Anatomy and homology of the accessory electric organs of the toothless knifefishes (Rhamphichthyoidea: Gymnotiformes).

We describe the anatomy and histology of the accessory electric organs of several knifefish taxa. Accessory electric organs are observed among Rhamphichthyoidea in the opercular, mental and humeral regions. Within this group, some species of Brachyhypopomus possess an accessory electric organ in the opercular region. Rhamphichthyinae and Steatogenys possess accessory electric organs in the mental region of the body that differs in many aspects, such as general electrocyte shape and its number of caudal ridges. Steatogenys, Hypopygus and Rhamphichthys possess an accessory electric organ in the humeral region that differs in position, electrocyte configuration and shape. Electrocytes of both humeral and mental accessory electric organs in Steatogenys share a number of common features (e.g., electrocyte shape and innervation pattern), which distinguishes them from the electric organs of related groups. Rhamphichthys has an accessory electric organ in the humeral (specifically subpectoral) region, which has not previously been reported in the literature and differs in arrangement and electrocyte shape from those previously described electric organs of other taxa. Homology of these accessory electric organs is discussed in the context of hypothesized relationships among rhamphichthyoid taxa, indicating that accessory electric organs originated multiple times with apparently no subsequent losses.

Gymnotus refugio, a new and endangered species of electric fish of the Gymnotus pantherinus species-group from southern Brazil (Gymnotiformes: Gymnotidae).

Gymnotus refugio, new species, is described from coastal rivers of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina states, Brazil. It is diagnosed from most species of the Gymnotus pantherinus species-group by the coloration pattern, further differing from G. pantherinus and G. capitimaculatus on the basis of morphometric and meristic characters. The new species represents the most meridional record of the G. pantherinus species-group.

Reproduction and feeding of the electric fish Brachyhypopomus gauderio (Gymnotiformes: Hypopomidae) and the discussion of a life history pattern for gymnotiforms from high latitudes.

The reproductive biology and feeding habits of the electric fish Brachyhypopomus gauderio were studied. The species has seasonal reproductive behavior, with breeding occurring during the Southern Hemisphere spring and summer, and having a positive relation with the photoperiod variation. Brachyhypopomus gauderio was defined as a fractional spawner, with low relative fecundity and high first maturation size. Sexual dimorphism was registered, males undergoing hypertrophy of the distal portion of caudal filament. The results on reproductive biology herein obtained are in agreement with data concerning gymnotiforms from Southern Brazil and Uruguay, pointing to an ecological pattern for the species from high latitudes, differing from species with tropical distribution. According to the analysis of the food items, B. gauderio feed mainly on autochthonous insects, likewise the other gymnotiforms previously investigated, leading to conclude that there is no variation on the diet of the species of the order related to climatic conditions or even to habitat of occurrence.

Sperm ultrastructure in three different families of weakly electric fishes (Teleostei: Gymnotiformes)

This study presents details of sperm ultrastructure for Gymnotus aff. carapo (Gymnotidae), Eigenmannia trilineata (Sternopygidae), and three Brachyhypopomus species (B. draco, B. bombilla, and B. gauderio - Hypopomidae) from southern Brazil. Differences were found among the representatives of the different families. For example, nuclear rotation was present in E. trilineata and in the Brachyhypopomus species, but absent in Gymnotus aff. carapo, and the presence of flagellar fins was only observed in E. trilineata. Some intraspecific variations could also be noticed among the Brachyhypopomus species analyzed. Most of the characters found in the spermatozoa of the species studied herein are shared with species of Gymnotiformes previously analyzed.

Este estudo apresenta detalhes sobre a ultraestrutura do espermatozoide de Gymnotus aff. carapo (Gymnotidae), Eigenmannia trilineata (Sternopygidae), e três espécies de Brachyhypopomus (B. draco, B. bombilla, e B. gauderio - Hypopomidae) do sul do Brasil. Diferenças foram encontradas entre os representantes das diferentes famílias, como por exemplo a presença de rotação nuclear em E. trilineata e nas espécies de Brachyhypopomus e a ausência em G. aff. carapo, e a presença de aletas laterais no flagelo observada somente em E. trilineata. Algumas variações intraespecíficas também puderam ser registradas entre as espécies de Brachyhypopomus analisadas. A maioria das características encontradas nos espermatozoides das espécies aqui analisadas são compartilhadas com as demais espécies de Gymnotifomes previamente analisadas.

