A new species of Corydoras is described from the upper Rio Machado, Rio Madeira basin, Rondônia S... more A new species of Corydoras is described from the upper Rio Machado, Rio Madeira basin, Rondônia State, Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the absence of contact between the posterior process of the parieto-supraoccipital and the nuchal plate; a ventral laminar expansion of the infraorbital 1 conspicuously developed; and the posterior margin of the pectoral-fin spine with serrations along almost of its entire length, only lacking in the distal portion. Additionally, Corydoras hephaestus possesses dorsal and pectoral spines short, and exhibits an unusual color pattern in life. The conservation status of the new species and other endemic species are briefly commented.
Aim: We present an update on the composition of the fish species of the Restinga de Jurubatiba Na... more Aim: We present an update on the composition of the fish species of the Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park and the Imboassica Lagoon, in the northern portion of Rio de Janeiro State, based on collecting efforts of almost two decades, historical museum records, and a review of the literature. Methods: Specimens were collected using a variety of techniques, mostly between 1994 and 2012, and were fixed with the use of a 10% solution of formalin and subsequently stored in 70% alcohol solution.
The genus Scleromystax includes species occurring in several coastal river basins from southern B... more The genus Scleromystax includes species occurring in several coastal river basins from southern Bahia to southern Santa Catarina States. Examination of Scleromystax specimens sampled from the laguna dos Patos drainage revealed a new taxon, further extending the distribution of the genus to the southern border of the Atlantic forest. The new species differs from its congeners by the second infraorbital ventrally expanded. It is also distinct, except from S. macropterus and S. salmacis, by roughly oblique, elongate, dark brown blotches along body; large specimens displaying cranial fontanel completely occluded, leaving just a shallow fossae; and sexually dimorphic features inconspicuous, i.e. preopercular (cheek) region similar in males and females, and dorsal and pectoral fins of males slightly longer than in females. Herein, we also extend the record of Scleromystax salmacis to the rio Tramandaí drainage. O gênero Scleromystax inclui espécies distribuídas nas diversas bacias hidrográficas costeiras entre o sul do Estado da Bahia e o sul do Estado de Santa Catarina. O exame de exemplares de Scleromystax coletados nos sistema da laguna dos Patos revelou um novo táxon, estendendo a distribuição do gênero para o limite austral da Mata Atlântica. A nova espécie difere de seus congêneres pelo segundo infraorbital expandido ventralmente. Também se distingue, exceto de S. macropterus e S. salmacis, por manchas castanho-escuras alongadas e oblíquas ao longo do corpo; espécimes grandes apresentando a fontanela craniana completamente oclusa, restando somente uma depressão superficial; e características de dimorfismo sexual inconspícuas, i.e. região pré-opercular semelhante em machos e fêmeas, e nadadeiras dorsal e peitoral dos machos sutilmente mais longa que das fêmeas. No presente estudo, o registro de S. salmacis é estendido até a drenagem do rio Tramandaí.
Background: A new record for Elacatinus figaro, an endangered Brazilian species, is documented fo... more Background: A new record for Elacatinus figaro, an endangered Brazilian species, is documented for Pedra do Sal, Piauí coast. We present new data about its distribution, discussing on the limits of the Brazilian Province and commenting on the IUCN criteria for evaluation on threatening status.
The complete mitogenome of Corydoras nattereri, a species of mailed catfishes from southeastern B... more The complete mitogenome of Corydoras nattereri, a species of mailed catfishes from southeastern Brazil, was reconstructed using next-generation sequencing techniques. The mitogenome was assembled using mitochondrial transcripts from the liver transcriptomes of three individuals, and produced a circular DNA sequence of 16,557 nucleotides encoding 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes and two noncoding control regions (D-loop, OrigL). Phylogeographic analysis of closely related sequences of Cytochrome Oxydase C subunit I (COI) demonstrates high diversity among morphologically similar populations of C. nattereri. Corydoras nattereri is nested within a complex of populations currently assigned to C. paleatus and C. ehrhardti. Analysis of mitogenome structure demonstrated that an insertion of 21 nucleotides between the ATPase subunit-6 and COIII genes may represent a phylogenetically informative character associated with the evolution of the Corydoradinae. O mitogenoma completo de Corydoras nattereri, uma espécie de bagres encouraçados do sudeste do Brasil, foi reconstruído através de técnicas de sequencimento de DNA de próxima geração. O mitogenoma foi produzido a partir de produtos de transcrição mitocondrial dos transcriptomas hepáticos de três indivíduos, resultando numa sequência de DNA circular de 16.557 nucleotídeos abrangendo 22 genes de tRNA, dois genes de rRNA, 13 genes codificadores de proteínas e duas regiões de controle não codificadoras (D-loop, OrigL). A análise filogenética de sequências proximamente relacionadas da subunidade I do gene Citocrome Oxidase C (COI) demonstrou a existência de elevada diversidade entre populações morfologicamente similares de C. nattereri. Corydoras nattereri está inserida num complexo de populações atualmente identificadas como C. paleatus e C. ehrhardti. A análise da estrutura do mitogenoma demonstra que a inserção de uma sequência de 21 nucleotídeos entre os genes da subunidade 6 da ATPase e do COIII representa um caráter filogeneticamente informativo associado à evolução de Corydoradinae.
