[Ichthyology • 2026] Leptorhamdia kamilai • Phylogenetic Placement and Description of A New Species of Leptorhamdia (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from the Amazon Basin

Leptorhamdia kamilai

Silva, Reia, Souza, Ywamoto & Oliveira, 2026

 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2025-0037  

 

Abstract

Brachyglaniini is a recently described tribe of Heptapterinae, composed of four genera: Brachyglanis, Gladioglanis, Leptorhamdia, and Myoglanis. Expeditions to the Aripuanã and Tapajós River basins revealed an undescribed species of Brachyglaniini, characterized by a conspicuous light-colored band posterior to the head. Our phylogenetic results provide strong evidence that this new Brachyglaniini species belongs to the genus Leptorhamdia and is closely related to L. marmorata and L. aspredinoides. In addition to the color pattern, the new species can be distinguished from its congeners by having 19-22 anal-fin rays and 47 vertebrae.

Keywords: Brazilian shield; Catfish; Integrative taxonomy; Systematics

 Leptorhamdia kamilai
Left column: holotype, DZSJRP 16293, 92.4 mm SL.
Right column: paratypes, LBP 30639, from top to bottom: 66.3 mm SL; 47.8 mm SL; 31.4 mm SL.

Live specimens of Leptorhamdia kamilai, paratype, LBP 30639, 66.3 mm SL. Photographed by Eric V. Ywamoto. 
 Habitat: rio dos Patos, tributary of the upper Arinos River in Tapajós River basin.

Leptorhamdia kamilai, new species

 Diagnosis. Leptorhamdia kamilai can be readily distinguished among its congeners by having a conspicuous light collar-band, yellowish in live specimens, posterior to the head (vs. coloration uniformly throughout body and head, lacking any distinctive bar). Additionally, L. kamilai differs from its congeners by having 19-22 anal-fin rays (vs. 17 in L. essequibensis; 15 in L. marmorata; 32-35 in L. aspredinoides; 12 in L. nocturna, 15-16 in L. schultzi) and by having 46-47 vertebrae (vs. 45 in L. essequibensis; 43 in L.marmorata; 38 in L. nocturna; 56-57 vertebrae in L. aspredinoides and 43 vertebrae in L. schultzi).

Etymology. The specific name, kamilai, honors our dear friend Dr. Kamila Mayumi Duarte Kuabara, an entomologist and lab manager of the Ornithology Department at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. A noun in a genitive case.

Gabriel de S. C. Silva, Lais Reia, Camila S. Souza, Eric V. Ywamoto and Claudio Oliveira. 2026. Phylogenetic Placement and Description of A New Species of Leptorhamdia (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from the Amazon Basin. Neotrop. ichthyol. 24 (01); DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2025-0037  

[Ichthyology • 2026] Tympanopleura personata • A New Species of inseminating Catfish of the Genus Tympanopleura (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the Ituxi River, Amazon River Basin, northern Brazil, revealed by integrative taxonomy

Tympanopleura personata

 Ribeiro, Silva-Oliveira, Magalhães, Gama & Py-Daniel, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70445 

Abstract

A new species of the genus Tympanopleura is described from the Iquiri River, a tributary of the Ituxi River, a right-bank tributary to the Purus River, Amazon River, northern Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all its congeners by a combination of features, such as the presence of an intensely pigmented square-shaped blotch on the supraoccipital, a semicircular dark blotch above each eye and an inconspicuous vertical bar on the caudal-fin base (except Tympanopleura piperata), and by a combination of meristic and morphometric character states. Preliminary molecular analyses demonstrate genetic distance values of 2.4% of cytochrome oxidase, subunit I, divergence between the new species and T. piperata and 8.0%–13.0% between the new species and the other congeners. The new species shows several reproductive adaptations to copulation and internal insemination. Considering the period during which prenuptial and nuptial specimens were available, we can presume that its reproductive period occurs when the water level increases. In addition, an identification key for the species of Tympanopleura is provided.

Tympanopleura personata in life, in dorsal (a) lateral, (b) ventral views and (c) dorsal views, UFOPA-I 1374, 84.0, mm LS, paratype, Iquiri River, Lábrea, Amazonas, Brazil.

  Tympanopleura personata, new species

Diagnosis: Tympanopleura personata is distinguished from all congeners by having a unique colouration of the head, consisting of the combination of an intensely pigmented square-shaped blotch on the supraoccipital and a semicircular dark blotch above each eye (Figure 2; Walsh et al., 2015: Figure 1e). It also differs from all congeners, except T. piperata, by the caudal-fin pigmentation, consisting of a patch of scattered melanophores forming an inconspicuous vertical bar on the caudal-fin base, most visible in live or freshly preserved specimens (Figure 2). Tympanopleura personata differs from T. piperata by having a longer caudal peduncle (11.1%–13.8% LS vs. 7.6%–10.5% LS) and a smaller distance between the insertion of the last dorsal-fin ray and adipose-fin origin (41.9%–45.6% LS vs. 45.9%–55.4% LS). Additionally, T. personata can be distinguished from T. atronasus, T. cryptica, T. brevis, T. piperata and T. rondoni by having more anal-fin rays (36–40, mode 39 vs. 23–30, mode 27 in T. atronasus; 23–30, mode 29 in T. cryptica; 31–36, mode 33 in T. brevis; 31–38, mode 35 in T. piperata; and 28–37, mode 31 in T. rondoni) and few total gill rakers (17–20, mode 19 vs. 20–24, mode 23 in T. brevis; 21–26, mode 22 in T. cryptica; 19–25, mode 23 in T. longipinna; and 24–33, mode 29–30 in T. rondoni).

Etymology: The specific epithet personata is derived from the Latin personatus, meaning masked, in reference to the dorsal pigmentation of the head. It is treated as a noun in apposition. Gender is feminine.

Frank Raynner V. Ribeiro, Cárlison Silva-Oliveira, Valdenor Magalhães, Lucas Gama and Lúcia H. Rapp Py-Daniel. 2026. A New Species of inseminating Catfish of the Genus Tympanopleura (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the Ituxi River, Amazon River Basin, northern Brazil, revealed by integrative taxonomy. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70445 [13 April 2026]

[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] Amblyceps vayavy • A New Catfish (Siluriformes: Amblycipitidae) from the northern part of the Western Ghats, India

  Amblyceps vayavy

Vijayakrishnan, Thackeray & Shirke, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5768.3.6 

 

Abstract

Amblyceps vayavy, a new species of amblycipitid catfish, is described from the northern part of the Western Ghats Hotspot, India. The new species can be distinguished from all congeners in having the following combination of characters: forked caudal fin, adipose-fin separate from dorsal procurrent part of the caudal fin, centrally projecting hooks on proximal lepidotrichia of median caudal-fin rays absent, incomplete lateral line, lower jaw longer than upper, anal-fin base 15.3–15.9% SL, body depth at anus 14.7–15.3% SL, and adipose-fin base length 21.8–22.3% SL.

Pisces, Sisoroidea, Siluriformes, torrent catfishes, Goa, Maharashtra

Amblyceps vayavy sp. nov. 

 

Balaji VIJAYAKRISHNAN, Tejas THACKERAY and Abhishek SHIRKE. 2026. Amblyceps vayavy, A New catfish from the northern part of the Western Ghats, India (Teleostei: Amblycipitidae). Zootaxa. 5768(1); 401-409. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5768.3.6 [2026-03-11]

 x.com/Meenkaran1/status/2031574661650329930

 facebook.com/100064866994974/posts/1442773817894838

[Ichthyology • 2026] Oreichthys elianae & Glyptothorax sentimereni • New Species (Teleostei: Sisoridae, Cyprinidae) from Nagaland, Northeast India

 

Oreichthys elianae  &

Glyptothorax sentimereni

 Praveenraj & Vijayakrishnan, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5763.2.5

Abstract

Two new species of fishes are described from the tributaries of the Brahmaputra River in Nagaland, Northeast India. Glyptothorax sentimereni, described from the Dikhu River, is distinguished from congeners in having the following combination of characters: ventral surfaces of pectoral spine and first pelvic-fin ray with plicae, serrated posterior edge of dorsal-fin spine, thoracic adhesive apparatus completely encinctured by striae, length of dorsal-fin spine 13.7–16.1% SL, body depth at anus 17.1–19.6% SL, length of dorsal-fin base 12.0–13.1% SL, post-adipose distance 20.8–22.2% SL, head depth 16.5–17.0% SL and dorsal-to-adipose distance 21.8–23.5% SL. Oreichthys elianae, described from the Tsurang River, is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters that include 19+1 scales (with 5 pored scales) in longitudinal series, ½3/1/2½ scales in transverse row, 9 predorsal scales, 14–15 pores on cheek, a black spot on the caudal-fin base, and reddish fins.

Pisces, Brahmaputra River, Cypriniformes, Diversity, endemic fish, Siluriformes

 

Glyptothorax sentimereni, a rheophilic torrent catfish from the Dikhu River, Nagaland

Oreichthys elianae, from the Tsurang River in Mokokchung, loses its coloration immediately under stress

Jayasimhan PRAVEENRAJ and Balaji VIJAYAKRISHNAN. 2026. New Species of the Genera Glyptothorax (Teleostei: Sisoridae) and Oreichthys (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Nagaland, Northeast India.  Zootaxa. 5763(2); 255-267. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5763.2.5 [2026-03-03]

[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] Glyptothorax pulcher • A New Species (Siluriformes: Sisoridae) from the upper Pearl River of Yunnan and Guangxi, southwest China

 

Glyptothorax pulcher  Zeng, Lin, Jiang & Chen, 

in Zeng, Lin, Yang, Pu, Jiang et Chen, 2026.

美丽纹胸鮡  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.167142 

Abstract

A new species of the genus Glyptothorax, Glyptothorax pulcher sp. nov. is described from the Tuoniang River, the Pearl River Basin, in south-eastern Yunnan Province and western Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. This new species most closely resembles G. quadriocellatus in overall morphology, including similar outline appearance, skin tubercles and colour pattern. It can be distinguished from its congeners that are found in east of the Red River in China by the following combination of characteristics: distinctive colour pattern, skin with sparse soft tubercules, dorsal surface of head smooth, thoracic adhesive apparatus (TAA) broad (length of 1–1.2 times its width, width of TAA 12.0–14.3% SL), adipose-fin base short (11.7–15.4% SL), caudal peduncle deep and short (13.7–17.5% SL in length, 10.3–12.3% SL in depth). Its validity is further confirmed by molecular phylogenetic analysis, based on mitochondrial COI and Cyt b gene sequences, indicating it forms a sister group with G. pallozonum. The estimated K2P genetic distances between the new species and G. pallozonum range from 5.7% to 6.0%. In addition, phylogenetic evidence also suggests that G. zhujiangensis not be a valid species, but rather a junior synonym of G. pallozonum in this study.

Key Words: COI, Cyt b, morphological differentiation, phylogeny, Tuoniang River

Living view of Glyptothorax pulcher sp. nov., holotype. KIZ2025000024, 83.5 mm SL.

 

 Glyptothorax pulcher Zeng, Lin, Jiang & Chen, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. Glyptothorax pulcher can be distinguished from its congeners distributed in the adjacent water systems of the Pearl River by the following combination of characteristics: distinctive colour pattern, skin with sparse tubercules, soft and similar in texture to skin, dorsal surface of head smooth, TAA broad (length of 1–1.2 times its width, width of TAA12.0–14.3% SL), adipose-fin base short (11.7–15.4% SL), caudal peduncle deep and short (13.7–17.5% SL in length, 10.3–12.3% SL in depth).

Etymology. The epithet name “pulcher” consists of the Latin “pulcher”, meaning beautiful, referring to the species’ attractive colour pattern. Suggested common name in Chinese is 美丽纹胸鮡 (Chinese Pinyin: mei li wen xiong zhao).

