[Ichthyology • 2026] Pterobunocephalus carvalhoi • After Eight decades: A New Species of Pterobunocephalus (Siluriformes: Aspredinidae) from the upper Putumayo, Napo and Pastaza Rivers, Ecuador

Pterobunocephalus carvalhoi 

 Crispim, Argüello, Silva, Oliveira, Luckenbill & Sabaj, 2026

.  

 DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2025-0162  

Abstract

Pterobunocephalus currently comprises two valid species: P. depressus described from the Guaporé River basin and P. dolichurus from the Trombetas River at its confluence with the Amazon River. A third nominal species, Bunocephalus albofasciatus, described from the upper Mamoré River basin, is presently considered a junior synonym of P. depressus. Based on a morphological approach, we describe here a new species of Pterobunocephalus from the upper Amazon basin (Napo, Pastaza, and Putumayo rivers) in Ecuador. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) large eyes; (2) anterior margin of the mesethmoid relatively wide, shallowly concave, and sunken between anterior margins of premaxillae; (3) total number of anal-fin rays 10–11; and (4) in dorsal view, parapophysis of the fifth vertebra shaped like the blade of a shepherd’s axe with distal portion conspicuously and abruptly expanded.

Keywords: Banjo catfish; CT Scan; Morphology; Taxonomy

Pterobunocephalus carvalhoi, new species

  Holotype, MEPN-I 20199, 69.9 mm SL (left), and paratype, ANSP 130605, 64.1 mm SL (right) of Pterobunocephalus carvalhoi showing variation in color pattern. 

 

 

Jefferson Luan Crispim, Pablo Argüello,Gabriel de Souza da Costa e Silva, Claudio Oliveira,Kyle R. Luckenbill and Mark H. Sabaj. 2026. After Eight decades: A New Species of Pterobunocephalus (Siluriformes: Aspredinidae) from the upper Putumayo, Napo and Pastaza rivers, Ecuador. Neotrop. ichthyol. 24(1):e250162. DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2025-0162 [17 Apr 2026]

 

[Ichthyology • 2026] Arhinoglanis relictus • Phylogenetic Assessment and Taxonomic Description of the First Scale-feeding Candiru (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from west of the Andes

 

Arhinoglanis relictus

DoNascimiento, Ortega-Lara, Albornoz-Garzón, Román-Valencia & Lujan, 2026

  

DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlag002  

  x.com/DrNathanLujan

Abstract

Among vertebrates, specialized scale-feeding occurs almost exclusively in tropical freshwater fishes, with the Amazon basin having the richest regional assemblage of such specialists. With 28 valid species and 11 valid genera, 10 of which are ectoparasitic scale and mucus-feeders, the Neotropical trichomycterid subfamily Stegophilinae is the only fish lineage to have significantly diversified within this niche. Stegophilines are widespread and ubiquitous throughout the lowland freshwaters of South America, east of the Andes. We describe Arhinoglanis gen. nov. and Arhinoglanis relictus sp. nov., the first Stegophilinae from west of the Andes, from the upper Cauca River drainage, Colombia. At 26.4 mm maximum standard length, the new genus and species is also the first miniature Stegophilinae. Using diaphanization, light microscopy, and micro-computed tomography imagery, we coded 534 morphological characters for 50 terminal taxa to recover the new taxon as sister to the exclusively cis-Andean clade of Homodiaetus + Schultzichthys. A single unique synapomorphy unites these genera: proximal tip of ceratobranchial 5 wider than proximal tip of ceratobranchial 4. Five autapomorphies diagnose the new genus, the most notable of which is a paedomorphically unossified dorsal lamina of the mesethmoid. The scarcity and highly restricted distribution of the new species within the Magdalena basin has led to its evaluation as Critically Endangered.

catfish, Cauca River, morphology, Neotropics, Stegophilinae, systematics

Arhinoglanis relictus, live paratype, ROM 112325, 20.9 mm SL, in lateral (A) and dorsal (B) views.

 A, ventral photo of live paratype of Arhinoglanis relictus, ROM 112325, 20.9 mm SL, showing gut content, and CT reconstructions of same specimen in (B) ventral and (C) left lateral views, with magnified gut content in (D) ventral, (E) dorsal, and (F) left lateral views.

Scale bars (left) = 5 mm, (right) = 1 mm.

 Arhinoglanis gen. nov. 

Arhinoglanis relictus sp. nov.

 

Carlos DoNascimiento, Armando Ortega-Lara, Juan G Albornoz-Garzón, César Román-Valencia and Nathan K Lujan. 2026. Phylogenetic Assessment and Taxonomic Description of the First Scale-feeding Candiru from west of the Andes (Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 206(3); zlag002. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlag002 [15 March 2026]

  x.com/DrNathanLujan/status/2033293332143636918

[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 • 2026] Sternopygus embera • Towards Deconstruction of the Sternopygus macrurus species complex (Gymnotiformes: Sternopygidae): Description of A New Species from the Pacific Coast of Colombia

 

Sternopygus embera 

Torgersen, Galindo-Cuervo, Ortega-Lara, Lujan, Reis & Albert, 2026 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5748.4.5 

 Researchgate.net/publication/399770371

Abstract

A new species of longtail electric knifefish, Sternopygus embera sp. nov., is described from the trans-Andean Río Baudó and Río San Juan basins of the Pacific coast of northwestern Colombia. The new species is diagnosed from all congeners by a unique combination of characters, including the complete lack of a humeral spot, morphology of the Weberian apparatus, lack of pigment bars or saddles, possession of endopterygoid teeth, vertically-oriented ascending endopterygoid process, a short snout, convex dorsal margin of neurocranium in adults, and 22–23 precaudal vertebrae. Despite sharing more external morphological similarities with species of the S. macrurus complex, the new species is phylogenetically nested within the larger-bodied and longer-snouted trans-Andean S. aequilabiatus species group, based on phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial barcode gene. Alternative hypotheses for these contrasting results, including mitochondrial introgression, incomplete lineage sorting, and paedomorphosis, are discussed. The description of this species is a step towards deconstructing the S. macrurus complex ahead of a future systematic revision.

Pisces, río Baudó, Chocó, freshwater, knifefish, río San Juan, taxonomy, Trans-Andean region

Holotype of Sternopygus embera, CZUT-IC 28654, 326 mm TL, 264 mm LEA. Scale bars = 1 cm.

Live Sternopygus embera CZUT-IC 28654, holotype, from the Río Baudó basin immediately after capture.

Sternopygus embera Torgersen, Galindo-Cuervo, Ortega-Lara, Lujan, Reis, & Albert, new species

Etymology. The specific epithet honors the Emberá, an Indigenous people native to the Chocó region of westernColombia, where the new species occurs. The name acknowledges the deep connection of the Emberá people withthe region’s rivers and ecosystems. A noun in apposition.

 

Kevin T. TORGERSEN, Aleidy M. GALINDO-CUERVO, Armando ORTEGA-LARA, Nathan K. LUJAN, Roberto E. REIS and James S. ALBERT. 2026. Towards Deconstruction of the Sternopygus macrurus species complex (Gymnotiformes: Sternopygidae): Description of A New Species from the Pacific Coast of Colombia.  Zootaxa. 5748(4); 539-560. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5748.4.5 [2026-01-15]  

 Researchgate.net/publication/399770371_Towards_deconstruction_of_the_Sternopygus_macrurus_species_complex_Description_of_a_new_species_from_the_Pacific_Coast_of_Colombia

[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] Ituglanis jussariensis • New insights into Ituglanis (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) Diversity in Bahia State, eastern Brazil: Description of A New Species and conservation status reappraisal

Ituglanis jussariensis

Vilardo, Katz & Costa, 2025

 DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70246 

 

Abstract

The northeastern Atlantic Forest of Brazil harbours a remarkable diversity of species of Trichomycteridae, many of which remain poorly understood. This study describes a new species of Ituglanis, endemic to the Ribeirão São Roque, a stream tributary of Rio Piabanha, an affluent of Rio Colônia basin, Bahia State, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: four pairs of ribs; 35 post-Weberian vertebrae, seven pectoral-fin rays; and a colour pattern consisting of irregular dark brown spots along the flanks and dorsal region. The specimens were encountered during field studies conducted in southern Bahia State aimed at collecting Ituglanis cahyensis and Ituglanis agreste. However, despite extensive efforts, neither of these species was found during surveys, suggesting potential population declines. Additionally, we reassess the conservation status of the species of Ituglanis from Bahia State, proposing status updates for three of the four previously described species based on recent field data and habitat assessments. The discovery of this new species underscores the urgent need for further exploration and collection in poorly sampled areas of the Atlantic Forest. Human activities, including deforestation and habitat degradation, continue to threaten these unique ecosystems. As demonstrated here, the description of new species contributes not only to a better understanding of biodiversity and evolutionary relationships within Ituglanis but also to conservation efforts in one of the most endangered biodiversity hotspots in the world.

Keywords: Atlantic Forest, biodiversity, catfish, conservation status, Neotropics, systematics

Ituglanis jussariensis holotype. UFRJ 14477, 42.0 mm SL, stream tributary to Rio São Roque drainage, Rio Piabanha basin. Left lateral, dorsal and ventral views.

Ituglanis jussariensis sp. n. Vilardo, Katz and Costa.

Etymology: The specific name jussariensis refers to Jussari Municipality where the new species was discovered and collected.

Ituglanis jussariensis live holotype and paratype.
(a) UFRJ 14477, holotype, 42.0 mm SL. (b) UFRJ 13135, paratype, 44.0 mm SL.

(a,b) Rio São Roque drainage, Rio Piabanha basin, Jussari Municipality, Bahia State, Brazil, the type locality of Ituglanis jussariensis.

Paulo J. Vilardo, Axel M. Katz and Wilson J. E. M. Costa. 2025. New insights into Ituglanis (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) Diversity in Bahia State, eastern Brazil: Description of A New Species and conservation status reappraisal. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70246 [05 October 2025]

[Ichthyology • 2025] Xenurolebias tupinikin • Habitat and Conservation Assessment of Annual Killifishes of the Genus Xenurolebias (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae: Cynolebiinae) from Coastal Floodplains, Including the First Record South of the Rio Doce, Southeastern Brazil

  

Xenurolebias tupinikin

 Gomes, Sarmento-Soares, Martins-Pinheiro & Leite, 2025

 Xenurolebias izecksohni,  X. cricarensis 

DOI: doi.org/10.3390/d17090644 

Abstract

The Atlantic Forest coastal tablelands is home to a wide diversity of small-sized freshwater fish sharing a biogeographically congruent distributional pattern. The annual killifish Xenurolebias are among these remarkable inhabitants in the riparian wetlands with four species in the area. Xenurolebias pataxo are located between the Jucuruçu and Mucuri rivers, geographically replaced by Xenurolebias myersi at the Riacho Doce and the Rio Itaúnas, and, further south, Xenurolebias cricarensis are in the floodplains of the Rio São Mateus and Xenurolebias izecksohni, living in temporary environments of the Rio Barra Seca, north of the Rio Doce. Due to their restricted habitat in the lowlands, these annual killifish could all be designated as a target species, providing benefits in the conservation of riparian wetlands. However, less is known about their habits and real distribution. Otherwise, the accelerated habitat loss is worrisome. Two of these species are threatened with extinction on Red Lists; one is Near-Threatened; and one is Data-Deficient. After ten years since the last species description, our investigations revealed a fifth species, the first recorded south of Rio Doce. The present contribution aims to characterize the occupied habitat by each species within the temporary environments and present an updated distributional data on these fish. Additionally, a new Xenurolebias is described, the first one recorded south of Rio Doce.

Keywords: Atlantic Forest; Rio Riacho; swamp; cloud fish; endemism

 Diagnostic features for Xenurolebias tupinikin. 

Dark blotch overlapping the median portion of the last stripe on the caudal peduncle (arrows).

 Xenurolebias tupinikin: 

MNRJ 56004, male, holotype, 23.4 mm SL; 

MNRJ 56005, female, paratype, 35.4 mm SL. 

Pool at flooded area on Sertão do Riacho stream, Aracruz, Espírito Santo, Brazil.

Xenurolebias tupinikin sp. nov. 

 Diagnosis. Xenurolebias tupinikin is distinguished from remaining congeners by adult males presenting in life a dark blotch overlapping the median portion of the last stripe on the caudal peduncle (Figure 2). It further differs from congeners, except X. myersi, by presenting the dorsal and anal fin borders with a black outline. Additionally, it is distinct from X. myersi by a body depth of 25.9–27.9 in SL (vs. 29.0–31.4 in SL).

It differs from X. izecksohni and X. cricarensis by the caudal fin in males with 5–6 bars (vs. 7–14 bars) and by male head depth 64.5–76.9% of HL (vs. 81.2–85.6% of head length in males). It further differs from X. pataxo and X. myersi due to no yellow spots on the distal half of the dorsal fin in males (vs. yellow spots present).

Etymology. The specific name is a reference to the Tupiniquim Indigenous people, inhabitants of lowlands in the central north of Espírito Santo. On the left margin of the Rio Comboios is the Indigenous land Comboios (Figure 4, green stripes near coast), which corresponds to the nearest human occupation relative to the environments inhabited by these fish.

 Xenurolebias izecksohni: (A) MBML 14205, male, 54.2 mm SL; (B) MBML 14208, female, 29.6 mm SL. Isolated pool in flooded area in Barra Seca, Linhares, Espírito Santo, Brazil.

Images: Bruno Pinheiro.

Couple of Xenurolebias cricarensis in field aquarium. Female in front, male behind.

 Image: Bruno Pinheiro.

 Bruno Pinheiro Gomes, Luisa Maria Sarmento-Soares, Ronaldo Fernando Martins-Pinheiro  and Gustavo Rocha Leite. 2025. Habitat and Conservation Assessment of Annual Killifishes of the Genus Xenurolebias (Rivulidae: Cynolebiinae) from Coastal Floodplains, Including the First Record South of the Rio Doce, Southeastern Brazil. Diversity. 17(9), 644. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/d17090644 [12 September 2025]

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evolution, Systematic and Conservation of Freshwater Fishes)

[Ichthyology • 2025] Ernstichthys casalinuovoi • A New Species of the Banjo Catfish Genus Ernstichthys (Siluriformes: Aspredinidae) from the Bermejo River Drainage, La Plata Basin, Argentina

 

 Ernstichthys casalinuovoi

Aguilera, Terán, Méndez-López, Montes & Carvalho, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024072

 Abstract 

The upper Bermejo River basin houses a great diversity of fishes, represented by the endemic species, the shared fauna between the Paraguay and the Amazon basins, and the elements from the Paraná River basin. During recent surveys in the area, many specimens of an undescribed Ernstichthys were collected in four different localities of northwestern Argentina and are herein described as a new species. The new species, Ernstichthys casalinuovoi, is distinguished from the remaining species of the genus by a combination of characters including the number of lateral plates on the body, the shape of the second pre-anal-fin plate, the presence of a rictal barbel, the coloration pattern, the number of total vertebrae, the unbranched maxillary barbel, and the number of serrations on the posterior margin of the pectoral-fin spine, among others. The large batch used to describe Ernstichthys casalinuovoi, new species, has allowed us to detect characters that should be treated carefully in the description of species belonging to Ernstichthys such as the number of serrations on the posterior margin of the pectoral-fin spine or the overlap between bony elements on the caudal peduncle given that they could vary according to ontogeny. The new species herein described represents the fifth species of the genus and the first record of Ernstichthys and the Hoplomyzontinae in Argentina.

 Ernstichthys casalinuovoi, holotype, CI-FML 8098, 34.3 mm SL,
live specimen before fixation.

