Heros acaroides HENSEL, 1870 - a valid species of Australoheros (Teleostei: Perciformes: Cichlidae) from the Patos-Mirim lagoon system, south Brazil

Abstract

Heros acaroides Hensel, 1870 is resurrected from synonymy of Chromis facetus Jenyns, 1842 (currently known as Australoheros facetus) and re-described on the basis of its type series and fresh material, collected in the vicinity of its type locality (Porto Alegre, Rio Grande de Sul, Brazil). A lectotype is designated. It differs from Australoheros facetus by its mouth shape (jaws subequal versus lower jaw projecting over upper jaw; comparative thick lips versus thin lips) and smaller scales on cheeks (cheek scale rows 4 or usually 5 vs. usually 3 in A. facetus). It differs from A. taura (a species occurring in the same drainage) by the presence of a conspicuous midlateral stripe, a well developed caudal fin base spot (vs. no prominent spot in A. taura) and by a higher body depth (42.7 – 49.0 % SL versus 40.1 – 42.4 % of SL in A. taura).