[Ichthyology • 2026] Rineloricaria harenae • A New sand-dwelling Species of Rineloricaria (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the Eastern Brazilian Basin

 

Rineloricaria harenae

Rodrigues da Cruz, Lima Pereira, Oliveira & da Costa Silva, 2026 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1269.155896

Abstract

We describe Rineloricaria harenae sp. nov., a sand-dwelling armoured catfish from the Itapocú River, Jaraguá do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The new species is diagnosed by a distinctive combination of characters: (1) four lateral plate series, with the mid-dorsal series absent; (2) abdomen only partially covered by central plates that do not reach the pectoral-fin insertion; (3) plates of the central abdominal complex arranged in an approximately triangular pattern; (4) cleithral (scapular) region entirely naked or bearing a few small, isolated plates; and (5) presence of five dark transverse bars on the dorsal surface of the body. Mitochondrial COI data corroborate species distinctiveness, and phylogenetic inference under the GTR model recovers R. harenae as a well-supported lineage. The species is currently known only from the type locality, a shallow (< 1 m), sandy reach showing early siltation, suggesting potential vulnerability. Although it exhibits canonical traits of sand-dwelling groups (four lateral plate series, broad naked snout, filamentous upper caudal ray), it differs from sand-dwelling congeners by displaying an abdominal plating pattern typical of rock-dwelling groups. This raises hypotheses about the origin and functional role of ventral plates in Rineloricaria and highlights conservation needs for low-order sandy habitats.

Key words: Armoured catfishes, Brazilian Crystalline Shield, freshwater fishes, integrative taxonomy, new taxon

Rineloricaria harenae, male, LBP 35336, holotype, 92.1 mm SL, a specimen from Itapocú, municipitaly of Jaraguá do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
A. Lateral view; B. Dorsal view; C. Ventral view.

Rineloricaria harenae sp. nov.

Etymology. From harenae, the Latin word for sand, in reference to the sandy substrate characteristic of the habitat where the new species was discovered. Treated as a noun in apposition.

 Beatriz Rodrigues da Cruz, Jonatas Santos Lima Pereira, Claudio Oliveira and Guilherme José da Costa Silva. 2026. A New sand-dwelling Species of Rineloricaria (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from the Eastern Brazilian Basin. ZooKeys. 1269: 211-224. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1269.155896

[Ichthyology • 2025] Baryancistrus isaaci & B. quilombola • Two New Species of the ornamental loricariid Genus Baryancistrus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae: Hypostominae) from rio Trombetas Basin, Pará, Brazil

 

Baryancistrus isaaci
Baryancistrus quilombola

 Oliveira & Rapp Py-Daniel, 2025 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2025-0066

 

Abstract

Two new species of Baryancistrus are described from the rio Trombetas basin. These new species were collected in the late 1980’s and were analyzed morphologically and compared to the eight currently assigned species of Baryancistrus. Both new species are distinguished from their congeners by a set of non-unique characters, such as coloration, extension of dorsal-fin membrane, abdominal covering, number of mandibular teeth and size of fins. These new species are only registered for strong-energy and clear waters, powerful cataracts, with rocky substrates, being sometimes, syntopic. The patterns of distribution and morphological features among all Baryancistrus species are discussed, and an identification key is presented. Despite of occurring in a protected area, previous studies on hydroelectric plants for the rio Trombetas, as the Hydropower Plant of Cachoeira Porteira, are being re-examined by current authorities, raising deep concerns on the future conservation of the unique biodiversity of the rio Trombetas basin.

Keywords: Amazon; Conservation; Freshwater; Hydroelectric; Identification key

   Baryancistrus isaaci, uncatalogued specimen, from Cachoeira da Enseada, 
Baryancistrus quilombola, INPA-ICT 52435, paratype, 119.4 mm SL, from rio Trombetas,
Oriximiná, Pará, Brazil. 

Photos: Douglas A. Bastos.

Baryancistrus isaaci, new species 

Etymology. The specific name, a noun (masculine, singular), honors Isaäc Isbrücker, for his contribution to the knowledge of Neotropical Ichthyology, especially loricariids. Isaäc is an excellent ichthyologist and aquarist, and an example of resilience against preconceived ideas, deserving to be honored by his extreme talent and knowledge on loricariids. He has dedicated a relevant part of his career as ichthyologist sharing his knowledge with the academia and general aquarium experts. A noun in a genitive case.

Baryancistrus quilombola, new species

Etymology. The specific name quilombola (a noun in the nominative singular standing in apposition to the generic name) honors the Quilombola’s communities of the rio Trombetas, also called Quilombos. Quilombolas are Afro-Brazilian descendents that escaped from slavery, or after abolition of slavery, that organized agrarian communities according to cultural, religious and geographic backgrounds in different areas in Brazil. The presence of large quilombos in the Amazon and, particularly, in the rio Trombetas basin deserves recognition, as the first Quilombo fully recognized by the Brazilian government was in rio Trombetas (Duque, 2009). They are eximious fishermen and profound connoisseurs of the dangerous waters in the rio Trombetas, as well as important activists of the Quilombola cause in South America.

  Renildo Ribeiro de Oliveira and Lúcia H. Rapp Py-Daniel. 2025. Two New Species of the ornamental loricariid Genus Baryancistrus (Siluriformes: Hypostominae) from rio Trombetas Basin, Pará, Brazil.   Neotrop. ichthyol. 23 (03); DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2025-0066

[Ichthyology • 2025] Peckoltia amjikin • A New Species of Peckoltia (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the rapids of the Rio Tocantins-Araguaia Basin, Brazil

    

Peckoltia amjikin 

de Araújo, Ferreira, Silva & Wosiacki, 2025

  

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70235

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

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).

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]

[Ichthyology • 2025] Rineloricaria buckupi • A New Species of Whiptail Catfish Rineloricaria (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Macaé and São João River Basins, southeastern Brazil

 

 Rineloricaria buckupi

Mejia, Ferraro & Souto-Santos, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2024-0087 

Abstract

A new species of Rineloricaria from the São João and Macaé river basins in Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil is described. The new species is distinguished from most of its congeners by possessing of five series of lateral plates below the dorsal fin; mid-dorsal series consisting of four or five keeled plates extending posteriorly beyond the origin of the dorsal fin; pectoral girdle covered by plates; snout tip with naked area not reaching most anterior pore of infraorbital ramus of sensory canal; dorsal-fin spinelet present. The new species differs from R. zawadzkii, the most similar and geographically closest species, by having mid-ventral and lateral abdominal plates in contact (vs. separated by skin), the dorsal fin with a dark brown terminal band not reaching the edge, with inconspicuous dark dots along the lower edge (vs. band reaching the edge), and the caudal fin with a diffuse distal band with variegated white spots (vs. a well-defined distal band). The genetic distance based on cytochrome c oxidase I between the new species and the closest congeners supports its validity. The current distribution of the new species in the São João and Macaé basins is consistent with paleo-drainage connections influenced by sea-level fluctuations.

Keywords: DNA barcode; Freshwater fishes; Loricariinae; Sea-level variations; Suckermouth armored catfishes

 Rineloricaria buckupi, holotype, MNRJ 51116, 111.2 mm SL, Brazil, Macaé, Macaé River;
lateral, dorsal, and ventral views.

 Rineloricaria buckupi, paratypes. Note the remarkable dark brown transverse bars on dorsal surface.
A. MNRJ 54658, 77.9 mm SL; five bars on dorsal surface.
B. MNRJ 54658, 101.8 mm SL; notice third and fourth bars fused. 

Rineloricaria buckupi, new species

Diagnosis. Rineloricaria buckupi can be distinguished from most congeners except for R. aequalicuspis Reis & Cardoso, 2001, R. altipinnis, R. anhaguapitan Ghazzi, 2008, R. anitae Ghazzi, 2008, R. baliola Rodriguez & Reis, 2008, R. cacerensis (Miranda Ribeiro, 1912), R. cachivera, ..., R. zaina Ghazzi, 2008 and R. zawadzkii by having five lateral series of plates below the dorsal fin (vs. four lateral series of plates below the dorsal fin), and mid-dorsal series extending below and posterior to dorsal fin (vs. mid-dorsal series not extending beyond the origin of dorsal fin). Rineloricaria buckupi differs from R. aequalicuspis, R. anhaguapitan, R. baliola, R. capitonia, R. latirostris, R. maacki, R. malabarbai, R. maquinensis, R. microlepidogaster, R. nudipectoris, R. reisi, and R. tropeira by the extensive ventral covering of the pectoral girdle by plates (vs. absence of plates on most of the ventral surface of the pectoral girdle). It differs from R. cacerensis, R. fallax,  ...

Etymology. The specific name buckupi (noun, masculine, singular genitive), is a patronym for Paulo A. Buckup, in recognition of his valuable teachings as an advisor to numerous students, including the authors of this paper. Paulo has done outstanding work and made numerous contributions to Neotropical ichthyology, including advances in the systematics of Rineloricaria over the past 25 years.

 

Mejia, Eduardo; Ferraro, Gustavo A. and Souto-Santos, Igor C. A. 2025. A New Species of Whiptail Catfish Rineloricaria (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Macaé and São João River Basins, southeastern Brazil. Neotrop. ichthyol. 23 (02); DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2024-0087 

[Ichthyology • 2024] Hypancistrus parkateje • A New Species of Hypancistrus Isbrücker & Nijssen 1991 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the rapids of the middle Rio Tocantins

 

Hypancistrus parkateje

 Araújo, Ferreira, Monteiro & Wosiacki, 2024 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15971 

 x.com/Araujoictio

Abstract

The Hypancistrus genus is recognized in the Río Orinoco basin and Rio Xingu in the Guiana and Brazilian Shields, respectively. Some of its species are important in ornamental fishing. Despite this significance, many other undescribed species are still awaiting to be named. Here we describe a new species of Hypancistrus found on bedrock in the Rio Tocantins, representing an extension of the distribution of the genus. Also, a multigene phylogeny is presented to evaluate the taxonomic position of this species concerning congeners. The new species differs from all congeners by (1) hypertrophied odontodes on cheeks reaching beyond the cleithrum, (2) a supraoccipital crest conspicuously elevated, (3) a supraorbital crest slightly convex, (4) oblique bars on the anterior part of the body, (5) a dark E-shaped mark on the snout, (6) three oblique dark bars on the anterior part of the body and horizontal vermicular bars from the pectoral girdle to the posterior insertion of the dorsal fin, (7) a thin light gray bar on the posterior of the head extending across the branchial opening, (8) a tan background color, (9) a developed suspensorium with a diminished appendix in the metapterygoid, and (10) a dentary plate robust significantly fused with the angulo-articular bone. The molecular phylogenetic results show the new species forming a group with Hypancistrus zebra (Brazilian Shield—Rio Xingu) as a clade, a sister group of a monophyletic group consisting of all congeners from the Río Orinoco.

Keywords: armored catfish, molecular phylogeny, new taxon, rheophilic fish

Holotype of Hypancistrus parkateje, 64.5 mm SL (standard length),
Brazil, Pará, Bom Jesus do Tocantins, Rio Tocantins basin.

Hypancistrus parkateje

Felipe Araújo, Marlon Ferreira, Iann Monteiro and Wolmar Wosiacki. 2024. A New Species of Hypancistrus Isbrücker & Nijssen 1991 (Loricariidae, Siluriformes) from the rapids of the middle Rio Tocantins. Journal of Fish Biology.  DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15971

  x.com/Araujoictio/status/1854503751215686100

[Ichthyology • 2019] Farlowella azpelicuetae • A New Species of Farlowella (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper Bermejo River, La Plata River basin, northwestern Argentina

 

  Farlowella azpelicuetae  

 Terán, Ballen, Alonso, Aguilera & Mirande, 2019

 DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-20180114 

 Researchgate.net/publication/334060121

 

ABSTRACT

A new species of Farlowella is described from the Bermejo River basin, in Salta and Jujuy provinces, northwestern Argentina. The new species belongs to the Farlowella nattereri species group. The new species is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: marbled rostrum, five rows of lateral plates series, relatively short snout (snout-mouth length less than 50.0% of head length), complete half-moon shaped spot on caudal fin, and short predorsal distance (37.8-41.8% of standard length).

Keywords: Armored catfish; Chaco Ecoregion; Endemic species; Loricariinae; Taxonomy

  Farlowella azpelicuetae 

Argentina, Salta, Bermejo River, La Plata River basin. 

 holotype, CI-FML 7277, 142.4 mm SL, a. lateral, b. dorsal, and c. ventral views. 
 paratype, CI-FML 7265, 193.9 mm SL. a. detail of the coloration of the snout; b. coloration pattern of caudal fin; c. coloration of live specimen.

 
Farlowella azpelicuetae, new species

Diagnosis. Farlowella azpelicuetae differs from most congeners, except F. altocorpus, F. gianetii, F. gracilis, F. hasemani, F. isbrueckeri, F. jauruensis, F. nattereri, and F. odontotumulus, by the presence of five rows on lateral plate series of body (vs. four). Farlowella azpelicuetae differs from F. gracilis, F. hasemani, F. isbrueckeri, F. nattereri, and F. odontotumulus by having proportionally-shorter snout-mouth length (less than 50% HL vs. more than 50% HL). The new species differs from F. jauruensis and F. gianetii by its marbled coloration pattern of snout (vs. snout completely dark and snout darkly pigmented only laterally, respectively). Farlowella azpelicuetae differs from F. altocorpus by having a continuous half-moon pigmentation pattern on the caudal fin (vs. discontinuous half-moon shaped pattern) and by the shorter predorsal length (37.8-41.8 % SL vs. 43.7-45.6% SL). The new species can be further distinguished by the presence of three rows of abdominal plates (vs. two in F. acus, F. amazonum, F. colombiensis, F. henriquei, F. martini, F. rugosa, F. venezuelensis, F. vittata, and F. yarigui and an incomplete median disjunct row of abdominal plates in F. mitoupibo). Additionally, F. azpelicuetae differs from F. hahni, F. knerii, F. oxyrryncha, F. reticulata, and F. schreitmuelleri by having irregular dark brown blotches on ...

Etymology. The species is named azpelicuetae after Dr. María de las Mercedes Azpelicueta, in recognition of her prominent contributions to ichthyology, especially to the systematics of Argentinian fishes. She described numerous species and was essential to the formation of subsequent generations of freshwater fish systematists in Argentina. A matronym in genitive case. 

Guillermo E. Terán, Gustavo A. Ballen, Felipe Alonso, Gastón Aguilera and J. Marcos Mirande. 2019. A New Species of Farlowella (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper Bermejo River, La Plata River basin, northwestern Argentina. Neotropical Ichthyology. 17(2); e180114. DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-20180114

  Researchgate.net/publication/334060121_A_new_species_of_Farlowella_from_La_Plata_River_basin_NW_Argentina

RESUMEN: Se describe una nueva especie de Farlowella de la cuenca del Río Bermejo, en las provincias de Salta y Jujuy, en el noroeste de Argentina. La nueva especie pertenece al grupo de Farlowella nattereri. La nueva especie se diagnostica con la siguiente combinación de caracteres: rostro veteado, cinco hileras de placas laterales en el cuerpo, hocico relativamente corto (longitud hocico-boca menor a 50.0% longitud cabeza), mancha en forma de media luna completa en la aleta caudal, y distancia predorsal corta (37.8-41.8% longitud estándar).

Palabras clave: Ecoregion Chaco; Especie endémica; Loricariinae; Taxonomía; Viejita del agua

[Ichthyology • 2024] Pseudacanthicus nyktos • A New Species of Pseudacanthicus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the rio Xingu, Amazon, Brazil

Pseudacanthicus nyktos

  Lopes, Sousa & Chamon, 2024

www.scielo.br/j/NI 

Abstract

The genus Pseudacanthicus encompasses eight recognized species so far: P. histrix, P. serratus, P. spinosus, P. fordii, P. leopardus, P. pitanga, P. pirarara, P. major. Only P. pirarara has been formally described from the rio Xingu basin. To address this gap in taxonomic knowledge of the region, a new species of the Pseudacanthicus is described here, aimed at enhancing our understanding of the genus within the rio Xingu basin and contributing to conservation efforts. The new species is primarily found downstream the impact zone of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Power Plant. It can be promptly diagnosed from congeners by the color pattern of the body dark brown to black with light gray vermicular spots on the dorsal and ventral surfaces, and fins; lower maximum number of teeth in premaxilla and dentary; and other osteological characters. It’s worth noting that the ichthyofauna of the Amazonian drainages lacks comprehensive taxonomic and biological information regarding Pseudacanthicus. In this context, unchecked anthropogenic activities are leading to changes in the ecosystem, often resulting in the extinction of species even before they are scientifically addressed.

Keywords: Acanthicus clade; Amazon basin; Ancistrini; Conservation; Taxonomy

Holotype of Pseudacanthicus nyktos, INPA-ICT 060701, 190.18 mm SL, rio Xingu, Vitória do Xingu.
A. Dorsal view; B. Lateral view; C. Ventral view.

Ventral view of mouth and barbels of Pseudacanthicus nyktos. Specimen not preserved.
Premaxillary and dentary teeth of a skeletonized paratype of Pseudacanthicus nyktos (LIA 8173, 154 mm SL).

 

Pseudacanthicus nyktos, new species

Diagnosis: Pseudacanthicus nyktos differs from all congeners by a dark brown to black body with light gray vermicular spots on the dorsal and ventral surfaces, and fins (vs. body with dark gray to dark brown background with black dots or spots and fins with intense orange to red color in P. leopardus, P. pitanga and P. pirarara; body and fins with dark gray background color and white dots or spots in P. serratus and P. fordii, more conspicuous in ventral region; body with a gray color and black dots or spots in P. histrix and P. spinosus; and body with a dark brown color without spots or dots; with white transverse bars on the dorsal and caudal fins ...  

Etymology: The specific epithet nyktos derives from Greek meaning “night”, in allusion to the dark color of the specimens in comparison with other species of the genus and also to the deep locations where they can be found, where there is no light. An adjective.

  Body shape and color in life of Pseudacanthicus nyktos shown to scale.
 Specimens not preserved. Scale bars = 1 cm.

