An unexpectedly diverse new genus of catfishes (Siluriformes, Heptapteridae) endemic to the Magdalena River basin, Colombia

Author(s)

DoNascimiento, Carlos ; Villa-Navarro, Francisco Antonio ; Albornoz-Garzon, Juan G. ; Conde-Saldana, Cristhian C. ; Silva, Gabriel S. C. ; Mendez-Lopez, Alejandro ; Roxo, Fabio F. ; Ortega-Lara, Armando ; Oliveira, Claudio

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY; v. 204, n. 3, p. 30-pg., 2025-07-01.

Abstract

A new genus of heptapterid catfish, Magdalenichthys gen. nov., largely ignored for the past two decades is herein described. Comprehensive examination of specimens in Colombian ichthyological collections and additional samplings in the Magdalena basin were the base for an integral analysis using morphological characters, DNA barcode delimitation, and molecular phylogenetic analyses to assess monophyly and relationships of the new genus, and to delimit and diagnose four new species, Magdalenichthys lundbergi sp. nov., Magdalenichthys mompox sp. nov., Magdalenichthys poira sp. nov., and Magdalenichthys yariguies sp. nov., endemic to the Magdalena basin. The new genus is phylogenetically diagnosed. Maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference, and coalescent-based analyses with ultraconserved elements (UCEs) data, place the new genus as sister to Phenacorhamdia, within a clade also containing Cetopsorhamdia and Pariolius, consistent with the finding of two apomorphic characters shared by the new genus and Phenacorhamdia. The biogeographic pattern of the new genus (restricted to the Magdalena basin) is also discussed. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/13433-6 - Phylogeny and molecular identification of fishes of the superorder Ostariophysi (Chordata: Actinopterygii) using genomic approaches
• Grantee: Claudio de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/09767-6 - Phylogenomics analysis and taxonomic review of the Neotropical genus Hoplerythrinus (Characiformes: Erythrinidae)
• Grantee: Cristhian Camilo Conde Saldaña
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 21/12979-8 - Phylogenetic relationships among genera and families of Siluriformes using ultraconserved elements
• Grantee: Gabriel de Souza da Costa e Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral