A new endemic species of Bryconamericus (Characiformes, Characidae) from the Middle Cauca River Basin, Colombia

Abstract

A new endemic species of Bryconamericus (Characiformes, Characidae) from the Middle Cauca River Basin, Colombia.— Bryconamericus caldasi, a new species, is described from the Middle Cauca River drainage, Andean versant of Colombia. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by: the number of predorsal scales (15-17 vs. 9-14); a wide anterior maxilla tooth, at least twice as wide as the posterior tooth, both of which are pentacuspid (vs. maxilla teeth of same size); a dark lateral stripe overlaid by a peduncular spot; and a reticulated pattern on the sides of body (vs. peduncular spot and other body pigments not superimposed over a dark lateral stripe). We found several differences that distinguish the new species from B. caucanus, the only sympatric congener: number of predorsal median scales (15-17 vs. 12-13); convex predorsal profile (vs. oblique); scale size and number of scale rows at caudal-fin base (small scales arranged in two or more rows vs. large scales in just one row); pectoral fins not or just reaching pelvic fin insertions (vs. pectoral fins reaching posterior to pelvic-fin insertions); and dorsal-fin origin position (at vertical through posterior tip of pelvic-fin vs. at a vertical anterior to pelvic-fin tip).