 Yu-Yang Zeng, Feng Lin, Hong-Fu Yang, Xin-Rui Pu, Wan-Sheng Jiang, Xiao-Yong Chen. 2026. Glyptothorax pulcher (Siluriformes, Sisoridae), A New Species from the upper Pearl River of Yunnan and Guangxi, southwest China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(1): 17-26.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.167142 

[Ichthyology • 2025] Glaridoglanis verruciloba • A New glyptosternine catfish (Siluriformes: Sisoridae) from the Zayul River in southeastern Tibet, China

Glaridoglanis verruciloba  Gong, 

in Gong, Wang, Liu & Li, 2025 

疣叶凿齿鮡  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1262.172819

Abstract

Glaridoglanis verruciloba sp. nov. is described from the Zayul River in southeastern Tibet, China. It has long been misidentified as G. andersonii. This new species is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: an enlarged lower lip bearing 4–7 verruciform lobes on the central-posterior margin; an anus situated close to the origin of the anal fin; the ventral surface at the base of maxillary barbels densely covered with striae; 11 branched pectoral-fin rays; 5–6 branched anal-fin rays; and relatively short mandibular barbels. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences further supported the validity of this new species, which is within a well-supported clade with substantial genetic divergence from G. andersonii.

Key words: Cytochrome b gene, Glyptosterninae, morphological comparison, phylogenetic analysis, taxonomy

Dorsal, lateral, and ventral views of Glaridoglanis verruciloba sp. nov., holotype, IPBX F202504001, 147.8 mm SL.

 Glaridoglanis verruciloba Gong, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Glaridoglanis verruciloba sp. nov. can be distinguished from its two congeneric species by the following combination of characters: enlarged lower lip bearing 4–7 verruciform lobes on the central-posterior margin; anus close to the anal-fin origin; ventral surface at the base of maxillary barbels densely covered with striae; 11 branched pectoral-fin rays; 5–6 branched anal-fin rays; head relatively short (HL 19.1–21.7% of SL); and mandibular barbels relatively short (inner mandibular barbel length 13.9–17.7% and outer mandibular barbel length 29.1–36.4% of HL).

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin verruca (= wart) and lobus (= lobe), referring to the verruciform lobes on the central-posterior margin of lower lip. As Glaridoglanis is feminine (fide Kottelat 2013), the specific epithet is treated accordingly. The Chinese common name of this species is 疣叶凿齿鮡 (Yóu yè záo chǐ zhào), which literally means “wart-lobed chiseled-tooth catfish”.

Type locality of Glaridoglanis verruciloba sp. nov.:
a mountain stream flowing into the Sangqu River, the eastern branch of the upper Zayul River (upper left); paratype locality: a mountain stream flowing into the Gongrigabu River, the western branch of the upper Zayul River (right); the mainstem of Gongrigabu River (lower left); and a living specimen (approx. 140 mm SL) photographed in an aquarium.

 Zheng Gong, Huanshan Wang, Yanchao Liu and Jianchuan Li. 2025. Glaridoglanis verruciloba sp. nov., A New glyptosternine catfish (Siluriformes, Sisoridae) from the Zayul River in southeastern Tibet, China. ZooKeys 1262: 289-301. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1262.172819

[Ichthyology • 2025] Cetopsorhamdia ramirezi • Phylogenetic Relationships and Historical Biogeography of Cetopsorhamdia (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae), with Description of a New Species from the Orinoco Basin, Colombia

(A) Cetopsorhamdia ramirezi Cortés-Hernández & DoNascimiento, ,
Holotype, IAvH-P 9723, 87.9 mm SL, Colombia, Casanare, Aguazul, río Únete;
(B) C. boquillae, IAvH-P 13552, 62.0 mm SL, Colombia, Quindío, Finlandia, El Membrillal; (C) C. cf. insidiosa, MHNU-I 1159, 59.5 mm SL, Colombia, Meta, Villavicencio, río Ocoa; (D) C. nasus, CIUA 7809, 68.4 mm SL, Colombia, Valle del Cauca, Ansermanuevo, quebrada el Chanco (photo by José Luis Londoño-López); 

in Cortés-Hernández, Márquez et DoNascimiento, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2025051 

 x.com/IchsAndHerps

 

