ABSTRACT
An iterative analysis of Imparfinis, combining phylogenetic analysis based on cytochrome oxidase gene and multivariate morphometrics, revealed a new cryptic species from the Andean tributaries of the Orinoco River basin, which is described here. The new species is sister to a clade constituted by Imparfinis hasemani and Imparfinis pijpersi, both from the river basins of the Guiana Shield, being also the most geographically proximate species. Nonetheless, the new species is most similar in general appearance to Imparfinis guttatus from the Madeira and Paraguay River drainages, being almost undistinguishable by conventional characters of external morphology, differing only by morphometric attributes overall. The new species can be distinguished from the remaining congeners by a unique combination of characters, including lower lobe of caudal fin darker than upper lobe, maxillary barbel reaching or surpassing pelvic-fin insertion, 12-15 gill rakers on first gill arch, 40-42 total vertebrae and 9-10 ribs. The new species constitutes the only representative from the Orinoco River basin belonging to Imparfinis sensu stricto.
Subject(s)
Catfishes , Animals , Phylogeny , Catfishes/genetics , Rivers , Gills , GuyanaABSTRACT
We recorded Pimelodella bockmanni and P. serrata for the first time for Colombia, based on specimens collected in tributaries from the main channel of the Amazonas River, in the so-called Trapecio Amazónico, in the southernmost region of this country. We also present morphometric, meristic, and osteological data of the examined material, and provide a complementary morphological description of the poorly known P. serrata, a species known only from the Madeira River drainage in Bolivia and Brazil.
Subject(s)
Catfishes , Gastropoda , Animals , Rivers , ColombiaABSTRACT
A new species of Pimelodella is described from western Andean tributaries of the Orinoco River basin. The new species differs from all congeners by a unique set of characters that includes long maxillary barbel, surpassing the dorsal lobe of the caudal fin; relatively short adipose fin (32.8-36.4 of SL); 40-42 total vertebrae; posterior margin of pectoral-fin spine with 12-18 retrorse dentations along basal two thirds; laterosensory canal foramina of dentary and preopercle large and externally conspicuous; a brown faint and narrow midlateral stripe extending from the pseudotympanum, fading posteriorly along the caudal peduncle, and ending as a spot at the caudal-fin base; and dorsal-fin base darkly pigmented, from spinelet to posteriormost interradial membrane. Taxonomic status of P. pallida and presence of P. cruxenti in Colombia are also discussed.