A new Corydoras Lacépède, 1803 (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) from the rio Araguaia basin, Brazil... more A new Corydoras Lacépède, 1803 (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) from the rio Araguaia basin, Brazil, with comments about A new species of Corydoras is described from the rio Araguaia basin, Goiás, Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by presenting the following features: infraorbital 1 with very large ventral laminar expansion; infraorbital 2 contacting compound pterotic; flanks densely covered by irregular black spots; and ventral surface of trunk densely covered by coalescent relatively well-developed platelets. It is also discussed the possibility that C. araguaiaensis comprehends a complex of species. Uma espécie nova de Corydoras é descrita da bacia do rio Araguaia, Goiás, Brasil. A espécie nova pode ser distinguida de suas congêneres por apresentar as seguintes características: infraorbital 1 com expansão laminar ventral muito grande; infraorbital 2 em contato com o pterótico composto; flancos densamente cobertos por manchas pretas irregulares e superfície ventral do tronco densamente coberta por plaquetas coalescentes relativamente bem desenvolvidas. Discute-se também a possibilidade de C. araguaiaensis compreender um complexo de espécies.
Xyliphius anachoretes, a new species of aspredinid catfish is described from the Tocantins-Aragua... more Xyliphius anachoretes, a new species of aspredinid catfish is described from the Tocantins-Araguaia River system. Xyliphius anachoretes is diagnosed by the presence of six developed retrorse serrae on posterior border of pectoral-fin spine, presence of papillae on the lower lip bearing minute branches, and only two dorsal procurrent rays. Comments about the informativeness of character-state variation among Xyliphius species and aspredinid related genera are furnished. Also, a brief discussion about conservation status of the new taxon is made.
A new Corydoras Lacépède, 1803 (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) from the rio Araguaia basin, Brazil... more A new Corydoras Lacépède, 1803 (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) from the rio Araguaia basin, Brazil, with comments about A new species of Corydoras is described from the rio Araguaia basin, Goiás, Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by presenting the following features: infraorbital 1 with very large ventral laminar expansion; infraorbital 2 contacting compound pterotic; flanks densely covered by irregular black spots; and ventral surface of trunk densely covered by coalescent relatively well-developed platelets. It is also discussed the possibility that C. araguaiaensis comprehends a complex of species. Uma espécie nova de Corydoras é descrita da bacia do rio Araguaia, Goiás, Brasil. A espécie nova pode ser distinguida de suas congêneres por apresentar as seguintes características: infraorbital 1 com expansão laminar ventral muito grande; infraorbital 2 em contato com o pterótico composto; flancos densamente cobertos por manchas pretas irregulares e superfície ventral do tronco densamente coberta por plaquetas coalescentes relativamente bem desenvolvidas. Discute-se também a possibilidade de C. araguaiaensis compreender um complexo de espécies.
A new species of Aspidoras is described from the upper rio Itiquira and the upper rio Taquari, ri... more A new species of Aspidoras is described from the upper rio Itiquira and the upper rio Taquari, rio Paraguai basin, and represents the first record of the genus from this river system. The new species differs from its congeners by the following unique features: infraorbitals and preopercle covered by skin; nuchal plate reduced and covered by skin; and lateral line absent from body plates posterior to the two small lateral line ossicles. The new species exhibits the greatest body size observed for an Aspidoras species. The occurence of Aspidoras in tributaries of the rio Paraguai basin extends the range of the genus further southwest than previously known, encompassing most of the river basins that drain the Brazilian Shield.
During a recent ichthyological survey in Chapada Diamantina, Estado da Bahia, Brazil, a new, very... more During a recent ichthyological survey in Chapada Diamantina, Estado da Bahia, Brazil, a new, very distinctive Aspidoras was discovered in tributaries of the upper rio Paraguaçu. The new taxon differs from its congeners mainly in having: a poorly developed pigmentation pattern, restricted to minute scattered blotches on dorsal region of head and body, but grouped in small, irregular blotches along the lateral body plate junction; four or five caudal vertebra, anterior to compound caudal centrum, with neural and haemal spines placed posteriorly, close to post-zygapophyses; and post-zygapophyses of the precaudal vertebrae without dorsal expansions connected with their respective neural spines. The new species shares with Aspidoras velites dorsolateral body plates not touching their counterparts dorsally, and infraorbital bones with reduced flanges that are restricted to the latero-sensory canal. Both of these are considered reductive character states, probably indicating a paedomorphic condition to both species. The new species is also compared to Aspidoras maculosus, a congener which bears the most similar color pattern and is geographically closest to the new species.
A new species of Aspidoras is described from an unnamed stream in the Rio Xingu Basin, Castelo de... more A new species of Aspidoras is described from an unnamed stream in the Rio Xingu Basin, Castelo de Sonhos municipality, Pará State, representing the northernmost record of the genus along the edge of the Brazilian Shield in the Amazon Basin. Aspidoras marianae is easily distinguished from all congeners in having minute odontode-bearing platelets scattered over the surface of the snout region, minute platelets between the parieto-supraoccipital process and the nuchal plate, and other shared features related to color pattern, morphometrics, meristics and morphological data. Comments about exclusive and shared features are presented.
