Knodus borari, a new species from the lower Rio Tapajós basin (Characiformes: Characidae).

A new species of Knodus from the Rio Cupari, a right-bank tributary of the lower Rio Tapajós, is described. Among its congeners, the new species shares exclusively with K. figueiredoi the presence of only uni-tricuspid teeth in the premaxilla, maxilla and dentary. Knodus borari differs from K. figueiredoi by the colour pattern and morphological characteristics. The new species is the fifth species of the genus described from the Rio Tapajós basin, and the second restricted to the lower portion of the basin. This is additional evidence that the lower Rio Tapajós basin is a region of ichthyofaunal endemism.

A new species of the Neotropical loricariid Hypostomus cochliodon group (Hypostominae) from the lower Rio Tapajós basin, Brazilian Amazon.

A new species of Hypostomus with spoon-shaped teeth is described from the Rio Cupari basin, a right margin affluent of the lower Rio Tapajós, Pará State, Brazil. The new species inhabits rocky bottom areas in the main channel of Rio Cupari and its tributaries. The new species can be distinguished from all its congeners, except from the Hypostomus cochliodon group, by having six to eight spoon-shaped teeth, dentaries angled at less than 80° and the absence of a notch between the hyomandibular and the metapterygoid. The new species is distinguished from all species of the H. cochliodon group by its unique colour pattern, containing dark vermiculations on head and anterior portion of the trunk, and by the absence of medial buccal papillae.

Early ontogeny of Pimelodus blochii Valenciennes, 1840 (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae): Neotropical catfish.

Larval ontogeny of the long-whiskered catfish Pimelodus blochii Valenciennes, 1840 is described, providing useful characters for identification and determining the growth pattern throughout its development. Eighty-nine larvae classified in three stages (preflexion, flexion and postflexion) and 30 juveniles were analyzed, totaling 119 individuals. The specimens were collected monthly from January 2013 to May 2019 in the lower Amazon river. A suite of morphological, morphometric, and meristic data was used to describe the stages of development. Three analytical regression models were used: simple linear, quadratic and piecewise regressions. The larvae are characterized by small to moderate eyes, subinferior mouth, and long barbels (maxillary larger than the mental barbels), triangular-shaped adipose fin, and the final part of the intestine reaching half the body. Pigmentation consists of dendritic chromatophores distributed irregularly in the body, ventral region and head, intensifying in the flanks and dorsal region throughout development. The total number of myomeres has a mode of 42 muscle bundles, ranging from 40 to 42 (15 to 16 pre-and 25 to 26 post-anal) and the number of fin segments corresponded to: pectoral = I + 9, pelvic = 6, dorsal = I + 6 and anal = 11-12. All body variables showed discontinuous isometric growth, indicating a deceleration in the structural modeling of the body, between the flexion/post-flexion stages and acceleration in post-flexion/early juvenile period. Precisely when the formation of the fin rays, muscles and organs of the digestive system and ossification are observed, suggesting low morphological variation during ontogenetic development. Pimelodus blochii differs from other congeneric species in the lower Amazon river by meristic characters, which helps to correctly identify individuals in early stages of development.

A new species of Knodus (Characiformes: Characidae) from the Rio Cupari drainage, lower Rio Tapajós basin, Brazil.

A new species of Knodus is described from the rio Cupari drainage, a tributary from the right margin of the lower rio Tapajós, Pará State, Brazil. The new species differs from its congeners, except K. geryi, by having a dark basal blotch on each caudal fin lobe (vs. caudal fin lobes with sparse chromatophores, lacking basal blotches) and, with the exception of K. borki, K. heteresthes, and K. pasco, by having 10-12 scales around the caudal peduncle (vs. 13-15).

Biogeochemical water type influences community composition, species richness, and biomass in megadiverse Amazonian fish assemblages.

