A titan among dwarfs: Apistogramma kullanderi, new species (Teleostei: Cichlidae)

Author(s)

Varella, Henrique R. ^[1] ; Perez, Mark H. Sabaj ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Museu Zool, Inst Biociencias, BR-04218970 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Acad Nat Sci Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19103 - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters; v. 25, n. 3, p. 243-258, DEC 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 10

Abstract

Apistogramma kullanderi, new species, is described from the upper rio Curua (Iriri-Xingu drainage) on Serra do Cachimbo, Para, Brazil, and diagnosed by its maximum size of 79.7 mm SL (vs. 65.3 mm SL among wild-caught congeners); mature females having the unique combination of intense dark pigmentation continuous along base of dorsal fin and on ventral surfaces from gular region to anal-fin base; and mature males having a coarse, irregular pattern of dark spots and vermiculations on cheek and opercular series, and sides with 10-12 dark stripes, each stripe occupying proximal limits of adjacent scale rows and separated by paler region central to each scale. Apistogramma kullanderi is tentatively allocated to the A. regani lineage, although some characteristics (e.g., large body size) are more consistent with members the A. steindachneri lineage. Apistogramma kullanderi is endemic to an upland watershed isolated by large waterfalls and depauperate of cichlid diversity. Under those conditions, we speculate that ecological opportunities, reduced competition and sexual selection contributed to the evolution of large body size in A. kullanderi. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/14630-0 - Phylogenetic relationships of the species of Crenicichla and Teleocichla (Teleostei: Cichlidae)
• Grantee: Henrique Rosa Varella
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate