[Ichthyology • 2026] ‘Geophagus’ pirangaensis • A New endemic pearl cichlid of the ‘Geophagus’ brasiliensis (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) species group from the Piranga River, upper Doce River Basin, southeastern Brazil

 

‘Geophagus’ pirangaensis  Assis, Dergam & Henschel, 

in Assis, Dergam, Cunha, Machado, Hrbek, Vicente, Queiroz et Henschel, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70324

Abstract

A new species of pearl cichlid of the ‘Geophagus’ brasiliensis species group, endemic to the Piranga River, a major tributary of the upper Doce River basin in the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, is herein described. The new species is delimited using an integrative approach, with molecular-based species delimitation methods coupled with morphological diagnosis. For this, we developed a matrix containing 27 sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) of species of the ‘G.’ brasiliensis species group obtained from GenBank and three new sequences generated in this work. The species delimitation method applied to the morphological characters was Population Aggregation Analysis (PAA), and the species delimitation methods applied to the nucleotide sequences were the branch coalescence methods: Bayesian Poisson Tree Processes (bPTP), General Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) single-threshold and GMYC multi-threshold. The three molecular-based species delimitation methods corroborate that the haplotypes of ‘Geophagus’ from the Piranga River represent a new species distinguished from all other in the ‘G.’ brasiliensis species group by exclusive presence of clear, rounded spots in the posteriormost dorsal-fin rays in fixed adult specimens, and the combination of the following morphological characters: long snout (46.22%–52.74% of head length), tall head (94.08%–101.15% of head length), terminal mouth, 25 or 26 longitudinal scales on the E0 series, 14 or 15 spines on the dorsal fin, absence of bluish dots on the most anterior soft rays of the anal fin in live specimens and absence of bluish and longitudinal lines in the basal region of the caudal fin of live specimens. This work is the first description of a new species of the ‘G.’ brasiliensis species group from the Doce River basin.

Keywords: Atlantic forest, fish taxonomy, freshwater fish, Geophagini, integrative taxonomy, mitochondrial DNA

‘Geophagus’ pirangaensis, new species from Piranga River, upper Doce basin, Ponte Nova municipality, Minas Gerais, Brazil:
top, MZUFV13723, live subadult specimen, 63.61 mm SL, collected by E. Henschel and photographed by C.E. de Assis;
bottom, MZUFV14666, live adult specimen, 96.21 mm SL, collected by C.E. de Assis and photographed by E. Henschel.

Scale bar: 10 mm.

‘Geophagus’ pirangaensis sp. n. Assis, Dergam & Henschel

 Diagnosis: ‘G.’ pirangaensis possess a unique diagnostic feature within the ‘G.’ brasiliensis group characterized by the presence of clear, rounded spots in the posteriormost dorsal-fin rays of fixed adult specimens (vs. absence, or, when present, spots are elliptical). It also differs from ‘G.’ brasiliensis by having a considerably longer snout (46.22%–52.74% HL vs. 38.36% HL) and terminal mouth (vs. subdorsal); from ‘G.’ diamantinensis by having a taller head (94.08%–101.15% HL vs. 77–86% HL) and terminal mouth (vs. subterminal); from ‘G.’ iporangensis by having a caudal fin with a rounded distal margin (vs. straight distal caudal-fin margin) and 25 or 26 longitudinal scales in the E0 series (vs. 27 or 28); from ‘G.’ itapicuruensis by having a dark and rounded mid-lateral spot of live specimens (vs. dark and vertically elliptical mid-lateral spot) and 14 or 15 spines on the dorsal fin (vs. 13); from ‘G.’ multiocellus by the absence of small bright spots in the central region of the bluish spots on the caudal fin of living specimens (vs. presence) and terminal mouth (vs. subterminal); from ‘G.’ obscurus by having small bluish spots in the opercular region of living specimens (vs. large bluish spots in the opercular region); from ‘G.’ rufomarginatus by the absence of bluish dots on the most anterior soft rays of the anal fin of living specimens (vs. presence), presence of denticles on gill rakers of the first branchial arch (vs. absence) and terminal mouth (vs. subterminal); and from ‘G.’ santosi by the absence of bluish and longitudinal lines in the basal region of the caudal fin of living specimens (vs. presence) and terminal mouth (vs. subterminal).

Cidimar E. de Assis, Jorge A. Dergam, Amanda F. Cunha, Valéria N. Machado, Tomas Hrbek, Natállia M. de F. Vicente, Victor de Queiroz and Elisabeth Henschel. 2026. A New endemic pearl cichlid of the ‘Geophagus’ brasiliensis (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) species group from the Piranga River, upper Doce River Basin, southeastern Brazil. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70324 [05 January 2026]  

[Ichthyology • 2025] Labrochromis mawe & L. mawepili • Two New Cichlid Species of the Genus Labrochromis (Perciformes: Cichlidae) from Rocky Reefs of Lake Victoria, Tanzania

[A-C] Labrochromis mawe
[G-I] Labrochromis mawepili

Mahulu & Seehausen, 2025 

  

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1240.125699

Abstract

Lake Victoria is home to a unique and taxonomically understudied species flock of endemic haplochromine cichlid fishes, with many morphologically specialized trophic groups and many different species in each of them. One of several mollusk-eating trophic groups are the pharyngeal snail-crushers of the genus Labrochromis Regan, 1920. Currently, six species from Lake Victoria have been described in this genus, none of which occupies rocky shores and reefs. Rocky shores and reefs of Lake Victoria, however harbor rich assemblages of habitat-specialized cichlids and these include snail-crushers. Here two new species of Labrochromis are described from this habitat in the Southeastern part of Lake Victoria. These species are distinct in their ecology, morphology, and male nuptial coloration from all previously described Labrochromis species, and they are distinct from each other in oral dentition, morphology, and stripe pattern. These species are named Labrochromis mawe sp. nov. and Labrochromis mawepili sp. nov. Both are currently only known from the Mwanza and Speke Gulf regions of the lake in Tanzania.

