Trichomycterus dali: a new highly troglomorphic catfish (Silurifomes: Trichomycteridae) from Serra da Bodoquena, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Central Brazil

Author(s)

Rizzato, Pedro Pereira ^[1] ; Costa-, Jr., Edmundo P. D. ^[2] ; Trajano, Eleonora ^[3] ; Bichuette, Maria Elina ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Ecol & Biol Evolut, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Prefeitura Municipal Bonito MS, Secretaria Municipal Meio Ambiente, BR-79290000 Bonito, MS - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Zool, Inst Biociencias, BR-05422970 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Neotropical Ichthyology; v. 9, n. 3, p. 477-491, JUL-SEP 2011.
• Web of Science Citations: 7

Abstract

Trichomycterus dali, new species, is described from flooded limestone caves in Serra da Bodoquena karst area, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Central Brazil. The new species is diagnosed by a unique character in the genus, the presence of conspicuous, ridge-like adipose folds lining dorsally throughout the body. Trichomycterus dali can be further distinguished readily from epigean congeners by the reduction of eyes and skin pigmentation (except for T. gorgona), and from remaining congeners (i.e., all hypogean plus T. gorgona) by the total loss of eyes, not visible externally (except for T. sandovali and T. spelaeus). Other diagnostic features includes very long barbels, especially the nasal (99.3-143.5% HL) and the maxillary (97.0-131.3% HL), pectoral-fin ray count reaching I,9 and a unique cranial fontanel with a conspicuous constriction on the meeting point of supraoccipital and the two frontal bones. The troglobitic status of the species is suggested by the presence of troglomorphisms on an advanced degree, especially the reduction of skin pigmentation, the total loss of eyes and the enlarged barbels. In addition, the presence of a well developed adipose fold in adults may indicate a distinctive adaptation acquired by neoteny to withstand the food scarce conditions of its hypogean habitat. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/15030-7 - DESCRIPTION OF TWO NEW SUBTERRANEAN CATFISH SPECIES (SILURIFORMES, TRICHOMYCTERIDAE) FROM CENTRAL AND NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL
• Grantee: Pedro Pereira Rizzato
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 03/00794-5 - Brazilian subterranean aquatic fauna: biodiversity, biology, evolution, ecology and conservation
• Grantee: Eleonora Trajano
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants