The record and threats of the invasion of palometa Serrasalmus maculatus (Characiformes: Serrasalmidae) in the Patos lagoon drainage, southern Brazil.

We report the occurrence of an invasive alien species, palometa Serrasalmus maculatus, in the Patos Lagoon drainage. Primary occurrence data were based on three specimens captured and preserved as vouchers in scientific collections. Additionally, we searched for secondary records from unpublished scientific sources, public agencies reports and media news to find additional reports. We discussed the possible pathways of invasion, suggesting as the vector of introduction transpositions from the Uruguay River basin. Ecological implications for ichthyofauna, environmental impacts and risk of other events of invasion in the adjoining basins are discussed.

New species of Scleromystax Günther, 1864 (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) - extending the meridional distribution of genera endemic to the Atlantic Forest

The genus Scleromystax includes species occurring in several coastal river basins from southern Bahia to southern Santa Catarina States. Examination of Scleromystax specimens sampled from the laguna dos Patos drainage revealed a new taxon, further extending the distribution of the genus to the southern border of the Atlantic forest. The new species differs from its congeners by the second infraorbital ventrally expanded. It is also distinct, except from S. macropterus and S. salmacis , by roughly oblique, elongate, dark brown blotches along body; large specimens displaying cranial fontanel completely occluded, leaving just a shallow fossae; and sexually dimorphic features inconspicuous, i.e. preopercular (cheek) region similar in males and females, and dorsal and pectoral fins of males slightly longer than in females. Herein, we also extend the record of Scleromystax salmacis to the rio Tramandaí drainage.(AU)

O gênero Scleromystax inclui espécies distribuídas nas diversas bacias hidrográficas costeiras entre o sul do Estado da Bahia e o sul do Estado de Santa Catarina. O exame de exemplares de Scleromystax coletados nos sistema da laguna dos Patos revelou um novo táxon, estendendo a distribuição do gênero para o limite austral da Mata Atlântica. A nova espécie difere de seus congêneres pelo segundo infraorbital expandido ventralmente. Também se distingue, exceto de S. macropterus e S. salmacis , por manchas castanho-escuras alongadas e oblíquas ao longo do corpo; espécimes grandes apresentando a fontanela craniana completamente oclusa, restando somente uma depressão superficial; e características de dimorfismo sexual inconspícuas, i.e. região pré-opercular semelhante em machos e fêmeas, e nadadeiras dorsal e peitoral dos machos sutilmente mais longa que das fêmeas. No presente estudo, o registro de S. salmacis é estendido até a drenagem do rio Tramandaí.(AU)