Diversity and conservation of fishes from karstic areas of the Jandaíra Formation in the Brazilian semiarid

Few studies have focused on non-troglomorphic fishes occurring in Brazilian caves, especially those in the Caatinga region. The present study is the first survey of fishes from karstic areas of the Jandaíra Formation in Rio Grande do Norte State, northeastern Brazil. This region is characterized by a high concentration of caves and a rich subterranean biodiversity, especially of troglobitic invertebrates, but remains considered a gap on the knowledge of the subterranean ichthyofauna in Brazil. Four field expeditions were carried out covering two dry and two rainy seasons, in 2018 and 2019, in 23 localities in small river basins along the western part of the Jandaíra Formation. A total of 829 fish specimens, none of them troglomorphic, was captured and identified as belonging to 25 species of 12 families and five orders. Amongst them, four species are endemic of the Mid-Northeastern Caatinga ecoregion, and two non-native species were recorded. Habitats were classified into three categories: superficial, associated to cave, and cave. Although no troglomorphic fish species was found in this study, we recorded 64.1% of the Apodi-Mossoró river ichthyofauna occurring in caves or associated to caves, corroborating the hypothesis that part of the ichthyofauna exploits these environments as a refuge during the dry season. In addition, we suggest conservation policies for the maintenance of subterranean and aquatic semiarid ecosystems in the Jandaira formation, which is currently under threat due to anthropogenic activities, such as mining and deforestation.(AU)

Description of three new species of Eigenmannia (Gymnotiformes: Sternopygidae) from the rio Mearim and rio Parnaíba basins, Northeastern Brazil

Three new species of Eigenmannia belonging to the E. trilineata species-group are described. The first species is described from rio Mearim basin and can be diagnosed by lateral line stripe restricted to last two thirds of body, superior midlateral stripe present, 176-205 anal-fin rays, 10-15 scales rows above lateral line, 109-125 lateral line scales, 19-23 premaxillary teeth, 20-29 dentary teeth, 6-10 endopterygoid teeth, and 13-14 precaudal vertebrae. The second species is described from upper rio Parnaíba, and can be diagnosed by lateral line stripe restricted to last two-thirds of body, ii,11-13 pectoral-fin rays, 180-196 anal-fin rays, 12-15 scales rows above lateral line, 10-14 premaxillary teeth, 15-21 dentary teeth, 8-10 endopterygoid teeth, and 14 precaudal vertebrae. The third species is widespread in rio Parnaíba basin, and can be diagnosed by absence of lateral line stripe, absence of superior midlateral stripe, 182-228 anal-fin rays, 12-15 scales rows above lateral line, 107-131 lateral line scales, 32-34 premaxillary teeth, 35-44 dentary teeth, 9-12 endopterygoid teeth, and 13 precaudal vertebrae. A dichotomous key and the conservation status for the three species are provided.(AU)

Três espécies novas de Eigenmannia pertencentes ao grupo E. trilineata são descritas. A primeira espécie é descrita para a bacia do rio Mearim e pode ser diagnosticada por apresentar faixa da linha lateral restrita aos últimos dois terços do corpo, faixa médio lateral superior presente, 176-205 raios na nadadeira anal, 10-15 fileiras de escamas acima da linha lateral, 109-125 escamas na linha lateral, 19-23 dentes pré-maxilares, 20-29 dentes no dentário, 6-10 dentes no endopterigóide, e 13-14 vértebras pré-caudais. A segunda espécie é descrita do alto rio Parnaíba, e pode ser diagnosticada por apresentar faixa da linha lateral restrita aos últimos dois terços do corpo, ii,11-13 raios na nadadeira peitoral, 180-196 raios na nadadeira anal, 12-15 fileiras de escamas acima da linha lateral, 10-14 dentes pré-maxilares, 15-21 dentes no dentário, 8-10 dentes no endopterigóide, e 14 vértebras pré-caudais. A terceira espécie está amplamente distribuída na bacia do rio Parnaíba, e pode ser diagnosticada pela ausência de faixa na linha lateral, ausência da faixa médio lateral superior, 182-228 raios na nadadeira anal, 12-15 fileiras de escamas acima da linha lateral, 107-131 escamas na linha lateral, 32-34 dentes pré-maxilares, 35-44 dentes no dentário, 9-12 dentes no endopterigóides, e 13 vértebras pré-caudais. Uma chave dicotômica e o status de conservação para as três espécies são fornecidas.(AU)

Review of the armoured catfish genus Hypostomus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the Parnaíba River basin, Northeastern Brazil, with description of a new species

