Heraldo A. Britski

Taxonomic Impediment or Impediment to Taxonomy? A Commentary on Systematics and the Cybertaxonomic-Automation Paradigm

Marcelo R. de Carvalho AE Flavio A. Bockmann AE Dalton S. Amorim AE Carlos Roberto F. Brandao AE Mario de Vivo AE Jose L. de Figueiredo AE Heraldo A. Britski AE Mario C. C. de Pinna AE Naercio A. Menezes AE Fernando P. L. Marques AE Nelson Papavero AE Eliana M. Cancello AE Jorge V. Crisci AE John D. McEachran AE Robert C. Schelly AE John G. Lundberg AE Anthony C. Gill AE Ralf Britz AE Quentin D. Wheeler AE Melanie L. J. Stiassny AE Lynne R. Parenti AE Larry M. Page AE Ward C. Wheeler AE Julian Faivovich AE Richard P. Vari AE Lance Grande AE Chris J. Humphries AE Rob DeSalle AE Malte C. Ebach AE Gareth J. Nelson

Salminus franciscanus, a new species from the rio São Francisco basin, Brazil (Ostariophysi: Characiformes: Characidae)

Salminus franciscanus, the large-sized dourado from the rio Sao Francisco basin, Brazil, is described. The new species was actually known ichthyologically since at least Valenciennes (in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1850) but it was never properly identified. Salminus franciscanus can be diagnosed from its congeners by the combination of the presence of an enlarged second tooth in the outer series of the dentary considerably larger than the remaining teeth, the absence of a dark post-orbital stripe, scale counts (68-82 lateral line scales, 11-14 horizontal series of scales between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line, and 6-8 horizontal series of scales between the lateral line and the pelvic-fin insertion), and a developed extension of the middle rays of the caudal fin. The historical taxonomy of the species is discussed.

New species of the genus Leporinus Agassiz (Characiformes: Anostomidae) from the rio Curuá, rio Xingu basin, Serra do Cachimbo, Brazil, with comments on Leporinus reticulatus

A new species of Leporinus Agassiz is described from the rio Curua, a tributary of the rio Iriri, rio Xingu basin, Serra do Cachimbo, Para State, Brazil. The new species is diagnosed by the color pattern, which consists of eight to ten midlateral round dark blotches plus 20 to 40 smaller ones scattered over the body, dental formula 3/4, subinferior to inferior mouth, 37 to 38 lateral line scales, 4/3-4 transversal series of scales, and 12 circumpeduncular scale series. The new species most closely resembles L. octomaculatus and L. reticulatus from the upper Tapajos basin, and L. marcgravii and L. microphthalmus from the rio Sao Francisco and the rio Paranaiba, respectively. Based on recently collected specimens, L. reticulatus is re-diagnosed as having an allometric elongation of the snout.

Structure and evolution of tetraodontoid teeth: An autoradiographic study (Pisces, Tetraodontiformes)

For years teeth of tetraodontoid fishes generally have been considered coalescent even though “coalescence,” which also is found in fishes of other families, has never been well defined. This paper deals with some aspects of coalescence of the teeth in tetraodontoids and attempts to define this condition. The sites of osteodentinogenesis and the mechanisms by which hard tissues are formed, reabsorbed, and abraded during feeding were analyzed from semiserial decalcified sections and from ground sections, as well as from autoradiographs of the premaxilla and dentary bones of Sphoeroides greeleyi. The observations reported here, taken together with other data we have obtained on members of the Tetraodontoidei, permit clear definitions of “tooth” and “supporting bone,” and consequently the structural meaning of coalescence. From these data we hypothesize how coalesced masticatory structures may have evolved in this group.

