Two new species of Characidium Reinhardt (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from northeastern Brazilian coastal drainages

Abstract

Two new species of Characidium, one from the rio Pardo basin, and another from the rio Paraguaçu basin, Bahia, Brazil, are described. The first new species is distinguished from its congeners by having conspicuous black vertical traces on body, formed by the concentration of melanophores along posterior margin of scales. The species further differs from most congeners by the presence of a conspicuous 3-shaped black blotch on the caudal fin and isthmus not covered by scales. The other new species is distinguished from congeners by having irregular dark blotches on dorsum alternating elongation to one or the other side of body, usually not connected to lateral blotches. The species can be further characterized by the absence of conspicuous blotches or bars on fins and the presence of secondary sexual dimorphism, such as pelvic fins of mature males longer than in females and with bony hooks.