Integrative taxonomy of Anaporrhutum mundae sp. nov. (Trematoda: Gorgoderidae), a parasite of the Munda round ray Urotrygon munda (Urotrygonidae) in Costa Rica.

A new species of trematode of anaporrhutine gorgoderid, from the gill chambers of the Munda round ray Urotrygon munda in Costa Rica is described, based on an integrative taxonomic approach that includes the use of light and scanning electron microscopy, ITS2 and 28S rDNA sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. Anaporrhutum mundae sp. nov. can be distinguished from congeneric species by a combination of morphological traits and particularly by having the genital pore opening at the level of the intestinal bifurcation. The new species also can be distinguished from all other species of Anaporrhutum, except A. euzeti Curran, Blend & Overstreet, 2003, by having fewer testicular follicles per testis. Anaporrhutum mundae sp. nov. also differs from A. euzeti in its forebody shape and by having different morphology and location of the vitellaria. The study of the tegumental surface of A. mundae sp. nov., as revealed by scanning electron microscopy, allowed detection of new morphological characters for a member of Anaporrhutinae that may be of taxonomic value. These are: a stylet cavity dorsal to the oral sucker with a large penetration gland opening on each side of the cavity and small penetration gland openings located ventral to the stylet cavity, arranged in a circle around the mouth. This represents the first record of an Anaporrhutum species from Costa Rica. Further, A. mundae sp. nov. represents the first parasite described or reported in this host.

A multi-locus approach to elucidating the evolutionary history of the clingfish Tomicodon petersii (Gobiesocidae) in the Tropical Eastern Pacific.

Marine species that are widely distributed in the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP) has served as a model for studying biogeographic patterns resulting from the effects of intraregional habitat discontinuities and oceanographic processes on the diversification and evolution of cryptobenthic reef fishes. Tomicodon petersii, a clingfish (Gobiesocidae) endemic to the TEP, is found on very shallow rocky reefs from central Mexico to northern Peru, and in the Cocos and Galapagos islands. We evaluated the effect of likely biogeographic barriers in different parts of the TEP on the diversification process of this species. We used one mitochondrial and three nuclear DNA markers from 112 individuals collected across the distribution range of T. petersii. Our phylogenetic results showed the samples constituted a monophyletic group, with three well-supported, allopatric subgroups: in the Mexican province, the Panamic province (from El Salvador to Ecuador), and the Galapagos Islands. The split between the Mexican and more southerly clades was estimated to occur at the end of the Miocene ca. 5.74 Mya, and the subsequent cladogenetic event separating the Galapagos population from the Panamic population at the junction of the Pliocene and Pleistocene, ca. 2.85 Mya. The species tree, Bayesian species delimitation tests (BPP), STACEY, and substantial genetic distances separating these three populations indicate that these three independent evolutionary units likely include two unnamed species. The cladogenetic events that promoted the formation of those genetically differentiated groups are consistent with disruptive effects on gene flow of habitat discontinuities and oceanographic processes along the mainland shoreline in the TEP and of ocean-island isolation, in conjunction with the species intrinsic life-history characteristics.

Phylogeography and evolutionary history of the Panamic Clingfish Gobiesox adustus in the Tropical Eastern Pacific.