Key words: Haplochromine, Mwanza Gulf, pharyngeal crusher, Speke Gulf, taxonomy

 A male Labrochromis mawe sp. nov. blue morph Python Island B male L. mawe sp. nov. red morph Python Island and C female L. mawe sp. nov. Python Island
D, E two males L. mawe sp. nov. Kissenda island and F female L. mawe sp. nov. Kissenda Island

G, H two males Labrochromis mawepili sp. nov. Makobe island and I female L. mawepili sp. nov. Makobe island.

 Labrochromis mawe sp. nov.

Etymology. Species name mawe from the Swahili word, for stone, referring to the habitat occupation of the species that is confined to rocks.

 Labrochromis mawepili sp. nov.

Etymology. Species name mawepili, from Swahili, mawe means stone and pili means second. Refers to similarity in habitat association between this species and L. mawe and the superficial resemblance with the latter.

 Anna Mahulu and Ole Seehausen. 2025. Two New Cichlid Species of the Genus Labrochromis from Rocky Reefs of Lake Victoria, Tanzania (Perciformes, Cichlidae). ZooKeys 1240: 117-137. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1240.125699

[Ichthyology • 2024] Telmatochromis salzburgeri • Morphological Diversity of the Genus Telmatochromis from the Lake Tanganyika Drainage with the Description of A New riverine Species and the Generic Reassignment of the Malagarasi River lamprologine

Telmatochromis salzburgeri

 Indermaur, Schedel & Ronco, 2024  

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.16042  

Abstract

The lamprologine cichlid genus Telmatochromis was long considered primarily lacustrine and endemic to Lake Tanganyika until an undescribed Telmatochromis species was reported from the Lufubu River (Lake Tanganyika drainage, Zambia). A phylogenomic study in 2021 confirmed the association of Telmatochromis sp. “lufubu” with Telmatochromis along with another riverine species, Neolamprologus devosi (Malagarasi drainage, Tanzania). Here, we quantify the morphological diversity of the genus Telmatochromis and the two associated riverine species using a multivariate dataset combining geometric and classical morphometrics, as well as meristics. We identify three distinct morphological clusters: the “Telmatochromis vittatus complex” with highly elongated bodies and short heads, the “Telmatochromis temporalis complex” with deeper bodies, and the two riverine species with intermediate body elongation and large heads. Further, we formally describe the species endemic to the lower Lufubu River as Telmatochromis salzburgeri sp. nov. and reassign N. devosi to Telmatochromis. Telmatochromis devosi comb. nov. differs from all congeners by the absence of bi- and tricuspid teeth in the inner tooth rows of the oral dentition. T. salzburgeri sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other Telmatochromis species by a prominent orange stripe along the base of the dorsal fin and from T. devosi comb. nov. by the relatively smaller size of the lower pharyngeal jaw. Both riverine species differ from all lacustrine Telmatochromis by a lower number of dorsal-fin spines. Additionally, the riverine species can be distinguished from the T. vittatus complex by having larger heads and longer oral jaws, and from the T. temporalis complex by their lower relative body depth. With the inclusion of new riverine members, the genus Telmatochromis is revealed to be more morphologically and ecologically diverse than previously recognized.

Keywords: Africa, Cichlidae, Great Lakes, ichthyofauna, Lufubu River

 

Image series of Telmatochromis salzburgeri sp. nov. 
 (a) Underwater pictures of T. salzburgeri sp. nov. (from top to bottom): a dark specimen, a light specimen, a juvenile, and together with the riverine haplochromine Orthochromis indermauri (images by A.I. and F.D.B.S.).
(b) Photograph of a paratype (NMB-6478, ex. UNIBAS-IC-USH1) in light colouration (top image) and the dark holotype (NHB-6475, ex. UNIBAS-IC-USG9), both taken at the field site from living individuals. The lower two images show the preserved holotype and its X-ray radiograph (images by A.I., F.D.B.S., and Aurelia Wolf).
 (c) Images of the lower pharyngeal jaw of a paratype (ZSM-PIS-044282-DRC-3147) based on a computed tomography (CT) scan (images by F.R.).

Overview of the lamprologine cichlid genus Telmatochromis from Lake Tanganyika and the two riverine taxa: Neolamprologus devosi and Telmatochromis sp. “lufubu”.

 Telmatochromis devosi comb. nov.

reassign Neolamprologus devosi to Telmatochromis.

Telmatochromis salzburgeri sp. nov. 

= Telmatochromis sp. “lufubu”

Differential diagnosis: Adult individuals of T. salzburgeri sp. nov. are distinguished from all other members of the genus Telmatochromis by the presence of a prominent orange stripe along the base of the dorsal fin, extending into the dorsal fin and over the dorsum (see Figure 5a,b). Additionally, T. salzburgeri sp. nov. differs from members of the T. vittatus complex (i.e., T. bifrenatus, T. brichardi, T. vittatus, and allies such as Telmatochromis sp. “longola”) and T. brachygnathus by having a larger head (26.96–30.08 vs. 20.4–26.65 HL%SL) and longer jaws (29.18–40.68 vs. ...

Etymology: The species is named in honor of our friend, colleague, and mentor Prof. Dr. Walter Salzburger for his contributions in advancing the field of evolutionary biology and, in particular, cichlid research in Lake Tanganyika. He has supported several projects and numerous field expeditions of all the authors with great enthusiasm, which led, among many other things, to the description of T. salzburgeri sp. nov.

 

Adrian Indermaur, Frederic D. B. Schedel, Fabrizia Ronco. 2024. Morphological Diversity of the Genus Telmatochromis from the Lake Tanganyika Drainage with the Description of A New riverine Species and the Generic Reassignment of the Malagarasi River lamprologine. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.16042  

[Ichthyology • 2024] Aequidens pirilampo • A New Species of Aequidens (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) from the rio Paraguai basin, Brazil

Aequidens pirilampo

R.C. Oliveira, Tencatt, Deprá, Britzke, C. Oliveira & Graça, 2024

 DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2023-0106   

 

Abstract

Morphological and molecular data support the description of a new Aequidens species from the upper rio Correntes, considered herein as endemic to the upper rio Paraguai basin in the Cerrado biome in Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all congeners, except from A. plagiozonatus by having anteriorly oblique dark brown flank bars vs. vertical flank bars, and is additionally distinguished from some congeners by showing a discontinuous lateral band and presence of a dark cheek spot. The new species differs from Aequidens plagiozonatus by having the profile of the dorsal part of head almost straight (in lateral view), with a conspicuous concavity at the interorbital, and by the longer length of upper and lower jaws. Furthermore, delimitation analyses based on mitochondrial data provide additional support for the validity of the species. Our study data also revealed the occurrence, and consequently the first record, of A. plagiozonatus in the upper rio Araguaia basin, which was most likely driven by headwater capture events.

Keywords: Cerrado biome; DNA barcode; Molecular data; Morphological data; Species delimitation

Aequidens pirilampo, living specimens photographed just after capture in the rio Comprido, rio Paraguai River basin, 17°32’04.8”S 54°25’36.6”W, uncatalogued. Photos by L. F. C. Tencatt.

Aequidens pirilampo, new species

Diagnosis. Aequidens pirilampo is distinguished from all congeners, except A. plagiozonatus, by having anteriorly oblique dark brown flank bars (vs. vertical). The new species differs from A. plagiozonatus by having the dorsal head contour, from the tip of the snout to the vertical through the posterior margin of the eye, almost straight, except for a conspicuous concavity at the interorbital region (Fig. 2) (vs. dorsal head contour convex, with a subtle concavity at the interorbital region in occasional specimens), by having longer lower jaw (40.2–46.9% HL and 16.7–18.5% SL vs. 35.2–39.3% HL and 13.2–15.2% SL in A. plagiozonatus), and longer upper jaw, (12.2–15.1% SL vs. 9.3–12.1% SL in A. plagiozonatus). Additionally, A. pirilampo is distinguished from its congeners, except A. chimantanus Inger, 1956, A. diadema, A. epae, A. mauesanus Kullander, 1997, A. michaeli, A. patricki Kullander, 1984, A. plagiozonatus, A. potaroensis Eigenmann, 1912, and A. tubicen Kullander & Ferreira, 1991, by having a discontinuous lateral band in fixed specimens (vs. continuous). ...

Etymology. The specific epithet “pirilampo” means firefly in the popular Portuguese naming in the region the new species occurs. It is a bioluminescent Coleoptera very common in this region. These insects emit an intense green light, which alludes to the color pattern in life displayed by the new species. A noun in apposition.

Collecting sites of Aequidens pirilampo, showing (A) the ribeirão Comprido, its type-locality, (B) a stream with unknown name, and (C) the córrego de Cima, all tributaries of the rio Correntes in the border region of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul states, Central Brazil. Photo (A) by LFCT, (B) by Heriberto Gimênes Jr., and (C) by Hans Evers.

Rianne Caroline de Oliveira, Luiz Fernando Caserta Tencatt, Gabriel de Carvalho Deprá, Ricardo Britzke, Claudio Oliveira and Weferson Júnio da Graça. 2024. A New Species of Aequidens (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) from the rio Paraguai basin, Brazil.  Neotrop. ichthyol. 22 (2); DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2023-0106   

Resumo: Dados morfológicos e moleculares apoiam a descrição de uma nova espécie de Aequidens do alto rio Correntes, considerada aqui como uma espécie endêmica da bacia do alto rio Paraguai, no bioma Cerrado no Brasil. A nova espécie distingue-se de todas as congêneres, exceto de Aequidens plagiozonatus, por apresentar barras laterais marrom-escuras oblíquas em direção anterodorsal vs. barras verticais nos flancos. Além disso, distingue-se de algumas espécies por apresentar uma faixa lateral descontínua e pela presença de uma mancha escura na porção entre a órbita e a margem preopercular. A nova espécie difere de A. plagiozonatus por apresentar o perfil da parte dorsal da cabeça (em vista lateral) aproximadamente reta, com uma concavidade conspícua na porção interorbital, e pelo maior comprimento das maxilas superior e inferior. Além disso, análises de delimitação baseadas em dados mitocondriais oferecem evidência a favor da validade da espécie. Nossos dados também revelaram a ocorrência e, consequentemente, o primeiro registro de A. plagiozonatus na bacia do alto rio Araguaia, provavelmente devido a eventos de captura de cabeceiras.

Palavras chave: Bioma Cerrado; Dados moleculares; Dados morfológicos; Delimitação de espécies; DNA barcode

[Ichthyology • 2024] Severe Bottleneck Impacted the Genomic Structure of Egg-Eating Cichlids in Lake Victoria

the Nile perch Lates niloticus, a voracious predator introduced into Lake Victoria by humans to satisfy meat demands in the 1950s. Several species of endemic cichlids that were markedly affected are shown. The populations of some of these species declined so much that their genomic structure remained significantly altered even after their numbers climbed back up.

in Imamoto, Nakamura, Aibara,  Hatashima, ... et Nikaido, 2024.

DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msae093 

Abstract

Within 15,000 years, the explosive adaptive radiation of haplochromine cichlids in Lake Victoria, East Africa, generated 500 endemic species. In the 1980s, the upsurge of Nile perch, a carnivorous fish artificially introduced to the lake, drove the extinction of more than 200 endemic cichlids. The Nile perch predation particularly harmed piscivorous cichlids, including paedophages, cichlids eat eggs and fries, which is an example of the unique trophic adaptation seen in African cichlids. Here, aiming to investigate past demographic events possibly triggered by the invasion of Nile perch and the subsequent impacts on the genetic structure of cichlids, we conducted large-scale comparative genomics. We discovered evidence of recent bottleneck events in 4 species, including 2 paedophages, which began during the 1970s to 1980s, and population size rebounded during the 1990s to 2000s. The timing of the bottleneck corresponded to the historical records of endemic haplochromines” disappearance and later resurgence, which is likely associated with the introduction of Nile perch by commercial demand to Lake Victoria in the 1950s. Interestingly, among the 4 species that likely experienced bottleneck, Haplochromis sp. “matumbi hunter,” a paedophagous cichlid, showed the most severe bottleneck signatures. The components of shared ancestry inferred by ADMIXTURE suggested a high genetic differentiation between matumbi hunter and other species. In contrast, our phylogenetic analyses highly supported the monophyly of the 5 paedophages, consistent with the results of previous studies. We conclude that high genetic differentiation of matumbi hunter occurred due to the loss of shared genetic components among haplochromines in Lake Victoria caused by the recent severe bottleneck.

genetic structure, bottleneck, cichlid, paedophage, genetic diversity

 Sampling information and localities of 7 haplochromine cichlids endemic to Lake Victoria and Astatotilapia stappersii as an outgroup. These species were included for genetic statistics comparison.
a) Pictures of the 8 species. Colored triangles for paedophages and circles for others next to species names correspond to sampling locations on the map. Paedophages, Haplochromis sp. “matumbi hunter,” and H. microdon was shaded by a yellow box. A photo of Astatotilapia stappersii was retrieved from Meier, Marques et al. (2017).
b) Sampling localities of all samples in a). The area marked by a red square in the bottom left map represents the location of Mwanza Gulf, Lake Victoria, and the map of the enlarged Mwanza Gulf is shown on the right. The number of samples per species obtained in each sampling locality is shown next to markers colored by species, corresponding to the labels in a). Samples without locality information are noted as unknown.

Pictured on the left is the Nile perch Lates niloticus, a voracious predator introduced into Lake Victoria by humans to satisfy meat demands in the 1950s. On the right, several species of endemic cichlids that were markedly affected are shown. The populations of some of these species declined so much that their genomic structure remained significantly altered even after their numbers climbed back up.

photos: Minami Imamoto, Masato Nikaido

Conclusion: 

We successfully demonstrated the population history and phylogenetic relationship of endemic haplochromines by performing large-scale comparative genomics. This study is the first example to present the impacts of the Nile perch upsurge on the genetic structure of Lake Victoria haplochromines. Signatures of bottleneck events in multiple endemic species further supported that the introduction and subsequent expansion of the exotic species Nile perch negatively influenced the demography of endemic species and eventually altered the genetic structure. The previously known hypothesis that piscivores, like paedophages, should have experienced a stronger bottleneck was further supported by inferred evidence of the intense bottleneck in paedophages, especially in matumbi hunters.

Minami Imamoto, Haruna Nakamura, Mitsuto Aibara, Ryo Hatashima, Ismael A Kimirei, Benedicto B Kashindye, Takehiko Itoh, Masato Nikaido. 2024. Severe Bottleneck Impacted the Genomic Structure of Egg-Eating Cichlids in Lake Victoria. Molecular Biology and Evolution. 41(6); msae093. DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msae093 

https://phys.org/news/2024-06-nile-perch-invasion-triggered-genetic.html

[Ichthyology • 2023] Bujurquina omagua • A New highly apomorphic Species of Bujurquina (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) from A Reverse Flowing River in the Peruvian Amazon, with A Key to the Species in the Genus

 

Bujurquina omagua 

 Říčan & Říčanová, 2023

DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2023.870.2127

ABSTRACT

Bujurquina is the most widely distributed and species-rich genus of cichlids in the western Amazon of South America. In this study we describe a new species from Peru from a hypothesized reverse flowing river system. Prior to the origin of the modern Amazon River at 4.5 Ma, this river system had its headwaters on the Iquitos arch, one of several main structural arches (swells) in the Amazon. Prior to the origin of the modern Amazon these arches formed topographic barriers of drainage basins in lowland Amazonia. For our analyses we use morphological and molecular data, analyzed through multivariate statistics and molecular phylogenies, respectivelly. For all valid species in the genus (except B. cordemadi and B. pardus) we additionally for the first time provide photographs of live specimens. Based on DNA phylogeny and coloration patterns we demonstrate that Bujurquina is divided into two main clades and based on this we provide a dichotomous key for all the species.

Keywords: biogeography, endemism, freshwater fishes, new species, phylogeny

  

Class Actinopterygii Klein, 1885

Order Cichliformes R. Betancur-R et al. 2013

Family Cichlidae Bonaparte, 1835

Genus Bujurquina Kullander, 1986

Bujurquina omagua sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘omagua’ is a noun in apposition given after the Omagua people, which were at the time of first contact with Europeans in the 16th century the dominant people along the banks of the Amazon River upstream from the mouth of the Negro River well into Peru.

 

Oldřich Říčan and Štěpánka Říčanová. 2023. A New highly apomorphic Species of Bujurquina (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from A Reverse Flowing River in the Peruvian Amazon, with A Key to the Species in the Genus. European Journal of Taxonomy. 870(1); 167–201. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2023.870.2127

[Ichthyology • 2022] Lethrinops atrilabris • A New Species of Deep-water Lethrinops (Cichlidae) from Lake Malawi

Lethrinops atrilabris 

 Turner, 2022

DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15208 

Abstract

A new species of cichlid fish, Lethrinops atrilabris is described from specimens collected by trawling at a depth of around 90m off Monkey Bay, southern Lake Malawi. It is assigned to the genus Lethrinops on the basis of its vertical flank barring, lack of enlarged cephalic lateral line canal pores and the form of the lower jaw dental arcade. It can be distinguished from congeneric species by its male breeding dress of contrasting flank barring and dark ventral surface, most strikingly on the lips, throat and chest, its relatively small known maximum size (<75mm SL), large eyes (38-41% head length), laterally compressed body (depth 2.5-2.7 times max head width) and lower gillraker count (13-14).

Keywords: New species, Lake Malawi, cichlidae, Lethrinops

Lethrinops atrilabris sp. nov. Fresh coloration.
Above: one of the type specimens photographed shortly after capture.
Below: probable L. atrilabris, collected from trawl catch at 95-105m depth, East of Domwe Island, SE Arm, 4th March 2016. Cambridge University collection, identification not confirmed.

Lethrinops atrilabris sp. nov.

Diagnosis: the lower jaw dentition ‘Lethrinops-type’. Mature males with a melanic pattern of strongly contrasting dark vertical flank bars on a pale background, and a dark area on the jaws and the underside of the head and chest. In addition, the species can be identified by its relatively small adult body side (not known to exceed 73mm SL), large eye, short, rounded snout, ventrally-placed mouth, 13-14 ceratobranchial gill rakers and laterally compressed body.

Etymology: ‘Atri-‘ from plural of the adjective ‘ater’ (Latin) = black + ‘labris’ from plural of labrum (Latin)= lip, in reference to the black lips of the males in breeding dress.

 

George F. Turner. 2022. A New Species of Deep-water Lethrinops (Cichlidae) from Lake Malawi. Journal of Fish Biology.  DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15208

[Ichthyology • 2022] Functional Trade-offs Asymmetrically Promote Phenotypic Evolution

in Burress & Muñoz, 2022. 

DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syac058 

twitter.com/cichlidosaurus 

artwork by Julie Johnson twitter.com/jehimes

Abstract

Trade-offs are thought to bias evolution and are core features of many anatomical systems. Therefore, trade-offs may have far-reaching macroevolutionary consequences, including patterns of morphological, functional, and ecological diversity. Jaws, like many complex anatomical systems, are comprised of elements involved in biomechanical trade-offs. We test the impact of a core mechanical trade-off, transmission of velocity versus force (i.e., mechanical advantage), on rates of jaw evolution in Neotropical cichlids. Across 130 species representing a wide array of feeding ecologies, we find that the velocity-force trade-off impacts evolution of the surrounding jaw system. Specifically, rates of jaw evolution are faster at functional extremes than in more functionally intermediate or unspecialized jaws. Yet, surprisingly, the effect on jaw evolution is uneven across the extremes of the velocity-force continuum. Rates of jaw evolution are 4 to 10-fold faster in velocity-modified jaws, whereas force-modified jaws are 7 to 18-fold faster, compared to unspecialized jaws, depending on the extent of specialization. Further, we find that a more extreme mechanical trade-off resulted in faster rates of jaw evolution. The velocity-force trade-off reflects a gradient from specialization on capture-intensive (e.g., evasive or buried) to processing-intensive prey (e.g., attached or shelled), respectively. The velocity extreme of the trade-off is characterized by large magnitudes of trait change leading to functionally divergent specialists and ecological stasis. By contrast, the force extreme of the trade-off is characterized by enhanced ecological lability made possible by phenotypes more readily co-opted for different feeding ecologies. This asymmetry of macroevolutionary outcomes along each extreme is likely the result of an enhanced utility of the pharyngeal jaw system as force-modified oral jaws are adapted for prey that require intensive processing (e.g., algae, detritus, and molluscs). The velocity-force trade-off, a fundamental feature of many anatomical systems, promotes rapid phenotypic evolution of the surrounding jaw system in a canonical continental adaptive radiation. Considering that the velocity-force trade-off is an inherent feature of all jaw systems that involve a lower element that rotates at a joint, spanning the vast majority of vertebrates, our results may be widely applicable across the tree of life.

 [adaptive radiation; constraint; decoupling; jaws; macroevolution; specialization]

Edward D. Burress and Martha M. Muñoz. 2022. Functional Trade-offs Asymmetrically Promote Phenotypic Evolution. Systematic Biology. syac058. DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syac058

 twitter.com/cichlidosaurus/status/1558283693759807490

twitter.com/jehimes/status/1558505277271556096

 

[Ichthyology • 2022] Astronotus mikoljii • A New Species of Astronotus (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from the Orinoco River and Gulf of Paria Basins, northern South America

Astronotus mikoljii 

Lozano, Lasso-Alcalá, Bittencourt, Taphorn, Perez & Farias, 2022

Mikolji’s Oscar | Oscar de Mikolji  ||  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1113.81240

Abstract

Based on morphological and molecular analysis of Astronotus species, a new species is described from the Orinoco River and Gulf of Paria basins in Venezuela and Colombia. Morphologically, it differs from Astronotus crassipinnis and Astronotus ocellatus in pre-orbital depth, caudal peduncle depth, head width, and caudal peduncle length, with significant differences in average percentage values. Osteologically, it differs from the two described species by lacking a hypurapophysis on the parahypural bone (hypural complex) and having two or three supraneural bones. Another characteristic that helps diagnose the new species is the morphology of the sagitta otolith, which is oval with crenulated dorsal and ventral margins and a rounded posterior edge. Genetically, the new species is distinct from all the other lineages previously proposed for the genus, delimited by five single locus species delimitation methods, and also has unique diagnostic nucleotides. Phylogenetic analyses support the monophyly of the new species as well as all other species/lineages. Astronotus species have considerable genetic, anatomical, and sagitta otolith shape differences, but have few significant traditional morphometric and meristic differences, because there is high variability in counts of spines, soft dorsal-fin rays, and lateral-line scales. It is clear that this new species is genetically and anatomically differentiated from all other species within the genus, and deserves recognition as a new valid species.

Keywords: DNA, fish, freshwater, morphometrics, osteology, sagitta otoliths, taxonomy

Astronotus mikoljii sp. nov., preserved holotype MCNG 56677 (240.12 mm SL),
Venezuela., Estado Apure, Municipio Pedro Camejo in a small stream tributary of Arauca River.

Photograph: Ivan Mikolji.

Astronotus mikoljii sp. nov., 
A live coloration of specimens collected with holotype
B Natural shallow pond and type locality in floodplain of Arauca River Venezuela.

Photographs: Ivan Mikolji.

 Astronotus mikoljii sp. nov.

