[Ichthyology • 2018] Using Morphology to Test DNA-Based Phylogenetic Relationships within the Guiana Shield Catfish Tribe Lithoxini (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)

 Avalithoxus jantjae AUM 39478 (31.9 mm SL), Exastilithoxus fimbriatus AUM 36668 (23.6 mm SL), Lithoxus lithoides AUM 39040 (43.0 mm SL), Paralithoxus bovallii AUM 67127 (51.7 mm SL), P. sp. nov. aff. bovallii (Konawaruk) AUM 35549 (42.6 mm SL), P. planquettei AUM 50395 (47.0 mm SL), and P. surinamensis AUM 51737 (34.7 mm SL). 

in Armbruster, Greene & Lujan, 2018.  

 DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-121 

Photos by Jonathan W. Armbruster. facebook.com/JonArmbruster56

As DNA-based phylogenetic analyses have exploded, historically phenotype-based evolutionary hypotheses throughout the tree of life have been rewritten. However, rarely are DNA-based phylogenetic hypotheses tested via the reanalysis of phenotypic data. Skeletons representing all four recognized genera of the Guiana Shield endemic suckermouth armored catfish clade Lithoxini were examined to test a recently published DNA-based phylogenetic hypothesis using morphological evidence. Phylogenetic analysis of 54 mostly osteological characters yielded a single most parsimonious tree of 90 steps that was congruent with the molecular hypothesis: (Avalithoxus, ((Exastilithoxus), (Lithoxus, Paralithoxus))). Lithoxini was a well-supported clade with 20 synapomorphies, as was each of the genera within this clade. Avalithoxus jantjae, which was originally described in Lithoxus, was found to be missing the unique synapomorphies of Lithoxus + Paralithoxus: a spoon-shaped, ventrally oriented process on the metapterygoid and a process on the preoperculo-hyomandibular ridge.

Fig. 6. Single most parsimonious tree of 90 steps, CI ¼ 0.722, numbers above branches are bootstrap values/Bremer decay indices. Avalithoxus jantjae AUM 39478 (31.9 mm SL), Exastilithoxus fimbriatus AUM 36668 (23.6 mm SL), Lithoxus lithoides AUM 39040 (43.0 mm SL), Paralithoxus bovallii AUM 67127 (51.7 mm SL), P. sp. nov. aff. bovallii (Konawaruk) AUM 35549 (42.6 mm SL), P. planquettei AUM 50395 (47.0 mm SL), and P. surinamensis AUM 51737 (34.7 mm SL). 

Photos by Jonathan W. Armbruster.

   

Jonathan W. Armbruster, Lauren Greene and Nathan K. Lujan. 2018. Using Morphology to Test DNA-Based Phylogenetic Relationships within the Guiana Shield Catfish Tribe Lithoxini (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). Copeia. 106(4); 671-680.  DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-121  

facebook.com/JonArmbruster56/posts/10156933381357138

[Ichthyology • 2018] Phylogenetic Classification of Extant Genera of Fishes of the Order Cypriniformes (Teleostei: Ostariophysi)

 Fishes of the Order Cypriniformes 

Tan & Armbruster, 2018. 

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4476.1.4  

 twitter.com/MTanIchthys   ffish.asia 

Abstract

The order Cypriniformes is the most diverse order of freshwater fishes. Recent phylogenetic studies have approached a consensus on the phylogenetic relationships of Cypriniformes and proposed a new phylogenetic classification of family-level groupings in Cypriniformes. The lack of a reference for the placement of genera amongst families has hampered the adoption of this phylogenetic classification more widely. We herein provide an updated compilation of the membership of genera to suprageneric taxa based on the latest phylogenetic classifications. We propose a new taxon: subfamily Esominae within Danionidae, for the genus Esomus.

Keywords: Pisces, Cyprinidae, Cobitoidei, Cyprinoidei, carps, minnows

Milton Tan and Jonathan W. Armbruster. 2018. Phylogenetic Classification of Extant Genera of Fishes of the Order Cypriniformes (Teleostei: Ostariophysi). Zootaxa. 4476(1); 6–39.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4476.1.4  

 twitter.com/MTanIchthys/status/1040076374223060992

 ffish.asia

[Ichthyology • 2016] Peckoltia wernekei • A New Species of Peckoltia (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from the Upper Orinoco River in Amazonas State, Venezuela

Figure 5. Live photos of A Peckoltia lujani (uncataloged), photograph by N.K. Lujan, and
B Peckoltia wernekei sp. n. AUM 39313 (was used as a live photo of P. vittata in Armbruster 2008).

Photograph by M.H. Sabaj Pérez.  DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.569.6630

Abstract

A new species of the suckermouth armored catfish genus Peckoltia is described from the lower Ventuari River, a tributary of the upper Orinoco River in Amazonas State, Venezuela. Specimens of this species were formerly included in the wide-ranging Amazonian species P. vittata, but a recent molecular phylogeny found Orinoco individuals to be distantly related to Amazon Basin individuals spanning the range of P. vittata syntypes. Detailed morphological examination confirmed distinctiveness of Orinoco specimens, and found them to be diagnosable from true P. vittata by having generally greater than 25 teeth (vs. less), spots on the nape (vs. nape lacking spots), the upper lip with two to three black bar-shaped markings in a line like a moustache (vs. lips generally with a hyaline wash), and by the snout having a medial black line disconnected from the moustache markings (vs. medial snout stripe connected to a bar just above the lip). Peckoltia wernekei displays remarkable genetic similarity to its sister species, P. lujani, but differs morphologically by having dentary tooth rows meet at an angle less than 90° (vs. >90°), by having large faint blotches on the abdomen (vs. abdomen with no blotches), by a smaller internares width (21.2–26.6% vs. 28.5–46.5% of interorbital width), and a larger dorsal spine (148.1–178.6% vs. 80.1–134.5% of abdominal length).

Keywords: Ancistrini, Hypostominae, Molecular Phylogeny, Morphology, Peckoltia, Systematics, Taxonomy

Taxonomy

Peckoltia wernekei Armbruster & Lujan, sp. n.

http://zoobank.org/3488FBE3-34F0-4F5B-94D2-60BFA849D945

Peckoltia aff. vittata (Orinoco) Lujan et al., 2015 [molecular phylogeny]

Type locality: Ventuari River drainage, Amazonas State, Venezuela, South America

Holotype: AUM 54314, 104.6 mm SL, VENEZUELA, Amazonas State, Ventuari River drainage, Marujeta Creek, 159 km E of San Fernando de Atabapo, 04.2948°, -066.2889°, N.K. Lujan, M. Sabaj Pérez, D.C. Werneke, T. Carvalho, V. Meza-Vargas, 02 April 2010.

Diagnosis: Peckoltia wernekei can be separated from all other Peckoltia by having a broken black line of pigment on the upper jaw (vs. solid line of pigment along snout edge or snout uniformly colored or mottled). Peckoltia wernekei can be further separated from P. vittata by generally having 25 or more teeth in at least one dentary or one premaxilla (vs. generally 24 or fewer; one specimen of P. wernekei had both upper and lower jaws with <25 teeth/ramus), by having a largely naked abdomen (abdomen with a few plates below pectoral girdle, between pelvic fins and along sides of abdomen; vs. most of ventral surface from the throat to the anus with small plates), and by having large, faint blotches on the abdomen (vs. abdomen uniform). Peckoltia wernekei can be further separated from upper Orinoco congeners as follows: from P. brevis and P. lineola by lacking short lines and spots on the head (vs. lines and spots present), from P. brevis, P. caenosa and P. lineola by having a largely naked abdomen (vs. abdomen fully plated), and by generally having 25 or more teeth per jaw ramus (vs. 22 or fewer in P. brevis, 21 or fewer in P. caenosa, and 19 or fewer in P. lineola); from P. lujani by having the dentaries meet at an angle less than 90° (vs. >90°), by having large, faint blotches on the abdomen (vs. abdomen with no blotches), by a smaller internares width to interorbital width ratio (21.2–26.6% vs. 28.5–46.5%), and a larger dorsal spine to abdominal length ratio (148.1–178.6% vs. 80.1–134.5%); and from P. sabaji by having bands in the dorsal and caudal fins (vs. spots) and prominent dorsal saddles on the body (vs. large spots).

Distribution: Known only from the Ventuari River, a right-bank tributary of the upper Orinoco River in Amazonas State, Venezuela (Fig. 7).

Etymology: Patronym honoring David C. Werneke, Collection Manager of Fishes at the Auburn University Museum, for his diligence, camaraderie and humor during three expeditions to the upper Orinoco Basin and for his long service as a Collection Manager at Auburn University.

Jonathan W. Armbruster and Nathan K. Lujan. 2016. A New Species of Peckoltia from the Upper Orinoco (Siluriformes, Loricariidae). ZooKeys. 569: 105-121. DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.569.6630

[Ichthyology • 2016] The Genera Isorineloricaria and Aphanotorulus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) with Description of A New Species, Isorineloricaria acuarius, from the Apure River basin of Venezuela

Isorineloricaria acuarius

 Ray & Armbruster, 2016

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4072.5.1 

Abstract

We review the complex history of those species included in the Hypostomus emarginatus species complex and recognize them in Isorineloricaria and Aphanotorulus. Isorineloricaria consists of four valid species: Isorineloricaria acuarius n. sp., I. spinosissima, I. tenuicauda, and I. villarsi. Aphanotorulus consists of six valid species: A. ammophilus, A, emarginatus, A. gomesi, A. horridus, A. phrixosoma, and A. unicolor. Plecostomus annae and Hypostoma squalinum are placed in the synonymy of A. emarginatus; Plecostomus biseriatus, P. scopularius, and P. virescens are placed in the synonymy of A. horridus; Plecostomus winzi is placed in the synonymy of I. tenuicauda, and one new species, Isorineloricaria acuarius is described from the Apure River basin of Venezuela. Aphanotoroulus can be distinguished from Isorineloricaria by having caudal peduncles that do not become greatly lengthed with size and that are oval in cross section (vs. caudal peduncle proportions that get proportionately longer with size and that become round in cross-section), and by having small dark spots (less than half plate diameter) on a light tan background (vs. spots almost as large as lateral plates on a nearly white background.

Keywords: Pisces, Amazonas, Andean, Brazilian Shield, Guiana Shield, Hypostomus, Squaliforma, taxonomy


C.K. Ray and J.W. Armbruster. 2016. The Genera Isorineloricaria and Aphanotorulus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) with Description of A New Species.

Zootaxa. 4072(5): 501–539.   DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4072.5.1 

[Ichthyology • 2016] Hypancistrus phantasma & H. margaritatus • Two New Species of Spotted Hypancistrus from the Rio Negro drainage (Loricariidae, Hypostominae)

Hypancistrus phantasma and Hypancistrus margaritatus

Tan & Armbruster, 2016

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.552.5956 

Abstract

Two new species, Hypancistrus phantasma and Hypancistrus margaritatus, are described based on material from the Rio Negro drainage. Both species are distinguished from congeners by unique color patterns. Hypancistrus phantasma is described from the Rio Uaupes and differs from congeners by having a tan body with small dark spots (vs. dark with light spots or with saddles or stripes). Hypancistrus margaritatus is described from the Takutu River and differs from congeners by having densely-packed light spots on a dark brown background, with spots about the size of the nasal aperture (vs. sparse light spots either smaller or larger than the nasal aperture, or brown to black spots, saddles, or stripes).

Keywords: Siluriformes, Guyana, Brazil, taxonomy, suckermouth armored catfish, Neotropics

Milton Tan and Jonathan Armbruster. 2016. Two New Species of Spotted Hypancistrus from the Rio Negro drainage (Loricariidae, Hypostominae).  

ZooKeys. 552: 123-135. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.552.5956

[Ichthyology • 2007] Four New Hypancistrus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Amazonas, Venezuela; Hypancistrus contradens, H. debilittera, H. furunculus & H. lunaorum

Hypancistrus lunaorum, H. furunculus, and H. debilittera

Armbruster, Lujan & Taphorn, 2007

DOI: 10.1643/0045-8511(2007)7[62:FNHSLF]2.0.CO;2

Abstract

Hypancistrus contradens, H. debilittera, H. furunculus, and H. lunaorum are described based on specimens from the upper Río Orinoco of southern Venezuela. Hypancistrus furunculus differs from other Hypancistrus based on color pattern: distinct dark oblique stripes ending at posterior insertion of dorsal fin and vertical bands in caudal fin (vs. oblique stripes ending at end of caudal fin in H. zebra and thin, indistinct, light-colored bands and vermiculations on a dark background in H. debilittera) and color pattern dark with white spots in H. contradens, H. inspector, and H. lunaorum. Hypancistrus contradens and H. lunaorum differ from H. inspector by having the dorsal fin reaching the adipose fin when adpressed (vs. not reaching), having spots on the head the same size as the body or spots absent (vs. spots smaller on head) and by usually having 22–23 mid-ventral plates (vs. 24); and from H. debilittera, H. furunculus, and H. zebra by lacking bars, saddles, or stripes on the body and bands in the fins. Hypancistrus lunaorum differs from H. contradens by having white spots on the body smaller than nasal aperture diameter (vs. white spots larger than the nasal aperture diameter).

Armbruster, J.W., Lujan, N.K. and Taphorn, D.C. 2007. Four New Hypancistrus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Amazonas, Venezuela. Copeia. (1): 62–79.
DOI: 10.1643/0045-8511(2007)7[62:FNHSLF]2.0.CO;2

http://www.auburn.edu/academic/science_math/res_area/loricariid/fish_key/Hypanc/Hypancistrus4.pdf

Se describen como especies nuevas a Hypancistrus contradens, H. debilittera, H. furunculus, e H. lunaorum sobre la base de especímenes provenientes de la cuenca alta del río Orinoco en el sur de Venezuela. Hypancistrus furunculus difiere de todas las demás especies de Hypancistrus por su patrón de coloración: barras oscuras oblicuas en el cuerpo que terminan al nivel del punto posterior de la base de la aleta dorsal y bandas verticales en la aleta caudal (vs. barras oblicuas oscuras terminando en el borde posterior de la aleta caudal en H. zebra y barras delgadas, indistintas y de color claro con manchas iregulares vermiformes sobre un color base oscuro en H. debilittera) y patrón de coloración con puntos blancos en H. contradens, H. inspector, e H. lunaorum. Hypancistrus contradens e H. lunaorum difieren de H. inspector en que la aleta dorsal alcanza la aleta adiposa cuando esta plegada contra el cuerpo (vs. aleta dorsal que no alcanza la adiposa), los puntos de la cabeza son del mismo tamaño de los puntos del cuerpo, o carece de puntos (vs. puntos de la cabeza mas pequeños que los puntos del cuerpo) y en tener usualmente 22–23 placas medioventrales (vs. 24); estas especies difieren de H. debilittera, H. furunculus, e H. zebra en que tienen barras, manchas en forma de silla de montar o franjas en el cuerpo y bandas en las aletas. Hypancistrus lunaorum difiere de H. contradens en que los puntos blancos del cuerpo son más pequeños que el diámetro de la apertura nasal (vs. puntos blancos más grandes que el diámetro de la apertura nasal).

[Ichthyology • 2002] Hypancistrus inspector • A New Species of Suckermouth Armored Catfish (Loricariidae: Ancistrinae) from Venezuela

Hypancistrus inspector Armbruster, 2002

DOI: 10.1643/0045-8511(2002)002[0086:HIANSO]2.0.CO;2

Abstract

Hypancistrus inspector, a new species of suckermouth armored catfish from Venezuela, is described and compared to the only other species of Hypancistrus, Hypancistrus zebra. The two species differ mainly in coloration with H. inspector dark brown to black with pale yellow to white spots and H. zebra with a boldly contrasting pattern of black and white stripes. Hypancistrus is diagnosed based on the unique presence of a sharply angled adductor palatini crest and two reversals: wide anterior separation of the metapterygoid and lateral ethmoid and the loss of the lateral wall of the metapterygoid channel. Specimens of H. inspector were found to have many seeds in the intestine suggesting that the species is at least partially granivorous.

Range.— Known only from the upper río Orinoco and upper río Negro drainages, Amazonas, Venezuela (Fig. 4).

Ecology.— Collected from rocks and rapids. Gut contents reveal that in addition to algae and detritus, H. inspector also consumes seeds. Dicotyledonous seeds were separated into the two cotyledons while monocotyledenous seeds were apparently crushed.

Armbruster, J.W. 2002. Hypancistrus inspector: A New Species of Suckermouth Armored Catfish (Loricariidae: Ancistrinae). Copeia, 2002 (1): 86–92. DOI: 10.1643/0045-8511(2002)002[0086:HIANSO]2.0.CO;2

Armbruster, J.W., Lujan, N.K. and Taphorn, D.C. 2007. Four New Hypancistrus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Amazonas, Venezuela. Copeia. (1): 62–79. DOI: 10.1643/0045-8511(2007)7[62:FNHSLF]2.0.CO;2

Resumen: Hypancistrus inspector, una nueva especie de corroncho de Venezuela, se describe y compara con la única otra especie de Hypancistrus, Hypancistrus zebra. Las dos especies se diferencian principalmente en su coloración, con H. inspector de un color castaño obscuro a negro y con manchas de color amarillo claro a blanco, y H. zebra con lineas de color blanco y negro que contrastan. La diagnosticación de Hypancistrus se basa en la presencia única de una cresta adductora palatini de ángulo agudo y dos reversiones: una separación amplia anterior del metapterygoideo y el etmoideo lateral, y la pérdida de la pared lateral del canal metapterygoideo. En el intestino de los espécimenes de H. inspector se encontraron muchas semillas sugeriendo que los peces son granívoros por lo menos parcialmente.

[Ichthyology • 2009] Baryancistrus beggini • a New Black Baryancistrus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) with Blue Sheen from the Upper Orinoco

Abstract

Baryancistrus beggini, new species, is described from the upper Río Orinoco and lower portions of its tributaries, the Río Guaviare in Colombia and Río Ventuari in Venezuela. Baryancistrus beggini is unique within Hypostominae in having a uniformly dark black to brown base color with a blue sheen in life, and the first three to five plates of the midventral series strongly bent, forming a distinctive keel above the pectoral fins along each side of the body. It is further distinguished by having a naked abdomen, two to three symmetrical and ordered predorsal plate rows including the nuchal plate, and the last dorsal-fin ray adnate with adipose fin via a posterior membrane that extends beyond the preadipose plate up to half the length of the adipose-fin spine.

Lujan, N.K., Arce, M. & Armbruster, J.W. 2009. A New Black Baryancistrus with Blue Sheen from the Upper Orinoco (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). Copeia. 2009 (1): 50-56.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1643/CI-07-187

http://www.asihcopeiaonline.org/doi/abs/10.1643/CI-07-187

http://magical-creatures.blogspot.com/2009/02/l239baryancistrus-beggini.html

[Ichthyology • 2008] Hemiancistrus pankimpuju • a new deep water specialized loricariid catfish (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from main channels of the upper and middle Amazon Basin

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=756

Hemiancistrus pankimpuju 

Lujan & Chamon, 2008

Lujan, N.K., and C. Chamon. 2008. Two new species of Loricariidae (Teleostei: Siluriformes) from main channels of the upper and middle Amazon Basin, with discussion of deep water specialization in loricariids. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. 19: 271–282.

http://www.auburn.edu/~armbrjw/Armbruster_Lab/Publications.html

http://aquaticecology.tamu.edu/files/2014/07/Lujan-2008b.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2008] Hemiancistrus cerrado • A new species of Hemiancistrus catfish (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the rio Araguaia basin, Goiás state, Brazilian Cerrado

Hemiancistrus cerrado is described from the tributaries of rio Araguaia, rio Tocantins basin. Hemiancistrus cerrado has external similarities with H. megalopteryx and H. punctulatus from coastal streams of southern Brazil, and can be distinguished by having a larger internarial width, 15.9-21.1% of head length (vs. 11.2-14.0% in H. megalopteryx and 11.2-13.9% in H. punctulatus) and, with little overlap, by the larger adipose-fin spine length, 9.4-13.6% of standard length (vs. 7.1-8.7% in H. megalopteryx and 7.4-10.0% in H. punctulatus). Hemiancistrus cerrado further differs from H. megalopteryx by having the pectoral-fin spine reaching maximally to the middle of the pelvic-fin spine when adpressed in adult males (vs. reaching tip). Hemiancistrus cerrado differs from other members of Hemiancistrus by color and numerous morphometric and meristic data.

Key words: Neotropics, Catfish, Ancistrini, Cerrado, Taxonomy.

Distribution and habitat. Known from rio do Bugre, rio Vermelho and probably rio do Peixe, tributaries of rio Araguaia in Goiás State, Tocantins Basin (Fig. 3). Collected in second order streams in swift rocky riffles

Etymology. Named after the Brazilian Cerrado, where the species is found. A noun in apposition.

Souza, Lesley S. de; Melo, Marcelo R. S.; Chamon, Carine C.; Armbruster, Jonathan W. 2008. A new species of Hemiancistrus from the rio Araguaia basin, Goiás state, Brazil (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). Neotropical Ichthyology. 6 (3): 419–424.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1679-62252008000300015

[Ichthyology • 2005] Baryancistrus demantoides • a new uniquely colored species of catfish (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Venezuela

Baryancistrus demantoides and Hemiancistrus subviridis are two new species of loricariids from southern Venezuela with an olive ground coloration and white to cream-colored or golden-yellow spots. Baryancistrus demantoides is known only from the upper río Orinoco drainage while H. subviridis is also known from the río Casiquiare drainage. In addition to its coloration, B. demantoides can be distinguished from all other ancistrins by having the dorsal and adipose fins connected by an expanded posterior section of the dorsal-fin membrane, golden-yellow spots confined to the anterior portion of the body, and greater than 30 teeth per jaw ramus. Hemiancistrus subviridis can be separated from all other ancistrins by coloration, lacking a connection between the dorsal and adipose fins and having less than 30 teeth per jaw ramus.

Key words: Ancistrini, Catfish, Hypostominae, Neotropics, South America

Range. Baryancistrus demantoides is known from the río Orinoco at its confluence with the río Ventuari and the lower río Ventuari upstream into the río Guapuchi (Fig. 3).

Etymology. The specific name refers to a demantoid, a type of garnet that ranges in color from yellowish green to brownish green and it is in reference to the color of the fish. The word comes from the obsolete German word diemant meaning diamond and the Greek suffix -oïdes meaning to resemble.

Werneke, David C.; Sabaj, Mark H.; Lujan, Nathan K.; Armbruster, Jonathan W. 2005. Baryancistrus demantoides and Hemiancistrus subviridis, two new uniquely colored species of catfishes from Venezuela (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). Neotropical Ichthyology. (Sociedade Brasileira de Ictiologia) 3 (4): 533–542. 

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1679-62252005000400011

[Ichthyology • 2005] Hemiancistrus subviridis • a new uniquely colored species of catfish (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Venezuela

Baryancistrus demantoides and Hemiancistrus subviridis are two new species of loricariids from southern Venezuela with an olive ground coloration and white to cream-colored or golden-yellow spots. Baryancistrus demantoides is known only from the upper río Orinoco drainage while H. subviridis is also known from the río Casiquiare drainage. In addition to its coloration, B. demantoides can be distinguished from all other ancistrins by having the dorsal and adipose fins connected by an expanded posterior section of the dorsal-fin membrane, golden-yellow spots confined to the anterior portion of the body, and greater than 30 teeth per jaw ramus. Hemiancistrus subviridis can be separated from all other ancistrins by coloration, lacking a connection between the dorsal and adipose fins and having less than 30 teeth per jaw ramus.

Key words: Ancistrini, Catfish, Hypostominae, Neotropics, South America

Range. Hemiancistrus subviridis is known from the río Orinoco upstream of Atures rapids to río Iguapo, the río Ventuari, and the río Casiquiare upstream of the río Siapa (Fig. 3).

Etymology. From the Latin subviridis meaning greenish in reference to the olive base color in life.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=20727

Werneke, David C.; Sabaj, Mark H.; Lujan, Nathan K.; Armbruster, Jonathan W. 2005. Baryancistrus demantoides and Hemiancistrus subviridis, two new uniquely colored species of catfishes from Venezuela (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). Neotropical Ichthyology. (Sociedade Brasileira de Ictiologia) 3 (4): 533–542. 

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1679-62252005000400011

[Ichthyology • 2005] Hemiancistrus guahiborum • a new suckermouth armored catfish (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Southern Venezuela

Hemiancistrus guahiborum 

Werneke, Armbruster, Lujan & Taphorn, 2005

Hemiancistrus guahiborum, new species, is described from the Orinoco River drainage of Venezuela. Hemiancistrus guahiborum can be separated from all other Hemiancistrus and all Peckoltia except P. braueri and P. cavatica by having an orange edge to the dorsal and caudal fins. Hemiancistrus guahiborum can be separated from Peckoltia cavatica and P. braueri by having the dorsal fin with separated light spots or uniformly colored (vs. with dark spots forming bands) and the sides either solidly colored or with tan blotches (vs. with dark dorsal saddles).

Key words: Ancistrini, Hypostominae, South America, Systematics.

Etymology. Named for the Guahibo, a tribe of people inhabiting parts of southern Venezuela and western Colombia for the help some members of the tribe provided in collecting specimens in the upper río Ventuari.

Discussion: 

Hemiancistrus guahiborum is one of the most common ancistrins in the upper Orinoco River basin. It is found in both granitic and lateritic rocky habitats with flow, where it was caught in abundance. Hemiancistrus guahiborum feeds by scraping periphyton and ingesting both the sediment matrix deposited from the water column, and attached algae and benthic macroinvertebrates. Other loricariids commonly collected with H. guahiborum were Hypostomus squalinus, Hemiancistrus subviridis, Peckoltia sabaji, and P. aff vittata. Although the range of H. guahiborum encompasses a region where loricariids are intensively harvested for the ornamental fish trade and it is one of the most abundant loricariids in the area, it is not commonly exported. Despite its often quite attractive appearance when alive, it is typically passed over by fishermen seeking the more strikingly colored species with which it is sympatric.

Werneke, David C.; Armbruster, Jonathan W.; Lujan, Nathan K.; Taphorn, Donald C. 2005. Hemiancistrus guahiborum, a new suckermouth armored catfish from Southern Venezuela (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). Neotropical Ichthyology. (Sociedade Brasileira de Ictiologia) 3 (4): 543–548.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1679-62252005000400012

[Ichthyology • 2010] Description of Neblinichthys brevibracchium & N. echinasus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) • from the upper Mazaruni River, Guyana

Neblinichthys echinasus, new species

Abstract

Neblinichthys brevibracchium and N. echinasus are new sympatric species from upland tributaries of the Mazaruni River (Essequibo River basin) of Guyana. These two new species are the first Neblinichthys reported from Guyana. Adult males of both new species have short pectoral-fin spines and several series of hypertrophied odontodes covering the entire dorsal surface and along the entire edge of the snout. They are distinguished from each other by dorsal-fin base length/standard length (18.1-22.8% in N. brevibracchium vs. 24.3-27.0% in N. echinasus), dorsal-anal distance/SL (13.7-18.3% in N. brevibracchium vs. 11.9-12.5% in N. echinasus), by having the snout decreasing in steep arc just anterior to eyes and then flattening in area anterior of nares in N. brevibracchium vs. the snout tapering shallowly and continuously from eyes to snout tip in N. echinasus); and by having the adpressed dorsal fin reaching the anterior preadipose plate in N. brevibracchium (vs. not reaching anterior preadipose plate in N. echinasus). They are distinguished from all congeners by lacking odontodes on the opercle (vs. odontodes present); and by completely lacking an iris operculum (vs. congeners with small iris operculum present or at least dorsal portion of iris flat instead of rounded). Neblinichthys echinasus and N. brevibracchium differ from all congeners by having a spotted or vermiculated pigment pattern on the abdomen (vs. abdomen plain); in N. echinasus the abdomen is darkly pigmented with bold white spots and in Neblinichthys brevibracchium the abdomen is light-colored with gray spots and vermiculations. Neblinichthys brevibracchium and N. echinasus differ from N. roraima by having one to two preadipose plates (vs. four or more). New observations revealed Neblinichthys roraima and N. yaravi to be distinct, with N. roraima having four or more preadipose plates and N. yaravi having one or two. Both are present in the upper río Caroní, an Orinoco tributary that drains the slopes of Mount Roraima and other mountains of the Pacaraima Range in Venezuela and interdigitates with headwaters of the Mazaruni River.

