Phylogenomics of the narrowly endemic Eurycheilichthys (Siluriformes: Loricariidae): Sympatric species with non-sister relationships suggest mainly allopatric speciation.

Armored catfishes of the genus Eurycheilichthys are endemic to Southern Brazil and Misiones (Argentina) comprising nine species of small size, with a high degree of sympatry and species diversity distributed in two river basins. Here we use new genome-wide data to infer a species phylogeny and test species boundaries for this poorly known group. We estimate 1) the phylogenetic relationships of the species of Eurycheilichthys based on 29,350 loci in 65 individuals of nine species plus outgroups, and 2) the population structure and differentiation based on 43,712 loci and 62 individuals to estimate how geography may have acted on speciation and formation of the sympatric species groups. Analyses support the monophyly of the genus and suggest two species-inclusive clades (East and West) with high support and very recently diverged species. Western clade contains E. limulus (from upper Jacuí River basin) that is sister to Western species of the Taquari-Antas basin plus E. paucidens. The Eastern clade contains E. pantherinus (from Uruguay River basin) sister to the Eastern species of the Taquari-Antas basin E. coryphaenus, plus the central-distributed species E. planus and E. vacariensis, and the more widely-distributed species E. luisae. Eurycheilichthys luisae is not monophyletic and may contain one or more cryptic species or hybrid individuals. A stronger diversity on structure of lineages on the Taquari-Antas, when compared to upper Uruguay and Jacuí River basins, and the fact that most of the sympatrically distributed taxa have non-sister relationships suggest a scenario of mainly allopatric speciation and may indicate a more dynamic landscape with headwater capture events among these tributaries.

Description of a new species of Hisonotus (Loricariidae: Siluriformes) from rio Araguaia basin.

A new species of Hisonotus is described from headwaters of rio Araguaia basin, municipality of Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso state, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a V-shaped spinelet, yellowish teeth, absence of unpaired platelets at typical adipose fin position, the caudal-fin color hyaline with three transverse dark bars, one abdominal median plate series, and by morphometric and meristic characters.

New loricariid fishes from headwaters on Serra da Mantiqueira and Complexo do Espinhaço, Minas Gerais State, Brazil (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Loricariidae).

Three new species, of three different genera of loricariids, are described from the headwaters of Serra da Mantiqueira and Cadeia do Espinhaço, in Southeastern Minas Gerais State, Brazil. In this region, the Serra da Mantiqueira and the Complexo do Espinhaço are the highest points of the Brazilian Shield and delimits the headwaters of four drainages: São Francisco, Paraná, Doce and Paraíba do Sul basins. Harttia intermontana, n. sp., is described from the headwaters of the Rio Doce basin and is the first record of the genus in this basin. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the pattern of abdominal covering, presence of preanal plates, presence and pattern of ornamentation of canal plate, and some characteristics related to sexual dimorphism. Pareiorhaphis togoroi, n. sp., is described from the headwaters of the Rio das Mortes basin, tributary to the Rio Grande, in the upper Rio Paraná drainage, and represents the first record of the genus to this drainage, thus expanding its geographic distribution. It can be distinguished from most congeners by the absence of preadipose azygous plates, and characteristics related to secondary sexual characters of mature males: presence of odontodes on the lateral margin of head plus the absence of long hypertrophied odontodes on pectoral-fin spine. Neoplecostomus pirangaensis, n. sp., is described from the headwaters of the Rio Piranga, Rio Doce basin. The new species differs from all congeners by the much-reduced dermal platelets on the abdomen, devoid of developed odontodes between the insertions of the pectoral and pelvic fins. Neoplecostomus pirangaensis can also be distinguished from all congeners, except N. botucatu and N. paranensis, due to the complete absence of vestiges of the adipose fin (vs. vestiges, or adipose fin moderate to well developed and always present). The new species differs from N. botucatu by the absence of conspicuous dark spots all over the body and the presence of common dorsal bands in juveniles, and almost totally black in adults. It differs from N. paranensis by the bigger and less numerous teeth. Additionally, the new species differs from Neoplecostomus doceensis by the absence of enlarged fleshy folds between dentaries, and absence of a lateronasal plate.

A new species of Parotocinclus (Loricariidae: Hypoptopomatinae) from Rio Tocantins basin, Brazil.

A new species of Parotocinclus is described from the Rio Tocantins basin, Tocantins State, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from congeners by a combination of characters such as: (1) a unique pattern of body coloration with five transverse dark bars; (2) absence of an adipose fin or small platelet at typical adipose-fin region; (3) absence of conspicuous dark dots broadly distributed on the body; (4) absence of a triangular dark blotch at the anterior base of the dorsal fin; and (5) presence of a V-shaped spinelet.

A new species of Hisonotus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Aripuanã river, Amazon basin, Brazil.

A new species of Hisonotus from rio Juma, located at the right margin of the lower rio Aripuanã, rio Madeira basin is described. The new species is distinguished from its congeners mainly by a reddish-tipped premaxillary and dentary teeth, a V-shaped spinelet, three lateral plates in abdominal series, the coloration pattern of caudal fin with three transversal dark bars, and by morphometric characters.

Two new species of Corumbataia (Hypoptopomatinae: Loricariidae) from Rio Corrente, upper Rio Paraná basin, Brazil.

We describe two new species of Corumbataia from Central Brazil. The new species are known from Rio Corrente, a tributary of the upper Rio Paraná basin. Furthermore, the two species are distinguished from congeners, mainly by the presence of a broad naked area without plates or odontodes on the dorsal portion of the snout. Additionally, the two new species described here can be distinguished from each other by the caudal-peduncle depth, number of infraorbitals plates series and by the general color pattern of caudal fin.

Hisonotus devidei, a new species from the São Francisco basin, Brazil (Siluriformes: Loricariidae).

A recent expedition to headwaters of the Rio Pandeiros, a left-bank tributary of the Rio São Francisco revealed the presence of a fourth species of Hisonotus from that basin. Hisonotus devidei sp. nov. differs from congeners by the presence of conspicuous dark blotches of distinct shapes irregularly arranged along lateral and dorsal surfaces of the body and scattered throughout all fins, by possessing small plates in lateral portions of the abdomen and adjacent areas between pelvic fins without development of dermal plates and by morphometric ratios. The putative phylogenetic placement of the new species is discussed based on morphological comparisons with species of related Hypoptopomatinae genera and the Hisonotus species diversity within the Rio São Francisco Basin is compared with that of adjacent basins.

Two new species of Curculionichthys (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the rio Amazonas basin, Brazil.

In the present study, we describe two new species of Curculionichthys from rio Tapajós and rio Tocantins basins in Brazil. Both species present all diagnostic features of Curculionichthys. Furthermore, both species C. tukana and C. itaim are distinguished from congeners by the combination of seven characters: (1) a higher number of plates in abdominal lateral plates series; (2) the absence of large conspicuous odontodes forming rows on head and trunk; (3) the anterior profile of the head pointed; (4) a higher number of dentary teeth; (5) the lack of contrasting dark spots at the anterodorsal region of body; (6) the absence of an irregular concentration of chromatophores that entirely cover the anal-fin origin and adjacent region, and distal portion of the first unbranched anal-fin ray; and (7) the presence of odontodes forming aligned rows, more evident in the dorsal portion of head and in the lateral portion of caudal peduncle. Furthermore, C. tukana can be further distinguished from congeners by three characters: (1) the papillae aligned in series that extends from the distal portion of lower lip to dentary; (2) the absence of dark-brown spots scattered over the body; and (3) a higher number of maxillary teeth. The species C. itaim also can be further distinguished from congeners by five characters: (1) the papillae randomly distributed throughout the lower lip; (2) a smaller number of medial plates series on lateral portion of the body following the lateral line; (3) a smaller number of median plates series in abdomen; (4) the absence of dark-brown spots scattered over the body; and (5) the absence of one unpaired platelet on the dorsal portion of the caudal peduncle.

Microlepidogaster negomata, a new hypoptopomatine catfish (Loricariidae: Hypoptopomatinae) from Rio São Francisco basin, southeastern Brazil.

The number of species of Microlepidogaster recently increased considerably, the genus presently comprises six species distributed in the Paraná, São Francisco, and Jequitinhonha river basins. A new species of Microlepidogaster is herein described from the upper Rio São Francisco basin, which can be distinguished from all congeners by having two exclusive features within the genus: skin over swimbladder opening with two to five reduced unperforated platelets, and ventral laminar expansion of coracoid enclosing completely or almost completely the arrector fossa of the pectoral girdle. In addition, other features to recognize this species are: snout covered by many small plates bearing slender pointed odontodes; presence of iris operculum; exposure of pectoral girdle restricted to the lateral portion; presence of pectoral axillary slit only in juveniles; anterior portion of compound supraneural plus first dorsal-fin proximal radial contacting the neural spine of the eighth or ninth vertebra; first anal-fin pterygiophore covered only by skin; and uninterrupted, long median and mid-dorsal series of lateral plates.

Description of a new species of Gymnotocinclus from the rio Tocantins basin with phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily Hypoptopomatinae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae).

Gymnotocinclus canoeiro n. sp. of the Hypoptopomatinae is described from small tributaries of the upper rio Tocantins basin. It is distinguished from G. anosteos by having five characters: (1) the presence of body dermal plates, (2) the pectoral girdle not exposed in ventral view, (3) the pelvic spine longer than pectoral spine in males, (4) the pectoral fin with seven to eight branched rays, and (5) the presence of an adipose fin. Furthermore, maximum likelihood (ML) analysis was used to estimate a molecular phylogeny from previously published data of one nuclear (F-Reticulon 4) and three mitochondrial (16S RNA, COI and CytB) genes. The phylogenetic results revealed the new species as a sister taxon of Gymnotocinclus anosteos within the Otothyrini. We also included samples of Nannoplecostomus eleonorae that appeared sister group to all other Neoplecostomini species, and Plesioptopoma curvidens that appeared within the Neoplecostomini forming a sister clade to all species of Neoplecostomus, except N. ribeirensis and the species of Pareiorhina, except P. rudolphi.

Description of a new species of Parotocinclus (Siluriformes, Hypoptopomatinae) from the rio Tapajós basin.

A new species of Parotocinclus is described from three small tributaries of the rio Tapajós basin, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by presenting the following characters: (1) a triangular dark blotch at the anterior base of the dorsal fin, (2) the absence of an adipose fin but presence of one small platelet at typical adipose-fin region, (3) the abdomen completely covered by dermal plates, (4) a pectoral girdle totally exposed, (5) a single series of bicuspid teeth, and (6) the higher number of bicuspid premaxillary and dentary teeth.

Redescription of Hisonotus notatus Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889 (Loricariidae: Hypoptopomatinae), the type species of the genus, and description of a new species from coastal drainages of southeastern Brazil

Our analyses showed that the type series of Hisonotus notatus , type species of the genus, is mixed, composed by two different species. Based on that, we redescribe H. notatus with the designation of a lectotype, restricting the species to rio São João drainage and other small coastal drainages running to the Baía de Guanabara and to the Baía de Sepetiba in Rio de Janeiro State. We also describe a new species of Hisonotus from drainages of the rio Paraíba do Sul, Lagoa Feia, rio Macaé, and coastal rivers of Espírito Santo State, from rio Itabapoana to rio Doce basin. These two species are sister-taxa and can be distinguished by the number of plates in the mid-dorsal series.

Nossas análises mostraram que a série-tipo de Hisonotus notatus , espécie-tipo do gênero, é mista, composta por duas diferentes espécies. Baseado nisso, nós redescrevemos H. notatus com a designação de um lectótipo, restringindo a espécie à drenagem do rio São João e outras pequenas drenagens que correm para a Baía de Guanabara e para a Baía de Sepetiba no estado do Rio de Janeiro. Também descrevemos uma nova espécie de Hisonotus das drenagens do rio Paraíba do Sul, Lagoa Feia, rio Macaé e rios costeiros do estado do Espírito Santo, do rio Itabapoana à bacia do rio Doce. Essas duas espécies são táxons irmãos e podem ser distinguidas pelo número de placas na série médio-dorsal.

Description of a new genus and three new species of Otothyrinae (Siluriformes, Loricariidae).

The genus Hisonotus was resurrected as a member of the tribe Otothyrini (actually subfamily Otothyrinae). However, phylogenetic studies based on morphological and molecular data showed that Hisonotus is not monophyletic and independent lineages can be identified, such as the group composed of the species Hisonotus insperatus, Hisonotus luteofrenatus, Hisonotus oliveirai, Hisonotus paresi and Hisonotus piracanjuba, a lineage unrelated to that containing the type species of the genus Hisonotus (Hisonotus notatus). Herein, based in molecular and morphological data, a new genus is described to accommodate the lineage mentioned above, into which are also added three new species. This new genus can be distinguished from other genera of Otothyrinae by the following combination of characters: (1) a pair of rostral plates at the tip of the snout; (2) two large pre-nasal plates just posterior to the rostral plates; (3) a supra-opercular plate that receives the laterosensory canal from the compound pterotic before the preopercle; (4) a well developed membrane at anal opening in females; and (5) a V-shaped spinelet. A key to species of Curculionichthys is provided.

A new species of Hisonotus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from rio São Francisco basin, Brazil.

A new species of Hisonotus is described from the rio São Francisco basin. The new species can be distinguished from congeners by having (1) a unique coloration pattern of caudal fin with one black spot extending from its origin to the ventral lobe and two dark spots at the end of the lobe's rays; (2) odontodes forming longitudinally aligned rows on head and trunk; (3) a functional V-shaped spinelet; (4) a single rostral plate at the tip of the snout; (5) by lacking contrasting dark geometric spots on the anterodorsal region of the body; (6) a lower caudal-peduncle depth; and (7) lower counts of the lateral median plates and (8) higher premaxillary and dentary teeth. The new species is the second described species of the genus Hisonotus in the rio São Francisco basin. It was found inhabiting the marginal vegetation of the rio São Francisco and three of its tributary, rio das Velhas, rio Paraopeba and rio Formoso.

Hisonotusacuen, a new and phenotypically variable cascudinho (Siluriformes, Loricariidae, Hypoptopomatinae) from the upper rio Xingu basin, Brazil.

A new species of Hisonotus is described from the headwaters of the rio Xingu. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by having a functional V-shaped spinelet, odontodes not forming longitudinal aligned rows on the head and trunk, lower counts of the lateral and median series of abdominal figs, presence of a single rostral fig at the tip of the snout, absence of the unpaired figlets at typical adipose fin position, yellowish-tipped teeth, absence of conspicuous dark saddles and stripe on the body and higher number of teeth on the premaxillary and dentary. The new species, Hisonotusacuen, is restricted to headwaters of the rio Xingu basin, and is the first species of the genus Hisonotus described from the rio Xingu basin. Hisonotusacuen is highly variable in aspects of external body proportions, including body depth, snout length, and abdomen length. This variation is partly distributed within and among populations, and is not strongly correlated with body size. PCA of 83 adult specimens from six allopatric populations indicates the presence of continuous variation. Therefore, the available morphological data suggest that the individuals inhabiting the six localities of rio Xingu represent different populations of a single species. Low intraspecific variation in mitochondrial Cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) provides corroborative evidence.

Description of two new species of Hisonotus Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889 (Ostariophysi, Loricariidae) from the rio Paraná-Paraguay basin, Brazil.

Two new species of Hisonotus are described from the rio Paraná-Paraguay basin in Brazil. The most remarkable features of the new species are the odontodes forming longitudinally aligned rows (one odontode after the other, but not necessarily forming parallel series) on the head and trunk (vs. odontodes not forming longitudinally aligned rows), a pair of rostral plates at the tip of the snout (vs. a single rostral plate), the functional v-shaped spinelet (vs. spinelet non-functional, square-shaped, or absent). These features suggest close phylogenetic relationships with Hisonotus bockmanni, H. insperatus, H. luteofrenatus and H. piracanjuba. Additionally, both new species are distinguished from their congeners by characters related to head length and depth, orbital diameter, suborbital depth, caudal peduncle depth, pectoral-fin spine length, snout length and counts of teeth. Hisonotus paresi sp. n. further differs from its congeners by having contrasting dark geometric spots on the anterodorsal region of the body, a character lacking in H. oliveirai sp. n. The variation in number and shape of the rostral plate, posterior rostrum plates, infraorbitals and the preopercle in both new species and in H. insperatus are discussed.

Pareiorhina hyptiorhachis, a new catfish species from Rio Paraíba do Sul basin, southeastern Brazil (Siluriformes, Loricariidae).

Pareiorhina hyptiorhachis is described from Ribeirão Fernandes and Rio Pomba, Rio Paraíba do Sul basin, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from its congeners (Pareiorhina brachyrhyncha, Pareiorhina carrancas, Pareiorhina cepta, and Pareiorhina rudolphi) by the presence of a conspicuous ridge on the trunk posterior to the dorsal fin (postdorsal ridge), simple teeth, a completely naked abdomen, a round dorsal profile of the head, greater suborbital depth and greater head width. We discuss the distributional pattern of the new species and its congeners and hypothesize that headwater capture is responsible for the distribution of Pareiorhina species across different watersheds in southeastern of Brazil.

ResumoPareiorhina hyptiorhachis é descrita do ribeirão Fernandes e do rio Pomba, bacia do rio Paraíba do Sul, Brasil. A nova espécie é distinguida de suas congêneres (Pareiorhina brachyrhyncha, Pareiorhina carrancas, Pareiorhina cepta, e Pareiorhina rudolphi) por caracteres relacionados a presença de uma quilha conspícua na superficie pós-dorsal do tronco, dentes simples, abdomen completamente nú, perfil dorsal da cabeça arredondado, altura do sub-orbital e largura da cabeça. Nós discutido o padrão de distribuição da nova espécie e de seus congêneres e a hipótese de que a captura de cabeceira é responsável pela distribuição das espécies de Pareiorhina através das diferentes bacias hidrográficas do sudeste do Brasil.

Taxonomic review of Hisonotus Eigenmann & Eigenmann (Siluriformes: Loricariidae: Hypoptopomatinae) from the laguna dos Patos system, southern Brazil

As espécies de Hisonotus do sistema da laguna dos Patos são revisadas. Duas espécies com amplas distribuições são redescritas: Hisonotus laevior e H. nigricauda. Seis espécies novas são descritas deste sistema: Hisonotus notopagos, da drenagem do rio Camaquã; H. prata e H. carreiro, endêmicas das cabeceiras do rio Taquari; H. vireo, amplamente distribuída na bacia do rio Jacuí; H. brunneus e H. heterogaster dos tributários da bacia do rio Jacuí. Hisonotus leptochilus é considerado sinônimo júnior de H. laevior. Hisonotus armatus, H. charrua, H. leucofrenatus e H. taimensis também são encontradas na região, e ao total doze espécies de Hisonotus estão presentes no sistema da laguna dos Patos sendo suas distribuições discutidas aqui. As espécies são ilustradas e uma chave taxonômica é fornecida.

