Geophagus neambi Lucinda, Lucena & Assis, 2010, new species
Creators: name: Lucinda, Paulo H. F.
name: Lucena, Carlos A. S.
name: Assis, Newton C.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2010
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Chordata
Actinopterygii
Perciformes
Cichlidae
Geophagus
Geophagus neambi

description: Geophagus neambi, new species
Figs. 5–8, Table 2
Holotype (Fig. 6). MCP 43670, 141.4 mm SL; Rio Tocantins, Lajeado Hydroelectric Reservoir, Porto Nacional, Tocantins, Brazil, 10º41’36”S 48º24’52”W, Neamb-UFT staff, 19 Mar 2008.
Paratypes. Brazil. Tocantins State. All collected by Neamb-UFT staff in rio Tocantins. UNT 8250, 19, 30.4–109.8 mm SL, 1 c&s, 66.1 mm SL, and MCP 43671, 19, 16.3-132.4 mm SL, 1 c&s, 60.3 mm SL and an tooth plate from a specimen of 83.2 mm SL, Lajeado, Lajeado Hydroelectric Reservoir, nearby dam, 09º47’57”S 48º21’14”W, 29 Mar 2007. UNT 8728, 12, 131.3– 160.4 mm SL, Lajeado, Lajeado Hydroelectric Reservoir, nearby dam, 09º47’57”S 48º21’14”W, 5 Nov 2007. UNT, 8732, 3, 130.3– 152.4 mm SL, Porto Nacional, Lajeado Hydroelectric Reservoir, near bridge, 10º43’57”S 48º25’26”W, 29 Nov 2007. UNT 8733, 1, 153.5 mm SL, collected with the holotype.
Non-types. All collected by Neamb-UFT staff. Goiás State. UNT 606, 1 (170.5 mm SL) left margin of Reservoir of Usina Hidrelétrica Serra da Mesa, Córrego Boa Nova. UNT 665, 1 (62.7 mm SL) Rio Tocantins downstream Usina Hidrelétrica da Serra da Mesa, between Porto Garimpo and Rio Preto. Maranhão State. UNT 3909, 2 (28,8– 110 mm SL) and UNT 4018, 17 (12,5– 141 mm SL) Porto Franco, Rio Tocantins near the confluence with Rio Lajeado. UNT 3910, 1 (125.0 mm SL) Porto Franco, Rio Tocantins near the confluence with Ribeirão Sucupira. UNT 6455, 5 (16.9–22.1 mm SL) Estreito, Rio Itaueiras. Tocantins State. UNT 1786, 1 (21.8 mm SL) São Salvador, Córrego Calango. UNT 2509, 1 (104.5 mm SL); UNT 2511, 1 (66.5 mm SL); UNT 2512, 19 (22.8–91.1 mm SL); UNT 2518, 9 (67.2–75.2 mm SL); UNT 2520, 12 (27.7–74.4 mm SL); UNT 2521, 2 (68.0– 68.9 mm SL); UNT 2526, 1 (76.7 mm SL); UNT 2537, 2 (35.9–45.8 mm SL); UNT 2542, 3 (29.4–42.7 mm SL); UNT 2550, 1 (57.0 mm SL); UNT 2557, 3 (87,5–94,1 mm SL); UNT 2558, 4 (85.4– 88.7 mm SL); UNT 3911, 8 (21.2–85.0 mm SL); UNT 3915, 9 (14.7–55.4 mm SL); UNT 3918, 3 (23.1–26.8 mm SL); UNT 3920, 3 (32.6–41.5 mm SL); UNT 4021, 10 (30.2–58.3 mm SL); UNT 6041, 1 (40.9 mm SL); UNT 6296, 11 (73.4–85.6 mm SL); UNT 6314, 3 (30.4–34.1 mm SL); and UNT 9808, 15 (16.2–123.0 mm SL); Porto Nacional, Rio Tocantins. UNT 2510, 1 (156.5 mm SL) Palmas, Rio Tocantins. UNT 974, 1 (13.8 mm SL); UNT 2513, 1 (136.5 mm SL); UNT 2534, 4 (7.8–26.3 mm SL); UNT 3923, 2 (31.9–37.6 mm SL); UNT 4984, 14 (20.7–34.3 mm SL); UNT 6045, 4 (12.5–26.0 mm SL); UNT 6054, 5 (18.7–26.2 mm SL); UNT 6059, 1 (19.3 mm SL); Lajeado, Rio Tocantins downstream Usina Hidrelétrica Lajeado. UNT 2514, 1 (113.9 mm SL); UNT 2546, 5 (133.4–160.5 mm SL); UNT 2540, 2 (59.3–63.3 mm SL); and UNT 2545, 4 (82.0–152.0 mm SL) Brejinho de Nazaré, Lagoa Capivara. UNT 2515, 4 (42.4–81.2 mm SL) Paranã, Rio Palma. UNT 2516, 1 (78.9 mm SL); UNT 2522, 1 (67.5 mm SL); UNT 7849, 3 (22.0– 32.7 mm SL); UNT 2555, 9 (74.0– 100.6 mm SL); UNT 2554,12 (42.6–103.7 mm SL); UNT 2551, 14 (52.0–122,8 mm SL); UNT 2544, 29 (31.5–113.7 mm SL); and UNT 2527, 1 (77.8 mm SL) Paranã, Rio Maranhão, Fazenda Traçadal. UNT 2523, 1 (61.1 mm SL); UNT 2535, 5 (15.7–19.7 mm SL); UNT 2538, 78 (14.1–35.5 mm SL); and UNT 6305, 19 (27.1–52.0 mm SL) Brejinho de Nazaré, Rio Crixás. UNT 2524, 334 (12.8–26.4 mm SL) and UNT 2532, 17 (10.0–23.0 mm SL) Porto Nacional, Rio Areias, near the confluence with Rio Tocantins. UNT 2525, 2 (20.3–35.3 mm SL); UNT 3905, 2 (131.8–150.0 mm SL); UNT 3922, 35 (14.7–35.0 mm SL); UNT 4019, 5 (29.4–152.6 mm SL); UNT 4025,10 (24.6–41.5 mm SL); UNT 4289, 1 (19.8 mm SL); UNT 6047, 4 (16.3– 29.2 mm SL); and UNT 7996, 4 (13.6–16.5 mm SL) Peixe, Rio Tocantins near the confluence with Rio Santa Tereza. UNT 2528, 1 (64.3 mm SL) Palmas, Córrego São João. UNT 2529, 7 (21.3–31.7 mm SL); and UNT 2543, 12 (38.6–56.5 mm SL) Paranã, Córrego Lajedo. UNT 2530, 6 (15.5–40.2 mm SL); UNT 3906, 2 (86.7– 121.2 mm SL); UNT 3907, 2 (121.2–129.3 mm SL); UNT 2531, 13 (14.9–25.6 mm SL); UNT 3939, 9 (19.3– 88.5 mm SL); and UNT 8082, 1 (148.0 mm SL) Peixe, Lagoa Dionísio, Fazenda Água Branca. UNT 2536, 1 (43.8 mm SL) and UNT 2517, 3 (57.3–86.7 mm SL) Paranã, Rio Paranã, Fazenda Traçadal. UNT 2539, 1 (39.1 mm SL); UNT 6067, 1 (37.6 mm SL); UNT 6557, 1 (28.7 mm SL); UNT 2533, 2 (42.5–43.2 mm SL); UNT 2541, 4 (12.8–19.9 mm SL) Santa Rosa, Rio Manoel Alves near the confluence with Rio Tocantins. UNT 2547, 1 (152.6 mm SL) Brejinho de Nazaré, Lagoa Pedra do Santo. UNT 2548, 1 (148.2 mm SL) Palmas, Córrego São João. UNT 2549, 1 (71.4 mm SL); UNT 2556, 7 (74.7–103.9 mm SL); and UNT 9411, 2 (67.4–96.0 mm SL) Brejinho de Nazaré, Rio Tocantins. UNT 2552, 4 (118.0– 135.9 mm SL) Porto Nacional, Rio Santa Luzia. UNT 3113, 29 (19.5–98.5 mm SL) Peixe, near the confluence with Rio Santa Tereza. UNT 3904, 9 (20.8–133.7 mm SL) and UNT 4539, 4 (21.7–40.3 mm SL); Tupirama, Rio Tocantins near the confluence with Rio Tranqueira. UNT 3912, 8 (17.4–118.3 mm SL); UNT 4022, 19 (18.1–48.1 mm SL); UNT 4290, 2 (27.0– 36.2 mm SL); and UNT 5096, 13 (14.0– 25.9 mm SL) Peixe, Rio Santa Tereza, Fazenda Água Branca. UNT 3916, 8 (15.7–27.0 mm SL); and UNT 3919, 10 (11.7–24.2 mm SL) Peixe, Lagoa Água Branca, Fazenda Água Branca. UNT 3917, 2 (15.8–39.5 mm SL) Ipueiras, Rio Tocantins. UNT 3921, 18 (17.9–59.2 mm SL); UNT 3914, 34 (31.8–63.9 mm SL); and UNT 2553, 6 (26.6–102.0 mm SL) Paranã, Rio Tocantins, Fazenda Traçadal. UNT 4020, 5 (84.8–125.4 mm SL) and UNT 6064, 3 (20.4–26.0 mm SL); Itaguatins, Rio Tocantins near the confluence with Rio São Domingos. UNT 4023, 3 (64.3–73.2 mm SL); UNT 4024, 12 (18.5–53.7 mm SL); UNT 4026, 1 (20.8 mm SL); UNT 4540, 70 (14.6–41.2 mm SL); UNT 6040, 1 (46.1 mm SL); UNT 6044, 11 (21.5–26.0 mm SL); UNT 7394, 19 (12.8–25.4 mm SL); UNT 7635, 170 (11.0–74,1 mm SL); and UNT 8003, 4 (16.4–21.0 mm SL) Ipueiras, Rio Tocantins near the confluence with Rio Manoel Alves. UNT 4961, 2 (123.8–142.4 mm SL) and UNT 6888, 1 (104.3 mm SL) Aguiarnópolis, mouth of Córrego Campo Alegre. UNT 6048, 1 (16.8 mm SL) Tupiratins, Rio Tocantins near the confluence with Rio Feio. UNT 6070, 1 (49.4 mm SL) Paranã, Córrego Cipó. UNT 6302, 1 (83.4 mm SL) Porto Nacional, Córrego Ranheta. UNT 6777, 5 (86.6–134.8 mm SL) and UNT 6830, 1 (60.3 mm SL) Aguiarnópolis, Córrego Mosquito. UNT 7201, 14 (37.5–67.7 mm SL) Paranã, Rio Paranã near the confluence with Córrego Areias. UNT 7281, 17 (20.0– 33.7 mm SL) and UNT 8041, 2 (150.0– 160.5 mm SL) São Salvador, Rio Maranhão. UNT 7280, 2 (19.2–25.3 mm SL) and UNT 7375, 1 (37.0 mm SL) Paranã, Lagoa Verde. UNT 7583, 8 (48.8– 124.6 mm SL) São Salvador, Rio Maranhão. UNT 8000, 5 (16.2–21.4 mm SL) Paranã, Fazenda Traçadal. UNT 8019, 21 (17.2–42.0 mm SL) Palmas, Rio Tocantins, Praia do Prata. UNT 8023, 34 (17.5–45.6 mm SL) Palmas, Rio Tocantins, Praia das Arnos. UNT 8727, 21 (29.1–154.5 mm SL); UNT 8729, 8 (117.7–136.9 mm SL); UNT 8731, 26 (27.5–130.4 mm SL); UNT 9404, 22 (86.0–104,4 mm SL); UNT 9405, 4 (99.0– 126.9 mm SL); UNT 9409, 11 (17.4–118.2 mm SL); and UNT 9631, 1, (127.1 mm SL) Lajeado, Rio Tocantins upstream Usina Hidrelétrica Lajeado. UNT 9012,1 (60.7 mm SL) Peixe, Rio Santa Tereza. UNT 9056, 1 (92.3 mm SL) Ponte Alta do Tocantins, Rio Ponte Alta, near Ihota. UNT 9100, 3 (59.7–101.7 mm SL) Sucupira, Rio Santa Tereza. UNT 9155, 2 (25.2–34.3 mm SL) Conceição do Tocantins, Rio Palmas, under bridge on road TO-050 between Conceição do Tocantins and Arraias. UNT 9403, 2 (121.8–143.3 mm SL) Palmas, Rio Tocantins near Praia da Graciosa. UNT 9406, 56 (18.4–82.0 mm SL); UNT 9664, 29 (35.5–136.5 mm SL); and UNT 9667, 5 (26.6–40.9 mm SL); Lajeado, Ribeirão Lajeado in front of the Restaurante do Amadeu. UNT 9662, 1 (133.6 mm SL); UNT 9663, 6 (57.3–65.9 mm SL); and UNT 9669, 4 (57.7–99.8 mm SL); Lajeado, UHE Lajeado Reservoir near dam. UNT 9665, 17 (50.4–94.6 mm SL) Lajeado, UHE Lajeado Reservoir, Ilhota near dam. UNT 9666, 3 (70.7–121.3 mm SL) Porto Nacional, Rio Tocantins, near Chácara das Freiras. UNT 9668, 1 (76.3 mm SL) Porto Nacional, Rio Tocantins downstream Ribeirão São João.
Diagnosis. The lack of head markings distinguishes Geophagus neambi from G. grammepareius, G. taeniopareius, G. harreri, G. argyrostictus, and G. gottwaldi which exhibit a complete infra-orbital stripe, and from G. dicrozoster, G. winemilleri, G. brachybranchus, and G. proximus, which exhibit a black preopercular marking. Preserved specimens of Geophagus neambi can be distinguished from all other Geophagus species without head markings by the possession of eight or nine vertical, parallel bars along the flank, the bar containing mid-lateral spot bifurcate above and below mid-lateral spot (vs. bars absent in G. megasema, G. camopiensis, and G. altifrons; four in G. surinamensis and G. parnaibae, and six in G. abalios and G. brokopondo). Additionally the bar 4 containing the mid-lateral spot (vs. bar 3), followed by bifurcate or almost divided bars (vs. solid bars), and breeding adults with bright orange chest (vs. breeding adults with red bright orange chest, see López-Fernández & Taphorn, 2004: fig.4) differs G. neambi from G. abalios. From G. brokopondo, G. s v e n i is further distiguished by the conspicuous bifurcate vertical bars (vs. faint solid bars). Geophagus neambi also differs from the sympatric and syntopic Geophagus sveni by the presence of eight or nine conspicuous bifurcated vertically bars (vs. five solid bars); live specimens with anterior portions anterior portions of horizontal stripes slightly more orange than the posterior portions (vs. anterior portions conspicuous reddish and posterior portions orange) and three iridescent blue vertical spots absent on preopercele (vs. presence of such spots on preopercule).
Description. Based on the holotype (141.4 mm SL) and 44 paratypes (16.3–135.2 mm SL) with notes on variation among smaller specimens. Measurements are summarized in Table 2. Secondary sexual dimorphism not founded.
Shape. Moderately elongate with elevated anterior dorsum; dorsal outline more convex than ventral outline; head slightly broader ventrally than dorsally, chest flat. Dorsal head profile straight, slightly concave in front of orbit, then sloping to dorsal-fin origin; dorsal-fin base descending, slightly convex to last ray, dorsal caudal peduncle forming a moderately concave curve to insertion to origin of caudal fin base. Ventral head profile straight, slightly descending to pelvic-fin insertion; straight, horizontal from pelvic-fin to anal fin; anal-fin base straight, ascending; ventral caudal peduncle straight to slightly concave, slightly ascending. Lips moderately wide, lower without caudally expanded fold. Maxilla slightly surpassing the vertical through the nostril; ascending pre-maxillary not quite reaching to orbit. Operculum, preoperculum, cleithrum, postcleithrum, and post-temporal lacking serration.
Scales. E1 30 (1), 31(5), 32(7), 33(4) [33], 34(1); scales between upper lateral line and dorsal fin 6–9 [8] anteriorly, 4 posteriorly. Scales between lateral lines 2. Scales on upper lateral line 19(1), 20(1), 21(1), 22 (7), 23(8) [23], and lower lateral line [14] (1), 15(3), 16(11), 17(3) (1 or 2 scales on the caudal-fin). Anterior half of cheek naked, remainder with ctenoid and cycloid scales; cheek scale rows 8–12 [11]. Operculum and suboperculum covered with ctenoid and cycloid scales. Interopercule with one, two or three ctenoid scales caudally, otherwise naked. Single postorbital column of cycloid scales. Occipital and flank scales ctenoid. Circumpeduncular scale rows 7 or 8 above [7], 9 or 10 [9] below lateral lines, ctenoid.