Maria Letícia Batista Galvão Lopes, Leandro Melo de Sousa and Carine Cavalcante Chamon. 2024. New Species of Pseudacanthicus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the rio Xingu, Amazon, Brazil.  Neotrop. ichthyol. 22(3) • 2024 • DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2024-0033 www.scielo.br/j/ni/a/XHfLffzyJxq445HxZs4bnkF 

[Ichthyology • 2024] Chaetostoma sacramento • The Ornate Rubbernose Pleco (Siluriformes: Loricariidae: Chaetostoma), A New Species from the Ucayali River Basin, Peru

Chaetostoma sacramento 

 Meza-Vargas, Ramirez & Lujan, 2024 

 

DOI: 10.3897/zse.100.118522

Abstract

A new species in the rubbernose catfish genus Chaetostoma is described from the Aguaytia, Pisqui and Palcazu Rivers, which drain the Pampa de Sacramento Region in the Ucayali River drainage of central Peru. The new species is distinguished from congeners, except C. anomalum, C. branickii, C. dorsale, C. leucomelas, C. microps, C. nudirostre, C. palmeri and C. thomsoni by having distinct, white, variably-shaped spots or vermiculations ½–2× nostril diameter on dark grey to black background on the head (vs. spots absent or black on light-coloured background). The new species is distinguished from C. anomalum, C. branickii, C. dorsale, C. microps, C. nudirostre and C. thomsoni by having highly variable, distinct white spots, vermiculations or bands ½–10× nostril diameter on the body, from C. leucomelas by having dorsal and caudal fin indistinctly and variably-patterned with zero to four bands (vs. dorsal and caudal fin consistently having five or more uniform bands) and from C. palmeri by having two predorsal plates (vs. three), supraoccipital excrescence present (vs. absent) and pelvic-fin insertion slightly posterior to dorsal-fin insertion (vs. pelvic-fin insertion at middle of dorsal-fin base). Species delimitation analyses of the COI and Cytb genes further support the recognition of this new species.

Key Words: Amazon, Andes, Chaetostoma clade, freshwater, molecular, Neotropical, taxonomy

Live holotype of Chaetostoma sacramento MUSM 72045, 65.1 cm, collected from the Yamino River, a tributary of the Aguaytía River. Photos by D. Faustino.

 Chaetostoma sacramento sp. nov.

Chaetostoma sp. nov. Ucayali: Lujan et al. (2015b) [molecular phylogeny].

Diagnosis: Chaetostoma sacramento can be diagnosed from all congeners, except C. anomalum, C. branickii, C. dorsale, C. leucomelas, C. microps, C. nudirostre, C. palmeri and C. thomsoni by having distinct, white, variably-shaped spots or vermiculations ½–2× nostril diameter on grey to brown background on the head (vs. spots absent or black on light-coloured background). Chaetostoma sacramento is distinguished from C. anomalum, C. branickii, C. dorsale, C. nudirostre and C. thomsonii by having highly variable, small to large distinct white spots, vermiculations or bands on the body (vs. spots, vermiculations or bands absent or black on light-coloured background), from C. anomalum by having adipose fin fully formed (vs. rudimentary), from C. dorsale by having uniformly brown adipose fin (vs. adipose fin with black spot), from C. leucomelas by having golden spots across the dorsal fin rays (vs. light bands), from C. microps by having eight branched dorsal-fin rays (vs. nine), from C. nudirostre by having curved cheek odontodes (vs. strait), from C. palmeri by having two predorsal plates (vs. three), excrescence present (vs. absent) and pelvic-fin insertion slightly posterior of dorsal-fin insertion (vs. pelvic-fin insertion at middle of dorsal-fin base).

Etymology: The species epithet sacramento refers to the plain (pampa) in central Peru between the Huallaga and Ucayali Rivers, approximately delimited by the Pisqui River in the north and Palcazu River in the south. Chaetostoma sacramento is currently known exclusively from this region, known as the Pampa de Sacramento, which occupies a valley between Huánuco and Ucayali provinces that is part of the Peruvian subandean belt and surrounds Boqueron del Padre Abad in the Cordillera Azul. The Pampa de Sacramento was first encountered by Europeans on 21 June 1726, by an expedition led by Don Juan Nunez Lobo and was christened Pampa del Sacramento to commemorate the Catholic ceremony of the Corpus Christi. Subsequent Franciscan missionaries highlighted the rich ethnic diversity of this region (IBC 2016). A noun in apposition.

 Vanessa Meza-Vargas, Jorge L. Ramirez and Nathan K. Lujan. 2024. The Ornate Rubbernose Pleco (Siluriformes, Loricariidae, Chaetostoma), A New Species from the Ucayali River Basin, Peru. Zoosystematics and Evolution 100(4): 1387-1400. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.100.118522

[Ichthyology • 2024] Rineloricaria atratoensis & R. giua • Two New Species of Rineloricaria (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Trans-Andean Rivers of Colombia, Unveiled through Iterative Taxonomy

Rineloricaria giua

Castellanos-Mejía, Londoño-Burbano, Ochoa, García-Alzate & DoNascimiento, 2024 

DOI: 10.1643/i2023091  

Photographs by José Luis Londoño-López

 Abstract  

Two new species of Rineloricaria are described from the trans-Andean region of Colombia. Rineloricaria atratoensis, new species, is distributed in the Atrato River and is distinguished by the absence of the mid-dorsal plate series and by having three rows of median abdominal plates, first (unbranched) ray of dorsal, pectoral, and pelvic fins extended as a short filament, and breeding males with hypertrophied odontodes on sides of head and dorsum of pectoral fin. Rineloricaria giua, new species, is found in the Magdalena and Ranchería Rivers and is distinguished by absence of mid-dorsal plate series and by having four or five rows of median abdominal plates, four plates along sides of dorsal-fin base, lateral margins of snout straight, and breeding males with hypertrophied odontodes on sides of head and dorsum of pectoral fin. Phylogenetic analyses of COI sequences of species of Rineloricaria from trans-Andean and Central American river basins revealed the different phylogenetic positions of the new species. Likewise, species delimitation analyses corroborated their status as independent lineages. An identification key for the trans-Andean and Central American species of Rineloricaria is provided.

Rineloricaria atratoensis, new species 

Diagnosis.—Rineloricaria atratoensis is distinguished from all trans-Andean and Central American congeners by having the first (unbranched) ray of dorsal, pectoral, and pelvic fins extended as a short filament (vs. coterminous with branched rays in R. altipinnis, R. giua, new species, R. jubata, R. magdalenae, R. rupestris, R. sneiderni, and R. uracantha). Rineloricaria atratoensis can also be distinguished from this group of species (except R. magdalenae) by having a paired deep depression between the nostrils and the ...

Etymology.—The species name atratoensis is in reference to its type locality, the Atrato River.

Paratypes of Rineloricaria giua, CIUA 8370, 79.5 mm SL, female, Tucuy River, Magdalena River basin, La Jagua de Ibirico, Cesar, Colombia, 9°35′13″N, 73°18′34.9″W. (A) Preserved specimen; (B) live specimen.

 Photographs by José Luis Londoño-López, copyright Colección de Ictiología de la Universidad de Antioquia; used with permission. Scale bar 1 cm.

Rineloricaria giua, new species

Diagnosis.—Rineloricaria giua is distinguished from most trans-Andean and Central American congeners (except R. jubata and R. uracantha) by having four or five rows of median abdominal plates (vs. three in R. atratoensis and R. magdalenae, more than six in R. altipinnis, R. rupestris, and R. sneiderni). Rineloricaria giua is also distinguished from this group of species (except R. magdalenae) by having lateral margins of the snout straight (vs. convex in R. altipinnis, R. atratoensis, R. jubata, R. rupestris, R. uracantha, and R. sneiderni). Rineloricaria giua differs from R. atratoensis, R. jubata and R. rupestris by having four plates along sides of dorsal-fin base (vs. five). Also, R. giua is distinguished from R. atratoensis and R. magdalenae by absence of a paired deep depression between the nostrils and the interorbital region (vs. present) and postorbital notch small and shallow (vs. large and deep). The new species is further distinguished from most of its congeners (except R. atratoensis, R. aurata, ...

Etymology.—In honor of the Grupo de Ictiología of Universidad de Antioquia (acronym GIUA). Used as a noun in apposition.

María Camila Castellanos-Mejía, Alejandro Londoño-Burbano, Luz E. Ochoa, Carlos A. García-Alzate and Carlos DoNascimiento. 2024. Two New Species of Rineloricaria (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Trans-Andean Rivers of Colombia, Unveiled through Iterative Taxonomy. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 112 (3), 429-443. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2023091  

Se describen dos especies nuevas de Rineloricaria de la región transandina de Colombia. Rineloricaria atratoensis, especie nueva, se distribuye en el río Atrato y se distingue por no tener la serie de placas dorsales medias, y por poseer tres series de placas abdominales medias, el primer radio (no ramificado) de las aletas dorsal, pectoral y pélvica extendido como un filamento corto, y machos reproductores con odontodes hipertrofiados en los lados de la cabeza y el dorso de la aleta pectoral. Rineloricaria giua, especie nueva, se encuentra en los ríos Magdalena y Ranchería y se distingue por la ausencia de la serie de placas dorsales medias, y por tener cuatro o cinco series de placas abdominales medias, cuatro placas a los lados de la base de la aleta dorsal, márgenes laterales del hocico rectos y machos reproductores con odontodes hipertrofiados en los lados de la cabeza y el dorso de la aleta pectoral. Los análisis filogenéticos de las secuencias COI de especies de Rineloricaria de las cuencas transandinas y centroamericanas, revelaron la diferente posición filogenética de las especies nuevas. Asimismo, los análisis de delimitación de especies corroboraron su condición de linajes independientes. Se proporciona una clave de identificación para las especies transandinas y centroamericanas de Rineloricaria.

