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Photograph in lateral view of (a) Leporinus venerei (holotype, MZUSP 93124, 113.3 mm SL), (b) Leporinus parae (MZUSP 48445, 111.9 mm SL), and (c) Leporinus lacustris (MZUSP 48414, 95.0 mm SL).
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A new species of the genus Leporinus is described from the rio Araguaia, in Mato Grosso and Goiás states, Brazil. The new species has the dental formula 4/3, a unique feature within the genus; all other species of Leporinus have dental formulae 3/3, 3/4 or 4/4. In addition, the new species can also be distinguished by the following combination of c...
Contexts in source publication
Context 1
... following species have a doubtful number of teeth or the number of teeth is unknown: L. badueli, L. bleheri, L. jamesi, and L. latofasciatus . We note that collectors must preserve specimens of Leporinus with mouth open, as they tend to close them very strongly when fixed in formaldehyde. Attempts at opening the mouth of fishes when so fixed usually lead to the break- age of the jaws, particularly the lower jaw, causing loss of the small lateral teeth and therefore making teeth counts unreliable. There is no consistent hypothesis about relationships within species of Leporinus , a genus with large number of species presenting a great degree of variation in mouth posi- tion, tooth morphology and arrangements. Attempts to split Leporinus into subgenera (for example Borodin, 1929) are not presently accepted. Nevertheless, it is necessary to make some comments on similarities between the new species, Leporinus parae Eigenmann, and L. lacustris Campos. The latter two species share with L. venerei a deep body, terminal mouth, anal fin long and dark, and the three blotches on the lateral line small, with the latter two, particularly the last one, usually fading. Leporinus parae Eigenmann, 1907 was described from the lower Amazon basin in Para state, Brazil. Measurements and counts were taken from 73 of the 279 examined specimens of L. parae from different localities (see comparative material which includes type material). This species is diagnosed by dental formula 4/4, 38 (n=22, including the type), 39 (52), 40 (9), and 41 (1) scales in the lateral line, 5/5 transversal series of scales, and 16 circumpeduncular series of scales ( Fig. 1). These data are in agreement with the original description (Eigenmann & Ogle, 1907: 8); but, one of these characters differs from the text figure presented by those authors, as it shows a specimen with four series of scales between the lateral line and the dorsal fin. This should be interpreted as an inaccuracy of the drawer, since the type and all three cotypes have 5 scale series above the lateral line. Specimens of L. parae were found to occur throughout the Amazon and Orinoco basins (see comparative material, fig. 2). In some fish collections, specimens from the Orinoco were previously iden- tified as L. subniger Fowler, 1943, described from the Colom- bian Amazon. Leporinus subniger resembles L. parae in the terminal mouth, dental formula 4/4, and 16 series of scales in the caudal peduncle. Nevertheless, L. parae can be differen- tiated from L. subniger by the number of scales in the lateral line, 38 to 41 ( vs. 36 to 38 in L. subniger ), 5/5 scales in transversal line [ vs. 4/4; although Fowler (1943) mentioned 5/5 scales in transversal line in L. subniger , our examination and that of Garavello (1979), confirmed that there are in fact 4/4 scales series in the transversal line in that species], three dark blotches sometimes fading [ vs. three dark blotches always present and supplemented by several smaller blotches over body, see Fowler (1943: figs 10-12 for drawings), or Böhlke (1958: plate 6, fig. 2 for a photographed specimen)], and deep body and short head ( vs. body relatively shallower and head relatively larger). Leporinus lacustris Campos, 1945 was described from the upper rio Paraná basin in São Paulo state, Brazil. Measurements and counts were taken from 109 of the 152 examined specimens of L. lacustris from the upper rio Paraná and rio Paraguay basins (see comparative material which includes type material, fig. 2). The species is diagnosed by having dental formula 4/4, 33 (n=4), 34 (69, including the type), or 35 (36) scales in the lateral line, 4/4 or 4/5 transversal series of scales, and 16 circumpeduncular series of scales (Fig. 1). When describing L. lacustris Campos (1945:155) did not comment on the number of teeth and reported 3.5 scales in transverse series above lateral line and 32 to 34 scales in the lateral line. By our counts, the types have 4 and 33 to 34 scales, respec- tively. In addition, L. lacustris has fewer vertebrae (33, n=6), when compared to L. venerei n.sp. (34 to 35, n=7) and L. parae (35 to 37, n=6). It is also worth mentioning that to our knowledge these three species are the only in the genus that show preferences for lentic ...