The species of Hypostomus from the Parnaíba River basin were reviewed through molecular and morphological analysis. Five species were found in the basin, including a new species herein described. The distribution of H. pusarum was expanded to this basin, and a closely related species was recorded (H. aff. pusarum), also the presence of H. johnii and H. vaillanti was confirmed. The new species is distinguished from most congeners by its large number of premaxillary and dentary teeth, a wide dental angle of 115° to 135°, presence of a rounded dark spots on a lighter background and anteromedial region of the abdomen depleted of plaques (vs. anteromedial region of the abdomen covered by platelets and odontodes in H. johnii, H. pusarum, H. aff. pusarum and H. vaillanti). Furthermore, an identification key of the species from the Maranhão-Piauí ecoregion and maps with the geographic distribution of these species are presented. The species of Hypostomus in the Parnaíba River basin have different geographic distributions, suggesting different niches or geographical barriers, providing an opportunity for ecological and evolutionary studies.(AU)

As espécies de Hypostomus da bacia do rio Parnaíba foram revisadas por meio de análises moleculares e morfológicas. Cinco espécies foram encontradas na bacia, incluindo uma nova espécie aqui descrita. A distribuição de H. pusarum foi expandida para esta bacia, uma espécie intimamente relacionada foi registrada (H. aff. pusarum), e a presença de H. johnii e H. vaillanti foi confirmada. A nova espécie se distingue da maioria das congêneres por seu grande número de dentes nos pré-maxilares e dentários, um amplo ângulo do dentário de 115° a 135°, presença de manchas escuras arredondadas em um fundo mais claro e região anteromedial do abdômen sem placas (vs. região anteromedial do abdômen coberta por placas e odontódios em H. johnii, H. pusarum, H. aff. pusarum e H. vaillanti). Além disso, é apresentada uma chave de identificação das espécies da ecorregião Maranhão-Piauí e mapas com a distribuição geográfica dessas espécies. As espécies de Hypostomus na bacia do rio Parnaíba apresentam diferentes distribuições geográficas, sugerindo diferentes nichos ou barreiras geográficas, proporcionando oportunidade para estudos ecológicos e evolutivos.(AU)

Otolith shape analysis supports three cryptic species in the Stellifer punctatissimus complex (Acanthuriformes: Sciaenidae)

Sciaenidae species (croakers and drums) are known for specializations in their sensory apparatus, such as otoliths and lateral line. Within this family, some Stelliferinae members remain taxonomically unresolved due to their cryptic aspects and low phenotypic disparities. Stellifer punctatissimus comprises a species complex putatively formed by three species on morphological grounds, but molecular data have indicated only two evolutionary lineages. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that this complex is composed of Stellifer gomezi (GM), S. menezesi (MN), and S. punctatissimus (PC), using the otolith shape and morphology to differentiate them. Seventy-seven sagittal otoliths (GM = 30, MN = 30, PC = 17) were photographed to outline the otolith contour by Elliptical Fourier descriptors. Ten otoliths for each group were used to detect shape variation in the sulcus acusticus through semilandmarks. Differences in otolith shape contour were recorded among the species by PERMANOVA (Pseudo-F = 4.02, df = 2, p < 0.001) and corroborated by the Linear Discriminant Analysis, which demonstrated three partially segregated groups with satisfactory re-classification rates. A larger sulcus acusticus (GM and MN), rounded projection (PC), and distinct rectangularity pattern were also recorded. Our results support the morphological hypothesis and thus contribute to narrowing the taxonomic gaps in Sciaenidae.

As espécies de Sciaenidae (corvinas e pescadas) são conhecidas por especializações nos aparatos sensoriais, como otólitos e linha lateral. Nesta família, alguns membros de Stelliferinae permanecem com sua taxonomia não resolvida devido às características crípticas e baixas disparidades fenotípicas. Stellifer punctatissimus supostamente compreende um complexo formado por três espécies, mas os dados moleculares têm indicado apenas duas linhagens evolutivas. Aqui, testamos a hipótese de que esse complexo é composto por Stellifer gomezi (GM), S. menezesi (MN), e S. punctatissimus (PC), usando a forma e morfologia do otólito para diferenciá-las. Setenta e sete otólitos sagita (GM = 30, MN = 30, PC = 17) foram fotografados para delimitar o seu contorno pelos descritores Elípticos de Fourier. Dez otólitos, por grupo, foram usados para detectar a variação de forma no sulcus acusticus através dos semilandmarks. Foram registradas diferenças na forma do otólito entre as espécies através da PERMANOVA (Pseudo-F = 4,02, df = 2, p < 0,001) e pela análise discriminante linear, demonstrando três grupos parcialmente segregados com taxas de reclassificação satisfatórias. Também foram registrados um sulcus acusticus mais largo (GM e MN), projeção arredondada (PC) e padrões alométricos distintos no índice de retangularidade. Nossos resultados apoiam a hipótese morfológica; assim, contribuem na redução das lacunas taxonômicas em Sciaenidae.