A new species of the corydoradine catfish genus Aspidoras is described from an isolated coastal r... more A new species of the corydoradine catfish genus Aspidoras is described from an isolated coastal river basin in northeastern Brazil. The new species is the first record of a member of the subfamily Corydoradinae from the intervening region between the rio Jaguaribe and rio São Francisco basins. Aspidoras depinnai, new species, is distinguished from all congeners by the presence of distal bifid serrations on the ossified portion of pectoral-spine posterior border and an irregular arclike blotch on the caudal peduncle. It differs from the remaining Aspidoras species examined in the present study by the presence of an irregular row of minute pores on the head and a small cartilage between the upper principal and procurrent caudal fin rays.
Ariid monophyly and intrafamilial relationships are investigated based on cladistic analysis of 2... more Ariid monophyly and intrafamilial relationships are investigated based on cladistic analysis of 230 morphological characters. Terminal taxa examined include whenever possible type-species, or the most morphologically similar species to the type-species of the nominal genera, and the largest possible number of species, including cleared and stained specimens, available in zoological collections. Previous hypotheses about monophyly of the Ariidae are strongly corroborated by new synapomorphies discovered in the present study. The subfamily Galeichthyinae and the remaining ariids are strongly supported by new morphological characters. The monotypic subfamily Bagreinae is recognized as the sister group to all nongaleichthyin ariids, supported by a large series of exclusive synapomorphies. A new concept of Ariinae is presented: the subfamily is found to be unequivocally monophyletic and includes all ariid genera, except Galeichthys and Bagre. New data supporting the monophyly of the genera included in the Ariinae are introduced and previous hypotheses of monophyly, species composition, morphological definition, and relationships are reviewed and discussed.
Aim: We present an update on the composition of the fish species of
the Restinga de Jurubatiba Na... more Aim: We present an update on the composition of the fish species of the Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park and the Imboassica Lagoon, in the northern portion of Rio de Janeiro State, based on collecting efforts of almost two decades, historical museum records, and a review of the literature. Methods: Specimens were collected using a variety of techniques, mostly between 1994 and 2012, and were fixed with the use of a 10% solution of formalin and subsequently stored in 70% alcohol solution. All specimens examined are deposited in the fish collections of the Núcleo em Ecologia e Desenvolvimento Socioambiental de Macaé, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (NPM), and Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ). Continental (freshwater) fishes and some marine or estuarine species frequently collected were regarded as Resident, whereas marine species collected only sporadically were regarded as Occasional. Possible associations between the orientation of the lagoons and the composition of Resident fishes were explored through a Correspondence Analysis (CA). Results: A total of 100 species, belonging to 19 orders and 41 families of the Teleostei were recorded. When both Resident and Occasional species are considered, families Carangidae and Engraulidae, with nine and eight species respectively, are the most representative. When only Resident species are considered, the Gerreidae and Gobiidae, both with seven species, are the most representative families. The Imboassica Lagoon, with 76 species, has the highest species richness among lagoons included in this study. A total of 81 species were recorded in the Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park, a number two times higher than reported on previous studies. An identification key, including 57 Resident species, is also presented. Conclusions: Parallel lagoons were characterized by a small group of continental species presumably of marine ancestry (Secondary Division), while marine species were more representative in Orthogonal lagoons. The higher frequency of marine species in Orthogonal lagoons is possibly associated with sandbar openings. Temporary and sporadic connections between Parallel lagoons during periods of higher rainfall may promote a higher similarity in terms of species composition.
A bacia do rio das Pedras forma o rio Piraí, originalmente um importante tributário do rio Paraíb... more A bacia do rio das Pedras forma o rio Piraí, originalmente um importante tributário do rio Paraíba do Sul, no sudeste do Brasil. Atualmente, toda a água coletada pela bacia é transposta para a bacia costeira do rio Guandu, onde é utilizada para o abastecimento de água e eletricidade da região metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro. Neste Guia, a fauna de peixes que vivem na bacia do rio das Pedras é apresentada através de fotografias e de uma caracterização preparada por especialistas para utilização de biólogos, técnicos e aficionados interessados na identificação de espécies de peixes. O Guia inclui chaves dicotômicas destinadas a facilitar a identificação destas espécies.
A new species of Corydoras, C. ortegai, is described from tributaries of the lower course of río ... more A new species of Corydoras, C. ortegai, is described from tributaries of the lower course of río Putumayo in Peru, close to the border with Brazil and Colombia. The new species seems to be related to Corydoras reynoldsi, C. weitzmani, C. panda, and C. tukano, all of which share a pattern composed of uniform light ground color on body, dark bar ("mask") across orbit, and one or two large rounded blotches midlaterally on trunk. Corydoras ortegai is easily distinguished from these species, except C. panda, mainly by the absence of a midlateral trunk blotch at the dorsal-fin level, and the rounded shape of the midlateral trunk blotch at the adipose-fin level. Corydoras ortegai differs from C. panda by its greater number of lateral body plates, lack of dorsal-fin blotch, scattered chromatophores surrounding midregion of cleithrum, caudal fin with series of small blotches restricted to rays, slenderer body, and narrower intercleithral area. Corydoras ortegai belongs to a putatively monophyletic assemblage of Corydoras that occurs mainly in the Western Amazon basin, C. tukano excepted. The occurrence of Corydoras tukano in the rio Tiquié (upper Negro basin) and its putative sister species, C. ortegai, in the western Amazon, together with similar distribution patterns shared by other groups of fishes, suggest a biogeographic relationship between these areas.
