An integrative framework to reevaluate the Neotropical catfish genus Guyanancistrus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) with particular emphasis on the Guyanancistrus brevispinis complex

A systematic assessment of Leporinus tigrinus (Characiformes: Anostomidae) using morphological and molecular data

Leporinus tigrinus was described based on specimens collected in the rio Tocantins basin, and was only recently recorded at the rio Xingu, rio Tapajós and upper rio Paraná basins. So far, no study has compared specimens of all these distinct drainages focusing on understanding whether all these populations truly belong to a single species or may consist instead in a species complex. Our study focused on investigating the intraspecific variation within Leporinus tigrinus using morphological and molecular data. Both morphology and molecular analyses support that all samples belong to a single species widespread in the rio Araguaia, rio Tocantins, rio Xingu and rio Tapajós. In addition, the population occurring at upper rio Paraná is considered to be allochthonous, originating from the rio Araguaia/Tocantins. A comprehensive morphological description of the species, including osteological illustrations and descriptions are provided, as well as a comparative diagnosis with similar-looking species.

Contrasts in riverscape patterns of intraspecific genetic variation in a diverse Neotropical fish community of high conservation value

Spatial patterns of genetic variation compared across species provide information about the predictability of genetic diversity in natural populations, and areas requiring conservation measures. Due to their remarkable fish diversity, rivers in Neotropical regions are ideal systems to confront theory with observations and would benefit greatly from such approaches given their increasing vulnerability to anthropogenic pressures. We used SNP data from 18 fish species with contrasting life-history traits, co-sampled across 12 sites in the Maroni- a major river system from the Guiana Shield -, to compare patterns of intraspecific genetic variation and identify their underlying drivers. Analyses of covariance revealed a decrease in genetic diversity as distance from the river outlet increased for 5 of the 18 species, illustrating a pattern commonly observed in riverscapes for species with low-to-medium dispersal abilities. However, the mean within-site genetic diversity was lowest in the two easternmost tributaries of the Upper Maroni and around an urbanized location downstream, indicating the need to address the potential influence of local pressures in these areas, such as gold mining or fishing. Finally, the relative influence of isolation by stream distance, isolation by discontinuous river flow, and isolation by spatial heterogeneity in effective size on pairwise genetic differentiation varied across species. Species with similar dispersal and reproductive guilds did not necessarily display shared patterns of population structure. Increasing the knowledge of specific life history traits and ecological requirements of fish species in these remote areas should help further understand factors that influence their current patterns of genetic variation.

Genetic landscape clustering of a large DNA barcoding data set reveals shared patterns of genetic divergence among freshwater fishes of the Maroni Basin

The Maroni is one of the most speciose basins of the Guianas and hosts a megadiverse freshwater fish community. Although taxonomic references based on morphological identification exist for both the Surinamese and Guianese parts of the basin, there are still taxonomic uncertainties concerning the status of several species. We used COI sequences of 1284 fish in conjunction with morphological and biogeographical evidence to assist with species delineation and discovery in order to validate and standardize the current taxonomy. This resulted in a final DNA barcode data set of 199 fish species (125 genera, 36 families and eight orders; 68.86% of strictly freshwater fishes from the basin), among which 25 are new putative candidate species flagged as requiring taxonomic update. DNA barcoding delineation through Barcode Index Numbers (BINs) revealed further cryptic diversity (230 BINs in total). To explore global genetic patterns across the basin, genetic divergence landscapes were computed for 128 species, showing a global trend of high genetic divergence between the Surinamese southwest (Tapanahony and Paloemeu), the Guianese southeast (Marouini, Litany, Tampok, etc.), and the river outlet in the north. This could be explained by lower levels of connectivity between these three main areas and/or the exchange of individuals between these areas and the neighbouring basins. A new method of ordination of genetic landscapes successfully assigned species into cluster groups based on their respective pattern of genetic divergence across the Maroni Basin: genetically homogeneous species were effectively discriminated from species showing high spatial genetic fragmentation and possible lower capacity for dispersal.