Pimelodus paranaensis, sp. n., um novo Pimelodidae (Pisces, Siluriformes) do Alto Paraná, Brasil

Pimelodus paranaensis, n. sp., from the Upper Parana basin, is described on the basis of 20 specimens. The new species can be diagnosed as follows: (1) teeth present and forming two isolated on the vomer; (2) premaxillary band of teeth with a backward projecting angle; (3) top of head covered with thin layer of skin; (4) adipose fin basis 3,9 to 4.6 in standard length; (5) greatest depth of adipose fin 3.1 to 4.3 in its length, (6) dark spots along the dorsum. In spite of having teeth on the vomer as Pimelodus albicans, and as some specimens of P. clarias (sensu Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1890) and in being similar to Bagropsis reinhardti in many respects, we feel that the true relationships and the generic status of the new species can be established only after a thorough revision of the group.

Fish, Manso Reservoir region of influence, Rio Paraguai basin, Mato Grosso State, Brazil

The Rio Manso, a tributary to Rio Cuiaba, Rio Paraguai basin, is situated upstream from the Brazilian Pantanal and its ichthyofauna has many species in common with the typical fishes from the Pantanal and with those from the Rio Paraguai proper. The Manso Reservoir region of influence was sampled up to the Pantanal, including different environments, such as rivers, streams, lagoons, and the Reservoir itself, in the Rio Manso. Fish species were collected from March 2000 to February 2005, using different fishing gear, such as gill nets, seines, casting nets, and electro fishing. Considering the entire period, 250 fish species were collected, and are distributed in three Classes, 11 Orders, and 37 Families, from which 33 species do not yet correspond to any formal description, indicating that they should be new.

Hisonotus insperatus: New Species, from the Upper Rio Paraná Basin (Pisces: Ostariophysi: Loricariidae)

Abstract Hisonotus insperatus, new species, is distinguished from all the other species of the genus Hisonotus Eigenmann and Eigenmann by the combination of a pair of rostral plates at the tip of the snout, the complete median plate series to base of the caudal fin, a lateral line that is continuous along the middle of the body, a pectoral spine smooth and lacking odontodes along its posterior dorsal margin for a distance more than one-half of its width, and a scapular bridge that is completely exposed, sometimes with a very reduced median pair of arrector fossae.

Apareiodon Eigenmann, 1916 (Teleostei, Characiformes), from the Tocantins-Araguaia Basin, with Description of Three New Species

Abstract Apareiodon species from the Rio Tocantins-Araguaia basin, Brazil, were investigated to determine the recognizable species in that basin. Apareiodon machrisi Travassos, 1957, the only previously described species reported for the Rio Tocantins-Araguaia basin, is recognized as valid, and three new species inhabiting primarily headwater streams are described (Apareiodon argenteus, Apareiodon cavalcante, and Apareiodon tigrinus). The species are diagnosed based on aspects of coloration and morphology. Diagnoses and keys to the species are provided.

A New Species of Hemigrammus from the Upper Rio Tapajós Basin in Brazil (Teleostei: Characiformes: Characidae)

Abstract Hemigrammus silimoni is described from the Rio Juruena, upper Rio Tapajós basin, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all congeners, and in fact from the remaining Characidae, by the autapomorphic presence of an ocellus-like blotch on the caudal-fin dorsal lobe. The high level of fish endemicity in the Rio Juruena (upper Rio Tapajós basin) is discussed. Descreve-se Hemigrammus silimoni, uma nova espécie do Rio Juruena, bacia superior do Rio Tapajós, Estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil. A nova espécie apresenta uma mancha elipsóide similar a um ocelo no lobo superior da nadadeira caudal, uma característica autapomórfica que a distingue de todas as demais espécies do gênero e mesmo de outras espécies de Characidae. O alto grau de endemismo de peixes no rio Juruena (bacia do alto rio Tapajós) é discutido.

Coalescence of teeth in fishes

In this paper the concept of coalescence of teeth previously defined for the Tetraodontoid fishes is extended to some other teleostomes. Comments are made on the «dentigerous plates» of non-teleostomian fishes and on the dermal plates bearing odontodes found in some fossil groups.