A new Synbranchus (Teleostei: Synbranchiformes: Synbranchidae) from ilha de Marajó, Pará, Brazil, with notes on its reproductive biology and larval development

Abstract

Synbranchus lampreia, new species, is described from rio Goiapi, Marajó Island, Pará, northern Brazil. It differs from the other two described species of the genus by its color pattern, which consists of large roundish black blotches scattered over a light brown or yellowish ground pigmentation and presence of inconspicuous brown small spots distributed among the large dark spots. The species is further distinguished from S. marmoratus by a higher number of vertebrae and from S. madeira by a shorter postanal length. Information about reproductive aspects is provided and larval stages are described and illustrated.<br>Uma espécie nova de Synbranchus é descrita do rio Goiapi, ilha de Marajó, Pará, norte do Brasil. Esta espécie distingue-se de suas duas congêneres pelo colorido do corpo, que consiste em manchas negras arredondadas distribuídas sobre coloração marrom clara ou amarelada e presença de pequenas manchas marrons relativamente inconspícuas distribuídas entre as grandes manchas escuras. A espécie difere ainda de S. marmoratus pelo elevado número de vértebras e de S. madeira pelo menor comprimento pós-anal. São apresentadas informações sobre aspectos reprodutivos, descrições e ilustrações de estágios larvais

Morphological Characterization of Two Fresh Water Eels Monopterus cuchia (Hamilton, 1822) and Ophisternon bengalense (McClelland, 1844)

“…Eyes are protractile and visible from long distance in O. bengalense but in M. cuchia eye is small and visible only through a translucent layer of skin. Eyes are well developed, visible through a translucent layer of skin, and vertically aligned to posterior nostrils in Synbranchus lamperia (Favorito et al, 2005). The body length and weight are much greater in M. cuchia than in O. bengalense.…”

“…All over the body is triangular shape in M.cuchia and round in O.bengalense. Favorito et al (2005) reported that S. lampreia can be easily distinguished from S. marmoratus and S. madeirae by its color pattern which consists of conspicuous large black or dark brown, roundish blotches scattered along body, rare on head, and a relatively lighter ground coloration with small and inconspicuous light brown spots vs. more homogeneously distributed spots and marbled pattern in S. marmoratus and gray uniform coloration with lighter roundish spots in S. madeirae. The phenotypic plasticity of fish is very high.…”

Molecular and cytogenetic analyses of cryptic species within the Synbranchus marmoratus Bloch, 1795 (Synbranchiformes: Synbranchidae) grouping: species delimitations, karyotypic evolution and intraspecific diversification

“…Morphological differences between species in the Synbranchiformes order are commonly used in systematic and biogeographical studies (Rosen & Rumney, 1972;Rosen & Greenwood, 1976;Favorito et al, 2005). However, many morphological traits can be subtle or ambiguous, which often makes it difficult to recognize and describe new species.…”

“…Fishes belonging to the genus Synbranchus (Synbranchiformes, Synbranchidae) are currently divided into three recognized species: (1) S. madeirae Rosen & Rumney, 1972, which is restricted to the Madeira River basin; (2) S. lampreia Favorito, Zanata & Assumpção, 2005, which is restricted to Marajó Island; and (3) S. marmoratus Bloch, 1795, which is widely distributed throughout South and Central America (Rosen & Rumney, 1972). Although S. marmoratus specimens appear to belong to a single taxonomic group, some populations may display an extensive karyotype diversity, with diploid numbers ranging from 42 to 46 chromosomes; furthermore, variations in chromosome morphology as well as in the distribution of constitutive heterochromatin and rDNA genes have also been observed (Foresti et al, 1992;Melilo et al, 1996;Sanchez & Fenocchio, 1996;Torres et al, 2005).…”

Fishes from Parque Estadual de Itapeva, Rio Grande do Sul state, Atlantic Forest biome, Brazil

“…Table 2 This species belongs to a species complex and is widely distributed in river drainages from Mexico to northern Argentina. It can be distinguished from its congeners by the color pattern which consists of more homogeneously distributed spots and marbled pattern along body, and by the number of vertebrae (116-150) (Favorito et al 2005).…”