Taxonomical revision of the species of Hypostomus Lacépède, 1803 (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from the Lower rio Paraiba do Sul, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

A taxonomical revision of the nominal species of the loricariid catfish genus Hypostomus from the lower rio Paraiba do Sul (State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is presented. Analysis of a large sample (over 2'000 specimens), collected monthly from March 1989 to February 1990, revealed that only two species were found in the area. Hypostomus affinis (Steindachner, 1876) and Hypostomus leutkeni (Steindachner, 1877) are the names applicable to these species. Lectotypes are designed, and the synonymies, redescriptions and illustrations are presented. The current taxonomical status of each nominal species is discussed.