Fin scales. Pectoral and pelvic fins naked. Dorsal fin with one or two columns of cycloid scales along inter-radial membranes to one third to one half of fin height. Scaly pad at base of dorsal fin formed by irregularly arranged small, cycloid scales extending from first spine to last soft ray. Anal fin naked. Caudal fin entirely scaled except the tip of rays, and membranes between D3 and V3, scales ctenoid. Accessory caudal fin extension of lateral line between V4–V5, present on dorsal lobe.
Fins. Dorsal XVII–11(7), XVII–12(3), XVIII–11(7) [XVIII-11], XVIII–12(1). Dorsal spines increasing in length from first to seven, then equal length or slightly shorter; lose membranes behind spine tips (lappets) acutely pointed, up to one third the length of spines. Soft portion moderately expanded and pointed, surpassing to base caudal-fin, rays 3–4 longest; third usually longer into a short filament. Anal III–7 (12) [III- 7], III–8 (6). Anal fin pointed, with third and fourth soft rays slightly produced, surpassing caudal fin base in adults. Caudal fin emarginated with lobes of approximately the same length and without filaments. Pectoral fin elongate, longest at fourth ray, in adults reaching between third anal-fin spine and first soft rays, then progressively shorter ventrally; young specimens not reaching the anal-fin origin. Pelvic fin triangular, first ray produced into a filament reaching between the third anal-fin spine to ½ of caudal peduncle; young specimens not reaching the anal-fin origin.
Teeth. Outer row of upper jaw with 6–16 (n=4 alc; 2 c&s), blunt, slightly recurved unicuspid teeth; much larger than in inner rows, extending along most of pre-maxillary length. Second to fourth anteriorly inner rows, separated by a clear gap from outer row; teeth very thin, pointed, straight or slightly recurved unicuspid. Outer row of lower jaw with media 3–4 teeth larger than rest on outer row, cylindrical, slightly recurved, blunt and more labially positioned. Inner rows 3 and 4 anteriorly, separated from outer row by distinct gap; teeth long, thin, straight or slightly recurved, much smaller than outer row.
Gills. External rakers on first gill arch; 9(12) [9], 10(4), 11(1) on epibranchial lobe, 1 in angle and 10(1), 11(11), 12(5) [12], 14(1) on ceratobranchial, none on hypobranchial. Microbranchiospines on the outer face of second to fourth arches. Basal skin cover of gill filaments moderately wide.
Tooth plates (Fig. 7). Lower pharyngeal tooth plate elongate; width of bone 96% of length; dentigerous area 77% of width; 25 teeth in posterior row, 7 in median row. Anteriormost teeth sub-conical or subcylindrical, erect; cusps on caudal half of teeth; lateral marginal teeth on anterior half like anteriormost, on caudal half smaller and thinner; posteromedial teeth much larger, almost blunt. Ceratobranchial 4 with 6 tooth-plates with 3, 5, 7, 5, 5, and 8 teeth; 5 tooth-plates in right side of one specimen with 6, 4, 4, 4, and 2 teeth. Vertebrae. 13+17/18=30 (1)/31(1); 11/12 epihemal ribs.