Diagnosis: The new species is distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: two or three supraneural bones (Fig. 4) (vs. two); absence of the spinous process (hypurapophysis) on the anterosuperior border of the parahypural bone (hypural complex) in Astronotus mikoljii sp. nov. (vs. present in A. ocellatus and A. crassipinnis) (Fig. 5). The sagitta otolith in A. mikoljii sp. nov. is oval, with strongly crenulated ventral and dorsal margins (vs. elliptical and smooth-lobed margins in A. crassipinnis, and elliptical and smooth-dentate margins A. ocellatus); the rostrum is projected with an elongated process, in A. mikoljii sp. nov. (vs. rostrum process short in A. crassipinnis and A. ocellatus); the posterior region of the sagitta otolith is rounded in A. mikoljii sp. nov. (vs. straight or flat in A. crassipinnis and A. ocellatus) (Fig. 6). The aspect ratio of sagitta otoliths in A. mikoljii sp. nov. (AR = 0.665) is higher than that of A. ocellatus (AR = 0.606), and A. crassipinnis (AR = 0.585), and the differences are statistically significant at P < 0.05. The roundness index was highest in A. mikoljii sp. nov. (Rd = 0.597) vs. A. ocellatus (Rd = 0.545) and A. crassipinnis (Rd = 0.543) (P < 0.05). Also the morphometric index showed higher values in A. mikoljii sp. nov. compared to A. ocellatus (0.837 vs. 0.767) and A. crassipinnis (0.735) (Suppl. material 1: Table S2). The new species also is distinguished from congeners by the following combination of morphometric characters: the mean head length of A. mikoljii sp. nov. (36.72% SL) is longer than that of A. crassipinnis (35.01% SL), and also A. ocellatus (33.26% SL); the mean diameter of the orbit of A. mikoljii sp. nov. (9.06% SL) is greater than that of A. ocellatus (7.36%SL) and that of A. crassipinnis (7.73% SL); the mean pre-orbital depth of A. mikoljii sp. nov. (14.22% SL) is greater than that of A. crassipinnis (10.14% SL) but less than that of A. ocellatus (15.91% SL); the mean snout length of A. mikoljii sp. nov. (11.53% SL) is longer than that of A. crassipinnis (5.36% SL), and A. ocellatus (10.67% SL) (Tables 1, 2).

Etymology: The specific name is given to honor Mr. Ivan Mikolji, Venezuelan explorer, artist, author, underwater photographer, and audiovisual producer, in recognition for being a tireless and enthusiastic diffuser of the biodiversity and natural history of freshwater fishes, conservation of aquatic ecosystems of Venezuela and Colombia, and for logistic support for this work. Since 2020, Ivan Mikolji has been recognized as Associate Researcher of the Museo de Historia Natural La Salle, from the Fundación La Salle de Ciencias Naturales, in Caracas, Venezuela.

Common names: In Spanish and indigenous local languages, names which are known for Astronotus mikoljii sp. nov. in Venezuela are pavona, vieja, cupaneca, Oscar, mijsho (Kariña), boisikuajaba (Warao), hácho (Pumé = Yaruro), phadeewa, jadaewa (Ye’Kuana = Makiritare), perewa, parawa (Eñepá = Panare), yawirra (Kúrrim = Kurripako), kohukohurimï, kohokohorimï, owënawë kohoromï” (Yanomami = Yanomamï) (Barandiarán 1962; Mago 1967, 1970c; Novoa et al. 1982; Obregón et al. 1984; Román 1985; Novoa 1986; Román 1988; Bedoya 1992; Mattei-Müller et al. 1994; Lasso and Machado-Allison 2000; Mosonyi 2002; Machado-Allison 2003; Vispo and Knab-Vispo 2003; Mattei-Müller and Serowe 2007; Brito et al. 2011) and pavo real, carabazú, Oscar, mojarra, mojarra negra, eba (Puinave), Itapukunda (Kurripako), uan (Tucano) in Colombia (Sánchez 2008). 

The suggested common name for this species in the aquarium hobby is “Mikolji’s Oscar” in English, “Oscar de Mikolji ‘’ in Spanish.

Alfredo Perez Lozano, Oscar M. Lasso-Alcalá, Pedro S. Bittencourt, Donald C. Taphorn, Nayibe Perez and Izeni Pires Farias. 2022. A New Species of Astronotus (Teleostei, Cichlidae) from the Orinoco River and Gulf of Paria Basins, northern South America. ZooKeys. 1113: 111-152. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1113.81240

[Ichthyology • 2022] Haplochromis aquila, H. kimondo, H. rex, H. simba, etc. • From A Pair to A Dozen: The Piscivorous Species of Haplochromis (Cichlidae) from the Lake Edward System

Haplochromis rex, H. aquila,  

Haplochromis simba, H. kimondo, 

Haplochromis glaucus, H. falcatus,  

Vranken, Van Steenberge, Heylen, Decru & Snoeks, 2022

DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.815.1749 

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ABSTRACT

Piscivory is a common trophic niche among cichlids of the East African Great Lakes, including Lakes Edward and George. From these two lakes, we examined the taxonomic diversity of cichlid species with a piscivorous morphology. Prior to this study, two piscivorous species were formally described, Haplochromis squamipinnis and H. mentatus. We redescribe both species and describe an additional ten new species of Haplochromis with a piscivorous morphology: H. latifrons sp. nov., H. rex sp. nov., H. simba sp. nov., H. glaucus sp. nov., H. aquila sp. nov., H. kimondo sp. nov., H. falcatus sp. nov., H. curvidens sp. nov., H. pardus sp. nov., and H. quasimodo sp. nov. All twelve species differ in dominant male colour pattern (unknown for H. latifrons sp. nov. and H. curvidens sp. nov.) and morphological traits. The species can be divided into two morphological groups: the macrodontic piscivores and the microdontic piscivores. This division potentially reflects an ecological differentiation in habitat use, hunting technique, prey species, and prey size. We conclude that some 12–20% of the species from the cichlid assemblage of Lake Edward have a piscivorous morphology.