A phylogenetic hypothesis of relationships within the callichthyid subfamily Corydoradinae is pro... more A phylogenetic hypothesis of relationships within the callichthyid subfamily Corydoradinae is proposed based on 83 characters. The monophyly of the subfamily is well supported, as are those of two included genera, Aspidoras and Brochis. However, the monophyly of Corydoras, as traditionally defined, is not corroborated, with some of currently included species being more closely related to Aspidoras or Brochis than to nominal congeners. These conclusions contrast with a previous hypothesis, which considered Brochis and Corydoras as forming a monophyletic assemblage, with Aspidoras as its sister-group. A clade composed of Aspidoras and the species currently assigned to Corydoras, C. barbatus, C. ma- cropterus, C. prionotus and Corydoras sp. A, is herein recognized based on the following characters: possession of anterior portion of frontal bone long, hypobranchial 2 well ossified, free margin of opercle angulated, epiphyseal branch of the supraorbital canal long, and ossified portion of pectoral spine reduced. The remaining corydoradines are grouped in a monophyletic assemblage with complex vertebra compact, posterior expansion of ceratobranchial 3 notched, presence of triangular dorsal lamina on anguloarticular, and medial expansion of coracoid exposed. A new classification is proposed to accommodate the monophyletic groups defined in the present study. Discussions about subgroups within each major clade are provided.
A new species of Corydoras is described from the upper Rio Machado, Rio Madeira basin, Rondônia S... more A new species of Corydoras is described from the upper Rio Machado, Rio Madeira basin, Rondônia State, Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the absence of contact between the posterior process of the parieto-supraoccipital and the nuchal plate; a ventral laminar expansion of the infraorbital 1 conspicuously developed; and the posterior margin of the pectoral-fin spine with serrations along almost of its entire length, only lacking in the distal portion. Additionally, Corydoras hephaestus possesses dorsal and pectoral spines short, and exhibits an unusual color pattern in life. The conservation status of the new species and other endemic species are briefly commented.
Aim: We present an update on the composition of the fish species of the Restinga de Jurubatiba Na... more Aim: We present an update on the composition of the fish species of the Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park and the Imboassica Lagoon, in the northern portion of Rio de Janeiro State, based on collecting efforts of almost two decades, historical museum records, and a review of the literature. Methods: Specimens were collected using a variety of techniques, mostly between 1994 and 2012, and were fixed with the use of a 10% solution of formalin and subsequently stored in 70% alcohol solution.
The genus Scleromystax includes species occurring in several coastal river basins from southern B... more The genus Scleromystax includes species occurring in several coastal river basins from southern Bahia to southern Santa Catarina States. Examination of Scleromystax specimens sampled from the laguna dos Patos drainage revealed a new taxon, further extending the distribution of the genus to the southern border of the Atlantic forest. The new species differs from its congeners by the second infraorbital ventrally expanded. It is also distinct, except from S. macropterus and S. salmacis, by roughly oblique, elongate, dark brown blotches along body; large specimens displaying cranial fontanel completely occluded, leaving just a shallow fossae; and sexually dimorphic features inconspicuous, i.e. preopercular (cheek) region similar in males and females, and dorsal and pectoral fins of males slightly longer than in females. Herein, we also extend the record of Scleromystax salmacis to the rio Tramandaí drainage. O gênero Scleromystax inclui espécies distribuídas nas diversas bacias hidrográficas costeiras entre o sul do Estado da Bahia e o sul do Estado de Santa Catarina. O exame de exemplares de Scleromystax coletados nos sistema da laguna dos Patos revelou um novo táxon, estendendo a distribuição do gênero para o limite austral da Mata Atlântica. A nova espécie difere de seus congêneres pelo segundo infraorbital expandido ventralmente. Também se distingue, exceto de S. macropterus e S. salmacis, por manchas castanho-escuras alongadas e oblíquas ao longo do corpo; espécimes grandes apresentando a fontanela craniana completamente oclusa, restando somente uma depressão superficial; e características de dimorfismo sexual inconspícuas, i.e. região pré-opercular semelhante em machos e fêmeas, e nadadeiras dorsal e peitoral dos machos sutilmente mais longa que das fêmeas. No presente estudo, o registro de S. salmacis é estendido até a drenagem do rio Tramandaí.
Background: A new record for Elacatinus figaro, an endangered Brazilian species, is documented fo... more Background: A new record for Elacatinus figaro, an endangered Brazilian species, is documented for Pedra do Sal, Piauí coast. We present new data about its distribution, discussing on the limits of the Brazilian Province and commenting on the IUCN criteria for evaluation on threatening status.
