A new species of Astyanax baird & girard (Ostariophysi: Characidae) from the rio taquari-antas basin, southern Brazil

Abstract

A new Astyanax is described from the rio Taquari-Antas basin, rio Jacuí drainage, laguna dos Patos system, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from its congeners inhabiting the rio Uruguay, laguna dos Patos and rio Tramandaí basins by the presence of two vertically elongated humeral spots, the anterior humeral spot with the upper portion wider than the lower portion and slightly directed forward, 37-39 perforated scales along the lateral line, 14 scale rows around caudal peduncle, 2-4 maxillary tricuspid teeth, 24-28 branched anal-fin rays, bony hooks on all fins of mature males, and conspicuous caudal peduncle spot. Furthermore, the new species differs from its congeners by body depth (37.9-45.9% of standard length), preanal distance (62.4-69.1% of SL), anal-fin base length (29.7-35.6% of SL), and orbital diameter (29.5-38.2% of head length).