Key words: Essequibo, Guiana Shield, Isolation, Endemism, Punk Catfish.

Neblinichthys brevibracchium, new species

Taphorn, Armbruster, López-Fernández & Bernard, 2010. Description of Neblinichthys brevibracchium and N. echinasus from the upper Mazaruni River, Guyana (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), and recognition of N. roraima and N. yaravi as distinct species. Neotrop. Ichthyol. 8(3). http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1679-62252010000300006

[Ichthyology • 2010] Recognition of Punk Catfish | Neblinichthys roraima and N. yaravi as distinct species (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) • from the Pacaraima Range in Venezuela

Neblinichthys roraima Provenzano, Lasso & Ponte, 1995

Neblinichthys yaravi (Steindachner, 1915)

Abstract

Neblinichthys brevibracchium and N. echinasus are new sympatric species from upland tributaries of the Mazaruni River (Essequibo River basin) of Guyana. These two new species are the first Neblinichthys reported from Guyana. .....  Neblinichthys brevibracchium and N. echinasus differ from N. roraima by having one to two preadipose plates (vs. four or more). 

New observations revealed Neblinichthys roraima and N. yaravi to be distinct, with N. roraima having four or more preadipose plates and N. yaravi having one or two. Both are present in the upper río Caroní, an Orinoco tributary that drains the slopes of Mount Roraima and other mountains of the Pacaraima Range in Venezuela and interdigitates with headwaters of the Mazaruni River.

Key words: Essequibo, Guiana Shield, Isolation, Endemism, Punk Catfish.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=1096

Taphorn, Armbruster, López-Fernández & Bernard, 2010. Description of Neblinichthys brevibracchium and N. echinasus from the upper Mazaruni River, Guyana (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), and recognition of N. roraima and N. yaravi as distinct species. Neotrop. Ichthyol. 8(3). http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1679-62252010000300006

http://www.auburn.edu/academic/science_math/res_area/loricariid/fish_key/neblin/neblin.html

[Ichthyology • 2008] The genus Peckoltia | Peckoltia caenosa & P. lineola • two new loricariid catfish and a reanalysis of the phylogeny of the genera of the Hypostominae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)

Live pictures of A. Peckoltia bachi, AUM 45592, B. Peckoltia braueri, AUM 38882, 

C. Peckoltia brevis, D. Peckoltia cavatica, UG/CSBD 11043, holotype, 

E. Peckoltia lineola, paratype, F. Peckoltia vittata, AUM 39313.  

Photographs by N.K. Lujan (A) and M.H. Sabaj (B-F).

