ZOOTAXA
1669
Taxonomic revision of the seasonal South American
killifish genus Simpsonichthys
(Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes: Aplocheiloidei: Rivulidae)
WILSON J. E. M. COSTA
Magnolia Press
Auckland, New Zealand
WILSON J. E. M. COSTA
Taxonomic revision of the seasonal South American killifish genus Simpsonichthys (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes: Aplocheiloidei: Rivulidae)
(Zootaxa 1669)
134 pp.; 30 cm.
21 December 2007
ISBN 978-1-86977-181-2 (paperback)
ISBN 978-1-86977-182-9 (Online edition)
FIRST PUBLISHED IN 2007 BY
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ISSN 1175-5326
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ISSN 1175-5334
(Online edition)
2 · Zootaxa 1669 © 2007 Magnolia Press
COSTA
Zootaxa 1669: 1–134 (2007)
www.mapress.com / zootaxa/
ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)
Copyright © 2007 · Magnolia Press
ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition)
ZOOTAXA
Taxonomic revision of the seasonal South American killifish genus Simpsonichthys (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes: Aplocheiloidei: Rivulidae)
WILSON J. E. M. COSTA *
* Laboratório de Ictiologia Geral e Aplicada, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Caixa Postal
68049, CEP 21944-970, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. [email protected]
Table of contents
Abstract
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Resumo
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Material and methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Taxonomic accounts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Simpsonichthys de Carvalho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Key to subgenera of Simpsonichthys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Subgenus Xenurolebias Costa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Simpsonichthys myersi (de Carvalho) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Subgenus Ophthalmolebias Costa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Key to species of the subgenus Ophthalmolebias13
Simpsonichthys constanciae (Myers) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Simpsonichthys bokermanni (de Carvalho & da Cruz) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Simpsonichthys suzarti Costa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Simpsonichthys perpendicularis Costa, Nielsen & De Luca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Simpsonichthys rosaceus Costa, Nielsen & De Luca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Subgenus Simpsonichthys Carvalho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Key to species of the subgenus Simpsonichthys 25
Simpsonichthys cholopteryx Costa, Moreira & Lima . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Simpsonichthys parallelus Costa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Simpsonichthys nigromaculatus Costa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Simpsonichthys punctulatus Costa & Brasil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Simpsonichthys boitonei Carvalho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Simpsonichthys santanae (Shibata & Garavello) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Simpsonichthys zonatus (Costa & Brasil) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Subgenus Spectrolebias Costa & Nielsen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Key to species of the subgenus Spectrolebias 42
Simpsonichthys reticulatus Costa & Nielsen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Simpsonichthys costai (Lazara) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Simpsonichthys chacoensis (Amato) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Simpsonichthys filamentosus Costa, Barrera & Sarmiento . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Simpsonichthys semiocellatus (Costa & Nielsen) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Accepted by C. Gilbert: 21 Oct. 2007; published: 21 Dec. 2007
3
Subgenus Hypsolebias Costa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Key to species groups of the subgenus Hypsolebias . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Simpsonichthys notatus species group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Key to species of the S. notatus group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Simpsonichthys ocellatus Costa, Nielsen & De Luca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Simpsonichthys rufus Costa, Nielsen & De Luca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Simpsonichthys stellatus (Costa & Brasil) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Simpsonichthys nielseni Costa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Simpsonichthys notatus (Costa, Lacerda & Brasil) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Simpsonichthys radiosus Costa & Brasil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Simpsonichthys similis Costa & Hellner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Simpsonichthys gibberatus Costa & Brasil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Simpsonichthys virgulatus Costa & Brasil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Simpsonichthys trilineatus (Costa & Brasil) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Simpsonichthys auratus Costa & Nielsen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Simpsonichthys magnificus species group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Key to species of the S. magnificus group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Simpsonichthys hellneri (Berkenkamp) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Simpsonichthys adornatus Costa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Simpsonichthys fulminantis (Costa & Brasil) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Simpsonichthys carlettoi Costa & Nielsen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Simpsonichthys magnificus (Costa & Brasil) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Simpsonichthys picturatus Costa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Simpsonichthys antenori species group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Key to species of the S. antenori group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Simpsonichthys antenori (Tulipano) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Simpsonichthys macaubensis Costa & Suzart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Simpsonichthys mediopapillatus Costa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Simpsonichthys ghisolfii Costa, Cyrino & Nielsen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Simpsonichthys igneus Costa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Simpsonichthys flavicaudatus (Costa & Brasil) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Simpsonichthys flagellatus Costa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Simpsonichthys janaubensis Costa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Simpsonichthys flammeus species group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Key to species of the S. flammeus group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Simpsonichthys marginatus Costa & Brasil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Simpsonichthys delucai Costa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Simpsonichthys alternatus (Costa & Brasil) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Simpsonichthys fasciatus Costa & Brasil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Simpsonichthys multiradiatus (Costa & Brasil) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Simpsonichthys flammeus (Costa) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Simpsonichthys brunoi Costa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Literature Cited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
4 · Zootaxa 1669 © 2007 Magnolia Press
COSTA
Abstract
Fifty species in five subgenera of Simpsonichthys (family Rivulidae) are recognized as valid. Xenurolebias, from the
coastal plains of eastern Brazil, includes one species, S. myersi; Ophthalmolebias, from the coastal river basins of eastern
and southeastern Brazil, comprises S. constanciae, S. suzarti, S. bokermanni, S. perpendicularis, and S. rosaceus; Simpsonichthys, from the central Brazilian plateau, in the upper Paraná, upper Araguaia and upper São Francisco river
basins, comprises S. cholopteryx, S. parallelus, S. nigromaculatus, S. punctulatus, S. boitonei, S. santanae, and S. zonatus; Spectrolebias, from the Middle Tocantins, middle Araguaia, Xingu, Mamoré, and Paraguay river basins, in Brazil,
Bolivia and Paraguay, includes S. reticulatus, S. costai, S. chacoensis, S. filamentosus, and S. semiocellatus; and Hypsolebias, from the São Francisco, Tocantins, Middle Jequitinhonha and lower Jaguaribe river basins and isolated coastal
basins of northeastern Brazil, comprises S. ocellatus, S. rufus, S. stellatus, S. nielseni, S. notatus, S. radiosus, S. similis, S.
gibberatus, S. virgulatus, S. trilineatus, S. auratus, S. hellneri, S. adornatus, S. fulminantis, S. carlettoi, S. magnificus, S.
picturatus, S. antenori, S. macaubensis, S. mediopapillatus, S. ghisolfii, S. igneus, S. flavicaudatus, S. flagellatus, S. janaubensis, S. marginatus, S. delucai, S. alternatus, S. fasciatus, S. multiradiatus, S. flammeus, and S. brunoi. No new species are described here in the above groups. Detailed descriptions and keys to identification for all species of
Simpsonichthys are provided.
Key words: Killifishes, Simpsonichthys, Neotropica, Systematics, Annual fishes
Resumo
Cinqüenta espécies em cinco sub-gêneros de Simpsonichthys são reconhecidas como válidas. Xenurolebias, das planícies
costeiras do leste do Brasil, inclui uma espécie, S. myersi; Ophthalmolebias, das bacias costeiras do leste de sudeste do
Brasil, compreende S. constanciae, S. suzarti, S. bokermanni, S. perpendicularis e S. rosaceus; Simpsonichthys, do planalto central brasileiro, nas bacias do alto rio Paraná, alto rio Araguaia e alto rio São Francisco, compreende S. cholopteryx, S. parallelus, S. nigromaculatus, S. punctulatus, S. boitonei, S. santanae e S. zonatus; Spectrolebias, das bacias do
médio rio Tocantins, médio rio Araguaia, rio Xingu, rio Mamoré e rio Paraguai, no Brasil, Bolívia e Paraguai, compreende S. reticulatus, S. costai, S. chacoensis, S. filamentosus e S. semiocellatus; e Hypsolebias, das bacias dos rios São
Francisco, Tocantins, médio Jequitinhonha e baixo Jaguaribe e bacias costeiras isoladas do nordeste do Brasil, compreende S. ocellatus, S. rufus, S. stellatus, S. nielseni, S. notatus, S. radiosus, S. similis, S. gibberatus, S. virgulatus, S. trilineatus, S. auratus, S. hellneri, S. adornatus, S. fulminantis, S. carlettoi, S. magnificus, S. picturatus, S. antenori, S.
macaubensis, S. mediopapillatus, S. ghisolfii, S. igneus, S. flavicaudatus, S. flagellatus, S. janaubensis, S. marginatus, S.
delucai, S. alternatus, S. fasciatus, S. multiradiatus, S. flammeus e S. brunoi. São fornecidas descrições detalhadas e
chaves para identificação de todas as espécies de Simpsonichthys.
Introduction
The genus Simpsonichthys Carvalho is the most speciose and geographically widespread genus of neotropical
seasonal rivulids. It occurs over a vast region of South America, including the Jaguaribe, São Francisco,
Pardo, Jequitinhonha and Doce river basins and smaller isolated river basins of northeastern, eastern and
southwestern Brazil; southern tributaries of the Amazon River basin, including the Tocantins, Araguaia, and
Xingu drainages in Brazil; the Mamoré River basin in Bolivia; the Paraguay River basin in Paraguay and
Bolivia; and the upper Paraná River basin in central Brazil (Costa, 1996, 2006a). All species of Simpsonichthys spend their entire lives in shallow seasonal pools formed by rains, in different natural areas of South
America (Costa, 1995), including rainforests (the Amazonian forest and the Atlantic forest, including the
adjacent coastal Restinga); semiarid areas (the Caatinga of northeastern Brazil, the Gran Chaco of Paraguay
and Bolivia, and a coastal area of Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil); and savanna-like regions such as
the Brazilian Cerrado, which includes forested vegetation formations such as the Mata Ciliar and Mata de
Galeria, and open vegetation formations as Campo Limpo, Brejos, and Buritizal (Buriti-palm). The pools in
all these regions are dry during some months of the year (usually between July and November), when all indiSEASONAL SOUTH AMERICAN KILLIFISH SIMPSONICHTHYS
Zootaxa 1669 © 2007 Magnolia Press ·
5
viduals die. Embryos, protected by the thickened outer layer of egg, undergo a diapause until the beginning of
the rainy season (which usually lasts from November to March).
Simpsonichthys comprises a genus of small to median sized killifish species, usually reaching 35 to 60
mm standard length as adults, although one species, S. ghisolfii Costa, Cyrino & Nielsen, is known to reach
about 75 mm SL. At the opposite extreme, S. parallelus Costa, S. nigromaculatus Costa, S. cholopteryx
Costa, Moreira & Lima, S. costai (Lazara), S. reticulatus Costa & Nielsen, and S. semiocellatus (Costa &
Nielsen) are miniature species not exceeding 26 mm SL. A remarkable feature of species of Simpsonichthys
is the strong sexual dimorphism, the males possessing striking color patterns and longer fins than females.
Meristic differences between sexes of the same species are common, especially with regard to numbers of
dorsal and anal rays (counts in males are always greater). In addition, the dorsal and anal fins of males often
have filamentous rays. Because of their small size, beauty, and diversity of color patterns and fin morphology,
species are widespread in the aquarium trade, often appearing in aquarium magazines and on internet sites
throughout the world. Several species are maintained by specialized breeders and have become popular
aquarium fishes.
Despite their vast geographic range and great morphological diversity, it is surprising that all known 50
species of Simpsonichthys were described after 1941, and 46 of these have only been described within the last
20 years. This is a consequence of recently increased interest in South American seasonal fishes, which has
resulted in greater collecting effort and an increased number of publications involving the ecology and taxonomy of these fishes. This work has also revealed, unfortunately, that several species are threatened with
extinction (Costa, 2002).
Species of Simpsonichthys have been the focus of recent phylogenetic studies (Costa, 1996, 1998, 2003,
2006a). Despite this work, some species are still poorly known, and data on morphology and geographic distribution is often limited to that appearing in their original descriptions. The present revision incorporates a
considerable amount of new information; including detailed descriptions of species, primary synonyms, taxonomic keys to subgenera and species, lists of material examined, and information on geographic distribution
and habitat for each species.
Material and methods
Measurements and counts follow Costa (1995). Measurements are presented as percentages of standard length
(SL), except for those related to head morphology, which are expressed as percentages of head length. Fin-ray
counts include all elements. Numbers of vertebrae, gill-rakers, and caudal-fin rays were recorded only from
cleared and stained specimens. The compound caudal centrum was counted as a single element. Osteological
preparations were made according to Taylor and Van Dyke (1985). Terminology for morphological features
and classification of Simpsonichthys into subgeneric assemblages follow Costa (2006a). Abbreviations for
institutions are: CAS (SU), California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco (formerly in Stanford University);
CBF, Colección Boliviana de Fauna, La Paz; MCP, Museu de Ciências e Tecnologia da Pontifícia Universidade Católica, Porto Alegre; MCZ, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge; MNHN, Muséum
National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris; MNRJ, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de
Janeiro; MUNHINA, Museo Nacional de Historia Natural y Antropología, Montevideo; MZUSP, Museu de
Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo; UFRJ, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio
de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro; UMMZ, University of Michigan, Museum of Zoology, Ann Arbor. Michigan;
USNM, National Museum of Natural History (formerly United States National Museum), Smithsonian Institution, Washington.
6 · Zootaxa 1669 © 2007 Magnolia Press
COSTA
Taxonomic accounts
Simpsonichthys Carvalho, 1959
Simpsonichthys Carvalho, 1959: 2 (type species: Simpsonichthys boitonei Carvalho; type by original designation).
Diagnosis
Differs from all other rivulids by having a small pointed process on the dorsal portion of the autopalatine
(vs. process absent), and rays on the tip of the dorsal and anal fins unbranched in males (vs. branched), features hypothesized to be unambiguous synapomorphies of the genus by Costa (2006a).
Key to subgenera of Simpsonichthys
1a.
No filamentous rays on posterior margin of anal fin in females; caudal fin rounded to subtruncate in
males; bar on posterior portion of caudal peduncle never extending onto dorsal and ventral margins of
caudal fin in males; most dorsal-fin rays unbranched in males ............................................................2
1b.
Filamentous rays on posterior margin of anal fin in females; caudal fin lanceolate and asymmetric in
males; bar on posterior portion of caudal peduncle extending onto dorsal and ventral margins of caudal fin in males; dorsal-fin rays branched, except for rays on anterior part of fin and rays on fin tip ....
............................................................................................................................................ Xenurolebias
2a(1a). Eyes placed dorsolaterally on head; anterior and posterior sections of supraorbital series of neuromasts
continuous; anal fin hyaline in females ..................................................................................................3
2b(1a). Eyes placed laterally on head; anterior and posterior sections of supraorbital series of neuromasts separated by interspace; anal fin pink in females. ............................................................ Ophthalmolebias
3a(2a). Anterodistal portion of anal fin of females not distinctively thickened; small blue spot never present on
posterior portion of anal fin in females ..................................................................................................4
3b(2a). Anterodistal portion of anal fin of females distinctively thickened; small blue spot often present on
posterior portion of anal fin in females ...............................................................................Hypsolebias
4a(3a). Pelvic fin and pelvic-girdle well-developed; red bars never present on opercle in males. Spectrolebias
4b(3a). Pelvic fin and pelvic-girdle vestigial or absent; red bars present on opercle in males ....Simpsonichthys
Subgenus Xenurolebias Costa, 2006
Xenurolebias Costa, 2006a: 16 (type species: Simpsonichthys myersi (de Carvalho); type by original designation).
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other rivulids by the following unambiguous synapomorphies (Costa, 2006a):
presence of filamentous rays on the posterior margin of anal fin in females (vs. absent in females), caudal fin
lanceolate and asymmetrical due to expansion of ventral portion of fin in males (vs. caudal fin rounded or subtruncate; dorsal and ventral portion symmetrical), and a unique color pattern consisting of a bar on posterior
portion of caudal peduncle, posteriorly extending over dorsal and ventral margins of caudal fin in males (vs.
never a similar color pattern).
Included species
Only the type species, Simpsonichthys myersi (Carvalho).
Distribution
Rivers basins of eastern Brazilian coastal plains between rio Jucuruçu, southern Estado da Bahia, and rio
Doce, Estado do Espírito Santo (Fig. 1).
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FIGURE 1. Geographic distribution of species of the subgenus Xenurolebias: 1, S. myersi; subgenus Simpsonichthys: 2,
S. cholopteryx, 3, S. parallelus, 27, S. nigromaculatus, 4, S. boitonei, 5, S. santanae, 6, S. zonatus; subgenus Spectrolebias: 7, S. filamentosus, 8, S. costai; and subgenus Hypsolebias, S. notatus group: 9, S. ocellatus, 10, S. rufus, 11, S.
stellatus, 12, S. nielseni, 13, S. notatus, 14, S. radiosus, 15, S. similis, 16, S. gibberatus and S. virgulatus, 17, S. trilineatus, 18, S. auratus; and S. antenori group: 19, S. antenori, 20, S. macaubensis, 21, S. mediopapillatus, 22, S. ghisolfii, 23,
S. igneus, 24, S. flavicaudatus, 25, S. flagellatus, 26, S. janaubensis.
Simpsonichthys myersi (Carvalho, 1971)
(Figs. 2–3)
Cynolebias myersi Carvalho, 1971: 401 (type locality: temporary pool along road between Conceição da Barra and Itaúnas, 18 km from Conceição da Barra, Espírito Santo, Brazil [about 18°30’S 39°40’W]; holotype: MNRJ 9849).
Cynolebias izecksohni Cruz, 1983: 74 (type locality: Reserva Florestal da Companhia Vale do Rio Doce, Município de
Linhares, Estado do Espírito Santo, Brazil [about 19º15’S 40°00’W]; holotype: MNRJ 10613).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado do Espírito Santo: rio Itaúnas basin: MNRJ 9849, holotype, male, 26.7 mm SL; MNRJ
9850, 1 paratype; MNRJ 9851, 53 paratypes; temporary pools along road between Conceição da Barra and
Itaúnas, 18 km from Conceição da Barra; A. L. Carvalho, 9 Aug. 1969. UFRJ 4760, 31; UFRJ 4759, 6 (c&s);
UFRJ 6353, 4 (c&s); 2 km N of Itaúnas; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove, B. B. Costa, F. Pupo & L. Seca, 22
Dec. 1998. UFRJ 5237, 10; same locality as holotype; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove & B. B. Costa, 7 Jan.