The Panamic Clingfish Gobiesox adustus is widely distributed in the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP), from the central Gulf of California, Mexico to Ecuador, including the oceanic Revillagigedo Archipelago, and Isla del Coco. This cryptobenthic species is restricted to very shallow rocky-reef habitats. Here, we used one mitochondrial and three nuclear DNA markers from 155 individuals collected across the distribution range of the species in order to evaluate if geographically structured populations exist and to elucidate its evolutionary history. Phylogenetic analyses recovered a monophyletic group, with four well-supported, allopatric subgroups. Each subgroup corresponded to one of the following well-known biogeographic regions/provinces: 1) the Revillagigedo Archipelago, 2) the Cortez + Mexican provinces (Mexico), 3) the Panamic province (from El Salvador to Ecuador), and 4) Isla del Coco. A molecular-clock analysis showed a mean date for the divergence between clade I (the Revillagigedos and Cortez + Mexican provinces) and clade II (Panamic province and Isla del Coco) in the Pliocene, at ca. 5.33 Mya. Within clade I, the segregation between the Revillagigedos and Cortez + Mexican province populations was dated at ca. 1.18 Mya, during the Pleistocene. Within clade II, the segregation between samples of Isla del Coco and the Panamic province samples was dated at ca. 0.77 Mya, during the Pleistocene. The species tree, Bayesian species delimitation tests (BPP and STACEY), the ΦST, AMOVA, and the substantial genetic distances that exist between those four subgroups, indicate that they are independent evolutionary units. These cladogenetic events seem to be related to habitat discontinuities, and oceanographic and geological processes that produce barriers to gene flow for G. adustus, effects of which are enhanced by the intrinsic ecological characteristics of this species.

Phylogeny of the subfamily Stelliferinae suggests speciation in Ophioscion Gill, 1863 (Sciaenidae: Perciformes) in the western South Atlantic.

Phylogenies based on morphological and molecular data confirm the monophyly of the subfamily Stelliferinae; however, there is no consensus on the intergeneric and interspecific relationships in the group. Previous studies suggested the non-monophyly of Ophioscion and Stellifer, and possible cryptic species in Ophioscion punctatissimus. Therefore, we used mitochondrial (16S rDNA and COI) and nuclear (Rhodopsin, EGR1, and RAG1) regions to examine phylogenetic relationships among species of this subfamily. Our results confirmed the monophyly of Stelliferinae and supports the close relationship among Bardiella, Corvula and Odontoscion, which form a sister group to Stellifer and Ophioscion. Notwithstanding, all the results support the non-monophyly of Stellifer and Ophioscion and we suggest that a taxonomic revision should consider Ophioscion as a junior synonym of Stellifer. Moreover, O. punctatissimus was grouped into two clades, with the O. punctatissimus lineage I (LI) being closer to O. scierus from the eastern Pacific than to the O. punctatissimus lineage II (LII). The most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) for the O. scierus and O. punctatissimus LI and O. punctatissimus LII clade dates from 7.2 (HPD: 4.3-10.5) Ma, whereas TMRCA for the O. scierus and O. punctatissimus LI clade dates from 5.3 (HPD: 2.4-8.6) Ma, indicating that speciation processes may be related to the rise of the Isthmus of Panama. Phylogeographic analyses corroborate the hypothesis of speciation in O. punctatissimus. These results suggest that lineages of O. punctatissimus originated from distinct ancestors and, by morphological similarity, were considered the same taxon. A taxonomic revision should be performed to validate the species status of such lineages.

Geographic genetic variation in the Coral Hawkfish, Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus (Cirrhitidae), in relation to biogeographic barriers across the Tropical Indo-Pacific.

The Tropical Indo-Pacific (TIP) includes about two thirds of the world's tropical oceans and harbors an enormous number of marine species. The distributions of those species within the region is affected by habitat discontinuities and oceanographic features. As well as many smaller ones, the TIP contains seven large recognized biogeographic barriers that separate the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, the Indian from the Pacific Ocean, the central and eastern Pacific, the Hawaiian archipelago, the Marquesas and Easter Islands. We examined the genetic structuring of populations of Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus, a small cryptic species of reef fish, across its geographic range, which spans the longitudinal limits of the TIP. We assessed geographic variation in the mitochondrial cytb gene and the nuclear RAG1 gene, using 166 samples collected in 46 localities from the western to eastern edges of the TIP. Sequences from cytb show three well-structured groups that are separated by large genetic distances (1.58-2.96%): two in the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP), one at Clipperton Atoll another occupying the rest of that region and the third that ranges across the remainder of the TIP, from the central Pacific to the Red Sea and South Africa. These results indicate that the ~4,000 km wide Eastern Pacific Barrier between the central and eastern Pacific is an efficient barrier separating the two main groups. Further, the ~950 km of open ocean that isolates Clipperton Atoll from the rest of the TEP is also an effective barrier. Contrary to many other cases, various major and minor barriers from the Central Indo-Pacific to the Red Sea are not effective against dispersal by C. oxycephalus, although this species has not colonized the Hawiian islands and Easter Island. The nuclear gene partially supports the genetic structure evident in cytb, although all haplotypes are geographically mixed.

A new species of Brycon (Characiformes: Characidae) from Nicaragua and Costa Rica, with a key to the lower Mesoamerican species of the genus.

A new species of Brycon is described from the Atlantic slope of Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Brycon costaricensis n. sp. differs from all other Central American Brycon species by the following combination of characters: 49 to 54 scales in the lateral line; 5 or 6 rows of scales between lateral line and pectoral fin base; 9 to 11 rows of scales between lateral line and dorsal fin base; 5 to 7 rows of scales between lateral line and anal fin base; anal fin notably longer than head, with 33 to 37 total rays; and a elongated and shallow caudal peduncle, whose length is 1.78 to 2.35 times its depth. A key to lower Mesoamerican species of the genus is also presented.

Species delimitation by DNA barcoding reveals undescribed diversity in Stelliferinae (Sciaenidae).

Stelliferinae is the third most speciose subfamily of Sciaenidae, with 51 recognized species arranged in five genera. Phylogenies derived from both morphological and molecular data support the monophyly of this subfamily, although there is no general consensus on the intergeneric relationships or the species diversity of this group. We used the barcoding region of the cytochrome oxidase C subunit I (COI) gene to verify the delimitation of Stelliferinae species based on the Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD), Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescence (GMYC), and Bayesian Poisson Tree Process (bPTP) methods. In general, the results of these different approaches were congruent, delimiting 30-32 molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs), most of which coincided with valid species. Specimens of Stellifer menezesi and Stellifer gomezi were attributed to a single species, which disagrees with the most recent review of this genus. The evidence also indicated that Odontoscion xanthops and Corvula macrops belong to a single MOTU. In contrast, evidence also indicates presence of distinct lineages in both Odontoscion dentex and Bairdiella chrysoura. Such results are compatible with the existence of cryptic species, which is supported by the genetic divergence and haplotype genealogy. Therefore, the results of the present study indicate the existence of undescribed diversity in the Stelliferinae, which reinforces the need for an ample taxonomic review of the fish in this subfamily.

Continental fishes of Nicaragua: diversity, distribution and conservation status; with an annotated and illustrated checklist of species and an identification guide to families.

Based on a combination of intensive literature review, electronic database searches, re-identification of museum specimens, and fieldwork, we provide an updated checklist of the continental fishes of Nicaragua. This checklist, systematically arranged at the ordinal and familial level, includes nomenclatural revisions, distributional information, conservation status, and when appropriate, cross-references to previous lists and revisionary works on the fish fauna of the country and region (Central America); illustrations and descriptions to the family level and color photographs of some representative species are also included. According to our results, the native Nicaraguan continental fish fauna is composed of 244 species, divided into 111 genera, 45 families, 24 orders, and two classes; increasing by 60 (i.e., 32.6%) the number of species originally reported by Villa (1982; i.e., the most comprehensive work published to date). The majority of the Nicaraguan native continental fish species, according to their supposed tolerance to salinity, are peripheral (68.9%), followed by secondary freshwater fishes (23.8%), and primary freshwater fishes (only 7.4%). Fish diversity in the 19 major river basins ranged between 21 and 90 species (mean = 58 species, median = 60); the Escondido (Es; 87 species), in the Atlantic, and the Pacfico de Nicaragua (PN; 90), in the Pacific, presented the highest species richness. Most species (188) are restricted to elevations between 0 and 100 meters above sea level (masl); only a few species (18), in contrast, were found at elevations greater than 500 masl (up to 780 masl). Fourteen species in this revision are listed as endemic to Nicaragua. Regarding their conservation status, 22 species (9.0%) are categorized, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), as Data Deficient, 186 (76.2%) as Least Concern, and seven (2.9%) as Near Threatened; while 24 species (9.8%) are listed as Threatened, thirteen (5.3%) as Vulnerable, two (0.8%) as Endangered, and nine (3.7%) as Critically Endangered. Five species (2.0%) have not yet been evaluated. Six exotic species are also reported. Our results provide a framework for future taxonomic and biogeographic works on fishes from this country and region (Central America), particularly by providing up-to-date knowledge on nomenclature and distributions. In addition, the data provided in this revision will help to monitor fish distributional changes in the future due to human introductions and global change and will aid in conservation decisions concerning Nicaraguan continental fishes.