The complete mitogenome of Corydoras nattereri, a species of mailed catfishes from southeastern B... more The complete mitogenome of Corydoras nattereri, a species of mailed catfishes from southeastern Brazil, was reconstructed using next-generation sequencing techniques. The mitogenome was assembled using mitochondrial transcripts from the liver transcriptomes of three individuals, and produced a circular DNA sequence of 16,557 nucleotides encoding 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes and two noncoding control regions (D-loop, OrigL). Phylogeographic analysis of closely related sequences of Cytochrome Oxydase C subunit I (COI) demonstrates high diversity among morphologically similar populations of C. nattereri. Corydoras nattereri is nested within a complex of populations currently assigned to C. paleatus and C. ehrhardti. Analysis of mitogenome structure demonstrated that an insertion of 21 nucleotides between the ATPase subunit-6 and COIII genes may represent a phylogenetically informative character associated with the evolution of the Corydoradinae. O mitogenoma completo de Corydoras nattereri, uma espécie de bagres encouraçados do sudeste do Brasil, foi reconstruído através de técnicas de sequencimento de DNA de próxima geração. O mitogenoma foi produzido a partir de produtos de transcrição mitocondrial dos transcriptomas hepáticos de três indivíduos, resultando numa sequência de DNA circular de 16.557 nucleotídeos abrangendo 22 genes de tRNA, dois genes de rRNA, 13 genes codificadores de proteínas e duas regiões de controle não codificadoras (D-loop, OrigL). A análise filogenética de sequências proximamente relacionadas da subunidade I do gene Citocrome Oxidase C (COI) demonstrou a existência de elevada diversidade entre populações morfologicamente similares de C. nattereri. Corydoras nattereri está inserida num complexo de populações atualmente identificadas como C. paleatus e C. ehrhardti. A análise da estrutura do mitogenoma demonstra que a inserção de uma sequência de 21 nucleotídeos entre os genes da subunidade 6 da ATPase e do COIII representa um caráter filogeneticamente informativo associado à evolução de Corydoradinae.
A new Corydoras Lacépède, 1803 (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) from the rio Araguaia basin, Brazil... more A new Corydoras Lacépède, 1803 (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) from the rio Araguaia basin, Brazil, with comments about A new species of Corydoras is described from the rio Araguaia basin, Goiás, Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by presenting the following features: infraorbital 1 with very large ventral laminar expansion; infraorbital 2 contacting compound pterotic; flanks densely covered by irregular black spots; and ventral surface of trunk densely covered by coalescent relatively well-developed platelets. It is also discussed the possibility that C. araguaiaensis comprehends a complex of species. Uma espécie nova de Corydoras é descrita da bacia do rio Araguaia, Goiás, Brasil. A espécie nova pode ser distinguida de suas congêneres por apresentar as seguintes características: infraorbital 1 com expansão laminar ventral muito grande; infraorbital 2 em contato com o pterótico composto; flancos densamente cobertos por manchas pretas irregulares e superfície ventral do tronco densamente coberta por plaquetas coalescentes relativamente bem desenvolvidas. Discute-se também a possibilidade de C. araguaiaensis compreender um complexo de espécies.
Xyliphius anachoretes, a new species of aspredinid catfish is described from the Tocantins-Aragua... more Xyliphius anachoretes, a new species of aspredinid catfish is described from the Tocantins-Araguaia River system. Xyliphius anachoretes is diagnosed by the presence of six developed retrorse serrae on posterior border of pectoral-fin spine, presence of papillae on the lower lip bearing minute branches, and only two dorsal procurrent rays. Comments about the informativeness of character-state variation among Xyliphius species and aspredinid related genera are furnished. Also, a brief discussion about conservation status of the new taxon is made.
A new Corydoras Lacépède, 1803 (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) from the rio Araguaia basin, Brazil... more A new Corydoras Lacépède, 1803 (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) from the rio Araguaia basin, Brazil, with comments about A new species of Corydoras is described from the rio Araguaia basin, Goiás, Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by presenting the following features: infraorbital 1 with very large ventral laminar expansion; infraorbital 2 contacting compound pterotic; flanks densely covered by irregular black spots; and ventral surface of trunk densely covered by coalescent relatively well-developed platelets. It is also discussed the possibility that C. araguaiaensis comprehends a complex of species. Uma espécie nova de Corydoras é descrita da bacia do rio Araguaia, Goiás, Brasil. A espécie nova pode ser distinguida de suas congêneres por apresentar as seguintes características: infraorbital 1 com expansão laminar ventral muito grande; infraorbital 2 em contato com o pterótico composto; flancos densamente cobertos por manchas pretas irregulares e superfície ventral do tronco densamente coberta por plaquetas coalescentes relativamente bem desenvolvidas. Discute-se também a possibilidade de C. araguaiaensis compreender um complexo de espécies.
A new species of Aspidoras is described from the upper rio Itiquira and the upper rio Taquari, ri... more A new species of Aspidoras is described from the upper rio Itiquira and the upper rio Taquari, rio Paraguai basin, and represents the first record of the genus from this river system. The new species differs from its congeners by the following unique features: infraorbitals and preopercle covered by skin; nuchal plate reduced and covered by skin; and lateral line absent from body plates posterior to the two small lateral line ossicles. The new species exhibits the greatest body size observed for an Aspidoras species. The occurence of Aspidoras in tributaries of the rio Paraguai basin extends the range of the genus further southwest than previously known, encompassing most of the river basins that drain the Brazilian Shield.