Context 2
... following species have a doubtful number of teeth or the number of teeth is unknown: L. badueli, L. bleheri, L. jamesi, and L. latofasciatus . We note that collectors must preserve specimens of Leporinus with mouth open, as they tend to close them very strongly when fixed in formaldehyde. Attempts at opening the mouth of fishes when so fixed usually lead to the break- age of the jaws, particularly the lower jaw, causing loss of the small lateral teeth and therefore making teeth counts unreliable. There is no consistent hypothesis about relationships within species of Leporinus , a genus with large number of species presenting a great degree of variation in mouth posi- tion, tooth morphology and arrangements. Attempts to split Leporinus into subgenera (for example Borodin, 1929) are not presently accepted. Nevertheless, it is necessary to make some comments on similarities between the new species, Leporinus parae Eigenmann, and L. lacustris Campos. The latter two species share with L. venerei a deep body, terminal mouth, anal fin long and dark, and the three blotches on the lateral line small, with the latter two, particularly the last one, usually fading. Leporinus parae Eigenmann, 1907 was described from the lower Amazon basin in Para state, Brazil. Measurements and counts were taken from 73 of the 279 examined specimens of L. parae from different localities (see comparative material which includes type material). This species is diagnosed by dental formula 4/4, 38 (n=22, including the type), 39 (52), 40 (9), and 41 (1) scales in the lateral line, 5/5 transversal series of scales, and 16 circumpeduncular series of scales ( Fig. 1). These data are in agreement with the original description (Eigenmann & Ogle, 1907: 8); but, one of these characters differs from the text figure presented by those authors, as it shows a specimen with four series of scales between the lateral line and the dorsal fin. This should be interpreted as an inaccuracy of the drawer, since the type and all three cotypes have 5 scale series above the lateral line. Specimens of L. parae were found to occur throughout the Amazon and Orinoco basins (see comparative material, fig. 2). In some fish collections, specimens from the Orinoco were previously iden- tified as L. subniger Fowler, 1943, described from the Colom- bian Amazon. Leporinus subniger resembles L. parae in the terminal mouth, dental formula 4/4, and 16 series of scales in the caudal peduncle. Nevertheless, L. parae can be differen- tiated from L. subniger by the number of scales in the lateral line, 38 to 41 ( vs. 36 to 38 in L. subniger ), 5/5 scales in transversal line [ vs. 4/4; although Fowler (1943) mentioned 5/5 scales in transversal line in L. subniger , our examination and that of Garavello (1979), confirmed that there are in fact 4/4 scales series in the transversal line in that species], three dark blotches sometimes fading [ vs. three dark blotches always present and supplemented by several smaller blotches over body, see Fowler (1943: figs 10-12 for drawings), or Böhlke (1958: plate 6, fig. 2 for a photographed specimen)], and deep body and short head ( vs. body relatively shallower and head relatively larger). Leporinus lacustris Campos, 1945 was described from the upper rio Paraná basin in São Paulo state, Brazil. Measurements and counts were taken from 109 of the 152 examined specimens of L. lacustris from the upper rio Paraná and rio Paraguay basins (see comparative material which includes type material, fig. 2). The species is diagnosed by having dental formula 4/4, 33 (n=4), 34 (69, including the type), or 35 (36) scales in the lateral line, 4/4 or 4/5 transversal series of scales, and 16 circumpeduncular series of scales (Fig. 1). When describing L. lacustris Campos (1945:155) did not comment on the number of teeth and reported 3.5 scales in transverse series above lateral line and 32 to 34 scales in the lateral line. By our counts, the types have 4 and 33 to 34 scales, respec- tively. In addition, L. lacustris has fewer vertebrae (33, n=6), when compared to L. venerei n.sp. (34 to 35, n=7) and L. parae (35 to 37, n=6). It is also worth mentioning that to our knowledge these three species are the only in the genus that show preferences for lentic ...
Context 4
... Leporinus venerei is distinguished from its con- geners by having 4 teeth on the premaxilla and 3 teeth on the dentary yielding the dental formula 4/3 ( vs. 3/3, 3/4 or 4/4 in all other species of Leporinus ). Leporinus venerei is also diagnosed by the following combination of non-unique charac- teristics: presence of 36-37 pored scales in the lateral line, 4 scales in transversal series from origin of dorsal fin to lateral line and 4.5 to 5 scales from lateral line to base of pelvic fin; 16 series of scales around caudal peduncle; three round dark blotches on lateral line, the first at vertical through dorsal fin, the second at vertical through adipose-fin origin and the third at base of caudal peduncle (the latter two blotches, particularly the last one, usually small or inconspicuous). Comparisons. Leporinus parae Eigenmann, 1907, and L. lacustris Campos, 1945, are most similar in overall appear- ance (body shape and coloration) to L. venerei , but both species have dental formula 4/4 ( vs. 4/3 in L. venerei ). In addition L. parae has 38 to 41 and L. lacustris 33 to 35 lateral- line scales ( vs. 36-37 in L. venerei ) and L. parae has 5 scales in transverse series from lateral line to dorsal-fin origin ( vs. 4 in L. venerei ). Description. See Table 1 for morphometric data of 21 examined specimens and Fig. 1 for lateral view of holotype. Small sized species for genus Leporinus , largest examined specimen 135.5 mm SL. Body rather elevated and compressed. Dorsal profile straight from anterodorsal portion of snout to posterior tip of supraoccipital; straight or very slightly convex from that point to dorsal-fin origin; straight along dorsal- fin base; slightly convex or straight from dorsal-fin base to adipose fin and slightly concave from adipose fin to caudal- fin origin. Ventral profile slightly convex from tip of lower jaw to pelvic-fin insertion, (convexity less pronounced below bran- chial region in some specimens); straight from pelvic-fin base to anal-fin origin; straight at anal-fin base and concave from anal fin to caudal fin. Greatest body depth at origin of dorsal fin. Head somewhat compressed; mouth terminal, anterior opening of mouth positioned at horizontal bisecting eye. Premaxillary with four teeth diminishing in size laterally from the symphyseal tooth. Dentary with three teeth also de- creasing in size laterally. Teeth on both jaws of stair-step type. Dorsal-fin rays ii+11* or iii+11; dorsal-fin origin slightly in front of vertical through pelvic-fin origin; dorsal-fin base extending through seven or eight scales. Pectoral-fin rays i+13, 14* or 15; pectoral fin extending to third or fourth scale anterior to pelvic-fin base. Pelvic-fin rays i+8; pelvic fin extending to four or five scale posterior to fin base. Anal-fin rays ii-9 or iii+9*; anal fin clearly surpassing base of lower caudal-fin rays; distal margin of anal fin straight or slightly convex. Length of last anal fin ray 26 to 47% (mean 36%) length of first branched anal-fin ray. Caudal-fin rays i+17+i; caudal fin forked, upper lobe slightly more developed than lower lobe. Vertebrae 34 (n=4) to 35 (3). Scales with few radii (5-7). Lateral line complete with 36 (5) to 37* (13) perforated scales; transversal series with 4 ...