Rediscovery of the endangered Amphilophus lyonsi (Gosse 1966) (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) in Costa Rica; extended diagnosis and description and new ecological data.

In this paper we report the rediscovery of the endangered cichlid fish Amphilophus lyonsi (Gosse 1966) in the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica. Additionally, we provide new and updated information on the morphology, growth, habitat use and distribution of the species based on data and specimens recently collected as well as on museum material. This information will be relevant for future taxonomic and conservation studies/purposes, contributing to a better understanding on the biology of the species.

The complete mitogenome of Paralonchurus dumerilii (Perciformes: Sciaenidae).

We herein describe the complete mitochondrial genome of Paralonchurus dumerilii (Sciaenidae) and infer its phylogenetic position within the family. The genome is 16,498 bp long and featured by 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, and a control region (D-loop). Our phylogenetic analysis suggests a basal position of P. dumerilii as the sister group of the other species of Sciaenidae analyzed.

Phylogenetic relationships of sleeper gobies (Eleotridae: Gobiiformes: Gobioidei), with comments on the position of the miniature genus Microphilypnus.

Microphilypnus and Leptophilypnion are miniaturized genera within the family Eleotridae. The evolutionary relationships among these taxa are still poorly understood, and molecular analyses are restricted to mitochondrial genes, which have not been conclusive. We compiled both mitochondrial and nuclear genes to study the phylogenetic position of Microphilypnus and the evolutionary history and relationships of eleotrids. We propose that Microphilypnus and Leptophilypnus (a non-miniature genus) are not sister groups as suggested by previous studies, but rather separate lineages that arose in the early Eocene, with Leptophilypnus recovered as a sister group to the other analyzed eleotrids. In fact, Microphilypnus is currently associated with the Neotropical clade Guavina/Dormitator/Gobiomorus. We also identified a well-supported clade that indicated Gobiomorus and Hemieleotris as paraphyletic groups, besides a close relationship among Calumia godeffroyi, Bunaka gyrinoides, Eleotris and Erotelis species. This is the first comprehensive report about the evolutionary relationships in members of the family Eleotridae, including multiloci and multispecies approaches. Therefore, we provided new insights about the phylogenetic position of some taxa absent in previous studies, such as the miniature genus Microphilypnus and a recently described species of Eleotris from South America.

Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change: A Synopsis of Coordinated National Crop Wild Relative Seed Collecting Programs across Five Continents.

The Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change Project set out to improve the diversity, quantity, and accessibility of germplasm collections of crop wild relatives (CWR). Between 2013 and 2018, partners in 25 countries, heirs to the globetrotting legacy of Nikolai Vavilov, undertook seed collecting expeditions targeting CWR of 28 crops of global significance for agriculture. Here, we describe the implementation of the 25 national collecting programs and present the key results. A total of 4587 unique seed samples from at least 355 CWR taxa were collected, conserved ex situ, safety duplicated in national and international genebanks, and made available through the Multilateral System (MLS) of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty). Collections of CWR were made for all 28 targeted crops. Potato and eggplant were the most collected genepools, although the greatest number of primary genepool collections were made for rice. Overall, alfalfa, Bambara groundnut, grass pea and wheat were the genepools for which targets were best achieved. Several of the newly collected samples have already been used in pre-breeding programs to adapt crops to future challenges.

New records and range extensions to the Costa Rican freshwater fish fauna, with an updated checklist.