During a recent ichthyological survey in Chapada Diamantina, Estado da Bahia, Brazil, a new, very... more During a recent ichthyological survey in Chapada Diamantina, Estado da Bahia, Brazil, a new, very distinctive Aspidoras was discovered in tributaries of the upper rio Paraguaçu. The new taxon differs from its congeners mainly in having: a poorly developed pigmentation pattern, restricted to minute scattered blotches on dorsal region of head and body, but grouped in small, irregular blotches along the lateral body plate junction; four or five caudal vertebra, anterior to compound caudal centrum, with neural and haemal spines placed posteriorly, close to post-zygapophyses; and post-zygapophyses of the precaudal vertebrae without dorsal expansions connected with their respective neural spines. The new species shares with Aspidoras velites dorsolateral body plates not touching their counterparts dorsally, and infraorbital bones with reduced flanges that are restricted to the latero-sensory canal. Both of these are considered reductive character states, probably indicating a paedomorphic condition to both species. The new species is also compared to Aspidoras maculosus, a congener which bears the most similar color pattern and is geographically closest to the new species.
A new species of Aspidoras is described from an unnamed stream in the Rio Xingu Basin, Castelo de... more A new species of Aspidoras is described from an unnamed stream in the Rio Xingu Basin, Castelo de Sonhos municipality, Pará State, representing the northernmost record of the genus along the edge of the Brazilian Shield in the Amazon Basin. Aspidoras marianae is easily distinguished from all congeners in having minute odontode-bearing platelets scattered over the surface of the snout region, minute platelets between the parieto-supraoccipital process and the nuchal plate, and other shared features related to color pattern, morphometrics, meristics and morphological data. Comments about exclusive and shared features are presented.
A new species of the corydoradine catfish genus Aspidoras is described from an isolated coastal r... more A new species of the corydoradine catfish genus Aspidoras is described from an isolated coastal river basin in northeastern Brazil. The new species is the first record of a member of the subfamily Corydoradinae from the intervening region between the rio Jaguaribe and rio São Francisco basins. Aspidoras depinnai, new species, is distinguished from all congeners by the presence of distal bifid serrations on the ossified portion of pectoral-spine posterior border and an irregular arclike blotch on the caudal peduncle. It differs from the remaining Aspidoras species examined in the present study by the presence of an irregular row of minute pores on the head and a small cartilage between the upper principal and procurrent caudal fin rays.
Ariid monophyly and intrafamilial relationships are investigated based on cladistic analysis of 2... more Ariid monophyly and intrafamilial relationships are investigated based on cladistic analysis of 230 morphological characters. Terminal taxa examined include whenever possible type-species, or the most morphologically similar species to the type-species of the nominal genera, and the largest possible number of species, including cleared and stained specimens, available in zoological collections. Previous hypotheses about monophyly of the Ariidae are strongly corroborated by new synapomorphies discovered in the present study. The subfamily Galeichthyinae and the remaining ariids are strongly supported by new morphological characters. The monotypic subfamily Bagreinae is recognized as the sister group to all nongaleichthyin ariids, supported by a large series of exclusive synapomorphies. A new concept of Ariinae is presented: the subfamily is found to be unequivocally monophyletic and includes all ariid genera, except Galeichthys and Bagre. New data supporting the monophyly of the genera included in the Ariinae are introduced and previous hypotheses of monophyly, species composition, morphological definition, and relationships are reviewed and discussed.
Aim: We present an update on the composition of the fish species of
the Restinga de Jurubatiba Na... more Aim: We present an update on the composition of the fish species of the Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park and the Imboassica Lagoon, in the northern portion of Rio de Janeiro State, based on collecting efforts of almost two decades, historical museum records, and a review of the literature. Methods: Specimens were collected using a variety of techniques, mostly between 1994 and 2012, and were fixed with the use of a 10% solution of formalin and subsequently stored in 70% alcohol solution. All specimens examined are deposited in the fish collections of the Núcleo em Ecologia e Desenvolvimento Socioambiental de Macaé, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (NPM), and Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ). Continental (freshwater) fishes and some marine or estuarine species frequently collected were regarded as Resident, whereas marine species collected only sporadically were regarded as Occasional. Possible associations between the orientation of the lagoons and the composition of Resident fishes were explored through a Correspondence Analysis (CA). Results: A total of 100 species, belonging to 19 orders and 41 families of the Teleostei were recorded. When both Resident and Occasional species are considered, families Carangidae and Engraulidae, with nine and eight species respectively, are the most representative. When only Resident species are considered, the Gerreidae and Gobiidae, both with seven species, are the most representative families. The Imboassica Lagoon, with 76 species, has the highest species richness among lagoons included in this study. A total of 81 species were recorded in the Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park, a number two times higher than reported on previous studies. An identification key, including 57 Resident species, is also presented. Conclusions: Parallel lagoons were characterized by a small group of continental species presumably of marine ancestry (Secondary Division), while marine species were more representative in Orthogonal lagoons. The higher frequency of marine species in Orthogonal lagoons is possibly associated with sandbar openings. Temporary and sporadic connections between Parallel lagoons during periods of higher rainfall may promote a higher similarity in terms of species composition.
A bacia do rio das Pedras forma o rio Piraí, originalmente um importante tributário do rio Paraíb... more A bacia do rio das Pedras forma o rio Piraí, originalmente um importante tributário do rio Paraíba do Sul, no sudeste do Brasil. Atualmente, toda a água coletada pela bacia é transposta para a bacia costeira do rio Guandu, onde é utilizada para o abastecimento de água e eletricidade da região metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro. Neste Guia, a fauna de peixes que vivem na bacia do rio das Pedras é apresentada através de fotografias e de uma caracterização preparada por especialistas para utilização de biólogos, técnicos e aficionados interessados na identificação de espécies de peixes. O Guia inclui chaves dicotômicas destinadas a facilitar a identificação destas espécies.