Ernstichthys casalinuovoi, new species

Gastón Aguilera, Guillermo E. Terán, Alejandro Méndez-López, Martín Miguel Montes and Tiago P. Carvalho. 2025. A New Species of the Banjo Catfish Genus Ernstichthys (Siluriformes: Aspredinidae) from the Bermejo River Drainage, La Plata Basin, Argentina. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 113(3); 527-539. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024072 (3 September 2025) 

https://x.com/IchsAndHerps/status/1965468040268841329

[Ichthyology • 2025] Profundulus hectori • A New Species of Profundulus (Cyprinodontiformes: Profundulidae) from southeastern Mexico

[A-B] Profundulus hectori
  [C-D] P. punctatus 

Domínguez-Cisneros, Velázquez-Velázquez, Domínguez-Domínguez & Beltrán-López, 2025

 DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2024-0096  

Abstract

A new species of Profundulus is described from several localities in the Grijalva river basin and rivers of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, in southern Mexico, using a combination of morphological and molecular data. Genetically, it is separated from other Profundulus species analyzed by a minimum of 3.86% uncorrected p-distance for the nd2 mitochondrial gene. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: presence of a set of large black spots on the scales on the sides of the body, a set of black spots whose size is equal to or greater than 50% of the diameter of the pupil in the new species, a larger number of scales on the lateral line and a larger number of predorsal scales. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of molecular sequence data, the new species is recovered close related to P. chimalapensis, supported by posterior probability of 0.96, and this clade was recovered close related to P. oaxacae, with a posterior probability of 1.0 and bootstrap support of 100. This is the twelfth member of the genus Profundulus.

Keywords: Biodiversity; Freshwater fish; Phylogeny; Profundulids; Taxonomy

 

General morphology and live coloration patterns in
Profundulus hectori, A. Male, B. Female, Sabinal River, tributary of Grijalva River, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas. Collected in December 16, 2022 by E. Velázquez-Velázquez and M. Anzueto-Calvo.
 Profudulus punctatus, C. Male, D. Female, Arroyo tributario del Río Zanatenco, Tonalá Chiapas. Collected on March 21, 2023 by Ernesto Velázquez and Manuel Anzueto.

Profundulus hectori, new species

Etymology. In recognition of his many contributions to the study and conservation of freshwater fishes in Mexico, this species is named after our friend and colleague, the Mexican ichthyologist Hector Espinosa Perez, recently deceased. A noun in a genitive case.

Sara Elizabeth Domínguez-Cisneros, Ernesto Velázquez-Velázquez, Omar Domínguez-Domínguez and Rosa Gabriela Beltrán-López. 2025. A New Species of Profundulus (Cyprinodontiformes: Profundulidae) from southeastern Mexico. Neotrop Ichthyol. 23(2):e240096. DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2024-0096  

[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 • 2025] Campellolebias insularis • A New and threatened Species of internally inseminating Seasonal Killifish of Campellolebias (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) endemic to a continental island in the Atlantic Forest, Southern Brazil

 

  Campellolebias insularis 

 Volcan, Garcez, Robe, Feltrin, Costa & Lanés, 2025.  

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.jcz.2025.03.004 

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Abstract

Campellolebias comprises small internally inseminating seasonal fishes that inhabit temporary pools in tropical and subtropical areas of the Atlantic Forest. It currently encompasses four species. Integrative taxonomy was used here to investigate a possible new species found in the island of Florianópolis, southern Brazil. The examined material confirm that it pertains to a new species. Furthermore, minimum genetic distances found between this and other species of Campellolebias regarding mitochondrial markers were higher than 3 %. This new species is distinguished from all other species of Campellolebias by the combination of a series of character states, including the color pattern in both sexes, pelvic-fin bases separated by an interspace, pelvic-fin tips reaching base of the 1st anal-fin ray in males and the urogenital papilla in females, by possessing 1–2+24-29 infraorbital neuromasts, 2–4 otic neuromasts, and by the anal-fin origin being positioned at a vertical between the base of the 4th and 6th dorsal-fin ray in females. Campellolebias insularis, new species, occurs exclusively in small temporary wetlands in areas under strong threat due to real estate development, in the island of Florianópolis. Due to the advanced stage of habitat loss and degradation, its restricted distribution area, and the reduced populations sizes, the species is considered Critically Endangered. Additionally, comments are provided on the putative relationships of the new species, its conservation status, and an identification key for the species of Campellolebias.

 

Keywords: Annual fish, Conservation, Endangered species, Identification key, Neotropical region, Taxonomy

  Campellolebias insularis, new species, UFRJ 14432, live male holotype, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. 

Photo by Wilson Costa.

  Campellolebias insularis, new species, UFRGS 29965, male paratype, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Photo by Matheus Volcan.

Matheus Vieira Volcan, Daiana Kaster Garcez, Lizandra Jaqueline Robe, Caio Roberto Magagnin Feltrin, Wilson José Eduardo Moreira Costa and Luis Esteban Krause Lanés. 2025. A New and threatened Species of internally inseminating Seasonal Killifish of Campellolebias (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) endemic to a continental island in the Atlantic Forest, Southern Brazil. Zoologischer Anzeiger.  316; 75-84. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.jcz.2025.03.004

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[Ichthyology • 2025] Titanolebias calvinoi • The Rise of a Titan: A New Species of the giant Titanolebias Killifishes (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae), and its phylogeny

 

Titanolebias calvinoi 

Alonso, Terán, Alanís, Waldbillig, Montes, Bugeau, Barneche, Shimabukuro, Táboas, Maroli & Almeida, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.jcz.2025.04.009 

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ABSTRACT

The genus Titanolebias comprises the largest-bodied seasonal killifishes, inhabiting temporary wetlands of the La Plata Basin and adjacent areas in South America. Here, we describe a new species from the Eastern Chacoan region, representing the first record of the genus in this area, providing important biogeographic and evolutionary insights. Phylogenetic analyses confirm the monophyly of Titanolebias, placing T. monstrosus as the sister species to the remaining species of the genus and recovering the new species as sister to a clade composed of T. prognathus, T. elongatus, and T. cheradophilus. Titanolebias species, exhibits reduced sexual dimorphism, potentially associated with a trophic shift toward larger prey in the origin of this genus and presents several potential cases of aggressive mimicry. Megalebias genus represents a case of convergent evolution towards ichthyophagy with Titanolebias. Morphological analyses reveal that the new species present the diagnostic characters of the genus Titanolebias and can be distinguished by its unique coloration and other morphological traits. Behavioral and ecological data are also provided. Despite its restricted distribution and the vulnerability of ephemeral wetlands to habitat loss, the species is found within a National Park. This discovery provides valuable insights into convergent evolution linked to trophic shifts and contributes to the understanding of the evolution, phylogeny, ecology, and biogeography of Neotropical fishes, offering new avenues for future research and conservation policies for this threatened group of fishes.

Key words: sexual dimorphism, aggressive mimicry, biogeography, endemisms, temporary wetlands, annual fishes, conservation, Aplocheiloidei

 Live color pattern variability and ontogenetic changes in Titanolebias calvinoi n. sp. males.

 Titanolebias calvinoi, new species

Etymology: The specific epithet is dedicated to Pablo Andrés Calviño, in recognition of his notable contributions to Neotropical ichthyology and his pioneering efforts in the study and promotion of knowledge about killifish. Calviño has not only actively participated in scientific research on this group of fish but has also distinguished himself as one of the most notable aquarists and breeders in the region. Additionally, he has significantly contributed to the training of human resources in this field, enhancing public awareness and understanding through the organization of activities, creation of dissemination materials, and his dedicated teaching efforts, being one of the founders of the Killi Club Argentino (KCA). The term calvinoi is a patronymic in the genitive case.

 

Felipe Alonso, Guillermo Enrique Terán, Wilson Sebastián Serra Alanís, Marcos Martin Waldbillig, Martin Miguel Montes, Baltazar Bugeau, Jorge Adrian Barneche, Marina Ibañez Shimabukuro, Francisco González Táboas, Malena Maroli and Matías Jesús Almeida. 2025. The Rise of a Titan: A New Species of the giant Titanolebias Killifishes, and its phylogeny (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae). Zoologischer Anzeiger. In Press DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.jcz.2025.04.009 [3 May 2025]

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