Ituglanis boticario, a new troglomorphic catfish (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from Mambaí karst area, central Brazil

A new subterranean and troglomorphic species of Ituglanis Costa and Bockmann, 1993 is described from the carbonatic karst area of northeastern Goiás state, upper Tocantins River Basin, central Brazil, representing the sixth subterranean species of the genus described from the same region. Ituglanis boticario sp. nov. is diagnosed by a combination of unusual characters for the genus: body pigmentation forming longitudinal stripes, 7-8 pairs of ribs, presence of the anterior segment of the infraorbital laterosensory canal, and usually 8 pectoral-fin rays. Due to the absence of epigean populations and the presence of some degree of morphological specialization to the subterranean environment, it can be classified as a troglobite (i.e., exclusively subterranean). The description of this species increases the importance of the northeastern Goiás region as a biodiversity spot for subterranean ichthyofauna, mainly Ituglanis. The region demands urgent political efforts to ensure the preservation of its speleobiological patrimony, including the Tarimba cave system, one of the largest caves in Brazil and type-locality of I. boticario sp. nov.

Ituglanis boticario, a new troglomorphic catfish (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from Mambaí karst area, central Brazil

A new subterranean and troglomorphic species of Ituglanis Costa and Bockmann, 1993 is described from the carbonatic karst area of northeastern Goiás state, upper Tocantins River Basin, central Brazil, representing the sixth subterranean species of the genus described from the same region. Ituglanis boticario sp. nov. is diagnosed by a combination of unusual characters for the genus: body pigmentation forming longitudinal stripes, 7-8 pairs of ribs, presence of the anterior segment of the infraorbital laterosensory canal, and usually 8 pectoral-fin rays. Due to the absence of epigean populations and the presence of some degree of morphological specialization to the subterranean environment, it can be classified as a troglobite (i.e., exclusively subterranean). The description of this species increases the importance of the northeastern Goiás region as a biodiversity spot for subterranean ichthyofauna, mainly Ituglanis. The region demands urgent political efforts to ensure the preservation of its speleobiological patrimony, including the Tarimba cave system, one of the largest caves in Brazil and type-locality of I. boticario sp. nov.(AU)

Trichomycterus dali: a new highly troglomorphic catfish (Silurifomes: Trichomycteridae) from Serra da Bodoquena, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Central Brazil

Trichomycterus dali, new species, is described from flooded limestone caves in Serra da Bodoquena karst area, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Central Brazil. The new species is diagnosed by a unique character in the genus, the presence of conspicuous, ridge-like adipose folds lining dorsally throughout the body. Trichomycterus dali can be further distinguished readily from epigean congeners by the reduction of eyes and skin pigmentation (except for T. gorgona), and from remaining congeners (i.e., all hypogean plus T. gorgona) by the total loss of eyes, not visible externally (except for T. sandovali and T. spelaeus). Other diagnostic features includes very long barbels, especially the nasal (99.3-143.5 percent HL) and the maxillary (97.0-131.3 percent HL), pectoral-fin ray count reaching I,9 and a unique cranial fontanel with a conspicuous constriction on the meeting point of supraoccipital and the two frontal bones. The troglobitic status of the species is suggested by the presence of troglomorphisms on an advanced degree, especially the reduction of skin pigmentation, the total loss of eyes and the enlarged barbels. In addition, the presence of a well developed adipose fold in adults may indicate a distinctive adaptation acquired by neoteny to withstand the food scarce conditions of its hypogean habitat.(AU)

Trichomycterus dali, espécie nova, é descrita de cavernas calcárias alagadas na área cárstica da Serra da Bodoquena, estado do Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil central. A nova espécie é diagnosticada por um caráter único no gênero, a presença de dobras adiposas conspícuas, em forma de crista, passando por toda a região dorsal do corpo. Trichomycterus dali pode ser ainda diferenciada facilmente de suas congêneres epígeas pela redução dos olhos e da pigmentação cutânea (exceto para T. gorgona), e das congêneres restantes (isto é, todas as hipógeas mais T. gorgona) pela perda total dos olhos, não visíveis externamente (exceto para T. sandovali e T. spelaeus). Outras características diagnósticas incluem barbilhões muito longos, especialmente o nasal (99,3-143,5 por cento do comprimento da cabeça) e o maxilar (97,0-131,3 por cento do comprimento da cabeça), contagem de raios da nadadeira peitoral atingindo I,9 e uma fontanela cranial única com uma constrição conspícua no ponto de encontro do supraoccipital e dos dois ossos frontais. O status troglóbio da espécie é sugerido pela presença de troglomorfismos em avançado grau, especialmente a redução da pigmentação cutânea, a perda total dos olhos e os barbilhões alongados. Além disso, a presença de uma dobra adiposa bem desenvolvida nos adultos pode indicar uma adaptação distintiva, adquirida por neotenia, para enfrentar as condições alimentares escassas do seu habitat hipógeo.(AU)