2001. Rio Barra Seca basin: MNRJ 10613, holotype of C. izecksohni, male, 27.5 mm SL; MNRJ 10614 1
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COSTA
paratype of C. izecksohni; MNRJ 10615, 2 paratypes of C. izecksohni; MZUSP 14721-14724, 4 paratypes of
C. izecksohni; Reserva Florestal da Companhia Vale do Rio Doce, Linhares; C. A. G. Cruz, J. F. Pinheiro & S.
P. C. Silva, 18 Jan. 1980. UFRJ 5236, 6; UFRJ 5812, 5 (c&s); same locality; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove &
B. B. Costa, 6 Jan. 2001. Rio São Mateus basin: MZUSP 38336, 3; Conceição da Barra; V. Teixeira & J. C.
Ghisolfi, 1986. UFRJ 5056, 25; UFRJ 5057, 2; UFRJ 5255, 4; UFRJ 5813, 2 (c&s); temporary pool close to
Conceição da Barra; W. J. E. M. Costa, 2 Jan. 2000. UFRJ 4761, 4; same locality as UFRJ 5056; W. J. E. M.
Costa, C. P. Bove, F. Pupo & L. Seca, 22 Dec. 1998. UFRJ 5290, 2; same locality as UFRJ 5056; W. J. E. M.
Costa, C. P. Bove & B. B. Costa, Jan. 2001. UFRJ 6357, 17; same locality as UFRJ 5056; W. J. E. M. Costa,
B. B. Costa & C. P. Bove, 11 Jan. 2006. Estado da Bahia, rio Mucuri basin: UFRJ 249, 20; UFRJ 282, 1
(c&s); UFRJ 3161, 3 (c&s); UMMZ 231549, 4; MCZ 138936, 4; temporary pool 1 km N of Mucuri; G. C.
Brasil, Sep. 1989. UFRJ 377, 2; Mucuri; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove, M. Melgaço & F. Pitanga, 14 Nov.
1990. UFRJ 4762, 17; UFRJ 5814, 4 (c&s); swamp 5 km W of Mucuri; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove, B. B.
Costa, F. Pupo & L. Seca, 22 Dec. 1998. UFRJ 6355, 22; UFRJ 6356, 4 (c&s); pools within forest, about 5
km W of Mucuri; W. J. E. M. Costa, B. B. Costa & C. P. Bove, 13 Jan. 2006. Rio Itanhém basin: UFRJ 250,
12; temporary pool 10 km N of Caravelas; G. C. Brasil, Sept. 1989. UFRJ 4764, 7; swamp about 7 km W of
Alcobaça; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove, B. B. Costa, F. Pupo & L. Seca, 25 Dec. 1998. Rio Jucuruçu basin:
UFRJ 1921, 1; UFRJ 5815, 4 (c&s); temporary pool 1 km N of Prado; W. J. E. M. Costa & C. P. Bove, 19 Jun.
1993. UFRJ 5288, 4; same locality as UFRJ 1921; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove & B. B. Costa, 21 Jan. 2001.
UFRJ 6063, 21; UFRJ 6354, 4 (c&s); same locality as UFRJ 1921; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove & B. B.
Costa, 4 Jan. 2005.
Diagnosis
As for the subgenus.
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 1. Largest specimen examined 36.5 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from
lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately slender and compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of side of head.
Snout blunt or sometimes slightly pointed in larger males. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males,
pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal fin pointed in males, with long filament reaching vertical through posterior portion of caudal
fin; dorsal fin rounded to slightly pointed in females. Tip of anal fin pointed in males, with long filament
reaching vertical through middle of caudal fin; anal fin rounded in females, with short filaments on posterior
margin. Most dorsal and anal-fin rays branched, rays at tip of fin unbranched. Caudal fin lanceolate, ventral
portion weakly expanded, resulting in an asymmetrical shape. Pectoral fins elliptical to pointed. Posterior
margin of each pectoral fin reaching vertical between base of 6th and 8th anal-fin ray in males, and reaching
urogenital papilla in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching base of 3rd or 4th anal-fin ray in males and base of
2nd or 3rd anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases medially united. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical between base
of 7th and 9th anal-fin ray, between neural spines of vertebrae 11 and 14 in males and neural spines of vertebrae
13 and 16 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 10 in males and pleural ribs of
vertebrae 9 and 12 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 15–18 in males, 12–16 in females; anal-fin rays 20–24 in
males, 19–22 in females; caudal-fin rays 24–28; pectoral-fin rays 13–14; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales medially overlapped; no scale anterior to H-scale. Two small
supraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 26–28; transverse series of scales 9–10; scale rows around
caudal peduncle 12–14. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of flank in males. Minute papillate
contact organs on inner surface of two dorsalmost rays of pectoral-fin in males.
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TABLE 1. Morphometric data of species of the subgenera Xenurolebias and Ophthalmolebias.
S. myersi
S. constanciae
S. bokermanni
males
females
males
females
males
females
(n = 38)
(n = 35)
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
(n = 4)
22.9–36.5
21.3–30.4
27.1–41.0
20.0–32.6
23.0–28.0
20.4–26.9
Body depth
27.8–35.2
26.1–33.6
35.2–37.5
35.4–37.3
31.8–33.8
32.8–36.3
Caudal peduncle depth
13.8–16.7
12.4–15.5
15.4–17.2
14.3–15.6
15.3–16.6
14.7–17.1
Pre-dorsal length
58.1–62.7
65.5–71.9
55.8–57.7
60.5–62.9
59.2–62.1
64.4–67.9
Standard length (mm)
Percents of standard length
Pre-pelvic length
44.5–49.1
48.5–56.3
44.2–47.3
49.4–52.3
45.7–47.7
49.1–52.5
Length of dorsal-fin base
25.0–29.8
16.8–23.5
30.9–32.8
22.8–27.8
26.7–29.1
21.4–22.2
Length of anal-fin base
34.7–40.9
27.4–32.0
41.8–45.4
31.7–34.5
38.8–40.4
29.3–32.0
Caudal-fin length
39.2–50.7
37.4–45.6
40.8–44.4
37.0–40.5
39.0–45.6
42.6–44.3
Pectoral-fin length
26.3–34.9
24.2–31.5
24.7–27.5
22.5–25.2
26.6–29.9
25.6–29.6
Pelvic-fin length
8.3–13.1
8.5–13.0
11.4–12.7
11.3–12.7
9.0–9.6
10.2–11.6
Head length
26.7–30.6
28.6–32.9
29.6–32.0
31.1–32.8
29.5–31.3
31.2–33.5
Head depth
78.3–96.6
72.4–88.6
95.1–104.4
88.3–97.1
89.9–95.6
87.9–89.5
Head width
65.3–75.7
65.8–75.4
62.1–64.9
61.4–66.0
67.1–70.7
65.2–67.2
Snout length
12.1–15.9
11.3–15.1
12.0–14.6
12.5–13.8
13.7–15.0
12.4–13.3
Lower jaw length
19.7–25.0
16.9–20.7
16.6–19.7
15.8–18.1
18.9–21.5
17.5–18.7
Eye diameter
25.2–34.8
26.7–36.1
33.4–36.7
33.6–37.9
31.1–32.8
31.5–32.8
Percents of head length
continued.
S. suzarti
males
S. perpendicularis
females
males
females
S. rosaceus
males
females
(n = 2)
(n = 2)
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
28.6–28.9
24.7–28.5
28.1–43.3
22.8–36.0
26.7–29.6
22.8–24.5
Body depth
27.9–31.4
30.2–31.1
34.4–36.1
31.8–34.2
33.3–35.0
32.1–34.7
Caudal peduncle depth
14.0–14.4
14.1–14.7
15.2–17.0
14.4–14.7
15.8–16.5
14.0–16.0
Pre-dorsal length
55.7
62.6–65.7
57.0–59.6
59.4–63.3
56.4–58.8
63.0–65.2
Pre-pelvic length
47.1–47.4
49.8–52.5
44.8–49.3
48.3–51.8
45.8–47.6
51.8–52.6
32.9
22.4–23.6
30.2–32.8
22.8–26.8
29.3–31.1
19.6–23.0
40.3–43.5
31.9–32.2
40.8–42.1
28.2–30.7
39.0–41.4
28.8–30.7
Standard length (mm)
Percents of standard length
Length of dorsal-fin base
Length of anal-fin base
Caudal-fin length
35.6–40.3
––
33.0–37.8
31.8–35.7
36.9–39.1
33.4–36.0
Pectoral-fin length
23.5–24.4
22.0–22.7
21.6–24.6
20.4–24.4
23.8–25.5
21.6–23.2
Pelvic-fin length
10.1–11.0
10.3–11.0
9.0–9.8
9.3–11.8
8.7–9.5
8.3–9.7
Head length
31.9–32.3
31.7–33.8
30.9–31.8
27.8–32.4
30.9–32.5
31.0–32.5
Head depth
87.6–87.7
82.4–84.9
87.9–101.0
83.8–94.4
88.7–91.8
81.3–86.6
Head width
59.8–63.3
63.6–64.1
64.3–69.8
64.3–72.5
65.1–69.7
66.1–69.6
Snout length
12.6–13.8
12.3–13.2
10.4–14.2
11.0–12.2
10.4–14.2
11.6–13.4
Lower jaw length
14.3–18.6
15.1–18.2
19.1–23.3
16.5–20.2
18.5–20.3
15.2–19.2
Eye diameter
30.3–32.8
34.2–33.5
31.2–35.3
31.7–38.4
33.1–35.9
34.4–40.3
Percents of head length
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Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 10–12, parietal 1–3, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2
+ 14–18, preorbital 3, otic 1, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1–2, preopercular 11–14, mandibular 8–12, lateral mandibular 3–7, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each
scale of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 55–75% of length; basihyal cartilage about 35% of total length of
basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth absent. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch
3 + 10–11. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic present. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae 27–29.
FIGURE 2. Simpsonichthys myersi, male, UFRJ 4760, topotype, about 30 mm SL; Brazil: Espírito Santo: Itaúnas.
FIGURE 3. Simpsonichthys myersi, female, UFRJ 6063, 4760, topotype, about 25 mm SL; Brazil: Espírito Santo: Itaúnas.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body light brownish yellow to light greenish blue, with 10–15 dark crimson to dark
brown bars, sometimes almost black. Dorsum light brown. Venter yellowish gray. Head side golden, with
three dark brown bars, anterior bar adjacent to posterior margin of orbit, middle bar on preopercle, posterior
bar between preopercle and posterior edge of opercle; short dark brown infraorbital bar. Iris light yellow to
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orangish yellow, with reddish brown bar through center of eye. Dorsal fin dark brownish red to dark brown
with 5–8 pale yellow to light blue bars on basal portion, often pale yellow to light blue small round spots on
distal half of fin; dorsal-fin filaments orange to brown. Anal fin dark brown to dark red, with 6–8 pale yellow
to light blue bars, dorsal portion of bar just posterior to end of anal-fin base white; often small pale blue or yellow round spots on distal portion of fin; anal-fin filaments orange. Caudal fin pale yellow to light blue, with
4–9 dark red to dark brown bars, sometimes branched; caudal fin margin dark reddish brown, united to posteriormost bar of caudal peduncle. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins dark reddish brown, with pale yellow margin.
Females. Sides of body pale brown with 9–12 broad dark brownish gray bars; 1–3 vertically elongated to
round black blotches on anterocentral part of flank; often 1–3 small dark gray to black spots on posterior part
of caudal peduncle. Dorsum pale brown. Venter light gray. Side of head pale brown with small dark brown
spots; golden iridescence on opercular region. Iris yellow with brown bar through center of eye. Dorsal and
anal fins hyaline with elongated dark gray spots on basal portion of fin; caudal fin hyaline with small dark
gray spots on basal portion. Paired fins hyaline.
Distribution
As for the subgenus.
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Restinga and border of the Atlantic forest.
Remarks
The exhaustive comparison among morphological features of all known populations belonging to the subgenus Xenurolebias indicated that the two included nominal species (myersi and izecksohni) cannot be distinguished.
Subgenus Ophthalmolebias Costa, 2006
Ophthalmolebias Costa, 2006a: 16 (type species: Simpsonichthys constanciae (Myers); type by original designation).
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other cynolebiatins by the following unambiguous synapomorphies (Costa,
2006a): a medial crest with a prominent ventral expansion on the autopalatine (vs. without ventral expansion
when crest is present), eyes positioned laterally on head (vs. dorsolaterally), anterior and posterior sections of
the supraorbital series of neuromasts separated by an interspace (vs. continuous), and anal fin pink in females
(vs. hyaline). According to Fava & Toledo-Piza (2007), Ophthalmolebias may also be diagnosed by the presence of palm-like projections on the egg chorion surface, present in all species of the subgenus except S. bokermanni, which exhibits the unique presence of 1-3 filaments at the distal tip of the chorion projection.
Included species
Simpsonichthys constanciae (Myers), S. bokermanni (de Carvalho & da Cruz), S. perpendicularis Costa,
Nielsen & De Luca, S. rosaceus Costa, Nielsen & De Luca, and S. suzarti Costa.
Distribution
All species of Ophthalmolebias except S. constanciae are endemic to the area of eastern Brazil between
rio Cachoeira and rio Pardo basins, Estado da Bahia, in a rain forest region. Simpsonichthys constanciae is
endemic to the plains adjacent to the lower rio São João, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, a semi-arid coastal zone.
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COSTA
No species of Ophthalmolebias is known to occur in the broad area between the rio Pardo and rio São João
basins (Fig. 4).
FIGURE 4. Geographic distribution of species of the subgenus Ophthalmolebias: 1, S. constanciae, 2, S. suzarti, 3, S.
bokermanni, 4, S. perpendicularis, 5, S. rosaceus; subgenus Simpsonichthys: 22, S. punctulatus; subgenus Spectrolebias:
6, S. reticulatus, 7, S. semiocellatus, 8, S. chacoensis, and subgenus Hypsolebias, S. magnificus group: 9, S. hellneri, 10,
S. adornatus, 11, S. fulminantis, 12, S. carlettoi, 13, S. magnificus, 14, S. picturatus; and S. flammeus group: 15, S. marginatus, 16, S. delucai, 17, S. alternatus, 18, S. fasciatus, 19, S. multiradiatus, 20, S. flammeus, 21, S. brunoi.
Key to species of the subgenus Ophthalmolebias
1a.
No black spots on flank of males; dorsal and anal fins with short filamentous rays in males, tip not
surpassing vertical through posterior margin of caudal fin; anal fin short, nearly rectangular; some
dorsal and anal-fin rays branched; males with contact organs on flank scales and inner surface of
upper pectoral-fin rays .........................................................................................................................2
1b.
Four longitudinal rows of rounded black spots on male flank; dorsal and anal fins with long filamentous rays in males, tip posteriorly surpassing posterior margin of caudal fin; anal fin long, nearly triangular; all dorsal and anal-fin rays unbranched; contact organs of flank and pectoral fin absent .......
....................................................................................................................................... S. constanciae
2a(1a). Anal-fin extremity rounded in males ...................................................................................................3
2b(1a). Anal-fin extremity pointed in males ................................................................................................... 4
3a(2a). 22–23 caudal-fin rays; 3 + 11 gill-rakers on first branchial arch; 24–25 scales in longitudinal series;
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reddish brown bars alternating with bright greenish blue bars on whole male flank; oblique brown
bars on male anal fin ...............................................................................................................S. suzarti
3b(2a). 25–27 caudal-fin rays; 4 + 14 gill-rakers on first branchial arch; 26–28 scales in longitudinal series;
dark purplish brown bars on anterior part of flank, three horizontal purplish brown stripes on posterior part of flank in males; no bars on anal fin......................................................... S. perpendicularis
4a(2b). Dorsal-fin origin on vertical through base of anal-fin rays 6–7; no bright dots on unpaired fins in
males ....................................................................................................................................S. rosaceus
4b(2b). Dorsal-fin origin on vertical through base of anal-fin ray 8; white dots on dorsal fin and dorsal half
of caudal fin in males ..................................................................................................... S. bokermanni
Simpsonichthys constanciae (Myers, 1942)
(Figs. 5–6)
Cynolebias constanciae Myers, 1942: 105 (type locality: water hole for cattle, 10 miles N of Cabo Frio, State of Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil [approximately 22o45’S 42o00’W; altitude about 4 m]; holotype: CAS (SU) 36514).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado do Rio de Janeiro: CAS (SU) 36514, holotype, male, 36.0 mm SL; water hole for cattle, 10
miles N of Cabo Frio; T. D. White, 12 May 1941. MZUSP 36295, 8; temporary pool near Barra de São João;
W. J. E. M. Costa, M. C. C. de Pinna, M. T. C. Lacerda & K. Tanizaki, 6 Jul. 1985. MZUSP 38345, 13;
MZUSP, 38425, 1 (c&s); same locality as MZUSP 36295; W. J. E. M. Costa & A. Peixoto, 27 Oct. 1984.
MZUSP 36300, 8; same locality as MZUSP 36295; W. J. E.M. Costa, M. C. C. de Pinna; M. T. C. Lacerda, 23
Feb. 1985. MZUSP 38337, 5; same locality as MZUSP 36295; R. Lacorte & P. S. Santos, 2 Jul. 1978. UFRJ
1851, 6 (c&s); UFRJ 1978, 3 (c&s); same locality as MZUSP 36295; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove, M. Melgaço & F. Pitanga, 19 Nov. 1990. UFRJ 2072, 8; same locality as MZUSP 36295; W. J. E. M. Costa, M. Britto
& A. Sarraf, 10 Jan. 1994. UFRJ 2199, 25; UFRJ 5809, 2; UMMZ 230858, 8; MCZ 138931, 8; same locality
as MZUSP 36295; W. J. E. M. Costa, M. Britto & R. Cunha, 1 Jun. 1994. UFRJ 4757, 6; temporary pool in
Barra de São João; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove & B. B. Costa, 28 Nov. 1998. UFRJ 6358, 5; UFRJ 6359, 5;
same locality and collectors as UFRJ 4757, 25 Jan. 2006. UFRJ 2196, 3; temporary pool near Rio das Ostras;
W. J. E. M. Costa, M. Britto & R. Cunha, 1 Jun. 1994. UFRJ 5284, 15; UFRJ 5285, 4 (c&s); temporary pool
between Barra de São João and Rio das Ostras; W. J. E. M. Costa, 3 Feb. 2001. MNRJ 15596, 2; road Amaral
Peixoto, km 150-152; E. Izecksohn, O. Peixoto & C. Cruz, 19 Aug. 1973. MNRJ 19542, 5; road Amaral Peixoto, km 150; C. Cruz, J. G. Silva & O. Peixoto, 4 Nov. 1973.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other species of the subgenus in having all anal-fin rays unbranched (vs. some
median rays branched), four longitudinal rows of rounded black spots on sides of body in males (vs. never a
similar color pattern), long filamentous rays on tip of dorsal and anal fins in males, tip of longest dorsal and
anal rays extending beyond posterior border of caudal fin (vs. filamentous rays short, never reaching posterior
margin of caudal fin), dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 11 in males (vs. between
neural spines of vertebrae 11 and 13), and absence of contact organs on flank and pectoral fin (vs. contact
organs present in males).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 1. Largest specimen examined 41.5 mm SL. Dorsal profile slightly
concave on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle.
