A new Brachyrhamdia (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from Rio Japurá basin, Brazil, with comments on its phylogenetic affinities, biogeography and mimicry in the genus

Zootaxa. 2013:3717:1-22. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.3717.1.1.

Abstract

Brachyrhamdia thayeria is herein described as a new heptapterid species from Rio Japuré, a left margin tributary of the Rio Solimões, Amazonas basin, Brazil. The new species is diagnosed from all its congeners by having a putative autapomorphy: dark oblique stripe across the caudal peduncle, originating below the anterior half of adipose fin and ending at base of rays of ventral caudal-fin lobe. Brachyrhamdia thayeria is considered closely related to B. imitator and B. rambarrani with which it shares a low vertebral number and absence of lateral stripe along trunk. The new species shares exclusively with B. rambarrani the presence of a dark conspicuous bar along the dorsolateral region of trunk, a putative synapomorphy. Brachyrhamdia are distributed in lowland regions of northern South America where they inhabit small streams with running waters. The new species appears to have a mimetic association with the syntopic callichthyid Corydoras arcuatus. Herein, we argue in favor of the hypothesis that the interaction between species of Brachyrhamdia and Pimelodella or Corydoras is Müllerian mimicry.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Distribution*
  • Animals
  • Brasilien
  • Catfishes / anatomy & histology*
  • Catfishes / classification*
  • Catfishes / genetics
  • Catfishes / physiology
  • Phylogeny*
  • Rivers
  • Species Specificity