Reproductive biology of weakly electric fish Eigenmannia trilineata López and Castello, 1966 (Teleostei, Sternopygidae)

This study described the reproductive biology of a population of the weakly electric fish Eigenmannia trilineata from southern Brazil, providing the information on the estimation of reproductive period, fecundity, spawning type, first maturation size, and analysis of gonadal morphology and histology of the species, relating these data to alimentary and abiotic characters. The species showed a relatively long reproductive period, a relative fecundity of 0.27 oocytes per mg of total weight and a parcelled spawning type. First maturation size estimated for the females was 80.5 mm and for the males 63.5 mm of total length. Sex ratio did not differ from 1:1 under a X²test (α= 0.01) during all the sampled months. Sexual dimorphism was related to total length, and males had larger total length than females. The abiotic factors photoperiod and water conductivity presented significant correlations with female GSI, while male GSI presented a significant correlation only with photoperiod.

Este trabalho descreve a biologia reprodutiva de uma população do peixe elétrico Eigenmannia trilineata do Sul do Brasil. São apresentadas informações a respeito do período reprodutivo, fecundidade, tipo de desova, tamanho de primeira maturação, morfologia e histologia das gônadas da espécie, relacionando estes dados a caracteres alimentares e abióticos. A espécie apresentou período reprodutivo relativamente longo, com fecundidade relativa de 0,27 ovócito por miligrama do peso da fêmea e desova do tipo parcelada. O tamanho de primeira maturação gonadal estimado para fêmeas foi 80,5 mm e para machos, 63,5 mm de comprimento total. A proporção sexual, testada pelo teste X² (Α= 0.01), foi de 1:1 durante todos os meses amostrados; dimorfismo sexual relacionado ao comprimento total foi detectado, possuindo os machos um maior comprimento total. Dos fatores abióticos testados, fotoperíodo e condutividade da água mostraram correlação significativa com o IGS das fêmeas, enquanto somente fotoperíodo apresentou-se relacionado ao IGS dos machos.

Reproductive biology of the Neotropical electric fish Brachyhypopomus draco (Teleostei: Hypopomidae) from southern Brazil

The reproductive biology of a population of the weakly electric fish Brachyhypopomus draco from southern Brazil is described. Information is provided on the establishment of the reproductive period in this species and its relations with environmental and feeding factors, as well as on the absolute and relative fecundities, spawning type, sex ratio and sexual dimorphism. The species exhibits a relatively long reproductive period, a relative fecundity of 0.173 oocytes per mg of female total weight, and fractional spawning. The sex ratio did not differ from 1:1 during all sampled months. Sexual dimorphism related to hypertrophy of the male's distal portion of caudal filament was observed and males grew to greater lengths than females. Male gonadosomatic index (GSI) was significantly related to water depth, oxygen saturation and temperature. Female GSI was significantly related to water depth and hepatosomatic index.(AU)

Descreve-se a biologia reprodutiva de uma população do peixe elétrico Brachyhypopomus draco do sul do Brasil. São apresentadas informações a respeito do período reprodutivo estabelecido e suas relações com fatores ambientais e alimentares, bem como a fecundidade absoluta e relativa, tipo de desova, proporção sexual e dimorfismo sexual. A espécie apresentou um período reprodutivo relativamente longo, uma fecundidade relativa de 0,173 ovócitos por mg de peso total da fêmea e uma desova do tipo parcelada. A proporção sexual encontrada foi de 1:1 durante todos os meses amostrados. Dimorfismo sexual relacionado com a hipertrofia da porção distal do filamento caudal dos machos e com o tamanho total dos espécimes - machos atingindo tamanhos maiores do que as fêmeas - foi encontrado. O IGS dos machos foi significativamente relacionado com a profundidade da água, a saturação de oxigênio e a temperatura; o IGS das fêmeas foi significativamente relacionado com a profundidade da água e o índice hepatossomático.(AU)

Brachyhypopomus draco, a new sexually dimorphic species of Neotropical electric fish from southern South America (Gymnotiformes: Hypopomidae)

Brachyhypopomus draco, new species, is described from central, southern and coastal regions of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, and Uruguay. It is diagnosed from congeners by, among other characters, the shape of the distal portion of the caudal filament in mature males, which during the reproductive period forms a distinct paddle shape structure.

Brachyhypopomus draco, espécie nova, é descrita para as regiões central, sul e costeira do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, e Uruguai. Ela é diagnosticada de seus congêneres, entre outros caracteres, pela porção final do filamento caudal de machos maduros, que adquire a forma de um remo durante o período reprodutivo.