[Ichthyology • 2022] Tatia luisae • A New Species of Driftwood Catfish of Tatia (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from rio Tapajós, Brazil

Tatia luisae

 Ribeiro, Silva-Oliveira, Silva & Canto, 2022

ni.bio.br/1982-0224-2021-0164 

Abstract​ 

A new species of Tatia is described from rio Tapajós, upstream of the rapids of São Luiz do Tapajós, Pará State, Brazil. The new species is identified and diagnosed from its congeners through morphological characteristics such as the absence of an adipose fin, which is shared with T. akroa and T. britskii; the composition of the cranial roof elements; the color pattern consisting of dorsolateral dark dots formed by both dermal and epidermal pigments; as well as several morphometric measures. The new species is a Centromochlinae fish that feeds on insects on the surface of the water at night and it is probably endemic to rio Tapajós basin.

Keywords: Amazonia, Biodiversity, Centromochlinae, Freshwater fishes, Taxonomy.

Live specimen of Tatia luisae, UFOPA-I 1361, 25.3 mm SL, paratype.

Tatia luisae, new species 

 

Diagnosis. Tatia luisae differs from all species of Tatia and Centromochlus, except T. akroa Souza, Sarmento-Soares, Canto & Ribeiro, 2020 and T. britskii Sarmento-Soares & Birindelli, 2015, by the absence (vs. present) of adipose fin. Tatia luisae differs from T. akroa by the dorsal-fin spine length (16.4–24.3% SL, mean 19.6 vs. 12.3–17.3% SL, mean, 14.7), head depth (56.4–71.9% HL, mean 66.3 vs. 40.6–57.6% HL, mean 47.2), interorbital distance (34.7–45.0% HL, mean 4.0 vs. 46.1–57.9% HL, mean 50.2), and posterior internarial distance (22.1–30.2% HL, mean 25.7 vs. 30.0–38.2% HL, mean 33.3). Tatia luisae differs from T. britskii by the body depth (17.8–24.6% SL, mean 22.6 vs. 14.6–17.1% SL, mean 16.2), dorsal-fin spine length (16.3–24.3% SL, mean 19.7 vs. 13.3–15.6% SL, mean 14.3), head depth (56.4–71.9% HL, mean 66.3 vs. 46.3–52.7% HL, mean 49.5), anterior internarial distance (14.6–24.2% HL, mean 21.9 vs. 29.2–33.0% HL, mean 31.2), and posterior internarial distance (22.1–30.2% HL, mean 25.7 vs. 31.5–34.7% HL, mean 33.5). Tatia luisae further differs from T. aulopygia (Kner, 1857), T. altae (Fowler, 1945), T. brunnea, T. caudosignata DoNascimiento, Albornoz-Garzón & García-Melo, 2019, T. dunni (Fowler, 1945), T. ferrarisi (Birindelli, Sarmento-Soares & Lima, 2015), T. galaxias Mees, 1974, T. gyrina (Eigenmann & Allen, 1942), T. intermedia, T. jacaratia Pavanelli & Bifi, 2009, T. meesi Sarmento-Soares & Martins Pinheiro, 2008, T. meridionalis, T. neivai (Ihering, 1930), T. perugiae (Steindachner, 1882), T. punctata Mees, 1974, T. reticulata Mees, 1974 and T. strigata Soares-Porto, 1995 by dotted color pattern on sides of body (vs. mottled, spotted or reticulated on flanks). Differs from T. aulopygia, T. boemia Koch & Reis, 1996, T. brunnea, T. caxiuanensis Sarmento-Soares & Martins-Pinheiro, 2008, T. caudosignata, T. dunni, T. galaxias, T. gyrina, T. intermedia, T. jaracatia, T. meesi, T. neivai, T. nigra, and T. strigata by the absence (vs. presence) of anterior nuchal plate.

Geographical distribution. Tatia luisae is currently known only from the middle rio Tapajós, upstream of the rapids of São Luiz do Tapajós, at Itaituba Municipality (Fig. 6).

Etymology. The specific epithet luisae is in honor to the Brazilian ichthyologist Luisa M. Sarmento-Soares, in recognition of her many contributions to the systematics of Neotropical catfishes of the subfamily Centromochlinae. A noun in the singular genitive case.

