Abstract
A new species of Crenicichla is described from the middle rio Xingu and tributaries, upstream from Volta Grande do Xingu. The largest specimen measured 47.8 mm SL. The new speciescan be distinguished from all other Crenicichla species by the combination of the following character states: presence of serrae on supracleithrum (diagnostic of Crenicichla wallacii species group), large caudal blotch centrally located on caudal lateral line (shared with C. urosema and C. virgatula ), vertical dark stripes on the caudal fin and up to three series of teeth on premaxilla and maxilla (vs. more than four series of teeth). The new species described hereinis the eleventh species of Crenicichla listed from the rio Xingu basin. Similarities of color pattern among small species of Crenicichla is discussed.
Highlights
Crenicichla Heckel, 1840 is currently recognized as the most species-rich among cichlids (Varella et al, 2012), with more than 85 valid species (Mattos et al, 2014), compared to 87 species of Apistogramma (Eschmeyer, 2015)
Based on a mitochondrial cytochrome b gene analysis, Kullander et al (2010) reported the monophyly of some previously defined Crenicichla species groups that were recognized based on morphology
Some involved with the monitoring activities of the construction of the Belo Monte dam, a huge hydroelectic power facility in rio Xingu, yielded specimens of a new species being revised by the first author (PMI) as part of a larger revision of the C. wallacii group. This new species has been firstly noticed, but not formally named, by Kullander (1990, 1991), who pointed out the similarities shared between some small specimens of Crenicichla with C. urosema and C. virgatula but with a divergent color pattern. We formally describe this new species and discuss the overall similarities between the small Crenicichla species from rio Xingu
Summary
Crenicichla Heckel, 1840 is currently recognized as the most species-rich among cichlids (Varella et al, 2012), with more than 85 valid species (Mattos et al, 2014), compared to 87 species of Apistogramma (Eschmeyer, 2015). Distinguished from all other species of Crenicichla except C. notophthalmus, C. regani, C. urosema, and C. virgatula by the presence of serrations on supracleithrum (vs absent).
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