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Citations
... friderici clade (sensu stricto), given that, as found bySilva-Santos et al. (2018), this clade is also associated with the L. friderici clade from the type locality. The samples of these two clades share a number of morphological traits, such as the presence of three dark, elongated spots along the lateral line, a 4/4 dental formula, and certain meristic parameters(Britski & Birindelli, 2008;Garavello & Britski, 1987;Silva- Santos et al., 2018). These common characteristics have generated persistent inconsistencies in the taxonomy of this group, which has led to the constant revision and reevaluation of the fish species of the genus Leporinus.The second group matched with the unnamed clade identified by Silva-Santos et al. (2018), which is made up of a number of different Leporinus species, including L. piau from the type locality (Jaguaribe), which indicates that this species may occur in the basins of Maranhão; its more basal position in comparison with the L. piau from the Turiaçu, Pericumã, Mearim, and Itapecuru basins means that this arrangement provides an excellent baseline for a more detailed investigation of the possible differentiation of the populations from the different basins, especially as the samples from the Mearim, Pericumã, and Itapecuru basins share more genetic similarities than those of L. piau from the Turiaçu basin, whose biodiversity has, historically, been seen as having greater affinities with that of the Amazon basin (Abreu et al., 2019). ...
The present study delved into the world of hidden diversity by examining specimens identified as Leporinus piau from the river basins of the northern Brazilian states of Maranhão and Piauí. Using genetic analyses that combined data from three mitochondrial markers and one nuclear marker, the study identified two well‐supported groups, reinforcing the findings of previous publications. The first group, found in samples from the Itapecuru, Mearim, Turiaçu, and Pericumã basins, in Maranhão, appears to represent a relatively ancient diversification and the possibility of concealed cryptic diversity. The second group, comprising specimens from the Parnaíba (Piauí) and Mearim (Maranhão) basins, appears to have resulted from a more recent process of diversification and has a close relationship with Leporinus friderici from the type locality. Our findings not only confirm the existence of a complex scenario of cryptic diversity in the genus Leporinus from the study basins but also underscore the taxonomic inconsistencies within this group of fish. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the species diversity of the Maranhão and Piauí basins, which are critical regions for the conservation of Amazonian fish, providing valuable insights for the sustainable management and conservation of these fish.
... As in the Neotropical freshwater habitats, the ichthyofauna belongs to the Ostariophysi and in South America mostly represented by Characiformes, Siluriformes and Gymnotiformes (Reis et al. 2016). In the Peruvian Amazon, the families Characidae, Loricariidae y Cichlidae, concentrate the greatest diversity of species (Ortega et al. 2012) and represent some of the dominant families in the composition of Amazonian species ( -MUSM 47, 50, 2001-MUSM 47, 50, , 2023-MUSM 47, 50, , 2111-MUSM 47, 50, , 2190 Parodontidae MUSM 982, 984, 1041MUSM 982, 984, , 1209 -MUSM 596, 1982, 5105, 5120, 5126, 5159, 5160, 5161, 5501, 7042, 15413, 19714, 70047, 70176 Oxydoras niger (Valenciennes, 1821) turushuqui Another interesting novelty is Leporinus subniger, with distribution in the Upper Amazon Basin (Colombia and Ecuador) (Britski & Birindelli 2008), species not previously reported by previous peruvian inventories (Ortega et al. 2012, Meza-Vargas et al. 2021, Chuctaya et al. 2022) representing a new record for the department of Ucayali. ...
The Yarinacocha lake is an emblematic ecosystem of the Peruvian Amazon, representing the main point of fish landing and a tourist attraction in the city of Pucallpa. The wide fauna diversity in this area has made it the target of various studies, although for fish species most of them were focused on commercial species. In this work, we carried out the first ichthyofauna species inventory of the Yarinacocha lake, sampling throughout the entire lake during the rainy and dry seasons and considering also all previously recorded species deposited in the Ichthyological Collection of the MUSM with the same locality. A total of 164 fish species were recorded, representing 10 orders (plus Eupercaria), 34 families and 116 genera. Characiformes was the order with more species (68 spp., 41.5%) followed by Siluriformes (59 spp., 36%), Cichliformes (17 spp., 10.5%), and Gymnotiformes (8 spp., 4.9%). The most highly represented families, including almost 55.5% of the total diversity obtained, were Characidae (23 spp., 14%), followed by Cichlidae (17 spp., 10.4%), Loricariidae (14 spp., 8.5%), Pimelodidae (13 spp., 7.9%), Doradidae (13 spp., 7.4%) and Anostomidae (12 spp., 7.3%). From the total fish species recorded in this study, only 22 are considered protected species following the IUCN criteria and 109 species have commercial importance, including 90 ornamental species (54.8%). Our results contribute to the knowledge of the ichthyofauna of the Yarinacocha lake and can be used as a starting point for its conservation and sustainable management over time.
... Garavello and Santos (2009) found a species identified as Leporinus unitaeniatus and stated that there is a shortage of taxonomic information about the specimens of the genus Leporinus for the Tocantins/Araguaia basin. Britski and Birindelli (2008) described a new species of this genus in the basin, distinct from the other two (Leporinus parae and Leporinus lacustris) in dental pattern and habitat preference. ...
The Araguaia River is an important watercourse located in Central Brazil and well known for its diversity of fish fauna. Differences between landscape and resources in the distinct environments existing in a floodplain can determine the success of a species. This study presents a list of ichthyofauna species found in lentic and lotic environments in the floodplain of the Araguaia River basin, bordering Mato Grosso and Goiás States. We carried out sampling in July 2019, during the dry season, using diverse fish collection strategies, such as waiting nets, trawl, cast net and fishing rods. Were distributed 12 sampling points between lentic and lotic environments and we captured a total of 168 individuals of 42 species, 19 families and six orders. The predominant orders were Characiformes, Siluriformes and Cichliformes, while the families were Serrasalmidae, Characidae, Triportheidae, Curimatidae and Anostomidae. The genera Triportheus, Psectrogaster and Moenkhausia were the most abundant, while Pimelodus was the most dispersed. Results showed greater abundance and diversity in the lentic environment than in the lotic one, with top-of-the-chain species in both. The variance between environments and the presence of species that are endemic, recently described, of undefined taxonomic status, and bioindicators, highlight the importance of conserving and further studying the ichthyofauna in the Araguaia River basin.
... Deep body (3.2 of SL) and three blotches with the first more pigmented than the rest separate it from L. friderici (Ota et al. 2018). This omnivorous species occurs in the Paraguay and Upper Paraná basins and differs from many of its congeners by preferring lentic habitats (Britski & Birindelli 2008). Previously recorded by . ...
Despite the high fish diversity of the Paraguay basin, there is still large uncertainty about the presence and distribution of species in the country of Paraguay. Here, I present an annotated checklist to the fish of Paraguay's only true lake, Laguna Blanca, in San Pedro department, based on samples collected opportunistically between 2012 and 2017. A total of 32 species from 16 families and 6 orders were found, although the actual total is estimated at between 36 and 58 species. This included an unnamed species of Hemigrammus and the first country record of Moenkhausia bonita. Live colouration is also described for Hemigrammus mahnerti. One species was endemic to Paraguay, four to the Paraguay river basin, eight to the Paraná-Paraguay and 15 to the Rio De La Plata, whilst two were potamodromous. Species composition is typical of Neotropical lentic systems but with a distinct scarcity of benthivores, likely associated with the oligotrophic conditions of the lake. The threats to this unique ecosystem, through uncontrolled development, illegal deforestation, pollution and overfishing are imminent and recommendations for its protection are given.
... Despite this variation, some clearly distinguishable patterns exist and teeth morphology is used, at least since Myers (1950), as a rich source of diagnostic features to define genera of Anostomidae. In fact, a few species are diagnosed almost exclusively based on teeth morphology (e.g., Leporinus geminis Garavello & Santos, 2009) and number (e.g., Leporinus venerei Britski & Birindelli, 2008). The number of teeth on each premaxilla and dentary in most anostomids is four, as it is in both species of Anostomoides. ...
... The number of teeth on each premaxilla and dentary in most anostomids is four, as it is in both species of Anostomoides. However, reduction of the number of teeth occurs in several species, including Abramites, sartor and in some species of Leporinus, Megaleporinus and Hypomasticus (Britski & Birindelli, 2008;Ramirez et al., 2017). The extreme condition of a single tooth in dentary is present in Gnathodolus (Myers, 1927;Santos & Jégu, 1987). ...
A taxonomic revision of Anostomoides is herein presented based on a comprehensive revision of specimens deposited in fish collections and the literature. The present revision proposes that A. laticeps is a junior synonym of A. atrianalis, while A. passionis is a junior synonym of Leporinus nattereri, and the latter is thus transferred to Anostomoides, forming the new combination Anostomoides nattereri. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) showed that examined specimens form two distinct morphotypes, corroborating the validity of both A. atrianalis and A. nattereri. Anostomoides nattereri is distinguished from A. atrianalis by having four branchiostegal rays (vs. three), three pores in infraorbital one (vs. four), 37–39 pored lateral-line scales (vs. 41–44), lower lip with rounded dermal papillae (vs. forming ridges), three dark rounded midlateral blotches (vs. three or four vertically elongated blotches and/or a faded dark longitudinal stripe), dark lines between scale series on posterior half of body on specimens smaller than 150 mm SL (vs. dark lines absent), a greater body depth (27.6–36.2 % vs. 24.5–38.7% of SL) and smaller interorbital distance (34.4–53.8 % vs. 42.6–67.3 % of HL). Anostomoides nattereri is distributed across several tributaries of the Amazon and Orinoco rivers, whereas A. atrianalis is widespread throughout the Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo basins. The genus Anostomoides is currently diagnosed based on a combination of non-exclusive characters: upturned or slightly upturned mouth with four premaxillary teeth including symphyseal tooth bicuspid or with blunt cutting edge, remaining teeth slightly tricuspid (with medial cuspid distinctly larger); four dentary teeth, symphyseal tooth with truncate cutting edge (without cusps); second tooth with a single large cusp, and two lateral teeth with three or slightly more small cusps.
... The only exception is Gnathodolus bidens Myers, 1927, that presents a single dentary tooth (Myers, 1927). Hence, this is a very informative diagnostic character for the group and the species can be classified according to their dental formulae (3/3, 3/4, 4/3 and 4/4) (Britski, Birindelli, 2008). Variation in dental formulae is rare among species of Anostomidae, usually present in only one side of the specimens, and usually explained as an anomaly. ...
A new species of Leporinus is described using morphological data and compared to all other species of the family. Specimens were illustrated using digital photograph, measured using digital calipers, and had teeth, scales, and fin rays counted under a stereomicroscope. The new species is distinguished from all other Anostomidae, except Anostomus anostomus, A. brevior, A. ternetzi, Hypomasticus despaxi, Leporinus arcus, and L. striatus, by having four dark longitudinal stripes on body. The new species is distinguished from aforementioned species by having terminal mouth with four teeth on the premaxilla, 12 series of scales around caudal peduncle, and 34 to 36 scales in the lateral line. The new species is remarkably similar to Leporinus arcus, which occurs on the opposite side of Guyana Shield highlands. The new species and L. arcus are possibly closely related to Leporinus gomesi, L. granti, L. lebaili, L. melanostictus, L. nijsseni, and L. santosi.
... parae Eigenmann and Ogle (1907), were also obtained. In addition, DNA sequences of Leporinus desmotes Fowler (1941), Leporinus fasciatus Block (1794), Leporinus lacustris Campos (1945), Leporinus octomaculatus Britski and Garavello (1993), Leporinus taeniatus Lütken (1875), Leporinus venerei Britski and Birindelli (2008), and Hypomasticus pachycheilus Britski (1976), were downloaded from GenBank (Ramirez et al., 2016). All these species were included in our study because they have been considered as closely related to L. friderici (Garavello, 1988;Britski and Birindelli, 2008;Ramirez et al., 2016). ...
... In addition, DNA sequences of Leporinus desmotes Fowler (1941), Leporinus fasciatus Block (1794), Leporinus lacustris Campos (1945), Leporinus octomaculatus Britski and Garavello (1993), Leporinus taeniatus Lütken (1875), Leporinus venerei Britski and Birindelli (2008), and Hypomasticus pachycheilus Britski (1976), were downloaded from GenBank (Ramirez et al., 2016). All these species were included in our study because they have been considered as closely related to L. friderici (Garavello, 1988;Britski and Birindelli, 2008;Ramirez et al., 2016). Sequences of L. friderici from Suriname, that is considered the type locality, were obtained from GenBank (Melo et al., 2016) as well. ...
... cf. parae -, and L. venerei) of the five nominal species of this clade have been already considered as very similar in morphology due to their deep body, terminal mouth, anal fin long and dark, and three blotches on the lateral line (Britski and Birindelli, 2008). ...
The megadiversity of the neotropical ichthyofauna has been associated to recent diversification processes, reflecting in subtle or lacking morphological differentiation between species, challenging the classical taxonomic identification. Leporinus friderici occurs in several river basins of South America, and its nominal taxonomic validity has been questioned. Its wide distribution within the Brazilian Shield suggests that this species could be genetically structured among the hydrographic basins, despite a sharp morphological similarity. In this study, we performed phylogenetic analyses, based on three nuclear (recombination activating gene 1, RAG1, recombination activating gene 2, RAG2, and myosin heavy chain 6 cardiac muscle alpha gene, Myh6) and two mitochondrial (COI and Cytochrome b, Cytb) markers, in specimens morphologically similar to L. friderici and related species from different hydrographic basins in South America. Our phylogenetic tree identified four well-supported clades, which point out to the existence of taxonomic inconsistencies within this fish group. A clade named L. cf. friderici sensu stricto included eight Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units recently diversified in the Brazilian Shield basins. These results were also confirmed by a single-gene species delimitation analysis. It is suggested that this clade includes a species complex, characterizing taxonomic uncertainties. Another clade recovered only L. friderici from the Suriname rivers, validating this nominal species in its type locality. A third no-named clade, characterized by deeper species divergence, recovered five different nominal species interleaved with other undescribed forms previously also recognized as L. cf. friderici, indicating taxonomic errors. The fourth clade only included L. taeniatus. Our results showed a complex scenario involving the morphotype L. cf. friderici and allowed us to address aspects related to evolutionary diversification of this fish group and historical processes involved with, highlighting the importance of revealing hidden biodiversity for the taxonomy and conservationist action plans of these fish.
... Leporinus Agassiz, 1929 is the largest and most diverse genus in the characiform family Anostomidae, with roughly 90 species spread across most of South America (Britski, Garavello, 2005;Britski, Birindelli, 2008;Dos Santos, Zuanon, 2008;Feitosa et al., 2011;Birindelli et al., 2016). The genus reaches greatest diversity in the Amazon, Orinoco, and Guianas river drainages with 62 valid species described from those three regions (Sidlauskas, Birindelli, in press). ...
Members of the Leporinus desmotes species complex can be distinguished from other barred or banded congeners by the combination of nine distinct black bars across the head and trunk and long, pointed, laterally compressed and upward curving symphyseal dentary teeth. A taxonomic reassessment of this complex revealed two new species, one from the Orinoco and Negro rivers of Venezuela and Brazil, and the other from the Xingu and Tapajós rivers of Brazil. Both species are similar to L. desmotes and L. jatuncochi, but differ significantly in body shape morphology, coloration, and/or circumpeduncular scale counts. Genetic evidence also contributes to the recognition of both new species. This contribution also maps the geographic distribution of the four known species, and highlights the presence of an unusual meristic polymorphism within Leporinus desmotes sensu stricto that may suggest the presence of even more unrecognized diversity.
... This fish is characterized by a dental formula of 3/3. This number of teeth is an important feature for Leporinus species diagnoses (Britski and Birindelli, 2008). As a monophyletic group of ecologically equivalent species (Galetti et al., 1995) occupying all major hydrographic basins in South America, the systematics of this group may serve as an excellent model for studies of biogeography and the geology underlying watershed history (Hubert et al., 2007). ...
... Specimens from multiple populations of all species of Leporinus confirmed as ZW were used in this study (Table 1). Other anostomid species with three teeth on the premaxilla and dentary were added: Leporinus brinco (Contas basin), L. elongatus (Jequitinhonha basin), and L. muyscorum (Magdalena and Orinoco basins) Britski and Birindelli, 2008) (Table 1). The only excluded anostomid with three teeth on the premaxilla and dentary was Leporinus amblyrhynchus, a small-sized species that has no sex chromosome (Galetti et al., 1991) and a dark midlateral stripe and dark transverse bars on the body, a coloration pattern similar to L. taeniatus, L. britskii and others (see for more information). ...
... Most species of the family have four teeth on the premaxillary and dentary bones, including Anostomoides, Anostomus, Laemolyta, Leporellus, Rhytiodus, Schizodon, and Synaptolaemus. Three teeth on the premaxilla are only found in Abramites, Megaleporinus and a few species of Hypomasticus and Leporinus (Britski and Birindelli, 2008;Sidlauskas and Vari, 2008). The only species that have only three teeth on the dentary are Abramites spp., Megaleporinus spp. ...
A new genus of Anostomidae (Characiformes) is described to include ten valid extant species previously classified in Leporinus or Hypomasticus and distributed throughout most major river basins in South America: L. brinco, L. conirostris, L. elongatus, H. garmani, L. macrocephalus, L. muyscorum, L. obtusidens, L. piavussu, L. reinhardti, and L. trifasciatus. The monophyly of Megaleporinus is well-supported in a phylogenetic analysis based on two mitochondrial and three nuclear genes, as well as its sister group relationship to Abramites. Megaleporinus is diagnosed by having the exclusive combination of three unicuspid teeth on each premaxillary and dentary bone and a color pattern composed of one to four dark midlateral blotches. Additional distinguishing features and possible synapomorphies include a unique ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system confirmed for six congeners and a drumming apparatus wherein the first rib is elongated and associated with hypertrophied intercostal muscles, which was confirmed for three congeners as exclusive to mature males. Furthermore, our study identified at least four undescribed cryptic species, emphasizing the need for further taxonomic work and genetic analyses. A time-calibrated phylogenetic and biogeographical analysis of the new genus suggests that speciation in the proto-Amazon-Orinoco lineage was primarily driven by paleogeographic processes, such as the formation of the Orinoco and Tocantins basins. Dispersal and diversification of the genus in coastal basins draining the Eastern Brazilian Shield appears to have been facilitated by connections between paleo-basins during low sea level periods and headwater captures between coastal and inland watersheds. The present contribution demonstrates the importance of integrating data from morphology, DNA sequences and cytogenetics to advance the taxonomy and systematics of any complex species group.
... Both new species can be distinguished from most congeners by having the combination of three teeth on premaxilla and four teeth on dentary. Most anostomids have four teeth on each premaxilla and dentary (Winterbottom, 1980;Sidlauskas & Vari, 2008;Britski & Birindelli, 2008 ...
