Evolutionary units delimitation and continental multilocus phylogeny of the hyperdiverse catfish genus Hypostomus.

With 149 currently recognized species, Hypostomus is one of the most species-rich catfish genera in the world, widely distributed over most of the Neotropical region. To clarify the evolutionary history of this genus, we reconstructed a comprehensive phylogeny of Hypostomus based on four nuclear and two mitochondrial markers. A total of 206 specimens collected from the main Neotropical rivers were included in the present study. Combining morphology and a Bayesian multispecies coalescent (MSC) approach, we recovered 85 previously recognized species plus 23 putative new species, organized into 118 'clusters'. We presented the Cluster Credibility (CC) index that provides numerical support for every hypothesis of cluster delimitation, facilitating delimitation decisions. We then examined the correspondence between the morphologically identified species and their inter-specific COI barcode pairwise divergence. The mean COI barcode divergence between morphological sisters species was 1.3 ± 1.2%, and only in 11% of the comparisons the divergence was ≥2%. This indicates that the COI barcode threshold of 2% classically used to delimit fish species would seriously underestimate the number of species in Hypostomus, advocating for a taxon-specific COI-based inter-specific divergence threshold to be used only when approximations of species richness are needed. The phylogeny of the 108 Hypostomus species, together with 35 additional outgroup species, confirms the monophyly of the genus. Four well-supported main lineages were retrieved, hereinafter called super-groups: Hypostomus cochliodon, H. hemiurus, H. auroguttatus, and H. plecostomus super-groups. We present a compilation of diagnostic characters for each super-group. Our phylogeny lays the foundation for future studies on biogeography and on macroevolution to better understand the successful radiation of this Neotropical fish genus.

A new fish species of Roeboides from Panamá (Characiformes: Characidae).

A freshwater fish Roeboides loftini n.sp. is described from the Río Coclé del Norte drainage of the Atlantic versant of Panamá. The new species differs from other species of the Roeboides guatemalensis-group by the number of perforated scales on the lateral line (83-100), body depth (31.8-36.1%), predorsal distance (49.1-51.9%) and the shape of the humeral spot.

Review of species of the Astyanax bimaculatus "caudal peduncle spot" subgroup sensu Garutti & Langeani (Characiformes, Characidae) from the rio La Plata and rio São Francisco drainages and coastal systems of southern Brazil and Uruguay.

The species of the Astyanax bimaculatus 'caudal peduncle spot' subgroup of the drainages of the rios La Plata and São Francisco, as well as southeastern coastal systems of Brazil and Uruguay, are revised. Two nominal species are considered valid and are redescribed: Astyanax lacustris and A. abramis. Astyanax jacuhiensis, A. asuncionensis and A. altiparanae are recognized as new junior synonyms of A. lacustris. Bertoniolus paraguayensisis recognized as a new junior synonym of A. abramis. The names Astyanax orbignyanus, A. vittatus, and A. borealis are considered species inquirendae. Notes on A. maculisquamis, included in the 'caudal peduncle spot' subgroup from rio Guaporé (rio Madeira drainage), and Astyanax bahiensis from Bahia, mistakenly considered of the same subgroup, are presented.

A new glass tetra species of Phenacogaster from the rio Salitre, rio São Francisco drainage, Brazil (Characiformes: Characidae)

A new species of Phenacogaster is described from the rio Salitre, a tributary of the lower middle rio São Francisco drainage. The new species can be clearly distinguished from all its congeners in having a conspicuous, broad caudal peduncle spot reaching the upper and lower margins of the peduncle with a short extension onto the middle caudal fin rays and another weaker extension over the lower lobe of the caudal fin.(AU)

Uma nova espécie de Phenacogaster é descrita do rio Salitre, afluente da drenagem do submédio rio São Francisco. A nova espécie é facilmente distinguida de todas as congêneres por apresentar uma conspícua e larga mancha no pedúnculo caudal que alcança as margens superior e inferior do pedúnculo com uma curta extensão sobre os raios medianos e outra mais fraca sobre o lobo inferior da nadadeira caudal.(AU)

A taxonomic review of the species of charax scopoli, 1777 (teleostei: characidae: characinae) with description of a new species from the rio negro bearing superficial neuromasts on body scales, amazon basin, Brazil

The species of Charax were reviewed by Lucena (1987) who a little later (1989) added three new species to the genus. Examination of recently collected specimens from museum collections documented the more extensive geographic distribution for most species and revealed the existence of a new species in which superficial neuromasts were discovered and are herein described. These skin structures were also detected in C. metae Eigenmann, 1922. Anal- and pelvic-fin hooks previously observed only on the anal-fin of one species of the genus are described herein in some other species. Charax unimaculatus Lucena is considered a junior synonym of C. michaeli Lucena. All the species are redescribed and the new species described.

As espécies de Charax foram revistas por Lucena (1987), que pouco depois (1989) acrescentou três espécies novas ao gênero. O exame de exemplares recentemente coletados e depositados em coleções de vários museus possibilitaram a extensão da distribuição geográfica da maioria das espécies e revelou a existência de uma espécie nova, na qual foram descobertos neuromastos superficiais, caracterizados neste trabalho. Estas estruturas da pele também foram detectadas em Charax metae Eigenmann, 1922. Ganchos das nadadeiras anal e pélvica, anteriormente observados apenas na nadadeira anal de uma das espécies do gênero, são agora descritos em algumas outras espécies. Charax unimaculatus Lucena é considerada sinônimo júnior de C. michaeli Lucena Todas as espécies são redescritas, juntamente com a descrição da espécie nova.