 Frank Raynner V. Ribeiro, Cárlison Silva-Oliveira, Alberto Conceição F. da Silva and  André L. Colares Canto. 2022. New Species of Driftwood Catfish of Tatia (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from rio Tapajós, Brazil. Neotrop Ichthyol. 20(2):e210164. ni.bio.br/1982-0224-2021-0164 

DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2021-0164

 twitter.com/Neotropi/status/1533553444803444736

 

[Ichthyology • 2020] Spinipterus moijiri • A New Species of Spiny Driftwood Catfish Spinipterus (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the Amazon Basin

Spinipterus moijiri

Rocha, Rossoni, Akama & Zuanon, 2020 

 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14211

Abstract

An expedition to the middle Rio Purus basin uncovered a remarkable new species of the genus Spinipterus. The new species has a very distinct and conspicuous colour pattern resembling a jaguar and it is almost four times larger than Spinipterus acsi, a small specimen (32 mm LS) from Caño Santa Rita, a right bank tributary of Río Nanay in Peru and a second specimen was reported from Rio Juruá, Amazonas State, Brazil. Although the new species is more similar in size and colour pattern to Liosomadoras, it shares the synapomorphies for Spinipterus. The new species differs from the congener by the following characters: (a) colour pattern with large black rosette‐like spots over a light yellow to brown background (v. brown background with small dark blotches over the body); (b) adult body size reaching 104.5 mm LS (v. maximum known size 37.1 mm LS); (c) posterior process of cleithrum short, never reaching vertical through the dorsal‐fin origin (v. posterior process long, surpassing vertical through the dorsal‐fin origin); (d) seven soft pectoral‐fin rays (v. six); (e) caudal fin truncated (v. caudal fin rounded).

Keywords: driftwood catfish, neotropical, otorongo woodcat, sexual dimorphism, Spinipterus, spiny jaguar catfish

Live specimens of Spinipterus moijiri sp. nov. and Tatia sp. inside a tree trunk.

 photographed alive (uncataloged) at type locality

Spinipterus moijiri sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet moijiri comes from Moijiri, as this species is known among the Paumari natives that inhabit the Rio Tapauá, Purus basin. The meaning of the word Moijiri is unknown so far. The Paumari language belongs to the Arawa linguistic group.

Marcelo Rocha, Felipe Rossoni, Alberto Akama and Jansen Zuanon. 2020. A New Species of Spiny Driftwood Catfish Spinipterus (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the Amazon Basin. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14211

Weird jaguar catfish is covered in spines and lives in wooden logs newscientist.com/article/2227556-weird-jaguar-catfish-is-covered-in-spines-and-lives-in-wooden-logs/

[Ichthyology • 2015] The Microhabitat, Behavior and Diet of Centromochlus meridionalis, A Small Catfish of Amazon Streams (Teleostei: Auchenipteridae)

Fig. 1. Centromochlus meridionalis photographed alive in aquarium. a, female, 60.2 mm SL; and b, male, 53.2 mm SL (ABAM I-00398). Arrow indicates modified anal fin forming the intromittent organ. (Photographs L. N. Carvalho and F. G. Cabeceira).
Fig. 2. Illustration of behavioral acts performed by Centromochlus meridionalis: a, resting between leaves; and b, feeding at the bottom in head-down posture. For a description of the behaviors see Table 1. (Illustrations by Cristiane C. de Freitas).

Centromochlus meridionalis was recently described from streams of Brazilian Amazon. The marbled dark brown and black color pattern together with the use of submersed leaf litter accumulations for shelter differentiates this species among its congeners. We present information about the biology of C. meridionalis based on data gathered in streams and under captivity, as well as on a dietary analysis. Behavioral observations were made in captivity (aquaria). Dietary analysis was performed based on stomach contents of 38 specimens. The species was found in 8 out of 12 small streams sampled, where specimens were captured predominantly amidst submerged leaf litter. Nine types of behavioral acts were identified, of which “swimming near the substratum” and “charging the substratum for food” were the most frequent. Thirty (~79 %) out of the 38 stomachs had food, and the diet was composed of 27 types of food items. Centromochlus meridionalis can be considered a generalist microcarnivore, consuming predominantly authochtonous and allochtonous insects, and other terrestrial invertebrates, crustaceans and fish as well. The use of different water column strata during foraging and the diversity of food items consumed indicate that this small catfish utilizes several feeding tactics.

