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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Osteology of Tucanoichthys tucano Gery and Ramer, an enigmatic miniature fish from the Amazon basin, Brazil (Teleostei: Characiformes: Characidae)

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Author(s):
Mattox, George M. T. [1] ; Conway, Kevin W. [2]
Total Authors: 2
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Biol, Lab Ictiol Sorocaba, Campus Sorocaba, BR-1852780 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Texas A&M Univ, Dept Ecol & Conservat Biol & Biodivers Res & Teac, 2258 TAMU, College Stn, TX 77843 - USA
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY; v. 71, p. 645-667, OCT 18 2021.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

Miniaturization, the evolution of extremely small adult body size, is a common phenomenon across the lineages of freshwater fishes, especially in the Neotropics where over 200 species are considered miniature (<26 mm in standard length {[}SL]). Close to 30% of all miniature Neotropical freshwater fishes belong to the family Characidae, several of which are of uncertain phylogenetic placement within the family. We investigate the skeletal anatomy of Tucanoichthys tucano, a species of uncertain phylogenetic position from the upper Rio Negro basin, reaching a maximum known size of 16.6 mm SL. The skeleton of Tucanoichthys is characterized by the complete absence of ten skeletal elements and marked reduction in size and/or complexity of others, especially those elements associated with the cephalic latero-sensory canal system. Missing elements in the skeleton of Tucanoichthys include those that develop relatively late in the ossification sequence of the non-miniature characiform Salminus brasiliensis, suggesting that their absence in Tucanoichthys can be explained by a simple scenario of developmental truncation. A number of the reductions in the skeleton of Tucanoichthys are shared with other miniature characiforms, most notably species of Priocharax and Tyttobrycon, the latter a putative close relative of Tucanoichthys based on molecular data. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 18/22592-0 - Live fast, die young in the Amazon: testing life history predictions for the Amazon's smallest vertebrates through international collaboration between TAMU and UFSCar
Grantee:George Mendes Taliaferro Mattox
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
FAPESP's process: 17/01970-4 - Integrating morphological and molecular data in the taxonomic and phylogenetic study of the miniature fish Priocharax Weitzman & Vari (Teleostei, Characiformes, Characidae)
Grantee:George Mendes Taliaferro Mattox
Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants