODSIn species location information, the total number of specimens analyzed (C. crandellii and C. declivirostre) or total number of specimens in the lot (new species) is indicated, followed in parentheses by the number used in standard morphometric (mo), meristic (me), geometric morphometric (gm), and cleared and stained (cs) analyses. Size ranges in mm standard length (SL) are for specimens analyzed (C. crandellii and C. declivirostre) or all specimens (types of new species).
Species were identified through a combination of standard morphometrics and meristics, geometric morphometrics, examination of color patterns, and geographic range. Taxonomic assessment began by first dividing each of the four identified morphotypes into separate basins and/or localities, and evaluating whether finer-scale taxonomic divisions were recognizable.
Standard morphometrics and meristics.--Measurements and meristics were preferentially taken on the left side of specimens (unless damaged) according to Buckup (1993b) using digital Mitutoyo calipers accurate to 0.1 mm. All raw count and measurement data are provided as supplemental material (see Data Accessibility).
Geometric morphometrics.--We photographed the right side of specimens in lateral view with a Canon Eos Rebel T3i digital camera with a 100 mm macro lens and an LED-illuminated light box. Specimens were mounted so that their flanks were parallel with the camera lens. Fifteen landmarks were placed on the photographs using Stereomorph (Olsen and Westneat, 2015; Fig. 2A). Stereomorph creates individual files for each specimen, and these are combined into a single tps file in R (R Core Team, 2013) using the writeLMToTPS command. The tps file was entered into MorphoJ (Klingenberg, 2011), a generalized Procrustes analysis (GPA) was performed, the data were checked for outliers (one improperly digitized specimen was removed), and a covariance matrix created, all using the Preliminaries menu of MorphoJ. We performed a PCA on the data to examine morphological differences between populations (Fig. 2B–D). Specimens in the PCA were initially separated and compared according to locality and morphotype. We additionally duplicated the analyses in geomorph (Adams et al., 2020) and ran an allometric correction using the procD.allometry command, but we do not present this analysis as it did not alter the results. Landmarks were defined as follows: 1) snout tip, 2) anterior edge of nares, 3) posterior edge of maxilla, 4) anterior margin of orbit along longest axis, 5) posterior margin of orbit along longest axis, 6) end of supraoccipital, 7) posteriormost extent of opercle, 8) insertion of first unbranched pectoral-fin ray, 9) insertion of first unbranched dorsal-fin ray, 10) insertion of last dorsal-fin ray, 11) insertion of first unbranched pelvic-fin ray, 12) anterior edge of adipose fin, 13) insertion of first unbranched anal-fin ray, 14) insertion of posteriormost anal-fin ray, and 15) end of caudal peduncle at lateral line. Photographs and tps files of AUM specimens examined are available via the AUM fish collection catalog search page available at http://aumnh.auburn.edu.
Fig. 2(A) Landmarks used in geometric morphometrics. Specimens were propped to maintain bodies orthogonal to the lens (Characidium declivirostre, AUM 36674, 44.0 mm SL); photo by J. W. Armbruster. (B) Wireframes of changes along PC1; gray is average shape and black is a shape that corresponds to a shape with +0.1 Procrustes units. (C) Wireframes of changes along PC2 colored as in B. (D) Results of PCA of geometric morphometrics; specimens of C. crandellii are split by basin with a syntype (Amazon basin) indicated in black.
RESULTSWe initially identified four morphotypes based on a combination of color pattern, meristics, and fin positions (see descriptions): one containing primary types and topotypes of C. declivirostre, one that was similar to type material of C. crandellii, one from the upper Ireng River that did not match any described species (described herein as C. wangyapoik, new species), and one that was patchily distributed throughout the Essequibo River system that also did not match any described species (described herein as C. duplicatum, new species). Separating the morphotypes by location did not reveal any differences in the geometric morphometric PCA, and all that is retained in Figure 2 are the basins for C. crandellii to demonstrate that the PCA was insufficient in finding differences between these populations and the type specimens.
The PCA showed extensive overlap between Characidium declivirostre, C. duplicatum, new species, and C. wangyapoik, new species, and slight overlap between Characidium declivirostre and C. wangyapoik, new species, with C. crandellii. PC1 (Fig. 2B) explained 37.0% of variation focused on differences in mouth position, dorsal-fin size, fin positioning, and angle of the ventral portion of the body posterior to the anal fin. Characidium crandellii was mostly separated from the other species along PC1, and this species tends to have the snout downturned, a longer dorsal-fin base, and the anal-fin base (between landmarks 14 and 15) forming a smaller angle than in other species and landmark 15 (end of caudal peduncle) more ventral (this is particularly true when compared to the largest C. wangyapoik, new species). In C. wangyapoik, new species, the angle of the ventral portion of the body posterior to the anal fin is more steeply angled, particularly in larger specimens, and the tip of the snout is more elevated. PC2 (Fig. 2C) explained 18.5% of the variation focused on differences in head length and anteroposterior position of the eye, with C. duplicatum, new species, and some C. crandellii having the highest values (longer head, more posteriorly positioned eye).
There is considerable allometry in eye size and other head measurements. Smaller individuals have relatively larger eyes when the ratio of orbital diameter vs. head length is plotted against SL (Fig. 3). This difference is also apparent when comparing Figures 4 and 5 of a larger vs. a smaller specimen of C. crandellii. An allometric correction on the geometric morphometric data did not significantly change the results, so only the standard PCA is presented.
Fig. 3Plot of the ratio of orbital diameter to head length versus standard length for all measured specimens of fast-water Characidium of the Guiana Shield showing allometry in eye size.
Fig. 4Dorsal, lateral, and ventral views of Characidium crandellii in life, potential nuptial male, AUM 67142, 106.9 mm SL; Ireng River population. Photos by N. K. Lujan.
Fig. 5Dorsal and lateral views of Characidium crandellii in life, common coloration, AUM 62874, 57.0 mm SL; Kuribrong River population. Photos by J. W. Armbruster.
Characidium crandellii Steindachner, 1915
Figures 1B, 4–6
- Characidium crandellii Steindachner 1915: 32, Rio Miang, tributary Cotingo, Tacutu; Boa Vista, Rio Branco, Brazil.
- Specimens examined.--Brazil: syntypes: NMW 62673, 5 (2gm), 69260, 2 (1gm), Amazon River basin, Rio Miang, tributary Cotingo, Tacutu; Boa Vista, Rio Branco, Brazil.
- Guyana: AUM 28034, 3 (0mo/me, 3 gm), 26.8–33.3 mm SL, Potaro-Siparuni, Essequibo River basin, Potaro River, Tumatumari cataract, S bank below old hydroelectric plant, 5.36333, –59.00111; AUM 28139, 1 (0), 24.4 mm SL, Potaro-Siparuni, Essequibo River basin, Potaro River, Waratuk cataract, 5.25889, –59.40028; AUM 28184, 1 (1mo/me, 1gm), 37.1 mm SL, Potaro-Siparuni, Essequibo River basin, Potaro River and tributaries, at Tukeit cataract, 4.99889, –59.53889; AUM 35582, 7 (2mo, 1me), 26.4–29.1 mm SL, Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region 7), Mazaruni River basin, Whitewater Creek 6.8 km SW Bartica, 6.378, –58.67374; AUM 36957, 12 (1mo/me, 8gm), 25.1–45.2 mm SL, Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region 10), Essequibo River basin, Essequibo River at Kurukupari, E bank, 4.66149, –58.67519; AUM 36958, 7 (0) 20.0–23.6 mm SL, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region 9), Amazon River basin, Pirara River, tributary of the Ireng River, 3.5 km NNW Pirara, 3.6487, –59.68897; AUM 36959, 1 (1mo/me, 1gm), 34.6 mm SL, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region 9), Amazon River basin, Moco-Moco River at Moco-Moco Hydro Power Station 18.8 km SE Lethem, 3.29672, –59.64466; AUM 36960, 5 (2mo/me, 2gm), 47.4–48.6 mm SL, Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region 10), Essequibo River basin, Essequibo River at Kurukupari, E bank, 4.66149, –58.67519; AUM 45273, 1 (0), 30.0 mm SL, Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), Essequibo River basin, Essequibo River, side channel in rapids, 4.4215, –58.48623; AUM 45348, 1 (0), 23.7 mm SL, Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), Essequibo River basin, Essequibo River, side channel in rapids, 4.4215, –58.48623; AUM 45371, 4 (0mo/me, 4gm), 23.8–27.0 mm SL, Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), Essequibo River basin, Essequibo River, side channel in rapids, 4.4215, –58.48623; AUM 62834, 1 (0), Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), Essequibo River basin, Kuribrong River, in rapids at Grass Shoals, 5.40791, –59.53179; AUM 62874, 7 (0mo, 4me, 4gm), 37.2–43.8 mm SL, Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), Essequibo River basin, Kuribrong River, at Ram Sheep Rapids, 5.44236, –59.50201; AUM 62889, 1 (0), Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), Essequibo River basin, Grass Falls Creek [Kiwikparu Creek], just upstream from mouth of Kuribrong River, 5.4065, –59.53361; AUM 62898, 76 (8mo, 6me, 24gm, 6cs), 41.7–56.5 mm SL, Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), Essequibo River basin, Grass Falls Creek [Kiwikparu Creek], near top of falls, 5.40532, –59.5439; AUM 63165, 2 (0), 23.1–24.3 mm SL, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region 9), Amazon River basin, Ireng River, 6.9 km WSW Karasabai, 4.01957, –59.6017; AUM 67037, 3 (2mo, 3me, 3gm, 1cs), 47.4–72.5 mm SL, Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), Amazon River basin, Ireng River, at Orinduik Falls, between upper and lower falls, 4.72536, –60.03852, 2 January 2016; AUM 67142, 1 (1mo, 1me, 1gm), 106.9 mm SL, Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), Amazon River basin, Ireng River, shoals at mouth of Monkey Creek, Kaibarupai, 5.04398, –59.97717, 9 January 2016; ROM 91332, 3 (0), Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), Essequibo River basin, Sheetrock Creek at crossing of Wailang-Powis tractor trail, 5.47473, –59.43770; ROM 91410, 1 (0), Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), Essequibo River basin, Mikobe Creek approximately 0.5 km upstream from mouth, at rapids beyond first rapid blocking upstream boat movement, 5.41396, –59.47025, October 201; ROM 110044, 2 (0), Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), Essequibo River basin, Sheetrock Creek at crossing of road between Wailang and Mona Falls, 5.47494, –59.43769; ROM 101902, 1 (0), Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region 7), Mazaruni River basin, no common locality given, 6.13585, –60.0745.
- Venezuela: AUM 39466, 1 (1mo, 1me, 1gm), 49.4 mm SL, Amazonas, Orinoco River basin, Río Ventuari, above Salto Tencua, 58 km ESE of San Juan de Manapiare, 5.04777, –65.61583; AMNH 91171, 21 (0mo/me, 10gm), Bolivar, Orinoco River basin, Río Carapo, at third rapids above camp along left bank, 5.71333, –63.53333 (coordinates per Armbruster and Taphorn, 2013).
- Diagnosis.--Characidium crandellii can be distinguished from all crenuchids except C. declivirostre, C. duplicatum, new species, and C. wangyapoik, new species, by having the venter without scales from the isthmus to the pelvic girdle (vs. maximally to pectoral-fin insertion) and from most species of Characidium by having a very large pectoral fin with the first four unbranched pectoral-fin rays thickened, and the first pectoral-fin ray bent at an oblique angle (vs. pectoral-fin rays not thickened and first ray either straight or slightly convex). Characidium crandellii can be distinguished from C. declivirostre, C. duplicatum, new species, and C. wangyapoik, new species, by having the dorsal fin strongly falcate or concave (vs. largely rectangular with slightly convex edge); dorsal fin with a terminal hyaline band followed by a wide, dark band approximately 25% or greater the width of the fin, another wide hyaline band ∼50% of the width of the fin, and a basal, dark band with all dark colors present on rays and membranes (vs. two or more thin dark bands much less than 25% of fin width, spots forming bands present only on fin rays); by having the pectoral fin either uniformly dark or with a lighter middle (vs. having spots forming two or more bands), by having the adipose fin inserted directly above insertion of the posteriormost anal-fin ray or slightly behind (vs. over the middle of the anal-fin base), by having 12 circumpeduncular scales (vs. 10), having dentary and premaxillary teeth wide and tri- to pentacuspid (central cusp longest; vs. teeth narrow and peg-like, and maximally tricuspid with only the central cusp well developed), by many teeth (.5) in the posterior dentary row (vs. usually zero but up to two total); and by an anal–apex length/SL ratio of 89.4–94.0 (vs. 93.9–100.3); from C. declivirostre and C. wangyapoik, new species, by having four branched pectoral-fin rays (vs. 3) and a preanal length/SL ratio of 72.9–76.6 (vs. 76.9–82.3); and from C. duplicatum, new species, by having one anterior branched pelvic-fin ray and ray count of i,6,i (vs. two, and ray count of ii,5,i). In addition, infraorbitals 3–4 are reduced to just ossification around the infraorbital canal in C. crandellii, while there is some laminar bone dorsal and ventral to the canal in C. declivirostre, C. duplicatum, new species, and C. wangyapoik, new species.
- Description.--Measurements (Table 1) and meristics (reported below) based on 20 specimens. Dorsal profile of body convex arc from tip of snout to posterior end of dorsal fin (highest point of arc at dorsal-fin origin); body then relatively straight and angled ventrally to adipose fin, then shallowly concave to caudal fin. Ventral profile straight to anal fin, then concave arc to caudal fin. Body depth greatest at dorsal-fin origin and least at middle of caudal peduncle. Body oval in cross section anteriorly with ventral surface flattened and oval with dorsal and ventral surfaces somewhat flattened on caudal peduncle. Eye diameter 45.8–97.3% snout length, decreasing with SL (Fig. 3); oval, angled with anterior vertex ventral to posterior vertex; dorsal rim of orbit slightly higher than interorbital surface. Snout broadly rounded. Gill membranes united across isthmus. Tubercles absent.
- Scales cycloid, mostly smooth, some with numerous (∼20–30) weak, parallel striae. Lateral line complete with anterior segments within each scale occupying approximately one-third length of each scale and pores visible laterally, vs. posterior segments occupying less than one-quarter length of each scale and pores covered by previous scale; 30 (2), 31 (3), 32 (8), 33 (6), or 36 (1) lateral-line scales; lateral-line scales distinctly smaller anteriorly; naked area located between anterior lateral-line scales and pectoral-fin base; lateral line continues onto scales covering caudal base. 4 (12) or 5 (8) scales above lateral line, 1 (2) or 2 (18) scales below lateral line, 12 circumpeduncular scales. Scales covering anterior 20% of caudal fin. 8 (2), 9 (6), 10 (9), or 11 (3) predorsal scales. Venter unscaled on isthmus and posteriorly to about 2 scales before pelvic-fin origin.
- Dorsal fin with 2 unbranched and 8 (9) or 9 (11) branched rays (ii,8–9); first unbranched ray about half length of second; first branched ray longest with shortest ray in middle making fin falcate. Pectoral fin with 4 unbranched and 11 (11) or 12 (9) branched rays (iv,11–12); unbranched rays and first unbranched ray with thick pads of tissue anteriorly; first unbranched ray strongly bent in middle to form oblique angle; first branched ray longest and last shortest; pectoral fin oriented obliquely on body with insertion of posteriormost fin ray located posterodorsally to origin. Pelvic fin with 1 leading unbranched ray, 6 branched rays, and 1 posterior unbranched ray (i,6,i); first branched ray longest; 2 or 3 pelvic axillary scales present with complex covering about half of pelvic-fin base. Anal fin with 2 unbranched rays and 5 (4) or 6 (16) branched rays (ii,5–6); first unbranched ray approximately one-third length of second, closely adhered; fin falcate with first unbranched ray longest and last shortest. Caudal fin with 1 unbranched and 9 (17) or 10 (3) branched rays in upper lobe and 7 (6), 8 (12), or 9 (2) branched and 1 unbranched ray in lower lobe (i,9–10,7–9,i); forked with upper and lower lobes equal. Adipose fin present with base centered on vertical over last ray of anal fin. Rays of paired, dorsal, and anal fins with thick flaps of skin dorsally (paired fins) and laterally (dorsal and anal fins) that overlap successive rays in folded fin; flaps widest and longest anteriorly, decreasing in size and width posteriorly and usually absent on posterior rays.
- Teeth tri- to pentacuspid, wide with edges sharp. 5 (3), 6 (6), 7 (8), or 8 (3) premaxillary teeth. 5 (1), 6 (1), 7 (4), 8 (3), 9 (5), 10 (2), 11 (2), or 12 (2) teeth in outer dentary row. Inner dentary row made up of many small, unicuspid teeth. Ectopterygoid with 2 rows of approximately 8–10 minute teeth per row.
- Branchiostegal rays 4; 1 ray attached to posterior ceratohyal; 3 rays attached to anterior ceratohyal. Gill rakers 3–5 on dorsal limb, 1 on angle, 7–8 on ventral limb of anterior branchial arch. One supraorbital present; moderately crescent shaped with ventral edge almost straight; from dorsal midpoint of orbit to dorsal ∼1/4–1/3 anterior scleral ossicle; one individual had the posterior portion of each supraorbital present as three separate ossifications in addition to main anterior ossification. All elements of infraorbital series, except infraorbital 1, without laminar component; infraorbitals 3–4 no more than ossification around canal. Parietal branch of supraorbital sensory canal extending to middle or about 3/4 of parietal. Parietal fontanel variable from tiny triangle at posterior borders of parietals to narrow opening at posterior borders of parietals that widens in posterior ∼1/3 of parietals then narrows to contact with frontals. Frontal foramina above supraorbital canal 4, wide, circular.
- Total number of vertebrae 35 (2), 36 (2), 37 (2). Vertebral centra 2+3 fused, without ventral processes. Rib of centrum 4 distally expanded, extending anteriorly toward lateral process of centrum 2. Posterior chamber of swim bladder absent. Supraneurals between neural spine of fourth centrum and anterior dorsal-fin pterygiophore 4 (4), 5 (1). Epurals 2. Uroneural present, about 60% as long as urostyle.
- Coloration in life.--(Figs. 4, 5) Background color generally light tan on body to yellow on fins occasionally with some green iridescence. Background color of largest specimen (AUM 67142) golden with gold filling lighter areas of fins and gold present on ventral surface (although lighter) from anterior of the pelvic fins to caudal peduncle. Dark midlateral stripe generally present from opercle to caudal fin; scales within stripe darkest in their centers making stripe appear to be made out of chevrons with distal portions of some of these chevrons bleeding into scales above and below (darker above than below); stripe widens to large spot on caudal peduncle. About seven dorsal saddles present, first two in nuchal area, third below anterior portion of dorsal fin, fourth and fifth in interdorsal area, and sixth and seventh between adipose and caudal fin. Scales in lighter areas between saddles have posterior halves dark with darker colors dorsally. Irregular blotches present below lateral stripe and often contiguous with dorsal saddles. Light areas of body rich tan above midlateral stripe and pale yellow below; tan above stripe fades to pale yellow posteriorly. Head with mottled dark patch above roof of cranium, dark line behind the eye, dark line leading from near snout tip to posterior of eye, mottling dorsally on the snout with pale yellow spot located anterodorsally to eye, and lighter areas of the cheek and opercle speckled with melanophores. All fins gray at distal margins and yellow proximally; gray and yellow portions bleed into one another along fin rays. Membranes and some parts of rays between gray and yellow regions dark; most intense dark marks on dorsal fin, ventral portion of caudal fin, and at bases of pectoral and adipose fins. Unbranched pectoral and pelvic rays (and less so following branched rays) with darkest colors centrally along rays and increasing distally, with anterior margins gray and posterior margins yellow. Ventrally, colors more muted; thickened, unbranched and anterior branched rays of pectoral and pelvic fins light gray. Dark areas located at bases of all fins. Largest specimen (AUM 67142) differs from this general pattern in that light areas golden and dark areas more intense, lateral stripe absent, and iris brick red (vs. reddish but mottled with black).
- Coloration in alcohol.--Similar to color in life, but dark areas more intense and wider and light areas light gray or tan.
- Distribution.--Characidium crandellii has been found mostly in the upper Branco River (Amazon River) basins of Brazil and Guyana and the middle and lower Essequibo River of Guyana (Fig. 6). The type locality is a tributary of the Cotinga River (tributary of the Takutu/Branco) in the vicinity of Boa Vista (Fig. 6). We have examined two collections of the species from the Orinoco River basin. One specimen is from above Tencua Falls (Salto Tencua), the first major barrier to navigation and a major faunal break between the middle and upper Ventuari River (Lujan et al., 2018), and the other collection is from south of Tepuy Guaiquinima in the Paragua/Caroni River basin, also above a series of rapids, including Uraima Falls located just north of the tepui. The Tencua specimen differs from other C. crandellii sensu stricto by having a series of small, vertical spots below the midline and just posterior to the pectoral fin and only the faint remnant of a lateral stripe. The Río Paragua specimens appear more similar to the specimens from the Amazon and Essequibo than to the Tencua specimen.
- Remarks.--One specimen from the Ireng River (AUM 67142; 106.9 mm SL; Fig. 4) is the largest specimen of Characidium ever examined and far larger than any other specimens. Its golden color seems to suggest that it is a nuptial male, but we did not confirm with dissection because the specimen is unique.
Table 1Morphometrics for Characidium crandellii and C. declivirostre (n = 20 each).
Characidium declivirostre Steindachner, 1915
Figures 2A, 7–9
- Characidium declivirostre Steindachner 1915: 31, Río Coquenan, tributary of Río Caroni, Venezuela. Melanocharacidium pectorale (sic).--Conway et al., 2012: figs. 6C, D, H, and J, and other mentions [fin pad description].
- Specimens examined.--Venezuela: AMNH 91168, 1 (0), Bolivar, Orinoco River basin, Río Carapo, at first rapids along right bank, 5.69750, –63.54167 (coordinates per Armbruster and Taphorn, 2013); AMNH 91169, 4 (0), Bolivar, Orinoco River basin, Río Carapo, at third rapids above camp along left bank, 5.71333, –63.53333 (coordinates per Armbruster and Taphorn, 2013); AMNH 91170, 17 (0), Río Paragua, at Gusano Rapids, ca. 1–1.5 hours upriver from Río Carapo mouth, ∼5.5037, –63.5941 (coordinates placed at first large rapids complex upstream of Río Carapo, 1 March 1990; AMNH 232950, 8 (0), Amazonas, Orinoco River basin, Río Cuao at Guacamaya Raudal, 13 km upstream from Raudal del Danto, 5.12861, –67.52556; AMNH 232982, 2 (0), Amazonas, Orinoco River basin, Río Cuao at Raudal Piapoco, 21.5 km upstream from Raudal del Danto, 5.18250, –67.51361; AMNH 233000, 26 (0), Amazonas, Orinoco River basin, Río Cuao, Raudal Cielo, west side of Isla del Cielo, 15 minutes by foot from SAS-01-04 basecamp, 7 March 2001; AMNH 233025, 1 (0), Amazonas, Orinoco River basin, Río Cuao at Raudal Pauji, W side of Isla del Cielo, ca. 10 minutes by boat downstream from SAS-01-04 basecamp, 5.14861, –67.53639; AMNH 233084, 14 (0), Amazonas, Orinoco River basin, Caño Pawa ca. 30 minutes by foot upstream from mouth into Río Cuao, ca. 30 minutes downstream from Puerto Nuevo, 5.29194. –67.32889; AUM 22310, 1 (0), Bolivar, Orinoco River basin, Río Chaviripa, at base of falls, ca. 2 km SE Caicara-Puerto Ayacucho Rd., 7.11389, –66.47306; AUM 22318, 1 (0mo/me, 1gm), 34.9 mm SL, Bolivar, Orinoco River basin, Tributary of Río Caripo, ca. 16 km ESE Los Pijiguaos, Caicara-Puerto Ayacucho Rd., 6.57361, –66.93417; AUM 36625, 4 (3mo/me, 4gm), 43.4–50.2 mm SL, Bolivar, Orinoco River basin, Río San Ignacio, km 258, 5.01015, –61.13694; AUM 36638, 8 (3mo/3me, 4gm), 37.0–56.2 mm SL, Bolivar, Orinoco River basin, tributary to Río Yuruani, km 255, 5.01888, –61.11447; AUM 36660, 2 (0), 41.7–45.7 mm SL, Bolivar, Orinoco River basin, Río Samey, 57.5 km WSW of Santa Elena, 6 km S. of El Piaje, on foot path, 4.42296, –61.59586; AUM 36674, 7 (2mo/me, 7gm), 33.0–47.5 mm SL, Bolivar, Orinoco River basin, Río Mapuari, km 268, 38 km N of Santa Elena, 4.94401, –61.12099; AUM 37137, 2 (0), 29.6–32.7 mm SL, Bolivar, Orinoco River basin, Río Paragua, 66.9 km SSW of La Paragua, at Uraima Falls, 6.30117, –63.62427; AUM 39296, 5 (0), 19.1–20.5 mm SL, Amazonas, Orinoco River basin, Río Manapiare, 14.5 km NW of San Juan de Manapiare, 5.42863, –66.13616; AUM 39468, 2 (0mo/me, 2gm), 34.5–36.3 mm SL, Amazonas, Orinoco River basin, Río Ventuari, above Salto Tencua, 58 km ESE of San Juan de Manapiare, 5.04777, –65.61583; AUM 39539, 1 (0mo/me, 1gm), 38.6 mm SL, Amazonas, Orinoco River basin, Río Ventuari, at Raudales Tencua, 56 km ESE of San Juan de Manapiare, 5.04968, –65.62722; AUM 39601, 1 (0), Amazonas, Orinoco River basin, Río Manapiare, 17 km NW of San Juan de Manapiare, 5.44198, –66.1507; AUM 40191, 44 (6mo/me, 20gm, 4cs), 18.4–57.2 mm SL, Amazonas, Orinoco River basin, tributary to Orinoco, 30 km S of Puerto Ayacucho, 5.38659, –67.61556; AUM 43381, 3 (0mo/me, 1gm), 58.4 mm SL, Amazonas, Orinoco River basin, Río Iguapo, 12.6 km ENE of La Esmeralda, 3.19988, –65.43582, 7 March 2005; AUM 43461, 1 (0), Amazonas, Orinoco River basin, Río Casiquiare, bedrock in stream, 73 km NE of San Carlos de Río Negro, 2.35258, –66.57521; AUM 43497, 6 (0), Amazonas, Amazon River basin, Río Siapa, raudales, 154 km E of San Carlos de Río Negro, 1.60339, –65.71587; AUM 43519, 1 (1mo/me, 1gm), 58.7 mm SL, Amazonas, Amazon River basin, Caño Aracamoní, 156 km ESE of San Carlos de Río Negro, 1.55669, –65.72533; AUM 43924, 11 (0), Amazonas, Orinoco River basin, Río Iguapo, 12.8 km ENE of Esmeralda, 3.19544, –65.43908; AUM 43943, 1 (0), Amazonas, Orinoco River basin, Caño Tama Tama, 31 km WNW of Esmeralda, 3.21294, –65.82502; AUM 44072, 1 (0), Amazonas, Orinoco River basin, Río Orinoco, Punto de Maraya, 80.8 km E of San Fernando de Atabapo, Isla Maraya, 4.02303, –66.97189; AUM 53418, 1 (0mo/me, 1gm), 53.9 mm SL, Amazonas, Orinoco River basin, Cano Pasa, 98 km S of the Puerto Ayacucho airport, 5.06119, –67.77957; AUM 54195, 1 (0), Amazonas, Orinoco River basin, Río Cataniapo, at Gavilan community, 5.54902, –67.38808; AUM 54207, 26 (0), Amazonas, Orinoco River basin, Río Cataniapo, at Sardi community, 5.53375, –67.37395; AUM 56680, 27 (5mo/me, 11gm, 2cs), 50.5–55.5 mm SL, Amazonas, Orinoco River basin, Río Cuao, at Raudales Danto, 69.3 km S of Puerto Ayacucho, 5.04409, –67.56045; AUM 56762, 2 (0), Amazonas, Orinoco River basin, Caño Soromoni, 11.8 km WNW of La Esmeralda, 3.1938, –65.65197; NMW 62442, 4 (3gm), syntypes, Orinoco River basin, Río Coquenan, tributary of Río Caroni.
- Diagnosis.--Characidium declivirostre can be distinguished from all crenuchids except C. crandellii, C. duplicatum, new species, and C. wangyapoik, new species, by having venter without scales from isthmus to pelvic girdle (vs. maximally to insertion of posteriormost pectoral-fin ray) and from most species of Characidium by having a very large pectoral fin with first three, unbranched pectoral-fin rays thickened, and first pectoral-fin ray bent at an oblique angle (vs. pectoral-fin rays not thickened and first ray either straight or slightly curved). Characidium declivirostre differs from C. crandellii and C. duplicatum, new species, by having three unbranched pectoral rays (vs. four); from C. crandellii by having ten circumpeduncular scales (vs. 12), by having two or more thin dark bands consisting of spots on rays in the dorsal and pectoral fins (vs. a median wide dark band with pigment concentrated on membranes in the dorsal fin and the pectoral fin either entirely dark or dark with a lighter middle), by having an almost square dorsal fin with slightly concave distal edge (vs. falcate), by having the adipose fin above the middle of the anal-fin base (vs. anterior edge of the adipose fin above or behind a vertical through the insertion of the posterior most anal-fin ray), by having dentary and premaxillary teeth narrow and peg-like, and maximally tricuspid with only the central cusp well developed (vs. wide and tri- to pentacuspid, central cusp longest), by having zero to two (total) teeth in the second dentary row (vs. 8 or more), by a preanal length/SL ratio of 76.9–80.6% (vs. 72.9–76.6%), and an anal–apex length/SL ratio of 93.9–97.8% (vs. 89.4–94.0%); from C. duplicatum, new species, by having one leading unbranched pelvic ray (vs. two); and from C. wangyapoik, new species, by having the ventral portion of the flanks with less than ten almost square blotches (vs. 10 or more narrow bars), by having lateral-line canals at least 33% of scale length and pores not covered by preceding scales (vs. lateral-line canals very short in scale, less than 25%, and pores covered by preceding scales).
- Description.--Measurements (Table 1) and meristics (reported below) based on 20 specimens. Dorsal profile of body forms convex arc from tip of snout to adipose fin (slight change in conformation at insertion of posteriormost dorsal-fin ray) then concave arc to caudal fin. Ventral profile straight to anal fin, then concave arc to caudal fin. Body depth greatest at dorsal-fin origin and least at middle of caudal peduncle. Body oval in cross section anteriorly (flattened ventrally) and oval with dorsal and ventral surfaces somewhat flattened on caudal peduncle. Eye 57.6–78.8% snout length, decreasing in size with SL (Fig. 3), oval, angled with anterior vertex ventral to posterior vertex; dorsal rim of orbit slightly higher than interorbital surface. Snout pointed. Gill membranes united across isthmus. Tubercles present in both sexes, distributed dorsally on head and anterodorsal scales.
- Scales cycloid, generally flat with about 6 striae in first postdorsal scale. Lateral line complete with canal in scales running approximately 33% of scales and pores visible laterally just posterior to previous scales; 30 (1), 31 (13), 32 (3), 33 (2), or 35 (1) lateral-line scales; lateral-line scales distinctly smaller anteriorly; naked area between anterior lateral-line scales and pectoral-fin base; lateral line continues onto scales covering caudal base. 3 (3) or 4 (17) scales above lateral line and 2 scales below lateral line, 10 circumpeduncular scales. Scales covering anterior 20% of caudal fin. 8 (10), 9 (9), or 10 (1) predorsal scales. Venter unscaled on isthmus and posteriorly to about two to three scales anterior to pelvic-fin origin.
- Dorsal fin with 2 unbranched and 9 branched rays (ii,9); first unbranched ray about one-half length of second, closely adhered; first branched ray longest and last shortest; fin roughly rectangular. Pectoral fin with 3 unbranched and 9 (1), 10 (17), or 11 (2) branched rays (iii,9–11); unbranched rays and first branched ray with thick pads of tissue anteriorly; first unbranched ray forming curve; first branched ray longest and last shortest; pectoral fin oriented obliquely on body with insertion of posteriormost ray located posterodorsally to origin. Pelvic fin with 1 leading unbranched ray, 6 branched rays, and 1 posterior unbranched ray (i,6,i); first branched ray longest; 2 to 3 pelvic axillary scales present with complex covering approximately half of pelvic-fin base. Anal fin with 2 unbranched rays and 5 (15) or 6 (5) branched rays (ii,5–6); first unbranched ray approximately one-third length of second, closely adhered; fin margin almost straight with second unbranched or first branched ray longest; anal fin fits into space made available by steep, concave profile of venter starting at anal-fin origin. Caudal fin with 1 unbranched and 9 branched rays in upper lobe and 7 (1) or 8 (19) branched and one unbranched ray in lower lobe (i,9,7–8,i); forked with upper and lower lobes coequal. Adipose fin present with base centered on vertical through middle of anal-fin base. Rays of paired, dorsal, and anal fins with thick flaps of skin dorsally (paired fins) and laterally (dorsal and anal fins) that overlap successive rays of adpressed fin; flaps widest and longest anteriorly, decreasing in size and width posteriorly and often absent on middle and posterior rays.
- Teeth tricuspid, narrow and peg-like with median cusp round and lateral cusps poorly developed. 5 (1), 6 (9), 7 (3), 8 (4), 9 (2), or 10 (1) premaxillary teeth. 6 (2), 7 (1), 8 (6), 9 (3), 10 (3), 11 (1), or 12 (4) teeth in outer dentary row. Inner dentary row made up of many small, unicuspid teeth; teeth may be absent or not readily visible in smaller specimens. Ectopterygoid usually with 2 rows of approximately 10 (lateral) and 5–10 (medial) minute teeth, some specimens having only lateral row.
- Branchiostegal rays 4, 1 attached to posterior ceratohyal, 3 attached to anterior ceratohyal. Gill rakers 1–3 on dorsal limb, 1 on angle, 6–7 on ventral limb of anterior branchial arch. 1 supraorbital present; crescent shaped; from dorsal midpoint of orbit to dorsal 1/3 of anterior scleral ossicle. All elements of infraorbital series, except infraorbital 1, without laminar component. Parietal branch of supraorbital sensory canal extending to middle of parietal. Parietal fontanel reduced to tiny triangle at posterior borders of parietals. Frontal foramina above supraorbital canal 3 wide, circular.
- Total number of vertebrae 33 (1), 34 (1), 35 (2), 36 (2). Vertebral centra 2–4 fused, without ventral processes. Rib of centrum 4 distally expanded, extending anteriorly toward lateral process of centrum 2. Posterior chamber of swim bladder extremely reduced, about length of one vertebral centrum. Supraneurals between neural spine of fourth centrum and anterior dorsal-fin pterygiophore 4 (3), 5 (3). Epurals 2 (1), 3 (5). Uroneural present, about 50% as long as urostyle.
- Coloration in life.--(Fig. 7) Base color tan with very slight yellow tinge (particularly on head and fins). Dorsal surface with six saddles considerably darker than light intervening regions (light regions from head to dorsal fin have spots centrally [dorsoventrally] and distally [anteroposteriorly] located on scales); first dorsal saddle located on nape, second anterior to dorsal-fin origin, third directly under dorsal fin, fourth in interdorsal region, fifth posterior to adipose-fin base, and sixth at end of caudal peduncle and continuing on to scales covering base of caudal fin. Faint lateral stripe made of spotted scales present along lateral line (spots always located along center lines, but may be posterior on scale (anterior body), central on scales (middle body), or anterior on scales (posterior body); lateral stripe covers lateral-line scales and one row above. Approximately 8 roughly square blotches located below lateral line (usually 2–2.5 scale rows wide, but some blotches smaller, particularly in smaller specimens). These blotches terminate in lateral stripe. Faint, iridescent yellow-green area noticeable above pectoral-fin base.
- Head mottled with dark patches on tan to yellow background. Dark patch located on center of opercle, patch fading anteriorly; posterodorsal corner of opercle tan. Large, diffuse, dark blotches present below and behind eye. Wide stripe present from eye to snout. Dark bands present between orbits and down snout. Amount of melanin on head variable, some individuals with large light gray to yellow patches and some almost entirely dark gray.
- Dorsal fin with alternating dark and light bands; bands better developed anteriorly. Distal band dark, pigment concentrated on rays. Second band gray (membranes) and tan (rays). Third band black, pigment concentrated on membranes. Fourth band wide gray (membranes) and tan (rays) band. Fifth (most proximal) band black, band covering rays and membranes. Pectoral fin with yellow to gray base color with dark spots centered on rays in two to three distal and one basal band; bands irregular; some spots bleeding onto membranes; ventrally, pectoral-fin colors more diffuse, generally gray with fleshy pads of unbranched and first branched rays almost white. Pelvic fin colored similarly to pectoral with single median band including melanophores on interradial membranes, and diffuse dark band at base of fin. Anal fin as pelvic fin, but no basal band, and band much wider anteriorly. Adipose fin yellow to gray proximally and dark distally with dark color confluent with saddle below it. Base color of caudal fin dark with pigment particularly concentrated at branching points of lepidotrichia; 2 yellow spots present at base (just above and below midline); dorsal and ventral spots may bleed into one another across center; rest of fin with large yellow blotches.
- Coloration in alcohol.--(Fig. 8) As in life but yellows and grays change to tan to light brown, spots on scales less distinct and numerous, and iridescence absent. Juveniles colored similarly to adults, but may have more and narrower ventral blotches, generally lighter in color overall. Some populations considerably lighter with greater contrast between light and dark areas, narrower bands, and smaller spots on fins.
- Distribution.--(Fig. 9) Characidium declivirostre is known from throughout the Orinoco River basin and the upper Negro River basin. The type locality is the Río Coquenán (also spelled Kukenan), a tributary of the upper Caroni River in Venezuela, We collected and examined material from near this locality (AUM 37137). Its range likely also includes left-bank clear or blackwater tributaries of the Orinoco River in Colombia and rivers draining the southern slope of the western Guiana Shield in Brazil. Our collections of this species were mostly from bedrock shoals in medium to large-sized streams.
- Remarks.--In their investigation of the microanatomy of paired-fin pads in ostariophysan fishes, Conway et al. (2012: figs. 6C, D, H, and J) described the pectoral- and pelvic-fin pads of this species (AUM 40191, misidentified therein as Melanocharacidium pectorale). The pads were described as Type I pads where the epidermis is thickened without contribution from the subepidermal layers. They found the epidermis to be thicker ventrally than dorsally (60 vs. 30 µm), the subdermal layer thicker dorsally than ventrally (30 vs. 10 µm), keratinized unculi present on the ventral surfaces of the fin-ray pads, and alarm substance cells and mucocytes present and common on dorsal and ventral surfaces except the ventral surfaces of the pads.
Fig. 9Distributions of Characidium declivirostre, C. duplicatum, new species, and C. wangyapoik, new species. Type localities indicated by T's (approximated for C. declivirostre).
Fig. 8Dorsal, lateral, and ventral views of a specimen of Characidium declivirostre from the same stream as the type locality, AUM 36625, 50.1 mm SL. Scale = 1 cm. Photos by J. W. Armbruster.
Characidium duplicatum, new species
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:11B1C6B7-9273-4C91-959A31FDF3C0797B
Figure 10
- Leptocharacidium sp.--Hardman et al., 2002: 235 [locality record].
- Holotype.--CSBD F-3614 (ex AUM 62835), 1 (1mo/me, 1gm), 39.4 mm SL, Guyana, Region 8 (Potaro-Siparuni), Potaro-Essequibo River basin, Kuribrong River, in rapids at Grass Shoals, 05.40791, –059.53179, J. W. Armbruster, D. C. Werneke, E. A. Liverpool, D. P. Fernandes, D. C. Taphorn, 12 March 2014.
- Paratypes.--Guyana: AUM 28124, 1 (1mo/me), 25.2 mm SL, Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), Essequibo River basin, Potaro River, Amatuk cataract and beach just below cataract, 5.30389, –59.31111, L. M. Page, J. W. Armbruster, M. H. Sabaj, M. Hardman, J. H. Knouft, W. S. Prince, 25 October 1998; AUM 28135, 5 (5mo/me, 5gm, 1cs), 19.6–22.6 mm SL, Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), Essequibo River basin, Potaro River, Waratuk cataract, 5.25889, –59.40028, L. M. Page, J. W. Armbruster, M. H. Sabaj, M. Hardman, J. H. Knouft, W. S. Prince, 26 October 1998; AUM 62835, 1 (1mo/me, 1gm), 38.9 mm SL, Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), Essequibo River basin, Kuribrong River, in rapids at Grass Shoals, 5.40791, –59.53179, J. W. Armbruster, D. C. Werneke, E. A. Liverpool, D. P. Fernandes, D. C. Taphorn, 12 March 2014; AUM 72308, 1 (0mo, 1me, 1gm), 29.9 mm SL, Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), Essequibo River basin, Kuribrong River, at Ram Sheep Rapids, 5.44236, –59.50201, D. C. Taphorn, J. W. Armbruster, D. C. Werneke, E. A. Liverpool, D. P. Fernandes, M. Benjamin, 13 March 2014; ROM 61496, 13 (5mo/me, 7gm), 19.5–28.9 mm SL, Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), Essequibo River basin, Potaro River, Amatuk Falls, side channel of Potaro River near portage, 5.30421, –59.31051, E. Holm, 2 October 1990; ROM 110060, 1 (1mo/me, 1 gm), 36.2 mm SL, Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), Essequibo River basin, Sheetrock Creek at crossing of road between Wailang and Mona Falls, 5.47494, –59.43769, N. K. Lujan, E. Liverpool, D. Gordon, M. Benjamen, L. Ziccardi, O. Williams, 29 April 2013.
- Other specimens examined.--Guyana: AUM 38991, 1 (1mo/me, 1gm), 25.2 mm SL, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region 9), Essequibo River basin, Essequibo River at Kassi-Attae Rapids, 5.5 km SE mouth of Kuyuwini River, 2.22654, –58.29379, J. W. Armbruster, M. H. Sabaj, M. Hardman, D. Arjoon, N. K. Lujan, L. S. de Souza, 10 November 2003; AUM 39024, 7 (6mo, 7me, 6gm, 1cs), 25.0–30.0 mm SL, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region 9), Essequibo River basin, Essequibo River at Yukanopito Falls, 44.5 km SW mouth of Kuyuwini River, 1.91461, –58.52046, J. W. Armbruster, M. H. Sabaj, M. Hardman, D. Arjoon, N. K. Lujan, L. S. de Souza, 9 November 2003.
- Diagnosis.--Characidium duplicatum can be distinguished from all other crenuchids except Leptocharacidium by having two anterior unbranched pelvic rays, and from all crenuchids except C. crandellii, C. declivirostre, and C. wangyapoik, new species, by having venter without scales from the isthmus to pelvic girdle (vs. maximally to posteriormost pectoral-fin ray insertion), and from most species of Characidium by having a very large pectoral fin with first four unbranched pectoral-fin rays thickened, and first pectoral-fin ray bent at oblique angle (vs. pectoral-fin rays not thickened and first ray either straight or slightly convex). Characidium duplicatum further differs from C. declivirostre and C. wangyapoik, new species, by having four unbranched pectoral-fin rays (vs. three); from C. crandellii by having nine branched pectoral-fin rays (vs. 10–11); pelvic fin ii,5,i (vs. i,6,i), by having ten circumpeduncular scales (vs. 12), by having two or more thin dark bands consisting of spots on dorsal- and pectoral-fin rays (vs. a median wide dark band with pigment concentrated on dorsal- and pectoral-fin membranes, membranes either entirely dark or lighter at center), by having an almost square dorsal fin with slightly concave distal margin (vs. falcate), by having adipose fin above middle of anal-fin base (vs. origin of adipose fin above or behind vertical through posteriormost anal-fin ray insertion), by having dentary and premaxillary teeth narrow, peg-like, maximally tricuspid with only central cusp well developed (vs. wide and tri- to pentacuspid, central cusp longest), by having no teeth in the second dentary row (vs. 8 or more), and by an anal–apex length/SL ratio of 94.5–100.0% (vs. 89.4–94.0%). In addition, the anterior border of the pectoral girdle is convex such that it is deepest at the midline in C. duplicatum, while the anterior border is slightly notched (deepest lateral of midline) in C. declivirostre and C. wangyapoik, new species, and deeply notched in C. crandellii.
- Description.--Measurements based on 20 specimens (Table 2); meristics based on 23 specimens. Dorsal profile of body convex arc from tip of snout to posterior end of supraoccipital, then beginning steeper and longer concave arc from supraoccipital to end of dorsal fin (highest point of arc at dorsal-fin origin); body then relatively straight and angled ventrally to end of caudal peduncle. Ventral profile straight to end of pelvic base, rises slightly to anal fin, then concave arc to caudal fin. Body deepest at dorsal-fin origin and shallowest at middle of caudal peduncle. Body oval in cross section anteriorly and oval with dorsal and ventral surfaces somewhat flattened on caudal peduncle. Eye diameter 78.8–118.0% snout length, decreasing in size with SL (Fig. 3), oval, angled with anterior vertex ventral to posterior vertex; dorsal rim of orbit significantly higher than interorbital surface. Snout broadly rounded. Gill membranes united across isthmus, but width of membrane greater in larger specimens. Tubercles absent.
- Scales cycloid with approximately 10 parallel striae in first postdorsal scale. Lateral line complete with canal in most scales occupying approximately 33–50% of scales and pores exposed just posterior to previous scale (some scales with pore at or near posterior end of scale); 28 (1), 29 (10), 30 (3), or 31 (3) lateral-line scales; lateral-line scales distinctly smaller anteriorly; naked area between anterior lateral-line scales and pectoral-fin base; lateral line continues onto scales covering caudal-fin base. 4 scales above lateral line and 1 (3) or 2 (14) scales below lateral line, 10 circumpeduncular scales. Scales covering anterior 20% of caudal fin. 8 (5), 9 (9), 10 (2), or 11 (1) predorsal scales. Venter unscaled on isthmus and posteriorly to approximately 2 scales before pelvic-fin origin.
- Dorsal fin with 2 unbranched and 8 (1), 9 (20) or 10 (2) branched rays (ii,8–10); first unbranched ray slightly less than one-half length of second, closely adhered; first branched ray longest and antepenultimate shortest, making fin slightly concave. Pectoral fin with 4 unbranched and 8 (2), 9 (19), or 10 (2) branched rays (iv,8–10); unbranched rays with thick pads of tissue anteriorly; first unbranched ray strongly curved posteriorly; fourth unbranched ray longest and last branched ray shortest; pectoral fin oriented obliquely on body with posteriormost insertion located dorsal to origin. Pelvic fin with 2 leading unbranched rays, 5 branched rays, and 1 posterior unbranched ray (ii,5,i); second branched ray longest; 2 to 3 pelvic axillary scales present with complex covering ∼half of pelvic-fin base. Anal fin with 2 unbranched rays and 3 (1) or 5 (22) branched rays (ii,3 or 5); first unbranched ray less than 1/3 length of second, closely adhered; fin slightly falcate with second branched ray longest, first unbranched ray considerably shorter, rays then becoming shorter to last; anal fin fits into concavity made by steep, concave margin of ventral profile starting at anal-fin origin. Caudal fin with 1 unbranched and 10 (22) branched rays in upper lobe and 9 (22) branched and 1 unbranched ray in lower lobe (i,10,9,i; one specimen had caudal fin too damaged to count rays); forked with upper and lower lobes equal. Adipose fin present with base centered on vertical over middle of anal-fin base. Rays of paired, dorsal, and anal fins with thick flaps of skin dorsally (paired fins) and laterally (dorsal and anal fins) that overlap successive rays of adpressed fin; flaps widest and longest anteriorly, decreasing in size and width posteriorly, sometimes absent on posterior rays.
- Teeth tricuspid, narrow and peg-like with median cusp round and lateral cusps poorly developed. 5 (3), 6 (14), or 7 (6) premaxillary teeth. 3 (1), 5 (4), 6 (6), 7 (10), 8 (1), or 9 (1) teeth in outer dentary row. No teeth observed on inner dentary row. Ectopterygoid with single row of approximately 10 minute teeth.
- Branchiostegal rays 4; 1 ray attached to posterior ceratohyal; 3 rays attached to anterior ceratohyal. Gill rakers 1–3 on dorsal limb, 1 on angle, 3–5 on ventral limb of anterior branchial arch. One supraorbital present; approximately crescent shaped with ventral side almost straight; from dorsal midpoint of orbit to dorsal ∼1/3 of anterior scleral ossicle. All elements of infraorbital series, except infraorbital 1, without laminar component. Parietal branch of supraorbital sensory canal extending to middle of parietal. Parietal fontanel absent; however, parietals do not meet along midline, perhaps due to small size of cleared and stained specimens. Frontal foramina above supraorbital canal 3 wide, circular.
- Total number of vertebrae 33 (2). Vertebral centra 2–4 fused, without ventral processes. Rib of centrum 4 distally expanded, extending anteriorly toward lateral process of centrum 2. Swim bladder was not examined. Supraneurals between neural spine of fourth centrum and anterior dorsal-fin pterygiophore 4(2). Epurals 3(2). Uroneural present, about 3/4 as long as urostyle.
- Color in life.--(Fig. 10) Body with yellow base color dorsally fading to gray ventrally. Dorsal surface covered with eight dark saddles, first on posterior of head, three between head and dorsal-fin origin (middle band lighter), one under dorsal fin, one between dorsal and adipose fins, one beginning under posterior half of adipose and continuing on caudal peduncle, and one at end of the caudal peduncle. Lighter spaces between saddles with yellow pigment covered by brown dorsally. Lateral stripe faintly visible, formed by scales in stripe with spot of color that leaves anterior edges of scales yellow-gray. Scales with spots covering all except anterior edge of scales present in all regions of body; spots more distinct on caudal peduncle. Several long wide blotches below lateral line with those between posteriormost pectoral-fin ray insertion and anal-fin origin most distinct. Dorsal fin with two distalmost bands formed from spots on rays with interspaces on rays yellow and fin membranes gray; proximal band of dorsal fin similar to others, but anterior end of band with large spot that covers both rays and membranes. Pectoral fin with three bands consisting of spots on branched rays; unbranched rays with central column of black surrounded by gray; interradial membranes gray; large dark spot present above most of pectoral fin and yellow spot present just above pectoral-fin origin; anterior base of pectoral fin to opercle gray with some patches of black melanophores. Pelvic fin colored similar to dorsal fin but with two bands; base of pelvic fin yellow. Anal fin with one medial dark band made of spots centered on rays and bleeding into interradial membranes; rest of anal fin gray. Adipose fin with yellow-gray base and dark tip contiguous with dorsal saddles below. Caudal fin with mostly gray membranes and alternating dark and yellow patches; dark patches longer than yellow patches on central rays and distally on all rays; dorsal- and ventral-most three or four rays with two to three large yellow spots surrounded by black; yellows and blacks fading distally. Head mostly mottled with black and dusky yellow; black interorbital bar present, continuing ventrally along anterior border of eye; large, dark crescent anterior of eye with small connection to interorbital bar; large black spot below eye that widens and fades ventrally; large dark spot on opercle, preopercle, and posterior infraorbitals. Some iridescent green and yellow spots present posterior to eye.
- Color in alcohol.--(Fig. 10) Similar to life except with iridescence absent and grays and yellows converted to tan. Holotype and specimen collected with it (AUM 62835) considerably darker than all other specimens.
- Distribution.--(Fig. 9) Found throughout the Essequibo River basin, but has been rarely encountered during our surveys. Most locations are in the lower Potaro and Kuribrong, but two localities are in the upper Essequibo upstream of the mouth of the Kuyuwini River.
- Remarks.--Because Characidium duplicatum is distributed in both the lower and upper Essequibo with no collections in between, we excluded the upper Essequibo localities from the type series to be more certain that the types contain a single species.
- Although similar to Characidium declivirostre in color pattern, C. duplicatum has extra unbranched pectoral and leading pelvic rays. The fourth unbranched pectoral and second unbranched pelvic rays are more similar in appearance to the first unbranched rays than to other branched rays, suggesting that the extra unbranched fin rays were gained via conversion of anterior branched rays. This is further supported by the fact that the pectoral and pelvic fins have the same total number of rays (usually 13 and 8, respectively) in C. duplicatum and C. declivirostre. The fourth unbranched pectoral ray and second unbranched pelvic rays are also the longest in their respective fins, while the first branched ray is the longest in C. declivirostre and C. wangyapoik, new species. The only other crenuchid with two unbranched pelvic rays is Leptocharacidium omospilus.
- Etymology.--Duplicatum is Latin for double and is a neuter adjective. In reference to the presence of two unbranched anal-fin rays.
Table 2Morphometrics for Characidium duplicatum, new species (n = 20), and C. wangyapoik, new species (n = 21).
Characidium wangyapoik, new species
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:1EBB34BE-431E-4D03-A343-6E8132EE810C
Figures 1A, 11–12
- Characidium n. sp. ‘Ireng'.—Lujan et al., 2020: 1216 [locality information].
- Holotype.--CSBD F-3615 (ex AUM 67118), 1 (1mo/me, 1gm), 72.6 mm SL, Guyana (border with Brazil), Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), Amazon River basin, Ireng River, first shoal upriver from split with Sukwabi Creek, 5.07711, –59.97423, N. K. Lujan, J. W. Armbruster, D. C. Werneke, M. Ram, 8 January 2016.
- Paratypes.--All specimens Guyana (border with Brazil), Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), Amazon River basin, Ireng River basin (known as the Rio Mau in Brazil): ANSP 207526, 3 (1mo/me, 3gm), 42.6–56.8 mm SL, AUM 67036, 26 (5mo/me, 26gm, 4cs), 22.0–59.9 mm SL, CSBD F-3616, 3 (1mo/me, 3gm), 37.7–52.2 mm SL, INPA ICT-059496, 3 (0mo/me, 3gm), 52.6–54.6 mm SL, ROM 111286, 3 (0mo/me, 3gm), 47.7–53.8 mm SL, Ireng River, at Orinduik Falls, between upper and lower falls, 4.72536, –60.03852, D. C. Werneke, J. W. Armbruster, N. K. Lujan, M. Ram, 2 January 2016; AUM 67046, 16 (0), 17.8–46.4 mm SL, Ireng River, below lower Orinduik Falls, 4.71898, –60.03507, N. K. Lujan, J. W. Armbruster, D. C. Werneke, M. Ram, 3 January 2016; AUM 67068, 18 (0), 25.2–43.5 mm SL, Ireng River, at Branana Rapids, shoals downstream of Orinduik Falls, 4.67585, –60.06046, D. C. Werneke, J. W. Armbruster, D. I. Brooks, M. Ram, 4 January 2016; AUM 67076, 4 (0), 36.0–40.4 mm SL, Ireng River, at Orinduik Falls, between upper and lower falls, 4.72536, –60.03852, D. C. Werneke, J. W. Armbruster, D. I. Brooks, M. Ram, N. K. Lujan, 4 January 2016; AUM 67077, 20 (0mo/me, 13gm), 31.8–51.9 mm SL, Ireng River, at Orinduik Falls, around halfway between upper and lower falls, 4.72176, –60.03703, D. C. Werneke, J. W. Armbruster, D. I. Brooks, M. Ram, N. K. Lujan, 4 January 2016; AUM 67094, 1 (0), 30.2 mm SL, Ireng River, just above Orinduik Falls, 4.72798, –60.03597, N. K. Lujan, J. W. Armbruster, D. C. Werneke, D. I. Brooks, M. Ram, 5 January 2016; AUM 67118, 14 (4mo/me, 7gm, 2cs), 49.4–76.1 mm SL, INPA ICT-059497, 2 (1mo/me, 2gm), 60.6–62.6 mm SL, first shoal upriver from split with Sukwabi Creek, 5.07711, –59.97423, N. K. Lujan, J. W. Armbruster, D. C. Werneke, M. Ram, 8 January 2016; AUM 67143, 6 (0mo/me, 6gm), 44.8–67.7 mm SL, Ireng River, shoals at mouth of Monkey Creek, Kaibarupai, 5.04398, –59.97717, N. K. Lujan, J. W. Armbruster, D. C. Werneke, 9 January 2016; AUM 67181, 9 (3mo/me, 9gm), 49.1–68.8 mm SL, ROM 111287, 2 (2mo/me, 2gm), 60.6–61.3 mm SL, Ireng River, shoals at mouth of Monkey Creek, Kaibarupai, 5.04398, –59.97717, J. W. Armbruster, N. K. Lujan, D. I. Brooks, 12 January 2016; AUM 67189, 2 (0mo/me, 2gm), Sukwabi Creek, East Fork, downstream of Wotowanda Falls, 5.08867, –59.96952, J. W. Armbruster, N. K. Lujan, D. I. Brooks, D. C. Werneke, P. Peters, R. Daniel, local fishermen, 13 January 2016; AUM 67196, 12 (0mo/me, 11gm), 28.1–67.9 mm SL, Ireng River, downstream of Kaibarupai, 5.02404, –59.97763, D. C. Werneke, J. W. Armbruster, N. K. Lujan, M. Ram, D. I. Brooks, 14 January 2016; AUM 67199, 2 (0), 19.7–23.2 mm SL, Ireng River, at Sand Hill shoals, 4.96554, –59.99411, D. C. Werneke, J. W. Armbruster, N. K. Lujan, M. Ram, D. I. Brooks, 14 January 2016; AUM 67204, 12 (5mo/me), 17.1–72.0 mm SL, Ireng River, at Waipa Landing, 4.93345, –59.99514, D. C. Werneke, J. W. Armbruster, N. K. Lujan, M. Ram, D. I. Brooks, 14 January 2016.
- Diagnosis.--Characidium wangyapoik can be distinguished from all crenuchids except C. crandellii, C. declivirostre, and C. duplicatum by having venter without scales from the isthmus to the pelvic girdle (vs. maximally to pectoral insertion) and from most species of Characidium by having a very large pectoral fin with first three unbranched pectoral-fin rays thickened and first pectoral-fin ray bent at an oblique angle (vs. pectoral-fin rays not thickened and first pectoral-fin ray either straight or slightly convex). Characidium wangyapoik differs from C. crandellii, C. declivirostre, and C. duplicatum by having at least the ventral region of flank with thin bars becoming contiguous across body at larger sizes (vs. ventral area with almost square blotches), having lateral-line canal in most of scales very short (∼25% of scale length), and having canal pores covered by preceding scales (vs. canal at least 33% of scale length and pores not covered by preceding scales); from C. crandellii by having 10 circumpeduncular scales (vs. 12), having two or more thin dark bands consisting of spots on rays in dorsal and pectoral fins (vs. a median wide dark band with pigment concentrated on membranes in dorsal fin and pectoral fin either entirely dark or dark with lighter middle), having an almost square dorsal fin with slightly concave distal margin (vs. falcate), having adipose fin located above middle of anal-fin base (vs. anterior edge of adipose fin at or behind vertical through posteriormost anal-fin insertion), by having dentary and premaxillary teeth narrow, peg-like, and maximally tricuspid with only central cusp well developed (vs. wide and tri- to pentacuspid, central cusp longest), by having zero to two (total) teeth in second dentary row (vs. 8 or more); by a preanal length/SL ratio of 77.4–82.3% (vs. 72.9–76.6%), and anal–apex length/SL ratio of 94.6–100.3% (vs. 89.4–94.0%); from C. declivirostre by having the flanks with 10 or more narrow bars (vs. less than 10 almost square blotches); and from C. duplicatum by having one leading unbranched pelvic ray (vs. two). Characidium wangyapoik is most similar in color to C. amaila from the upper Kuribrong River, but it has bands in the dorsal and pectoral fins (vs. no bands in C. amaila) and the unbranched pectoral-fin rays are greatly thickened (vs. only slightly thickened).
- Description.--Measurements based on 21 specimens (Table 2); meristics based on 20 specimens (reported below). Dorsal profile of body forms convex arc from tip of snout to posterior end of supraoccipital, then becomes steeper and longer convex arc from supraoccipital to end of dorsal fin (highest point of arc at dorsal-fin origin); dorsal profile relatively straight and ventrally angled from dorsal fin to adipose fin, then forming concave arc to caudal fin. Ventral profile straight to anal fin, then forming concave arc to caudal fin. Body depth greatest at dorsal origin and least at middle of caudal peduncle. Body oval in cross section anteriorly (flattened ventrally) and oval with dorsal and ventral surfaces somewhat flattened on caudal peduncle. Eye diameter 52.5–69.0% snout length, decreasing in size with SL (Fig. 3), oval, angled with anterior vertex ventral to posterior vertex; dorsal rim of orbit slightly higher than interorbital surface. Snout broadly rounded. Gill membranes united across isthmus. Tubercles present in both sexes dorsally on head and anterodorsal scales.
- Scales cycloid with most scales having 10–30 short, parallel striae (most on first postdorsal scale). Lateral line complete with canal occupying approximately 1/4 of scale length and pores covered by previous scales; 30 (1), 31 (4), 32 (12), or 33 (3) lateral-line scales; lateral-line scales distinctly smaller anteriorly; naked area between anterior lateral-line scales and pectoral-fin base; lateral line continues onto scales covering caudal base. 4 scales above lateral line and 2 scales below lateral line; 10 circumpeduncular scales. Scales covering anterior 1/5 of caudal fin. 7 (2), 8 (14), or 9 (4) predorsal scales. Venter unscaled on isthmus and posteriorly to 4 to 5 scales anterior to pelvic-fin origin.
- Dorsal fin with 2 unbranched and 8 (1) or 9 (19) branched rays (ii,8–9); first unbranched ray about 1/3 length of second; first unbranched ray longest and last shortest; fin roughly rectangular. Pectoral fin with 3 unbranched and 10 (19) or 11 (1) branched rays (iii,10–11); unbranched rays and first branched ray with thick pads of tissue anteriorly; first unbranched ray strongly curved; first branched ray longest and last shortest; pectoral fin oriented obliquely on body with posteriormost insertion located posterodorsally to origin. Pelvic fin with 1 leading unbranched ray, 6 (19) or 7 (1) branched rays, and 1 posterior unbranched ray (i,6–7,i); first branched ray longest; 2 to 3 pelvic axillary scales present with complex covering ∼half of pelvic-fin base. Anal fin with 2 unbranched rays and 5 branched rays (ii,5); first unbranched ray slightly less than 1/3 length of second, closely adhered; fin margin curved with second unbranched ray longest and last branched ray shortest. Caudal fin with 1 unbranched and 8 (4) or 9 (16) branched rays in upper lobe and 8 (16), or 9 (4) branched and 1 unbranched ray in lower lobe (i,8–9,8–9,i); forked with upper and lower lobes coequal. Adipose fin present with base centered on vertical through middle of anal-fin base. Rays of paired, dorsal, and anal fins with thick flaps of skin dorsally (paired fins) and laterally (dorsal and anal fins) that overlap successive rays in adpressed fins; flaps widest and longest anteriorly, decreasing in size and width posteriorly, flaps usually absent on posterior rays.
- Teeth tricuspid, narrow and peg-like with median cusp round and lateral cusps poorly developed. 6 (4), 7 (12), or 8 (4) premaxillary teeth. 9 (3), 10 (6), 11 (6), 12 (4), or 14 (1) teeth in outer dentary row. Inner dentary row comprising many small, unicuspid teeth; teeth may be poorly visible or absent in smaller specimens. Ectopterygoid with two rows of approximately 10 (lateral) and 5–10 (medial) minute teeth.
- Branchiostegal rays 4; 1 ray attached to posterior ceratohyal; 3 rays attached to anterior ceratohyal. Gill rakers 2–3 on dorsal limb, 1 on angle, 6–7 on ventral limb of anterior branchial arch. One supraorbital present; crescent shaped; from dorsal midpoint of orbit to dorsal ∼1/4 of anterior scleral ossicle. All elements of infraorbital series, except infraorbital 1, without laminar component. Parietal branch of supraorbital sensory canal extending less than 1/4 into parietal. Parietal fontanel reduced to tiny triangle at posterior borders of parietals, almost absent in some; smallest specimens with gap between parietals. Frontal foramina above supraorbital canal 3–4 with some posterior foramina sometimes combined, wide, circular.
- Total number of vertebrae 33 (3). Vertebral centra 2–4 fused, without ventral processes. Rib of centrum 4 distally expanded, extending anteriorly toward lateral process of centrum 2. Posterior chamber of swim bladder extremely reduced, about length of one vertebral centrum. Supraneurals between neural spine of fourth centrum and anterior dorsal-fin pterygiophore 4 (4), 5 (1). Epurals 3 (5). Uroneural present, about 1/2 as long as urostyle.
- Coloration in life.--(Fig. 11) Base color tan with slight yellow tinge (particularly on head, fins, and dorsally). Dorsal surface with many (∼10) diffuse saddles that seem to subdivide in larger specimens. Faint stripe present along lateral line. Numerous narrow bars below lateral line (1–1.5 scale rows wide). These may extend above lateral line and join with dorsal saddles (particularly in larger specimens). Color generally concentrated on scales with each scale having lighter edges, but either anterior or posterior edges may be light. Ventral surface gray with ventral bars almost meeting midventrally. Iridescent yellow-green stripe noticeable in some specimens between midlateral stripe and dorsal surface; stripe located below dark pigment and fades at insertion of posteriormost dorsal-fin ray.
- Head with dorsal saddle that extends to near ventral margin of opercle (posterior margin of opercle gray to yellow). Large dark blotches present below and behind eye. Wide stripe present from eye to snout. Dark bands present between orbits and down snout. Amount of melanin on head varies, some individuals with large gray to yellow patches and some almost entirely dark. Iridescent green spot present in some specimens located dorsal to postorbital dark spot.
- Dorsal fin with dark distal margin, gray band that changes to yellow proximally, then black band made of spots on rays that covers ∼1/4 width of fin (interradial membranes gray along band), then narrow gray to yellow band, and finally proximal black band made of roughly triangular spots with longest edges along anterior margins of rays and sloping posteroventrally to posterior margin of rays (interradial membranes gray to yellow); all bands more diffuse anteriorly. Pectoral fin with gray distal margin changing to yellow proximally; dark spots present in two bands distally; distalmost dark band with spots only on rays, but some spots bleed onto membranes in proximal band; dark band at base of pectoral fin may be present; pectoral-fin colors more diffuse ventrally, generally gray with fleshy pads of unbranched and first branched rays almost white. Pelvic fin colored similarly to pectoral with single median band that includes melanophores on interradial membranes and band at base of fin. Anal fin as pelvic fin, but no basal band. Adipose fin yellow to gray proximally and dark distally with dark color confluent with saddle below it. Base color of caudal fin dark with pigment concentrated at junctions of lepidotrichia; two yellow spots present at base (just above and just below midline), single median spot located along midline just after proximal spots, rest of fin with large yellow blotches proximally and large gray blotches distally (gray blotches may fade into base color).
- Coloration in alcohol.--(Fig. 12) As in life but yellows and grays become tan and iridescence is lost.
- Distribution.--(Fig. 9) Characidium wangyapoik is only known from the upper Ireng River basin (Amazon River) along the Brazil/Guyana border (known as the Rio Mau in Brazil). Specimens were collected from below Orinduik Falls to the upper falls on the Ireng and its equal tributary, the Sukwabi River, but not above the Uluk Tuwuk or Wotawanda falls of the upper Ireng and Sukwabi Rivers (see Lujan et al., 2020, for a more detailed map and description of this area).
- Etymology.--Wangyapoik is the Patamona word for the species, and it is used as a noun in apposition. Wang means ‘honey' and yapoik means ‘seated,’ perhaps in reference to the yellowish color. The Patamona also refer to the species by the English common name of “fallsfish.”
Fig. 12Dorsal, lateral, and ventral views of Characidium wangyapoik, new species, after preservation, CSBD F-3615, holotype, 72.6 mm SL; Kuribrong River population. Photos by J. W. Armbruster.
KEY TO SPECIES OF THE FAST-WATER CHARACIDIUM OF THE GUIANA SHIELD1a. Twelve circumpeduncular scales. Dorsal fin falcate with a medial dark band and terminal white band (Figs. 4, 5). Origin of adipose fin centered at vertical above insertion of posteriormost anal-fin ray (Figs. 4, 5). Pectoral fin uniformly dark or peripherally dark with lighter center. Proximal dentary and premaxillary teeth wide and tri- to pentacuspid (central cusp longest)Characidium crandellii
1b. Ten circumpeduncular scales. Dorsal fin only slightly concave along distal margin and with two or more thin dark bands (Figs. 7, 8, 10–12). Origin of adipose fin at vertical over center of anal-fin base or more anterior. Pectoral fin light with at least one (usually two or three) dark bands made of separate elongate spots (Figs. 7, 8, 10–12). Proximal dentary and premaxillary teeth narrow, peg-like, tricuspid, but only central cusp conspicuous2
2a. Pelvic fin with two unbranched rays. Pectoral fin with four unbranched rays (Fig. 1B)C. duplicatum, new species
2b. Pelvic fin with one unbranched ray. Pectoral fin with three unbranched rays (Fig. 1A)3
3a. Dorsal coloration consisting of prominent saddles that extend to a faint midlateral stripe that may appear as a series of blotches (stripe most prominent in preserved specimens). No accessory bars between saddles. Ventral portion of sides with few, rectangular to square blotches that do not extend dorsal to midlateral stripe (Figs. 7, 8)C. declivirostre
3b. Dorsal saddles not prominent in adults, and usually confluent with thin bands from below midlateral stripe, which is usually demarcated by a faint stripe made of zig-zag lines with the stripe most prominent in smaller individuals. Thin bars also present in lighter interspaces between saddles, some of which extend below midlateral stripe (Figs. 11, 12). Ventral portion of sides with numerous narrow bars that extend above midlateral stripe (in juveniles, only some bars may continue dorsal to midlateral stripe; Figs. 11, 12)C. wangyapoik, new species
DISCUSSIONLike their North American namesakes (Welsh and Perry, 1998), South American darters seem to partition benthic habitats by water speed and associated sediment types; with some species inhabiting slow-flowing, sandy habitats, or even backwaters, while others occur largely on bedrock in fast-flowing water (Leitão and Buckup, 2014). Benthic, rheophilic fishes have many adaptations to maintain position in swift currents (Lujan and Conway, 2015). One such adaptation in darters and various similar fishes in streams throughout the world (Conway et al., 2012; Lujan and Conway, 2015) is having large, angled pectoral fins that generate downforce from water flowing over them. These fins often have ventral pads of tissue that help to resist abrasion and increase adhesion via microscopic keratinous structures known as unculi. In their review of paired-fin pads across the Ostariophysi, Conway et al. (2012) examined C. declivirostre (misidentified as Melanocharacidium pectorale) and described it as having Type I pads (thickening of the epidermis with no contribution from subepidermal layers) on the first three pectoral-fin rays and first two pelvic-fin rays. The epidermis was thicker ventrally, the subdermis thicker dorsally, unicellular, rearward-facing unculi present on the ventral surfaces of the pads, and alarm substance cells and mucocytes present and common dorsally and present ventrally only on areas without the pads.
Fast-water specialist fishes seem to be particularly diverse in rivers draining the Guiana Shield, which are naturally low in sediment, have abundant bedrock shoals and rapids, and a complex history of geological uplift and erosion (Lujan and Armbruster, 2011; Lujan et al., 2013; Lehmberg et al., 2018). Characidium crandellii was described from the Branco River, a tributary of the Negro River, and C. declivirostre was described from the Caroni River, a tributary of the Orinoco River. Although the type localities of the two species are relatively close in linear distance (south and north of the Pakaraima Mountains near the Brazil/Venezuela border), they are quite far from each other in terms of the modern Orinoco and Negro River channels, which only connect via the Casiquiare Canal. However, a hypothesized paleo-river, the proto-Berbice, may have once united these type localities in a single river basin that drained into the Caribbean Sea through the current mouth of the Berbice River as recently as the Pleistocene (McConnell, 1959; Gibbs and Barron, 1983; Lujan and Armbruster, 2011). This paleo-river likely contributed to the disjunct distributions of species or species groups distributed throughout the highlands of the western Guiana Shield (Lujan et al., 2018). Characidium crandellii is an excellent example of such taxa, along with the loricariid species Ancistrus saudades (Souza et al., 2019) and the genus Exastilithoxus (Lujan et al., 2018) whose disjunct distributions suggest that some portion of the upper Ventuari River above Tencua Falls and upper courses of other south bank Orinoco tributaries such as the Paragua River once flowed in the opposite direction, forming headwaters of the proto-Berbice. A series of transcurrent faults run approximately east-west in Bolivar and Amazonas, Venezuela. Although these faults formed in the early Precambrian, they were rejuvenated in the late Mesozoic (de Loczy, 1973; Gibbs and Barron, 1983). Fish distributions suggest a recent switch of the upper courses of south bank Orinoco tributaries from the proto-Berbice perhaps due to tilting along these transcurrent faults. It is notable that despite fairly heavy sampling of south-bank Orinoco tributaries, C. crandellii is only found in the headwaters of those tributaries that have been proposed to have switched between the proto-Berbice and Orinoco. The Ventuari specimen of C. crandellii looks a little different than other specimens suggesting that isolation may be leading to speciation; however, one specimen is not enough to draw conclusions, and the Paragua specimens appear identical to other specimens in the range. All Orinoco specimens have shapes that fall within the main cluster of C. crandellii (Fig. 3). A more thorough test of the proto-Berbice hypothesis for these species' distributions will require material from intervening sites in the Uraricoera River drainage in northernmost Brazil—a river that remains largely unsampled by ichthyologists.
Buckup (1993b) described two species of Melanocharacidium that have a similar coloration and morphology to C. crandellii, C. declivirostre, C. duplicatum, and C. wangyapoik: M. depressum and M. pectorale (clade Me2 in Buckup, 1993a). These species of Melanocharacidium have the anterior pectoral- and pelvic-fin rays less thickened than that of the aforementioned Characidium, and they have a venter lacking scales from the isthmus to just posterior of the pectoral-fin base (vs. nearly to pelvic-fin origin). Buckup (1993a, 1993b) diagnosed Melanocharacidium based on several characteristics including loss of the supraorbital, presence of three supraneurals, and the supracleithrum posteriorly arched. Characidium crandellii, C. declivirostre, C. duplicatum, and C. wangyapoik lack all of the synapomorphies of Melanocharacidium with the exception of a lack of maxillary teeth, which was homoplastic in Buckup's analysis (Buckup included C. crandellii and C. declivirostre in his analysis, and we confirmed his characters in our specimens and the new species).
In addition, Buckup (1993a, 1993b) recognized a convergence between C. declivirostre and M. depressum and M. pectorale in fusion of the vertebrae of the Weberian apparatus, with M. depressum and M. pectorale having all four vertebrae fused and C. declivirostre having the third and fourth and maybe the second fused (we confirmed that vertebrae 2–4 are fused). Characidium duplicatum and C. wangyapoik also share the fusion of vertebrae 2–4 with C. declivirostre. In addition, Buckup describes the presence of a ventral lamellar process of the homolog of the pleural rib of vertebra 4 extending below the tripus to articulate with the homolog of the lateral process of vertebra 2 to form an osseus wall covering the anterior wall of the swim bladder as characters to diagnose the clade of M. depressum + M. pectorale. Characidium declivirostre, C. duplicatum, and C. wangyapoik also appear to have the osseus wall, and this was very similar to what we saw in a specimen of M. pectorale (AUM 40995).
DATA ACCESSIBILITYSupplemental material is available at https://www.ichthyologyandherpetology.org/i2019299. Unless otherwise indicated in the figure caption, the published images and illustrations in this article are licensed by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists for use if the use includes a citation to the original source in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution CC BY License. ZooBank publication urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:24A53251-5BE2-4F5E-8666-9CBA2AA644A5.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTSWe would like to thank O. Leon Mata, in memoriam (Curator of Fishes, Museo de Ciencias Naturales de la UNELLEZ, Guanare, Venezuela) and D. Taphorn (UNELLEZ) for facilitating field work in Venezuela, and E. Liverpool (University of Guyana), O. Williams (Guyana Ministry of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs), D. Taphorn (UNELLEZ), L. Page (University of Florida), A. Williams (World Wildlife Fund Guianas), C. Hutchinson (WWF Guianas), and D. Fernandes (Guyana Protected Areas Commission) for facilitating field work in Guyana. We especially thank the Patamona community of Kaibarupai for hosting our expedition to the upper Ireng River and sharing their knowledge and skills in the field. We also thank the collection managers E. Holm (ROM), M. Burridge (ROM), D. Stacey (ROM), M. Sabaj (ANSP), B. Brown (in memoriam, AMNH), and R. Arrindell (AMNH) for facilitating visits to their collections and sharing specimens via loans. We especially thank all of the people who aided us in the field and deposited specimens in collections including: D. Abraham, C. Allison, M. Arce, D. Arjoon, J. Baskin, M. Benjamin, R. Betancur, J. Birindelli, T. Carvalho, C. Chin, J. Correia, R. Daniel, L. de Souza, K. Dookram, J. Evans, D. Fernandes, C. Ferraris, D. Gordon, M. Grant, M. Hardman, J. Hartsell, D. Hemraj, J. Knouft, E. Liverpool, H. López-Fernández, S. Lord, A. Luna, V. Meza, T. Pera, P. Peters, W. Prince, F. Provenzano, M. Ram, E. Richmond, R. Royero-I., M. Sabaj, S. Schaefer, D. Taphorn, J. Thomas, M. Thomas, D. Werneke, T. Wesley, A. Yarumore, and L. Ziccardi. This project was supported by NSF grants DEB-0107751 and DEB-0315963, National Geographic CRE grants to JWA and NKL (8721-09), and a Coypu Foundation grant to NKL and JWA and funding from the WWF-Guianas and the Inter-American Development Bank. Salary support for NKL was provided by a Gerstner Fellowship from the American Museum of Natural History.
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© 2021 by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
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Jonathan W. Armbruster, Nathan K. Lujan, and Devin D. Bloom "Redescription of the Guiana Shield Darter Species Characidium crandellii and C. declivirostre (Crenuchidae) with Descriptions of Two New Species," Ichthyology & Herpetology 109(1), 102-122, (29 March 2021). https://doi.org/10.1643/i2019299
Received: 9 October 2019; Accepted: 16 September 2020; Published: 29 March 2021
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Nothobranchius nikiforovi, a new species of seasonal killifish from the lower Matandu drainage in south-eastern coastal Tanzania (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae)
BÉLA NAGY, BRIAN R. WATTERS, ALEXANDRA A. RASPOPOVA
Abstract
Nothobranchius nikiforovi, a new species known from seasonal habitats in the lower Matandu drainage in south-eastern coastal Tanzania is described. It is distinguished from all other congeners, except N. eggersi, by males presenting two colour phenotypes: the blue phenotype having a bright iridescent light blue to blue-green body, with narrow red-brown scale margins creating irregular reticulated pattern, forming chevron-shaped crossbars on the posteroventral portion of body and light blue median fins with red-brown dotted pattern; the red phenotype has a dark red head, light blue dorsal and anal fins proximally and medially, dark red distally, with dark red stripes parallel to the fin rays, and a plain dark red caudal fin. Nothobranchius nikiforovi differs from N. eggersi by male colour pattern, the blue phenotypes having median fins with dark grey distal portion, some of the rays of dorsal and anal fins with white tips (vs. median fins with distinct slender white distal band), and the caudal fin lacking a spotted pattern (vs. dots arranged into irregular curved stripes); the red phenotype with golden stripe between the nape and dorsal-fin origin (vs. light-blue stripe), the dorsal and anal fins with a plain red distal portion and lacking a light distal band (vs. with distinct narrow white distal band), the pelvic fin lacking a distal band (vs. with distinct slender light blue to white distal band), and some morphometric differences. Phylogenetic analyses also support the genetic distinction of the new species from its closest known relative, N. eggersi, and confirm its position in the N. guentheri species group within the Adiniops subgenus.
Keywords
Acari, Adiniops subgenus, Coastal East Africa ecoregion, molecular phylogeny, Nothobranchius eggersi, taxonomy
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Evolution in Sinocyclocheilus Cavefish is marked by Rate Shifts, Reversals, and Origin of Novel Traits
Sinocyclocheilus spp.
in Mao, Liu, Meegaskumbura, ... et al., 2021.
DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01776-y
twitter.com/Meegaskumbura
Abstract
Background:
Natural model systems are indispensable for exploring adaptations in response to environmental pressures. Sinocyclocheilus of China, the most diverse cavefish clade in the world (75 species), provide unique opportunities to understand recurrent evolution of stereotypic traits (such as eye loss and sensory expansion) in the context of a deep and diverse phylogenetic group. However, they remain poorly understood in terms of their morphological evolution. Therefore, we explore key patterns of morphological evolution, habitat utilization and geographic distribution in these fishes.
Results:
We constructed phylogenies and categorized 49 species based on eye-related condition (Blind, Micro-eyed, and Normal-eyed), habitat types (Troglobitic—cave-restricted; Troglophilic—cave-associated; Surface—outside caves) and existence of horns. Geometric-morphometric analyses show Normal-eyed morphs with fusiform shapes segregating from Blind/Micro-eyed deeper bodied morphs along the first principal-component axis; second axis accounts for shape complexity related to horns. The body shapes showed a significant association with eye-related condition and horn, but not habitat types. Ancestral reconstructions suggest at least three independent origins of Blind morphs, each with different levels of modification in relation to their ancestral Normal-eyed morphs; Sinocyclocheilus are also pre-adapted for cave dwelling. Our geophylogeny shows an east-to-west diversification spanning Pliocene and Pleistocene, with early-diversifying Troglobitic species dominating subterranean habitats of karstic plains whereas predominantly Surface forms inhabit hills to the west. Evolutionary rates analyses suggest that lineages leading to Blind morphs were characterized by significant rate shifts, such as a slowdown in body size evolution and a 5–20 fold increase in rate of eye regression, possibly explained by limited resource availability. Body size and eye size have undergone reversals, but not horns, a trait entailing considerable time to form.
Conclusions:
Sinocyclocheilus occupied cave habitats in response to drying associated with aridification of China during late Miocene and the Pliocene. The prominent cave-adaptations (eye-regression, horn-evolution) occur in clades associated with the extensive subterranean cave system in Guangxi and Guizhou provinces. Integration of morphology, phylogeny, rate analyses, molecular-dating and distribution show not only several remarkable patterns of evolution, but also interesting exceptions to these patterns signifying the diversification of Sinocyclocheilus as an invaluable model system to explore evolutionary novelty.
Keywords: Phylomorphospace, Evolutionary convergence, Blind fish, Troglobitic, Geophylogeny
Ting-Ru Mao, Ye-Wei Liu, Madhava Meegaskumbura, Jian Yang, Gajaba Ellepola, Gayani Senevirathne, Cheng-Hai Fu, Joshua B. Gross and Marcio R. Pie. 2021. Evolution in Sinocyclocheilus Cavefish is marked by Rate Shifts, Reversals, and Origin of Novel Traits.
BMC Ecology and Evolution. 21, 45. DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01776-y
twitter.com/Meegaskumbura/status/1373097731032453125
==========================
Sinocyclocheilus spp.
in Mao, Liu, Meegaskumbura, ... et al., 2021.
DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01776-y
twitter.com/Meegaskumbura
Abstract
Background:
Natural model systems are indispensable for exploring adaptations in response to environmental pressures. Sinocyclocheilus of China, the most diverse cavefish clade in the world (75 species), provide unique opportunities to understand recurrent evolution of stereotypic traits (such as eye loss and sensory expansion) in the context of a deep and diverse phylogenetic group. However, they remain poorly understood in terms of their morphological evolution. Therefore, we explore key patterns of morphological evolution, habitat utilization and geographic distribution in these fishes.
Results:
We constructed phylogenies and categorized 49 species based on eye-related condition (Blind, Micro-eyed, and Normal-eyed), habitat types (Troglobitic—cave-restricted; Troglophilic—cave-associated; Surface—outside caves) and existence of horns. Geometric-morphometric analyses show Normal-eyed morphs with fusiform shapes segregating from Blind/Micro-eyed deeper bodied morphs along the first principal-component axis; second axis accounts for shape complexity related to horns. The body shapes showed a significant association with eye-related condition and horn, but not habitat types. Ancestral reconstructions suggest at least three independent origins of Blind morphs, each with different levels of modification in relation to their ancestral Normal-eyed morphs; Sinocyclocheilus are also pre-adapted for cave dwelling. Our geophylogeny shows an east-to-west diversification spanning Pliocene and Pleistocene, with early-diversifying Troglobitic species dominating subterranean habitats of karstic plains whereas predominantly Surface forms inhabit hills to the west. Evolutionary rates analyses suggest that lineages leading to Blind morphs were characterized by significant rate shifts, such as a slowdown in body size evolution and a 5–20 fold increase in rate of eye regression, possibly explained by limited resource availability. Body size and eye size have undergone reversals, but not horns, a trait entailing considerable time to form.
Conclusions:
Sinocyclocheilus occupied cave habitats in response to drying associated with aridification of China during late Miocene and the Pliocene. The prominent cave-adaptations (eye-regression, horn-evolution) occur in clades associated with the extensive subterranean cave system in Guangxi and Guizhou provinces. Integration of morphology, phylogeny, rate analyses, molecular-dating and distribution show not only several remarkable patterns of evolution, but also interesting exceptions to these patterns signifying the diversification of Sinocyclocheilus as an invaluable model system to explore evolutionary novelty.
Keywords: Phylomorphospace, Evolutionary convergence, Blind fish, Troglobitic, Geophylogeny
Ting-Ru Mao, Ye-Wei Liu, Madhava Meegaskumbura, Jian Yang, Gajaba Ellepola, Gayani Senevirathne, Cheng-Hai Fu, Joshua B. Gross and Marcio R. Pie. 2021. Evolution in Sinocyclocheilus Cavefish is marked by Rate Shifts, Reversals, and Origin of Novel Traits.
BMC Ecology and Evolution. 21, 45. DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01776-y
twitter.com/Meegaskumbura/status/1373097731032453125
==========================
Oxynoemacheilus amanos • A New Nemacheilid Loach (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from the Orontes River Drainage
Oxynoemacheilus amanos
Kaya, Yoğurtçuoğlu & Freyhof, 2021
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4938.5.3
twitter.com/Jorg_Freyhof
Abstract
Oxynoemacheilus amanos, new species, is described from İncesu spring in the upper Hupnik drainage, a northern tributary of the lower Orontes in Turkey. It is distinguished from the other Oxynoemacheilus species in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea basin by possession of an incomplete lateral line with 23–45 pores, terminating between the vertical through the dorsal fin origin and the anus, 10–13 pores in the infraorbital canal, a deeply emarginate caudal fin, no suborbital groove in the male, and a series of irregularly shaped and set dark-brown bars on the flank, not connected to saddles on the back.
Keywords: Pisces, Freshwater fish, taxonomy, Middle East, Amanos mountains, Hatay
Cüneyt Kaya, Baran Yoğurtçuoğlu and Jörg Freyhof. 2021. Oxynoemacheilus amanos, A New Nemacheilid Loach from the Orontes River Drainage (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). Zootaxa. 4938(5); 559–570. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4938.5.3
twitter.com/Jorg_Freyhof/status/1367023964539793412
==========================
Oxynoemacheilus amanos
Kaya, Yoğurtçuoğlu & Freyhof, 2021
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4938.5.3
twitter.com/Jorg_Freyhof
Abstract
Oxynoemacheilus amanos, new species, is described from İncesu spring in the upper Hupnik drainage, a northern tributary of the lower Orontes in Turkey. It is distinguished from the other Oxynoemacheilus species in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea basin by possession of an incomplete lateral line with 23–45 pores, terminating between the vertical through the dorsal fin origin and the anus, 10–13 pores in the infraorbital canal, a deeply emarginate caudal fin, no suborbital groove in the male, and a series of irregularly shaped and set dark-brown bars on the flank, not connected to saddles on the back.
Keywords: Pisces, Freshwater fish, taxonomy, Middle East, Amanos mountains, Hatay
Cüneyt Kaya, Baran Yoğurtçuoğlu and Jörg Freyhof. 2021. Oxynoemacheilus amanos, A New Nemacheilid Loach from the Orontes River Drainage (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). Zootaxa. 4938(5); 559–570. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4938.5.3
twitter.com/Jorg_Freyhof/status/1367023964539793412
==========================
Brachyhypopomus degy • A New Species of Amazonian Bluntnose Knifefish Brachyhypopomus (Gymnotiformes: Hypopomidae), with Comments on Its Phylogenetic Position
Brachyhypopomus degy
Dutra, Peixoto, Ochoa, Ohara, de Santana, Menezes & Datovo, 2021
DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2021.1877844
twitter.com/DavideFishes
Abstract
A new species of the bluntnose knifefish genus Brachyhypopomus Mago-Leccia is described from headwaters of upper Rio Juruena, and upper Rio Machado, Amazon basin, Brazil. The new species differs from all congeners by the absence of a small independent ossification of the Weberian complex located posterodorsally to the supraoccipital. It can be additionally distinguished from its congeners by a set of characters in combination that includes: absence of accessory electric organ over the opercular region, absence of a prominent pale uninterrupted middorsal stripe on body, presence of scales on the entire middorsal region of body, dorsal rami of the recurrent branch of anterior lateral-line nerve not externally visible, presence of a dark suborbital stripe, and possession of 8–10 scale rows above the lateral line. The phylogenetic position of the new species is inferred by its inclusion in a total-evidence matrix with data from morphology, mitochondrial genes, and nuclear genes of all species. The new species is apparently restricted to upland tributaries of the Chapada dos Parecis, more than 500 m high. Comments on the occurrence of fish species in multiple independent basins at Chapada dos Parecis are also provided.
Key words: Bayesian inference, biodiversity, electric fishes, maximum parsimony, neotropical fauna, taxonomy
Brachyhypopomus degy
Guilherme Moreira Dutra, Luiz Antônio Wanderley Peixoto, Luz Eneida Ochoa, Willian Massaharu Ohara, Carlos David de Santana, Naércio Aquino Menezes and Aléssio Datovo. 2021. A New Species of Amazonian Bluntnose Knifefish Brachyhypopomus (Gymnotiformes: Hypopomidae), with Comments on Its Phylogenetic Position. Systematics and Biodiversity. DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2021.1877844
twitter.com/DavideFishes/status/1366898192663654404
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Brachyhypopomus degy
Dutra, Peixoto, Ochoa, Ohara, de Santana, Menezes & Datovo, 2021
DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2021.1877844
twitter.com/DavideFishes
Abstract
A new species of the bluntnose knifefish genus Brachyhypopomus Mago-Leccia is described from headwaters of upper Rio Juruena, and upper Rio Machado, Amazon basin, Brazil. The new species differs from all congeners by the absence of a small independent ossification of the Weberian complex located posterodorsally to the supraoccipital. It can be additionally distinguished from its congeners by a set of characters in combination that includes: absence of accessory electric organ over the opercular region, absence of a prominent pale uninterrupted middorsal stripe on body, presence of scales on the entire middorsal region of body, dorsal rami of the recurrent branch of anterior lateral-line nerve not externally visible, presence of a dark suborbital stripe, and possession of 8–10 scale rows above the lateral line. The phylogenetic position of the new species is inferred by its inclusion in a total-evidence matrix with data from morphology, mitochondrial genes, and nuclear genes of all species. The new species is apparently restricted to upland tributaries of the Chapada dos Parecis, more than 500 m high. Comments on the occurrence of fish species in multiple independent basins at Chapada dos Parecis are also provided.
Key words: Bayesian inference, biodiversity, electric fishes, maximum parsimony, neotropical fauna, taxonomy
Brachyhypopomus degy
Guilherme Moreira Dutra, Luiz Antônio Wanderley Peixoto, Luz Eneida Ochoa, Willian Massaharu Ohara, Carlos David de Santana, Naércio Aquino Menezes and Aléssio Datovo. 2021. A New Species of Amazonian Bluntnose Knifefish Brachyhypopomus (Gymnotiformes: Hypopomidae), with Comments on Its Phylogenetic Position. Systematics and Biodiversity. DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2021.1877844
twitter.com/DavideFishes/status/1366898192663654404
==========================
Event by British Livebearer Association
Holiday Inn South Normanton M1, JCT.28
18 Sep at 09:00 UTC+01 – 19 Sep at 18:00 UTC+01
Price: free · Duration: 1 day
Public · Anyone on or off Facebook
The BLA in conjunction with the British Killifish Association, The British Cichlid Association and the Fancy Guppies UK are holding a Joint show which will be spectacular
==========================
Holiday Inn South Normanton M1, JCT.28
18 Sep at 09:00 UTC+01 – 19 Sep at 18:00 UTC+01
Price: free · Duration: 1 day
Public · Anyone on or off Facebook
The BLA in conjunction with the British Killifish Association, The British Cichlid Association and the Fancy Guppies UK are holding a Joint show which will be spectacular
==========================
====================
Strophidon tetraporus • A Review of the Genus Strophidon (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae), with Description of A New Species
Strophidon tetraporus Huang & Liao
in Huang, Mohapatra, ... et Liao, 2020.
DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14514
facebook.com: 黃文謙
Abstract
Strophidon McClelland is a muraenid genus with characteristic appearance of a very elongated body, a large mouth cleft and anteriorly placed eyes. The nomenclature and taxonomic history of species within Strophidon are contentious and its members are easily misidentified. In the present study, species of the genus Strophidon are revised based on morphological and molecular data, and five species are considered valid, including S. dawydoffi Prokofiev, S. dorsalis (Seale), S. sathete (Hamilton), S. ui Tanaka and a new species, S. tetraporus. Strophidon tetraporus sp. nov. is described based on 15 specimens from Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam with the unique characteristic of the constant presence of the fourth infraorbital pore among species of Strophidon. The intraspecific variation of vertebral formula within S. dorsalis is discussed based on molecular data. Muraena macrurus Bleeker and Thyrsoidea longissima Kaup are synonyms of S. sathete that can be distinguished from the most similar congener S. ui by a longer tail, smaller eyes and more inner maxillary and inner dentary teeth. A key to identify species of Strophidon is provided. The distribution and maximum size of each species are also re‐evaluated.
Keywords: Muraenidae, new species, phylogeny, redescription, Strophidon, taxonomy
Genus Strophidon McClelland 1844
Strophidon dorsalis (Seale, 1917)
Strophidon sathete (Hamilton, 1822)
Strophidon ui Tanaka, 1918
Strophidon tetraporus sp. nov. Huang & Liao
Common name: Four Pores Slender Giant Moray
Etymology: Name from Greek words tetra (four) and póros (pore), in reference to the uniquely constant presence of the fourth infraorbital pore in this species of Strophidon. A noun in apposition.
Wen‐Chien Huang, Anil Mohapatra, Pham The Thu, Hong‐Ming Chen and Te‐Yu Liao. 2020. A Review of the Genus Strophidon (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae), with Description of A New Species. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14514
facebook.com/100001798487931/posts/4569890516414186
================================================================================
Strophidon tetraporus • A Review of the Genus Strophidon (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae), with Description of A New Species
Strophidon tetraporus Huang & Liao
in Huang, Mohapatra, ... et Liao, 2020.
DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14514
facebook.com: 黃文謙
Abstract
Strophidon McClelland is a muraenid genus with characteristic appearance of a very elongated body, a large mouth cleft and anteriorly placed eyes. The nomenclature and taxonomic history of species within Strophidon are contentious and its members are easily misidentified. In the present study, species of the genus Strophidon are revised based on morphological and molecular data, and five species are considered valid, including S. dawydoffi Prokofiev, S. dorsalis (Seale), S. sathete (Hamilton), S. ui Tanaka and a new species, S. tetraporus. Strophidon tetraporus sp. nov. is described based on 15 specimens from Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam with the unique characteristic of the constant presence of the fourth infraorbital pore among species of Strophidon. The intraspecific variation of vertebral formula within S. dorsalis is discussed based on molecular data. Muraena macrurus Bleeker and Thyrsoidea longissima Kaup are synonyms of S. sathete that can be distinguished from the most similar congener S. ui by a longer tail, smaller eyes and more inner maxillary and inner dentary teeth. A key to identify species of Strophidon is provided. The distribution and maximum size of each species are also re‐evaluated.
Keywords: Muraenidae, new species, phylogeny, redescription, Strophidon, taxonomy
Genus Strophidon McClelland 1844
Strophidon dorsalis (Seale, 1917)
Strophidon sathete (Hamilton, 1822)
Strophidon ui Tanaka, 1918
Strophidon tetraporus sp. nov. Huang & Liao
Common name: Four Pores Slender Giant Moray
Etymology: Name from Greek words tetra (four) and póros (pore), in reference to the uniquely constant presence of the fourth infraorbital pore in this species of Strophidon. A noun in apposition.
Wen‐Chien Huang, Anil Mohapatra, Pham The Thu, Hong‐Ming Chen and Te‐Yu Liao. 2020. A Review of the Genus Strophidon (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae), with Description of A New Species. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14514
facebook.com/100001798487931/posts/4569890516414186
================================================================================
Island Colonization by A ‘Rheophilic’ Fish: the Phylogeography of Garra ceylonensis (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) in Sri Lanka
Garra ceylonensis
in Sudasinghe, Dahanukar, Raghavan, ... et Meegaskumbura, 2021.
DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa221
twitter.com/HiranyaSud
Abstract
Despite exhibiting multiple morphological adaptations to living in swiftly flowing water (rheophily), Garra ceylonensis is one of the most widely distributed freshwater fish in Sri Lanka. It is thus an ideal organism to reconstruct the evolutionary history of a widespread, yet morphologically specialized, freshwater fish in a tropical-island setting. We analysed the phylogenetic and phylogeographic relationships of G. ceylonensis based on two mitochondrial and one nuclear genes. G. ceylonensis is shown to be monophyletic, with a sister-group relationship to the Indian species Garra mullya. Our results suggest a single colonization of Sri Lanka by ancestral Garra, in the late Pliocene. This suggests that the Palk Isthmus, which was exposed for most of the Pleistocene, had a hydroclimate unsuited to the dispersal of fishes such as Garra. G. ceylonensis exhibits strong phylogeographic structure: six subclades are distributed as genetically distinct populations in clusters of contiguous river basins, albeit with two exceptions. Our data reveal one or more Pleistocene extirpation events, evidently driven by aridification, with relict populations subsequently re-colonizing the island. The phylogeographic structure of G. ceylonensis suggests inter-basin dispersal largely through headwater capture, likely facilitated by free-swimming post-larvae. The Peninsular-Indian species G. mullya comprises two genetically distinct parapatric clades, which may represent distinct species.
Keywords: biogeography, dispersal, freshwater fish, Labeoninae, phylogeny, Pleistocene, torrent fish
Garra ceylonensis Bleeker, 1863
Hiranya Sudasinghe, Neelesh Dahanukar, Rajeev Raghavan, Tharani Senavirathna, Dipeshwari J Shewale, Mandar S Paingankar, Anjalie Amarasinghe, Rohan Pethiyagoda, Lukas Rüber and Madhava Meegaskumbura. 2021. Island Colonization by A ‘Rheophilic’ Fish: the Phylogeography of Garra ceylonensis (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) in Sri Lanka. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. blaa221. DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa221
twitter.com/HiranyaSud/status/1359782960258514944
==========================
Garra ceylonensis
in Sudasinghe, Dahanukar, Raghavan, ... et Meegaskumbura, 2021.
DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa221
twitter.com/HiranyaSud
Abstract
Despite exhibiting multiple morphological adaptations to living in swiftly flowing water (rheophily), Garra ceylonensis is one of the most widely distributed freshwater fish in Sri Lanka. It is thus an ideal organism to reconstruct the evolutionary history of a widespread, yet morphologically specialized, freshwater fish in a tropical-island setting. We analysed the phylogenetic and phylogeographic relationships of G. ceylonensis based on two mitochondrial and one nuclear genes. G. ceylonensis is shown to be monophyletic, with a sister-group relationship to the Indian species Garra mullya. Our results suggest a single colonization of Sri Lanka by ancestral Garra, in the late Pliocene. This suggests that the Palk Isthmus, which was exposed for most of the Pleistocene, had a hydroclimate unsuited to the dispersal of fishes such as Garra. G. ceylonensis exhibits strong phylogeographic structure: six subclades are distributed as genetically distinct populations in clusters of contiguous river basins, albeit with two exceptions. Our data reveal one or more Pleistocene extirpation events, evidently driven by aridification, with relict populations subsequently re-colonizing the island. The phylogeographic structure of G. ceylonensis suggests inter-basin dispersal largely through headwater capture, likely facilitated by free-swimming post-larvae. The Peninsular-Indian species G. mullya comprises two genetically distinct parapatric clades, which may represent distinct species.
Keywords: biogeography, dispersal, freshwater fish, Labeoninae, phylogeny, Pleistocene, torrent fish
Garra ceylonensis Bleeker, 1863
Hiranya Sudasinghe, Neelesh Dahanukar, Rajeev Raghavan, Tharani Senavirathna, Dipeshwari J Shewale, Mandar S Paingankar, Anjalie Amarasinghe, Rohan Pethiyagoda, Lukas Rüber and Madhava Meegaskumbura. 2021. Island Colonization by A ‘Rheophilic’ Fish: the Phylogeography of Garra ceylonensis (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) in Sri Lanka. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. blaa221. DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa221
twitter.com/HiranyaSud/status/1359782960258514944
==========================
Coralliozetus clausus • A New Species of Tube Blenny (Blenniiformes: Chaenopsidae) endemic to Isla del Coco, Costa Rica
Coralliozetus clausus Hastings, 2021
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4926.2.10
facebook.com/ScrippsOcean
scripps.UCSD.edu
Abstract
Coralliozetus clausus, a new species of chaenopsid blenny, endemic to Isla del Coco, Costa Rica, is described. This small species, not exceeding 15 mm SL, is a short-bodied member of the genus along with Coralliozetus cardonae (Caribbean), Coralliozetus angelicus, and Coralliozetus springeri (both eastern Pacific). It differs from its closest relative, C. springeri, known from mainland waters from Costa Rica to Ecuador, in having a single tiny supraorbital cirrus and dark dots on the operculum and branchiostegal membrane of males while C. springeri has paired supraorbital cirri (one of which is substantial in size) and no dots on the operculum. Although two other species of Coralliozetus have been reported from Isla del Coco, this appears to be only member of the genus present on the island. It is the second chaenopsid endemic to Isla del Coco and brings the number of cryptobenthic fishes endemic to Isla del Coco to twelve.
Keywords: Pisces, Chaenopsidae, Coralliozetus, tube blennies, Isla del Coco, Costa Rica, island endemic, small body size
Philip A. Hastings. 2021. The Pandemic Blenny, Coralliozetus clausus, A New Species of Tube Blenny endemic to Isla del Coco, Costa Rica (Teleostei: Chaenopsidae). Zootaxa. 4926(2); 296–300. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4926.2.10
facebook.com/ScrippsOcean/photos/10157840317831711
scripps.UCSD.edu/news/pandemic-blenny-new-fish-discovered-scripps-scientist
==========================
.
Coralliozetus clausus Hastings, 2021
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4926.2.10
facebook.com/ScrippsOcean
scripps.UCSD.edu
Abstract
Coralliozetus clausus, a new species of chaenopsid blenny, endemic to Isla del Coco, Costa Rica, is described. This small species, not exceeding 15 mm SL, is a short-bodied member of the genus along with Coralliozetus cardonae (Caribbean), Coralliozetus angelicus, and Coralliozetus springeri (both eastern Pacific). It differs from its closest relative, C. springeri, known from mainland waters from Costa Rica to Ecuador, in having a single tiny supraorbital cirrus and dark dots on the operculum and branchiostegal membrane of males while C. springeri has paired supraorbital cirri (one of which is substantial in size) and no dots on the operculum. Although two other species of Coralliozetus have been reported from Isla del Coco, this appears to be only member of the genus present on the island. It is the second chaenopsid endemic to Isla del Coco and brings the number of cryptobenthic fishes endemic to Isla del Coco to twelve.
Keywords: Pisces, Chaenopsidae, Coralliozetus, tube blennies, Isla del Coco, Costa Rica, island endemic, small body size
Philip A. Hastings. 2021. The Pandemic Blenny, Coralliozetus clausus, A New Species of Tube Blenny endemic to Isla del Coco, Costa Rica (Teleostei: Chaenopsidae). Zootaxa. 4926(2); 296–300. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4926.2.10
facebook.com/ScrippsOcean/photos/10157840317831711
scripps.UCSD.edu/news/pandemic-blenny-new-fish-discovered-scripps-scientist
==========================
.
Review of the Batfish Genus Malthopsis (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae) from Australia , with Descriptions of Five New Species
Malthopsis oculata, M. bulla & M. mcgroutheri;
Malthopsis apis & M. tetrabulla
Ho & Last, 2021
DOI: 10.5343/bms.2020.0037
twitter.com/BullMarSci
Abstract
A taxonomic review of the batfish genus Malthopsis in the Australian waters is provided. Eleven valid species are recognized in this study: Malthopsis gigas Ho and Shao, 2010, Malthopsis parva Ho, Roberts and Shao, 2013, Malthopsis asperata Ho, Roberts and Shao, 2013, Malthopsis lutea Alcock, 1891, Malthopsis mitrigera Gilbert and Cramer, 1897, Malthopsis provocator Whitley, 1961, and an additional five species new to science. Four of these new species, Malthopsis apis sp. nov., Malthopsis bulla sp. nov., Malthopsis oculata sp. nov., and Malthopsis tetrabulla sp. nov. belong to a species group lacking spinules on the interspaces between bucklers of the ventral surface, whereas Malthopsis mcgroutheri sp. nov. belongs to another species group characterized by having spinules on the interspaces between bucklers of the ventral surface. Four other taxa were identified during this study that may be undescribed but require further investigation. The Australian endemic species M. provocator, formerly considered to be a synonym of Malthopsis kobayashii Tanaka, 1916, is resurrected herein and two widespread species, M. asperata and M. lutea, are newly recorded from Australia. A key to all Australian species is provided.
Hsuan-Ching Ho and Peter Last. 2021. Review of the Batfish Genus Malthopsis from Australia (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae), with Descriptions of Five New Species. Bulletin of Marine Science. 97(1); 165-218. DOI: 10.5343/bms.2020.0037
twitter.com/BullMarSci/status/1358872049054277634
==========================
Malthopsis oculata, M. bulla & M. mcgroutheri;
Malthopsis apis & M. tetrabulla
Ho & Last, 2021
DOI: 10.5343/bms.2020.0037
twitter.com/BullMarSci
Abstract
A taxonomic review of the batfish genus Malthopsis in the Australian waters is provided. Eleven valid species are recognized in this study: Malthopsis gigas Ho and Shao, 2010, Malthopsis parva Ho, Roberts and Shao, 2013, Malthopsis asperata Ho, Roberts and Shao, 2013, Malthopsis lutea Alcock, 1891, Malthopsis mitrigera Gilbert and Cramer, 1897, Malthopsis provocator Whitley, 1961, and an additional five species new to science. Four of these new species, Malthopsis apis sp. nov., Malthopsis bulla sp. nov., Malthopsis oculata sp. nov., and Malthopsis tetrabulla sp. nov. belong to a species group lacking spinules on the interspaces between bucklers of the ventral surface, whereas Malthopsis mcgroutheri sp. nov. belongs to another species group characterized by having spinules on the interspaces between bucklers of the ventral surface. Four other taxa were identified during this study that may be undescribed but require further investigation. The Australian endemic species M. provocator, formerly considered to be a synonym of Malthopsis kobayashii Tanaka, 1916, is resurrected herein and two widespread species, M. asperata and M. lutea, are newly recorded from Australia. A key to all Australian species is provided.
Hsuan-Ching Ho and Peter Last. 2021. Review of the Batfish Genus Malthopsis from Australia (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae), with Descriptions of Five New Species. Bulletin of Marine Science. 97(1); 165-218. DOI: 10.5343/bms.2020.0037
twitter.com/BullMarSci/status/1358872049054277634
==========================
Bagarius vegrandis | ปลาแค้วัว • A New Species of Sisorid Catfish from Indochina (Siluriformes: Sisoridae), with Notes on the Identity of Bagarius bagarius
Bagarius vegrandis
Ng & Kottelat, 2021
ปลาแค้วัว || DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4926.1.9
photo: Nonn Panitvong facebook.com/ThaiFishBook
Abstract
Bagarius vegrandis, new species, is described from the Chao Phraya and Mekong river drainages. It differs from congeners in having a small maximum body size (to 220 mm SL vs. 520–1400 mm SL) and the adipose-fin origin markedly posterior to (vs. at vertical through or very slightly posterior to) the anal-fin origin. It further differs from congeners in having the following unique combination of characters: ovoid unculiferous plaques on dorsal surface of head, lateral margin of frontal not significantly deflected dorsally, eye diameter 11–15% HL, interorbital distance 23–28% HL, head width 18.3–22.3% SL, head depth 11.1–14.1% SL, filamentous extensions to first pectoral-fin element reaching to anus, dorsal spine width 10.6–13.9 times in its length, body depth at anus 8.7–12.0% SL, neural spines of the 4–6 vertebrae immediately anterior to adipose fin distally flattened but not forming series of prominent bumps along dorsal midline, length of adipose-fin base 10.8–13.0% SL, caudal-peduncle length 19.0–22.4% SL, caudal-peduncle depth 3.2–4.2% SL, 19–20 preanal vertebrae, and 39–40 total vertebrae. Bagarius bagarius (Hamilton, 1822) is demonstrated to be a species restricted to the Indian subcontinent (with Bagrus yarrelli Sykes, 1839, Pimelodus platespogon Valenciennes, in Jacquemont, 1839 and Pimelodus carnaticus Jerdon, 1849 as junior subjective synonyms) and Bagarius lica Volz, 1903 resurrected from synonymy with B. yarrelli as a valid species from Southeast Asia.
Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, morphology, species delimitation, Southeast Asia
Bagarius vegrandis Ng & Kottelat, 2021
photo: Nonn Panitvong
facebook.com/ThaiFishBook
Heok Hee Ng and Maurice Kottelat. 2021. Description of Bagarius vegrandis, A New Species of Sisorid Catfish from Indochina (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes), with Notes on the Identity of Bagarius bagarius. Zootaxa. 4926(1); 134–146. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4926.1.9
facebook.com/ThaiFishBook/posts/696209067710481
==========================
Bagarius vegrandis
Ng & Kottelat, 2021
ปลาแค้วัว || DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4926.1.9
photo: Nonn Panitvong facebook.com/ThaiFishBook
Abstract
Bagarius vegrandis, new species, is described from the Chao Phraya and Mekong river drainages. It differs from congeners in having a small maximum body size (to 220 mm SL vs. 520–1400 mm SL) and the adipose-fin origin markedly posterior to (vs. at vertical through or very slightly posterior to) the anal-fin origin. It further differs from congeners in having the following unique combination of characters: ovoid unculiferous plaques on dorsal surface of head, lateral margin of frontal not significantly deflected dorsally, eye diameter 11–15% HL, interorbital distance 23–28% HL, head width 18.3–22.3% SL, head depth 11.1–14.1% SL, filamentous extensions to first pectoral-fin element reaching to anus, dorsal spine width 10.6–13.9 times in its length, body depth at anus 8.7–12.0% SL, neural spines of the 4–6 vertebrae immediately anterior to adipose fin distally flattened but not forming series of prominent bumps along dorsal midline, length of adipose-fin base 10.8–13.0% SL, caudal-peduncle length 19.0–22.4% SL, caudal-peduncle depth 3.2–4.2% SL, 19–20 preanal vertebrae, and 39–40 total vertebrae. Bagarius bagarius (Hamilton, 1822) is demonstrated to be a species restricted to the Indian subcontinent (with Bagrus yarrelli Sykes, 1839, Pimelodus platespogon Valenciennes, in Jacquemont, 1839 and Pimelodus carnaticus Jerdon, 1849 as junior subjective synonyms) and Bagarius lica Volz, 1903 resurrected from synonymy with B. yarrelli as a valid species from Southeast Asia.
Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, morphology, species delimitation, Southeast Asia
Bagarius vegrandis Ng & Kottelat, 2021
photo: Nonn Panitvong
facebook.com/ThaiFishBook
Heok Hee Ng and Maurice Kottelat. 2021. Description of Bagarius vegrandis, A New Species of Sisorid Catfish from Indochina (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes), with Notes on the Identity of Bagarius bagarius. Zootaxa. 4926(1); 134–146. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4926.1.9
facebook.com/ThaiFishBook/posts/696209067710481
==========================
Phylogenetic Position and Relationships of Mountain Loaches (Teleostei: Balitoridae) of the Western Ghats as revealed by CO1 Sequences
in Sidharthan, Raghavan, Anoop, et al., 2021.
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4926.1.5
facebook.com: Rajeev Raghavan
Abstract
The teleostean family Balitoridae comprises small-sized freshwater fishes adapted to swift-flowing torrential mountain streams in South and South-East Asia. Little is known about their molecular phylogenetics and evolutionary biogeography, and much of the scientific literature that references them is focused on morphological taxonomy. In this paper, we generate CO1 sequences for the endemic balitorid lineages of the Western Ghats (WG) Hotspot in India, particularly for the endemic genera, Bhavania, Ghatsa and Travancoria. Integration of these data into a phylogeny revealed that the endemic WG genera together form a well-supported monophyletic clade that shows, subject to our limited taxon sampling, a sister-group relationship to the Southeast Asian genus Pseudohomaloptera. Three WG endemic species of the genus Balitora, namely B. chipkali, B. jalpalli and B. laticauda, though morphologically distinct, have low genetic divergence and barcode gap, suggestive of recent speciation. Interestingly, a fourth WG endemic, B. mysorensis, formed a clade with two species of Balitora from Eastern-Himalaya and Indo-Burma. We also show that all available CO1 sequences assigned to WG endemic balitorid genera in GenBank are misidentifications, and provide diagnostic characters for the accurate identification of these taxa in the future.
Keywords: Pisces, freshwater fish, hill-stream loaches, mitochondrial DNA, peninsular India
Arya Sidharthan, Rajeev Raghavan, V. K. Anoop, Unmesh Katwate and Neelesh Dahanukar. 2021. Phylogenetic Position and Relationships of Mountain Loaches (Teleostei: Balitoridae) of the Western Ghats as revealed by CO1 Sequences. Zootaxa. 4926(1); 79–92. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4926.1.5
facebook.com/RajeevRaghavan98/posts/10157400389005938
twitter.com/LabRajeev/status/1353234098249031681
==========================
in Sidharthan, Raghavan, Anoop, et al., 2021.
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4926.1.5
facebook.com: Rajeev Raghavan
Abstract
The teleostean family Balitoridae comprises small-sized freshwater fishes adapted to swift-flowing torrential mountain streams in South and South-East Asia. Little is known about their molecular phylogenetics and evolutionary biogeography, and much of the scientific literature that references them is focused on morphological taxonomy. In this paper, we generate CO1 sequences for the endemic balitorid lineages of the Western Ghats (WG) Hotspot in India, particularly for the endemic genera, Bhavania, Ghatsa and Travancoria. Integration of these data into a phylogeny revealed that the endemic WG genera together form a well-supported monophyletic clade that shows, subject to our limited taxon sampling, a sister-group relationship to the Southeast Asian genus Pseudohomaloptera. Three WG endemic species of the genus Balitora, namely B. chipkali, B. jalpalli and B. laticauda, though morphologically distinct, have low genetic divergence and barcode gap, suggestive of recent speciation. Interestingly, a fourth WG endemic, B. mysorensis, formed a clade with two species of Balitora from Eastern-Himalaya and Indo-Burma. We also show that all available CO1 sequences assigned to WG endemic balitorid genera in GenBank are misidentifications, and provide diagnostic characters for the accurate identification of these taxa in the future.
Keywords: Pisces, freshwater fish, hill-stream loaches, mitochondrial DNA, peninsular India
Arya Sidharthan, Rajeev Raghavan, V. K. Anoop, Unmesh Katwate and Neelesh Dahanukar. 2021. Phylogenetic Position and Relationships of Mountain Loaches (Teleostei: Balitoridae) of the Western Ghats as revealed by CO1 Sequences. Zootaxa. 4926(1); 79–92. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4926.1.5
facebook.com/RajeevRaghavan98/posts/10157400389005938
twitter.com/LabRajeev/status/1353234098249031681
==========================
Review of the hagfishes (Myxinidae) from the Galapagos Islands, with descriptions of four new species and their phylogenetic relationships
M M Mincarone, D Plachetzki, C L McCord, T M Winegard, B Fernholm, C J Gonzalez, D S Fudge
Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, zlaa178, https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa178
Published:
AbstractHagfishes are an ancient group of benthic marine craniates that are found in deep or cold waters around the world. Among the 83 valid species, four are described from the Galapagos Islands: Eptatretus bobwisneri, E. grouseri, E. mccoskeri and Rubicundus lakeside. During a recent expedition to the archipelago, six species of hagfishes were collected, including four undescribed species of the genera Eptatretus (Eptatretus goslinei sp. nov.) and Myxine (Myxine greggi sp. nov., M. martinii sp. nov. and M. phantasma sp. nov.). In this paper, we provide a review of the eight species of hagfishes from the Galapagos Islands, including new diagnoses and an identification key for all species. Myxine phantasma is remarkable in that it is the only species of Myxine known to completely lack melanin-based pigments. Our species delineations were based on both morphological and molecular analyses. A phylogenetic hypothesis based on molecular data suggests that Galapagos hagfishes arose from multiple independent colonisations of the islands from as many as five different ancestral lineages. The large number of endemic hagfishes in the geologically young Galapagos Islands suggests that there is much global hagfish diversity yet to be discovered.
==========================
M M Mincarone, D Plachetzki, C L McCord, T M Winegard, B Fernholm, C J Gonzalez, D S Fudge
Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, zlaa178, https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa178
Published:
AbstractHagfishes are an ancient group of benthic marine craniates that are found in deep or cold waters around the world. Among the 83 valid species, four are described from the Galapagos Islands: Eptatretus bobwisneri, E. grouseri, E. mccoskeri and Rubicundus lakeside. During a recent expedition to the archipelago, six species of hagfishes were collected, including four undescribed species of the genera Eptatretus (Eptatretus goslinei sp. nov.) and Myxine (Myxine greggi sp. nov., M. martinii sp. nov. and M. phantasma sp. nov.). In this paper, we provide a review of the eight species of hagfishes from the Galapagos Islands, including new diagnoses and an identification key for all species. Myxine phantasma is remarkable in that it is the only species of Myxine known to completely lack melanin-based pigments. Our species delineations were based on both morphological and molecular analyses. A phylogenetic hypothesis based on molecular data suggests that Galapagos hagfishes arose from multiple independent colonisations of the islands from as many as five different ancestral lineages. The large number of endemic hagfishes in the geologically young Galapagos Islands suggests that there is much global hagfish diversity yet to be discovered.
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2021 American Cichlid Association Convention in St Louis, MO, July 23-25!
Cichlid enthusiasts of all ages and experience will be there for all things Cichlid, fishy talk and fellowship and have access to world class speakers, manufacturer & vendor booths, an ACA hospitality suite and fish being sold throughout the event. Everyone is bringing their newest acquisitions, spawned and ready to distribute!
Party with your Buddies and go home with new fish! This event features a slate of 5 special speakers, an extra special vendor room, a tank rental room and a hopping hospitality room. Attendee room sales, found throughout the venue, will be intense. The ACA will not have a Show but the Convention will finish with a large Cichlid only auction!
In 2021 make up for staying at home in 2020! https://convention.cichlid.org/ Use the convention website for Convention & Vendor registration, additional details and offers.
MORE DETAILS AVAILABLE on the WEBSITE
*** In the case the pandemic is still ongoing, refunds WILL be issued for those registered. ****
==========================
Cichlid enthusiasts of all ages and experience will be there for all things Cichlid, fishy talk and fellowship and have access to world class speakers, manufacturer & vendor booths, an ACA hospitality suite and fish being sold throughout the event. Everyone is bringing their newest acquisitions, spawned and ready to distribute!
Party with your Buddies and go home with new fish! This event features a slate of 5 special speakers, an extra special vendor room, a tank rental room and a hopping hospitality room. Attendee room sales, found throughout the venue, will be intense. The ACA will not have a Show but the Convention will finish with a large Cichlid only auction!
In 2021 make up for staying at home in 2020! https://convention.cichlid.org/ Use the convention website for Convention & Vendor registration, additional details and offers.
MORE DETAILS AVAILABLE on the WEBSITE
*** In the case the pandemic is still ongoing, refunds WILL be issued for those registered. ****
==========================
Rakthamichthys gen. nov. • Osteology of ‘Monopterus’ roseni with the Description of A New Genus (Synbranchiformes: Synbranchidae), and Comments on the Generic Assignment of the Amphipnous Group Species
Rakthamichthys digressus (Gopi. 2002)
in Britz, Dahanukar, Standing, Philip, Kumar & Raghavan, 2020.
DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1163
facebook.com/RajeevRaghavan98
We provide a detailed description of the head and shoulder girdle osteology of the holotype of the synbranchid ‘Monopterus’ roseni Bailey & Gans. Collected from a well in Kerala, this subterranean synbranchid shows a number of unique and highly derived characters in the gill arch skeleton. In ‘Monopterus’ roseni, basibranchial 2 does not articulate with basibranchial 1, but is situated more posteriorly between the proximal ends of hypobranchials 2, with which it articulates; and ceratobranchial 2 does not articulate with hypobranchial 2, but is offset posteriorly so that the distal tip of hypobranchial 2 is situated in between the proximal ends of ceratobranchial 1 and 2. Based on these striking osteological differences and a combination of additional diagnostic characters, we erect the new genus Rakthamichthys with the type species Monopterus roseni. We also include the other two southern Indian subterranean species formerly referred to as M. indicus Eapen (= M. eapeni Talwar) and M. digressus Gopi in the new genus Rakthamichthys along with the northeast Indian M. rongsaw Britz, Sykes, Gower & Kamei. Rakthamichthys also differs genetically from the other Asian genera of synbranchids, Monopterus and Ophichthys, by an uncorrected p-distance of 18.9-23.9 % in the cox1 barcoding gene. We further resurrect the genus name Typhlosynbranchus Pellegrin for the two West African species ‘M.’ boueti and ‘M.’ luticolus.
Rakthamichthys roseni (Bailey & Gans 1998)
Rakthamichthys digressus (Gopi. 2002)
Ralf Britz, Neelesh Dahanukar, Ariane Standing, Siby Philip, Biju Kumar and Rajeev Raghavan. 2020. Osteology of ‘Monopterus’ roseni with the Description of Rakthamichthys, New Genus, and Comments on the Generic Assignment of the Amphipnous Group Species (Teleostei: Synbranchiformes). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. IEF-1163; 1-16. DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1163
pfeil-verlag.de/publikationen/osteology-of-monopterus-roseni-with-the-description-of-rakthamichthys-new-genus-and-comments-on-the-generic-assignment-of-the-amphipnous-group-species
facebook.com/RajeevRaghavan98/posts/10157306987080938
Researchgate.net/publication/347975439_Rakthamichthys_new_genus
Swamp eel: Blood-red subterranean dweller is newest fish genus discovered
phys.org/news/2021-01-swamp-eel-blood-red-subterranean-dweller.html
=======================================
Rakthamichthys digressus (Gopi. 2002)
in Britz, Dahanukar, Standing, Philip, Kumar & Raghavan, 2020.
DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1163
facebook.com/RajeevRaghavan98
We provide a detailed description of the head and shoulder girdle osteology of the holotype of the synbranchid ‘Monopterus’ roseni Bailey & Gans. Collected from a well in Kerala, this subterranean synbranchid shows a number of unique and highly derived characters in the gill arch skeleton. In ‘Monopterus’ roseni, basibranchial 2 does not articulate with basibranchial 1, but is situated more posteriorly between the proximal ends of hypobranchials 2, with which it articulates; and ceratobranchial 2 does not articulate with hypobranchial 2, but is offset posteriorly so that the distal tip of hypobranchial 2 is situated in between the proximal ends of ceratobranchial 1 and 2. Based on these striking osteological differences and a combination of additional diagnostic characters, we erect the new genus Rakthamichthys with the type species Monopterus roseni. We also include the other two southern Indian subterranean species formerly referred to as M. indicus Eapen (= M. eapeni Talwar) and M. digressus Gopi in the new genus Rakthamichthys along with the northeast Indian M. rongsaw Britz, Sykes, Gower & Kamei. Rakthamichthys also differs genetically from the other Asian genera of synbranchids, Monopterus and Ophichthys, by an uncorrected p-distance of 18.9-23.9 % in the cox1 barcoding gene. We further resurrect the genus name Typhlosynbranchus Pellegrin for the two West African species ‘M.’ boueti and ‘M.’ luticolus.
Rakthamichthys roseni (Bailey & Gans 1998)
Rakthamichthys digressus (Gopi. 2002)
Ralf Britz, Neelesh Dahanukar, Ariane Standing, Siby Philip, Biju Kumar and Rajeev Raghavan. 2020. Osteology of ‘Monopterus’ roseni with the Description of Rakthamichthys, New Genus, and Comments on the Generic Assignment of the Amphipnous Group Species (Teleostei: Synbranchiformes). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. IEF-1163; 1-16. DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1163
pfeil-verlag.de/publikationen/osteology-of-monopterus-roseni-with-the-description-of-rakthamichthys-new-genus-and-comments-on-the-generic-assignment-of-the-amphipnous-group-species
facebook.com/RajeevRaghavan98/posts/10157306987080938
Researchgate.net/publication/347975439_Rakthamichthys_new_genus
Swamp eel: Blood-red subterranean dweller is newest fish genus discovered
phys.org/news/2021-01-swamp-eel-blood-red-subterranean-dweller.html
=======================================
Narcetes shonanmaruae • Discovery of A Colossal Slickhead (Alepocephaliformes: Alepocephalidae): An Active-swimming Top Predator in the Deep Waters of Suruga Bay, Japan
Narcetes shonanmaruae Poulsen, Ida, Kawato & Fujiwara
in Fujiwara, Kawato, Poulsen, ... et Tsuchida, 2021.
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80203-6
Abstract
A novel species of the family Alepocephalidae (slickheads), Narcetes shonanmaruae, is described based on four specimens collected at depths greater than 2171 m in Suruga Bay, Japan. Compared to other alepocephalids, this species is colossal (reaching ca. 140 cm in total length and 25 kg in body weight) and possesses a unique combination of morphological characters comprising anal fin entirely behind the dorsal fin, multiserial teeth on jaws, more scale rows than congeners, precaudal vertebrae less than 30, seven branchiostegal rays, two epurals, and head smaller than those of relatives. Mitogenomic analyses also support the novelty of this large deep-sea slickhead. Although most slickheads are benthopelagic or mesopelagic feeders of gelatinous zooplankton, behavioural observations and dietary analyses indicate that the new species is piscivorous. In addition, a stable nitrogen isotope analysis of specific amino acids showed that N. shonanmaruae occupies one of the highest trophic positions reported from marine environments to date. Video footage recorded using a baited camera deployed at a depth of 2572 m in Suruga Bay revealed the active swimming behaviour of this slickhead. The scavenging ability and broad gape of N. shonanmaruae might be correlated with its colossal body size and relatively high trophic position.
Systematics
Family Alepocephalidae Bonaparte, 1846.
Genus Narcetes Alcock, 1890.
Narcetes shonanmaruae sp. nov. Poulsen, Ida, Kawato & Fujiwara
(proposed English name: Yokozuna Slickhead,
proposed Japanese name: Yokozuna Iwashi).
Species diagnosis: Anal fin entirely behind the dorsal fin. Teeth on premaxillary, maxillary, and dentary multiserial. Predorsal scale rows greater than 70. Longitudinal scale rows greater than 110. Dorsal to lateral line scale row greater than 15. Anal to lateral line scale rows greater than 17. Branchiostegal rays 7. Dorsal-fin rays less than 15. Precaudal vertebrae less than 30. Epurals 2. Lengths of head, snout, upper and lower jaws, orbit diameter, dorsal and anal fin bases relatively short against standard length (SL).
Remarks: Narcetes shonanmaruae sp. nov. is similar to N. erimelas in anal fin position being entirely behind the dorsal fin. However, our species differs from all the other Narcetes species based on the following morphological characters: length of dorsal fin base less than 13% SL; upper jaw length less than 14% SL; lower jaw length less than 15% SL; number of dorsal-fin rays less than 15; number of predorsal scale rows greater than 70; number of dorsal to lateral line scale rows greater than 16; number of anal to lateral line scale rows greater than 17.
Etymology: The species epithet shonanmaruae is a feminine noun in Latin, referring to the ship ‘Shonan maru’ from which the type materials were caught, honouring the vessel’s considerable contribution to deep-sea fish research in the area. The proposed Japanese vernacular name is ‘Yokozuna Iwashi’. This species belongs to the family Alepocephalidae, which is referred to as ‘Sekitori Iwashi’ in Japanese: ‘Sekitori’ meaning a sumo wrestler and ‘Iwashi’ meaning a sardine, thereby implying a massive sardine. The term ‘Yokozuna’ refers to the highest rank in sumo wrestling in Japan. Accordingly, we propose the name ‘Yokozuna Iwashi’ as being indicative of the large body size and the high trophic position of the newly described species. English vernacular name: Yokozuna Slickhead.
Distribution: Currently only known from Suruga Bay at depths deeper than 2100 m
Yoshihiro Fujiwara, Masaru Kawato, Jan Yde Poulsen, Hitoshi Ida, Yoshito Chikaraishi, Naohiko Ohkouchi, Kazumasa Oguri, Shinpei Gotoh, Genki Ozawa, Sho Tanaka, Masaki Miya, Tetsuya Sado, Katsunori Kimoto, Takashi Toyofuku and Shinji Tsuchida. 2021. Discovery of A Colossal Slickhead (Alepocephaliformes: Alepocephalidae): An Active-swimming Top Predator in the Deep Waters of Suruga Bay, Japan. Scientific Reports. 11, 2490. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80203-6
==========================
Narcetes shonanmaruae Poulsen, Ida, Kawato & Fujiwara
in Fujiwara, Kawato, Poulsen, ... et Tsuchida, 2021.
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80203-6
Abstract
A novel species of the family Alepocephalidae (slickheads), Narcetes shonanmaruae, is described based on four specimens collected at depths greater than 2171 m in Suruga Bay, Japan. Compared to other alepocephalids, this species is colossal (reaching ca. 140 cm in total length and 25 kg in body weight) and possesses a unique combination of morphological characters comprising anal fin entirely behind the dorsal fin, multiserial teeth on jaws, more scale rows than congeners, precaudal vertebrae less than 30, seven branchiostegal rays, two epurals, and head smaller than those of relatives. Mitogenomic analyses also support the novelty of this large deep-sea slickhead. Although most slickheads are benthopelagic or mesopelagic feeders of gelatinous zooplankton, behavioural observations and dietary analyses indicate that the new species is piscivorous. In addition, a stable nitrogen isotope analysis of specific amino acids showed that N. shonanmaruae occupies one of the highest trophic positions reported from marine environments to date. Video footage recorded using a baited camera deployed at a depth of 2572 m in Suruga Bay revealed the active swimming behaviour of this slickhead. The scavenging ability and broad gape of N. shonanmaruae might be correlated with its colossal body size and relatively high trophic position.
Systematics
Family Alepocephalidae Bonaparte, 1846.
Genus Narcetes Alcock, 1890.
Narcetes shonanmaruae sp. nov. Poulsen, Ida, Kawato & Fujiwara
(proposed English name: Yokozuna Slickhead,
proposed Japanese name: Yokozuna Iwashi).
Species diagnosis: Anal fin entirely behind the dorsal fin. Teeth on premaxillary, maxillary, and dentary multiserial. Predorsal scale rows greater than 70. Longitudinal scale rows greater than 110. Dorsal to lateral line scale row greater than 15. Anal to lateral line scale rows greater than 17. Branchiostegal rays 7. Dorsal-fin rays less than 15. Precaudal vertebrae less than 30. Epurals 2. Lengths of head, snout, upper and lower jaws, orbit diameter, dorsal and anal fin bases relatively short against standard length (SL).
Remarks: Narcetes shonanmaruae sp. nov. is similar to N. erimelas in anal fin position being entirely behind the dorsal fin. However, our species differs from all the other Narcetes species based on the following morphological characters: length of dorsal fin base less than 13% SL; upper jaw length less than 14% SL; lower jaw length less than 15% SL; number of dorsal-fin rays less than 15; number of predorsal scale rows greater than 70; number of dorsal to lateral line scale rows greater than 16; number of anal to lateral line scale rows greater than 17.
Etymology: The species epithet shonanmaruae is a feminine noun in Latin, referring to the ship ‘Shonan maru’ from which the type materials were caught, honouring the vessel’s considerable contribution to deep-sea fish research in the area. The proposed Japanese vernacular name is ‘Yokozuna Iwashi’. This species belongs to the family Alepocephalidae, which is referred to as ‘Sekitori Iwashi’ in Japanese: ‘Sekitori’ meaning a sumo wrestler and ‘Iwashi’ meaning a sardine, thereby implying a massive sardine. The term ‘Yokozuna’ refers to the highest rank in sumo wrestling in Japan. Accordingly, we propose the name ‘Yokozuna Iwashi’ as being indicative of the large body size and the high trophic position of the newly described species. English vernacular name: Yokozuna Slickhead.
Distribution: Currently only known from Suruga Bay at depths deeper than 2100 m
Yoshihiro Fujiwara, Masaru Kawato, Jan Yde Poulsen, Hitoshi Ida, Yoshito Chikaraishi, Naohiko Ohkouchi, Kazumasa Oguri, Shinpei Gotoh, Genki Ozawa, Sho Tanaka, Masaki Miya, Tetsuya Sado, Katsunori Kimoto, Takashi Toyofuku and Shinji Tsuchida. 2021. Discovery of A Colossal Slickhead (Alepocephaliformes: Alepocephalidae): An Active-swimming Top Predator in the Deep Waters of Suruga Bay, Japan. Scientific Reports. 11, 2490. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80203-6
==========================
Two new species of the spiny percheel genus Mastacembelus (Synbranchiformes, Mastacembelidae) with low numbers of dorsal fin spines from the Congo basin,
Abstract
Two new species of African Mastacembelus are described with unusually low counts of dorsal fin spines. Until now the African species of spiny eels with the fewest dorsal fin spines are M. paucispinis Boulenger 1899, from mainstream rapids of the Lower Congo River, with 6-10 dorsal fin spines, well-developed eyes but obsolescent coloration, and M. sexdecimspinus (Roberts and Travers 1986) from high gradient rapids of Cross River, near Widekum, Cameroon, with 15-16 dorsal fin spines and well-developed coloration. The new species are M. ubangipaucispinis from mainstream rapids of the Ubangi River in the Congo basin, with 10 dorsal fin spines and well developed distinctive color pattern (similar to the obsolescent color pattern of M. paucispinis), and M. kadeiensis, from the Kadei River, Congo basin, Central African Republic, with 19 dorsal fin spines and a distinctive color pattern. The rest of African Mastacembelus have 21-40 dorsal fin spines and a different color pattern from the two new species. Mastacembelus ubangipaucispinis shows similarities with M. paucispinis, differing mainly in well-developed (versus poorly developed but otherwise similar) color pattern and in having fewer dorsal fin rays, 101 versus 115-123. Mastacembelus kadeiensis is perhaps most similar to M. sexdecimspinus and somewhat less closely to M. ubangipaucispinis and M. paucispinis. The holotype of Mastacembelus frenatus Boulenger 1901 from Lake Tanganyika reportedly has only 18 dorsal fin spines but coloration unlike M. kadeiensis. A radiograph reveals that it actually has 26 dorsal fin spines.
Full Text | PDF (128 KB)
Mastacembelus ubangipaucispinis n. sp., holotype, NRM 64699, 207 mm. a. lateral view; b. dorsal view; c. ventral view; d. radiograph lateral view.
from Aqua International
==========================
Abstract
Two new species of African Mastacembelus are described with unusually low counts of dorsal fin spines. Until now the African species of spiny eels with the fewest dorsal fin spines are M. paucispinis Boulenger 1899, from mainstream rapids of the Lower Congo River, with 6-10 dorsal fin spines, well-developed eyes but obsolescent coloration, and M. sexdecimspinus (Roberts and Travers 1986) from high gradient rapids of Cross River, near Widekum, Cameroon, with 15-16 dorsal fin spines and well-developed coloration. The new species are M. ubangipaucispinis from mainstream rapids of the Ubangi River in the Congo basin, with 10 dorsal fin spines and well developed distinctive color pattern (similar to the obsolescent color pattern of M. paucispinis), and M. kadeiensis, from the Kadei River, Congo basin, Central African Republic, with 19 dorsal fin spines and a distinctive color pattern. The rest of African Mastacembelus have 21-40 dorsal fin spines and a different color pattern from the two new species. Mastacembelus ubangipaucispinis shows similarities with M. paucispinis, differing mainly in well-developed (versus poorly developed but otherwise similar) color pattern and in having fewer dorsal fin rays, 101 versus 115-123. Mastacembelus kadeiensis is perhaps most similar to M. sexdecimspinus and somewhat less closely to M. ubangipaucispinis and M. paucispinis. The holotype of Mastacembelus frenatus Boulenger 1901 from Lake Tanganyika reportedly has only 18 dorsal fin spines but coloration unlike M. kadeiensis. A radiograph reveals that it actually has 26 dorsal fin spines.
Full Text | PDF (128 KB)
Mastacembelus ubangipaucispinis n. sp., holotype, NRM 64699, 207 mm. a. lateral view; b. dorsal view; c. ventral view; d. radiograph lateral view.
from Aqua International
==========================
Nothobranchius elucens • A New Species of Seasonal Killifish (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the upper Nile drainage in Uganda
Nothobranchius elucens
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4915.1.10
Abstract
Nothobranchius elucens, new species, from a seasonal habitat in the Aringa system of the Achwa River in the upper Nile drainage in northern Uganda, is described. It belongs to the N. rubroreticulatus species group, whose members are characterised by male coloration of anal and caudal fins with slender light blue subdistal band and slender dark distal band. Nothobranchius elucens is distinguished from all other members of the genus by the following characters in males: body colouration golden-grey with brown scale margins creating irregular vertical stripes on trunk; anal fin yellow with brown spots proximally, with slender brown median band, followed by a slender light blue subdistal band and a slender black distal band; caudal fin brown proximally and medially, followed by a slender light blue subdistal band and a slender black distal band; dorsal fin golden with irregular brown stripes and narrow light blue subdistal band and with narrow black distal band. Furthermore, it differs from the closest known relative, N. taiti, also by the morphometric characters of having a smaller head length of 29.5–33.1 % SL; smaller prepectoral length of 31.2–33.9 % SL; greater head depth of 81–87 % HL; greater interorbital width of 43–49 % HL; and greater caudal peduncle length of 145–152 in % of its depth.
Keywords: Pisces, Achwa River drainage, Madi Opei area, upper Nile ecoregion
Nothobranchius elucens, new species
Béla Nagy. 2021. Nothobranchius elucens, A New Species of Seasonal Killifish from the upper Nile drainage in Uganda (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae). Zootaxa. 4915(1); 133–147. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4915.1.10
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Nothobranchius elucens
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4915.1.10
Abstract
Nothobranchius elucens, new species, from a seasonal habitat in the Aringa system of the Achwa River in the upper Nile drainage in northern Uganda, is described. It belongs to the N. rubroreticulatus species group, whose members are characterised by male coloration of anal and caudal fins with slender light blue subdistal band and slender dark distal band. Nothobranchius elucens is distinguished from all other members of the genus by the following characters in males: body colouration golden-grey with brown scale margins creating irregular vertical stripes on trunk; anal fin yellow with brown spots proximally, with slender brown median band, followed by a slender light blue subdistal band and a slender black distal band; caudal fin brown proximally and medially, followed by a slender light blue subdistal band and a slender black distal band; dorsal fin golden with irregular brown stripes and narrow light blue subdistal band and with narrow black distal band. Furthermore, it differs from the closest known relative, N. taiti, also by the morphometric characters of having a smaller head length of 29.5–33.1 % SL; smaller prepectoral length of 31.2–33.9 % SL; greater head depth of 81–87 % HL; greater interorbital width of 43–49 % HL; and greater caudal peduncle length of 145–152 in % of its depth.
Keywords: Pisces, Achwa River drainage, Madi Opei area, upper Nile ecoregion
Nothobranchius elucens, new species
Béla Nagy. 2021. Nothobranchius elucens, A New Species of Seasonal Killifish from the upper Nile drainage in Uganda (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae). Zootaxa. 4915(1); 133–147. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4915.1.10
==========================
Sillago nigrofasciata • A New Species of Sillago (Perciformes, Sillaginidae) from the southern Coast of China
Sillago nigrofasciata
Xiao, Yu, Song & Gao, 2021
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1011.57302
Abstract
A new Sillago species, the black-banded sillago, Sillago nigrofasciata sp. nov., is described based on 302 specimens sampled from the southern coast of China. Morphological comparisons have been conducted between the new species and ten other Sillago species. The results show that the new species is characterized by a black mid-lateral band below the lateral line when fresh; other characteristics are similar to those of Sillago sihama but subtle differences exist on the swim bladder between Sillago nigrofasciata sp. nov. and S. sihama. A detailed description and illustrations are provided for the new species. The validity of this new species is also supported by a genetic comparison using sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene.
Keywords: DNA barcoding, molecular phylogenetic analyses, morphology, swim bladder, taxonomy
Family Sillaginidae Richardson, 1846
Sillago Cuvier, 1817
Sillago nigrofasciata sp. nov.
Etymology: The specific name nigrofasciata is a compound adjective derived from the Latin words referring to the wide mid-lateral black longitudinal band of this species, a diagnostic character of the species.
Diagnosis: Relatively large body and usually with a wide mid-lateral black stripe from opercular to caudal peduncle; dorsal-fin rays X–XII (mostly XI), I+20–22, soft anal fin rays 20–22; scales in lateral line 67–75, scales above lateral line 4–6; gill rakers 2–4+5–8; vertebra: abdominal 14 or 15 (mostly 14), modified 3–7 (mostly 4 or 5), caudal 13–18, and total 34 or 35 (mostly 34) (Table 3). Swim bladder with two posterior extensions, the origin of the duct-like process at the terminus of swim bladder and start at the joint of roots of two posterior extensions (Fig. 4).
Habitat: Habitat is similar to S. sihama in nearshore areas and frequently entering estuaries for considerable periods, it is common along the beaches, sand bars, and mangrove creeks with sandy substrates. Depths ranging from 0 to 20 m, and frequently captured by trawling vessels.
Distribution: Sillago nigrofasciata sp. nov. was only found along the southern coast of China including the coastal waters of the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. Actually, its distribution range is similar to that of S. sihama in China (Fig. 1).
Jia-Guang Xiao, Zheng-Sen Yu, Na Song and Tian-Xiang Gao. 2021. Description of A New Species, Sillago nigrofasciata sp. nov. (Perciformes, Sillaginidae) from the southern Coast of China. ZooKeys. 1011: 85-100. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1011.57302
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Sillago nigrofasciata
Xiao, Yu, Song & Gao, 2021
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1011.57302
Abstract
A new Sillago species, the black-banded sillago, Sillago nigrofasciata sp. nov., is described based on 302 specimens sampled from the southern coast of China. Morphological comparisons have been conducted between the new species and ten other Sillago species. The results show that the new species is characterized by a black mid-lateral band below the lateral line when fresh; other characteristics are similar to those of Sillago sihama but subtle differences exist on the swim bladder between Sillago nigrofasciata sp. nov. and S. sihama. A detailed description and illustrations are provided for the new species. The validity of this new species is also supported by a genetic comparison using sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene.
Keywords: DNA barcoding, molecular phylogenetic analyses, morphology, swim bladder, taxonomy
Family Sillaginidae Richardson, 1846
Sillago Cuvier, 1817
Sillago nigrofasciata sp. nov.
Etymology: The specific name nigrofasciata is a compound adjective derived from the Latin words referring to the wide mid-lateral black longitudinal band of this species, a diagnostic character of the species.
Diagnosis: Relatively large body and usually with a wide mid-lateral black stripe from opercular to caudal peduncle; dorsal-fin rays X–XII (mostly XI), I+20–22, soft anal fin rays 20–22; scales in lateral line 67–75, scales above lateral line 4–6; gill rakers 2–4+5–8; vertebra: abdominal 14 or 15 (mostly 14), modified 3–7 (mostly 4 or 5), caudal 13–18, and total 34 or 35 (mostly 34) (Table 3). Swim bladder with two posterior extensions, the origin of the duct-like process at the terminus of swim bladder and start at the joint of roots of two posterior extensions (Fig. 4).
Habitat: Habitat is similar to S. sihama in nearshore areas and frequently entering estuaries for considerable periods, it is common along the beaches, sand bars, and mangrove creeks with sandy substrates. Depths ranging from 0 to 20 m, and frequently captured by trawling vessels.
Distribution: Sillago nigrofasciata sp. nov. was only found along the southern coast of China including the coastal waters of the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. Actually, its distribution range is similar to that of S. sihama in China (Fig. 1).
Jia-Guang Xiao, Zheng-Sen Yu, Na Song and Tian-Xiang Gao. 2021. Description of A New Species, Sillago nigrofasciata sp. nov. (Perciformes, Sillaginidae) from the southern Coast of China. ZooKeys. 1011: 85-100. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1011.57302
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Schistura hiranyakeshi • A New Loach (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from Maharashtra, Northern Western Ghats, India
Schistura hiranyakeshi
Praveenraj, Thackeray & Balasubramanian 2020
Schistura hiranyakeshi, a new species of loach is described from Hiranyakeshi River, Amboli, Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra. It is unique among congeners from peninsular, northeastern, and central India, and Sri Lanka in having an incomplete lateral line with 6-7 pores and ending at a point vertical at half the length of the adpressed pectoral fin; dorsal fin and caudal fin devoid of spots or blotches; body with 9-10 bars that are wider or almost equal in width to the interspaces; dorsal fin, anal fin and sub-dorsal bars with a unique crimson color in adult males; lower lip with a black mark on each side of the median interruption in live and preserved specimens; and no suborbital flap or axillary pelvic lobe.
Schistura hiranyakeshi
named after the Hiranyakeshi River drainage in Sindhudurg District of Maharashtra, India, where type locality (a temple pond fed by a natural spring from a laterite cave system) is situated; also, in Sanskrit, hiranyakeshi means “golden hair,” alluding to the golden-yellow coloration and body of adult specimens
Jayasimhan Praveenraj, Tejas Thackeray and Shankar Balasubramanian. 2020. Schistura hiranyakeshi A New Loach (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from Maharashtra, Northern Western Ghats, India. aqua - Int. Journal Ichthyol. 26(2)
https://aqua-aquapress.com/product/aqua-262_schistura-hiranyakeshi/
facebook.com/fishplorer/posts/10225718427173862
twitter.com/ranjeetnature/status/1316935857723637760
facebook.com/meenkaran/posts/3361462350636110
==========================
Schistura hiranyakeshi
Praveenraj, Thackeray & Balasubramanian 2020
Schistura hiranyakeshi, a new species of loach is described from Hiranyakeshi River, Amboli, Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra. It is unique among congeners from peninsular, northeastern, and central India, and Sri Lanka in having an incomplete lateral line with 6-7 pores and ending at a point vertical at half the length of the adpressed pectoral fin; dorsal fin and caudal fin devoid of spots or blotches; body with 9-10 bars that are wider or almost equal in width to the interspaces; dorsal fin, anal fin and sub-dorsal bars with a unique crimson color in adult males; lower lip with a black mark on each side of the median interruption in live and preserved specimens; and no suborbital flap or axillary pelvic lobe.
Schistura hiranyakeshi
named after the Hiranyakeshi River drainage in Sindhudurg District of Maharashtra, India, where type locality (a temple pond fed by a natural spring from a laterite cave system) is situated; also, in Sanskrit, hiranyakeshi means “golden hair,” alluding to the golden-yellow coloration and body of adult specimens
Jayasimhan Praveenraj, Tejas Thackeray and Shankar Balasubramanian. 2020. Schistura hiranyakeshi A New Loach (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from Maharashtra, Northern Western Ghats, India. aqua - Int. Journal Ichthyol. 26(2)
https://aqua-aquapress.com/product/aqua-262_schistura-hiranyakeshi/
facebook.com/fishplorer/posts/10225718427173862
twitter.com/ranjeetnature/status/1316935857723637760
facebook.com/meenkaran/posts/3361462350636110
==========================
GloFish Introduces Bettas to Fluorescent Fish Offerings
Premium male GloFish® Betta in Electric Green®. Image from Spectrum Brands, Inc.
via Spectrum Brands, Inc.
GloFish® LLC is welcoming a new species to its ever-expanding family of fluorescent fish with GloFish Betta. The Electric Green® GloFish Betta species is the first to debut within the betta category, introducing GloFish to a new audience, and will be available alongside a unique array of kits, species-specific food, water care, and decor.
GloFish Bettas offer a unique addition to the world of betta fish. While nearly identical in behavior to traditional domesticated bettas, GloFish Bettas produce a fluorescent protein that allows them to fluoresce under blue LED lights. And under white LED lights, their color is just as striking.
The Electric Green GloFish Betta livestock portfolio is comprised of:
“Over the last several years, we have seen the popularity of GloFish grow, and we are thrilled to add to our livestock portfolio and introduce GloFish Bettas to the market, bringing the brand to an entirely new audience,” said Eric Kenney, Vice President, Marketing & Product Development at Spectrum Brands Global Pet Care Division. “Aside from offering eye-catching color hues, with more to come down the road, GloFish Bettas are easy to care for and fascinating to watch, making them an exciting addition to our portfolio.”
In addition to the livestock offerings, the brand is also introducing an assortment of products to elevate the aquatic experience, including 1.5 and 3 gallon Betta Aquarium Kits, Betta Flakes, Betta Water Conditioner and Betta Water Balance – with additional launches, including plants and other aquarium décor, later this year.
For more information on GloFish® products, visit www.glofish.com.
==========================
Premium male GloFish® Betta in Electric Green®. Image from Spectrum Brands, Inc.
via Spectrum Brands, Inc.
GloFish® LLC is welcoming a new species to its ever-expanding family of fluorescent fish with GloFish Betta. The Electric Green® GloFish Betta species is the first to debut within the betta category, introducing GloFish to a new audience, and will be available alongside a unique array of kits, species-specific food, water care, and decor.
GloFish Bettas offer a unique addition to the world of betta fish. While nearly identical in behavior to traditional domesticated bettas, GloFish Bettas produce a fluorescent protein that allows them to fluoresce under blue LED lights. And under white LED lights, their color is just as striking.
The Electric Green GloFish Betta livestock portfolio is comprised of:
- Premium Male Betta – Full-grown male betta with impressive fins
- Standard Male Betta – Young male with potential for fins to mature throughout its lifespan
- Female Betta – As colorful as GloFish® male bettas, females are less aggressive than their male counterparts and can be kept with other female bettas, GloFish Tetras, Barbs, Danios and Sharks as well as other tropical fish.
“Over the last several years, we have seen the popularity of GloFish grow, and we are thrilled to add to our livestock portfolio and introduce GloFish Bettas to the market, bringing the brand to an entirely new audience,” said Eric Kenney, Vice President, Marketing & Product Development at Spectrum Brands Global Pet Care Division. “Aside from offering eye-catching color hues, with more to come down the road, GloFish Bettas are easy to care for and fascinating to watch, making them an exciting addition to our portfolio.”
In addition to the livestock offerings, the brand is also introducing an assortment of products to elevate the aquatic experience, including 1.5 and 3 gallon Betta Aquarium Kits, Betta Flakes, Betta Water Conditioner and Betta Water Balance – with additional launches, including plants and other aquarium décor, later this year.
For more information on GloFish® products, visit www.glofish.com.
==========================
International Betta Congress Issues GloFish Betta Policy
The International Betta Congress (IBC) is a worldwide union of Betta-lovers and breeders. It was founded in the United States in 1966 by Dr. Gene Lucas (known as the father of the IBC) and others as a non-profit organization with the goal of promoting bettas and researching them.
via International Betta Congress (IBC)
Official Notice from the Judging Board
05 February 2020
With the advent of GloFish® Bettas coming into the market the IBC is issuing an official policy as to the use of GloFish® Bettas in the IBC and for IBC Shows. Below is the official policy of the use of GloFish®
Electric Green® GloFish® male betta. Image from 5-D Tropicals.
GLOFISH® FLUORESCENT FISH LICENSE NOTICE
GloFish® fluorescent ornamental fish are intended solely for visual enjoyment as aquarium fish by end-users who have purchased these fish through authorized channels, and not for commercial reproduction. Please note the following important information:
These fish are the subject of various intellectual property rights owned or controlled by GloFish LLC, both in the U.S. and internationally.
GloFish® is a trademark owned by GloFish LLC (Registration No. 3,056,697) and cannot be used in connection with the promotion or sale of any ornamental fish other than authentic GloFish® fluorescent fish, which are exclusively produced by Segrest Farms, Inc. and 5-D Tropical, Inc. for sale on behalf of GloFish LLC.
GloFish® fluorescent fish are covered under one or more of the following United States Patent Numbers: 7,834,239; 7,858,844; 7,700,825; 7,135,613; 7,442,522; 7,537,915; 7,150,979; 7,166,444, 8,153,858; 8,232,450; 8,232,451; 8,378,169; 8,581,023; 8,581,024; 8,581,025; 8,975,467; 8,727,554; and 8,987,546, as well as other pending applications.
Intentional breeding and/or any sale, barter, or trade, of any offspring of GloFish® fluorescent ornamental fish is strictly prohibited.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, production of these fish is permitted for educational use by teachers and students in bona fide educational institutions, provided, however, that any sale, barter, or trade, of the offspring from such reproduction of these fish is strictly prohibited.
Any bag, container, or aquarium holding GloFish® fluorescent fish for resale, other than bags provided to end-users, will be marked with either “GloFish® fluorescent fish”, or “GloFish®”, along with the name of the specific line(s) being held (i.e., Starfire Red®, Electric Green®, Sunburst Orange®, etc.). The IBC will honor all agreements that exist with the GloFish® Betta an end-users. As such.
Gerald Griffin
Judging Board Chair
========================================
The International Betta Congress (IBC) is a worldwide union of Betta-lovers and breeders. It was founded in the United States in 1966 by Dr. Gene Lucas (known as the father of the IBC) and others as a non-profit organization with the goal of promoting bettas and researching them.
via International Betta Congress (IBC)
Official Notice from the Judging Board
05 February 2020
With the advent of GloFish® Bettas coming into the market the IBC is issuing an official policy as to the use of GloFish® Bettas in the IBC and for IBC Shows. Below is the official policy of the use of GloFish®
Electric Green® GloFish® male betta. Image from 5-D Tropicals.
GLOFISH® FLUORESCENT FISH LICENSE NOTICE
GloFish® fluorescent ornamental fish are intended solely for visual enjoyment as aquarium fish by end-users who have purchased these fish through authorized channels, and not for commercial reproduction. Please note the following important information:
These fish are the subject of various intellectual property rights owned or controlled by GloFish LLC, both in the U.S. and internationally.
GloFish® is a trademark owned by GloFish LLC (Registration No. 3,056,697) and cannot be used in connection with the promotion or sale of any ornamental fish other than authentic GloFish® fluorescent fish, which are exclusively produced by Segrest Farms, Inc. and 5-D Tropical, Inc. for sale on behalf of GloFish LLC.
GloFish® fluorescent fish are covered under one or more of the following United States Patent Numbers: 7,834,239; 7,858,844; 7,700,825; 7,135,613; 7,442,522; 7,537,915; 7,150,979; 7,166,444, 8,153,858; 8,232,450; 8,232,451; 8,378,169; 8,581,023; 8,581,024; 8,581,025; 8,975,467; 8,727,554; and 8,987,546, as well as other pending applications.
Intentional breeding and/or any sale, barter, or trade, of any offspring of GloFish® fluorescent ornamental fish is strictly prohibited.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, production of these fish is permitted for educational use by teachers and students in bona fide educational institutions, provided, however, that any sale, barter, or trade, of the offspring from such reproduction of these fish is strictly prohibited.
Any bag, container, or aquarium holding GloFish® fluorescent fish for resale, other than bags provided to end-users, will be marked with either “GloFish® fluorescent fish”, or “GloFish®”, along with the name of the specific line(s) being held (i.e., Starfire Red®, Electric Green®, Sunburst Orange®, etc.). The IBC will honor all agreements that exist with the GloFish® Betta an end-users. As such.
- GloFish® Bettas are only allowed to be shown in the purchased fish category
- GloFish® Bettas shown in any other class will be automatically disqualified as it is a violation of the user agreement on reproducing the Glo Betta
- GloFish® Bettas are not to be auctioned off at any IBC event so that the IBC does not unintentionally violate the sales policy on Glo Bettas.
- The agreements with the GloFish® Betta manufactures will be honored, and no classes will ever be constructed for GloFish® Bettas unless that class is constructed under the Purchased fish Category at the discretion of the IBC Judging Board.
Gerald Griffin
Judging Board Chair
========================================
First Captive Breeding of the “Freshwater” Top Hat Blenny
The Top Hat Blenny, Omobranchus fasciolatoceps, is an inshore species often marketed to freshwater aquarists. This image by Mike Jacobs, courtesy of Nautilus Wholesale.
This latest captive-breeding accomplishment highlights an interesting and occasionally-seen fish that is usually imported and distributed as part of the freshwater aquarium trade.
The Top Hat Blenny, Omobranchus fasciolatoceps, is one of a few species of blenniid fishes that are sometimes marketed to aquarium keepers as “Freshwater Blennies.” This native of Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the overall southern China coast is found in estuaries and the ocean shallows near shore. It reaches a modest 3 inch (8 cm) length and is likely tolerant of a wide range of temperatures; Fishbase goes so far as to consider this a “temperate” species. Not overly aggressive but certainly not timid or passive, the species will likely be a fascinating aquarium inhabitant. Its fleshy crest and zebra-striped face make this substrate dweller all the more appealing. Blennies are known as fish with personalities, and the Top Hat Blenny certainly lives up to that expectation.
Early Research
Earlier larval research published in 1999 successfully demonstrated the successful larval rearing of the Omobranchus faciolatoceps in a laboratory setting. Takamitsu Kawaguchi, Hiroshi Kohno, Kiyoshi Fujita, and Yasuhiko Taki collected clutches of wild eggs, which were then subsequently hatched and reared in “50% seawater” at temperatures of 77–86F (25–30C). Nannochloropsis algae, rotifers (Branchionus plicatilus), and brine shrimp (Artemia salina) were used in the larval rearing process. The researchers’ findings were published in the journal Ichthyological Research, June 1999, and are currently available for online reading.
Of note, the eggs are laid in concealed places (caves, holes, oyster shells) and are apparently guarded by the male blenny in the wild. The eggs hatch into larvae that are approximately 3 mm in body length (BL). Flexion starts at just over 5 mm BL and is completed by the time the larvae have reached 7 mm BL. At a length of just under 10 mm BL, the larvae are fully-finned they and transition into the juvenile stage. By around 18 mm BL (roughly 0.75 inches), the fish show color patterning.
A Captive-Bred First
Over 20 years later, Pei-Sheng Chiu, an assistant researcher at the Mariculture Research Center, Fisheries Research Institute, Taiwan, has revisited the species and taken the breeding of Top Hat Blennies one step further. Chiu found the missing element that defines a “captive-bred” fish, successfully spawning the species in an aquarium and rearing the larvae through to the juvenile stage. As such, we would argue that this marks the first true successful captive breeding of the species.
Chiu noted that he believes all the specimens in the Taiwanese aquarium trade are wild-caught. He clearly conveyed that, “This species is a marine fish, which should ideally breed in seawater, but it can be kept in freshwater and brackish water. Broodstock can spawn in seawater, brackish water, and freshwater, but the hatchability of fertilized eggs was significantly lower in freshwater.”
Through personal conversation, Chiu helped fill in some of the gaps from prior research. There may be some dimorphism and dichromatism in O. faciolatoceps; Chiu’s broodstock pair clearly shows the female as smaller and more colorful. Males do undergo a color change during courtship.
Broodstock pair, with male on left and smaller, more colorful female on right. Image credit: Pei-Sheng Chiu
Egg of the Top Hat Blenny, near hatching. Image credit Pei-Sheng Chiu
The time from spawn to hatch has not been disclosed.
Larval Top Hat Blennies. Image credit Pei-Sheng Chiu
A fully formed juvenile Tophat Blenny. Image credit Pei-Sheng Chiu
Chiu reported that rotifers were used as the first food (in this instance, Brachionus ibericus), and that “the feeding method is similar to most clownfish.” Growout times were not disclosed.
A juvenile Tophat Blenny with coloration more developed. Image credit Pei-Sheng Chiu
Dozens of captive-bred Top Hat Blennies. Image credit Pei-Sheng Chiu
What’s Next?
Chiu’s documentation and formalized findings will be submitted to a scientific journal for publication in Taiwan. Outwardly, these reports suggest that the Top Hat Blenny may make a great candidate for home-based breeding efforts. This also lends support to the general suitability of this species for aquarium-keeping, adding yet another good candidate species to the niche “brackish fish” market. The fish may be able to thrive at any salinity.
Joe Hiduke, Sales Manager for Nautilus Wholesale, agrees. “They’ve always done great for me; seem to be very hardy. We keep them around 5ppt for salinity. I got a handful to our salt supplier, and they did well in full saltwater too.”
A closer look at the juvenile captive-bred Tophat Blennies. Image credit Pei-Sheng Chiu
Other species of Omobranchus may be encountered in the aquarium trade, including the Brachiosaurus Blenny, Omobranchus anolius, which is exported from Australia on occasion and marketed as a marine offering, or the Zebra Blenny, Omobranchus zebra, being marketed as a freshwater or brackish species, exported from India. All these species are found in near-shore habitats (mudflats, mangrove estuaries, bays, rocky shorelines), and as such may all have some tolerance of varying salinity levels. They might also share similar reproductive strategies and breeding requirements. Clearly, this is a genus ripe for further investigation by aquarists!
References
Pei-Sheng Chiu’s initial announcement on Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/Marinebreeding/permalink/2639558366330141/
Kawaguchi, T., Kohno, H., Fujita, K. et al. Early morphological development of Omobranchus fasciolatoceps and O. punctatus (Blenniidae: Omobranchini) reared in an aquarium. Ichthyological Research 46, 163–170 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02675434
from Reef To Rainforest
==========================
.
The Top Hat Blenny, Omobranchus fasciolatoceps, is an inshore species often marketed to freshwater aquarists. This image by Mike Jacobs, courtesy of Nautilus Wholesale.
This latest captive-breeding accomplishment highlights an interesting and occasionally-seen fish that is usually imported and distributed as part of the freshwater aquarium trade.
The Top Hat Blenny, Omobranchus fasciolatoceps, is one of a few species of blenniid fishes that are sometimes marketed to aquarium keepers as “Freshwater Blennies.” This native of Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the overall southern China coast is found in estuaries and the ocean shallows near shore. It reaches a modest 3 inch (8 cm) length and is likely tolerant of a wide range of temperatures; Fishbase goes so far as to consider this a “temperate” species. Not overly aggressive but certainly not timid or passive, the species will likely be a fascinating aquarium inhabitant. Its fleshy crest and zebra-striped face make this substrate dweller all the more appealing. Blennies are known as fish with personalities, and the Top Hat Blenny certainly lives up to that expectation.
Early Research
Earlier larval research published in 1999 successfully demonstrated the successful larval rearing of the Omobranchus faciolatoceps in a laboratory setting. Takamitsu Kawaguchi, Hiroshi Kohno, Kiyoshi Fujita, and Yasuhiko Taki collected clutches of wild eggs, which were then subsequently hatched and reared in “50% seawater” at temperatures of 77–86F (25–30C). Nannochloropsis algae, rotifers (Branchionus plicatilus), and brine shrimp (Artemia salina) were used in the larval rearing process. The researchers’ findings were published in the journal Ichthyological Research, June 1999, and are currently available for online reading.
Of note, the eggs are laid in concealed places (caves, holes, oyster shells) and are apparently guarded by the male blenny in the wild. The eggs hatch into larvae that are approximately 3 mm in body length (BL). Flexion starts at just over 5 mm BL and is completed by the time the larvae have reached 7 mm BL. At a length of just under 10 mm BL, the larvae are fully-finned they and transition into the juvenile stage. By around 18 mm BL (roughly 0.75 inches), the fish show color patterning.
A Captive-Bred First
Over 20 years later, Pei-Sheng Chiu, an assistant researcher at the Mariculture Research Center, Fisheries Research Institute, Taiwan, has revisited the species and taken the breeding of Top Hat Blennies one step further. Chiu found the missing element that defines a “captive-bred” fish, successfully spawning the species in an aquarium and rearing the larvae through to the juvenile stage. As such, we would argue that this marks the first true successful captive breeding of the species.
Chiu noted that he believes all the specimens in the Taiwanese aquarium trade are wild-caught. He clearly conveyed that, “This species is a marine fish, which should ideally breed in seawater, but it can be kept in freshwater and brackish water. Broodstock can spawn in seawater, brackish water, and freshwater, but the hatchability of fertilized eggs was significantly lower in freshwater.”
Through personal conversation, Chiu helped fill in some of the gaps from prior research. There may be some dimorphism and dichromatism in O. faciolatoceps; Chiu’s broodstock pair clearly shows the female as smaller and more colorful. Males do undergo a color change during courtship.
Broodstock pair, with male on left and smaller, more colorful female on right. Image credit: Pei-Sheng Chiu
Egg of the Top Hat Blenny, near hatching. Image credit Pei-Sheng Chiu
The time from spawn to hatch has not been disclosed.
Larval Top Hat Blennies. Image credit Pei-Sheng Chiu
A fully formed juvenile Tophat Blenny. Image credit Pei-Sheng Chiu
Chiu reported that rotifers were used as the first food (in this instance, Brachionus ibericus), and that “the feeding method is similar to most clownfish.” Growout times were not disclosed.
A juvenile Tophat Blenny with coloration more developed. Image credit Pei-Sheng Chiu
Dozens of captive-bred Top Hat Blennies. Image credit Pei-Sheng Chiu
What’s Next?
Chiu’s documentation and formalized findings will be submitted to a scientific journal for publication in Taiwan. Outwardly, these reports suggest that the Top Hat Blenny may make a great candidate for home-based breeding efforts. This also lends support to the general suitability of this species for aquarium-keeping, adding yet another good candidate species to the niche “brackish fish” market. The fish may be able to thrive at any salinity.
Joe Hiduke, Sales Manager for Nautilus Wholesale, agrees. “They’ve always done great for me; seem to be very hardy. We keep them around 5ppt for salinity. I got a handful to our salt supplier, and they did well in full saltwater too.”
A closer look at the juvenile captive-bred Tophat Blennies. Image credit Pei-Sheng Chiu
Other species of Omobranchus may be encountered in the aquarium trade, including the Brachiosaurus Blenny, Omobranchus anolius, which is exported from Australia on occasion and marketed as a marine offering, or the Zebra Blenny, Omobranchus zebra, being marketed as a freshwater or brackish species, exported from India. All these species are found in near-shore habitats (mudflats, mangrove estuaries, bays, rocky shorelines), and as such may all have some tolerance of varying salinity levels. They might also share similar reproductive strategies and breeding requirements. Clearly, this is a genus ripe for further investigation by aquarists!
References
Pei-Sheng Chiu’s initial announcement on Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/Marinebreeding/permalink/2639558366330141/
Kawaguchi, T., Kohno, H., Fujita, K. et al. Early morphological development of Omobranchus fasciolatoceps and O. punctatus (Blenniidae: Omobranchini) reared in an aquarium. Ichthyological Research 46, 163–170 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02675434
from Reef To Rainforest
==========================
.
New Species of Hill-Stream Betta
Male (top) and female Betta nuluhon. Image from Kamal, Tan, and Ng 2020.
There is a new Betta known to science! Authors Kamal, Tan, and Ng (2020) recently described a new species of hill-stream Betta native to Malaysia in the journal Zootaxa.
To some, the thought of a typical fighting fish habitat produces imagery of slow-moving perhaps even stagnant waters. But this is not the case for the newly described Betta nuluhon. Discovered in the Malaysian state of Sabah, B. nuluhon was once thought to be a variety of B. chini, a resident of lowland peat-swamps in western Sabah. The new species, however, was located in the hill streams of the Crocker mountain range (exact coordinates were not provided to prevent illegal collection). The specific epithet is based on the indigenous Kaduzandusun word for “hill”.
Physical description
Betta nuluhon are brown to dark brown with body scales rimmed with bright blue. A dark stripe extends from the upper jaw through the eye to the opercle edge, a dark suborbital stripe and a chin bar are present. The body consists of a yellow dorsal region, black lateral regions, and a reddish ventral region. Male B. nuluhon may exhibit a greenish-blue iridescence on the opercle. The dorsal fin is brown with 4 to 6 traverse bars, the caudal fin has 12 to 16 dark transverse bars, the anal fin is plain with a reddish-brown margin, and the pelvic fin has a whitish second filamentous ray. The fish examined for this study had standard lengths from 39.8 to 62.6 mm.
Betta nuluhon, 50 mm SL male. Image from Kamal, Tan, and Ng 2020.
Ecology
Specimens were collected inside the Crocker Range Forest Reserve in a shallow clear-water stream that had overhanging riparian vegetation and a combination of pebble, sand, and silty substrate. At the time of collection, the water had a temperature of 75°F (24°C), a pH of 6.57, and a dissolved oxygen concentration of 6.25 mg/L. Also present in the collection locale were giant mottle eels (Anguilla marmorata), Bornean spotted barbs (Barbodes sealei), Nematabramis borneensis, Tor tambra, and Gastromyzon introrsus.
Like other members of the Betta akarensis species-group, B. nuluhon are male oral mouthbrooders.
A comparison of a 58.6 mm SL male B. chini (top) to that of a 62.6 mm SL male B. nuluhon. Image from Kamal, Tan, and Ng 2020.
Reference:
Kamal, N.S.S., H.H. Tan, and C.K.C. NG. 2020. Betta nuluhon, a new species of fighting fish from western Sabah, Malaysia (Teleostei: Osphronemidae). Zootaxa 4819 (1): 187–194.
Article Abstract:
Betta nuluhon, a newly described species, is from a hill stream habitat in western Sabah. This species is allied to both B. chini and B. balunga, and differs from the rest of its congeners in the B. akarensis group by having the following combination of characteristics: yellow iris when live; mature males with greenish-blue iridescence on opercle when live; mature fish with distinct transverse bars on caudal fin; slender body (body depth 22.1–25.2 % SL); belly area with faint reticulated pattern (scales posteriorly rimmed with black); absence of tiny black spots on anal fin; lateral scales 29–31 (mode 30); predorsal scales 20–21 (mode 20). Notes on a fresh series of B. chini are also provided.
from Reef to Rainforest.
==========================
Male (top) and female Betta nuluhon. Image from Kamal, Tan, and Ng 2020.
There is a new Betta known to science! Authors Kamal, Tan, and Ng (2020) recently described a new species of hill-stream Betta native to Malaysia in the journal Zootaxa.
To some, the thought of a typical fighting fish habitat produces imagery of slow-moving perhaps even stagnant waters. But this is not the case for the newly described Betta nuluhon. Discovered in the Malaysian state of Sabah, B. nuluhon was once thought to be a variety of B. chini, a resident of lowland peat-swamps in western Sabah. The new species, however, was located in the hill streams of the Crocker mountain range (exact coordinates were not provided to prevent illegal collection). The specific epithet is based on the indigenous Kaduzandusun word for “hill”.
Physical description
Betta nuluhon are brown to dark brown with body scales rimmed with bright blue. A dark stripe extends from the upper jaw through the eye to the opercle edge, a dark suborbital stripe and a chin bar are present. The body consists of a yellow dorsal region, black lateral regions, and a reddish ventral region. Male B. nuluhon may exhibit a greenish-blue iridescence on the opercle. The dorsal fin is brown with 4 to 6 traverse bars, the caudal fin has 12 to 16 dark transverse bars, the anal fin is plain with a reddish-brown margin, and the pelvic fin has a whitish second filamentous ray. The fish examined for this study had standard lengths from 39.8 to 62.6 mm.
Betta nuluhon, 50 mm SL male. Image from Kamal, Tan, and Ng 2020.
Ecology
Specimens were collected inside the Crocker Range Forest Reserve in a shallow clear-water stream that had overhanging riparian vegetation and a combination of pebble, sand, and silty substrate. At the time of collection, the water had a temperature of 75°F (24°C), a pH of 6.57, and a dissolved oxygen concentration of 6.25 mg/L. Also present in the collection locale were giant mottle eels (Anguilla marmorata), Bornean spotted barbs (Barbodes sealei), Nematabramis borneensis, Tor tambra, and Gastromyzon introrsus.
Like other members of the Betta akarensis species-group, B. nuluhon are male oral mouthbrooders.
A comparison of a 58.6 mm SL male B. chini (top) to that of a 62.6 mm SL male B. nuluhon. Image from Kamal, Tan, and Ng 2020.
Reference:
Kamal, N.S.S., H.H. Tan, and C.K.C. NG. 2020. Betta nuluhon, a new species of fighting fish from western Sabah, Malaysia (Teleostei: Osphronemidae). Zootaxa 4819 (1): 187–194.
Article Abstract:
Betta nuluhon, a newly described species, is from a hill stream habitat in western Sabah. This species is allied to both B. chini and B. balunga, and differs from the rest of its congeners in the B. akarensis group by having the following combination of characteristics: yellow iris when live; mature males with greenish-blue iridescence on opercle when live; mature fish with distinct transverse bars on caudal fin; slender body (body depth 22.1–25.2 % SL); belly area with faint reticulated pattern (scales posteriorly rimmed with black); absence of tiny black spots on anal fin; lateral scales 29–31 (mode 30); predorsal scales 20–21 (mode 20). Notes on a fresh series of B. chini are also provided.
from Reef to Rainforest.
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Following the Mangroves: diversification in the banded lampeye Aplocheilichthys spilauchen (Duméril, 1861) (Cyprinodontiformes: Procatopodidae) along the Atlantic coast of Africa Hydrobiologia (2021)Cite this article
IntroductionMangrove forests are among the most dynamic habitats in tropical and subtropical intertidal zones, where they are limited to low-lying coastal areas with constant input of freshwater (Kathiresan & Bingham, 2001; Duke, 2017). Along the African Atlantic coast, the latitudinal extent of mangroves is constrained by two cold sea currents, the Benguela Current in the south, flowing northwards from South Africa to Angola, and the Canary Current flowing southwards from Morocco to Senegal (Saenger & Bellan, 1995) (Fig. 1). The presence and extent of mangrove stands in Africa are directly related to humidity, rainfall, and coastal relief and are known to have undergone extensive expansions and contractions in both range and abundance over time (Saenger & Bellan, 1995). Indeed, the study of mangrove cover is a primary source of information for modelling impacts of climate change (Alongi, 2015), as well as for palaeoclimatic reconstructions based on historical data from mangrove pollens (Bonefille et al., 1982; Leroy & Dupont, 1994; Scourse et al., 2005; Durogbo et al., 2010; Adeonipekun et al., 2016; Vallé et al., 2017).
Fig. 1
Map of West and West-Central Africa with mangrove distribution (light green) and Aplocheilichthys spilauchen sampling sites (black dots) indicated. AC Angola Current, AR Atlantic Rise (red), BC Benguela Current, CC Canary Current, CVL Cameroon Volcanic Line (yellow bar), FP Freshwater plume (blue), GC Guinea Current, GGC Gulf of Guinea Current, SEC South Equatorial Current. Arrows indicate currents direction
Full size imageThe Atlantic coast of Africa has an extremely narrow continental shelf, resulting in mangrove expansion during high sea level but contraction during low sea level (Saenger & Bellan, 1995; Scourse et al., 2005). In a high sea-level scenario, mangroves expand over new floodplains along the lower sections of rivers newly under tidal influence and salinity. In the opposite low sea-level scenario, fewer surfaces are exposed and mangroves recede to the newly reduced tidal zone, with the original stands replaced by other vegetation types. This is in contrast to regions with wide continental shelves, such as in Southeast Asia where significant mangrove expansion is related to low sea level, as shallow shelf areas previously covered by saltwater are exposed to tidal influence and freshwater inputs (Luther & Greenberg, 2009). A similar pattern is seen along the Brazilian coast, also with a wide continental shelf, where during periods of low sea level, many brackish water palaeochannels form and connect adjacent river drainages providing ideal conditions for mangrove expansion (Thomaz et al., 2015; Thomaz & Knowles, 2018). Similar to the described mangrove dynamics, the distribution of brackish water fishes is also highly dependent on freshwater inputs from effluent river systems and sea-level variations (Saenger & Bellan, 1995; Kathiresan & Bingham, 2001; Duke, 2017). Such alternating expansion and contraction dynamics can reveal interesting historical information when analysed in phylogenetic and temporal contexts, and this is particularly the case for taxa inhabiting regions known for major shifts in river outflows, climatic instability, sea level changes, and tectonic activity such as along the African Atlantic coast (Giresse, 2005; Goudie, 2005; Runge, 2007; Flugel et al., 2015).
Among the procatopodids, a cyprinodontoid group comprising mainly freshwater fishes endemic to Africa, the banded lampeye, Aplocheilichthys spilauchen (Duméril, 1861), is one of the few brackish water species and is a dominant species in mangrove habitats along the tropical and subtropical zones of the Atlantic coast (Fig. 1). Similar to other procatopodids and many other cyprinodontoids, A. spilauchen is known for a well-developed swimming capability (vagility) when compared to members of the Aplocheiloidei that in Africa are represented by the Nothobranchiidae (Huber, 1999). The latter is found mostly in shallow freshwater habitats, and some taxa even exhibit a seasonal life cycle (e.g. Nothobranchius), thus, presenting a completely different response to climatic and biogeographic processes. A river or an increase in the input of freshwater into an estuarine region likely represents range expansion opportunities for cyprinodontoid taxa, whereas for aplocheiloids, they more likely act as barriers (Bartáková et al., 2015).
Although A. spilauchen has also occasionally been collected from inland freshwater habitats, it primarily has a coastal distributional range, which closely mirrors the area covered by Atlantic coast mangrove forests, from the Senegal River to the Kwanza River in Angola (Wildekamp, 1995; Saenger & Bellan, 1995; Feka & Morrison, 2017) (Fig. 1). Aplocheilichthys spilauchen is currently recognized as the sole member of Aplocheilichthys and was the first African lampeye to be described (as Poecilia spilauchen), based on specimens from the Ogowe River in Gabon by Duméril (1861). It is readily distinguished from all other procatopodids by the presence of a combination of vertical grey banding along the flanks and dorsal, anal, and caudal fin in males and attainment of large body size (Fig. 2). Adults routinely reach up to 7.0 cm standard length while other procatopodids rarely exceed 4.0 cm standard length (Wildekamp, 1995). Likely, due to this distinctive pigmentation patterning and its presence in mangroves and other brackish water habitats, it has been assumed that A. spilauchen is a widely distributed species. Two other species, A. typus Bleeker, 1863 probably from Ghanaian coastal regions (Wildekamp, 1995), and A. bensonii (Peters, 1864) from Liberia were described but promptly synonymized with A. spilauchen by Günther (1866). A third species, A. tschiloangensis Ahl, 1928, described from the Tschiloango River in Cabinda, an Angolan territory north to the Congo River outlet, is now also considered a synonym of A. spilauchen (Huber, 1982; Wildekamp et al., 1986).
Fig. 2
Males of A. spilauchen from localities along the Atlantic coast of Africa: a UFRJ 4150, 37.6 mm SL, Sangrougrou River, Senegal; b AMNH 275472, 51.0 mm SL, Farmoriah River, Guinea; c AMNH 59382, 52.8 mm SL, Freetown, Sierra Leone; d UFRJ 11487, 44.8 mm SL, Assimie, Ivory Coast; e MRAC 73–08-P-135–138, 41.0 mm SL, Ebrie Lagoon, Ivory Coast; f AMNH 226603, 46.4 mm SL, coastal Benin; g UFRJ 11484, 42.3 mm SL, coastal Nigeria (aquarium import); h MRAC 143378–387, 64.7 mm SL, Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea; i MRAC 73–39-P-2168–179, 41.4 mm SL, mouth of Mirupururu River, Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea; j AMNH 258331, 45.5 mm SL, mouth of Kouilou River, Republic of Congo; k AMNH 238526, 31.0 mm SL, Boma estuary, lower Congo River, Congo DRC; l SAIAB 84605, 40.0 mm SL, Dondo, Kwanza River, Angola
Full size imageInvestigating seasonal variations in mangrove fish communities in Nigeria, Wright (1986) found that A. spilauchen was the dominant species, both in numbers and biomass and that its reproductive cycle was dependent upon freshwater inputs. Okyere (2012), in a study evaluating the use of A. spilauchen for mosquito larvae control along the Ghanaian coast, found that the species exhibited a low resilience to salinity increase, tolerating only a maximum of 4‰ salinity (Okyere, 2012). Both ecological studies suggest a dependence on freshwater in shaping the niche requirements and distribution of the species. Osteological information available for A. spilauchen reveals some inconsistencies regarding the configuration of the hypural plate supporting the caudal fin, usually an invariant feature among procatopodid species. The plate was considered as completely fused (Parenti, 1981), separated (Ghedotti, 2000), or bearing a small gap close to the compound caudal centrum (Costa, 2012).
Recently, in the first molecular dated analysis focused on the Procatopodidae, A. spilauchen was resolved as the sole member of a lineage sister to all other procatopodids, except Plataplochilus Ahl, 1928 (Bragança & Costa, 2019). Through the inclusion of two fossil calibrations in the sister families Valenciidae and Aphaniidae, it was estimated that A. spilauchen split from the remaining procatopodids in the early Miocene (around 23 mya). Considering the diversification patterns seen in all other procatopodid lineages, which intensified during the middle/late Miocene and Pliocene, the presumed lack of diversification within the A. spilauchen lineage is worthy of investigation.
Available ecological information (Wright, 1986; Okyere, 2012), conflicting osteological data (Parenti, 1981; Ghedotti, 1998, 2000; Costa, 2012) and a proposed early Miocene origin for the A. spilauchen lineage (Bragança & Costa, 2019) provide the impetus for the present study which aims to (1) investigate cryptic diversity within the A. spilauchen lineage through the application of both distance and coalescent species delimitation methods, (2) examine connectivity or genetic structuring between haplotypes, (3) estimate the divergence times for identified lineages, (4) perform ancestral area reconstructions, and (5) interpret the resulting temporal and biogeographic patterns in view of the current knowledge of the main historical events that have affected the African landscape and influenced Atlantic mangroves and coastal habitats.
Material and methodsSpecimen preservation and fixationSamples were collected using a variety of fishing techniques, and specimens were euthanized with clove oil or MS-222 anaesthetic solutions, in accordance with recommended guidelines for the use of fishes in research (Bennett et al., 2016). A small piece of muscle tissue or fin was taken from the right side of each specimen, or the entire fish was preserved in 95% ethanol in the field. The samples were stored at low temperatures at each of the following institutions: (1) NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB), Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa; (2) Ichthyological Collection of the Biology Institute of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; (3) Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA), Tervuren, Belgium; (4) American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), New York, USA; (5) National Museum of Natural History (USNM), Washington, USA and (6) Oregon State University (OS), Corvallis, USA.
Taxon samplingSamples of newly generated and published sequences of the mitochondrial gene COI (Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1) with a total of 679 bp from eight populations of A. spilauchen from across its geographical range were included in the analysis (Fig. 1). The present dataset includes samples from the (1) Kwanza and Lucala rivers in Angola (n = 7); (2) lower Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo (n = 2); (3) Kouilou River in the Republic of Congo (n = 2); (4) Ngounie River (Ogowe River drainage) and Komo river in Gabon (n = 3); (5) Ntem River in Equatorial Guinea (n = 3); (6) Aquarium import specimens from coastal Nigeria (n = 2); (7) Kakum River in Ghana (n = 3) and (8) Forecariah River at Conakry, Guinea (n = 2). Following Bragança & Costa (2019), three species were selected as outgroups: Plataplochilus miltotaenia Lambert, 1963 and P. pulcher Lambert, 1967, representing the first diverging lineage of the Procatopodidae and ‘Poropanchax’ normani (Ahl, 1928), representing the remaining procatopodid lineages sister to Aplocheilichthys. The generic name of ‘Poropanchax’ normani is between quotation mark to indicate that the species is not a member of Poropanchax sensu stricto as revealed in Bragança & Costa (2019), and awaits future taxonomic and nomenclatural resolution. A list of all included specimens and their respective catalogue numbers, localities, and GenBank Accession numbers are provided in Table 1. Other specimens, not included in the molecular analyses but photographed to illustrate pigmentation and body shape variation in different populations along the African coast, are shown in Fig. 2. The catalogue number and locality information of the specimens in Fig. 2 are listed in Online Resource 1.
Table 1 Species localities and Genbank and Bold Accession numbers: numbers in bold refer to sequences developed in the present study
Full size tableDNA extraction and sequencingDNA was extracted from preserved tissues using the salting out method (Sunnucks et al., 1996), or the DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit (Qiagen, Hilden) following the manufacturer’s standard protocol for animal tissue isolation. A fragment of the mitochondrial gene COI (Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1) was amplified with universal primers LCO1490 and HCO 2198 and published protocols (Folmer et al., 1994). PCR products were purified with Exosap (Applied Biosystems), cycle sequenced using BigDye Cycle Sequencing Kit (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA) and sequenced at the NRF-SAIAB using an ABI 3730xl DNA Analyzer (Applied Biosystems), or by Macrogen, South Korea.
Phylogenetic analyses, COI codon partitioning and evolution modelsPhylogenetic analyses included newly generated and published sequences of the mitochondrial gene COI from A. spilauchen specimens from along the western coastal plains and mangroves of the Atlantic coast (see Table 1). Our COI alignment did not have frameshifts, indels or premature stop-codons, which are indicative of pseudogenes. The best models of evolution for each codon position for the maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses were determined in PartitionFinder2 (Lanfear et al., 2016). The partitioned ML analysis was completed with GARLI (Zwickl, 2006), and bootstrap support was assessed from a majority rule consensus tree generated in Mesquite (Maddison & Maddison, 2019) from 1000 trees. The partitioned BI analysis was performed with MrBayes version 3.2 (Ronquist et al., 2012), and posterior probabilities were assessed with 5 million generations, sampling trees every 1000 generations. The first 25% of trees were discarded as burn-in. Both the ML and BI analyses were performed on the CIPRES Science Portal (Miller et al., 2010). The models of evolution implemented for each codon position in the ML and BI analyses were TRNEF + I + G, F81 + I, and TIM + G and SYM + G, F81 + I, and GTR + G, respectively.
For the species delimitation methods (described below), an ultrametric tree including only unique haplotypes (n = 15) as required by the GMYC method was performed in Beast 1.8.2 (Drummond et al., 2012), and the parameters were defined as follows: an uncorrelated relaxed clock model with a lognormal distribution (Drummond, et al., 2006), with 10 million generations with a sampling frequency of 1000. The value of parameters of the analyses, convergence of the MCMC chains, sample size and the stationary phase of chains were evaluated using Tracer 1.6 (Rambaut et al., 2014). A Birth and Death Incomplete Sampling speciation process for the tree prior (Stadler, 2009), indicated for datasets with incomplete sampling, was used, and the analysis included only ‘Poropanchax’ normani as outgroup. For this analysis, the evolution model HKY + G was inferred in JModeltest (Darriba et al., 2012) for the entire COI gene. Saturation levels were checked in Dambe5 (Xia, 2013), according to the algorithm proposed by Xia et al. (2003).
Species delimitationFour species delimitation methods were applied to investigate the diversity within A. spilauchen. The traditional barcoding genetic distance method (GD) (Herbert et al., 2003) and the Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) (Puillandre et al., 2012), both relying on genetic distances between haplotypes, and the General Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) (Fujisawa & Barraclough, 2013) and Bayesian implementation of the Poisson Tree Processes (bPTP) (Zhang et al., 2013), both coalescence approaches.
For the GD method, we used the Kimura-2-parameters model (K2P) (Kimura, 1980) to estimate the pairwise genetic distances between the different A. spilauchen populations in MEGA 7 software (Kumar et al., 2016). Haplotypes with a genetic divergence higher than 3% were considered as belonging to distinct operational taxonomic units (OTUs) following the expected pattern for genetic divergence between fish species (Ward, 2009). ABGD also relies on genetic distances to identify the threshold between interspecific (speciation) and intraspecific (populational) processes within the dataset (Puillandre et al., 2012). The main difference between GD and ABGD is that the ABGD allows a more refined search; once the estimated genetic divergence between groups (putative species) is calculated, it is recursively applied to the previously delimited groups until no more putative OTUs are recognized. The ABGD result is presented relative to a spectrum of P values (prior intraspecific values) in which a 0.001 value assumes a minimum intraspecific variability, and a 0.1 value assumes a maximum intraspecific variability. The different results relative to each significant P value intervals are presented, and to identify which P value interval best describes the diversity within the dataset, a congruence with other methods is expected and/or a support from traditional morphological alpha taxonomy. The ABGD analysis was performed in the ABGD server website (https://bioinfo.mnhn.fr/abi/public/abgd/abgdweb.html) following the default parameters.
The coalescence species delimitation method, GMYC (Fujisawa & Barraclough, 2013), requires an ultrametric tree to distinguish between intraspecific (coalescent) and interspecific (speciation) threshold patterns, because it relies on branch length differences to define OTUs. The bPTP coalescent method (Zhang et al., 2013), in contrast to GMYC, relies on the number of nucleotide substitutions between haplotypes to resolve intraspecific and interspecific patterns. When performing bPTP, two results are provided, the BI and the ML solutions, and in each, the recognized OTUs are depicted graphically in a tree. The same reduced dataset tree as for GMYC was used when performing bPTP. The GMYC analysis was performed on the Exelixis Lab's server https://species.h-its.org/gmyc/ following default parameters, and the bPTP was performed on the Exelixis Lab's server https://species.h-its.org/ptp/ following default parameters except for a 20% burn-in.
Haplotype networkThe haplotype network was inferred, using the Minimum Spanning Network method (Kruskal, 1956) in PopART 1.7 (Leigh & Bryant, 2015), including only A. spilauchen haplotypes. The following eight geographic areas/drainages were delimited: (A = Gabon, B = Angola, C = Guinea, D = Kouilou, E = Lower Congo, F = Nigeria, G = Ghana, H = Equatorial Guinea). These areas were delimited based on the presence or absence of connectivity between haplotypes as suggested by the genetic divergence and species delimitation results. Therefore, the area ‘Angola’ includes all haplotypes from the Kwanza and Lucala rivers, the latter being one of the main tributaries of the lower Kwanza River. The area ‘Gabon’ includes all haplotypes from the Ngounie River, a tributary of the lower Ogowe River, and from the Komo River.
Time-calibrated analysisThe time-calibrated analysis was constructed in BEAST v.1.8.2 (Drummond et al., 2012), including all sequences available, and an uncorrelated relaxed clock model with a lognormal distribution (Drummond et al., 2006). Bayesian Inference was performed with 50 million generations with a sampling frequency of 1000. The values of parameters of the analysis, convergence of the MCMC chains, sample size, and the stationary phase of chains were evaluated using Tracer 1.6 (Rambaut et al., 2014). The same Birth and Death Incomplete Sampling speciation process was selected for the tree prior (Stadler, 2009). Since no fossil procatopodids are currently known three relevant calibration points based on the age estimates from Bragança & Costa (2019) were selected. These secondary calibrations correspond to (1) the Procatopodidae basal node (prior setting: normal distribution, mean = 30.1, standard deviation = 1.3); (2) the node representing the split between the A. spilauchen clade and ‘Poropanchax’ normani (prior setting: normal distribution, mean = 23.1, standard deviation = 1.5); and (3) the node representing Plataplochilus diversification (prior setting: normal distribution, mean = 3.2, standard deviation = 0.9). A normal distribution prior was selected for the secondary calibration points as recommended by Ho (2007) and Ho & Phillips (2009). At the end of the analysis, a burn-in of 25% of the retained trees was performed in TreeAnnotator.
Ancestral area reconstructionThe ancestral area reconstruction method, S-DIVA (Statistical Dispersal-Vicariance Analysis) (Yu et al., 2010), was performed in RASP 3.2 (Yu et al., 2015) to reconstruct the expected ancestral areas during A. spilauchen diversification. S-DIVA is an event-based method that incorporates statistical uncertainty into both phylogenetic and ancestral state reconstructions and assumes vicariance as the most probable event to explain biogeographical evolution within a group, attributing higher costs for dispersal and extinction events. For the S-DIVA analysis, both extinctions and reconstructions were considered, and at each node, the frequency of alternative ancestral area reconstructions generated for each tree in the dataset is shown. The analysis was performed on the resulting trees from the time-calibrated analysis from Beast 1.8.2 (Drummond et al., 2012), and the condensed tree was defined as the summary tree from that same analysis. Prior to the analysis, the outgroups were removed in RASP 3.2, and a post-burning of 12,500 trees was carried out. The maximum number of areas included in ancestral distributions was set to 3, but based on current knowledge from ecology, distribution, and genetic divergence between populations, only ancestral distributions between contiguous areas were allowed.
ResultsPhylogenetic analysis (Online Resource 2)ML and the BI analyses recovered the same topology with most nodes receiving posterior probability values > 95 and bootstrap values > 80, except for nodes representing the most recent divergences (Online Resource 2). An early divergence of Plataplochilus species and a sister group relationship between the A. spilauchen lineage and ‘Poropanchax’ normani were recovered with strong support. Within Aplocheilichthys, a sister group relationship between haplotypes from Ghana and Guinea was supported with a high posterior probability but a comparatively lower bootstrap value (Online Resource 2). Haplotypes from Gabon were resolved as sister to all remaining haplotypes with high support. Another node, also strongly supported, represents the split between Nigerian + Equatorial Guinean haplotypes from those from Kouilou, lower Congo, and Angola. A sister group relationship between Nigerian and Equatorial Guinean haplotypes was supported by maximum values in both analyses. The node-grouping haplotypes from Kouilou, lower Congo and Angola were supported with high posterior probability but a comparatively lower bootstrap value. However, within that clade, all nodes received lower support values, except the node representing the split between Kouilou haplotypes and those from lower Congo and Angola, which received strong support.
Species delimitation (Fig. 3)Fig. 3
Ultrametric tree and OTUs delimited by each species delimitation method (represented by different colours). Numbers indicate posterior probability values
Full size imageBoth genetic distance methods provided similar results, but as expected, with a decrease in intraspecific variability value (P value) in ABGD more OTUs were delineated. The ABDG result with a P value between 0.0129 and 0.0599 recovered the same six OTUs as delimited by the GD method: (1) Ghana, (2) Guinea, (3) Gabon, (4) Nigeria, (5) Equatorial Guinea, (6) Kouilou + lower Congo + Angola, whereas one more OTU was identified between P values of 0.0046 and 0.0077, with the Kouilou lineage considered as distinct from a lower Congo + Angola OTU. The absolute pairwise genetic distances for the OTUs identified based on the GD method range from 8 to 22%, which are considerably higher than the heuristic standard threshold of 2–3% commonly applied to recognize species limits (Table 2). The highest genetic distance (22%) was between specimens from Guinea and Equatorial Guinea while the lowest (2%) was recorded for specimens from Kouilou, lower Congo and Angola.
Table 2 Genetic distance within A. spilauchen haplotypes conducted using the K2-parameter model in MEGA 7
Full size tableThe Bayesian ultrametric tree (Fig. 3) had the same topology as the phylogenetic analyses (Online Resource 2), with most nodes supporting putative OTUs with maximum posterior probability values. There was concordance of the six OTUs defined by ABGD (P value between 0.0129 and 0.0599), GD, GMYC and the bPTP ML solution result, while bPTP BI solution returned the same seven OTUs as ABGD when assuming the lowest P values. We considered the six OTUs defined by the traditional barcoding, the ABGD including P values between 0.0129 and 0.0599, the GMYC and the bPTP ML solution as putative species but defer making any taxonomic changes pending a detailed osteological and morphometric study (see Discussion).
Haplotype network (Fig. 4b)Fig. 4
a Map showing the sampled localities and the male colouration in life at each site; b mitochondrial gene COI Minimum Spanning haplotype Network for A. spilauchen haplotypes. The number of nucleotide changes is indicated in parentheses
Full size imageA minimum spanning network portraying genealogical relationships among haplotypes revealed considerable divergence between geographically separated populations within A. spilauchen. In most cases, the number of nucleotide substitutions separating populations was extremely high ranging from a minimum of 43 up to 133. The only exception to this being among haplotypes from the neighbouring Kouilou, lower Congo, and Angolan populations which form a cluster with a maximum of 12 nucleotide changes separating Kouilou haplotypes from the Angolan and lower Congo haplotypes.
Time-calibrated analysis (Fig. 5)Fig. 5
Time-calibrated phylogeny of the Procatopodidae and A. spilauchen obtained from the Bayesian dating analysis in BEASTv.1.8. Bars represent maximum and minimum date estimates for each node (values in brackets), and the numbers are nodes divergence mean ages. The colours in the time bar are a reference to the proposed time extension of main palaeogeographic and palaeoclimatic events during A. spilauchen evolution: the green bar represents the Miocene Climatic Optimum; the red bar represents the Miocene Climatic Transition; the orange bar represents the late Miocene aridification; the brown bar represents the Pliocene–Pleistocene climatic instability; the blue bar represents the onset of the modern Congo River outlet and the black bar represents an increase in the volcanic activity of the CVL
Full size imageAs expected, given a single marker dataset and uncertainties inherent in the use of secondary calibrations, most nodes on our time tree have 95% HPD values spanning large time intervals, and there is no question that considerable uncertainty persists regarding the precision of the resultant dating scheme. Nonetheless, despite these caveats, our scheme does provide a broad estimate of comparative divergence times among geographically disparate populations of A. spilauchen (Fig. 5). Based on the current analysis, the onset of diversification within the A. spilauchen lineage began during the Middle Miocene (14.8 mya, 95% HPD 8.6–20.7 mya), represented by the split of a west African lineage comprising specimens from Ghana and Guinea. These two lineages subsequently diverged during the late Pliocene (3.5 mya, 95% HPD 0.6–8.7 mya). A split between specimens from Gabon and all the remaining populations occurred during the late Miocene (9.5 mya, 95% HPD 4.8–14.9 mya). This was followed by another in the transition between the late Miocene and the Pliocene (5.6 mya, 95% HPD 2.3–9.5 mya), in which two clades diverged, one including specimens from Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea and the other those from the Kouilou, lower Congo and Angola. Later, the lineage including Nigerian and Equatorial Guinean specimens diverged at the onset of the Pleistocene (2.5 mya, 95% HPD 0.8–5.0 mya). The remaining lineage diversification time estimates are extremely recent ranging from around 1 mya to the near present.
Ancestral area reconstruction (Fig. 6)Fig. 6
S-DIVA Ancestral area reconstructions of A. spilauchen, and input chronogram resultant from BEASTv.1.8 dated analysis. Colours for each designated area are presented in legend box
Full size imageBiogeographic ancestral area reconstruction inferred the current distribution pattern of A. spilauchen lineages to have likely resulted from repeated dispersal and vicariance events (Fig. 6). S-DIVA postulates 6 dispersal, 6 vicariance, and 1 extinction event. The root node, corresponding to the onset of diversification of the A. spilauchen lineage, estimated the areas FGH (Ghana, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea) and CFG (Guinea, Ghana, and Nigeria), as equally most probable ancestral areas (49% probability). From this root node, a vicariance event is suggested between areas AFH (Gabon, Nigeria, and Equatorial Guinea) and CG (Guinea and Ghana). At the node corresponding to the split between Guinean and Ghanaian haplotypes, the ancestral area CG was recovered (96% probability), and a vicariance event was suggested as the cause of the split between the two areas. The ancestral area AFH was identified for the node in which the Gabon haplotypes split from the remaining haplotypes (95% probability), and it is possible to identify a duplication event (within area speciation) in area A (Gabon) followed by a vicariance event in which one lineage is restricted to Gabon and the other present in area AFH. The area AFH was considered as the ancestral area for the node in which Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea haplotypes split from the Kouilou, lower Congo and Angolan haplotypes (93% probability). Vicariance was recovered as the explanation for the split between areas FH (Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea) and ADE (Gabon, Kouilou, and lower Congo). The ancestral area FH was estimated for the node in which Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea haplotypes split (96% probability), caused by a vicariance event. For the node which corresponds to the split between Kouilou haplotypes and Angola + lower Congo haplotypes, the ancestral area ADE (Gabon, Kouilou, and lower Congo) (93% probability) was estimated, followed by an extinction event in area A (Gabon), a dispersion to area B (Angola) and finally a vicariance event between areas BE (Angola and lower Congo) and D (Kouilou). For the split between Angola and lower Congo haplotypes, the ancestral area BE was delimited (100% probability) and considered to be the result of a vicariance event.
DiscussionPrior to the current study, A. spilauchen had been considered to be widely distributed with a range extending along much of coastal west and west-central Africa. This was based on the assumption that a higher salinity tolerance, relative to that of other procatopodids, would have allowed the species to maintain population connectivity across this extensive geographical range. In addition, an apparent lack of variability in pigmentation patterning between individuals from geographically disparate populations supported a widespread species hypothesis, which in turn resulted in no further investigation of morphological differences between them. Unfortunately, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has prevented us from undertaking a morphological investigation to accompany the present study. Loan of museum materials is currently not possible, and we are unable to examine the type specimens of three previously synonymized taxa, A. typus (Ghana), A. bensonii (Liberia) and A. tschiloangensis (Cabinda, Angola), or investigate potential osteological (Parenti, 1981; Ghedotti, 2000; Costa, 2012) or morphometric variation among populations. Further investigation of potential phenotypic differentiation between the molecular lineages identified here is necessary prior to formalizing any taxonomic conclusions, and consequently, we must defer such actions to a future contribution.
The present study has, however, uncovered considerable structuring and genetic divergences between populations that are frequently 4–11 times higher than the traditionally employed sequence divergence heuristic threshold of 2–3% for teleostean conspecifics (e.g. Pereira et al., 2013; Decru et al., 2016; Iyiola et al., 2018; Arroyave et al., 2019) (Fig. 4b, Table 2). Here, we focus our discussion on the potential drivers of diversification and mechanisms that are likely to have shaped the contemporary distributions of lineages within this complex.
The onset of A. spilauchen diversification coincides with one of the main climatic shifts during the Neogene (Fig. 5). Initially, a period known as the Middle Miocene Optimum (between 16 and 14.8 mya) was warm and humid with high precipitation. This was followed by the Middle Miocene Climatic Transition (14.8–12.9 mya) which was much dryer leading to a significant drop in sea levels and increased aridification across the African continent (Flower & Kennett, 1994; Kender et al., 2009, 2014; Herold et al., 2011; Frigola et al., 2018). During the Middle Miocene Optimum, a moist and warm climate promoted the expansion of tropical vegetation, which covered most of the continent expanding even to high latitudes (Lovett, 1993; Maley, 1996; Plana, 2004; Stanley et al., 2005; Frigola et al., 2018). During this time, sea level rise likely engendered mangrove expansion throughout the Atlantic coast, and consequently potential expansion of an ancestral range for A. spilauchen. Our ancestral area analysis estimates an expansion from an area that corresponds to the present-day Ghanaian, Nigerian and Equatorial Guinean coastlines to adjacent Gabon to the south and Guinea to the west (Fig. 6). During the Middle Miocene Climatic Transition, this area experienced a marked contraction of mangrove habitats isolating Aplocheilichthys lineages in the westernmost coastal regions of Guinea and Ghana, and another in Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon (Fig. 6).
Studies on the evolution of the Congo River drainage (Beadle, 1981; Burke, 1996; Giresse, 2005; Goudie, 2005; Stankiewicz & de Wit, 2006; Runge, 2007), deposition patterns in the Congo deep sea fan (Lavier et al, 2001; Leturmy et al., 2003; Lucazeau et al., 2003; Anka & Séranne, 2004; Anka et al., 2009; Savoye et al., 2009) and freshwater fish diversification in the basin (Goodier et al., 2011; Schwarzer et al., 2011; Alter et al., 2015, 2017; Arroyave et al., 2020; Stiassny & Alter, in press) reveal a complex geologic history for the most diverse river basin in Africa. In the western basin, sedimentary studies suggest a protracted history of shifting and intermittent outflow of the Congo River into the Atlantic during the Cenozoic. Although a final consensus has yet to be reached, a single high-energy capture event is now generally considered to have established the current Congo outlet to the Atlantic shortly after the Miocene-Pliocene transition. A Pliocene capture (5.3–2.6 mya) is supported by an increase in sediment deposition in the Congo fan and by tectonic activity along the Atlantic Rise during that time (Lavier et al., 2001; Leturmy et al., 2003; Lucazeau et al., 2003; Anka & Séranne, 2004; Anka et al., 2009; Savoye et al., 2009). High humidity during this period is also suggested by palynological data and probably these events facilitated a range expansion from Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon southwards to the regions in and around the newly formed lower Congo estuary at the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola (Fig. 6). Recent data on the extent of the Congo River plume and its influence on sea surface salinity and temperature over expansive coastal regions (Materia et al., 2012; Denamiel et al., 2013; Chao et al., 2015) highlights the importance of the origin of the present-day Congo River outlet for the expansion of mangroves throughout the region. During wet seasons, the Congo plume connects with the Niger River plume, and a lower salinity is recorded for the entire Gulf of Guinea up to and including the region around the Congo outlet.
West African aridification during the Pliocene (5.3–2.6 mya) is documented by both palynological and sediment data sampled from ocean drilling sites along the coast (Bonnefille et al., 1982; Leroy & Dupont, 1994; Vallé et al., 2017). Study of sedimentological sequences reveals a significant reduction in river discharge and an increase in wind borne grass pollen, both indicative of an arid climate. In addition, a concomitant reduction in mangrove pollen (Rhizophora spp.) suggests that aridification resulted in mangrove reduction and fragmentation. The late Pliocene aridification likely facilitated two vicariance events observed in our study: one between the Ghanaian and Guinean lineages and the other between the Nigerian and Equatorial Guinean lineages. Studies at sites close to Cape Blanc in Mauritania and just south of the mouth of the Senegal River found similar patterns, indicating an onset of aridification around 3.4 mya (Bonnefille et al., 1982; Leroy & Dupont, 1994). A similar study at a site near the Comoé River outlet, identified aridification in north western Africa between 3.5 and 2.9 mya (Vallé et al., 2017), a timing consistent with the proposed date for the split between Ghanaian and Guinean lineages (3.5 mya) estimated in the present study (Fig. 5)).
Other sites with detailed palynological information are near the Niger Delta, where a pronounced aridification with an increase in wind borne grass pollen and marked reduction of Rhizophora pollen is recorded between 2.7 and 2.0 mya (Durugbo et al., 2010; Adeonipekun et al., 2016). These dates are also consistent with the findings of the present study where the split between Nigerian and Equatorial Guinean lineages is estimated to have occurred around 2.5 mya (95% HPD 0.8–5.0 mya) (Fig. 5). Vicariance between Nigerian and Equatorial Guinean lineages may also be related to increased activity of the Cameroon Volcanic Line, a chain of mountains and volcanos that extends from the Cameroonian Highlands to the volcanic islands in the Gulf of Guinea (Deruelle et al., 1991; Marzoli et al., 2000; Burke, 2001). Bioko Island is located about 60 km from the mainland and experienced volcanic activity during the same period with volcanism of Cameroon and Manengouba mounts (around 3.0–1.0 mya) near the coast (Deruelle et al., 1991; Marzoli et al., 2000). Volcanism during low sea level would have had major impacts on water chemistry, temperature and coastal sedimentation directly impacting mangrove cover throughout the region. Recently, a comprehensive study of population connectivity of the mangrove, Rhizophora racemosa, around the Cameroonian and Equatorial Guinean coastline found high levels of genetic structuring related to the volcanic activity of Bioko Island and the Bioko-Cameroon land bridge formation (Ngeve et al., 2016). Here, we suggest that volcanism and the land bridge formation likely also affected A. spilauchen and resulted in the disruption of connectivity (gene flow) between Nigerian and Equatorial Guinean lineages.
The late Pleistocene-Holocene is known for considerable climate instability (Marius & Lucas, 1991; Scourse et al., 2005; Malounguila-Nganga et al., 2017; Maley et al., 2017; Molliex et al., 2019). Although our sampling of A. spilauchen from the southern extent of its range is limited, ancestral area reconstruction posits two additional vicariance events among haplotypes in the Kouilou, lower Congo and Angolan cluster during this timeframe (Fig. 6). Our results indicate a recent divergence and differentiation of the Kouilou haplotypes from the lower Congo and Angolan cluster. However, the low levels of genetic divergence detected, when compared to the significant genetic divergence between the other A. spilauchen populations, suggest the possibility of a continued gene flow between all of these populations (Fig. 4b, Table 2). A recent, and ongoing, connection is suggested by the influence of the Congo River freshwater plume, which is periodically carried south by the Angola current (Kopte et al., 2017), reaching beyond the Nyanga and Kwanza river ouflows (Denamiel et al., 2013). Similarly, an increase in mangrove vegetation persisting since the last deglaciation is evidenced by pollen data from the mouth of Congo (Scourse et al., 2005). Considerably denser population sampling of A. spilauchen throughout this southern region will be necessary to resolve this issue.
ConclusionDespite relatively limited sampling, the applications of species delimitation, phylogeographic, and phylogenetic methods reveal a pattern of genetic differentiation within A. spilauchen that is concordant with a series of historical events recorded since the Middle Miocene. Our study highlights extremely low connectivity between most populations and a time-calibrated phylogeographic pattern that lends support to the novel hypothesis that a major driver of diversification within the lineage has been the shifting dynamics of coastal mangrove forest cover over time. We report, for the first time, a pattern of diversification within a lineage of brackish water fish that is concordant with the historical distribution of coastal mangroves forests, the predominant brackish water habitat of the focal species throughout its range.
From a conservation perspective, these results are of considerable significance since many brackish environments, particularly the mangrove forests, are highly threatened by coastal development and the exploration and extraction of hydrocarbons along the African Atlantic coastline (Alongi, 2015; Feka & Morrison, 2017). It has been estimated that mangroves are disappearing at a rate of 1–2% per year, suggesting the complete disappearance of these societally and biologically important ecosystems within the century (Alongi, 2015). The unexpected diversity observed in the A. spilauchen complex suggests that many of the other taxa that share a similar distribution associated with the same dynamic mangrove habitats may hide a significant, but currently undocumented, diversity under threat. Before formal taxonomic and nomenclatural changes can be undertaken, morphological analyses of the distinct populations (OTUs) identified herein are needed, and conservation assessments for each are critical as many of these potential new species are likely highly threatened by ongoing coastal development throughout the region.
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IntroductionMangrove forests are among the most dynamic habitats in tropical and subtropical intertidal zones, where they are limited to low-lying coastal areas with constant input of freshwater (Kathiresan & Bingham, 2001; Duke, 2017). Along the African Atlantic coast, the latitudinal extent of mangroves is constrained by two cold sea currents, the Benguela Current in the south, flowing northwards from South Africa to Angola, and the Canary Current flowing southwards from Morocco to Senegal (Saenger & Bellan, 1995) (Fig. 1). The presence and extent of mangrove stands in Africa are directly related to humidity, rainfall, and coastal relief and are known to have undergone extensive expansions and contractions in both range and abundance over time (Saenger & Bellan, 1995). Indeed, the study of mangrove cover is a primary source of information for modelling impacts of climate change (Alongi, 2015), as well as for palaeoclimatic reconstructions based on historical data from mangrove pollens (Bonefille et al., 1982; Leroy & Dupont, 1994; Scourse et al., 2005; Durogbo et al., 2010; Adeonipekun et al., 2016; Vallé et al., 2017).
Fig. 1
Map of West and West-Central Africa with mangrove distribution (light green) and Aplocheilichthys spilauchen sampling sites (black dots) indicated. AC Angola Current, AR Atlantic Rise (red), BC Benguela Current, CC Canary Current, CVL Cameroon Volcanic Line (yellow bar), FP Freshwater plume (blue), GC Guinea Current, GGC Gulf of Guinea Current, SEC South Equatorial Current. Arrows indicate currents direction
Full size imageThe Atlantic coast of Africa has an extremely narrow continental shelf, resulting in mangrove expansion during high sea level but contraction during low sea level (Saenger & Bellan, 1995; Scourse et al., 2005). In a high sea-level scenario, mangroves expand over new floodplains along the lower sections of rivers newly under tidal influence and salinity. In the opposite low sea-level scenario, fewer surfaces are exposed and mangroves recede to the newly reduced tidal zone, with the original stands replaced by other vegetation types. This is in contrast to regions with wide continental shelves, such as in Southeast Asia where significant mangrove expansion is related to low sea level, as shallow shelf areas previously covered by saltwater are exposed to tidal influence and freshwater inputs (Luther & Greenberg, 2009). A similar pattern is seen along the Brazilian coast, also with a wide continental shelf, where during periods of low sea level, many brackish water palaeochannels form and connect adjacent river drainages providing ideal conditions for mangrove expansion (Thomaz et al., 2015; Thomaz & Knowles, 2018). Similar to the described mangrove dynamics, the distribution of brackish water fishes is also highly dependent on freshwater inputs from effluent river systems and sea-level variations (Saenger & Bellan, 1995; Kathiresan & Bingham, 2001; Duke, 2017). Such alternating expansion and contraction dynamics can reveal interesting historical information when analysed in phylogenetic and temporal contexts, and this is particularly the case for taxa inhabiting regions known for major shifts in river outflows, climatic instability, sea level changes, and tectonic activity such as along the African Atlantic coast (Giresse, 2005; Goudie, 2005; Runge, 2007; Flugel et al., 2015).
Among the procatopodids, a cyprinodontoid group comprising mainly freshwater fishes endemic to Africa, the banded lampeye, Aplocheilichthys spilauchen (Duméril, 1861), is one of the few brackish water species and is a dominant species in mangrove habitats along the tropical and subtropical zones of the Atlantic coast (Fig. 1). Similar to other procatopodids and many other cyprinodontoids, A. spilauchen is known for a well-developed swimming capability (vagility) when compared to members of the Aplocheiloidei that in Africa are represented by the Nothobranchiidae (Huber, 1999). The latter is found mostly in shallow freshwater habitats, and some taxa even exhibit a seasonal life cycle (e.g. Nothobranchius), thus, presenting a completely different response to climatic and biogeographic processes. A river or an increase in the input of freshwater into an estuarine region likely represents range expansion opportunities for cyprinodontoid taxa, whereas for aplocheiloids, they more likely act as barriers (Bartáková et al., 2015).
Although A. spilauchen has also occasionally been collected from inland freshwater habitats, it primarily has a coastal distributional range, which closely mirrors the area covered by Atlantic coast mangrove forests, from the Senegal River to the Kwanza River in Angola (Wildekamp, 1995; Saenger & Bellan, 1995; Feka & Morrison, 2017) (Fig. 1). Aplocheilichthys spilauchen is currently recognized as the sole member of Aplocheilichthys and was the first African lampeye to be described (as Poecilia spilauchen), based on specimens from the Ogowe River in Gabon by Duméril (1861). It is readily distinguished from all other procatopodids by the presence of a combination of vertical grey banding along the flanks and dorsal, anal, and caudal fin in males and attainment of large body size (Fig. 2). Adults routinely reach up to 7.0 cm standard length while other procatopodids rarely exceed 4.0 cm standard length (Wildekamp, 1995). Likely, due to this distinctive pigmentation patterning and its presence in mangroves and other brackish water habitats, it has been assumed that A. spilauchen is a widely distributed species. Two other species, A. typus Bleeker, 1863 probably from Ghanaian coastal regions (Wildekamp, 1995), and A. bensonii (Peters, 1864) from Liberia were described but promptly synonymized with A. spilauchen by Günther (1866). A third species, A. tschiloangensis Ahl, 1928, described from the Tschiloango River in Cabinda, an Angolan territory north to the Congo River outlet, is now also considered a synonym of A. spilauchen (Huber, 1982; Wildekamp et al., 1986).
Fig. 2
Males of A. spilauchen from localities along the Atlantic coast of Africa: a UFRJ 4150, 37.6 mm SL, Sangrougrou River, Senegal; b AMNH 275472, 51.0 mm SL, Farmoriah River, Guinea; c AMNH 59382, 52.8 mm SL, Freetown, Sierra Leone; d UFRJ 11487, 44.8 mm SL, Assimie, Ivory Coast; e MRAC 73–08-P-135–138, 41.0 mm SL, Ebrie Lagoon, Ivory Coast; f AMNH 226603, 46.4 mm SL, coastal Benin; g UFRJ 11484, 42.3 mm SL, coastal Nigeria (aquarium import); h MRAC 143378–387, 64.7 mm SL, Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea; i MRAC 73–39-P-2168–179, 41.4 mm SL, mouth of Mirupururu River, Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea; j AMNH 258331, 45.5 mm SL, mouth of Kouilou River, Republic of Congo; k AMNH 238526, 31.0 mm SL, Boma estuary, lower Congo River, Congo DRC; l SAIAB 84605, 40.0 mm SL, Dondo, Kwanza River, Angola
Full size imageInvestigating seasonal variations in mangrove fish communities in Nigeria, Wright (1986) found that A. spilauchen was the dominant species, both in numbers and biomass and that its reproductive cycle was dependent upon freshwater inputs. Okyere (2012), in a study evaluating the use of A. spilauchen for mosquito larvae control along the Ghanaian coast, found that the species exhibited a low resilience to salinity increase, tolerating only a maximum of 4‰ salinity (Okyere, 2012). Both ecological studies suggest a dependence on freshwater in shaping the niche requirements and distribution of the species. Osteological information available for A. spilauchen reveals some inconsistencies regarding the configuration of the hypural plate supporting the caudal fin, usually an invariant feature among procatopodid species. The plate was considered as completely fused (Parenti, 1981), separated (Ghedotti, 2000), or bearing a small gap close to the compound caudal centrum (Costa, 2012).
Recently, in the first molecular dated analysis focused on the Procatopodidae, A. spilauchen was resolved as the sole member of a lineage sister to all other procatopodids, except Plataplochilus Ahl, 1928 (Bragança & Costa, 2019). Through the inclusion of two fossil calibrations in the sister families Valenciidae and Aphaniidae, it was estimated that A. spilauchen split from the remaining procatopodids in the early Miocene (around 23 mya). Considering the diversification patterns seen in all other procatopodid lineages, which intensified during the middle/late Miocene and Pliocene, the presumed lack of diversification within the A. spilauchen lineage is worthy of investigation.
Available ecological information (Wright, 1986; Okyere, 2012), conflicting osteological data (Parenti, 1981; Ghedotti, 1998, 2000; Costa, 2012) and a proposed early Miocene origin for the A. spilauchen lineage (Bragança & Costa, 2019) provide the impetus for the present study which aims to (1) investigate cryptic diversity within the A. spilauchen lineage through the application of both distance and coalescent species delimitation methods, (2) examine connectivity or genetic structuring between haplotypes, (3) estimate the divergence times for identified lineages, (4) perform ancestral area reconstructions, and (5) interpret the resulting temporal and biogeographic patterns in view of the current knowledge of the main historical events that have affected the African landscape and influenced Atlantic mangroves and coastal habitats.
Material and methodsSpecimen preservation and fixationSamples were collected using a variety of fishing techniques, and specimens were euthanized with clove oil or MS-222 anaesthetic solutions, in accordance with recommended guidelines for the use of fishes in research (Bennett et al., 2016). A small piece of muscle tissue or fin was taken from the right side of each specimen, or the entire fish was preserved in 95% ethanol in the field. The samples were stored at low temperatures at each of the following institutions: (1) NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB), Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa; (2) Ichthyological Collection of the Biology Institute of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; (3) Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA), Tervuren, Belgium; (4) American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), New York, USA; (5) National Museum of Natural History (USNM), Washington, USA and (6) Oregon State University (OS), Corvallis, USA.
Taxon samplingSamples of newly generated and published sequences of the mitochondrial gene COI (Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1) with a total of 679 bp from eight populations of A. spilauchen from across its geographical range were included in the analysis (Fig. 1). The present dataset includes samples from the (1) Kwanza and Lucala rivers in Angola (n = 7); (2) lower Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo (n = 2); (3) Kouilou River in the Republic of Congo (n = 2); (4) Ngounie River (Ogowe River drainage) and Komo river in Gabon (n = 3); (5) Ntem River in Equatorial Guinea (n = 3); (6) Aquarium import specimens from coastal Nigeria (n = 2); (7) Kakum River in Ghana (n = 3) and (8) Forecariah River at Conakry, Guinea (n = 2). Following Bragança & Costa (2019), three species were selected as outgroups: Plataplochilus miltotaenia Lambert, 1963 and P. pulcher Lambert, 1967, representing the first diverging lineage of the Procatopodidae and ‘Poropanchax’ normani (Ahl, 1928), representing the remaining procatopodid lineages sister to Aplocheilichthys. The generic name of ‘Poropanchax’ normani is between quotation mark to indicate that the species is not a member of Poropanchax sensu stricto as revealed in Bragança & Costa (2019), and awaits future taxonomic and nomenclatural resolution. A list of all included specimens and their respective catalogue numbers, localities, and GenBank Accession numbers are provided in Table 1. Other specimens, not included in the molecular analyses but photographed to illustrate pigmentation and body shape variation in different populations along the African coast, are shown in Fig. 2. The catalogue number and locality information of the specimens in Fig. 2 are listed in Online Resource 1.
Table 1 Species localities and Genbank and Bold Accession numbers: numbers in bold refer to sequences developed in the present study
Full size tableDNA extraction and sequencingDNA was extracted from preserved tissues using the salting out method (Sunnucks et al., 1996), or the DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit (Qiagen, Hilden) following the manufacturer’s standard protocol for animal tissue isolation. A fragment of the mitochondrial gene COI (Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1) was amplified with universal primers LCO1490 and HCO 2198 and published protocols (Folmer et al., 1994). PCR products were purified with Exosap (Applied Biosystems), cycle sequenced using BigDye Cycle Sequencing Kit (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA) and sequenced at the NRF-SAIAB using an ABI 3730xl DNA Analyzer (Applied Biosystems), or by Macrogen, South Korea.
Phylogenetic analyses, COI codon partitioning and evolution modelsPhylogenetic analyses included newly generated and published sequences of the mitochondrial gene COI from A. spilauchen specimens from along the western coastal plains and mangroves of the Atlantic coast (see Table 1). Our COI alignment did not have frameshifts, indels or premature stop-codons, which are indicative of pseudogenes. The best models of evolution for each codon position for the maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses were determined in PartitionFinder2 (Lanfear et al., 2016). The partitioned ML analysis was completed with GARLI (Zwickl, 2006), and bootstrap support was assessed from a majority rule consensus tree generated in Mesquite (Maddison & Maddison, 2019) from 1000 trees. The partitioned BI analysis was performed with MrBayes version 3.2 (Ronquist et al., 2012), and posterior probabilities were assessed with 5 million generations, sampling trees every 1000 generations. The first 25% of trees were discarded as burn-in. Both the ML and BI analyses were performed on the CIPRES Science Portal (Miller et al., 2010). The models of evolution implemented for each codon position in the ML and BI analyses were TRNEF + I + G, F81 + I, and TIM + G and SYM + G, F81 + I, and GTR + G, respectively.
For the species delimitation methods (described below), an ultrametric tree including only unique haplotypes (n = 15) as required by the GMYC method was performed in Beast 1.8.2 (Drummond et al., 2012), and the parameters were defined as follows: an uncorrelated relaxed clock model with a lognormal distribution (Drummond, et al., 2006), with 10 million generations with a sampling frequency of 1000. The value of parameters of the analyses, convergence of the MCMC chains, sample size and the stationary phase of chains were evaluated using Tracer 1.6 (Rambaut et al., 2014). A Birth and Death Incomplete Sampling speciation process for the tree prior (Stadler, 2009), indicated for datasets with incomplete sampling, was used, and the analysis included only ‘Poropanchax’ normani as outgroup. For this analysis, the evolution model HKY + G was inferred in JModeltest (Darriba et al., 2012) for the entire COI gene. Saturation levels were checked in Dambe5 (Xia, 2013), according to the algorithm proposed by Xia et al. (2003).
Species delimitationFour species delimitation methods were applied to investigate the diversity within A. spilauchen. The traditional barcoding genetic distance method (GD) (Herbert et al., 2003) and the Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) (Puillandre et al., 2012), both relying on genetic distances between haplotypes, and the General Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) (Fujisawa & Barraclough, 2013) and Bayesian implementation of the Poisson Tree Processes (bPTP) (Zhang et al., 2013), both coalescence approaches.
For the GD method, we used the Kimura-2-parameters model (K2P) (Kimura, 1980) to estimate the pairwise genetic distances between the different A. spilauchen populations in MEGA 7 software (Kumar et al., 2016). Haplotypes with a genetic divergence higher than 3% were considered as belonging to distinct operational taxonomic units (OTUs) following the expected pattern for genetic divergence between fish species (Ward, 2009). ABGD also relies on genetic distances to identify the threshold between interspecific (speciation) and intraspecific (populational) processes within the dataset (Puillandre et al., 2012). The main difference between GD and ABGD is that the ABGD allows a more refined search; once the estimated genetic divergence between groups (putative species) is calculated, it is recursively applied to the previously delimited groups until no more putative OTUs are recognized. The ABGD result is presented relative to a spectrum of P values (prior intraspecific values) in which a 0.001 value assumes a minimum intraspecific variability, and a 0.1 value assumes a maximum intraspecific variability. The different results relative to each significant P value intervals are presented, and to identify which P value interval best describes the diversity within the dataset, a congruence with other methods is expected and/or a support from traditional morphological alpha taxonomy. The ABGD analysis was performed in the ABGD server website (https://bioinfo.mnhn.fr/abi/public/abgd/abgdweb.html) following the default parameters.
The coalescence species delimitation method, GMYC (Fujisawa & Barraclough, 2013), requires an ultrametric tree to distinguish between intraspecific (coalescent) and interspecific (speciation) threshold patterns, because it relies on branch length differences to define OTUs. The bPTP coalescent method (Zhang et al., 2013), in contrast to GMYC, relies on the number of nucleotide substitutions between haplotypes to resolve intraspecific and interspecific patterns. When performing bPTP, two results are provided, the BI and the ML solutions, and in each, the recognized OTUs are depicted graphically in a tree. The same reduced dataset tree as for GMYC was used when performing bPTP. The GMYC analysis was performed on the Exelixis Lab's server https://species.h-its.org/gmyc/ following default parameters, and the bPTP was performed on the Exelixis Lab's server https://species.h-its.org/ptp/ following default parameters except for a 20% burn-in.
Haplotype networkThe haplotype network was inferred, using the Minimum Spanning Network method (Kruskal, 1956) in PopART 1.7 (Leigh & Bryant, 2015), including only A. spilauchen haplotypes. The following eight geographic areas/drainages were delimited: (A = Gabon, B = Angola, C = Guinea, D = Kouilou, E = Lower Congo, F = Nigeria, G = Ghana, H = Equatorial Guinea). These areas were delimited based on the presence or absence of connectivity between haplotypes as suggested by the genetic divergence and species delimitation results. Therefore, the area ‘Angola’ includes all haplotypes from the Kwanza and Lucala rivers, the latter being one of the main tributaries of the lower Kwanza River. The area ‘Gabon’ includes all haplotypes from the Ngounie River, a tributary of the lower Ogowe River, and from the Komo River.
Time-calibrated analysisThe time-calibrated analysis was constructed in BEAST v.1.8.2 (Drummond et al., 2012), including all sequences available, and an uncorrelated relaxed clock model with a lognormal distribution (Drummond et al., 2006). Bayesian Inference was performed with 50 million generations with a sampling frequency of 1000. The values of parameters of the analysis, convergence of the MCMC chains, sample size, and the stationary phase of chains were evaluated using Tracer 1.6 (Rambaut et al., 2014). The same Birth and Death Incomplete Sampling speciation process was selected for the tree prior (Stadler, 2009). Since no fossil procatopodids are currently known three relevant calibration points based on the age estimates from Bragança & Costa (2019) were selected. These secondary calibrations correspond to (1) the Procatopodidae basal node (prior setting: normal distribution, mean = 30.1, standard deviation = 1.3); (2) the node representing the split between the A. spilauchen clade and ‘Poropanchax’ normani (prior setting: normal distribution, mean = 23.1, standard deviation = 1.5); and (3) the node representing Plataplochilus diversification (prior setting: normal distribution, mean = 3.2, standard deviation = 0.9). A normal distribution prior was selected for the secondary calibration points as recommended by Ho (2007) and Ho & Phillips (2009). At the end of the analysis, a burn-in of 25% of the retained trees was performed in TreeAnnotator.
Ancestral area reconstructionThe ancestral area reconstruction method, S-DIVA (Statistical Dispersal-Vicariance Analysis) (Yu et al., 2010), was performed in RASP 3.2 (Yu et al., 2015) to reconstruct the expected ancestral areas during A. spilauchen diversification. S-DIVA is an event-based method that incorporates statistical uncertainty into both phylogenetic and ancestral state reconstructions and assumes vicariance as the most probable event to explain biogeographical evolution within a group, attributing higher costs for dispersal and extinction events. For the S-DIVA analysis, both extinctions and reconstructions were considered, and at each node, the frequency of alternative ancestral area reconstructions generated for each tree in the dataset is shown. The analysis was performed on the resulting trees from the time-calibrated analysis from Beast 1.8.2 (Drummond et al., 2012), and the condensed tree was defined as the summary tree from that same analysis. Prior to the analysis, the outgroups were removed in RASP 3.2, and a post-burning of 12,500 trees was carried out. The maximum number of areas included in ancestral distributions was set to 3, but based on current knowledge from ecology, distribution, and genetic divergence between populations, only ancestral distributions between contiguous areas were allowed.
ResultsPhylogenetic analysis (Online Resource 2)ML and the BI analyses recovered the same topology with most nodes receiving posterior probability values > 95 and bootstrap values > 80, except for nodes representing the most recent divergences (Online Resource 2). An early divergence of Plataplochilus species and a sister group relationship between the A. spilauchen lineage and ‘Poropanchax’ normani were recovered with strong support. Within Aplocheilichthys, a sister group relationship between haplotypes from Ghana and Guinea was supported with a high posterior probability but a comparatively lower bootstrap value (Online Resource 2). Haplotypes from Gabon were resolved as sister to all remaining haplotypes with high support. Another node, also strongly supported, represents the split between Nigerian + Equatorial Guinean haplotypes from those from Kouilou, lower Congo, and Angola. A sister group relationship between Nigerian and Equatorial Guinean haplotypes was supported by maximum values in both analyses. The node-grouping haplotypes from Kouilou, lower Congo and Angola were supported with high posterior probability but a comparatively lower bootstrap value. However, within that clade, all nodes received lower support values, except the node representing the split between Kouilou haplotypes and those from lower Congo and Angola, which received strong support.
Species delimitation (Fig. 3)Fig. 3
Ultrametric tree and OTUs delimited by each species delimitation method (represented by different colours). Numbers indicate posterior probability values
Full size imageBoth genetic distance methods provided similar results, but as expected, with a decrease in intraspecific variability value (P value) in ABGD more OTUs were delineated. The ABDG result with a P value between 0.0129 and 0.0599 recovered the same six OTUs as delimited by the GD method: (1) Ghana, (2) Guinea, (3) Gabon, (4) Nigeria, (5) Equatorial Guinea, (6) Kouilou + lower Congo + Angola, whereas one more OTU was identified between P values of 0.0046 and 0.0077, with the Kouilou lineage considered as distinct from a lower Congo + Angola OTU. The absolute pairwise genetic distances for the OTUs identified based on the GD method range from 8 to 22%, which are considerably higher than the heuristic standard threshold of 2–3% commonly applied to recognize species limits (Table 2). The highest genetic distance (22%) was between specimens from Guinea and Equatorial Guinea while the lowest (2%) was recorded for specimens from Kouilou, lower Congo and Angola.
Table 2 Genetic distance within A. spilauchen haplotypes conducted using the K2-parameter model in MEGA 7
Full size tableThe Bayesian ultrametric tree (Fig. 3) had the same topology as the phylogenetic analyses (Online Resource 2), with most nodes supporting putative OTUs with maximum posterior probability values. There was concordance of the six OTUs defined by ABGD (P value between 0.0129 and 0.0599), GD, GMYC and the bPTP ML solution result, while bPTP BI solution returned the same seven OTUs as ABGD when assuming the lowest P values. We considered the six OTUs defined by the traditional barcoding, the ABGD including P values between 0.0129 and 0.0599, the GMYC and the bPTP ML solution as putative species but defer making any taxonomic changes pending a detailed osteological and morphometric study (see Discussion).
Haplotype network (Fig. 4b)Fig. 4
a Map showing the sampled localities and the male colouration in life at each site; b mitochondrial gene COI Minimum Spanning haplotype Network for A. spilauchen haplotypes. The number of nucleotide changes is indicated in parentheses
Full size imageA minimum spanning network portraying genealogical relationships among haplotypes revealed considerable divergence between geographically separated populations within A. spilauchen. In most cases, the number of nucleotide substitutions separating populations was extremely high ranging from a minimum of 43 up to 133. The only exception to this being among haplotypes from the neighbouring Kouilou, lower Congo, and Angolan populations which form a cluster with a maximum of 12 nucleotide changes separating Kouilou haplotypes from the Angolan and lower Congo haplotypes.
Time-calibrated analysis (Fig. 5)Fig. 5
Time-calibrated phylogeny of the Procatopodidae and A. spilauchen obtained from the Bayesian dating analysis in BEASTv.1.8. Bars represent maximum and minimum date estimates for each node (values in brackets), and the numbers are nodes divergence mean ages. The colours in the time bar are a reference to the proposed time extension of main palaeogeographic and palaeoclimatic events during A. spilauchen evolution: the green bar represents the Miocene Climatic Optimum; the red bar represents the Miocene Climatic Transition; the orange bar represents the late Miocene aridification; the brown bar represents the Pliocene–Pleistocene climatic instability; the blue bar represents the onset of the modern Congo River outlet and the black bar represents an increase in the volcanic activity of the CVL
Full size imageAs expected, given a single marker dataset and uncertainties inherent in the use of secondary calibrations, most nodes on our time tree have 95% HPD values spanning large time intervals, and there is no question that considerable uncertainty persists regarding the precision of the resultant dating scheme. Nonetheless, despite these caveats, our scheme does provide a broad estimate of comparative divergence times among geographically disparate populations of A. spilauchen (Fig. 5). Based on the current analysis, the onset of diversification within the A. spilauchen lineage began during the Middle Miocene (14.8 mya, 95% HPD 8.6–20.7 mya), represented by the split of a west African lineage comprising specimens from Ghana and Guinea. These two lineages subsequently diverged during the late Pliocene (3.5 mya, 95% HPD 0.6–8.7 mya). A split between specimens from Gabon and all the remaining populations occurred during the late Miocene (9.5 mya, 95% HPD 4.8–14.9 mya). This was followed by another in the transition between the late Miocene and the Pliocene (5.6 mya, 95% HPD 2.3–9.5 mya), in which two clades diverged, one including specimens from Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea and the other those from the Kouilou, lower Congo and Angola. Later, the lineage including Nigerian and Equatorial Guinean specimens diverged at the onset of the Pleistocene (2.5 mya, 95% HPD 0.8–5.0 mya). The remaining lineage diversification time estimates are extremely recent ranging from around 1 mya to the near present.
Ancestral area reconstruction (Fig. 6)Fig. 6
S-DIVA Ancestral area reconstructions of A. spilauchen, and input chronogram resultant from BEASTv.1.8 dated analysis. Colours for each designated area are presented in legend box
Full size imageBiogeographic ancestral area reconstruction inferred the current distribution pattern of A. spilauchen lineages to have likely resulted from repeated dispersal and vicariance events (Fig. 6). S-DIVA postulates 6 dispersal, 6 vicariance, and 1 extinction event. The root node, corresponding to the onset of diversification of the A. spilauchen lineage, estimated the areas FGH (Ghana, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea) and CFG (Guinea, Ghana, and Nigeria), as equally most probable ancestral areas (49% probability). From this root node, a vicariance event is suggested between areas AFH (Gabon, Nigeria, and Equatorial Guinea) and CG (Guinea and Ghana). At the node corresponding to the split between Guinean and Ghanaian haplotypes, the ancestral area CG was recovered (96% probability), and a vicariance event was suggested as the cause of the split between the two areas. The ancestral area AFH was identified for the node in which the Gabon haplotypes split from the remaining haplotypes (95% probability), and it is possible to identify a duplication event (within area speciation) in area A (Gabon) followed by a vicariance event in which one lineage is restricted to Gabon and the other present in area AFH. The area AFH was considered as the ancestral area for the node in which Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea haplotypes split from the Kouilou, lower Congo and Angolan haplotypes (93% probability). Vicariance was recovered as the explanation for the split between areas FH (Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea) and ADE (Gabon, Kouilou, and lower Congo). The ancestral area FH was estimated for the node in which Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea haplotypes split (96% probability), caused by a vicariance event. For the node which corresponds to the split between Kouilou haplotypes and Angola + lower Congo haplotypes, the ancestral area ADE (Gabon, Kouilou, and lower Congo) (93% probability) was estimated, followed by an extinction event in area A (Gabon), a dispersion to area B (Angola) and finally a vicariance event between areas BE (Angola and lower Congo) and D (Kouilou). For the split between Angola and lower Congo haplotypes, the ancestral area BE was delimited (100% probability) and considered to be the result of a vicariance event.
DiscussionPrior to the current study, A. spilauchen had been considered to be widely distributed with a range extending along much of coastal west and west-central Africa. This was based on the assumption that a higher salinity tolerance, relative to that of other procatopodids, would have allowed the species to maintain population connectivity across this extensive geographical range. In addition, an apparent lack of variability in pigmentation patterning between individuals from geographically disparate populations supported a widespread species hypothesis, which in turn resulted in no further investigation of morphological differences between them. Unfortunately, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has prevented us from undertaking a morphological investigation to accompany the present study. Loan of museum materials is currently not possible, and we are unable to examine the type specimens of three previously synonymized taxa, A. typus (Ghana), A. bensonii (Liberia) and A. tschiloangensis (Cabinda, Angola), or investigate potential osteological (Parenti, 1981; Ghedotti, 2000; Costa, 2012) or morphometric variation among populations. Further investigation of potential phenotypic differentiation between the molecular lineages identified here is necessary prior to formalizing any taxonomic conclusions, and consequently, we must defer such actions to a future contribution.
The present study has, however, uncovered considerable structuring and genetic divergences between populations that are frequently 4–11 times higher than the traditionally employed sequence divergence heuristic threshold of 2–3% for teleostean conspecifics (e.g. Pereira et al., 2013; Decru et al., 2016; Iyiola et al., 2018; Arroyave et al., 2019) (Fig. 4b, Table 2). Here, we focus our discussion on the potential drivers of diversification and mechanisms that are likely to have shaped the contemporary distributions of lineages within this complex.
The onset of A. spilauchen diversification coincides with one of the main climatic shifts during the Neogene (Fig. 5). Initially, a period known as the Middle Miocene Optimum (between 16 and 14.8 mya) was warm and humid with high precipitation. This was followed by the Middle Miocene Climatic Transition (14.8–12.9 mya) which was much dryer leading to a significant drop in sea levels and increased aridification across the African continent (Flower & Kennett, 1994; Kender et al., 2009, 2014; Herold et al., 2011; Frigola et al., 2018). During the Middle Miocene Optimum, a moist and warm climate promoted the expansion of tropical vegetation, which covered most of the continent expanding even to high latitudes (Lovett, 1993; Maley, 1996; Plana, 2004; Stanley et al., 2005; Frigola et al., 2018). During this time, sea level rise likely engendered mangrove expansion throughout the Atlantic coast, and consequently potential expansion of an ancestral range for A. spilauchen. Our ancestral area analysis estimates an expansion from an area that corresponds to the present-day Ghanaian, Nigerian and Equatorial Guinean coastlines to adjacent Gabon to the south and Guinea to the west (Fig. 6). During the Middle Miocene Climatic Transition, this area experienced a marked contraction of mangrove habitats isolating Aplocheilichthys lineages in the westernmost coastal regions of Guinea and Ghana, and another in Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon (Fig. 6).
Studies on the evolution of the Congo River drainage (Beadle, 1981; Burke, 1996; Giresse, 2005; Goudie, 2005; Stankiewicz & de Wit, 2006; Runge, 2007), deposition patterns in the Congo deep sea fan (Lavier et al, 2001; Leturmy et al., 2003; Lucazeau et al., 2003; Anka & Séranne, 2004; Anka et al., 2009; Savoye et al., 2009) and freshwater fish diversification in the basin (Goodier et al., 2011; Schwarzer et al., 2011; Alter et al., 2015, 2017; Arroyave et al., 2020; Stiassny & Alter, in press) reveal a complex geologic history for the most diverse river basin in Africa. In the western basin, sedimentary studies suggest a protracted history of shifting and intermittent outflow of the Congo River into the Atlantic during the Cenozoic. Although a final consensus has yet to be reached, a single high-energy capture event is now generally considered to have established the current Congo outlet to the Atlantic shortly after the Miocene-Pliocene transition. A Pliocene capture (5.3–2.6 mya) is supported by an increase in sediment deposition in the Congo fan and by tectonic activity along the Atlantic Rise during that time (Lavier et al., 2001; Leturmy et al., 2003; Lucazeau et al., 2003; Anka & Séranne, 2004; Anka et al., 2009; Savoye et al., 2009). High humidity during this period is also suggested by palynological data and probably these events facilitated a range expansion from Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon southwards to the regions in and around the newly formed lower Congo estuary at the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola (Fig. 6). Recent data on the extent of the Congo River plume and its influence on sea surface salinity and temperature over expansive coastal regions (Materia et al., 2012; Denamiel et al., 2013; Chao et al., 2015) highlights the importance of the origin of the present-day Congo River outlet for the expansion of mangroves throughout the region. During wet seasons, the Congo plume connects with the Niger River plume, and a lower salinity is recorded for the entire Gulf of Guinea up to and including the region around the Congo outlet.
West African aridification during the Pliocene (5.3–2.6 mya) is documented by both palynological and sediment data sampled from ocean drilling sites along the coast (Bonnefille et al., 1982; Leroy & Dupont, 1994; Vallé et al., 2017). Study of sedimentological sequences reveals a significant reduction in river discharge and an increase in wind borne grass pollen, both indicative of an arid climate. In addition, a concomitant reduction in mangrove pollen (Rhizophora spp.) suggests that aridification resulted in mangrove reduction and fragmentation. The late Pliocene aridification likely facilitated two vicariance events observed in our study: one between the Ghanaian and Guinean lineages and the other between the Nigerian and Equatorial Guinean lineages. Studies at sites close to Cape Blanc in Mauritania and just south of the mouth of the Senegal River found similar patterns, indicating an onset of aridification around 3.4 mya (Bonnefille et al., 1982; Leroy & Dupont, 1994). A similar study at a site near the Comoé River outlet, identified aridification in north western Africa between 3.5 and 2.9 mya (Vallé et al., 2017), a timing consistent with the proposed date for the split between Ghanaian and Guinean lineages (3.5 mya) estimated in the present study (Fig. 5)).
Other sites with detailed palynological information are near the Niger Delta, where a pronounced aridification with an increase in wind borne grass pollen and marked reduction of Rhizophora pollen is recorded between 2.7 and 2.0 mya (Durugbo et al., 2010; Adeonipekun et al., 2016). These dates are also consistent with the findings of the present study where the split between Nigerian and Equatorial Guinean lineages is estimated to have occurred around 2.5 mya (95% HPD 0.8–5.0 mya) (Fig. 5). Vicariance between Nigerian and Equatorial Guinean lineages may also be related to increased activity of the Cameroon Volcanic Line, a chain of mountains and volcanos that extends from the Cameroonian Highlands to the volcanic islands in the Gulf of Guinea (Deruelle et al., 1991; Marzoli et al., 2000; Burke, 2001). Bioko Island is located about 60 km from the mainland and experienced volcanic activity during the same period with volcanism of Cameroon and Manengouba mounts (around 3.0–1.0 mya) near the coast (Deruelle et al., 1991; Marzoli et al., 2000). Volcanism during low sea level would have had major impacts on water chemistry, temperature and coastal sedimentation directly impacting mangrove cover throughout the region. Recently, a comprehensive study of population connectivity of the mangrove, Rhizophora racemosa, around the Cameroonian and Equatorial Guinean coastline found high levels of genetic structuring related to the volcanic activity of Bioko Island and the Bioko-Cameroon land bridge formation (Ngeve et al., 2016). Here, we suggest that volcanism and the land bridge formation likely also affected A. spilauchen and resulted in the disruption of connectivity (gene flow) between Nigerian and Equatorial Guinean lineages.
The late Pleistocene-Holocene is known for considerable climate instability (Marius & Lucas, 1991; Scourse et al., 2005; Malounguila-Nganga et al., 2017; Maley et al., 2017; Molliex et al., 2019). Although our sampling of A. spilauchen from the southern extent of its range is limited, ancestral area reconstruction posits two additional vicariance events among haplotypes in the Kouilou, lower Congo and Angolan cluster during this timeframe (Fig. 6). Our results indicate a recent divergence and differentiation of the Kouilou haplotypes from the lower Congo and Angolan cluster. However, the low levels of genetic divergence detected, when compared to the significant genetic divergence between the other A. spilauchen populations, suggest the possibility of a continued gene flow between all of these populations (Fig. 4b, Table 2). A recent, and ongoing, connection is suggested by the influence of the Congo River freshwater plume, which is periodically carried south by the Angola current (Kopte et al., 2017), reaching beyond the Nyanga and Kwanza river ouflows (Denamiel et al., 2013). Similarly, an increase in mangrove vegetation persisting since the last deglaciation is evidenced by pollen data from the mouth of Congo (Scourse et al., 2005). Considerably denser population sampling of A. spilauchen throughout this southern region will be necessary to resolve this issue.
ConclusionDespite relatively limited sampling, the applications of species delimitation, phylogeographic, and phylogenetic methods reveal a pattern of genetic differentiation within A. spilauchen that is concordant with a series of historical events recorded since the Middle Miocene. Our study highlights extremely low connectivity between most populations and a time-calibrated phylogeographic pattern that lends support to the novel hypothesis that a major driver of diversification within the lineage has been the shifting dynamics of coastal mangrove forest cover over time. We report, for the first time, a pattern of diversification within a lineage of brackish water fish that is concordant with the historical distribution of coastal mangroves forests, the predominant brackish water habitat of the focal species throughout its range.
From a conservation perspective, these results are of considerable significance since many brackish environments, particularly the mangrove forests, are highly threatened by coastal development and the exploration and extraction of hydrocarbons along the African Atlantic coastline (Alongi, 2015; Feka & Morrison, 2017). It has been estimated that mangroves are disappearing at a rate of 1–2% per year, suggesting the complete disappearance of these societally and biologically important ecosystems within the century (Alongi, 2015). The unexpected diversity observed in the A. spilauchen complex suggests that many of the other taxa that share a similar distribution associated with the same dynamic mangrove habitats may hide a significant, but currently undocumented, diversity under threat. Before formal taxonomic and nomenclatural changes can be undertaken, morphological analyses of the distinct populations (OTUs) identified herein are needed, and conservation assessments for each are critical as many of these potential new species are likely highly threatened by ongoing coastal development throughout the region.
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