[Ichthyology • 2023] Lasiancistrus wiwa • Phylogenetic Revision of Whisker-cheeked Suckermouth Catfishes (Siluriformes: Loricariidae: Lasiancistrus) from east of the Andes: Five Species where once there were Two

Lasiancistrus wiwa

Poveda-Cuellar, Conde-Saldaña, Villa-Navarro, Lujan & Santos, 2024

DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad042 

 Researchgate.net/publication/372161393

 

Abstract

We integrated large sample sizes, morphometric and molecular data, and phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses to test the 17-year-old hypothesis that only two species of whisker-cheeked suckermouth catfishes (genus Lasiancistrus) occur in river drainages west of the Andes Mountains. Our results reject this hypothesis, demonstrating that, in addition to the previously recognized Lasiancistrus guacharote from Lake Maracaibo, a Lasiancistrus clade from west of the Sierra de Perijá contains at least four allopatric, genetically differentiated and morphologically distinct lineages. One of these lineages had no previous name associated with it and is described here as the new species Lasiancistrus wiwa. Phylogenetic relationships and geographical distributions of all five trans-Andean lineages are concordant with watershed boundaries and major mountain ranges that form these boundaries, with the following five freshwater basins or regions each containing a single species: Lake Maracaibo (L. guacharote), Rancheria River basin (L. wiwa), Upper and Middle Magdalena River and lower Cauca River basins (Lasiancistrus volcanensis), Upper Cauca River basin (Lasiancistrus caucanus) and Pacific Coastal watersheds between central Colombia and central Panama (Lasiancistrus mayoloi). Evolutionary relationships among these lineages suggest that Andean uplift-mediated vicariance contributed significantly to the cladogenesis and allopatric distributions of these fishes.

Andes, biodiversity, biogeography, molecular phylogeny, South America, morphology, anatomy

 Holotype of Lasiancistrus wiwa, CZUTIC17449, 79.6 mm standard length, from Colombia, Departamento de La Guajira, Ranchería River basin, Manantial Cañaverales. Scale bar: 10 mm.

  Lasiancistrus wiwa

Etymology: Wiwa is a noun in apposition, referring to indigenous peoples who live in what is now northern Cesar Department and southern La Guajira Department, Colombia. The Wiwa have been displaced to between 900 and 2500 m a.s.l. in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and their population currently numbers< 14 000 people. 

José Luis Poveda-Cuellar, Cristhian Camilo Conde-Saldaña, Francisco Antonio Villa-Navarro, Nathan K Lujan and Jorge Abdala Dergam dos Santos. 2024. Phylogenetic Revision of Whisker-cheeked Suckermouth Catfishes (Loricariidae: Lasiancistrus) from east of the Andes: Five Species where once there were Two. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 199(3); 688–712. DOI:  doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad042  

Researchgate.net/publication/372161393_Phylogenetic_revision_of_Lasiancistrus_from_east_of_the_Andes

 x.com/Novatax_Col/status/1821004988958617910

[Ichthyology • 2024] Hypostomus cari • Integrative taxonomy clarifies the armoured catfish Hypostomus pusarum (Starks) species complex (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) and reveals A New Species in the drainages of Northeastern Brazil

Hypostomus cari

Lustosa-Costa, Ramos, Zawadzki, Jacobina & Lima, 2024

  DOI:  10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae059

  x.com/ZoolJLinnSoc

 

Abstract

Hypostomus is the most species-rich genus within the family Loricariidae and is widely distributed throughout the Neotropical region. Nonetheless, the diversity and distribution of these species have still large knowledge gaps. This scenario is more significant in some regions, such as the northeast of Brazil. In this region, the first species of the genus, H. pusarum, was described in the Northeast Caatinga and Costal Drainages ecoregion. Six congeners were subsequently described in the same ecoregion, all sharing the same colour pattern making them difficult to distinguish. All of them are collectively referred to as the H. pusarum complex. The present work seeks to clarify the diversity that constitutes the H. pusarum complex through an integrative study using molecular and morphological data. The results indicate that H. carvalhoi, H. jaguribensis, H. nudiventris, H. papariae, and H. salgadae are all junior synonyms of H. pusarum. However, one of the morphotypes that occurs in the Parnaíba River is a new species that differs from the others by the absence of a developed medial buccal papilla and the presence of a pre-anal plate. The data provided here highlight the importance of integrative taxonomy for assessing diversity in complex and diverse groups in the Neotropics.

cascudos, DNA barcode, Neotropical fish, new species, Parnaíba River

Hypostomus cari sp. nov.

Silvia Yasmin Lustosa-Costa, Telton Pedro Anselmo Ramos, Cláudio Henrique Zawadzki, Uedson Pereira Jacobina and Sergio Maia Queiroz Lima. 2024. Integrative taxonomy clarifies the armoured catfish Hypostomus pusarum (Starks) species complex (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) and reveals A New Species in the drainages of Northeastern Brazil. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 201(3); zlae059, DOI:  doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae059

  x.com/ZoolJLinnSoc/status/1813166947200102676

[PaleoIchthyology • 2024] Afrocascudo saharaensis • A Saharan Fossil and the Dawn of Neotropical Armoured Catfishes in Gondwana

Afrocascudo saharaensis

Brito, Dutheil, Gueriau, Keith, Carnevale, Britto, Meunier, Khalloufi, King, de Amorim & Costa, 2024

 DOI: 10.1016/j.gr.2024.04.008

  

Highlights: 

• We describe a Cretaceous endemic Neotropical freshwater catfish from Morocco.

• Overlooked evolutionary events took place at the outset of the break-up of Gondwana.

• Iconic Neotropical freshwater lineages diversified after surviving the K/Pg extinction.

Abstract

Siluriformes are considered as primarily freshwater and have frequently been a model for the study of historical biogeography. Among catfishes, the most diverse clade is the Loricarioidei, a Neotropical group for which the fossil record extends back to the Palaeocene of Argentina. Here we describe a fossil from the early Late Cretaceous of Morocco, exhibiting typical morphological traits of the Loricariidae. A phylogenetic analysis integrating morphological characters with a multigene database for the main loricarioid lineages and outgroups highly supports inclusion of the fossil within the Loricariidae. A time-calibrated analysis corroborates the origin of loricarioids at about 112 MYA. The presence of this loricariid in Africa provides evidence that loricarioids have diversified before the separation of Africa and South America. The Moroccan loricariid shows an ancient evolutionary history that, in Africa, ended in the Late Cretaceous but persisted in South America, later surviving the K/Pg extinction.

 

Afrocascudo saharaensis gen. et sp. nov.

 

Paulo M. Brito, Didier B. Dutheil, Pierre Gueriau, Philippe Keith, Giorgio Carnevale, Marcelo Britto, François J. Meunier, Bouziane Khalloufi, Andrew King, Pedro F. de Amorim and Wilson J.E.M. Costa. 2024. A Saharan Fossil and the Dawn of Neotropical Armoured Catfishes in Gondwana. Gondwana Research. In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.gr.2024.04.008

 twitter.com/justin_an74/status/1783944379209855058

[Ichthyology • 2024] Curculionichthys monolechis • A New Species of Curculionichthys (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the Saramacca and Marowijne River Basins, Suriname and French Guiana

Curculionichthys monolechis

 de Morais, Gamarra & Reis, 2024

DOI: 10.1643/i2023051 

 twitter.com/IchsAndHerps

 

Abstract

A new species of Curculionichthys is described from the Saramacca and Marowijne (=Maroni) River basins in Suriname and French Guiana, eastern Guiana Shield. The new species possesses five of the seven diagnostic characteristics of the genus with the most remarkable morphological trait that distinguishes it from congeners being the presence of a single rostral plate. A genetic comparison with C. karipuna, the geographically closest species, showed a minimal distance of 5% in gene coI between individuals of the two species. The geographic distribution further extends the distribution of the genus across the Guiana Shield and represents the first species of the genus described from outside Brazil.

Curculionichthys monolechis, live coloration. Saut Tampock, Tampock River basin, Maroni drainage, French Guiana. Specimen not preserved.

Image from Le Bail et al. (2000).

 twitter.com/IchsAndHerps

Curculionichthys monolechis, new species

 Etymology.— Curculionichthys monolechis is from the Greek (monos), one, single, and (lekos), plate, in reference to the single rostral plate. A noun in apposition.

Andressa de Morais, Suelen P. Gamarra, Roberto E. Reis. 2024. A New Species of Curculionichthys (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the Saramacca and Marowijne River Basins, Suriname and French Guiana. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 112(1):60-68. DOI: 10.1643/i2023051

  twitter.com/IchsAndHerps/status/1765758157169586419

Uma nova espécie de Curculionichthys é descrita das bacias dos rios Saramacca e Marowijne (=Maroni), no leste do Escudo das Guianas, no Suriname e Guiana Francesa. A nova espécie possui cinco das sete características diagnosticas do gênero, sendo a característica morfológica mais marcante que a distingue das demais congêneres a presença de placa rostral única. A comparação genética com C. karipuna, a espécie geograficamente mais próxima, mostrou uma distância mínima de 5% entre os indivíduos das duas espécies. A distribuição geográfica da espécie estende a ocorrência do gênero no Escudo das Guianas e representa a primeira espécie descrita de fora do Brasil.