Multilocus phylogeny and historical biogeography of Hypostomus shed light on the processes of fish diversification in La Plata Basin

Distribution history of the widespread Neotropical genus Hypostomus was studied to shed light on the processes that shaped species diversity. We inferred a calibrated phylogeny, ancestral habitat preference, ancestral areas distribution, and the history of dispersal and vicariance events of this genus. The phylogenetic and distribution analyses indicate that Hypostomus species inhabiting La Plata Basin do not form a monophyletic clade, suggesting that several unrelated ancestral species colonized this basin in the Miocene. Dispersal to other rivers of La Plata Basin started about 8 Mya, followed by habitat shifts and an increased rate of cladogenesis. Amazonian Hypostomus species colonized La Plata Basin several times in the Middle Miocene, probably via the Upper Paraná and the Paraguay rivers that acted as dispersal corridors. During the Miocene, La Plata Basin experienced marine incursions, and geomorphological and climatic changes that reconfigured its drainage pattern, driving dispersal and diversification of Hypostomus. The Miocene marine incursion was a strong barrier and its retraction triggered Hypostomus dispersal, increased speciation rate and ecological diversification. The timing of hydrogeological changes in La Plata Basin coincides well with Hypostomus cladogenetic events, indicating that the history of this basin has acted on the diversification of its biota.

A new species of Bryconops (Characiformes: Iguanodectidae) from Atlantic coastal drainages of Suriname and French Guiana

ABSTRACT A new species of Bryconops is described based on its unique caudal-fin color pattern, with a dark blotch occupying the mid-basal region of the caudal-fin dorsal lobe, and a combination of 29-32 branched anal-fin rays, 44-47 perforated scales in the lateral line, six rows of scales above the lateral line, and a deep body (30.3-31.7 % SL). The new species belongs to the subgenus Bryconops based on its edentulous and short maxilla, with the posterior extension of that bone not reaching the junction between the second and third infraorbitals. The new species was previously reported in the literature as B. caudomaculatus. However, these species differ from each other in morphometric and meristic characters, as well as in color pattern. Comments on distribution of Bryconops species in coastal drainages of Suriname and French Guiana additional support for biogeographic hypotheses in this area.

Phylogeny and biogeography of the Brazilian–Guiana Shield endemic Corymbophanes clade of armoured catfishes (Loricariidae)

Numerous rivers, interrupted by large waterfalls and extensive rapids, drain the geologically ancient Guiana Shield Highlands. We describe a new armoured catfish genus and two new species endemic to the upper Ireng and Kuribrong rivers, respective tributaries of the Amazon and Essequibo basins in western Guiana. Corymbophanes ameliae sp. nov. is distinguished by having vermiculations on the abdomen, bands on the caudal fin, the anal fin i,5 and narrow caudal peduncle. Yaluwak primus gen. & sp. nov. is distinguished by having evertible cheek odontodes, a plated snout, a tall caudal peduncle and absence of adipose fin and iris operculum. We present a new molecular phylogenetic analysis inclusive of these and several related genera that suggests that the Corymbophanes clade (Araichthys, Corymbophanes, Cryptancistrus, Guianancistrus, Hopliancistrus and Yaluwak) originated in the Guiana Shield with secondary dispersal to the Brazilian Shield. Within the Guiana Shield, relationships among Corymbophanes and Yaluwak are consistent with geodispersal between drainages via headwater capture, although an uplift-mediated relictual distribution cannot be ruled out. ND2 haplotype structure among C. ameliae populations suggests that ichthyofaunal diversity on the Guiana Shield escarpment is shaped not only by inter-, but also intrafluvial barriers to gene flow.

A continental-wide molecular approach unraveling mtDNA diversity and geographic distribution of the Neotropical genus Hoplias

With an estimate of around 9,000 species, the Neotropical region hosts the greatest diversity of freshwater fishes of the world. Genetic surveys have the potential to unravel isolated and unique lineages and may result in the identification of undescribed species, accelerating the cataloguing of extant biodiversity. In this paper, molecular diversity within the valuable and widespread Neotropical genus Hoplias was assessed by means of DNA Barcoding. The geographic coverage spanned 40 degrees of latitude from French Guiana to Argentina. Our analyses revealed 22 mitochondrial lineages fully supported by means of Barcode Index Number, Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery and phylogenetic analyses. This mtDNA survey revealed the existence of 15 fully supported mitochondrial lineages within the once considered to be the continentally distributed H. malabaricus. Only four of them are currently described as valid species however, leaving 11 mitochondrial lineages currently "masked" within this species complex. Mean genetic divergence was 13.1%. Barcoding gap analysis discriminated 20 out of the 22 lineages tested. Phylogenetic analyses showed that all taxonomically recognized species form monophyletic groups. Hoplias malabaricus sensu stricto clustered within a large clade, excluding the representatives of the La Plata River Basin. In the H. lacerdae group, all species but H. curupira showed a cohesive match between taxonomic and molecular identification. Two different genetic lineages were recovered for H. aimara. Given the unexpected hidden mitochondrial diversity within H. malabaricus, the COI sequence composition of specimens from Suriname (the type locality), identified as H. malabaricus sensu stricto, is of major importance.