A new species of Corydoras, C. ortegai, is described from tributaries of the lower course of río ... more A new species of Corydoras, C. ortegai, is described from tributaries of the lower course of río Putumayo in Peru, close to the border with Brazil and Colombia. The new species seems to be related to Corydoras reynoldsi, C. weitzmani, C. panda, and C. tukano, all of which share a pattern composed of uniform light ground color on body, dark bar ("mask") across orbit, and one or two large rounded blotches midlaterally on trunk. Corydoras ortegai is easily distinguished from these species, except C. panda, mainly by the absence of a midlateral trunk blotch at the dorsal-fin level, and the rounded shape of the midlateral trunk blotch at the adipose-fin level. Corydoras ortegai differs from C. panda by its greater number of lateral body plates, lack of dorsal-fin blotch, scattered chromatophores surrounding midregion of cleithrum, caudal fin with series of small blotches restricted to rays, slenderer body, and narrower intercleithral area. Corydoras ortegai belongs to a putatively monophyletic assemblage of Corydoras that occurs mainly in the Western Amazon basin, C. tukano excepted. The occurrence of Corydoras tukano in the rio Tiquié (upper Negro basin) and its putative sister species, C. ortegai, in the western Amazon, together with similar distribution patterns shared by other groups of fishes, suggest a biogeographic relationship between these areas.
A phylogenetic hypothesis of relationships within the callichthyid subfamily Corydoradinae is pro... more A phylogenetic hypothesis of relationships within the callichthyid subfamily Corydoradinae is proposed based on 83 characters. The monophyly of the subfamily is well supported, as are those of two included genera, Aspidoras and Brochis. However, the monophyly of Corydoras, as traditionally defined, is not corroborated, with some of currently included species being more closely related to Aspidoras or Brochis than to nominal congeners. These conclusions contrast with a previous hypothesis, which considered Brochis and Corydoras as forming a monophyletic assemblage, with Aspidoras as its sister-group. A clade composed of Aspidoras and the species currently assigned to Corydoras, C. barbatus, C. ma- cropterus, C. prionotus and Corydoras sp. A, is herein recognized based on the following characters: possession of anterior portion of frontal bone long, hypobranchial 2 well ossified, free margin of opercle angulated, epiphyseal branch of the supraorbital canal long, and ossified portion of pectoral spine reduced. The remaining corydoradines are grouped in a monophyletic assemblage with complex vertebra compact, posterior expansion of ceratobranchial 3 notched, presence of triangular dorsal lamina on anguloarticular, and medial expansion of coracoid exposed. A new classification is proposed to accommodate the monophyletic groups defined in the present study. Discussions about subgroups within each major clade are provided.
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Papers by Marcelo Britto
basin extends the range of the genus further southwest than previously known, encompassing most of the river basins that drain the Brazilian Shield.
Aspidoras velites dorsolateral body plates not touching their counterparts dorsally, and infraorbital bones with reduced
flanges that are restricted to the latero-sensory canal. Both of these are considered reductive character states, probably
indicating a paedomorphic condition to both species. The new species is also compared to Aspidoras maculosus, a congener which bears the most similar color pattern and is geographically closest to the new species.
Pará State, representing the northernmost record of the genus along the edge of the Brazilian Shield in the Amazon Basin. Aspidoras marianae is easily distinguished from all congeners in having minute odontode-bearing platelets scattered over the surface of the snout region, minute platelets between the parieto-supraoccipital process and the nuchal plate, and other shared features related to color pattern, morphometrics, meristics and morphological data. Comments about exclusive and shared features are presented.
of a member of the subfamily Corydoradinae from the intervening region between the rio Jaguaribe and rio São Francisco basins. Aspidoras depinnai, new species, is distinguished from all congeners by the presence of distal bifid serrations on the ossified portion of pectoral-spine posterior border and an irregular arclike blotch on the caudal peduncle. It differs from the remaining Aspidoras species examined in the present study by the presence of an irregular row of minute pores on the head and a small cartilage between the upper principal and procurrent caudal fin rays.
characters. Terminal taxa examined include whenever possible type-species, or the most morphologically similar
species to the type-species of the nominal genera, and the largest possible number of species, including cleared and
stained specimens, available in zoological collections. Previous hypotheses about monophyly of the Ariidae are
strongly corroborated by new synapomorphies discovered in the present study. The subfamily Galeichthyinae and
the remaining ariids are strongly supported by new morphological characters. The monotypic subfamily Bagreinae
is recognized as the sister group to all nongaleichthyin ariids, supported by a large series of exclusive synapomorphies.
A new concept of Ariinae is presented: the subfamily is found to be unequivocally monophyletic and
includes all ariid genera, except Galeichthys and Bagre. New data supporting the monophyly of the genera included
in the Ariinae are introduced and previous hypotheses of monophyly, species composition, morphological definition,
and relationships are reviewed and discussed.
the Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park and the Imboassica Lagoon, in the northern
portion of Rio de Janeiro State, based on collecting efforts of almost two decades,
historical museum records, and a review of the literature. Methods: Specimens were
collected using a variety of techniques, mostly between 1994 and 2012, and were fixed
with the use of a 10% solution of formalin and subsequently stored in 70% alcohol
solution. All specimens examined are deposited in the fish collections of the Núcleo em
Ecologia e Desenvolvimento Socioambiental de Macaé, Universidade Federal do Rio de
Janeiro (NPM), and Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ).