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Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body deep,
compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on lateral portion of head side.
Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
FIGURE 5. Simpsonichthys constanciae, male, UFRJ 2199, about 35 mm SL; Brazil: Rio de Janeiro: Barra de São João.
FIGURE 6. Simpsonichthys constanciae, female, UFRJ 2199, about 30 mm SL; Brazil: Rio de Janeiro: Barra de São
João.
Tip of dorsal and anal fins pointed and long in males, rounded in females. Tip of dorsal and anal fins with
long filamentous rays in males, tip of filaments reaching vertical behind posterior margin of caudal fin. Dorsal and anal-fin rays unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of pectoral
fins reaching vertical through base of 6th anal-fin ray in males and reaching urogenital papilla in females. Tip
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of pelvic fin reaching base of 4th anal-fin ray in males and base of 2nd anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases
medially in contact. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical through base of 6th or 7th anal-fin ray, between neural spines
of vertebrae 10 and 11 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 11 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between
pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males and pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 9 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 16–
18 in males and 14–16 in females; anal-fin rays 22–25 in males and 21–23 in females; caudal-fin rays 22–23;
pectoral-fin rays 11–12; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scale anterior to H-scale. Supraorbital
scales 2–3. Longitudinal series of scales 25–27; transverse series of scales 10–11; scale rows around caudal
peduncle 12. Contact organs absent from flank and pectoral fins.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 7–8 + 6–7, parietal 2, anterior rostral usually absent, sometimes minute single neuromast, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 + 24–30, preorbital 2–3, otic 2–3, post-otic 1–3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1, preopercular 18–22, mandibular 10–12, lateral mandibular 3,
paramandibular 1. One or two neuromasts on center of each scale of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudalfin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 35% of length; basihyal cartilage about 10% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 1–2. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 2 +
11. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic present. Ventral process of posttemporal short. Total vertebrae
26–28.
Coloration
Males. Side of body golden on anterior third of flank to light purplish brown on posterior portion; four
horizontal rows of round black spots, sometimes horizontally coalescing, three dorsalmost rows along all
extension of flank, ventral row between pectoral-fin base and middle of anal-fin base. Dorsum pale brown.
Sides of head greenish golden, with purplish brown spots on opercular region. Iris yellow, with black bar
through center of eye. Dorsal fin with pale blue spots alternating with dark gray spots, sometimes with golden
iridescence; distal margin light blue; filaments black. Anal fin pale green, with dark gray spots, sometimes
with golden iridescence; filaments black. Caudal fin with pale blue dots alternating with dark gray spots. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins greenish yellow, with dark gray posterior border.
Females. Sides of body pale purplish brown, with 13–14 dark gray bars; usually one (sometimes two)
black spots on anterocentral portion of flank, laterally bordered by pale blue vertical lines; belly orangish
golden. Dorsum pale brown. Sides of head orangish brown; opercular region greenish golden. Iris yellow,
with dark brown bar through center of eye. Dorsal and caudal fins hyaline, with faint rounded gray spots on
basal portion. Anal fin orangish pink, with faint gray spots on basal portion. Pectoral and pelvic fins hyaline.
Distribution
Coastal plains adjacent to lower rio São João, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil (Fig. 4).
Habitat
Temporary pools in a semi-arid coastal areas, usually in places widely exposed to the sun.
Simpsonichthys bokermanni (Carvalho & Cruz, 1987)
(Fig. 7)
Cynolebias bokermanni Carvalho & Cruz, 1987:12 (type locality: swamp in CEPLAC (Comissão Executiva do Plano da
Lavoura Cacaueira), Município de Ilhéus, Estado da Bahia, Brazil [about 14o50’S 39o15’W; altitude about 40 m];
holotype: MNRJ 11167).
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Material examined
Brazil: Estado da Bahia: Município de Ilhéus, rio Cachoeira basin: MNRJ 11167, holotype, male, 40.5
mm SL; MNRJ 11168, 16 paratypes; MZUSP 28476, 1 paratype; MZUSP 28477, 1 paratype; MZUSP 28478,
1 paratype; MZUSP 28479, 1 paratype; swamp in CEPLAC; W. C. A. Bokermann, Dec. 1971. MNRJ 19503,
22; same locality; W. C. A. Bokermann, 30 Apr. 1972. MNRJ 11721, 9; MZUSP 38432, 2 (c&s); same locality as holotype; U. Caramaschi, H. R. Silva & L. Carcerelli, 10 Mar. 1986. UFRJ 1836, 13; UFRJ 2124, 4
(c&s); UFRJ 3162, 1 (c&s); UFRJ 5863, 1 (c&s); same locality; W. J. E. M. Costa & C. P. Bove, 17 Jun. 1993.
MNRJ 19462, 6; Itabuna; no additional data.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other species of Ophthalmolebias by the unique asymmetrical distribution of
greenish white dots in males, which are concentrated on the dorsal half of the caudal fin and usually are
absent, sometimes minute, on ventral half of fin (vs. bright dots homogeneously distributed on caudal fin of S.
constanciae and S. suzarti; absent in all other species of Ophthalmolebias), and the presence of white dots on
dorsal fin in males (vs. white dots absent).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 1. Largest specimen examined 47.5 mm SL. Dorsal profile gently
concave on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on lateral portion of
side of head. Snout blunt to slightly pointed. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped
in females.
FIGURE 7. Simpsonichthys bokermanni, male, UFRJ 1836, topotype, about 35 mm SL mm SL; Brazil: Bahia: Ilhéus.
Tip of dorsal and anal fins pointed in males, rounded in females. Tip of dorsal and anal fins with filamentous rays in males, tip of dorsal-fin filaments reaching vertical just anterior to posterior margin of caudal fin,
tip of anal-fin filaments reaching vertical through middle of caudal fin. Dorsal-fin rays unbranched. Caudal
fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margins of pectoral fins reaching vertical through base of 7th
anal-fin ray in males, and through base of 4th anal-fin ray in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching base of
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3rd anal-fin ray in males and base of 1st anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases medially in contact. Dorsalfin origin on vertical through base of 8th anal-fin ray in both sexes; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of
vertebrae 12 and 13 in males, and vertebrae 11 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 9. Dorsal-fin rays 16–17 in males, 14–16 in females; anal-fin rays 23–26 in males, 22–23 in
females; caudal-fin rays 24–27; pectoral-fin rays 12–13; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scale anterior to H-scale. Supraorbital
scales 2–3. Longitudinal series of scales 27; transverse series of scales 9–10; scale rows around caudal peduncle 16. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of lateral surface of body in males. Small papillate contact organs on inner surface of dorsalmost ray of pectoral fin in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 6–8 + 4–5, parietal 2, anterior rostral 1, sometimes absent, posterior rostral
1, infraorbital 2 + 18–22, preorbital 2, otic 2, post-otic 4, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular 16–17, mandibular 10–12, lateral mandibular 2–3, paramandibular 1. One or two neuromasts on center of each scale of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 65% of length; basihyal cartilage about 30% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 2–3. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 3 +
11. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic present. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae
28–29.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body pale orangish brown, with four to six longitudinal rows of greenish blue dots on
dorsal portion; pale golden narrow bars on anterior portion of flank. Dorsal portion of head pale orangish
brown, side pale greenish golden. Iris yellow, with dark brown bar through center of eye. Dorsal fin pale
brownish red with white dots. Anal fin pale brownish red, sometimes with faint light blue dots on posterior
portion. Caudal fin pale brownish red, with greenish white dots on dorsal half of fin; ventral half usually
without dots, sometimes with minute white dots; posterior margin light blue. Pectoral fin hyaline. Pelvic fins
pale brownish red.
Females. Side of body light purplish brown, with narrow and short pale greenish blue bars on anterior
portion; usually one, rarely two rounded black spots on anterocentral region. Dorsum pale brown. Sides of
head pale brown, opercular region greenish blue. Iris yellow, with dark gray bar through center of eye. Dorsal fin hyaline, with faint brown spots and pale blue dots. Anal fin pink, with blue dots on posterobasal
region. Caudal fin hyaline, with faint blue dots on basal region. Pectoral and pelvic fins hyaline.
Distribution
Floodplains of rio Cachoeira, Estado da Bahia, northeastern Brazil (Fig. 4).
Habitat
Temporary pools within the Atlantic forest.
Simpsonichthys suzarti Costa, 2004
(Figs. 8–9)
Simpsonichthys suzarti, 2004: 2 (type locality: temporary pool near Canavieiras, rio Pardo floodplains, approximately
15o 45’S 39o00’W, altitude about 4 m, Estado da Bahia, Brazil; holotype: MCP 34088).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado da Bahia: MCP 34088, male, holotype, 28.6 mm SL; UFRJ 5810, 1 paratype; UFRJ 5811,
2 paratypes (c&s); temporary pool near Canavieiras, rio Pardo floodplains (approximately 15o 45’S 39o00’W;
altitude about 4 m); D. B. Lara, 2002.
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Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other species of Ophthalmolebias in possessing rounded anal fin in males (vs.
pointed), reddish brown bars alternated with bright greenish blue bars on whole flank in males (vs. bars, when
present, restricted to anterior portion of flanks), dark brown reticulation on dorsal fin in males (vs. reticulated
marks absent), and oblique brown bars on anal fin in males (vs. bars absent).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 1. Largest specimen examined 28.9 mm SL. Dorsal profile weakly
concave on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, about straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on lateral portion of
head side. Snout slightly pointed. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in
females.
Tip of dorsal fin slightly pointed in males, rounded in females. Tip of anal fin rounded in both sexes. Tip
of both dorsal and anal fins with short filamentous rays in males, tips reaching vertical through caudal-fin
base. Dorsal-fin rays unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching vertical through base of 5th anal-fin ray in males, and through urogenital papilla in females.
Tip of each pelvic fin reaching base 4th anal-fin ray in males and base of 2nd anal-fin ray in females. Pelvicfin bases medially in close proximity. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical through base of 4th or 5th anal-fin ray in
males, and through base of 6th anal-fin ray in females, between neural spines of vertebrae 11 and 12 in both
sexes. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 9 and
10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 18–19 in males, 15–16 in females; anal-fin rays 22–24 in males, 22 in females;
caudal-fin rays 22–23; pectoral-fin rays 11–12; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scale anterior to H-scale. Supraorbital
scales 2–3. Longitudinal series of scales 24–25; transverse series of scales 9; scale rows around caudal peduncle 12. Minute contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of lateral surface of body in males, usually
inconspicuous. Small papillate contact organs on inner surface of three dorsalmost rays of pectoral fin in
males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 7 + 6, parietal 2, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 +
25, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1, preopercular 17,
mandibular 14, lateral mandibular 3, paramandibular 1. One or two neuromasts on center of each scale of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 50% of length; basihyal cartilage about 25% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. One tooth on second pharyngobranchial. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 3 +
11. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic present. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae
27.
Coloration
Males. Side of body light pink, with 10–12 reddish brown bars alternating with bright greenish blue bars.
Few light blue dots on dorsal portion of flanks. Opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris light yellow, with
dark brown bar. Dorsal fin light blue, with broad reddish brown reticulation. Anal fin yellow, with oblique
brown bars. Caudal fin brownish red, with light blue dots. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins orange.
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FIGURE 8. Simpsonichthys suzarti, male, MCP 34088, holotype, 28.6 mm SL; Brazil: Bahia: Canavieiras.
Females. Side of body brownish orange, with 10–12 gray bars; venter pale pink; 2–3 rounded black spots
alternating with light blue narrow bars on anterocentral portion of flank. Opercular region pale greenish
golden. Iris light yellow, with dark gray bar. Dorsal fin hyaline, with faint gray spots; anal fin pink with gray
spots; caudal fin hyaline; small pale blue spots on posterior portion of dorsal and anal fins, and on dorsal portion of caudal fin. Paired fins hyaline.
FIGURE 9. Simpsonichthys suzarti, female, UFRJ 5810, paratype, 28.3 mm SL; Brazil: Bahia: Canavieiras.
Distribution
Known only from the type locality, floodplains of lower rio Pardo, Estado da Bahia, northeastern Brazil
(Fig. 4).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Restinga.
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Simpsonichthys perpendicularis Costa, Nielsen & De Luca, 2001
(Fig. 10)
Simpsonichthys perpendicularis Costa, Nielsen & De Luca, 2001: 26 (type locality: temporary pool near ribeirão do
Salto, road between Itarantim and Jordânia, about 6 km from Jordânia, rio Jequitinhonha basin, Estado da Bahia,
Brazil [approximately 15o55’S 40o10’W; altitude about 190 m]; holotype: MZUSP 62570).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado da Bahia, rio Jequitinhonha basin: MZUSP 62570, holotype, male, 43.3 mm SL; MZUSP
62571, 5 paratypes; UFRJ 5144, 10 paratypes; UFRJ 5145, 5 paratypes (c&s); temporary pool in ribeirão do
Salto floodplains, road between Itarantim and Jordânia, about 6 km from Jordânia; A. C. De Luca, D. S. U.
Martins & V. S. Favalli, 23 Jun. 2000.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other congeners by the unique color pattern in males, consisting of bars on anterior
half and three stripes on the posterior half of flank. It is also distinguished from the other species of Ophthalmolebias in possessing more gill-rakers on the first branchial arch (4 + 14, vs. 2–4 + 11) and more dorsal-fin
rays in females (16–18, vs. 13–16).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 1. Largest male examined 43.3 mm SL. Dorsal profile slightly concave on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral
profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately
deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on lateral portion of head.
Snout blunt to slightly pointed. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal fin weakly pointed in males, rounded in females; tip of anal fin rounded in both sexes. Tip
of both dorsal and anal fins with filamentous rays in males, the longest dorsal-fin filaments reaching posteriorly to vertical through middle of caudal fin; tip of anal-fin filaments reaching vertical through base of caudal
fin. Dorsal-fin rays unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching vertical through base of 4th anal-fin ray in males and between pelvic-fin base and anus in
females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching base of 3rd or 4th anal-fin ray in males and between urogenital papilla
and anal-fin origin in females. Pelvic-fin bases medially in close proximity. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical
through base of 5th or 6th anal-fin ray, between neural spines of vertebrae 11 and 12 in both sexes. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 9 in males and between pleural ribs of vertebrae 9 and 10 in
females. Dorsal-fin rays 17–20 in males, 16–18 in females; anal-fin rays 23–25 in males, 21–23 in females;
caudal-fin rays 25–27; pectoral-fin rays 13; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scales anterior to H-scale; one
supraorbital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 26–28; transverse series of scales 9–10; scale rows around
caudal peduncle 14. Contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of lateral surface of body in males.
Small papillate contact organs on inner surface of dorsalmost pectoral-fin ray in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 8 + 5–6, parietal 2–3, anterior rostral 1, sometimes absent, posterior rostral
1, infraorbital 2 + 19–20, preorbital 2, otic 2, post-otic 3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular 14–15, mandibular 10, lateral mandibular 3, paramandibular 1. One or two neuromasts on
center of each scale of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 55% of length; basihyal cartilage about 30% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 2–3. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 4 +
14. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic present. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae
27–28.
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Coloration
Males. Sides of body light purplish brown to pale golden anteriorly; 7–10 pale brown bars between vertical through pectoral-fin base and middle of dorsal-fin base and 3 purplish brown stripes on posterior half of
body; posterior two bars overlapping anterior portion of stripes. Opercular region golden. Iris yellow, with
purplish brown bar through center of eye. Pelvic and unpaired fins pale yellow, with dark gray spots. Pectoral
fins hyaline, with dark gray ventral border.
FIGURE 10. Simpsonichthys perpendicularis, male, MZUSP 62570, holotype, 43.3 mm SL; Brazil: Bahia: Jordânia.
Females. Sides of body pale brown, with 11–12 dark gray bars between head and caudal-fin base; usually
one or two black blotches, rarely three, on anterocentral portion, alternated with light blue vertically elongated
spots. Opercular region pale golden. Iris yellow, with grayish brown bar through center of eye. Dorsal fin
hyaline, with dark gray round spots. Caudal fin hyaline, pale pink ventrally. Anal fin pink, with faint metallic
blue spots. Paired fins hyaline.
Distribution
Known only from the type locality, ribeirão do Salto floodplains, middle rio Jequitinhonha basin, Estado
da Bahia, northeastern Brazil (Fig. 4).
Habitat
The type locality is a temporary pool within an area where the original forest was destroyed, in a cattle
area. Simpsonichthys perpendicularis was not found elsewhere and is considered a vulnerable species (Costa,
2002).
Simpsonichthys rosaceus Costa, Nielsen & De Luca, 2001
(Figs. 11–12)
Simpsonichthys rosaceus Costa, Nielsen & De Luca, 2001: 28 (type locality: temporary pool near rio Pardo, road
between Potiguará [Potiraguá] and Itapetininga, Estado da Bahia, Brazil [approximately 15o30’S 39o50’W; altitude
about 170 m]; holotype: MZUSP 62572).
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Material examined
Brazil: Estado da Bahia: MZUSP 62572, holotype, male, 29.6 mm SL; MZUSP 62573, 5 paratypes; UFRJ
5146, 20 paratypes; UFRJ 5147, 4 paratypes (c&s); temporary pool close to rio Pardo, road between Potiguará
and Itapetinga; A. C. De Luca, D. S. U. Martins & V. S. Favalli, 23 Jun. 2000. UFRJ 5289, 46; same locality;
W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove & B. B. Costa, Jan. 2001.
Diagnosis
Similar to S. bokermanni and S. perpendicularis, and distinguished from other species of the Ophthalmolebias group by having pale golden bars restricted to anterior portion of flanks in males (vs. golden bars
absent in S. constanciae, and bright greenish blue bars on the whole flank in S. suzarti). Similar to S. perpendicularis and distinguished from S. bokermanni by the absence of bright dots on the flanks and unpaired fins
in males (vs. bright dots on dorsal fin, dorsal portion of caudal fin, and dorsal portion of flanks). Distinguished from S. perpendicularis in having pale red to pink unpaired fins (vs. yellow) and the absence of three
brown stripes on the posterior portion of flanks (vs. presence).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 1. Largest specimen examined 29.6 mm SL. Dorsal profile weakly
concave on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately
deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on lateral portion of head
side. Snout blunt to slightly pointed. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in
females.
Tip of both dorsal and anal fins slightly pointed in males, rounded in females. Tip of both dorsal and anal
fins with filamentous rays in males, the dorsal-fin filaments reaching vertical through middle of caudal fin, tip
of anal-fin filaments reaching vertical through base of caudal fin. Dorsal-fin rays unbranched. Caudal fin
rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margins of pectoral fins reaching vertical through base of 4th analfin ray in males and between pelvic-fin base and anus in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching base of 3rd
anal-fin ray in males and between urogenital papilla and anal-fin origin in females. Pelvic-fin bases medially
in close proximity. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical through base of 6th or 7th anal-fin ray, between neural spines
of vertebrae 11 and 12 in males, and between neural spines of vertebrae 12 and 13 in females. Anal-fin origin
between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males, and between pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 9 in females.
Dorsal-fin rays 15–18 in males, 13–15 in females; anal-fin rays 22–24 in males, 19–22 in females; caudal-fin
rays 23–25; pectoral-fin rays 12–13; pelvic-fin rays 5–6.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scale anterior to H-scale; supraorbital
scales 1–2. Longitudinal series of scales 25–27; transverse series of scales 8–9; scale rows around caudal
peduncle 14. Minute contact organ on each scale of anteroventral half of body side in males. Small, papillate
contact organs on medial surface of dorsalmost pectoral-fin ray in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 7–8 + 5–6, parietal 2–3, anterior rostral 1, sometimes absent, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 + 18–25, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral
opercular 2–4, preopercular 17–18, mandibular 12, lateral mandibular 3, paramandibular 1. One or two neuromasts on center of each scale of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 40% of length; basihyal cartilage about 20% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 2–3. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 3–4 +
11. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic present. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae
26–28.
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Coloration
Males. Sides of body light pink, venter pale golden; three or four faint pinkish gray bars alternated with
pale golden bars on anterior portion of flanks (in preserved specimens, ten bars between head and caudal
peduncle); sometimes faint purplish gray stripe on lateral midline of caudal peduncle. Opercular region
golden. Iris yellow, with purplish brown bar through center of eye. Dorsal fin yellow with round reddish gray
spots on basal half, dark pink on distal half. Caudal fin pale red to pink, with small yellow and gray spots.
Anal fin pale red to pink, with faint gray spots, and pale yellow base. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins pink.
FIGURE 11. Simpsonichthys rosaceus, male, UFRJ 5146, paratype, 27.4 mm SL; Brazil: Bahia: Potiraguá.
FIGURE 12. Simpsonichthys rosaceus, female, UFRJ 5146, paratype, 21.4 mm SL; Brazil: Bahia: Potiraguá.
Females. Sides of body pale brown, with 12–15 dark gray bars between head and caudal-fin base; usually
one or two black blotches on anterocentral portion, sometimes absent, when present alternating with light
greenish blue short bars. Opercular region pale golden. Iris yellow, with gray brown bar through center of
eye. Dorsal fin hyaline, with dark gray round spots. Caudal fin hyaline, pale pink on ventral portion. Anal fin
pink, with faint blue spots. Paired fins hyaline.
Distribution
Known only from the type locality, middle rio Pardo basin, Estado da Bahia, northeastern Brazil (Fig. 4).
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COSTA
Habitat
Known only from a temporary pool in the border of the Atlantic forest, located in the narrow floodplain of
the rio Pardo.
Subgenus Simpsonichthys Carvalho, 1959
Simpsonichthys Carvalho, 1959: 2 (type species: Simpsonichthys boitonei Carvalho; type by original designation).
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other cynolebiatines by having pelvic fin and pelvic-fin girdle vestigial or absent
and dark red bars on opercle in males.
Included species
Simpsonichthys cholopteryx Costa, Moreira & Lima, S. parallelus Costa, S. nigromaculatus Costa, S.
punctulatus Costa & Brasil, S. boitonei de Carvalho, S. santanae (Shibata & Garavello), and S. zonatus (Costa
& Brasil).
Distribution
Headwaters of rio Paraná, rio São Francisco, and rio Araguaia basins, central Brazil (Figs. 1 and 4).
Key to species of the subgenus Simpsonichthys
1a.
1b.
2a(1a).
2b(1a).
3a(2a).
3b(2a).
4a(1b).
4b(1b).
5a(4b).
5b(1b).
6a(5a).
6b(5a).
Dwarf species, reaching about 25 mm SL; caudal fin with dark gray margin and subdistal blue line
in males; dark gray distal stripe on dorsal and anal fins in males; pectoral fins hyaline in males ......2
Median sized species, reaching about 40 mm SL; caudal fin without dark margin and subdistal blue
line in males; red distal stripe on dorsal and anal fins in males; pectoral fins red in males ................4
17–20 anal-fin rays in females; dorsal and anal fins orange in males; no dark bars on unpaired fins in
males ....................................................................................................................................................3
20–22 anal-fin rays in females; dorsal and anal fins light blue anteriorly, yellow posteriorly in males;
dark red bars on unpaired fins in males ..........................................................................S. cholopteryx
No black spots on posterobasal portion of dorsal fin in males; no yellow dots on caudal fin in males;
body depth in males 28.8-32.5 % SL ................................................................................ S. parallelus
Two to four black spots on posterobasal portion of dorsal fin in males; yellow dots on caudal fin in
males; body depth in males 33.5-36.0 % SL ............................................................S. nigromaculatus
No longitudinal rows of light blue dots on flank in males; short filamentous ray on tip of dorsal fin
in males, reaching basal portion of caudal fin .....................................................................................5
Longitudinal rows of light blue dots on flank in males; long filamentous ray on tip of dorsal fin in
males, reaching the distal portion of caudal fin .............................................................. S. punctulatus
Pelvic fins vestigial; 20–23 anal-fin rays in males; black spots on dorsal-fin base in males. ........... 6
Pelvic fins absent; 17–19 anal-fin rays in males; no black spot on dorsal-fin base in males. ..............
............................................................................................................................................. S. boitonei
Dorsal-fin rays 19–21 in males, 14–17 in females; dorsal-fin origin anterior to anal-fin origin in
males ................................................................................................................................... S. santanae
Dorsal-fin rays 15–17 in males, 12–13 in females; dorsal-fin origin posterior to anal-fin origin in
males ..................................................................................................................................... S. zonatus
SEASONAL SOUTH AMERICAN KILLIFISH SIMPSONICHTHYS
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25
Simpsonichthys cholopteryx Costa, Moreira & Lima, 2003
(Figs. 13–14)
Simpsonichthys cholopteryx Costa, Moreira & Lima, 2003: 140 (type locality: ribeirão do Sapo, rio Araguaia basin, on
road MT 100, 31 km S of Alto Araguaia, Estado de Mato Grosso, Brazil, 17º33’38.5”S 53º18’33.1”W; holotype:
MZUSP 78061).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Mato Grosso: Município de Alto Araguaia, upper rio Araguaia drainage, rio Amazonas
basin: MZUSP 78061, holotype, male, 23.5 mm SL; UFRJ 5428, 29 paratypes; Ribeirão do Sapo on road MT
100, 31 km S of Alto Araguaia, 17º33’38.5”S 53º18’33.1”W; W. J. E. M. Costa, S. M. Q. Lima, D. F. Belote
& E. S. Araujo, 6 Apr. 2002. MZUSP 73338, 16 paratypes (6 c&s); Ribeirão do Sapo, km 464 of Ferronorte
railway, 17º31’11”S 53º15’33”W; C. L. R. Moreira & F. C. T. Lima, 21 May 2001. MZUSP 73323, 41
paratypes; Córrego do Sapinho, km 474 of Ferronorte railway (17º25’55”S 53º14’34”W); C. L. R. Moreira &
F. C. T. Lima, 19 May 2001.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other congeners by the combination of the following features: absence of pelvic
fins and pelvic girdle (vs. presence); dorsal-fin origin posterior (vs. anterior) to anal-fin origin, 16–18 dorsalfin rays in males (vs. 19–22), 20–23 anal-fin rays in males (vs. 17–19), 20–22 anal-fin rays in females (vs. 17–
20), maximum adult size 23.5 mm SL (vs. 40.0 mm SL), distal border of both dorsal and anal fins dark gray in
males (vs. dark red), posterior border of caudal fin dark gray in males (vs. pale pink), iridescent dots on
unpaired fins absent in males (vs. present), pectoral fins hyaline in males (vs. red)), with metallic blue spots in
males; iris blue in males (vs. yellow), iridescent blue bars on flank approximately as wide as red bars in males
(vs. much narrower), ground color of dorsal and anal fins light blue anteriorly, yellow posteriorly in males (vs.
whole fins orange), and presence of dark bars on unpaired fins in males (vs. bars absent).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 2. Largest specimen examined 23.5 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lower
jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed,
greatest body depth at point just anterior to anal-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of head side.
Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of both dorsal and anal fins pointed in males, rounded in females; filamentous rays absent. Dorsal-fin
rays unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching
vertical through base of third or fourth anal-fin ray in males, and vertical just anterior to anus in females. Pelvic fins and pelvic girdle absent. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical through base of 5th anal-fin ray in males, and
2nd anal-fin ray in females; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 9–11 in males, and vertebrae
10–12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7–10 in males, and vertebrae 9–10 in
females. Dorsal-fin rays 17–18 in males, 15–17 in females; anal-fin rays 20–23 in males, 20–22 in females;
caudal-fin rays 23–25; pectoral-fin rays 13.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales medially overlapped; no scale anterior to G-scale; one supraorbital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 22–24; transverse series of scales 8–10; scale rows around caudal
peduncle 14–16. Minute contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of lateral surface of body in males. No
contact organs on pectoral-fins.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 2 + 5–7, parietal 2, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 1 +
11–14, preorbital 2, otic 1, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1, preopercular
7, mandibular 4, lateral mandibular 2, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale of lateral
line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
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COSTA
TABLE 2. Morphometric data of species of the subgenus Simpsonichthys.
S. cholopteryx
males
S. parallelus
females
males
S. nigromaculatus
females
males
females
(n = 7)
(n = 7)
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
(n = 3)
18.7–23.5
15.5–19.5
17.7–22.6
19.3–20.3
19.4–25.6
14.9–21.9
Body depth
32.5–35.2
29.7–32.9
28.8–32.6
32.1–34.8
33.5–36.0
31.4–33.3
Caudal peduncle depth
17.1–19.1
15.8–16.8
15.4–16.9
14.8–15.8
15.5–16.7
14.8–15.3
Pre-dorsal length
56.0–59.1
61.3–68.1
52.8–57.3
61.6–63.8
52.0–56.4
59.6–62.5
Pre-pelvic length
––
––
––
––
––
––
Length of dorsal-fin base
31.1–35.9
24.4–29.1
32.3–34.3
24.6–28.7
31.0–35.5
25.5–27.9
Length of anal-fin base
38.8–41.8
27.9–32.7
38.8–41.7
26.7–30.5
35.7–39.8
28.3–29.3
Caudal-fin length
32.4–37.6
32.6–37.2
34.9–40.9
33.3–37.9
35.6–40.2
36.6–39.3
Pectoral-fin length
23.0–25.1
21.7–22.8
23.4–25.9
22.9–24.0
23.8–27.1
21.4–24.1
––
––
––
––
––
––
28.8–31.1
28.9–32.2
28.7–32.2
31.2–33.4
29.9–31.5
31.2–32.6
Head depth
91.2–97.9
86.3–93.4
85.8–96.9
87.2–98.3
92.8–102.2
85.2–88.1
Head width
64.2–72.9
65.1–73.0
65.2–71.3
66.2–69.6
63.4–68.8
64.0–66.5
Snout length
11.0–13.7
10.0–13.6
10.5–14.0
9.2–13.9
10.4–12.8
9.9–11.6
Standard length (mm)
Percents of standard length
Pelvic-fin length
Head length
Percents of head length
Lower jaw length
15.0–18.1
13.8–17.8
18.7–22.1
18.0–20.6
14.4–17.7
10.3–15.2
Eye diameter
34.6–39.4
36.2–42.3
35.1–38.8
35.9–39.7
36.0–37.3
35.3–37.9
continued.
S. punctulatus
S. boitonei
S. santanae
S. zonatus
males
females
males
females
males
females
males
females
(n = 2)
(n = 2)
(n = 10)
(n = 10)
(n = 4)
(n = 4)
(n = 5)
(n = 4)
22.2–26.1
18.4–20.1
18.9–23.6
17.2–18.6
19.5–29.4
17.5–22.3
29.2–29.7
30.6–33.3
29.2–32.9
29.7–31.1
30.4–32.4
27.4–32.4
29.3–32.3
Caudal peduncle depth
15.3–16.3 14.4–13.6
13.7–14.9
13.2–15.4
14.5–15.4
13.6–14.4
13.7–15.4
13.6–15.9
Pre-dorsal length
52.6–53.3 61.9–64.9
47.0–50.0
60.4–62.6
49.8–51.7
59.8–63.0
55.4–59.6
61.3–64.7
Pre-pelvic length
44.6–46.3 52.1–54.7
––
––
47.1–53.7
53.7–54.9
46.7–50.7
51.6–53.5
Length of dorsal-fin base
31.0–31.5 20.4–20.5
33.3–36.2
19.8–22.1
32.1–36.6
19.5–23.4
23.5–28.1
18.6–21.1
Length of anal-fin base
32.4–33.6 21.0–22.1
27.6–30.8
19.1–20.9
31.0–32.1
19.7–22.7
30.9–31.7
24.0–25.9
Caudal-fin length
40.8–41.3 38.8–39.1
35.8–40.6
32.4–35.9
36.2–40.0
34.4–36.3
35.9–38.5
30.4–33.3
Pectoral-fin length
29.3–30.7 24.6–25.9
27.4–30.8
24.9–26.9
27.2–30.3
23.5–26.5
23.5–26.6
23.9–23.5
––
––
6.1–7.4
5.9–7.3
5.7
4.0–4.8
30.3–30.4 31.4–31.6
30.4–32.9
31.5–33.5
31.2–33.3
33.0–35.0
30.8–33.9
32.3–34.1
Head depth
87.8–89.7 84.6–89.3
87.6–96.4
84.4–95.9
83.1–90.0
81.1–87.1
82.9–89.0
83.0–85.9
Head width
65.0–68.4 68.3–73.1
61.8–69.1
69.0–72.3
61.8–67.0
63.8–66.3
63.7–68.4
62.8–73.1
Snout length
13.3–14.5 12.5–13.6
13.9–16.6
12.9–14.5
12.4–13.6
13.0–14.5
12.6–13.4
12.6–12.8
Lower jaw length
18.6–19.3 14.8–14.9
17.9–19.7
14.0–15.8
15.3–18.3
14.6–15.3
14.4–16.4
12.3–14.4
Eye diameter
34.7–35.0 35.1–36.8
31.0–33.0
32.0–33.4
31.4–33.7
32.6–35.3
Standard length (mm)
25.5–29.1 19.4–24.0
Percents of standard length
Body depth
Pelvic-fin length
Head length
30.9
9.0–9.4
5.3–8.3
Percents of head length
SEASONAL SOUTH AMERICAN KILLIFISH SIMPSONICHTHYS
29.9–34.7 31.1–34.6
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Basihyal subtriangular, width about 30% of length; basihyal cartilage about 20% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth absent. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 2 +
8. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal absent. Total vertebrae
24–26.
FIGURE 13. Simpsonichthys cholopteryx, male, MZUSP 78061, holotype, 23.5 mm SL; Brazil: Mato Grosso: Alto Araguaia.
FIGURE 14. Simpsonichthys cholopteryx, female, UFRJ 5428, paratype, 18.6 mm SL; Brazil: Mato Grosso: Alto Araguaia.
Coloration
Males. Body and head pale brown; flanks with 10–11 dark red bars alternating with iridescent dark blue
bars; sides of head with four dark red bars, one below eye and three on opercular region, alternating with four
light blue bars. Iris greenish blue, with dark reddish brown bar. Dorsal fin yellow, light blue on anterior portion, with six to seven pale brown bars; distal dark gray stripe, ventrally bordered by metallic green line. Anal
fin light blue on anterior and yellow on posterior half, with six pale brown bars; distal dark gray stripe, dorsally bordered by metallic blue line. Caudal fin yellow, with four to five brown bars; dark gray band along
distal margin, proximally bordered by faint iridescent green line. Pectoral fins hyaline.
Females. Sides of body pale brownish yellow, with 11 dark gray bars; two or three black blotches on
anterocentral portion of flank. Sides of head pale brownish yellow, with pale green iridescence on opercular
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COSTA
region, and with dark brown bars, three on opercular region, one adjacent to posterior edge of eye, and one on
suborbital region. Unpaired fins hyaline, with dark gray spots; anterior portion of anal fin pale orange. Pectoral fins hyaline.
Distribution
Upper rio Araguaia basin, Estado de Mato Grosso, central Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Temporary pools between Campo Úmido and Buritizal in the Cerrado.
Simpsonichthys parallelus Costa, 2000
(Figs. 15–16)
Simpsonichthys parallelus Costa, 2000: 13 (original description; type locality: seasonal swamp in floodplains of rio Formoso, a tributary of rio Correntes, rio Paranaíba drainage, rio Paraná basin, Parque Nacional da Emas, Estado de
Goiás, Brazil [approximately 22o 45’ S, 42o 00’ W]; holotype: MZUSP 57537).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Goiás, rio Paranaíba drainage, rio Paraná basin: MZUSP 57537, holotype, male, 22.1
mm SL; MZUSP 57538, 4 paratypes; UFRJ 4838, 7 paratypes; UFRJ 4839, 4 paratypes (c&s); MCP 22681, 4
paratypes; UFRJ 5196, 16 paratypes; UFRJ 5197, 4 paratypes; UFRJ 5386, 11; seasonal swamp in the floodplains of the rio Formoso, Parque Nacional da Emas; W. J. E. M. Costa, A. C. Bacellar and S. M. Q. Lima, 31
Mar. 1999. MNRJ 18285, 5; rio Formoso, Santa Amélia farm, Chapadão do Céu; M. R. S. Melo, 11 Oct.
1998.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all congeners by the combination of the following features: absence of pelvic fins and
pelvic girdle (vs. presence), dorsal-fin origin posterior (vs. anterior) to anal-fin origin, 16–18 dorsal-fin rays in
males (vs. 19–22), 20–23 anal-fin rays in males (vs. 17–19), 17–20 anal-fin rays in females (vs. 20–22), distal
border of dorsal and anal fins dark gray in males (vs. dark red), posterior border of caudal fin dark gray in
males (vs. pale pink), iridescent dots on unpaired fins absent in males (vs. present), pectoral fins hyaline in
males (vs. red with metallic blue spots), iris blue in males (vs. yellow), iridescent blue bars on flank much narrower than red bars in males (vs. approximately as wide as red bars), ground color of dorsal and anal fins
orange in males (vs. light blue anteriorly, yellow posteriorly), dark bars on unpaired fins absent in males (vs.
bars present), black spots on posterobasal portion of dorsal fin absent in males (vs. present); yellow dots on
caudal fin absent in males (vs. present); maximum adult size 23.5 mm SL (vs. 40.0 mm SL).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 2. Largest specimen examined 22.6 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from
lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed,
greatest body depth in vertical just anterior to anal-fin origin. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of each side of
head. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal and anal fins gently pointed in males, rounded in females; filamentous rays absent. Dorsalfin rays unbranched. Caudal fin elliptical. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin
reaching vertical between base of 2nd and 4th anal-fin rays in males, and between anus and urogenital papilla in
females. Pelvic fins and pelvic girdle absent. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical through base of 2nd and 4th anal-fin
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ray in males, and on vertical through anal-fin origin in females; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 9 and 10 in males and vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae
8 and 9 in males and vertebrae 9 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 16–18 in males, 15–17 in females; analfin rays 20–22 in males, 17–20 in females; caudal-fin rays 25–27; pectoral-fin rays 13.
FIGURE 15. Simpsonichthys parallelus, male, UFRJ 4838, paratype, 22.6 mm SL; Brazil: Goiás: Parque Nacional das
Emas.
FIGURE 16. Simpsonichthys parallelus, female, UFRJ 4838, paratype, 19.9 mm SL; Brazil: Goiás: Parque Nacional das
Emas.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales medially overlapping; no scale anterior to H-scale. Supraorbital
scales absent. Longitudinal series of scales 24–25; transverse series of scales 9; scale rows around caudal
peduncle 16. Contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of lateral surface of body in males. Minute
papillate contact organs on medial surface of first pectoral-fin ray in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 2 + 6–8, parietal 1, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 1 +
15–16, preorbital 2, otic 1, post-otic 1–2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1, preopercular 7–8, mandibular 5–6, lateral mandibular 1, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale of
lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 40% of length; basihyal cartilage about 15% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth absent. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 2 +
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8. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal absent. Total vertebrae
25.
Coloration
Males. Body and head light yellowish brown; flank with 11–12 red crimson bars alternating with narrow
metallic blue bars; dorsal portion of blue bars wider and changing to yellow ochre; each side of head with four
red crimson bars, one below eye and three on opercular region, alternating with light blue bars. Iris metallic
blue, with vertical brownish red bar through center of eye. Basal and median portions of unpaired fins orange,
sometimes with irregular yellow spots on dorsal and anal-fin bases; dark gray to black stripe along caudal fin
margin and distal margin of dorsal and anal fins; narrow metallic blue line between orange and dark gray
zones of unpaired fins. Pectoral fins grayish hyaline.
Females. Sides of head and body light yellowish brown, with 10–11 dark brown bars; one or two rounded
black blotches on center of body. Iris yellow, anterior and posterior borders bright blue, with dark brown bar
through center of eye. Unpaired fins pale yellow, with rounded black spots, larger and transversely elongated
close to base of dorsal and anal fins. Pectoral fins grayish hyaline.
Distribution
Floodplains of the rio Formoso, a tributary of rio Correntes, rio Paranaíba drainage, rio Paraná basin,
Estado de Goiás, central Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Temporary pools in Campo Úmido, in the Cerrado.
Simpsonichthys nigromaculatus Costa, 2007
(Figs. 17–18)
Simpsonichthys nigromaculatus Costa, 2007: 200 (original description; type locality: temporary swamp, floodplains of
rio da Prata, rio Aporé drainage, upper rio Paraná basin, near the road GO-050, Chapadão do Céu, 18º33’2.0”S
52º37’43.1”W, altitude 778 m, Estado de Goiás, Brazil; holotype: UFRJ 6467).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Goiás, rio Paranaíba drainage, rio Paraná basin: UFRJ 6467, holotype, male, 24.0 mm
SL; UFRJ 6468, 5 paratypes; UFRJ 6469, 3 paratypes (c&s); UFRJ 6473, 2 paratypes; temporary swamp,
floodplains of rio da Prata, rio Aporé drainage, upper rio Paraná basin, near the road GO-050, Chapadão do
Céu, 18º33’2.0”S 52º37’43.1”W, altitude 778 m; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove & B. B. Costa, 14 January
2007.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all congeners in having 2–4 black spots on posterobasal portion of dorsal fin in males.
It is also distinguished from all other species of Simpsonichthys by the unique combination of the following
features: pelvic fin and pelvic girdle absent (vs. present), 24–25 vertebrae (vs. 26–31), second pharyngobranchial teeth absent (vs. present), ventral process of posttemporal absent (vs. long), 17–20 anal-fin rays in
females (vs. 20–22), body depth 33.5–36.0 % SL in males (vs. 28.8–32.5 % SL), maximum adult size 25.6
mm SL (vs. about 40.0 mm SL), bright blue bars on flank in males much narrower than interspace (vs. approximately as wide as red bars), five alternating bright blue and pink to red bars on head side in males (vs. never
a similar color pattern), short postorbital pink stripe connecting pink bars 2 and 3 (vs. stripe absent), anterior
and posterior margins of iris bright blue (vs. yellow), dark gray band bordered by a bright blue line on distal
SEASONAL SOUTH AMERICAN KILLIFISH SIMPSONICHTHYS
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margin of dorsal and anal fins, and posterior margin of caudal fin in males (vs. never a similar color pattern),
ground color of dorsal and anal fins orange in males (vs. other colors, such as dark red, dark gray, or black),
bars on unpaired fins absent in males (vs. bars present), and yellow dots on the caudal fin in males (vs. dots
absent).
FIGURE 17. Simpsonichthys nigromaculatus, male, UFRJ 6467, holotype, 24.0 mm SL; Brazil: Goiás: rio Aporé drainage.
FIGURE 18. Simpsonichthys nigromaculatus, female, UFRJ 6468, paratype, 21.1 mm SL; Brazil: Goiás: rio Aporé
drainage.
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 2. Largest specimen examined 25.6 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile gently convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed, greatest body depth in vertical just anterior to anal-fin origin. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of of
each side of head. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal and anal fins gently pointed in males, rounded in females; filamentous rays absent. Dorsalfin rays unbranched. Caudal fin round. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching
vertical between base of 3rd and 5th anal-fin rays in males, and between anus and urogenital papilla in females.
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Pelvic fins and pelvic girdle absent. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical between base of 2nd and 5th anal-fin ray in
males, between base of 2nd and 3rd anal-fin ray in females; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae
9 and 10 in males, and vertebrae 9 and 11 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and
8 in males, and vertebrae 8 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 16–19 in males, 15–17 in females; anal-fin rays
19–22 in males, 17–19 in females; caudal-fin rays 25–26; pectoral-fin rays 12–13.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales medially overlapping; no scale anterior to G-scale. One or no
supraorbital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 24–26; transverse series of scales 9; scale rows around caudal
peduncle 12. Minute contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of lateral surface of body in males.
Minute papillate contact organs on medial surface of first two pectoral-fin rays in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 2 + 7, parietal 1, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 1 +
12–14, preorbital 2, otic 1, post-otic 1, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular
10–14, mandibular 5–6, lateral mandibular 2, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 50 % of length; basihyal cartilage about 15 % of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth absent. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 2 +
8. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal absent. Total vertebrae
24–25.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body pink with 10–11 narrow light blue bars. Five narrow alternating light blue and pink
bars on side of head; short postorbital pink stripe connecting pink bars 2 and 3. Iris light yellow, posterior and
anterior margins metallic blue; brownish red bar through center of eye. Proximal portion of dorsal and anal
fins orangish yellow, distal portion dark gray, distal and proximal portions separated by bright blue horizontal
line; faint small reddish gray spots on anterior portion of dorsal-fin base and entire anal-fin base; 2–4 black
spots on posterior portion of dorsal-fin base. Caudal fin orangish yellow with light yellow dots; broad dark
gray margin and narrow, zigzag bright blue submarginal line. Pectoral fins grayish hyaline.
Females. Sides of head and body light yellowish brown, with 9–10 dark gray bars; one or two rounded
black blotches on anterocentral portion of flank. Iris yellow, anterior and posterior borders bright blue, with
dark brown bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins hyaline with rounded dark gray spots, larger and transversely elongated close to base of dorsal and anal fins. Pectoral fin grayish hyaline.
Distribution
Rio da Prata floodplains, rio Aporé drainage, upper rio Paraná basin, Estado de Goiás, central Brazil (Fig.
1).
Habitat
Temporary shallow canals in Campo Úmido, Cerrado.
Simpsonichthys punctulatus, Costa & Brasil, 2007
(Figs. 19–20)
Simpsonichthys punctulatus, Costa & Brasil, 2007: 22 (original description; type locality: temporary swamp adjacent to
stream tributary to rio Bezerra, rio Preto drainage, rio São Francisco basin, near the road BR-020, 15º33’1.0”S
47º10’33.2”W, altitude 901 m, Município de Formosa, Estado de Goiás, Brazil; holotype: UFRJ 6478).
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Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Goiás: Município de Formosa, rio Preto drainage, rio São Francisco basin: UFRJ 6478,
holotype, 25.5 mm SL; UFRJ 6479, 3 paratypes; UFRJ 6480, 5 paratypes (c&s); temporary swamp adjacent to
stream tributary to rio Bezerra, near the road BR-020, 15º33’1.0”S 47º10’33.2”W, altitude 901 m; W. J. E. M.
Costa, C. P. Bove, B. B. Costa & G. C. Brasil, 24 January 2007.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other species of the subgenus Simpsonichthys by the presence of longitudinal rows
of light blue dots on flank in males (vs. absence) and long filamentous ray on tip of dorsal fin in males, reaching posterior portion of caudal fin (vs. reaching basal portion of caudal fin). Distinguished from all congeners
by the unique combination of the following features: pelvic fin present (vs. pelvic fin absent), second pharyngobranchial teeth absent (vs. present), ventral process of posttemporal short (vs. long), 18–19 dorsal-fin rays
in males and 14–15 in females (vs. 15–17 in males, 12–13 in females), long filamentous ray on tip of dorsal
fin in males (vs. filamentous rays short or absent), five alternating bright blue and pink to red bars on head
side in males (vs. never a similar color pattern), pectoral fin pink with blue spots in males (vs. hyaline), and no
black spots on dorsal fin in males (vs. black spots on basal portion of dorsal fin).
FIGURE 19. Simpsonichthys punctulatus, male, UFRJ 6478, holotype, 25.5 mm SL; Brazil: Goiás: Formosa.
FIGURE 20. Simpsonichthys punctulatus, female, UFRJ 6479, paratype, 19.4 mm SL; Brazil: Goiás: Formosa.
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COSTA
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 2. Largest male examined 29.1 mm SL; largest female examined 24.0
mm SL. Dorsal profile convex from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile gently convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle.
Body moderately deep, compressed, greatest body depth in vertical just anterior to anal-fin origin. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of each side of head. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males,
pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal and anal fins pointed in males, rounded in females; dorsal fin with long filamentous ray,
reaching posterior margin of caudal fin. Dorsal-fin rays unbranched. Caudal fin round. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching vertical through base of 7th anal-fin ray in males, through
urogenital papilla in females. Pelvic fins short and pointed, tip reaching between base of 1st and 3rd anal-fin
rays in males, between anus and urogenital papilla in females. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical between base of
3rd and 4th anal-fin rays; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 8 and 9 in males, and vertebrae 10
and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, and vertebrae 8 and 10
in females. Dorsal-fin rays 18–19 in males, 14–15 in females; anal-fin rays 18–19 in males, 17–18 in females;
caudal-fin rays 27–29; pectoral-fin rays 13.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales medially overlapping; no scale anterior to G-scale. One or two
supraorbital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 25; transverse series of scales 8; scale rows around caudal
peduncle 12. Minute contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of lateral surface of body in males.
Minute papillate contact organs on medial surface of first two pectoral-fin rays in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 11–12, parietal 1–2, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2
+ 15–16, preorbital 2, otic 1, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular 12–14, mandibular 8, lateral mandibular 3–5, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale of
lateral line, sometimes absent in few scales. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 50 % of length; basihyal cartilage about 20 % of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth absent. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 2 +
9. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal short. Total vertebrae
26–27.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body light red with 12–13 series of small bright blue spots, spots of four or five series
coalesced to form bars; longitudinal rows of light blue dots, each dot on center of each scale of flank. Five
narrow alternating light blue and light red bars on side of head; dorsolateral portion light blue with light red
scale margins. Iris light yellow; brownish red bar through center of eye. Dorsal and anal fins light red with
small bright blue spots, distal portion dark red without spots; basal portion of anal fin yellowish orange. Caudal fin light red with light blue dots; narrow bright blue line along entire margin of fin. Pectoral fins light red
with small light blue spots on basal portion. Pelvic fins light red with light blue base.
Females. Sides of head and body light yellowish brown, with 12–13 gray bars; one or two rounded black
blotches on anterocentral portion of flank. Iris yellow, with dark brown bar through center of eye. Unpaired
fins hyaline; faint yellowish gray spots on dorsal and anal fins. Paired fins grayish hyaline.
Distribution
Floodplains of a stream tributary to rio Bezerra, upper rio Paracatu drainage, rio São Francisco basin,
Estado de Goiás, central Brazil (Fig. 4).
Habitat
Temporary pools in Campo Úmido, in the Cerrado.
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Simpsonichthys boitonei Carvalho, 1959
(Figs. 21–22)
Simpsonichthys boitonei Carvalho, 1959: 5 (type locality: temporary pool, area of the future Zoological Garden, Brasília,
Goiás [now Distrito Federal], Brazil [approximately 15°45’S 48°00’]; holotype: MNRJ 9012).
Material examined
Brazil: Distrito Federal: rio São Bartolomeu drainage, rio Paraná basin: MNRJ 9012, holotype, male, 19.0
mm SL; MNRJ 9013/17, 5 paratypes; temporary pool, Zoological Garden, riacho Fundo drainage, Brasília; J.
Boitone, Apr. 1959. MNRJ 11376, 3; same locality as holotype; unknown collector, Feb. 1976. MZUSP
38418, 1 (c&s); Reserva do IBGE; M. Ribeiro, May 1986. UFRJ 4071, 2; UFRJ 4988, 1 (c&s); córrego
Roncador, Reserva Ecológica IBGE (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia Estatística); A. Sarraf, M. Ribeiro & E.
C. Lopes, 3 Mar. 1997. UFRJ 6348, 4; UFRJ 6349, 7; UFRJ 6350, 4 (c&s); upper riacho Fundo drainage,
Brasília; G. C. Brasil, 3 Jun. 2005.
Diagnosis
Similar to S. parallelus and S. cholopteryx, and distinguished from all other cynolebiatins by the absence
of pelvic fins and pelvic girdle. Differs from S. parallelus and S. cholopteryx in having the dorsal-fin origin
anterior to anal-fin origin (vs. posterior), more dorsal-fin rays in males (19–22, vs. 17–18), fewer anal-fin rays
in males (17–19, vs. 20–23), iridescent dots on unpaired fins in males (vs. iridescent dots absent), and pectoral
fins red, with metallic blue spots in males (vs. hyaline).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 2. Largest specimen examined 36.3 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from
lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed,
greatest body depth on vertical just anterior to dorsal-fin origin. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of head
side. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of both dorsal and anal fins pointed in males, rounded in females. Tip of dorsal and anal fins with
short filamentous rays in males, tip of filaments reaching vertical through caudal-fin base. Dorsal-fin rays
unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching vertical between base of 4th and 6th anal-fin rays in males, on vertical through anus in females. Pelvic fins and
pelvic girdle absent. Dorsal-fin origin anterior to anal-fin origin, anal-fin origin on vertical between base of
3rd and 5th dorsal-fin rays in males, between base of 1st and 2nd dorsal-fin rays in females. Dorsal-fin origin
between neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males, between neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 11 in females.
Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 10 in males, between pleural ribs of vertebrae 9 and 11
in females. Dorsal-fin rays 19–22 in males, 14–16 in females; anal-fin rays 17–19 in males, 16–18 in females;
caudal-fin rays 25–28; pectoral-fin rays 13–14.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scale anterior to G-scale; two small
supraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 25–26; transverse series of scales 10–11; scale rows around
caudal peduncle 12–14. Papillate contact organ on each scale of flank below lateral line. Small papillate contact organs on upper surface of three dorsalmost rays of pectoral-fin in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 14–17, parietal 2–3, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital
1–2 + 22–23, preorbital 4–5, otic 2, post-otic 2–3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1,
preopercular 16–17, mandibular 11–12, lateral mandibular 6–7, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center
of each scale of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
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Basihyal subtriangular, width about 50% of length; basihyal cartilage about 25% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. One second pharyngobranchial teeth. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 3 +
10. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal short. Total vertebrae
26–28.
FIGURE 21. Simpsonichthys boitonei, male, UFRJ 6348, topotype, 26.1 mm SL; Brazil: Distrito Federal: Brasília.
FIGURE 22. Simpsonichthys boitonei, female, UFRJ 6348, topotype, 19.3 mm SL; Brazil: Distrito Federal: Brasília.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body crimson red, with 12–15 vertical rows of bright blue dots, dots of anterior rows coalesced forming bars. Dorsum reddish brown. Venter pink. Sides of head crimson red, with five greenish blue
bars between area adjacent to anterior margin of orbit and posterior portion of opercle. Iris yellow, with dark
brownish red bar through center of eye. Dorsal and anal fins orangish red to dark grayish red on distal third of
fins, with small light greenish blue spots on basal region, row of slightly larger blue spots on subdistal region
sometimes coalesced to form stripe, and narrow light blue distal margin. Caudal fin orangish red, with light
blue dots and traces parallel to fin rays, and light blue marginal line along margin, often wider on dorsal and
ventral margins. Pectorals reddish hyaline, with blue spots on basal portion of fin.
Females. Sides of body pale brown, with 11–14 dark brownish gray bars, alternating with golden to light
blue narrow bars on anterior portion of flank; one to three vertically elongated black blotches on anterocentral
part of flanks. Dorsal light brown. Venter light yellowish white. Sides of head pale brown, with four dark
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brownish gray bars alternating with five light golden bars. Iris yellow, with brown bar through center of eye.
Fins hyaline, sometimes with faint gray spots on basal portion of dorsal and anal fins.
Distribution
Upper rio São Bartolomeu drainage, itself part of rio Corumbá drainage, upper rio Paraná basin, central
Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Temporary pools in Campo Úmido and Mata de Galeria, in the Cerrado.
Simpsonichthys santanae (Shibata & Garavello, 1992)
(Figs. 23–24)
Cynolebias santanae Shibata & Garavello, 1992: 182 (type locality: right bank of ribeirão Sant’ana [Santana], Distrito
Federal, 750 m from the boundary with Goiás, Brazil, [16°2’31”S 47°45’38”W]; holotype: MZUSP 43777).
Material examined
Brazil: Distrito Federal, rio São Bartolomeu drainage, rio Paraná basin: MCP 15453, 4 paratypes; temporary pool in the right bank of ribeirão Santana; J. P. Viana, Jul. 1987. UFRJ 6389, 16; UFRJ 6390, 5 (c&s);
same locality; D. T. B. Nielsen & F. O. Pereira, 29 Apr. 2005.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other species of the subgenus Simpsonichthys, except S. zonatus, in having minute
pelvic fins, with 5 rays (vs. long fins, with 6 rays in S. marginatus; pelvic fins absent in S. boitonei, S. parallelus and S. cholopteryx), and presence of vertically elongated, alternating, blue and black spots (vs. never a
similar color pattern). Distinguished from S. zonatus in possessing more dorsal-fin rays (19–21 in males and
14–17 in females, vs. 15–17 in males and 12–13 in females), and dorsal-fin origin on vertical slightly anterior
to anal-fin origin in males (vs. posterior to anal-fin origin).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 2. Largest specimen examined 32.0 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile gently convex from
lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed,
greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of head side. Snout blunt.
Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of both dorsal and anal fins pointed in males, rounded in females. Tip of dorsal and anal fins with
short filamentous rays in males, the filaments reaching posteriorly to vertical through caudal-fin base. Dorsalfin rays unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching vertical between base of 4th and 7th anal-fins ray in males, on vertical through anus in females. Pelvic
fins short, tips reaching base of 1st or 2nd anal-fin ray in males and between anus and urogenital papilla in
females. Pelvic-fin bases medially in close proximity. Dorsal-fin origin anterior to anal-fin origin in males,
anal-fin origin on vertical between base of 2nd dorsal-fin ray; dorsal-fin origin posterior to anal-fin origin in
females, on vertical between base of 1st and 3rd anal-fin rays. Dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, between neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 9 in males, between pleural ribs of vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Dorsal-fin rays
19–21 in males, 14–17 in females; anal-fin rays 19–21 in males, 17–19 in females; caudal-fin rays 26–27 in
both sexes; pectoral-fin rays 12–13 in both sexes; pelvic-fin rays 5 in both sexes.
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Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scale anterior to G-scale; two small
supraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 25–26; transverse series of scales 8–9; scale rows around
caudal peduncle 12. Papillate contact organ on each scale of flank bellow lateral line. Small papillate contact
organs on upper surface of three dorsalmost rays of pectoral-fin in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 10–13, parietal 1–2, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2
+ 19–22, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular 16–19, mandibular 10–11, lateral mandibular 6–8, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each
scale of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 55% of length; basihyal cartilage about 30% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth absent. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 2 +
8. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal absent. Total vertebrae
26–27.
FIGURE 23. Simpsonichthys santanae, male, UFRJ 6389, topotype, 23.6 mm SL; Brasil: Distrito Federal: ribeirão Santana.
FIGURE 24. Simpsonichthys santanae, female, UFRJ 6389, topotype, 18.4 mm SL; Brasil: Distrito Federal: ribeirão
Santana.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body light red, with 12–14 vertical rows of bright blue dots, dots of anterior rows coalesced to form bars. Dorsum light yellowish brown. Venter pink. Sides of head red with four greenish blue
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bars, one below eye and three on opercular region. Iris yellow, with dark brown bar through center of eye.
Dorsal fin red, with light blue dots except on distal portion, forming distinct subdistal row; vertically elongate,
alternating blue and black spots on middle of basal portion of fin; narrow light blue line along distal margin.
Anal fin yellowish orange, with blue small spots, distal zone red; distinctive subdistal row of small blue spots;
narrow light blue line along distal margin. Caudal fin red with blue dots; narrow light blue line along margin,
more conspicuous on dorsal and ventral margins. Pectoral reddish hyaline, with blue spots on basal portion.
Females. Side of body light yellowish brown with 10–14 dark gray bars; one to three black blotches on
anterocentral part of flank. Dorsum light yellowish brown. Venter light yellowish white. Side of head pale
brown with three dark gray bars on opercular region; golden iridescence on opercular region. Iris yellow with
brown bar through eye. Fins hyaline.
Distribution
Ribeirão Santana floodplains, upper rio Corumbá drainage, upper rio Paraná basin, central Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Temporary pools within Mata de Galeria in the Cerrado.
Simpsonichthys zonatus (Costa & Brasil, 1990)
(Fig. 25)
Cynolebias zonatus Costa & Brasil, 1990: 16 (type locality: Garapuava district, county of Unaí, Minas Gerais, Brazil
[approximately 18°00’S 46°45’W]; MZUSP 40131).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Minas Gerais, rio Urucuia drainage, rio São Francisco basin: MZUSP 40131, holotype,
male, 29.4 mm SL; MZUSP 40132, 1 paratype; MNRJ 11558, 2 paratypes; UFRJ 142, 6; UFRJ 279, 1 (c&s);
UFRJ 2123, 3 (c&s); Garapuava, Município de Unaí; G. C. Brasil, 3 Mar. 1989.
Diagnosis
Similar to S. santanae and distinguished from remaining species of the subgenus Simpsonichthys in having minute pelvic fins, with 5 rays (vs. long, with 6 rays in S. marginatus; pelvic fins absent in S. boitonei, S.
parallelus and S. cholopteryx), and presence of vertically elongated, alternating, blue and black spots (vs.
never a similar color pattern). Differs from S. santanae in possessing fewer dorsal-fin rays (15–17 in males
and 12–13 in females, vs. 19–21 in males and 14–17 in females) and dorsal-fin origin posterior to anal-fin origin in males (vs. anal-fin origin posterior to dorsal-fin origin).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 2. Largest specimen examined 29.4 mm SL, but in aquarium may
reach about 35 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal
peduncle. Ventral profile gently convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight on
caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye
positioned on dorsal portion of head side. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males,
pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of both dorsal and anal fins pointed in males, rounded in females. Tip of dorsal and anal fins with
short filamentous rays in males, tip of filaments reaching vertical through caudal-fin base. Dorsal-fin rays
unbranched. Caudal fin round. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of pectoral fins reaching vertical
between base of 4th and 6th anal-fin rays in males, and reaching urogenital papilla in females. Pelvic fins
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minute, bases separated, tip reaching urogenital papilla in males and anus in females. Dorsal-fin origin on
vertical through base of 3rd or 4th anal-fin rays in males, through base of 2nd anal-fin ray in females; dorsal-fin
origin between neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 11 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 11 and 12 in
females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 9 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 10
and 11 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 15–17 in males, 12–15 in females; anal-fin rays 19–20 in males, 17–19 in
females; caudal-fin rays 26–27; pectoral-fin rays 12; pelvic-fin rays 5.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scale anterior to G-scale; one small
supraorbital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 26–27; transverse series of scales 8; scale rows around caudal
peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of lateral surface of body in males. Minute
papillate contact organs on medial surface of first pectoral-fin ray in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 10, parietal 2, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 + 17, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular 13, mandibular 9, lateral mandibular 6, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale of lateral line. Two
neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 45% of length; basihyal cartilage about 20% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 2. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 2 + 10.
Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal short. Total vertebrae 26–
27.
FIGURE 25. Simpsonichthys zonatus, male, not preserved, about 30 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Garapuava.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body red, with 12–15 bright greenish blue bars, posterior bars narrower and interrupted,
forming vertical rows of small spots; ventral portion of interspace between anterior bright bars black in older
specimens. Sides of head red, with four greenish blue bars, one below eye and three on opercular region. Iris
yellow, with dark brownish red bar through center of eye. Dorsal fin red, with alternating black and light blue
elongated spots on basal portion, and row of greenish blue round spots along subdistal region. Basal half of
anal fin orange, with greenish blue elliptical spots; distal half of anal fin red, with row of blue round spots
along subdistal region. Caudal fin red, with small greenish blue round spots; narrow blue margin. Pectoral
and pelvic fins red, with blue base.
Females. Sides of body pale brown, with 10–15 dark brownish gray bars; one black blotch on anterocentral part of flank. Venter light yellowish white. Sides of head pale brown, with three dark brownish gray bars
on opercular region; golden iridescence on opercular region. Iris yellow, with brown bar through eye.
Unpaired fins hyaline, with faint gray spots on basal portion. Paired fins hyaline.
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Distribution
Upper rio Urucuia drainage, rio São Francisco basin, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil (Fig. 4).
Habitat
Temporary pools within Mata de Galeria in the Cerrado.
Subgenus Spectrolebias Costa & Nielsen, 1997
Spectrolebias Costa & Nielsen, 1997: 258 (type species Spectrolebias semiocellatus Costa & Nielsen, by original designation; first proposed as a genus).
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other cynolebiatins by two unambiguous synapomorphies (Costa, 2006a): a long
(vs. short) hyomandibula and a narrowed (vs. wide) proximal tip of the fourth ceratobranchial.
Included species
Simpsonichthys chacoensis (Amato), S. semiocellatus (Costa & Nielsen), S. filamentosus Costa, Barrera
& Sarmiento, S. costai (Lazara), and S. reticulatus Costa & Nielsen.
Distribution
Southern Amazonian river drainages, including rio Madeira, Xingu, Araguaia and Tocantins, and Paraguayan Chaco, río Paraguay basin (Figs. 1 and 4).
Key to species of the subgenus Spectrolebias
1a.
Dorsal fin rounded in males; dark suborbital and postorbital bars........................................................2
1b.
Dorsal fin pointed in males; no bars on head ........................................................................................3
2a(1a). Dorsal-fin rays 23–25 in males, 13–15 in females; flank greenish blue with dark red crimson scale
margins in males .................................................................................................................S. reticulatus
2b(1a). Dorsal-fin rays 21–23 in males, 16–19 in females; flank dark brown to black with light blue dots in
males .......................................................................................................................................... S. costai
3a(1b). Anal-fin rays 23–25 in males; flanks light orange to translucent, unpaired fins pale red in males.......4
3b(1b). Anal-fin rays 26–28 in males; flanks and unpaired fins dark bluish gray in males. ......... S. chacoensis
4a(3a). Frontal squamation E-patterned; anal fin pointed and with long filaments in males; no black spot on
anal fin in males .............................................................................................................. S. filamentosus
4b(3a). Frontal squamation F-patterned; anal fin rounded and without filaments in males; black and blue spot
on posterior portion of distal edge of anal fin in males .................................................S. semiocellatus
Simpsonichthys reticulatus Costa & Nielsen, 2003
(Figs. 26–27)
Simpsonichthys reticulatus Costa & Nielsen, 2003: 120 (type locality: Altamira [temporary pool in island, rio Xingu, in
front of Altamira], Estado do Pará, Brazil, about 3º15’S 52º20’W [3º13’34.6”S 52°12’26.1”W, altitude 39m]; holotype: MCP 34090).
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Material examined
Brazil: Estado do Pará: Município de Altamira, rio Xingu drainage, rio Amazonas basin: MCP 34090,
holotype, male, 20.1 mm SL; UFRJ 5871, 2 paratypes; UFRJ 5872, 2 paratypes (c&s); near the city of Altamira, about 3º15’S 52º20’W; J. L. Diniz, 5 May 2003.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other congeners by possessing two unique color patterns in males: sides of body
greenish blue, with dark red crimson pigmentation concentrated on exposed margin of each scale, producing a
reticulate color pattern, and a black and bluish white spot on anterior portion of dorsal fin.
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 3. Largest specimen examined 20.1 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile gently convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed, greatest body depth on vertical just anterior to dorsal-fin origin. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of
head. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
TABLE 3. Morphometric data of species of the subgenus Spectrolebias.
S. costai
S. reticulatus
S. chacoensis
males
females
males
females
males
females
(n = 5)
(n = 4)
(n = 3)
(n = 2)
(n = 1)
(n = 1)
17.4–19.6
12.9–15.5
17.1–20.1
15.5–16.7
35.3
33.1
Body depth
32.9–34.1
31.8–35.0
28.4–29.1
29.6–30.1
34.8
35.9
Caudal peduncle depth
13.6–14.4
12.2–14.4
12.0–13.1
12.0–12.4
13.2
12.3
Pre-dorsal length
47.5–50.6
59.9–61.1
38.6–42.2
57.0–58.0
48.3
59.5
Pre-pelvic length
40.7–42.4
47.1–52.0
40.3–42.9
47.3–49.4
42.0
49.9
Length of dorsal-fin base
37.5–42.2
23.6–30.8
46.1–48.7
23.3–23.7
37.6
29.3
Length of anal-fin base
43.8–49.6
31.3–35.3
38.3–44.0
26.9–28.4
44.3
27.7
Caudal-fin length
34.1–38.1
37.4–40.2
39.3–40.3
39.0–39.8
33.4
37.8
Pectoral-fin length
21.0–23.5
21.8–23.9
26.8–28.7
24.3
27.1
23.5
8.2–9.8
9.3–10.2
8.2–11.0
9.3–10.6
10.3
10.4
29.9–31.7
33.6–35.9
29.8–32.0
31.0–32.5
28.3
28.1
Head depth
93.1–101.2
80.1–90.4
81.9–90.8
81.9–89.0
100.9
101.8
Head width
54.8–61.3
54.6–58.9
51.6–57.2
58.8–60.0
59.9
64.7
Snout length
11.8–13.8
9.1–11.9
13.0–13.7
11.8–12.9
12.8
13.6
Lower jaw length
14.7–17.4
15.5–17.5
16.6–19.0
16.6–17.7
15.7
11.5
Eye diameter
36.0–39.7
35.4–39.7
34.0–36.7
36.6–38.0
33.0
34.4
Standard length (mm)
Percents of standard length
Pelvic-fin length
Head length
Percents of head length
...... continued
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TABLE 3 (continued).
S. filamentosus
S. semiocellatus
males
females
males
females
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
(n = 7)
(n = 7)
27.8–31.4
25.8–28.9
18.5–24.7
16.6–19.5
Body depth
32.4–34.0
34.7–36.8
23.4–27.4
23.8–27.0
Caudal peduncle depth
13.1–14.1
13.0–15.0
10.4–11.6
9.5–11.8
Pre-dorsal length
48.9–52.2
56.0–58.4
49.3–54.2
56.1–60.7
Pre-pelvic length
36.2–37.8
42.7–45.6
34.8–36.3
37.2–40.5
Length of dorsal-fin base
29.0–31.1
20.0–22.5
19.2–25.7
15.3–18.8
Length of anal-fin base
39.2–42.4
28.8–31.4
35.7–39.5
27.9–32.0
Caudal-fin length
41.4–44.0
41.7–42.4
31.8–33.1
33.1–33.2
Pectoral-fin length
29.2–32.7
26.4–30.1
24.1–24.2
22.7–25.8
11.0
12.0–12.6
7.6–8.9
8.2–10.0
25.8–26.7
27.3–28.7
25.1–27.9
26.6–27.8
Head depth
96.2–107.6
93.4–107.2
80.6–84.7
78.2–84.4
Head width
63.4–70.7
62.7–65.9
50.4–58.0
52.0–57.3
Snout length
13.1–16.7
14.3–14.8
13.3–13.5
11.7–12.9
Lower jaw length
19.2–19.4
17.9–18.4
13.0–14.7
13.7–16.0
Eye diameter
33.4–35.6
33.6–34.9
34.7–41.7
38.2–42.7
Standard length (mm)
Percents of standard length
Pelvic-fin length
Head length
Percents of head length
Tip of dorsal fin rounded in both sexes, posterior portion fan-shaped in males; short filamentous rays on
dorsal-fin tip in males; tip of anal fin gently pointed in males, rounded in females. Dorsal-fin rays
unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching vertical through base of 8th anal-fin ray in males and vertical through anal-fin origin in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching base of 4th anal-fin ray in males, and base of 2nd anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases in
close proximity. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical anterior to anal-fin origin in males, anal-fin origin on vertical
between base of 3rd and 6th dorsal-fin rays; dorsal-fin origin on vertical through base of 2nd anal-fin ray in
females; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of 4th and 5th vertebrae in males, and between neural spines
of 8th and 9th vertebrae in females. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical through base of 2nd anal-fin ray in females.
Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of 6th and 7th vertebrae in males, and 7th and 8th vertebrae in females.
Dorsal-fin rays 23–25 in males, 13–15 in females; anal-fin rays 21–22 in males, 18 in females; caudal-fin rays
22; pectoral-fin rays 14; pelvic-fin rays 5.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scale anterior to G-scale; supraorbital
scales absent. Longitudinal series of scales 23; transverse series of scales 8; scale rows around caudal peduncle 12. Contact organs absent from flanks. Papillate contact organs on inner surface of two dorsalmost pectoral fin rays in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 14, parietal 3, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 1 + 19,
preorbital 2, otic 2, post-otic 3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1, preopercular 12,
mandibular 8, lateral mandibular 3–5, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale of lateral
line. Four neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
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Basihyal subtriangular, width about 55% of length; basihyal cartilage about 35% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 1–2. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 2 + 10.
Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal absent. Total vertebrae 25.
FIGURE 26. Simpsonichthys reticulatus, male, MCP 34090, holotype, 20.1 mm SL; Brazil: Pará: Altamira.
FIGURE 27. Simpsonichthys reticulatus, female, UFRJ 5871, paratype, 16.7 mm SL; Brazil: Pará: Altamira.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body iridescent light greenish blue, dark red crimson on scale margins. Sides of head iridescent light greenish blue, with two black bars on suborbital region and adjacent to posterior edge of eye,
respectively. Iris greenish blue, with black bar. Unpaired fins and pelvic fins brownish red, with small round
blue spots; anterior edge of dorsal fin with marginal elongate black spot and submarginal bluish white spot;
posterior margin of caudal fin light blue. Pectoral fins hyaline, ventral margin light blue.
Females. Sides of body pale yellowish brown, with 9 faint gray bars. Sides of head pale yellowish brown,
with pale green iridescence on opercular region, and two black bars, one on suborbital region and another
adjacent to posterior edge of eye. Iris yellow, with black bar. Unpaired fins hyaline, with dark grey spots.
Pectoral and pelvic fins hyaline.
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Distribution
Lower rio Xingu floodplains, Estado do Pará, northern Brazil (Fig. 4).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Amazonian forest.
Simpsonichthys costai (Lazara, 1991)
(Figs. 28–29)
Cynolebias costai Lazara, 1991: 144 (type locality: temporary pool in Aruana, Goias [Aruanã, Estado de Goiás],
Brazil [14º57’0.5”S 51º1’23.7”W, altitude 243 m]; holotype: MZUSP 38790).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Goiás, rio Amazonas basin, rio Araguaia drainage: UFRJ 6422, 4; swamp close to the
road GO-173, Aruanã, 14º49’10.0”S 50º58’36.4”W, altitude 255 m; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove, J. Paz & A.
Oliveira, 13 Apr. 2006. Estado de Mato Grosso: UFRJ 163, 4; UFRJ 162, 2 (c&s); UFRJ 1157, 4; temporary
lagoon close to rio das Mortes, road to Cocalinhos; G. C. Brasil, M. T. C. Lacerda, P. Araujo & G. Coelho, Jan.
1988. UFRJ 3549, 31; UFRJ 3350, 4 (c&s); MNHN 1997-0045, 8; USNM 343822, 6; temporary lagoon 9 km
E from rio das Mortes, road to Cocalinho; W. J. E. M. Costa, G. C. Brasil, M. I. Landim & C. R. Moreira, 16
Feb. 1996. Estado do Tocantins: UFRJ 5050, 5; ilha do Bananal; G. Brasil, R. D’Arrigo & D. Almeida, Apr.
1999. UFRJ 3560, 8; UFRJ 3561, 3 (c&s); temporary pool near Barreira do Piqui; 15 Feb. 1996. UFRJ 3794,
4; Formoso do Araguaia; D. T. B. Nielsen, A. Carletto & A. de Luca, 6 Apr. 1996. UFRJ 6408, 2; UFRJ 6439,
4; idem, 11°47’31.6”S 49°45’54.7”W; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove, J. Paz & A. Oliveira, 15 Apr. 2006. Rio
Tocantins drainage: Estado do Tocantins: UFRJ 3798, 10; Brejinho de Nazaré; D. T. B. Nielsen, A. Carletto &
A. de Luca, 5 Apr. 1996; UFRJ 6440, 2; UFRJ 6441, 7; UFRJ 6442, 4 (c&s); temporary lagoon in rio
Canabrava floodplains, road TO-373, 12º29’46.3”S 49º0’50.7”W, altitude 292 m; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P.
Bove, J. Paz & A. Oliveira, 16 Apr. 2006.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other congeners by possessing a unique color pattern in males, consisting of black
flanks and black dorsal and anal fins, contrasting with a hyaline caudal fin. Distinguished from all congeners
except S. reticulatus and S. semiocellatus in having two or three vertical rows with two neuromasts each on
caudal-fin base (vs. only two neuromasts on caudal-fin base).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 3. Largest specimen examined 19.6 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile gently convex from
lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed,
greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of side of head. Snout blunt.
Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Dorsal and anal fins rounded in both sexes; fin fan-shaped in males; filamentous rays absent. Dorsal-fin
rays unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of pectoral fins reaching vertical through base of 6th or 7th anal-fin ray in males, and through base of 3rd anal-fin ray in females. Tip of
each pelvic fin reaching base of 3rd or 4th anal-fin ray in males, and between urogenital papilla and anal-fin
origin in females. Pelvic-fin bases in close proximity. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical between base of 4th and
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6th anal-fin rays, between neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, and vertebrae 9 and 10 in females.
Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 5 and 7 in males, and vertebrae 7 and 8 in females. Dorsalfin rays 21–23 in males, 15–19 in females; anal-fin rays 23–26 in males, 19–23 in females; caudal-fin rays
21–23; pectoral-fin rays 12–13; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scale anterior to G-scale; supraorbital
scales absent. Longitudinal series of scales 22–24; transverse series of scales 9; scale rows around caudal
peduncle 12. Contact organs of flank absent. Minute contact organs on two uppermost pectoral-fin rays in
males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 10–12, parietal 3–4, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 1
+ 17–20, preorbital 2–3, otic 2, post-otic 2–3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1, preopercular 11–14, mandibular 7–8, lateral mandibular 3–5, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each
scale of lateral line. Two or three vertical rows of two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 40% of length; basihyal cartilage about 25% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth absent. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 2 +
8. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal absent. Total vertebrae
25–26.
FIGURE 28. Simpsonichthys costai, male, UFRJ 6439, 21.5 mm SL; Brazil: Tocantins: rio Formoso floodplains.
FIGURE 29. Simpsonichthys costai, female, UFRJ 6439, 18.8 mm SL; Brazil: Tocantins: rio Formoso floodplains.
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Coloration
Males. Sides of body dark brown to black, with blue dots on dorsal portion. Head dark brown, with two
black bars on suborbital region and adjacent to posterior edge of eye, respectively, and five vertical rows of
blue dots, two below eye and three on opercular region. Iris dark brown, with two narrow blue bars. Dorsal
and anal fins dark brown to black, with row of blue dots on basal region and narrow subdistal blue stripe; melanophores distinctively more concentrated on posterior portion of fins. Caudal fin hyaline, with narrow light
blue posterior margin, and sometimes with faint blue dots on middle. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins black
with blue dot.
Females. Sides of body light brown, with brown chromatophores irregularly arranged, forming nine or ten
ill-defined bars. Head pale brown, opercular region greenish blue, with two black bars, one on suborbital
region and another adjacent to posterior edge of eye. Iris yellow, with dark gray bar through center of eye.
Fins hyaline; small dark brown spots on dorsal and anal fins.
Distribution
Araguaia and Tocantins river basins, Estados de Goiás, Tocantins and Mato Grosso, central Brazil (Fig.
4).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Mata Ciliar, transitionary vegetation between the Cerrado and the Amazonian forest.
Simpsonichthys chacoensis (Amato, 1986)
(Fig. 30)
Cynolebias chacoensis Amato, 1986: 10 (type locality: road Mariscal Estigarriba-[Capitán Pablo] Lagerenza, 624 km
NW from Asunción, 14 km from Comando de Transmisiones Tenente Segundo Américo Picco, Charca Topógrafo
Acevedo, Nueva Asunción, Paraguay [about 21°00’S 60°00’W]; holotype: MUNHINA 2577).
Material examined
Paraguay, río Paraguay basin: UFRJ 3030, 2 ex.; UFRJ 3170, 1 ex. (c&s); 92 km N of Mariscal Estigarriba, San Juan; L. Van den Berg, Mar. 1994. USNM 232295, 1; flooded Chaco, 15 km NE of Ochoa; M. Ludlow & J. Stallings, 16 Jan. 1981.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other species of the subgenus Spectrolebias by possessing more anal-fin rays in
males (26–28, vs. 21–26), and flanks and unpaired fins dark bluish gray in males (vs. never this color in males
of other species).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 3. Largest specimen examined 35.3 mm SL. Dorsal profile slightly
concave on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of
head side. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and long in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal fin pointed in both sexes; tip of anal fin pointed in males, rounded in females; long filamentous rays on tip of anal fin in males, tip reaching vertical posterior to distal edge of caudal fin. Dorsal-fin rays
unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching ver-
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tical through base of 8th anal-fin ray in males, and vertical just anterior to anus in females. Tip of each pelvic
fin reaching base of 3rd anal-fin ray in males, and base of 2nd anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases in close
proximity. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical through base of 5th anal-fin ray in males, and 3rd anal-fin ray in
females, between neural spines of vertebrae 8 and 9 in males and vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Anal-fin
origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 10 and 11. Dorsal-fin rays 23–26 in males, 17–20 in females; anal-fin
rays 26–28 in males, 22–24 in females; caudal-fin rays 28; pectoral-fin rays 12; pelvic-fin rays 6–7.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scale anterior to G-scale; sometimes
one supraorbital scale, but this usually absent. Longitudinal series of scales 27–29; transverse series of scales
10; scale rows around caudal peduncle 16. Contact organs absent.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 11–12, parietal 3, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 +
22–26, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular
18–19, mandibular 11–15, lateral mandibular 2–3, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale
of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 60% of length; basihyal cartilage about 20% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 3. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 3 + 11.
Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae 29.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body bluish dark brown, almost black, with white dots. Head dark gray, opercular region
dark greenish blue. Iris brownish yellow, with black bar through center of eye. Dorsal and anal fins black
with white dots on basal region and subdistal blue stripe. Caudal fin dark gray to black, with light blue shine
on posterior portion. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins dark blue.
Females. Sides of body light brown, with dark gray marks irregularly arranged, sometimes forming about
10 ill-defined bars; one to three dark greenish gray spots on anterocentral portion of flank. Head pale brown,
opercular region greenish blue. Iris yellow, with dark gray bar through center of eye. Fins hyaline, with dark
gray spots on posterobasal portion of dorsal and anal fins.
FIGURE 30. Simpsonichthys chacoensis, male, not preserved, about 35 mm SL; Paraguay.
Distribution
Río Paraguay basin, northern Paraguay and northern Bolivia (Fig. 4).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Chaco.
SEASONAL SOUTH AMERICAN KILLIFISH SIMPSONICHTHYS
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Simpsonichthys filamentosus Costa, Barrera & Sarmiento, 1997
(Fig. 31)
Simpsonichthys filamentosus Costa, Barrera & Sarmiento, 1997: 83 (type locality: swamp close to río San Pablo, río
Mamoré basin, about 60 km N from Ascención de Guarayos, road Santa Cruz-Trinidad, Departamento de Santa
Cruz, Bolivia, about 15°37’S 63°35’W; holotype: CBF 3002).
Material examined
Bolivia: Departamento de Santa Cruz, rio Mamoré drainage, rio Amazonas basin: CBF 3002, holotype,
male, 30.3 mm SL; CBF 3003, 7 paratypes; UFRJ 3989, 4 paratypes; UFRJ 3990, 4 paratypes; MZUSP
51328, 2 paratypes; swamp close to the río San Pablo, road Santa Cruz-Trinidad, about 60 km N from Ascención de Guarayos, about 15o 37’ S, 63o 35’ W; W. J. E. M. Costa, S. Barrera and C. P. Bove, 22 Feb. 1997.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from remaining species in having pelvic-fin bases separated by an interspace (vs. in contact), long filamentous rays on tip of dorsal and anal fins in males (vs. filaments absent, or present only on dorsal fin in S. semiocellatus, or present only on anal fin in S. chacoensis), and presence (vs. absence) of contact
organs on scales of flank in males.
FIGURE 31. Simpsonichthys filamentosus, male, UFRJ 3989, paratype, 30.1 mm SL; Bolivia: Santa Cruz: Ascención de
Guarayaos.
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Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 3. Largest specimen examined 31.4 mm SL. Dorsal profile slightly
concave on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle.
Ventral profile slightly convex on head, with distinct short ventral expansion on vertical through anterior margin of orbit, gently convex on trunk, slightly concave on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed, greatest body depth on vertical just anterior to dorsal-fin origin. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of
side of head. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and long in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of both dorsal and anal fins pointed in males, rounded in females; anal fin long in females, spatulashaped. Long filamentous rays on tip of dorsal and anal fins in males, tip reaching vertical posterior to distal
margin of caudal fin. Dorsal-fin rays unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching vertical between base of 10th and 12th anal-fin ray in males, and between base
of 5th and 7th anal-fin ray in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching base of 5th or 6th anal-fin ray in males, and
base of 2nd or 3rd anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases separated by interspace about equal to width of pelvic-fin base. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical through base of 6th or 7th anal-fin rays, between neural spines of vertebrae 9 and 10 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural
ribs of vertebrae 5 and 6 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 8 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 16–19 in
males, 13–16 in females; anal-fin rays 22–25 in males, 20–23 in females; caudal-fin rays 21–24; pectoral-fin
rays 12–13; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scale anterior to G-scale; supraorbital
scales absent. Longitudinal series of scales 28–29; transverse series of scales 11–12; scale rows around caudal
peduncle 14. Contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of flank in males. Contact organs of pectoral fin absent.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 11–14, parietal 2–3, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 +
19–20, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular
15–17, mandibular 9–11, lateral mandibular 2–3, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale of
lateral line. Vertical row of 3–4 neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 70% of length; basihyal cartilage about 20% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 2–3. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 3 +
13. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic minute. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae
28–29.
Coloration
Males. Side of body dark orange, with 15 vertical rows of white dots. Dorsum pale brown. Venter orangish golden. Head side dark orange, opercular region greenish golden. Iris yellow, with dark reddish brown
bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins pale reddish brown, with light blue dots. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins reddish brown.
Females. Side of body light brown, with 15 dark gray bars; one or two black spots on anterocentral portion of flank. Sides of head light brown, opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris yellow, with dark brown
bar through center of eye. Fins hyaline, with faint small gray spots on dorsal and anal fins.
Distribution
Río Mamoré and río Beni drainages, rio Madeira basin, Bolivia (Fig. 4).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Mata Ciliar, Llanuras Benianas.
SEASONAL SOUTH AMERICAN KILLIFISH SIMPSONICHTHYS
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51
Simpsonichthys semiocellatus (Costa & Nielsen, 1997)
(Figs. 32–33)
Spectrolebias semiocellatus Costa & Nielsen, 1997: 259 (type locality: temporary pool close to rio Formoso, rio Araguaia basin, Formoso do Araguaia, Estado do Tocantins, Brazil [11°47’31.6”S 49°45’54.7”W]; holotype: MZUSP
50654).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado do Tocantins, rio Araguaia drainage, rio Amazonas basin: MZUSP 50654, holotype, male,
20.8 mm SL; MZUSP 50655, 3 paratypes; UFRJ 3632, 6 paratypes; UFRJ 3633, 5 paratypes (c&s); UFRJ
3933, 2; temporary pool close to rio Formoso, Formoso do Araguaia; D. T. B. Nielsen, A. Carletto & A. C. de
Luca, 4 Apr. 1996. UFRJ 6404, 2; UFRJ 6407, 12; idem, 11°47’31.6”S 49°45’54.7”W; W. J. E. M. Costa, C.
P. Bove, J. Paz & A. Oliveira, 15 Apr. 2006. UFRJ 5266, 14; ilha do Bananal; D. Almeida & R. D’Arrigo, 20
Apr. 1999.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from the remaining species of the subgenus Spectrolebias by possessing F-patterned frontal
squamation (vs. E-patterned), translucent body (vs. well-pigmented), and a black oval spot on posterior portion of distal edge of anal fin, with a light blue subdistal outline in males (never a similar color pattern). Distinguished from all congeners except S. reticulatus and S. costai in having two or three vertical rows with two
neuromasts each on caudal-fin base (vs. only two neuromasts on caudal-fin base).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 3. Largest specimen examined 25.8 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile gently convex from
lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body slender, compressed, greatest
body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of head side. Snout blunt. Urogenital
papilla cylindrical and long in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal fin pointed in males, rounded to slightly pointed in females. Tip of anal fin rounded in both
sexes. Long filamentous rays on tip of dorsal fin in males, tip reaching vertical through middle of caudal fin.
Dorsal-fin rays unbranched. Caudal fin subtruncate. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching vertical through base of 7th or 8th anal-fin ray in males, and base of 5th or 6th anal-fin ray in
females. Tip of pelvic fin reaching base of 2nd or 3rd anal-fin ray. Pelvic-fin bases in close proximity. Dorsalfin origin on vertical through base of 8th or 9th anal-fin ray, between neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 11 in
males and neural spines of vertebrae 12 and 13 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 6
and 7 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 15–17 in males, 13–16 in
females; anal-fin rays 23–25 in males, 22–23 in females; caudal-fin rays 21–23; pectoral-fin rays 12–14; pelvic-fin rays 5–6.
Frontal squamation F-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scale anterior to G-scale; supraorbital
scales absent. Longitudinal series of scales 29–30; transverse series of scales 8–9; scale rows around caudal
peduncle 12. Contact organs absent.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 13–14, parietal 3, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 +
18–19, preorbital 2–3, otic 2–3, post-otic 2–3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1, preopercular 12–15, mandibular 9–10, lateral mandibular 5–6, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of
each scale of lateral line. Two or three vertical rows with two neuromasts each on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 40% of length; basihyal cartilage about 30% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 4–6. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 2–3 +
11–12. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal absent. Total vertebrae 30–31.
52 · Zootaxa 1669 © 2007 Magnolia Press
COSTA
FIGURE 32. Simpsonichthys semiocellatus, male, UFRJ 6404, topotype, 23.8 mm SL; Brasil: Tocantins: Formoso do
Araguaia.
FIGURE 33. Simpsonichthys semiocellatus, female, UFRJ 6404, topotype, 21.2 mm SL; Brasil: Tocantins: Formoso do
Araguaia.
Coloration
Males. Side of body brownish hyaline, with small bright greenish blue spots. Sides of head pale brown,
opercular region metallic green. Iris pale yellow, with two reddish brown bars, anterior bar through center of
eye, posterior bar adjacent to posterior margin of iris. Suborbital oblique dark gray bar continuous with anterior eye bar; small greenish blue spot on each side of suborbital bar. Dorsal and anal fins pale reddish brown,
with small bright greenish blue spots on basal region; elongate black spot anteriorly bordered by bright blue
line on posterior portion of distal margin of anal fin; brilliant blue line on distal margin of anal fin, anterior to
black spot. Pectoral and caudal fins hyaline. Pelvic fin reddish brown.
Females. Side of body light brownish translucent, with 7–8 dark gray bars. Sides of head pale brown,
opercular region pale metallic green. Iris pale yellow, with two brown bars as described for males. Fins hyaline; gray spot on posterior portion of distal margin of anal fin.
SEASONAL SOUTH AMERICAN KILLIFISH SIMPSONICHTHYS
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Distribution
Rio Araguaia basin, central Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Mata Ciliar, transition area between the Cerrado and the Amazonian forest.
Subgenus Hypsolebias Costa, 2006
Hypsolebias Costa, 2006b: 17 (type species: Cynolebias flavicaudatus Costa & Brasil; type by original designation).
Diagnosis
Distinguished from the other subgenera of Simpsonichthys in having the second pharyngobranchial longer
than wide (vs. wider than long). Another synapomorphy of Hypsolebias is the presence of a shortened lateroventral process of the hyomandibula, which independently occurs in some species of Spectrolebias (vs.
wide process).
Included species
Simpsonichthys ocellatus Costa, Nielsen & De Luca, S. stellatus (Costa & Brasil), S. nielseni Costa, S.
rufus Costa, Nielsen & De Luca, S. notatus (Costa, Lacerda & Brasil), S. radiosus Costa & Brasil, S. similis
Costa & Hellner, S. gibberatus Costa & Brasil, S. trilineatus (Costa & Brasil), S. auratus Costa & Nielsen, S.
virgulatus Costa & Brasil, S. hellneri (Berkenkamp), S. adornatus Costa, S. fulminantis (Costa & Brasil), S.
carlettoi Costa & Nielsen, S. magnificus (Costa & Brasil), S. picturatus Costa, S. antenori (Tulipano), S.
igneus Costa, S. macaubensis Costa & Suzart, S. ghisolfii Costa, Cyrino & Nielsen, S. mediopapillatus Costa,
S. flavicaudatus (Costa & Brasil), S. flagellatus Costa, S. janaubensis Costa, S. marginatus Costa & Brasil, S.
delucai Costa, S. alternatus (Costa & Brasil), S. multiradiatus (Costa & Brasil), S. flammeus (Costa), and S.
brunoi Costa.
Distribution
Central and northeastern Brazil, including the upper and middle rio Tocantins basin, middle rio São Francisco basin, lower rio Jaguaribe basin and adjacent coastal basins, and middle rio Jequitinhonha.
Key to species groups of the subgenus Hypsolebias
1a.
1b.
2a(1a).
2b(1a).
3a(2a).
Frontal squamation E-patterned .............................................................................................................3
Frontal squamation F-patterned ........................................................................ S. notatus species group
Flank with unbroken conspicuous dark gray bars in females ................................................................3
Flank with dark gray inconspicuous broken bars or spots in females ........ S. magnificus species group
Anal fin long, spatula-shaped in females; no spots on caudal peduncle in females ................................