Amazonian waters are classified into three biogeochemical categories by dissolved nutrient content, sediment type, transparency, and acidity-all important predictors of autochthonous and allochthonous primary production (PP): (1) nutrient-poor, low-sediment, high-transparency, humic-stained, acidic blackwaters; (2) nutrient-poor, low-sediment, high-transparency, neutral clearwaters; (3) nutrient-rich, low-transparency, alluvial sediment-laden, neutral whitewaters. The classification, first proposed by Alfred Russel Wallace in 1853, is well supported but its effects on fish are poorly understood. To investigate how Amazonian fish community composition and species richness are influenced by water type, we conducted quantitative year-round sampling of floodplain lake and river-margin habitats at a locality where all three water types co-occur. We sampled 22,398 fish from 310 species. Community composition was influenced more by water type than habitat. Whitewater communities were distinct from those of blackwaters and clearwaters, with community structure correlated strongly to conductivity and turbidity. Mean per-sampling event species richness and biomass were significantly higher in nutrient-rich whitewater floodplain lakes than in oligotrophic blackwater and clearwater river-floodplain systems and light-limited whitewater rivers. Our study provides novel insights into the influences of biogeochemical water type and ecosystem productivity on Earth's most diverse aquatic vertebrate fauna and highlights the importance of including multiple water types in conservation planning.

A database of freshwater fish species of the Amazon Basin.

The Amazon Basin is an unquestionable biodiversity hotspot, containing the highest freshwater biodiversity on earth and facing off a recent increase in anthropogenic threats. The current knowledge on the spatial distribution of the freshwater fish species is greatly deficient in this basin, preventing a comprehensive understanding of this hyper-diverse ecosystem as a whole. Filling this gap was the priority of a transnational collaborative project, i.e. the AmazonFish project - https://www.amazon-fish.com/. Relying on the outputs of this project, we provide the most complete fish species distribution records covering the whole Amazon drainage. The database, including 2,406 validated freshwater native fish species, 232,936 georeferenced records, results from an extensive survey of species distribution including 590 different sources (e.g. published articles, grey literature, online biodiversity databases and scientific collections from museums and universities worldwide) and field expeditions conducted during the project. This database, delivered at both georeferenced localities (21,500 localities) and sub-drainages grains (144 units), represents a highly valuable source of information for further studies on freshwater fish biodiversity, biogeography and conservation.

Unexpected species diversity in electric eels with a description of the strongest living bioelectricity generator.

Is there only one electric eel species? For two and a half centuries since its description by Linnaeus, Electrophorus electricus has captivated humankind by its capacity to generate strong electric discharges. Despite the importance of Electrophorus in multiple fields of science, the possibility of additional species-level diversity in the genus, which could also reveal a hidden variety of substances and bioelectrogenic functions, has hitherto not been explored. Here, based on overwhelming patterns of genetic, morphological, and ecological data, we reject the hypothesis of a single species broadly distributed throughout Greater Amazonia. Our analyses readily identify three major lineages that diverged during the Miocene and Pliocene-two of which warrant recognition as new species. For one of the new species, we recorded a discharge of 860 V, well above 650 V previously cited for Electrophorus, making it the strongest living bioelectricity generator.

Karyotypic variation in the long-whiskered catfish Pimelodusblochii Valenciennes, 1840 (Siluriformes, Pimelodidae) from the lower Tapajós, Amazonas and Trombetas Rivers.

The genus Pimelodus LaCépède, 1803 comprises 35 formally recognized species distributed along the major neotropical river basins. Despite conservatism in diploid number with 2n=56, an intense variation of chromosomal morphology (karyotypic formula) has been documented in Pimelodus species. In the present study, we analyzed karyotypes of 20 specimens, identified as Pimelodusblochii Valenciennes, 1840 and collected from the lower courses of the Tapajós, Amazonas and Trombetas Rivers. The karyotypes were characterized by Giemsa conventional staining, C-banding, silver staining (Ag-NOR) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with 5S and 18S rDNA probes. The karyotypes showed 2n=56 chromosomes in fish from the Tapajós River. In contrast, fish from the Amazonas and Trombetas Rivers had 2n=58. The nucleolus organizing regions were labeled on the short arm of an acrocentric chromosome as demonstrated by silver staining and FISH. Signals for 18S and 5S rDNA were co-localized on one chromosome pair. Our results demonstrate karyotypic divergence between Tapajós and Amazonas-Trombetas populations of P.blochii, interpreted as supporting the existence of a species complex in this taxon.

DNA barcoding of fish fauna from low order streams of Tapajós River basin.

The Amazon basin harbors a megadiverse fish fauna spread in an intricate network of big rivers and small streams. The Amazonian streams are home of many small sized fishes that remains poorly documented. In order to accelerate the scientific knowledge on these important aquatic systems we adopted a modern integrative approach joining morphology and molecular tools to investigate the ichthyofauna assemblages from low order streams situated on the lower Tapajós River Basin. Cytochrome c Oxidase I (COI) DNA barcodes from 252 specimens collected from 10 stream sites were obtained. The combined analysis revealed 29 species, 21 genera and 11 families. Cryptic diversity was evidenced in Knodus sp.1, Aequidens epae and Copella callolepis, in which deep genetic divergence were detected (intraspecific distances: 20.48%, 7.99% and 3.77%, respectively). The putative new species showed closer relationships with their counterparts occurring in the Tapajós-Xingu water drainages.

Stream ichthyofauna of the Tapajós National Forest, Pará, Brazil.

The fish fauna of freshwater streams in the Tapajos National Forest was surveyed and a list of species is presented. The sampling was conducted from 2012 to 2013 during the dry season. Fish were collected with dip nets and seine nets in 22 streams of 1(st) to 3(rd) order. Sampling resulted in 3035 specimens belonging to 117 species, 27 families and six orders. The most abundant species were Bryconops aff. melanurus, Hemigrammus belottii, and Hemigrammus analis. Four undescribed species were recognized, one of which is known only from the area of this study. A significant dissimilarity was observed in fish species composition among drainage systems. This is the first survey of the stream ichthyofauna in the Tapajós National Forest, and it presents relevant information for future studies and decision-making in the management and conservation of fish fauna in this conservation unit.

ResumoA ictiofauna de riachos na Floresta Nacional do Tapajós foi inventariada e uma lista de espécies é apresentada. As amostragens foram realizadas de 2012 a 2013 durante o período de águas baixas. Os peixes foram coletados com redes de arrasto e peneiras em 22 riachos de 1ª a 3ª ordem. As amostragens resultaram em 3035 espécimes pertencentes a 117 espécies, 27 famílias e seis ordens. As espécies mais abundantes foram Bryconops aff. melanurus, Hemigrammus belottii and Hemigrammus analis. Quatro espécies novas foram reconhecidas, sendo uma conhecida apenas da área de estudo até o presente momento. Foi observada uma dissimilaridade significativa na composição de espécies de peixes entre os sistemas de drenagem. Esse é o primeiro inventário da ictiofauna de riachos na Floresta Nacional do Tapajós e apresenta informações relevantes para subsidiar estudos futuros e a tomada de decisões no gerenciamento da ictiofauna nessa Unidade de Conservação.

Bryconops munduruku (Characiformes: Characidae), a new species of fish from the lower Tapajós River basin, Brazil.

A new species of Bryconops is described from a right tributary of the lower Tapajós River, State of Pará, Brazil. Bryconops munduruku, sp. nov., differs from its congeners, except B. inpai and B. piracolina, by having a black adipose fin (vs. adipose fin hyaline in alcohol) and, except B. inpai, by possessing two humeral blotches (vs. lack of humeral blotch or only one humeral blotch). Bryconops munduruku differs from B. inpai by having a uniform color pattern on the posterior portion of the side of the body (vs. a dark stripe extending posteriorly from the half of the anal-fin base onto the base of the middle caudal-fin rays). It differs further from B. inpai and B. piracolina by the presence of a black adipose fin that is hyaline along its base (vs. entirely black adipose fin in B. inpai and B. piracolina). The new species is allocated in the subgenus Creatochanes by having a maxillary bone with one to three teeth on both sides, and its posterior extension reaching the junction of second and third infraorbital bones.