Keywords: Adaptive radiation, haplochromines, Harpagochromis, Prognathochromis, new species

Phylum Chordata Haeckel, 1874

Class Actinopterygii Klein, 1885

Order Cichliformes Betancur-R et al., 2013

Family Cichlidae Bonaparte, 1840

Subfamily Pseudocrenilabrinae Fowler, 1934

Tribe Haplochromini Poll, 1986

Genus Haplochromis Hilgendorf, 1888

Haplochromis Hilgendorf, 1888: 76 

(as a subgenus of Chromis Cuvier, 1814).

Haplochromis mentatus Regan, 1925

Etymology: Specific name not explained in original description, probably derived from the Latin ‘mentum’ for ‘chin’; probably referring to the protruding lower jaw (i.e., projecting lower jaw sensu Regan 1925).

Haplochromis squamipinnis Regan, 1921

Etymology: Specific name not explained in original description, from the Latin ‘squamus’ for ‘scale’, and ‘pinnis’ for ‘fin’; probably referring to minute scales on basal parts of dorsal and anal fins.

Haplochromis latifrons sp. nov.

Etymology: Specific name from Latin ‘latus’ for ‘wide’ and ‘frons’ for ‘forehead’; referring to very broad interorbital area for a piscivorous species.

Haplochromis rex sp. nov.

Etymology: Specific name from the Latin ‘rex’ for ‘king’ (one that holds a preeminent position); referring to very small eyes, deep cheeks, and strong jaws set with large and acute teeth indicating this piscivore has most specialised morphology among all piscivores from the Lake Edward system to hunt on large prey (Barel et al. 1977).

Haplochromis simba sp. nov.

Etymology: Specific name from Swahili ‘simba’ for ‘lion’; referring to yellow body, orange cheeks that resemble manes, and predatory morphology.

Haplochromis glaucus sp. nov.

Etymology: Specific name from the Latin ‘glaucus’ for ‘greyish blue’; referring to grey and light-blue colour pattern of all adult specimens.

Haplochromis aquila sp. nov.

Etymology: Specific name from the Latin ‘aquila’ for ‘eagle’; referring to predatory morphology and large eyes.

Haplochromis kimondo sp. nov.

Etymology: Specific name from the Swahili ‘kimondo’ for ‘meteor’; referring to blunt head, pyriform body with mid-lateral band, and yellow colouration of ventral part of body.

Haplochromis falcatus sp. nov.

Etymology: Specific name from the Latin ‘falcatus’ for ‘sickle-shaped’; referring to acutely pointed sickle-like outer oral teeth.

Haplochromis rex sp. nov. a. c–d. Photographs of freshly caught specimens. c. Holotype, a dominant male. d. A female (RMCA 2017.006.P.0355; 135.7 mm SL) to illustrate the live colour patterns.  

Haplochromis simba sp. nov. c–d. Photographs of freshly caught specimens. c. Dominant male (RMCA 2016.035.P.0224; 97.9 mm SL). d. Female (RMCA 2018.008.P.0348; 109.0 mm SL) to illustrate the live colour patterns.  

Haplochromis glaucus sp. nov. c–d. Photographs of freshly caught specimens. c. Dominant male,  the  holotype.  d.  Female  (RMCA  2019.002.P.0017;  102.1  mm  SL)  to  illustrate  the  live  colour  patterns.  

Haplochromis aquila sp. nov. c–d. Photographs of freshly caught specimens. c. Dominant male,  the  holotype.  d.  Female  (RMCA  2018.008.P.0352;  108.7  mm  SL)  to  illustrate  the  live  colour  patterns.  
Haplochromis kimondo sp. nov. c–d. Photographs of freshly caught specimens. c. Holotype, a dominant male. d. Female (RMCA 2018.008.P.0364; 128.1 mm SL) to illustrate the live colour patterns.  
Haplochromis falcatus sp. nov. c–d. Photographs of freshly caught specimens. c. Dominant male (RMCA 2017.006.P.0416; 119.1 mm SL). d. Female (RMCA 2016.035.P.0257; 112.8 mm SL) to illustrate the live colour patterns.

Haplochromis curvidens sp. nov. c–d. Photographs of freshly caught specimens. c. Holotype, an adult male. d. Female (RMCA 2018.008.P.0340); 90.2 mm SL) to illustrate the live colour patterns.

Haplochromis quasimodo sp. nov. c–d. Photographs of freshly caught specimens. c. Dominant male (RMCA 2018.008.P(HP3072); 123.7 mm SL). d. Female (RMCA 2018.008.P(HP3064); 116.6 mm SL) to illustrate the live colour patterns.

Haplochromis squamipinnis Regan,  1921. c–d. Photographs of freshly caught specimens. c.  Dominant  male  (RMCA  2016.035.P.0250;  169.7  mm  SL).  d.  Female  (RMCA  2016.035.P(HP823);  129.6 mm SL) to illustrate the live colour patterns. 

 The contrast was slightly enhanced.

Haplochromis curvidens sp. nov. 

Etymology: Specific name from the Latin ‘curvus’ for ‘curvature’, and ‘dentatus’ for ‘tooth’; referring to strongly recurved oral teeth.

Haplochromis pardus sp. nov.

EtymologySpecific name from the Latin ‘pardus’ for ‘leopard’; referring to nearly uniform black to yellow-pink flanks with clear black blotches, i.e., interrupted horizontal and vertical stripes.

Haplochromis quasimodo sp. nov.

Etymology: Specific name from Quasimodo, hunchbacked character in Victor Hugo’s novel ‘Notre-Dame de Paris’ (1831); referring to rather shallow head and deep and rhomboid bodies of large specimens.