Cabeceira, Fernando Gonçalves, Denise Caragnato Parisotto, Jansen Zuanon, Alberto Akama and Lucélia Nobre Carvalho. 2015. The Microhabitat, Behavior and Diet of Centromochlus meridionalis, A Small Catfish of Amazon Streams (Teleostei: Auchenipteridae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. 26(3); 221-228. http://www.pfeil-verlag.de/04biol/pdf/ief26_3_03.pdf

http://www.seriouslyfish.com/forums/ichthyology/ichthyological-exploration-of-freshwaters-volume-26-number-2-volume-26-number-3/

[Ichthyology • 2013] Centromochlus meridionalis • A New Catfish Species (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the Southern Amazonian Limits, Mato Grosso State, Brazil

Centromochlus meridionalis

Sarmento-Soares, Cabeceira, L. N. Carvalho, Zuanon & Akama, 2013

DOI: 10.1590/S1679-62252013000400007

ABSTRACT

Centromochlus actually comprises eleven species, being the most problematic genus among the Centromochlinae, including morphologically heterogeneous taxa. The Centromochlus species have a wide distributional area on northern South America. Centromochlus meridionalis, new species, is described from headwaters of rio Teles Pires, contributor of rio Tapajós, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, and represents one of the southernmost records of a centromochlin catfish for Meridional Amazon rivers. Centromochlus meridionalis is promptly distinguished from its congeners by the small orbital diameter (relative to head length), and also by the combination of absence of first nuchal plate, anterior margin of dorsal-fin spine smooth, six branched rays in anal fin, seven pairs of ribs and 34 vertebrae. They are small sized catfishes with adults between 33 to 61 mm in standard length. The modified male anal fin is conspicuous, with the third unbranched ray enlarged, about twice the width of first unbranched ray. The new species inhabits a region strongly endangered by environmental changes due to expansion of agropecuary activities on Brazilian Amazon, which include this species in an uncertain situation regarding the conservation status of its natural population.

Key words: Amazon; Centromochlinae; Forest streams; Taxonomy; Teles Pires

Live coloration. Body color dark brown mottled in black, in a reticulated pattern, on dorsal shield and mid-dorsal portions of body. Mid-ventral portions of body with scattered brown chromatophores. Fins almost hyaline, where principally the rays are mottled with pale brown spots towards base. Ventral surfaces white somewhat translucent with little scattered brown chromatophores (Fig. 6). Overall body color strongly reminiscent of that of species of Trachelyopterus, possibly due to life style associated to submersed litter banks.

Distribution. Centromochlus meridionalis was recorded so far only from headwater streams of the upper reaches of rio Tapajós, at the rio Teles Pires, Mato Grosso State (Fig. 7). Regarding global biogeographic regionalization of freshwater systems, the new species occurs in the Tapajós-Juruena ecoregion (sensu Abell et al., 2008).

Ecological notes. Centromochlus meridionalis was captured in 1st and 2nd order streams, with 1.22 to 3.16 m in width and 0.17 to 0.72 m in depth, characterized by clear water and slow current that varies from 0.15 to 0.36 cm/s, over sand bottom with litter, and riparian surrounding vegetation (Fig. 8). The fishes were captured under trunks and principally inset somewhat compressed submerged litter banks. It is a micro generalist carnivore that eat small fish (Moenkhausia phaeonota, Characidae), shrimps, aquatic insect larvae and nymphs, fragments of terrestrial arthropods (ants, spiders), seeds and particulate organic matter (Cabeceira et al., in prep.). Specimens of Centromochlus meridionalis have nocturnal habits and in aquarium conditions sowed a peak of activity in the evening instead of dusk like other Centromochlinae, and it finds shelter under amidst submerged leaf litter banks before daylight (Cabeceira et al., in prep.). The new species was collected syntopically with Astyanax sp., Bryconops spp., Knodus heteresthes, Moenkhausia spp., Erythrinus erythrinus, Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus, Rivulus kayabi, Gymnotus aff. carapo, Gymnorhamphichthys petiti, Eigenmannia aff. trilineata, Aequidens sp., Crenicichla inpa, Tatia strigata, Tatia neivai, Helogenes marmoratus, Cetopsis sandrae, small unidentified cetopsid, Hisonotus spp., Cetopsorhamdia sp., Imparfinis aff. stictonotus, Phenacorhamdia somnians, Rhamdia quellen, Ituglanis aff. amazonicus, and Synbranchus sp. (F.G. Cabeceira, unpublished data).