The species of Hisonotus from the laguna dos Patos system are reviewed. Two species with wide distributions are redescribed: Hisonotus laevior and H. nigricauda. Six new species are described from that system: H. notopagos from the rio Camaquã drainage; H. carreiro and H. prata, endemic from the headwaters of rio Taquari drainage; H. vireo, widely distributed in the rio Jacuí basin; and H. brunneus and H. heterogaster restricted to tributaries of the rio Jacuí drainage. Hisonotus leptochilus is here considered a junior synonym of H. laevior. Hisonotus armatus, H. charrua, H. leucofrenatus, and H. taimensis are also present in the region and in total there are twelve species of Hisonotus in the laguna dos Patos system. Their distributions are discussed, species are illustrated and a taxonomic key is provided.

Rhinolekos, a new genus with three new species of Hypoptopomatinae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from upper rio Paraná

Rhinolekos, gênero novo, e três espécies novas, R. britskii, R. garavelloi e R. schaeferi, são descritas do rio Paranaíba, drenagem do alto rio Paraná, região central do Brasil. Rhinolekos pode ser diagnosticado pela seguinte combinação de caracteres: porção anterior do composto supraneural-primeiro proximal radial da nadadeira dorsal contatando o espinho neural da nona ou décima vértebra; presença da placa látero-nasal; ausência da placa rostral mediana; presença da fenda peitoral axilar apenas nos juvenis; superfície ventral da cintura peitoral exposta apenas lateralmente; arrector fossae parcialmente fechado, abertura relativamente grande, estendendo-se em direção à base da nadadeira peitoral; processo anterior pareado do composto supraneural-primeiro proximal radial da nadadeira dorsal ausente; série mediana de placas contínua até a origem da nadadeira caudal; opérculo da íris presente; pterótico-supracleitro quadrangular, não se estendendo posteriormente; ausência de cristas no supraoccipital, este não contribuindo com a formação da porção dorsal da cápsula da bexiga natatória; placa subopercular presente; margens dorsal e ventral do focinho portando odontódes de tamanho e forma equivalentes aos demais da cabeça; pedúnculo caudal aproximadamente circular em corte transversal; quarto infraorbital expandido ventralmente.

Rhinolekos, new genus, and three new species, R. britskii, R. garavelloi, and R. schaeferi, are described from rio Paranaíba, upper rio Paraná drainage, central Brazil. Rhinolekos can be diagnosed by the following combination of characters: anterior portion of the compound supraneural-first dorsal-fin proximal radial contacting the neural spine of the 9th or 10th vertebrae; presence of the lateronasal plate; absence of the median rostral plate; presence of the pectoral-fin axillary slit just in juvenile specimens; ventral surface of pectoral girdle exposed only laterally; arrector fossae partially enclosed, with opening relatively large, extending laterally halfway towards pectoral-fin base; paired anterior process of the compound supraneural-first dorsalfin proximal radial bone absent; median plate series continuous to the caudal-fin origin; iris operculum present; pteroticsupracleithrum quadrangular in shape and not extending posteriorly; supraoccipital not contributing to the dorsal portion of the swimbladder capsule; subopercular plate present; dorsal and ventral margins of snout bearing odontodes roughly equivalent in size and shape to those on remainder of the head; caudal peduncle roughly rounded in cross section; longitudinal crests in supraoccipital absent; fourth infraorbital expanded ventrally.

Microlepidogaster dimorpha, a new species of Hypoptopomatinae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper rio Paraná system

Microlepidogaster dimorpha, espécie nova, é descrita de tributários do rio Grande, drenagem do alto rio Paraná. Microlepidogaster dimorpha difere de M. perforatus e M. longicolla por apresentar o primeiro radial proximal da nadadeira dorsal contactando o espinho neural da sétima vértebra, com sua porção posterior contactando também o oitavo centro vertebral (vs. primeiro radial proximal contactando o espinho neural da oitava ou nona vértebra em M. perforatus e o espinho neural da décima ou décima primeira vértebra em M. longicolla); 29-30 vértebras (vs. 31 em M. perforatus; e 31-33 em M. longicolla); 18-21 placas médio-dorsais (vs. 9-13 em M. perforatus, e 13-17 em M. longicolla); pedúnculo caudal alto (10,0- 11,4% no comprimento-padrão vs. 7,7-8,5% em M. perforatus e 5,4-7,3% em M. longicolla); distância entre a origem da nadadeira dorsal e a inserção da nadadeira anal 19,4-23,8% no comprimento-padrão (vs. 16,4-18,8% em M. perforatus e 14,7- 16,2% in M. longicolla); e narina nitidamente mais larga em machos do que em fêmeas (vs. aproximadamente equivalentes em tamanho em ambos os sexos, ligeiramente mais larga em machos em M. perforatus, e equivalentes em tamanho em ambos os sexos em M. longicolla). Microlepidogaster dimorpha também difere de M. perforatus pelo opérculo da íris presente (vs. ausente); série de placas mediana completa até o fim do pedúnculo caudal (vs. série de placas mediana truncada, as duas últimas placas das séries dorsal e ventral em contato); altura da cabeça 43,4-53,1% no comprimento da cabeça (vs. 40,7-42,3%); maior diâmetro orbital, 13,6-18,5% no comprimento da cabeça (vs. 11,1-13,5%); raio indiviso da nadadeira pélvica maior em machos do que nas fêmeas (vs. equivalente em ambos os sexos); e ausência de processos anteriores pareados no supraneural (vs. presença). Adicionalmente, M. dimorpha pode ser distinguido de M. longicolla por apresentar a margem anterior do focinho com uma placa rostral pareada (vs. focinho com pequenas placas, nu na margem anterior); fenda axilar da nadadeira peitoral presente, inclusive em espécimes adultos (vs. fenda axilar da nadadeira peitoral presente apenas em espécimes juvenis); raio indiviso da nadadeira peitoral longo (20,0-23,8% no comprimento-padrão vs. 13,4-16,2% em M. longicolla).

Microlepidogaster dimorpha, new species, is described from tributaries of rio Grande, upper rio Paraná system. Microlepidogaster dimorpha differs from M. perforatus and M. longicolla by having first dorsal-fin proximal radial attached to the neural spine of seventh vertebra, with posterior portion contacting also the eighth centrum (vs. first dorsal-fin proximal radial attached to the neural spine of eighth or ninth vertebra in M. perforatus, and to the neural spine of tenth or eleventh vertebra in M. longicolla); 29-30 vertebrae (vs. 31 in M. perforatus and 31-33 in M. longicolla); 18-21 mid-dorsal plates (vs. 9-13 in M. perforatus, and 13-17 in M. longicolla); deeper caudal peduncle (10.0-11.4% in SL vs. 7.7-8.5% in M. perforatus, and 5.4-7.3% in M. longicolla); greater distance between dorsal-fin origin and anal-fin insertion (19.4-23.8% in SL vs. 16.4-18.8% in M. perforatus, and 14.7-16.2% in M. longicolla); and nostril width markedly wider in males than in females (vs. approximately equivalent in size for both sexes, slightly wider in males than in females in M. perforatus, and equivalent in size for both sexes in M. longicolla). Microlepidogaster dimorpha also differs from M. perforatus by presence of the iris operculum (vs. absence); median plate series complete to caudal peduncle end (vs. median plate series truncated, with last two plates of dorsal and ventral series contacting in midline); greater head depth (43.4-53.1% vs. 40.7-42.3% in HL); greater orbital diameter (13.6-18.5% vs. 11.1-13.5% in HL); pelvic-fin first unbranched ray longer in males than in females (vs. equivalent in size in both sexes); and supraneural without paired anterior processes (vs. processes present). Additionally, M. dimorpha can be distinguished from M. longicolla by having anterior margin of snout with a paired rostral plate (vs. snout with small plates, naked in the anterior margin); by pectoral-fin axillary slit present, even in adult specimens (vs. pectoral-fin axillary slit present only in juvenile specimens); longer pectoral-fin unbranched ray (20.0-23.8% vs. 13.4-16.2% in SL in M. longicolla).