A new species of Parotocinclus with reduced adipose fin (Loricariidae: Hypoptopomatinae), from the rio Jacuípe basin, Bahia State, Brazil

A new species of Parotocinclus, apparently endemic to the rio Jacuípe basin, Bahia State, Brazil, is described. The new species is distinguished from congeners, except P. bidentatus, P. cabessadecuia, P. dani, P. halbothi, P. muriaensis, P. pentakelis, P. seridoensis, and P. spilurus, by the presence of a reduced adipose fin. The new species differs from the aforementioned species by the absence of unicuspid accessory teeth, abdomen with broad naked areas between lateral and medial patches of plates, and snout tip completely covered by plates and odontodes. The adipose fin of the new species is restrict solely to the adipose-fin spine, lacking the adipose-fin membrane, a reduction pattern previously described to P. halbothi, a congener from rivers of the Amazonas and Marowijne basins.(AU)

Uma espécie nova de Parotocinclus, aparentemente endêmica da bacia do rio Jacuípe, Estado da Bahia, Brasil, é descrita. A espécie nova se distingue de suas congêneres, exceto P. bidentatus, P. cabessadecuia, P. dani, P. halbothi, P. muriaensis, P. pentakelis, P. seridoensis e P. spilurus, pela presença de nadadeira adiposa reduzida. A nova espécie difere das espécies mencionadas anteriormente pela ausência de dentição acessória unicúspide, abdômen com amplas áreas nuas entre o grupo de placas laterais e o grupo de placas medianas e ponta do focinho completamente coberta por placas e odontódeos. A nadadeira adiposa da nova espécie é restrita somente ao espinho, sem a membrana da adiposa, um padrão de redução descrito para P. halbothi, uma congênere de rios da bacia Amazônica e da bacia do rio Marowijne.(AU)

A new species of Parotocinclus with reduced adipose fin (Loricariidae: Hypoptopomatinae), from the rio Jacuípe basin, Bahia State, Brazil

ABSTRACT A new species of Parotocinclus, apparently endemic to the rio Jacuípe basin, Bahia State, Brazil, is described. The new species is distinguished from congeners, except P. bidentatus, P. cabessadecuia, P. dani, P. halbothi, P. muriaensis, P. pentakelis, P. seridoensis, and P. spilurus, by the presence of a reduced adipose fin. The new species differs from the aforementioned species by the absence of unicuspid accessory teeth, abdomen with broad naked areas between lateral and medial patches of plates, and snout tip completely covered by plates and odontodes. The adipose fin of the new species is restrict solely to the adipose-fin spine, lacking the adipose-fin membrane, a reduction pattern previously described to P. halbothi, a congener from rivers of the Amazonas and Marowijne basins.

RESUMO Uma espécie nova de Parotocinclus, aparentemente endêmica da bacia do rio Jacuípe, Estado da Bahia, Brasil, é descrita. A espécie nova se distingue de suas congêneres, exceto P. bidentatus, P. cabessadecuia, P. dani, P. halbothi, P. muriaensis, P. pentakelis, P. seridoensis e P. spilurus, pela presença de nadadeira adiposa reduzida. A nova espécie difere das espécies mencionadas anteriormente pela ausência de dentição acessória unicúspide, abdômen com amplas áreas nuas entre o grupo de placas laterais e o grupo de placas medianas e ponta do focinho completamente coberta por placas e odontódeos. A nadadeira adiposa da nova espécie é restrita somente ao espinho, sem a membrana da adiposa, um padrão de redução descrito para P. halbothi, uma congênere de rios da bacia Amazônica e da bacia do rio Marowijne.

