Novas sinapomorfias para Rhamphichthys Muller & Troschel, 1848 (Teleostei: Rhamphichthyidae)

Abstract

Seven new synapomorphies are presented for Rhamphichthys, a neotropical genus of freshwater electric fishes: (1) dark, oblique, transverse bars on body flank prolonged through the anal fin (also as a homoplasy in Steatogenys - Hypopomidae); (2) ventral branches of the body lateral line, near head, elongate (also as a homoplasy in Sternopygus - Sternopygidae); (3) presence of a fleshy skin fold on the body wall, inside the opercular opening; (4) first scale row, below the lateral line, composed of elongate scales, oblique to the body axis; (5) scales of the lateral line and series of scales juxtaposed above and below them, deeply immersed in the skin; (6) dark oblique transversal bars on the body interrupted dorsally and (7) 306 to 461 rays in the anal fin. The presence of a thick, fibrous, and opaque gas bladder, cannot be considered as an apomorphy of Rhamphichthys. © 2005 Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - UFMG.