Etymology. The specific name makes reference to the record of a Centromochlus species in southern Brazilian Amazon, a region referred to as "Meridional Amazon". Other Centromochlus species were recorded for southern Amazon, such as C. schultzi from upper Xingu and C. perugiae, from Rondônia and herein registered for southwestern Mato Grosso State.These two species, however, have a wide distributional range, respectively along central brazilian plateau and also western Amazon and upper Paraguay. On the other hand, Centromochlus meridionalis is the single species in the genus originally described from Meridional Amazon, and with distribution apparently restricted to this region.


Sarmento-Soares, L.M., Cabeceira, F.G., Carvalho, L.N., Zuanon, J. & Akama, A. 2013. Centromochlus meridionalis, A New Catfish Species from the Southern Amazonian Limits, Mato Grosso State, Brazil (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae). Neotropical Ichthyology. 11 (4): 797-808. DOI:   10.1590/S1679-62252013000400007

RESUMO

Centromochlus abriga atualmente onze espécies, sendo o gênero mais problemático dentre os Centromochlinae, incluindo táxons morfologicamente heterogêneos. As espécies de Centromochlus apresentam uma ampla área de distribuição no norte da América do Sul. Centromochlus meridionalis, espécie nova, é descrita para as cabeceiras do rio Teles Pires, formador do rio Tapajós, Mato Grosso, Brasil, e representa um dos registros mais ao sul de um bagre centromoclíneo para os riachos da Amazônia meridional. Centromochlus meridionalis é prontamente distinguido de todos os seus congêneres, pelo diâmetro orbital pequeno (em relação ao comprimento da cabeça), e ainda pela combinação da ausência de primeira placa nucal, margem anterior do espinho da nadadeira dorsal lisa, seis raios ramificados na nadadeira anal, sete pares de costelas e 34 vértebras. São bagres de pequeno porte com adultos entre 33 e 61 mm de comprimento padrão. A nadadeira anal de machos sexualmente maduros é conspicuamente modificada, na qual o terceiro raio indiviso é muito largo, cerca do dobro da espessura do primeiro raio ramificado. O registro desta espécie nova ocorre em uma região fortemente ameaçada por alterações ambientais decorrentes da expansão de atividades agropecuárias na Amazônia Brasileira, a qual coloca esta espécie em uma situação incerta quanto ao estado de conservação da sua população natural.

[Ichthyology • 2015] Revision of Tympanopleura Eigenmann (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) with Description of Two New Species; Tympanopleura cryptica & T. longipinna

Figure 1. Dorsal and ventral head profiles of species of Tympanopleura:
(a) T. atronasus, INHS 106400 (82.4 mm SL); (b) T. brevis, ANSP 194010 (63.3 mm SL); (c) T. cryptica, INHS 40163 (84.9 mm SL); (d) T. longipinna, MZUSP 114000 (73.0 mm SL, holotype); (e) T. piperata, ANSP 194022 (45.6 mm SL); (f) T. rondoni, ANSP 194015 (75.3 mm SL).

Scale bars: a-d, f = 1 cm; e = 5 mm.

The Neotropical catfish genus Tympanopleura, previously synonymized within Ageneiosus, is revalidated and included species are reviewed. Six species are recognized, two of which are described as new. Tympanopleura is distinguished from Ageneiosus by having an enlarged gas bladder not strongly encapsulated in bone; a prominent pseudotympanum consisting of an area on the side of the body devoid of epaxial musculature where the gas bladder contacts the internal coelomic wall; short, blunt head without greatly elongated jaws; and smaller adult body size. Species of Tympanopleura are distinguished from each other on the basis of unique meristic, morphometric, and pigmentation differences. Ageneiosus melanopogon and Tympanopleura nigricollis are junior synonyms of Tympanopleura atronasus. Tympanopleura alta is a junior synonym of Tympanopleura brevis. A lectotype is designated for T. brevis. Ageneiosus madeirensis is a junior synonym of Tympanopleura rondoni. Tympanopleura atronasus, T. brevis, T. longipinna, and T. rondoni are relatively widespread in the middle and upper Amazon River basin. Tympanopleura cryptica is described from relatively few specimens collected in the upper portion of the Amazon River basin in Peru and the middle portion of that basin in Brazil. Tympanopleura piperata is distributed in the upper and middle Amazon River basin, as well as in the Essequibo River drainage of Guyana.

O gênero de bagres neotropicais Tympanopleura, anteriormente sinonimizado em Ageneiosus, é revalidado e as espécies incluídas são revisadas. Seis espécies são reconhecidas, duas das quais são descritas como novas. O gênero Tympanopleura é distinto de Ageneiosus por possuir uma bexiga natatória grande e não fortemente encapsulada em osso; um pseudotímpano proeminente consistindo de uma área no lado do corpo sem musculatura epaxial onde a bexiga natatória contacta a parede interna da cavidade celômica; cabeça curta, sem mandíbulas muito prolongadas, e menor tamanho do corpo de adultos. Espécies de Tympanopleura são distintas umas das outras com base em diferenças únicas em dados merísticos, morfométricos e de pigmentação. Ageneiosus melanopogon e Tympanopleura nigricollis são sinônimos júnior de Tympanopleura atronasus. Tympanopleura alta é um sinônimo júnior de Tympanopleura brevis. Um lectótipo é designado para T. brevis. Ageneiosus madeirensis é sinônimo júnior de Tympanopleura rondoni. Tympanopleura atronasus, T. brevis, T. longipinna e T. rondoni são relativamente bem distribuídas nas porções média e alta da bacia Amazônica. Tympanopleura cryptica é descrita a partir de alguns espécimes coletados na porção alta da bacia Amazônica no Peru e porção média dessa bacia no Brasil. Tympanopleura piperata está distribuída nas regiões alta e média da bacia Amazônica, bem como na drenagem do rio Essequibo, na Guiana.

Keywords: Amazon River, Morphology, Identification key, Systematics, Taxonomy

Fig. 13. Tympanopleura cryptica, new species.
(a) holotype, MUSM 47102 (84.9 mm SL), pre-nuptial male, río Orosa, Loreto Region, Peru;
(b) paratype, INPA 35926 (65.3 mm SL), nuptial male, rio Purus, Amazonas State, Brazil.

Tympanopleura cryptica, new species 

Distribution. Tympanopleura cryptica is known from relatively few records in the middle and upper Amazon River basin, State of Amazonas in Brazil and the Loreto Region of Peru 

Etymology. The specific epithet cryptica is derived from the transliterated Greek kryptos, meaning hidden or concealed, in reference to the close morphological and pigmentation similarities of this species to congeners and its previously unrecognized taxonomic distinctiveness. Gender feminine.

Fig. 14. Tympanopleura longipinna, new species. Holotype, MZUSP 114000 (73.0 mm SL), female, rio Madeira, Rondônia State, Brazil.

Tympanopleura longipinna, new species

Distribution. Tympanopleura longipinna is broadly distributed throughout the upper and middle Amazon River basin in Brazil and Peru

Etymology. The specific epithet longipinna is derived from the Latin longus, meaning long or extended, in combination with the Latin pinna, referring to fin. The name is in reference to the long, multi-rayed anal fin of this species relative to congeners, treated as a noun in apposition. Gender feminine.

Fig. 14. Tympanopleura longipinna, new species. Holotype, MZUSP 114000 (73.0 mm SL), female, rio Madeira, Rondônia State, Brazil.
Fig. 15. Distribution of Tympanopleura longipinna (stars) and T. piperata (inverted triangles) based on material examined. Open symbols indicate type localities. Some symbols represent more than one lot or locality.

Walsh, S.J., Ribeiro, F.R.V. & Rapp-Py-Daniel, L.H. 2015. Revision of Tympanopleura Eigenmann (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) with Description of Two New Species. Neotropical Ichthyology, 13 (1): 1-46. DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-20130220 

http://www.scielo.br/pdf/ni/v13n1/1679-6225-ni-13-01-00001.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2013] Glanidium botocudo • A New Species of Catfish (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the rio Doce and rio Mucuri, Minas Gerais, Brazil with comments on taxonomic position of Glanidium bockmanni

Fig. 1 Glanidium botocudo, new species, from Minas Gerais State, Brazil
(a) holotype, MNRJ 32538, male,  b) paratype, MBML 2047, female