The knowledge of the Costa Rican freshwater fish fauna continues to grow given the discovery of new taxa, the recognition of taxa resurrected from synonymy and the corroboration of new country records and new range extensions. Moreover, recent advances in the understanding of the phylogenetic relationships and status of many supraspecific groups have led to numerous taxonomic and nomenclatural changes. Given this, the purpose of this paper is to update the known composition, distribution and clasification of the Costa Rican freshwater fish fauna taking as reference the most recent list for the country published by Angulo et al. (2013). A total of 23 new country records (i.e., species; distributed in 17 families and 21 genera), 33 new range extensions (distributed in 20 families and 30 genera) and several nomenclatural changes are reported, illustrated and discussed here. An updated and annotated checklist of the freshwater fishes of the country (including data for a total of 283 species, 13 of which are exotic, distributed in two classes, 27 orders, 55 families and 136 genera) is also provided.

First record of the parasitic barnacle Anelasma squalicola Darwin, 1852 (Pollicipedomorpha: Pollicipedidae) in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and a new host report: Etmopterus benchleyi Vsquez, Ebert amp; Long, 2015 (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae).

Anelasma squalicola is a parasitic barnacle of members of the deep-water shark families Etmopteridae, Pentanchidae and Scyliorhinidae. We report the first published confirmation of this species in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, based on material collected off Costa Rica, its first record as a parasite of the Ninja lantern shark, Etmopterus benchley (Etmopteridae), and a new size record for the host. The information presented herein expands the knowledge (distribution and host usage) of this enigmatic species.

First record of hybridization in Caranx Lacepède, 1801 (Carangidae: Perciformes) in the Tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean.

During a recreational fishing trip on May 2017 to Isla Montuosa, Pacific coast of Panama (7.467472, -82.266556; 30 m depth), a specimen belonging to the genus Caranx was captured. The specimen showed an unusual combination of external characters, intermediate among the species known to occur in the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP), which caught the attention of the fishermen. A detailed analysis involving traditional morphology and molecular techniques revealed that the specimen corresponds to a hybrid of the species C. melampygus and C. sexfasciatus. This represents, to the best of our knowledge, the first confirmed record of hybridization within the genus and family in the TEP and the second record for the entire Pacific Ocean.

Misidentification of Bellator gymnostethus (Gilbert, 1892) as Prionotus ruscarius Gilbert amp; Starks, 1904 (Scorpaeniformes: Triglidae).

The checklist by Robertson et al. (2017) of fishes from the tropical eastern Pacific included information on three members of the family Triglidae: Bellator loxias (Jordan, 1897), Prionotus ruscarius and P. stephanophrys Lockington, 1881. Unfortunately, the identification of four specimens as P. ruscarius is incorrect, as they are Bellator gymnostethus. We thank Benjamin Victor for bringing these misidentifications to our notice through his work with mtDNA sequence data from the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD: http://www.boldsystems.org). The photographs of the four specimens on the BOLD website clearly depict a Bellator species rather than a Prionotus. However, the photograph in the 2017 paper (Figure 75, page 78), is correctly identified and labelled as P. ruscarius, and this species was collected on the cruise of the Miguel Oliver discussed in Robertson et al. (2017), see Benavides Moreno et al. (2019). This correction brings the number of triglids collected on that cruise to four species.

The fishes from the Coto River basin, Pacific coast, Costa Rica.

A checklist of the fishes of the Coto River basin, southern Pacific, Costa Rica, compiled from field and museum surveys is presented. A total of 61 species, representing 48 genera, 26 families and 11 orders are listed. Peripheral species were dominant (44.3%), whereas secondary and primary freshwater species represented 32.8% and 23.9% of the total diversity. The orders Cyprinodontiformes (12 spp.) and Perciformes (11) and the families Poeciliidae (8) and Cichlidae (7) were the most diverse. Two species (Lutjanus guttatus and Polydactylus approximans) were new records for Costa Rican freshwaters and ten additional species were found to have expanded geographical ranges. An identification key and a complete photographic album of all fish species recorded are presented. This investigation provides a framework for future studies on fishes from this area complementing previous efforts seeking to increase our knowledge about the freshwater ichthyofauna of the central and southern Pacific regions of Costa Rica.