Ichthyofauna of Trairí river basin, Rio Grande do Norte state, northeastern Brazil: a century after the study of the naturalist Edwin Starks in the Papari lagoon

Fishes from the coastal basins of the Mid-Northeastern Caatinga ecoregion (MNCE) were first sampled by the Stanford expedition at the beginning of the 20th century, and published by Edwin C. Starks in 1913. This material included specimens from the Papary lake (= Papari lagoon) in the lower portion of the Trairí river basin, draining towards the eastern coast of Rio Grande do Norte State. In 1941, Henry Fowler provided a broad taxonomic study of the freshwater fishes from northeastern Brazil, including material from the Papari lagoon, besides describing four species assigned to this locality. However, these previous surveys focused only in the lower portion of the Trairí river basin and might be incomplete. Given this framework, the present study aimed at perform a wide ichthyofaunal inventory of Trairí river basin and compare with previously surveys performed in the regions. In 2013 and 2014, four expeditions along the whole basin, including the Papari lagoon itself, resulted in 28 species of fishes belonging to 17 families and seven orders. At Papari lagoon area 16 species were registered whereas 26 and 18 species were recorded by Starks and Fowler’s studies, respectively. Considering all records, 50 species were documented in the basin with 14 (28%) new records, including Serrapinnus potiguar, whose distribution was extended to the south. Two species described by Fowler, Pimelodella papariae and Pseudancistrus papariae, were not found in this study or in any fish collection, and are only known from their type-material. These two species can be naturally rare, locally extinct, or there were inaccuracies in their type-locality. However, species of these genera are only found in larger basins of the MNCE, which drains to the north, corroborating the latter assumption...

Continental fishes from the Tambaba Environmentally Protected Area, Paraíba State, Brazil

Tambaba environmentally protected area is situated on the south coast of Paraíba State, within the Atlantic forest biome of the northeastern region in Brazil. The Tambaba environmentally protected area consists of a series of independent drainages: Graú, Mucatú, and Bucatú river micro-basins, and Caboclo River sub-basin that belongs to Gurugi River micro-basin. Ichthyological samples were collected in five scientific expeditions between months of June and July in 2015. Twenty-nine sites from different habitats (e.g., spanning tributaries, streams, rivers, and estuaries) were accessed for sampling. A total of 44 species distributed within 38 genera, 25 families, and 17 orders were assigned to the Tambaba hydrographic region. Freshwater species comprised 36% (n = 16) and marine-estuarine species 64% (n = 28) of the total collected specimens. Two invasive species occur in the freshwater sites: Cichla monoculus and Poecilia reticulata. Cheirodon jaguaribensis, Cichlasoma orientale, and Crenicichla brasiliensis are endemic to the Brazilian Northeast region with the first species restricted to the Northeast Caatinga and Coastal drainages hydrographic ecoregion.

Ichthyofauna of Trairí river basin, Rio Grande do Norte state, northeastern Brazil: a century after the study of the naturalist Edwin Starks in the Papari lagoon

Fishes from the coastal basins of the Mid-Northeastern Caatinga ecoregion (MNCE) were first sampled by the Stanford expedition at the beginning of the 20th century, and published by Edwin C. Starks in 1913. This material included specimens from the Papary lake (= Papari lagoon) in the lower portion of the Trairí river basin, draining towards the eastern coast of Rio Grande do Norte State. In 1941, Henry Fowler provided a broad taxonomic study of the freshwater fishes from northeastern Brazil, including material from the Papari lagoon, besides describing four species assigned to this locality. However, these previous surveys focused only in the lower portion of the Trairí river basin and might be incomplete. Given this framework, the present study aimed at perform a wide ichthyofaunal inventory of Trairí river basin and compare with previously surveys performed in the regions. In 2013 and 2014, four expeditions along the whole basin, including the Papari lagoon itself, resulted in 28 species of fishes belonging to 17 families and seven orders. At Papari lagoon area 16 species were registered whereas 26 and 18 species were recorded by Starks and Fowlers studies, respectively. Considering all records, 50 species were documented in the basin with 14 (28%) new records, including Serrapinnus potiguar, whose distribution was extended to the south. Two species described by Fowler, Pimelodella papariae and Pseudancistrus papariae, were not found in this study or in any fish collection, and are only known from their type-material. These two species can be naturally rare, locally extinct, or there were inaccuracies in their type-locality. However, species of these genera are only found in larger basins of the MNCE, which drains to the north, corroborating the latter assumption...(AU)

Continental fishes from the Tambaba Environmentally Protected Area, Paraíba State, Brazil

Tambaba environmentally protected area is situated on the south coast of Paraíba State, within the Atlantic forest biome of the northeastern region in Brazil. The Tambaba environmentally protected area consists of a series of independent drainages: Graú, Mucatú, and Bucatú river micro-basins, and Caboclo River sub-basin that belongs to Gurugi River micro-basin. Ichthyological samples were collected in five scientific expeditions between months of June and July in 2015. Twenty-nine sites from different habitats (e.g., spanning tributaries, streams, rivers, and estuaries) were accessed for sampling. A total of 44 species distributed within 38 genera, 25 families, and 17 orders were assigned to the Tambaba hydrographic region. Freshwater species comprised 36% (n = 16) and marine-estuarine species 64% (n = 28) of the total collected specimens. Two invasive species occur in the freshwater sites: Cichla monoculus and Poecilia reticulata. Cheirodon jaguaribensis, Cichlasoma orientale, and Crenicichla brasiliensis are endemic to the Brazilian Northeast region with the first species restricted to the Northeast Caatinga and Coastal drainages hydrographic ecoregion.(AU)