Glanidium botocudo 

Sarmento-Soares & Martins-Pinheiro, 2013 

Abstract

Glanidium botocudo, new species, is described from the tributaries to the upper rio Doce and Mucuri, eastern Minas Gerais State, Brazil. It represents the northernmost record of a centromochlin catfish from the coastal rivers of the Northeastern Atlantic Forest. Glanidium botocudo is readily distinguished from its congeners, except Glanidium albescens, by the whitish grey body coloration with evenly spaced small dark brown dots. The new species has a long sharpened ventral process on the urohyal, an uncommon condition among congeners, and the lowest vertebral count among the large-sized Glanidium, 36-37. It differs from Glanidium albescens by proportional measurements and higher number of ribs. Glanidium botocudo and Glanidium albescens are probably sister species, exhibiting similar morphological features and a complimentary distribution pattern, associated to an allopatric distribution pattern. Glanidium bockmanni is transferred to the genus Centromochlus

Keywords: Centromochlinae; Centromochlus; Distribution; South America; Systematics

Etymology. The specific name is a reference to the Botocudo, the generic name given to native indigenous people wearing artifacts ("botoques") on ears and lips. Those Indians were the original inhabitants of large extensions of the Floresta Atlântica (Paraíso, 1992), including the lands along the rio Mucuri valley and far west, to the rio Doce, range of the new Glanidium species. A noun in apposition.

Sarmento-Soares, L.M. & Martins-Pinheiro, R.F. 2013. Glanidium botocudo, a new species from the rio Doce and rio Mucuri, Minas Gerais, Brazil (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) with comments on taxonomic position of Glanidium bockmanni Sarmento-Soares & Buckup. Neotropical Ichthyology. 11 (2): 265-274.

http://www.ufrgs.br/ni/ni-v11n2/v11n2a04.pdf

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1679-62252013000200004

[Ichthyology • 2008] Gelanoglanis travieso • A New Species of Gelanoglanis (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the Marañon River (Amazon Basin), Northeastern Perú

Gelanoglanis travieso

Rengifo & Lujan 2008

Abstract

We describe a new species of driftwood catfish, Gelanoglanis travieso, (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the Marañon River, a whitewater tributary of the Amazon River in northeastern Perú. It shares with the two described species in this genus, G. stroudi, from left bank whitewater tributaries of the Orinoco River in Colombia and Venezuela, and G. nanonocticolus from blackwater tributaries of the upper Orinoco and Negro Rivers in Amazonas, Venezuela and northern Brazil, the following synapomorphies: reduced size, compressed body, conical snout, a single pair of mental barbels, premaxillae widely separated at rostral border of upper jaw, premaxillary and dentary tooth patches narrow, posterior naris long and narrow and positioned immediately anterior to orbit, and small eyes. Gelanoglanis travieso differs from all congeners in having second dorsal-fin lepidotrichium filamentous, simple, not a spine, and not serrate (shared with G. nanonocticolus); pectoral-fin spine stout, serrate along posterior margin (shared with G. stroudi); and a terminal mouth (vs. subterminal in G. nanonocticolus and G. stroudi).

Blanca Rengifo, Nathan K. Lujan, Donald Taphorn and Paulo Petry. 2008. A New Species of Gelanoglanis (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the Marañon River (Amazon Basin), Northeastern Perú. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 157; 181-188 http://www.jstor.org/stable/27667790

[Ichthyology • 2011] Spinipterus acsi • A New Genus of Small, Spiny Catfish (Auchenipteridae) from the Peruvian Amazon

Spinipterus acsi

Family: Auchenipteridae

Abstract

A new species of small auchenipterid catfish is described based on a single specimen from the Amazon basin and is placed into a new genus. Spinipterus, new genus, is diagnosed by the following striking autapomorphic features: pectoral and dorsal-fin spines with four prominent rows of serrations; lateral margin of the skull roofing bones ornamented with a single row of spines; size reduction of hipurals; elongation and angle of posterior cleithral process; and adducted dorsal fin rests into a mid-dorsal groove. The new genus also differs from most other auchenipterid genera by having lower counts for some fin rays. Current diagnoses of auchenipterid genera do not allow us to place the new species into any genus, which requires us to propose the new genus Spinipterus.

Key words: Neotropical region, driftwood catfish, miniaturization, sexual dimorphism

Akama, A. and Ferraris, C.J., jr. 2011. Spinipterus, A New Genus of Small, Spiny Catfish (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the Peruvian Amazon. Zootaxa. 2992: 52-60. : http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2011/f/z02992p060f.pdf