The ichthyology collection at the Natural History Museum of El Salvador (MUHNES): Species checklist and new country records.

The ichthyology collection at the Natural History Museum of El Salvador (MUHNES) was established in 1970. Herein, we provide the first quantitative and qualitative description of the collection; and the first public record of the specimens and taxa therein represented. The MUHNES fish collection is the largest and most important of El Salvador, hosting 3791 specimens in 1005 lots representing 26 orders, 75 families, 159 genera and 248 species from both marine and freshwater environments, including larval, juvenile and mainly adult specimens. MUHNES specimens include 39% of the 587 species reported in the official national checklist of fishes of El Salvador, and support the inclusion of 47 additional species for a new total of 634. Furthermore, MUHNES specimens support (1) the occurrence of Cathorops fuerthii along the coast of El Salvador, extending its distribution from northern Costa Rica; (2) the occurrence of Atherinella starksi in El Salvador, reducing a gap for records between Nicaragua and México and (3) the extension in the distribution range of Profundulus kreiseri to Morazán, El Salvador. This study represents an advance on the understanding of diversity and distribution of the national ichthyofauna.

Redescription of Trichomycterus striatus (Meek Hildebrand, 1913) (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae), with notes on its geographic distribution.

Trichomycterus striatus is herein redescribed, based on examination of the types and recently collected specimens, and its geographic distribution is updated. This species can be diagnosed from all other northeastern South American congeners by its variable coloration pattern consisting of a yellowish to light brown background with a black lateral band and/or small dark brown spots on sides or uniformly light brown and by the following combination of characters: teeth conical arranged in three to four irregular rows in both jaws; anterior section of infraorbital canal (sensory pores i1 and i3) present; sensory pores s6 paired, 11-23 opercular odontodes; 27-44 interopercular odontodes; seven to eight pectoral-fin branched rays; 36-37 free vertebrae; 12-14 ribs; cleithrum pierced by several foramina; and caudal fin truncate to rounded. Trichomycterus striatus occurs from southern Costa Rica [from the Pirrís (herein reported for the first time), Térraba and Coto River basins] to eastern Panama (in most of the main river basins in both the Pacific and Atlantic versants), being the sole representative of the family in lower Central American waters.

Gross brain morphology of the armoured catfish Rineloricaria heteroptera, Isbrücker and Nijssen (1976), (Siluriformes: Loricariidae: Loricariinae): A descriptive and quantitative approach.

The gross morphology of the brain of Rineloricaria heteroptera and its relation to the sensory/behavioural ecology of the species is described and discussed. The sexual and ontogenetic intraspecific variation in the whole brain length and mass, as well as within/between the eight different brain subdivisions volumes, is also examined and discussed. Negative allometry for the whole brain length/mass and relative growth of the telencephalon and optic tecta was observed. Positive allometry was observed for the relative growth of the olfactory bulbs and medulla oblongata. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses did not reveal significant differences in the brain subdivision growth rates among sexes and/or developmental stages, except for the optic tectum and some portions of the medulla oblongata, with juveniles and males showing more developed optic tecta and medullary subdivisions, respectively. The growth rates for each brain subdivision were relatively constant, and the slopes of the growth equations were almost parallel, except for those of the olfactory bulbs and medulla oblongata subdivisions, suggesting some degree of tachyauxesis of subdivisions against the entire brain. The corpus cerebelli was the more voluminous brain subdivision in most specimens (principally adults), followed by the optic tectum (the more voluminous subdivision in juveniles), hypothalamus, and telencephalon, in that order. Differences in the number of lamellae and relative size of the olfactory organ were also detected among developmental stages, which were more numerous and larger in adults. Based on these results, it is possible to infer an ontogenetic shift in the habitat/resource use and behaviour of R. heteroptera. Vision, primarily routed through the optic tectum, could be fundamental in early stages, whereas in adults, olfaction and taste, primarily routed through the olfactory bulbs and medulla oblongata, play more important roles.