Continental (freshwater) fishes and some marine or estuarine species frequently collected
were regarded as Resident, whereas marine species collected only sporadically were
regarded as Occasional. Possible associations between the orientation of the lagoons and
the composition of Resident fishes were explored through a Correspondence Analysis
(CA). Results: A total of 100 species, belonging to 19 orders and 41 families of the
Teleostei were recorded. When both Resident and Occasional species are considered,
families Carangidae and Engraulidae, with nine and eight species respectively, are the most
representative. When only Resident species are considered, the Gerreidae and Gobiidae,
both with seven species, are the most representative families. The Imboassica Lagoon, with
76 species, has the highest species richness among lagoons included in this study. A total of
81 species were recorded in the Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park, a number two times
higher than reported on previous studies. An identification key, including 57 Resident
species, is also presented. Conclusions: Parallel lagoons were characterized by a small
group of continental species presumably of marine ancestry (Secondary Division), while
marine species were more representative in Orthogonal lagoons. The higher frequency
of marine species in Orthogonal lagoons is possibly associated with sandbar openings.
Temporary and sporadic connections between Parallel lagoons during periods of higher
rainfall may promote a higher similarity in terms of species composition.
basin extends the range of the genus further southwest than previously known, encompassing most of the river basins that drain the Brazilian Shield.
Aspidoras velites dorsolateral body plates not touching their counterparts dorsally, and infraorbital bones with reduced
flanges that are restricted to the latero-sensory canal. Both of these are considered reductive character states, probably
indicating a paedomorphic condition to both species. The new species is also compared to Aspidoras maculosus, a congener which bears the most similar color pattern and is geographically closest to the new species.
Pará State, representing the northernmost record of the genus along the edge of the Brazilian Shield in the Amazon Basin. Aspidoras marianae is easily distinguished from all congeners in having minute odontode-bearing platelets scattered over the surface of the snout region, minute platelets between the parieto-supraoccipital process and the nuchal plate, and other shared features related to color pattern, morphometrics, meristics and morphological data. Comments about exclusive and shared features are presented.
of a member of the subfamily Corydoradinae from the intervening region between the rio Jaguaribe and rio São Francisco basins. Aspidoras depinnai, new species, is distinguished from all congeners by the presence of distal bifid serrations on the ossified portion of pectoral-spine posterior border and an irregular arclike blotch on the caudal peduncle. It differs from the remaining Aspidoras species examined in the present study by the presence of an irregular row of minute pores on the head and a small cartilage between the upper principal and procurrent caudal fin rays.
characters. Terminal taxa examined include whenever possible type-species, or the most morphologically similar
species to the type-species of the nominal genera, and the largest possible number of species, including cleared and
stained specimens, available in zoological collections. Previous hypotheses about monophyly of the Ariidae are
strongly corroborated by new synapomorphies discovered in the present study. The subfamily Galeichthyinae and
the remaining ariids are strongly supported by new morphological characters. The monotypic subfamily Bagreinae
is recognized as the sister group to all nongaleichthyin ariids, supported by a large series of exclusive synapomorphies.
A new concept of Ariinae is presented: the subfamily is found to be unequivocally monophyletic and
includes all ariid genera, except Galeichthys and Bagre. New data supporting the monophyly of the genera included
in the Ariinae are introduced and previous hypotheses of monophyly, species composition, morphological definition,
and relationships are reviewed and discussed.
the Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park and the Imboassica Lagoon, in the northern
portion of Rio de Janeiro State, based on collecting efforts of almost two decades,
historical museum records, and a review of the literature. Methods: Specimens were
collected using a variety of techniques, mostly between 1994 and 2012, and were fixed
with the use of a 10% solution of formalin and subsequently stored in 70% alcohol
solution. All specimens examined are deposited in the fish collections of the Núcleo em
Ecologia e Desenvolvimento Socioambiental de Macaé, Universidade Federal do Rio de
Janeiro (NPM), and Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ).
Continental (freshwater) fishes and some marine or estuarine species frequently collected
were regarded as Resident, whereas marine species collected only sporadically were
regarded as Occasional. Possible associations between the orientation of the lagoons and
the composition of Resident fishes were explored through a Correspondence Analysis
(CA). Results: A total of 100 species, belonging to 19 orders and 41 families of the
Teleostei were recorded. When both Resident and Occasional species are considered,
families Carangidae and Engraulidae, with nine and eight species respectively, are the most
representative. When only Resident species are considered, the Gerreidae and Gobiidae,
both with seven species, are the most representative families. The Imboassica Lagoon, with
76 species, has the highest species richness among lagoons included in this study. A total of
81 species were recorded in the Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park, a number two times
higher than reported on previous studies. An identification key, including 57 Resident
species, is also presented. Conclusions: Parallel lagoons were characterized by a small
group of continental species presumably of marine ancestry (Secondary Division), while
marine species were more representative in Orthogonal lagoons. The higher frequency
of marine species in Orthogonal lagoons is possibly associated with sandbar openings.
Temporary and sporadic connections between Parallel lagoons during periods of higher
rainfall may promote a higher similarity in terms of species composition.