Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Aphyodite, with Description of Two New Species (Teleostei: Characidae)
The genus
Aphyodite
has a complex taxonomic history. It was described as monotypic, and the only diagnosis provided was “an
Aphyocharax
with a scaled caudal fin”. After the description, the genus was revised twice, but some morphological inconsistences remained, pending a proper morphological analysis. Currently,
Aphyodite
is a member of Aphyoditeinae and can be distinguished from all the other representatives of this subfamily by having the first infraorbital with a conspicuous sensory canal not reaching the anterior edge of the bone. During the revision of the genus, two new species were found:
Aphyodite apiaka
, new species, from the Rio Madeira basin, that can be diagnosed from its congeners by the length of the first infraorbital sensorial canal, which is longer than half length of bone; and
Aphyodite tupebas
, new species, from the Rio Solimões basin, that can be diagnosed from its congeners by the possession of only conical teeth in the premaxilla.
(Upper) Aphyodite grammica, holotype, FMNH 53408, 24.3 mm SL, Guyana, Konawaruk River; image provided by the Ichthyology Section of the Field Museum of Natural History. (Lower) Aphyodite grammica, MZUSP 29873, 25.5 mm SL, Brazil, Rio Negro; a better and more recently preserved specimen.
Infraorbital (io) series, including the antorbital (ao) bone, right side, lateral view, anterior at right. Arrows indicate the extension of the infraorbital sensory canal (iosc) in the first infraorbital bone: (A) Aphyodite grammica, MZUSP 29873, 29.8 mm SL; (B) Aphyodite apiaka, INPA 32129, paratype, 28.5 mm SL; (C) Aphyodite tupebas, LIRP 13299, paratype, 21.5 mm SL.
Upper and lower jaws, right side, lateral view, anterior at right, of Aphyodite grammica, MZUSP 29873, 29.8 mm SL.
Aphyodite apiaka, INPA 52541, holotype, 31.1 mm SL, Brazil, Amazonas State, Rio Madeira, Rio Aripuanã.
Map of northern South America showing the geographic distribution of Aphyodite grammica (triangles), A. apiaka (square), and A. tupebas (circles). 1–Essequibo River; 2–Konawaruk River; 3–Rio Amazonas; 4–Rio Negro; 5–Rio Solimões; 6–Rio Tefé; 7–Rio Madeira; 8–Rio Aripuanã.
Upper and lower jaws, right side, lateral view, anterior at right, of Aphyodite apiaka, INPA 32129, paratype, 28.5 mm SL.
Aphyodite tupebas, MZUSP 119760, holotype, 20.8 mm SL, Brazil, Amazonas State, Rio Solimões, Rio Tefé.
Upper and lower jaws, right side, lateral view, anterior at right, of Aphyodite tupebas, MCP 37154, paratype, 22.8 mm SL.
Contributor Notes
Associate Editor: R. E. Reis.