Abstract

Peckoltia contains 12 described species, eight of which are considered valid.  Peckoltia arenaria, P. filicaudata, and P. ucayalensis are recognized as synonyms of P. bachi and P. kuhlmanni is recognized as a synonym of P. vittata. In addition, two new species are described.  The type species of Peckoltichthys and Sophiancistrus are synonyms of P. bachi and both genera are recognized as junior synonyms of Peckoltia. The species of Peckoltia range throughout much of the Amazon basin, the upper Orinoco, the upper Essequibo, and perhaps the Maroni, and can be identified from most other ancistrins by having dentaries that form angle of 90° or less and from others with angled dentaries by lacking the synapomorphies of those genera.  The species of Peckoltia vary from one another mostly in coloration.  Peckoltia braueri, P. caenosa n. sp., P. cavatica and P. vittata lack spots on the head while the other species have them.  Peckoltia braueri and P. cavatica have orange bands in the dorsal and caudal fins and have the bones and plates of the head and nape outlined in black (vs. no orange bands and head plates and bones not outlined in black in P. caenosa and P. vittata).  Peckoltia caenosa has a color pattern consisting of dark vermiculations on the head and abdomen (vs. saddles or blotches on the head and faint dark spots on the abdomen in P. vittata).  Among the species with spots on the head, P. lineola n. sp. and P. vermiculata have some of the spots combining to form vermiculations (vs. spots free in P. bachi, P. brevis, P. furcata, and P. oligospila) with the vermiculations larger than the pupil in P. lineola and narrower in P. vermiculata and the vermiculations radiating from a central point in P. vermiculata vs. no such pattern in P. lineola.  Peckoltia bachi can be identified from the other species by having widened pelvic-fin spines that can be pulled ventrally such that they are completely ventral and parallel to the body (vs. pelvic-fin spines narrow and cannot be adducted ventral to body) and by having the eye low on the head (vs. high).  Peckoltia brevis can be identified from P. furcata and P. oligospila by having well-developed dorsal saddles (vs. saddles faint), no spots on the body behind the nape (vs. spots generally present behind the nape); from P. oligospila by having bands in the caudal fin (vs. spots); and from P. furcata by having the lower caudal-fin spine longer than the upper (vs. upper spine longer).  Peckoltia furcata can be identified from P. oligospila by having the upper caudal-fin spine longer than the lower (vs. lower spine longer) and by having bands in the caudal fin (vs. spots). Ancistrus yaravi had been recognized as a species of Peckoltia.  The type of A. yaravi is lost, but the original description suggests that the species is the senior synonym of Neblinichthys roraima. A revised morphological phylogeny demonstrates the lack of support for Peckoltia and Hemiancistrus as monophyletic, and phenetic definitions are provided for the two genera.  The phylogeny also demonstrates a lack of support of the genus Watawata.

Key words: Ancistrini, Hemiancistrus, Neblinichthys, Neotropics, South America

Armbruster, Jonathan W. 2008. The genus Peckoltia with the description of two new species and a reanalysis of the phylogeny of the genera of the Hypostominae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). Zootaxa. 1822.

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2008/f/zt01822p076.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2005] Peckoltia cavaticus • a new loricariid catfish (Siluriformes) from Guyana and a redescription of P. braueri (Eigenmann 1912)

Abstract

Peckoltia cavatica is described as a new species and P. braueri is redescribed. Peckoltia cavatica and P. braueri differ from all other Peckoltia by having distal orange bands on the dorsal and caudal fins when alive and by having the plates and bones of the head and nape outlined in black. Peckoltia cavatica is found in the Essequibo River basin, and P. braueri is found in the Takutu River basin. The species differ in that P. cavatica has weaker dorsal saddles, the plates and bones of the head and nape are completely outlined in black (vs. partially outlined in P. braueri), lacks vermiculate lines on the pterotic-supracleithrum, lacks at least one, broken band in the caudal fin, and has wider orange bands.

Key words: Ancistrini, Hypostominae, Neotropics, South America, suckermouth armored catfishes

Peckoltia braueri & P. cavatica

http://www.wikipeixes.com.br/generos:peckoltia?s[]=cavatica

Range.  Collected from two localities around the Macushi village of Massara near Anai in the Rupununi River (Fig. 3).  Found in areas with a large number of lateritic rocks. Most specimens were removed from holes in the rocks.

Etymology. From the Latin cavaticus meaning born or living in caves. In reference to the fact that most of the specimens were captured from holes in lateritic rocks, and the fact that it is likely that such holes are where this species breeds.

 Armbruster, Jonathan A. and Werneke; David C. 2005. Peckoltia cavatica, a new loricariid catfish from Guyana and a redescription of P. braueri (Eigenmann 1912) (Siluriformes). Zootaxa. 882: 1–14.

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2005f/zt00882.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2003] Hemiancistrus (Peckoltia) sabaji • a new species (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the Guiana Shield of Guyana and Venezuela

Hemiancistrus (Peckoltia) sabaji

(Armbruster, 2003)

Abstract

Peckoltia sabaji is described based on specimens from the Guyana Shield regions of the Essequibo, Negro, and Orinoco River drainages of Guyana and Venezuela. Peckoltia sabaji is a member of the loricariid subfamily Hypostominae, tribe Ancistrini. The species differs from nearly all other members of the Hypostominae based on coloration — small spots on the head with spots becoming very large on the posterior part of the body. Those species with a similar coloration either do not have elongated bodies (vs. body very elongate) or have odontodes on the opercle as adults (vs. odontodes on opercle absent, rarely with one or two odontodes in adults).

Keywords: Ancistrini, Hemiancistrus, Hypostominae, South America, suckermouth armored catfish, Venezuela

Armbruster, Jonathan A. 2003. Peckoltia sabaji, a new species from the Guiana Shield (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). Zootaxa. 344: 1–12.

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2003f/zt00344.pdf

http://www.auburn.edu/academic/science_math/res_area/loricariid/fish_key/TAXALIST/taxalist.html