A new fish species of Roeboides from Panamá (Characiformes: Characidae)

A freshwater fish Roeboides loftini n.sp. is described from the Río Coclé del Norte drainage of the Atlantic versant of Panamá. The new species differs from other species of the Roeboides guatemalensis-group by the number of perforated scales on the lateral line (83-100), body depth (31.8-36.1%), predorsal distance (49.1-51.9%) and the shape of the humeral spot. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (4): 1663-1667. Epub 2011 December 01.

Roeboides loftini n.sp., se describe en la desembocadura del río Coclé del Norte en la Vertiente Atlántica de Panamá. La nueva especie se diferencia de otras especies del grupo del Roeboides guatemalensis, por el número de escamas perforadas en la línea lateral (83-100), la profundidad del cuerpo (31.8-36.1%), distancia predorsal (49.1- 51.9%) y la forma de la mancha humeral.

A new species of Pimelodus La Cépède, 1803 (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) from rio Ribeira de Iguape basin, Brazil

Pimelodus multicratifer, espécie nova, é descrita da bacia do rio Ribeira de Iguape. A espécie nova difere das demais espécies de Pimelodus pelas seguintes características: 26 a 30 rastros branquiais sobre o primeiro arco branquial; a combinação de três a seis fileiras de máculas regular ou irregularmente distribuídas sobre os flancos e várias máculas menores irregularmente distribuídas sobre a superfície dorsal da cabeça e processo supraoccipital, e algumas vezes, nas nadadeiras dorsal e caudal; lábios estriados; barbilhões maxilares alcançando a extremidade posterior dos raios da nadadeira pélvica e a extremidade posterior dos raios médios da nadadeira caudal.

Pimelodus multicratifer, a new species, is described from the rio Ribeira de Iguape basin. The new species differs from the other Pimelodus species by the following features: 26 to 30 gill rakers on the first branchial arch; a combination of three to six rows of dark spots regularly or irregularly scattered on the flanks and several small dark spots irregularly scattered on the dorsal surface of head, supraoccipital process, and sometimes on the dorsal and caudal fins; striated lips; maxillary barbels reaching between posterior tip of the pelvic-fin rays and posterior tip of the middle caudal-fin rays.

Pimelodus heraldoi Azpelicueta, 2001, a junior synonym of Pimelodus microstoma Steindachner, 1877 (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae)

The examination of the holotype and 61 of the 64 paratypes of Pimelodus heraldoi, syntypes of P. microstoma and additional specimens from the upper rio Paraná showed that the former species is a junior synonym of the latter. Both species were originally described from the rio Mogi-Guaçu, upper rio Paraná.

O exame do holótipo e 61 dos 64 parátipos de Pimelodus heraldoi, dos síntipos de P. microstoma e de exemplares adicionais do alto rio Paraná, mostrou que a primeira espécie é um sinônimo júnior da segunda. Ambas foram descritas originalmente do rio Mogi-Guaçu, rio Paraná superior.

Pimelodus microstoma Steindachner, 1877, a valid species of pimelodid catfish (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) from the upper rio Paraná drainage

Pimelodus microstoma, which has been treated as a junior synonym of P. fur, is resurrected and its type locality restricted to Irisanga (=Orissanga), São Paulo State, in the upper rio Paraná. An identification key is provided for Pimelodus species from the upper portions of the Paraná drainage.

Pimelodus microstoma, espécie que tem sido tratada como sinônimo júnior de P. fur, é revalidada e sua localidade-tipo restringida para Irisanga (=Orissanga), Estado de São Paulo, alto rio Paraná. Uma chave de identificação das espécies de Pimelodus da porção superior do rio Paraná é fornecida.

A new species of Pimelodus LaCépède, 1803 (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) from the rio São Francisco drainage, Brazil

Pimelodus pohli, new species, is described from the rio São Francisco drainage. It differs from congeners by the following characters in combination: adults with dark spots on anterodorsal region of body and young specimens (up to 100 mm SL) with three rows of dark spots laterally on body; comparatively long adipose fin, more than one third of the distance between posterior end of dorsal fin base and the vertical through posterior end of anal-fin base (21.8-26.2 percent SL); lips poorly developed; 20-25 gill rakers; and maxillary barbels slightly surpassing the caudal-fin base. A key to the species of Pimelodus of the rio São Francisco drainage is presented.

Pimelodus pohli, nova espécie, é descrita da bacia do rio São Francisco. Difere de suas congêneres pela seguinte combinação de caracteres: presença, em exemplares adultos, de pintas escuras na região ântero-lateral do corpo e, em exemplares jovens, de três fileiras de pintas nos lados do corpo (até 100 mm CP); nadadeira adiposa comparativamente longa, ocupando mais de um terço da distância entre o fim da base da nadadeira dorsal e a vertical que passa pelo fim da base da nadadeira anal (21,8-26,2 por cento CP); lábios não desenvolvidos; 20 a 25 rastros branquiais e barbilhões maxilares indo pouco além da base da nadadeira caudal. Uma chave para as espécies de Pimelodus da bacia do rio São Francisco é apresentada.