Abstract
Characidium xanthopterum is described from tributaries of the upper rio Paraná and upper rio Tocantins basins, in the Central Brazilian Plateau, Goiás State, Brazil. The new species is diagnosed among congeners by the absence of dark bars on the sides of the body in adult specimens, and by the deep yellow coloration in all fins. Ontogenetic change of color pattern is recorded for the first time for Characidium species. Specimens smaller than 32 mm SL possess dark bars on body. These bars disappear with growth between 32 and 35 mm SL, and are always absent in individuals larger than 35 mm SL.
Highlights
The genus Characidium Reinhardt contains 51 valid species of small fishes distributed in most freshwater drainages from eastern Panama to Argentina (Buckup, 2003)
Melo & Buckup (2002) described Characidium stigmosum from the rio Paranã drainage, remarking that it was the first species of Characidium described from northern areas of the Brazilian State of Goiás, which is located in the Central Brazilian Plateau, an area drained by headwater tributaries of three major South American river basins (Paraná, São Francisco, and Tocantins)
An additional species of Characidium from the Central Brazilian Plateau is described. It has been collected in tributaries of the upper Paraná and upper Tocantins river basins in the Brazilian State of Goiás
Summary
The genus Characidium Reinhardt contains 51 valid species of small (smaller than 10 cm SL) fishes distributed in most freshwater drainages from eastern Panama to Argentina (Buckup, 2003). Melo & Buckup (2002) described Characidium stigmosum from the rio Paranã drainage (rio Tocantins basin), remarking that it was the first species of Characidium described from northern areas of the Brazilian State of Goiás, which is located in the Central Brazilian Plateau, an area drained by headwater tributaries of three major South American river basins (Paraná, São Francisco, and Tocantins). An additional species of Characidium from the Central Brazilian Plateau is described It has been collected in tributaries of the upper Paraná and upper Tocantins river basins in the Brazilian State of Goiás. Only four species of Characidium have been formally referred to the upper rio Paraná drainage outside of the Central Brazilian Plateau, Characidium fasciatum Reinhardt, C. gomesi Travassos, C. oiticicai Travassos, and C. schubarti Travassos (Buckup, 2007). Except for C. stigmosum, no other species of Characidium has been formally described from the Tocantins drainage
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