Description of a new species of Tatia from rio Tocantins drainage, central Brazil, with notes on Tatia simplex Mees, 1974 (Siluriformes, Auchenipteridae)

Tatia comprises twenty-five valid species, distributed in the main inland watersheds of South America, including the Orinoco, Essequibo, and coastal rivers of Suriname, Amazon, upper rio Paraná and São Francisco basins. A new species is described from tributaries of upper rio Manuel Alves on uplands of Serra Geral do Tocantins plateau, Tocantins State, Brazil. It is promptly distinguished from all congeners, except Tatia britskii, due to absence of an adipose fin. It differs from T. britskii by the longer caudal peduncle length (24.1-30.5% SL, mean 25.3 vs. 20.0-22.7, mean 20.9); caudal peduncle depth (10.9-16.8 SL, mean 14.1 vs. 9.4-10.5, mean 9.8), and anterior cranial border with mesethmoid width equals its length (vs. width approximately three times its length in T. britskii). Additionally, information regarding the poorly known species Tatia simplex originally described from rio das Mortes, is provided.(AU)

Tatia abriga vinte e cinco espécies válidas distribuídas nos maiores sistemas fluviais de águas interiores da América do Sul, como o Orinoco, Essequibo, e rios costeiros do Suriname, Amazonas, alto Paraná e São Francisco. Uma espécie nova é descrita para tributários do alto rio Manuel Alves, nos contrafortes da Serra Geral do Tocantins, estado do Tocantins, Brasil. A espécie nova é facilmente distinguida de todos os congêneres, exceto Tatia britskii, pela ausência de nadadeira adiposa. Difere de T. britskii pelo maior comprimento do pedúnculo caudal (24,1-30,5% CP, média 25,3 vs. 20,0-22,7% CP, média 20,9); altura do pedúnculo caudal (10,9-16,8 SL, mean 14,1 vs. 9,4-10,5, mean 9,8) e margem craniana anterior com largura do mesetmoide igual a seu comprimento (vs. largura aproximadamente três vezes no seu comprimento em T. britskii). Adicionalmente, são fornecidas informações sobre Tatia simplex, uma espécie pouco conhecida, descrita para o rio das Mortes.(AU)

Revision of Tympanopleura Eigenmann (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) with description of two new species

The Neotropical catfish genus Tympanopleura, previously synonymized within Ageneiosus, is revalidated and included species are reviewed. Six species are recognized, two of which are described as new. Tympanopleura is distinguished from Ageneiosus by having an enlarged gas bladder not strongly encapsulated in bone; a prominent pseudotympanum consisting of an area on the side of the body devoid of epaxial musculature where the gas bladder contacts the internal coelomic wall; short, blunt head without greatly elongated jaws; and smaller adult body size. Species of Tympanopleura are distinguished from each other on the basis of unique meristic, morphometric, and pigmentation differences. Ageneiosus melanopogon and Tympanopleura nigricollis are junior synonyms of Tympanopleura atronasus. Tympanopleura alta is a junior synonym of Tympanopleura brevis. A lectotype is designated for T. brevis. Ageneiosus madeirensis is a junior synonym of Tympanopleura rondoni. Tympanopleura atronasus, T. brevis, T. longipinna, and T. rondoni are relatively widespread in the middle and upper Amazon River basin. Tympanopleura cryptica is described from relatively few specimens collected in the upper portion of the Amazon River basin in Peru and the middle portion of that basin in Brazil. Tympanopleura piperata is distributed in the upper and middle Amazon River basin, as well as in the Essequibo River drainage of Guyana.

O gênero de bagres neotropicais Tympanopleura, anteriormente sinonimizado em Ageneiosus, é revalidado e as espécies incluídas são revisadas. Seis espécies são reconhecidas, duas das quais são descritas como novas. O gênero Tympanopleura é distinto de Ageneiosus por possuir uma bexiga natatória grande e não fortemente encapsulada em osso; um pseudotímpano proeminente consistindo de uma área no lado do corpo sem musculatura epaxial onde a bexiga natatória contacta a parede interna da cavidade celômica; cabeça curta, sem mandíbulas muito prolongadas, e menor tamanho do corpo de adultos. Espécies de Tympanopleura são distintas umas das outras com base em diferenças únicas em dados merísticos, morfométricos e de pigmentação. Ageneiosus melanopogon e Tympanopleura nigricollis são sinônimos júnior de Tympanopleura atronasus. Tympanopleura alta é um sinônimo júnior de Tympanopleura brevis. Um lectótipo é designado para T. brevis. Ageneiosus madeirensis é sinônimo júnior de Tympanopleura rondoni. Tympanopleura atronasus, T. brevis, T. longipinna e T. rondoni são relativamente bem distribuídas nas porções média e alta da bacia Amazônica. Tympanopleura cryptica é descrita a partir de alguns espécimes coletados na porção alta da bacia Amazônica no Peru e porção média dessa bacia no Brasil. Tympanopleura piperata está distribuída nas regiões alta e média da bacia Amazônica, bem como na drenagem do rio Essequibo, na Guiana.

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.

Ageneiosus uranophthalmus, a new species of auchenipterid catfish (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes) from river channels of the central Amazon basin, Brazil

Ageneiosus uranophthalmus is described from river channels of the central Amazon basin, Brazil. The new species is widely distributed in the Amazon and is distinguished from its congeners by the V-shape snout and eye laterally placed and dorsally oriented, more visible in dorsal view than in ventral view. Ageneiosus uranophthalmus shows a range of variation on color pattern when compared with its congeners. This and other differences are described and discussed herein.

Ageneiosus uranophthalmus é descrita de canais de rios da bacia amazônica, Brasil. A nova espécie se distingue das demais congêneres pelo focinho em forma de V e por possuir olhos laterais e dirigidos dorsalmente, mais visíveis em vista dorsal do que em vista ventral. Ageneiosus uranophthalmus mostra uma grande variação de padrão de colorido quando comparado com outras espécies do gênero. Esta e outras diferenças são descritas e discutidas.

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.

Three new Pimelodus species (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) from the rio Tocantins drainage, Brazil

Three new species of Siluriformes from the rio Tocantins drainage of Brazil are placed in the genus Pimelodus, P. stewarti, P. joannis, and P. halisodous. Pimelodus halisodous differs from the sympatric P. joannis and P. stewarti by the number of premaxillary tooth rows (13-16 vs. 5-9). Pimelodus joannis differs from P. stewarti by the presence of two dark blotches on the base of the caudal fin. The three new species differ from all other species of Pimelodus by the possession of a uniform gray coloration along flanks; the relatively short distance between the posterior nostril and the anterior orbital border; a short maxillary barbel, that only slightly surpasses the caudal-fin base.

Três espécies novas de Siluriformes da bacia do rio Tocantins são alocadas no gênero Pimelodus: P. stewarti, P. joannis e P. halisodous. Pimelodus halisodous difere das espécies simpátricas P. joannis e P. stewarti pelo número de fileiras de dentes do pré-maxilar (13-16 vs. 5-9). Pimelodus joannis difere de P. stewarti pela presença de duas manchas negras na base na nadadeira caudal. As três novas espécies diferem das demais espécies de Pimelodus pela coloração cinza uniforme ao longo dos flancos; curta distância entre a narina posterior e a margem anterior da orbita; e barbilhões maxilares curtos, ultrapassando levemente a base da nadadeira caudal.

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.