Colour pattern in alcohol (Fig. 6). Base colour greyish; nape, snout and upper lip darker; lower lip yellowish white. No markings on the head, preoperculum immaculate. Operculum darker on dorsal third; lower half of opercule and subopercule silvery. Chest and pre-pelvic region whitish, abdomen ventrally yellowish to whitish depending of preservation. Flanks dusky with 8–9 bars dorso-ventrally directed, disappearing ventrally. Bar 1 expands from the fifth or sixth pre-dorsal scale to the base of the fourth or fifth dorsal-fin spine; its anterior edge delimited by the extrascapular and its posterior edge descending vertically and disappearing ventrally at the pectoral-fin insertion; a medially bisected clearer area may be present from dorsum to upper lateral line scale. Bar 2 extending between the fifth and ninth dorsal-fin spines and runs vertically to the abdominal sides; it is medially bisected by a clearer area on all its length or linked only on a restricted area below upper lateral line; a similar bar may be present subsequently to the bar 2, in this case extends between the seventh and ninth dorsal-fin spines. Bar 3 extends between the ninth and twelveth dorsalfin spines, surpassing the level of the pectoral-fin origin; bisected medially upper and below the blackish medial spot; each two pairs of arms upper and below the spot may be bisected again by a clearer area, in this case will be formed four pairs of blackish arms bisected by clearer areas. Bar 4 and 5 medially bisected by a clearer area on all its length, the last expanded from seventeenth or eighteenth dorsal-fin spines to second or third dorsal-fin rays, both reaching two rows of scales before the anal-fin base. Bar 6 extends between the fourth and eighth or ninth dorsal-fin rays medially bisected by a clearer area or not, fading out on same level of lower margin of caudal peduncle. Bar 7 very narrow, below the two last two, or the last, dorsal-fin ray, not distinctly delimited posteriorly as caudal peduncle of about same color, almost reaching the lower margin of caudal peduncle. A conspicuous, blackish medial spot coincides in the most specimens with bar 3, extending rostro-caudally between scales tenth or eleventh to thirteenth of upper lateral line and dorso-ventrally between E1 and the row scales of upper lateral line. Dorsal fin dusky, lappets dark grey or blackish, forming a dark edge along fin; soft portion white-spotted on inter-radial membranes; two or three of indistinguishable longitudinal, parallel, greyish stripes alternate with light stripes along most of spinous portion. Anal fin dusky. Caudal fin dusky, round white spotted. Pectoral fin immaculate. Pelvic fin dusky, spine whitish and first ray whitish to dusky.
Young specimens (28.3–37.7 mm SL) with 5 bars (1) large from 5–6 pre-dorsal scales to the base of the sixth or seventh dorsal-fin spine; its region above upper lateral-line with clear areas; darker below upper lateral line; its anterior edge delimited by the extrascapular and its posterior edge descending vertically to below the pectoral-fin; (2) below anterior eleventh to fourteenth dorsal-fin spines, fading out on abdominal sides, with a prominent blackish medial spot (3) below fifteenth dorsal-fin spine to third dorsal-fin rays; medially bisected by a short clearer area; (4) below fourth or fifth dorsal-fin rays to beginning of caudal peduncle, medially bisected by a short, faint clear area, and (5) extends on final third portion of caudal peduncle to the base of the caudal fin.
Live colouration (Fig. 8). Background colour greyish; iridescent blue along three or four rows of scales below dorsal fin. Vertical bands visible, although less conspicuous than those exhibited by alcohol specimens. Head without markings except for iridescent blue on upper lip, continued as stripe extending to corner of preoperculum, and faint marking of same colour on ventral edge of orbit. Iridescent blue stripe on preopercular border. Gill cover yellowish or metalic grey. Nine to twelve horizontal rows of orange spots extending between base of dorsal fin and ventrum; coloration of anterior halves of stripes slightly denser than posterior ones. Ventrum distinctly white. Breeding adults with bright yellowish chest and anal fins reddish with iridescent blue spots forming continuous horizontal stripes. Caudal fin brownish red with iridescent blue spots sometimes fused in vertical bands. Pectoral fin yellowish. Pelvic fin reddish orange with iridescent blue banding, first ray white or very light blue.
Distribution. Geophagus neambi is known from upper and middle portions of the Rio Tocantins drainage, Brazil (Fig. 5).
Etymology. The specific name neambi is a patronym for the Núcleo de Estudos Ambientais (Neamb), Universidade Federal do Tocantins in recognition of its effort in studying the Rio Tocantins Ichthyofauna.
description: Published as part of Lucinda, Paulo H. F., Lucena, Carlos A. S. & Assis, Newton C., 2010, Two new species of cichlid fish genus Geophagus Heckel from the Rio Tocantins drainage (Perciformes: Cichlidae), pp. 29-42 in Zootaxa 2429 on pages 35-41, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.194678