Redescription of Hypostomus johnii, a senior synonym of Hypostomus eptingi (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), Northeastern Brazil

Hypostomus johnii (Steindachner) was described from the rio Parnaíba basin in the state of Piauí and the rio São Francisco basin in the state of Bahia. Despite the good quality of the original description of H. johnii, it does not currently allow its distinction from congeners. Thus, H. johnii is redescribed based on the analysis of the types and several recently collected specimens. Recent collecting efforts of the rios Parnaíba and São Francisco basins resulted in specimens only being found in the rio Parnaíba basin. This raises doubts about whether H. johnii occurs in the rio São Francisco basin. The species is distinguished from its congeners by having a high number of teeth on the premaxilla and dentary (between 60-115); small to moderate-sized dark spots with a light background; absence of keels on flanks; and abdominal plates more evident on laterals. A lectotype of H. johnii is designated herein and H. eptingi is considered a junior synonym of H. johnii.(AU)

Hypostomus johnii (Steindachner) foi descrita a partir de espécimes da bacia do rio Parnaíba, no Estado do Piauí e da bacia do rio São Francisco, no Estado da Bahia. Apesar da descrição original de H. johnii ter sido adequada para a época, esta não permite atualmente a sua diferenciação dos outros congêneres. Portanto, H. johnii é redescrita, baseado na análise dos tipos e de espécimes recentemente coletados. Recentes esforços de coleta nas bacias do rios Parnaíba e São Francisco resultaram em espécimes coletados apenas na bacia do rio Parnaíba. Este fato coloca em dúvida a ocorrência de H. johnii na bacia do rio São Francisco. Hypostomus johnii é diferenciada de seus congêneres principalmente por possuir um elevado número de dentes no pré-maxilar e dentário (entre 60-115), por apresentar pequenas manchas escuras de tamanho moderado sobre um fundo claro; ausência de quilhas sobre flancos; e as placas do abdômen mais evidente nas laterais. Um lectótipo para H. johnii é aqui designado e H. eptingi é considerado sinônimo júnior de H. johnii.(AU)

Redescription of Hypostomus johnii, a senior synonym of Hypostomus eptingi (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), Northeastern Brazil

Hypostomus johnii (Steindachner) was described from the rio Parnaíba basin in the state of Piauí and the rio São Francisco basin in the state of Bahia. Despite the good quality of the original description of H. johnii, it does not currently allow its distinction from congeners. Thus, H. johnii is redescribed based on the analysis of the types and several recently collected specimens. Recent collecting efforts of the rios Parnaíba and São Francisco basins resulted in specimens only being found in the rio Parnaíba basin. This raises doubts about whether H. johnii occurs in the rio São Francisco basin. The species is distinguished from its congeners by having a high number of teeth on the premaxilla and dentary (between 60-115); small to moderate-sized dark spots with a light background; absence of keels on flanks; and abdominal plates more evident on laterals. A lectotype of H. johnii is designated herein and H. eptingi is considered a junior synonym of H. johnii.(AU)

Hypostomus johnii (Steindachner) foi descrita a partir de espécimes da bacia do rio Parnaíba, no Estado do Piauí e da bacia do rio São Francisco, no Estado da Bahia. Apesar da descrição original de H. johnii ter sido adequada para a época, esta não permite atualmente a sua diferenciação dos outros congêneres. Portanto, H. johnii é redescrita, baseado na análise dos tipos e de espécimes recentemente coletados. Recentes esforços de coleta nas bacias do rios Parnaíba e São Francisco resultaram em espécimes coletados apenas na bacia do rio Parnaíba. Este fato coloca em dúvida a ocorrência de H. johnii na bacia do rio São Francisco. Hypostomus johnii é diferenciada de seus congêneres principalmente por possuir um elevado número de dentes no pré-maxilar e dentário (entre 60-115), por apresentar pequenas manchas escuras de tamanho moderado sobre um fundo claro; ausência de quilhas sobre flancos; e as placas do abdômen mais evidente nas laterais. Um lectótipo para H. johnii é aqui designado e H. eptingi é considerado sinônimo júnior de H. johnii.(AU)