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| Peckoltia amjikin de Araújo, Ferreira, Silva & Wosiacki, 2025 |
Abstract
Here, we describe a new species of Peckoltia (Loricariidae; Hypostominae) from the rapids of the Rio Tocantins-Araguaia basin, previously identified as Peckoltia vittata, using an integrative taxonomy approach. The new species is distinguished from congeners by ventral region presenting diffuse stripes on surface, not presenting spots or blotches on head and body, elongated odontodes on cheeks reaching the pectoral-fin spine when adpressed to body, space between the eyes not entirely covered by a blotch, parieto-supraoccipital moderately elevated, not forming an apparent crest, 14–26 teeth on premaxilla, 15–24 teeth on dentary, diminute plates with short odontodes on base of pectoral fins, and anterior part of urogenital opening, a less developed suspensorium, a prominent lateral wall of metapterygoid channel with sturdy base, including conspicuous ornated edges, adductor palatine crest forming a diminute roughly perceptible salient, diminute hyomandibula concave triangular shape. The phylogeny based on Cytb molecular marker recovered the new species placed with congener species, congruent with the morphological classification findings.
Keywords: Ancistrini, Hypostominae, rheophilic species, suckermouth armoured catfish
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| Live specimen of Peckoltia amjikin, collected in the rapids of the Rio Tocantins in São João do Araguaia city, PA, Brazil. Tan ground colouration is more evident than alcohol-preserved specimens; the bars on snout, body and fin bars are more definite (Photo: Felipe Araújo). |
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| Holotype of Peckoltia amjikin (MPEG 40735), 64.8 mm SL, Brazil, Tocantins, Bom Jesus do Tocantins, Rio Tocantins basin. |
Peckoltia amjikin, new species
Etymology: The specific epithet ‘amjikin’ is treated as a noun in opposition. ‘Amji kin’ refers to a state of happiness for the Krahô people, speakers of the Timbira language (Macro-Jê trunk, Jês languages), and can be related to many cultural expressions within the Krahô's community, including singing, dancing, games, food bartering and ceremonial rituals. The Krahôs are located east of the Tocantins State in Brazil.
Felipe Arian Andrade de Araújo, Marlon Felipe Chumber Ferreira, Aline Nascimento Silva and Wolmar Benjamin Wosiacki. 2025. A New Species of Peckoltia (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from the rapids of the Rio Tocantins-Araguaia basin, Brazil. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70235 [04 October 2025]