Nathan Vranken, Maarten Van Steenberge, Annelies Heylen, Eva Decru and Jos Snoeks. 2022. From A Pair to A Dozen: The Piscivorous Species of Haplochromis (Cichlidae) from the Lake Edward System. European Journal of Taxonomy. 815(1), 1-94. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.815.1749

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[Ichthyology • 2021] Satanoperca setepele • A New Species of Satanoperca (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) from the Rio Tocantins Basin, Brazil

Satanoperca setepele

 Ota, Deprá, Kullander, Graça & Pavanelli, 2021

DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2021-0116   

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Abstract

A new species of Satanoperca is described from the Rio Araguaia, Rio Tocantins basin, Brazil, and non-native records are available in the upper Rio Paraná basin. It differs from congeneric species by color pattern characters, such as head and flank marks. It is included in the Satanoperca jurupari species group, characterized by the absence of black rounded blotches on the flank, and low meristic values. A description of the ontogeny of melanophore marks of the S. jurupari species group revealed two different types of arrangement on the flank and numerous melanophore marks on the head. A discussion on morphologically diverse assemblages in the S. jurupari species group is also provided.

Keywords: Freshwater; Neotropical region; Non-native species; Pigmentation; Taxonomy

Fresh uncataloged specimens of Satanoperca setepele.
A. Lajeado Reservoir. B. Rio Paranaíba. C. Upper Rio Paraná floodplain.

Satanoperca setepele, new species

Diagnosis. Satanoperca setepele differs from S. acuticeps, S. daemon, and S. lilith by the absence of black rounded blotches on the flank (vs. presence: one in S. lilith; two in S. daemon; three in S. acuticeps). It is distinguished from S. leucosticta and S. mapiritensis by the absence of small light blotches on the head (vs. presence). It differs from S. curupira by the presence of two oblique stripes on the lachrymal, one at the superior and another at the inferior margin (vs. 3–7 dark-brown oblique stripes across the lachrymal), dark brown markings absent of cheek and opercular series (vs. irregular pattern of dark-brown stripes present on the cheek and opercular series), by the longitudinal band present and conspicuous in preserved specimens (vs. lateral band absent or inconspicuous in preserved specimens), and by presence of 15–19, mode 18, gill rakers on ceratobranchial 1 (vs. 14–16, mode 15). It differs from S. rhynchitis by the presence of 27–29 scales on E1 series (vs. 26). It differs from S. pappaterra by having the dorsal melanophore patches continuous with flank bars, as conspicuous as, and indistinguishable from them (vs. dorsal melanophore patches continuous with flank bars, but much more conspicuous, and clearly distinguishable from them), and longitudinal band as conspicuous as flank bars along its entire length (vs. longitudinal band much more conspicuous at meeting with flank bars and lateral melanophore patches). From S. jurupari, by the following combination of characters: head always without markings (spots, blotches or stripes) on cheek and opercular series, in both living and preserved specimens (vs. frequently light spots, in living specimens; or dark-brown stripes, in preserved specimens), longitudinal band and flank bars very conspicuous, in preserved specimens (vs. both less conspicuous), longitudinal band as conspicuous as flank bars, in preserved specimens (vs. longitudinal band less conspicuous than flank bars), frequently six flank bars, more visible in juvenile specimens (vs. frequently seven flank bars), and supra-cleithrum smooth, without serrations (vs. frequently with serrations) (Fig. 2). Additionally, S. setepele can be distinguished from the remaining species in the S. jurupari group, except S. pappaterra and S. rhynchitis, by the interorbital and nasal stripes not fragmented into spots and fading with growth (vs. fragmented into spots with growth) (Fig. 3), by the presence, in adults, of double scale series on the caudal-fin inter-radial membranes (vs. all caudal-fin inter-radial scale series single), and a secondary scale series on the caudal-fin inter-radial membranes (i.e., between the branches of a ray; vs. secondary series absent).

Geographical distribution. Satanoperca setepele is known from the Rio Tocantins basin, including its major tributary, the Rio Araguaia, from Rio Cristalino, Cocalinho (in the Rio Araguaia) and Reservatório Serra da Mesa, Niquelândia (in the Rio Tocantins), to the mouth of the Rio Itacaíunas, Marabá. Non-native records are available from the upper Rio Paraná basin (Fig. 8).

 

Ecological notes and habitat. Stomachs of Satanoperca setepele from the upper Rio Paraná floodplain mainly contained debris (30–60% of frequency), and aquatic and terrestrial insect larvae, mollusks, and higher plants with less frequency (0–30%) (Hahn et al., 1997; 2004). Localities include rivers (rare occurrence), permanent and temporary lagoons (moderate occurrence), and natural canals (Agostinho et al., 1997); and S. setepele is considered sedentary or with restricted displacements (Suzuki et al., 2004).

Etymology. The specific name setepele (literal translation “sete-pele”, in Portuguese; seven skins, in English) refers to a Brazilian designation for demon, representing its shapeshifter capacity. The name is given in allusion to the folklore around Satanoperca [Greek Σατάν (satan, demon); πέρκα (pérkē, Perca)]. A noun in apposition.

Renata Rúbia Ota, Gabriel de Carvalho Deprá, Sven Kullander, Weferson Júnio da Graça and Carla Simone Pavanelli. 2021. A New Species of Satanoperca (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from the Rio Tocantins Basin, Brazil.  Neotropical Ichthyology. 19(4) DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2021-0116   

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Resumo: Uma nova espécie de Satanoperca é descrita do rio Araguaia, bacia do rio Tocantins, Brasil, e registros não-nativos estão disponíveis para a bacia do alto rio Paraná. Pode ser diagnosticada de suas congêneres por caracteres do padrão de colorido como marcas na cabeça e flanco. É incluída no grupo Satanoperca jurupari pela ausência de máculas pretas arredondadas no flanco e menores valores de contagens. Uma descrição da ontogenia das marcas melanofóricas do grupo S. jurupari revelou dois tipos diferentes de arranjos no flanco e várias marcas melanofóricas na cabeça. Uma discussão sobre assembleias morfologicamente diversas no grupo S. jurupari também é fornecida.

Palavras-chave: Água doce; Espécies não-nativas; Pigmentação; Região Neotropical; Taxonomia