Abstract

Cetopsorhamdia as currently classified is corroborated as non-monophyletic, based on a comprehensive multilocus phylogenetic analysis, with complete taxonomic representation from northern South America, and including its type species. However, a subgroup of species that agrees with a previous phylogenetic definition of the genus, based on morphology, is recovered as monophyletic and is designated herein as Cetopsorhamdia sensu stricto. A new species from piedmont tributaries of the Meta and Guaviare Rivers, Orinoco basin in Colombia, was recovered as sister to remaining cis-Andean species of the sensu stricto concept of the genus and is described here. The new species is distinguished from all sensu stricto congeners by a unique combination of characters: distal end of pectoral fin surpassing dorsal-fin origin, adipose-fin base short (12.9–15.9% of SL), lower lobe of caudal fin longer than upper lobe (31.7–37.3% of SL), body homogeneously brown, and 35–36 total vertebrae. A clear vicariant cis- and trans-Andean pattern is obtained for species of Cetopsorhamdia sensu stricto, predating isolation of present Magdalena and Lake Maracaibo basins by orogenesis of the Eastern Cordillera and Mérida Andes, respectively.

Left lateral view of (A) Cetopsorhamdia ramirezi, holotype, IAvH-P 9723, 87.9 mm SL, Colombia, Casanare, Aguazul, río Únete;
(B) C. boquillae, IAvH-P 13552, 62.0 mm SL, Colombia, Quindío, Finlandia, El Membrillal; (C) C. cf. insidiosa, MHNU-I 1159, 59.5 mm SL, Colombia, Meta, Villavicencio, río Ocoa;
 (D) C. nasus, CIUA 7809, 68.4 mm SL, Colombia, Valle del Cauca, Ansermanuevo, quebrada el Chanco (photo by José Luis Londoño-López); (E) C. picklei, IAvH-P 11805, 125.5 mm SL, Colombia, Norte de Santander, río Zulia. Scale bar 5 mm.

Cetopsorhamdia ramirezi Cortés-Hernández and DoNascimiento, new species 

Etymology.—The specific epithet honors Hernando Ramírez Gil, for his invaluable contribution to the knowledge and conservation of ornamental and food fishes in Colombia

Miguel Ángel Cortés-Hernández, Edna J. Márquez, and Carlos DoNascimiento. 2025. Phylogenetic Relationships and Historical Biogeography of Cetopsorhamdia (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae), with Description of a New Species from the Orinoco Basin, Colombia. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 113(4), 667-681. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2025051 (28 November 2025). 

  x.com/IchsAndHerps/status/1995693220760854554

Cetopsorhamdia como es actualmente clasificado es corroborado como no monofilético, con base en un análisis filogenético multilocus exhaustivo, con representación taxonómica completa del norte de Sudamérica, e incluyendo su especie tipo. Sin embargo, un subgrupo de especies que concuerda con una definición filogenética previa del género, con base en morfología, es recuperado como monofilético y es designado aquí como Cetopsorhamdia sensu stricto. Una especie nueva de tributarios de piedemonte de los ríos Meta y Guaviare, cuenca del Orinoco en Colombia, fue recuperada como hermana de las especies cisandinas del concepto sensu stricto del género y es descrita aquí. La especie nueva se distingue de todos sus cóngeneres sensu stricto por una combinación única de caracteres: extremo distal de la aleta pectoral sobrepasando el origen de la aleta dorsal, base de la aleta adiposa corta (12,9–15,9% de LE); lóbulo inferior de la aleta caudal más largo que el lóbulo superior (31,7–37,3% de LE), cuerpo homogéneamente marrón y 35–36 vértebras totales. Un claro patrón vicariante cis y transandino es obtenido para las especies de Cetopsorhamdia sensu stricto, antecediendo el aislamiento de las actuales cuencas del Magdalena y del lago de Maracaibo, por la orogénesis de la cordillera oriental y de los Andes de Mérida, respectivamente.

[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]