....................................................................................................................... S. flammeus species group
3b(2a). Anal fin short, semi-circular in females; black spots on caudal peduncle in females .............................
......................................................................................................................... S. antenori species group
Simpsonichthys notatus species group
Diagnosis
Distinguished from other congener groups in having frontal squamation A-patterned (vs. E or F-patterned)
(sometimes also occurring in S. ocellatus).
54 · Zootaxa 1669 © 2007 Magnolia Press
COSTA
Included species
Simpsonichthys ocellatus Costa, Nielsen & De Luca, S. stellatus (Costa & Brasil), S. nielseni Costa, S.
rufus Costa, Nielsen & De Luca, S. notatus (Costa, Lacerda & Brasil), S. radiosus Costa & Brasil, S. similis
Costa & Hellner, S. gibberatus Costa & Brasil, S. trilineatus (Costa & Brasil), S. auratus Costa & Nielsen,
and S. virgulatus Costa & Brasil.
Distribution
Middle rio Jequitinhonha, upper rio Tocantins and middle rio São Francisco basins (Fig. 1).
Key to species of the S. notatus group
1a.
1b.
No metallic colors on flank in females ...................................................................................................2
Large black blotch, with wide bluish silver to light golden outline on anterocentral portion of flanks in
females ................................................................................................................................... S. ocellatus
2a(1a). Black blotch on anterocentral portion of flanks in males .......................................................................5
2b(1a). Black blotch never on flanks in males ....................................................................................................3
3a(2b). Elongated bright blue spots alternating with black interspace on dorsal-fin base in males; anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, 9 and 11 in females. ......................................4
3b(2b). Bright blue dots over entire dorsal fin in males; anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 9 and
10 in males, 11 and 12 in females. ............................................................................................... S. rufus
4a(3a). Distal dark gray to black stripe on anal fin in males; caudal fin brownish red, with small blue rounded
spots. ....................................................................................................................................... S. stellatus
4b(3a). No distal stripe on anal fin in males; caudal fin yellow with blue stripes ............................... S. nielseni
5a(2a). Anal fin with bright dots and no bars in males; no distal stripe on dorsal fin in males. ........................7
5b(2a). Anal fin with oblique dark gray bars and no bright dots in males; bright blue stripe on distal edge of
dorsal fin in males ...................................................................................................................................6
6a(5b). Caudal fin with blue dots and marginal blue stripe on its dorsal half in males; blue dots over entire
flank in males; tip of each pectoral fin reaching between base of 5th and 7th anal-fin rays in males ........
............................................................................................................................................... S. notatus
6b(5b). Caudal fin with light blue stripes parallel to fin rays, alternating with subdistal rounded light blue
spots in males; few blue dots over dorsal portion of flank in males; tip of pectoral fin reaching between
base of 1st and 3rd anal-fin rays in males..................................................................................S. radiosus
7a(5a). Anterior portion of flank bright golden in males; humeral dark brown blotch in males; flank with dark
gray spots in females...............................................................................................................................8
7b(5a). Anterior portion of flanks dark metallic yellow ochre in males; no humeral marks; flanks with dark
gray bars in females ................................................................................................................................9
8a(7a). Pronounced convexity on anterior dorsal profile in females; no distinctive distal row of bright blue
spots on dorsal fin in males................................................................................................. S. gibberatus
8b(7a). No pronounced convexity on anterior dorsal profile in females; distinctive distal row of bright blue
spots on dorsal fin in males........................................................................................................ S. similis
9a(7b). 3–5 black blotches on anterior portion of flanks in males; pectoral fins pale red. ..10
9b(7b). 7–13 black blotches on anterior portion of flanks in males; pectoral fins hyaline...S. virgulatus
10a(9a).Five pelvic-fin rays; posterior portion of flank with three purplish brown stripes in males; no dark
brown blotch on anteroventral portion of flank in males..................................................... S. trilineatus
10b(9a).Six pelvic-fin rays; posterior portion of flank with purplish brown bars in males; dark brown blotch
on anteroventral portion of flank in males. .............................................................................. S. auratus
SEASONAL SOUTH AMERICAN KILLIFISH SIMPSONICHTHYS
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Simpsonichthys ocellatus Costa, Nielsen & De Luca, 2001
(Figs. 34–35)
Simpsonichthys ocellatus Costa, Nielsen & De Luca, 2001: 25 (type locality: temporary pool near rio Jequitinhonha, near
Itaobim, road BR-367, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil [approximately 16º40’S 41º40’W; altitude about 270 m];
holotype: MZUSP 61232).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Minas Gerais, rio Jequitinhonha basin: MZUSP 61232, holotype, male, 33.9 mm SL;
MZUSP 61233, 20 paratypes; UFRJ 5096, 9 paratypes; UFRJ 5097, 60 paratypes; UFRJ 5098, 8 paratypes
(c&s); UFRJ 5102, 208 paratypes; UMMZ uncatalogued, 24 paratypes; temporary pool 1 km W from Itaobim,
road BR-367; W. J. E. M. Costa & C. P. Bove, 20 Apr. 2000. UFRJ 5099, 4 paratypes; temporary pool 2.5 km
W from Taquaral. UFRJ 5100, 38 paratypes; temporary pool 9.5 km E from São Pedro do Jequitinhonha.
UFRJ 5101, 52 paratypes; temporary pool 20.5 km W from Almenara. UFRJ 5270, 5; UFRJ 5148, 1; temporary pool 2 km from rio Jequitinhonha, 18 km W from Salto da Divisa; A. De Luca, D. Martins & V. Favalli,
24 Jun. 2000. UFRJ 5056, 27; temporary pool near rio Jequitinhonha, 1 km from Itaobim; D. Nielsen, Mar.
2000.
FIGURE 34. Simpsonichthys ocellatus, male, UFRJ 5097, paratype, 32.0 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Itaobim.
FIGURE 35. Simpsonichthys ocellatus, female, UFRJ 5102, paratype, 22.4 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Itaobim.
56 · Zootaxa 1669 © 2007 Magnolia Press
COSTA
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other congeners by having a large black blotch with wide bluish silver to light
golden outline on anterocentral portion of flanks in females (vs. absence of metallic colors on flanks in
females).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 4. Largest specimen examined 37.2 mm SL. Dorsal profile straight to
slightly concave on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal
peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle.
Body moderately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal
portion of side of head. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in
females.
TABLE 4. Morphometric data of species of the Simpsonichthys notatus group.
S. ocellatus
S. rufus
S. stellatus
S. nielseni
males
females
males
females
males
females
males
females
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
(n = 3)
(n = 3)
(n = 6)
(n = 6)
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
30.6–36.6
21.0–23.8
26.8–33.6
20.7–22.5
28.1–39.8
22.7–33.8
37.0–40.5
29.1–31.1
Body depth
33.4–36.5
34.0–35.6
34.8–36.9
32.7–35.4
33.7–37.9
32.1–38.3
34.7–37.9
33.9–35.3
Caudal peduncle depth
13.6–16.3
14.4–15.1
16.1–17.1
15.3–16.2
14.7–17.3
14.5–15.8
16.0–18.2
14.8–15.5
Pre-dorsal length
45.5–48.1
58.3–63.1
49.7–50.2
61.4–64.8
46.6–49.7
59.5–63.0
44.1–46.6
59.3–61.4
Pre-pelvic length
46.7–49.3
55.4–56.8
47.0–50.7
55.1–57.0
44.2–48.4
51.1–55.5
46.6–47.8
52.7–55.0
dorsal-fin 36.1–39.3
20.5–22.7
37.8–39.0
23.6–24.4
35.8–40.8
22.7–25.2
38.6–41.4
23.1–26.0
Standard length (mm)
% of standard length
Length
of
base
Length of anal-fin base
34.7–36.7
20.3–23.0
32.7–36.0
22.5–24.3
35.2–37.4
22.7–24.6
33.9–35.4
20.8–23.0
Caudal-fin length
29.7–31.1
27.1–29.4
32.4–34.7
32.5–34.3
32.9–34.6
32.9–34.4
34.0–36.1
31.5–32.6
Pectoral-fin length
21.3–23.6
21.6–25.0
25.7–28.2
24.7–25.8
25.8–26.9
21.5–25.4
26.6–28.6
22.0–23.9
Pelvic-fin length
7.8–10.2
8.8–10.3
11.2–11.7
10.8–11.3
9.3–12.4
10.0–11.6
10.7–11.8
10.2–10.8
Head length
31.2–32.9
33.8–34.5
31.0–32.5
33.4–34.7
27.8–30.8
30.4–32.6
29.0–30.8
29.5–32.7
% of head length
Head depth
94.4–103.7 89.6–91.5 91.8–100.3 84.7–92.3
102.2–107.9 90.4–101.7 100.1–107.3 92.5–102.8
Head width
72.2–76.9
69.2–73.3
66.6–69.2
67.6–69.2
68.3–80.3
68.6–77.9
67.2–73.1
69.8–75.1
Snout length
11.0–13.3
9.9–13.2
12.9–16.5
11.5–12.1
12.7–13.4
11.7–12.2
14.1–14.8
12.7–14.8
Lower jaw length
22.1–25.6
19.5–23.7
24.0–29.4
24.2–26.0
19.8–22.0
18.6–19.2
18.5–21.4
16.8–19.5
Eye diameter
24.4–28.2
27.9–30.8
27.8–30.8
31.1–32.7
27.1–31.1
28.8–32.9
24.9–27.7
27.3–30.9
......continued
SEASONAL SOUTH AMERICAN KILLIFISH SIMPSONICHTHYS
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TABLE 4 (continued)
S. notatus
S. radiosus
S. similis
S. gibberatus
males
females
males
females
males
females
males
females
(n = 7)
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
(n = 2)
(n = 2)
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
22.1–33.5
17.1–25.0
23.4–26.6
20.1–23.5
20.6–27.9
17.9–21.9
39.2–52.7
28.9–33.9
Body depth
35.2–37.8
33.9–35.6
32.9–37.3
32.7–35.9
30.7–32.8
30.1–31.0
32.2–36.8
33.5–36.7
Caudal peduncle depth
15.8–17.0
13.8–16.4
14.0–15.2
13.5–14.2
13.2–14.4
12.3–13.6
14.8–17.3
13.7–15.6
Pre-dorsal length
47.6–52.5
59.6–64.2
47.7–51.1
59.4–63.2
46.6–50.1
61.2–65.3
45.9–50.4
61.2–64.6
Pre-pelvic length
45.4–48.6
51.7–56.0
47.1–49.6
53.7–56.9
46.8–52.0
52.5–53.8
44.6–50.0
53.4–58.8
Length of dorsal-fin 36.2–40.7
24.4–27.1
39.4–43.8
24.2–28.8
38.2–39.7
23.1–25.9
34.3–39.6
21.6–23.7
Standard length (mm)
% of standard length
base
Length of anal-fin base
31.9–36.3
23.9–25.0
34.0–36.0
22.1–25.1
28.5–33.6
20.8–23.6
31.7–35.6
19.7–22.5
Caudal-fin length
32.9–35.3
31.1–31.7
31.2–35.0
30.1–34.3
37.4–39.1
34.9–38.8
31.5–34.4
29.8–31.9
Pectoral-fin length
26.5–26.8
24.2–24.4
21.0–24.5
21.7–24.1
30.1–31.7
27.8–30.8
22.6–27.3
21.9–24.3
Pelvic-fin length
10.4–11.5
11.1–11.8
8.6–9.4
9.2–9.8
9.5–11.2
8.9–10.8
9.3–11.0
8.9–11.9
Head length
30.1–32.8
33.6–35.0
30.1–33.5
32.9–33.3
31.1–33.9
33.5–37.6
28.3–30.2
29.8–32.6
% of head length
Head depth
95.4–108.3
84.7–89.2
90.6–98.4
89.3–93.8
88.0–96.4
84.1–88.4
Head width
62.3–69.1
62.7–65.4
65.0–73.3
68.0–74.0
63.1–73.7
63.4–66.3
102.9–110.3 96.0–102.0
69.1–74.5
67.1–74.5
Snout length
13.0–14.1
12.5–13.8
12.1–14.2
11.7–13.4
11.8–16.6
11.9–14.0
13.9–15.6
12.7–14.8
Lower jaw length
16.2–17.2
17.6–18.2
16.2–20.5
17.2–19.1
16.7–22.7
15.8–18.3
20.6–23.1
17.2–19.3
Eye diameter
27.5–34.3
30.2–36.1
30.9–34.1
31.9–34.9
29.8–35.5
33.3–35.5
26.5–30.5
29.8–33.3
TABLE 4 (continued)
S. trilineatus
S. auratus
S. virgulatus
males
females
males
females
males
females
(n = 6)
(n = 5)
(n = 4)
(n = 5)
(n = 10)
(n = 10)
23.0–32.4
21.4–26.9
27.5–32.6
20.3–23.0
39.2–52.7
28.9–33.9
Body depth
30.8–32.7
30.8–34.9
33.7–35.8
32.9–33.7
32.2–36.8
33.5–36.7
Caudal peduncle depth
14.0–15.3
13.9–14.5
15.3–16.8
15.0–15.8
14.8–17.3
13.7–15.6
Pre-dorsal length
48.8–51.4
60.2–63.8
48.4–51.7
62.2–65.6
45.9–50.4
61.2–64.6
Pre-pelvic length
44.8–48.0
55.3–57.6
46.5–49.2
53.5–57.4
44.6–50.0
53.4–58.8
Standard length (mm)
% of standard length
Length of dorsal-fin base
32.0–37.9
20.6–25.7
32.3–35.1
19.0–23.9
34.3–39.6
21.6–23.7
Length of anal-fin base
30.0–35.7
21.5–23.7
32.1–33.0
21.1–22.4
31.7–35.6
19.7–22.5
Caudal-fin length
38.1–39.4
33.1–34.9
36.6–37.5
32.1–36.5
31.5–34.4
29.8–31.9
Pectoral-fin length
25.5–27.6
25.3–26.1
28.0–30.9
24.1–27.5
22.6–27.3
21.9–24.3
Pelvic-fin length
9.5–13.2
10.8–12.3
10.6–12.0
10.2–11.2
9.3–11.0
8.9–11.9
Head length
29.9–32.7
30.3–35.3
30.5–32.6
32.3–35.7
28.3–30.2
29.8–32.6
% of head length
Head depth
92.2–95.8
87.2–92.6
88.0–98.7
84.6–89.8
102.9–110.3
96.0–102.0
Head width
63.2–68.5
66.7–73.4
62.1–64.6
61.2–66.2
69.1–74.5
67.1–74.5
Snout length
13.9–15.2
13.2–14.7
13.7–14.4
12.5–13.8
13.9–15.6
12.7–14.8
Lower jaw length
19.6–21.7
12.9–19.3
20.7–22.5
17.2–17.8
20.6–23.1
17.2–19.3
Eye diameter
27.7–36.6
32.0–39.3
30.3–35.5
34.0–36.9
26.5–30.5
29.8–33.3
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Tip of dorsal fin slightly pointed in males, rounded in females; anal fin rounded in both sexes; filaments of
dorsal and anal fins absent. Median dorsal-fin rays branched, anterior and posterior rays, including rays on fin
tip, unbranched. Caudal fin subtruncate. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching vertical through base of 4th anal-fin ray in males and through pelvic-fin base in females. Tip of each pelvic
fin reaching base of 3rd anal-fin ray in males and urogenital papilla in females. Pelvic-fin bases in close proximity. Anal-fin origin usually posterior to dorsal-fin origin, on vertical through base of 2nd dorsal-fin ray,
sometimes on vertical slightly anterior to dorsal-fin origin. Dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, between vertebrae 10 and 13 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, between 10 and 11 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 21–26 in males, 16–20 in females; analfin rays 21–25 in males, 18–21 in females; caudal-fin rays 27–29; pectoral-fin rays 14–15; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation usually A-patterned, sometimes E-patterned; E-scales not medially overlapping; no
scale anterior to H-scale. Supraorbital scales 2. Longitudinal series of scales 26–27; transverse series of
scales 11; scale rows around caudal peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of flanks in
males. Small papillate contact organs on inner surface of dorsalmost ray of each pectoral fin in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 14, parietal 3–4, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2–3 +
17–20, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 1–2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular and mandibular series sometimes united, preopercular 11–12, mandibular 8–12, lateral mandibular 3–7,
paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 70% of length; basihyal cartilage about 35% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 3–4. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 4 +
13. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae
27–28.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body light brownish gray, with 10–13 pale brownish purple bars alternating with pale
golden bars on anterior fourth and pale metallic blue on posterior three-fourths of flanks. Head light brownish
gray, opercular region pale golden, with reddish brown bar on preopercle. Iris yellow, with dark brown bar
through center of eye. Dorsal fin purplish gray, with small round pale blue spots. Anal fin purplish gray, with
light blue bars. Caudal fin purplish gray with pale blue bars; often bars interrupted on dorsal portion forming
rows of small spots. Pelvic fins light brown. Pectoral fins hyaline.
Females. Sides of body pale brown, with 10–11 faint light gray bars (more conspicuous in preserved specimens), alternating with short and narrow silver bars on median portion of flanks; usually one, rarely two elliptical black blotches with wide bluish silver to light golden contour, resulting in brilliant ocellated spot on
anterocentral portion of flanks. Venter and head pale golden. Iris yellow, with faint brown bar through center
of each eye. Fins hyaline.
Distribution
Middle rio Jequitinhonha floodplains, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Caatinga.
Simpsonichthys rufus Costa, Nielsen & De Luca, 2001
(Figs. 36)
Simpsonichthys rufus Costa, Nielsen & De Luca, 2001: 29 (type locality: temporary pool near riacho do Barro, Ibiaí, near
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rio São Francisco, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil [approximately 17º10’S 45º00’W; altitude about 490 m]; holotype: MZUSP 61234).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Minas Gerais, rio São Francisco basin: MZUSP 61234, holotype, male, 30.0 mm SL;
MZUSP 61235, 1 paratype; UFRJ 5110, 3 paratypes; UFRJ 5111, 2 paratypes (c&s); UFRJ 5114, 10; temporary pool close to riacho do Barro, Ibiaí; D. T. B. Nielsen & N. Nielsen, 9 Feb. 1997. UFRJ 5112, 3 paratypes;
UFRJ 511, 4 paratypes (c&s); temporary pool close to the type locality; same collectors and date as holotype.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other species of the S. notatus group by having anal-fin origin between pleural ribs
of vertebrae 9 and 10 in males (vs. between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 9); also distinguished from all congeners of the S. notatus group by the combination of black blotch on anterocentral portion of each flank absent
in males (vs. present) and absence of elongated bright blue and black spots on dorsal-fin base in males (vs.
presence).
FIGURE 36. Simpsonichthys rufus, male, not preserved, topotype, about 30 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Ibiaí.
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 4. Largest specimen examined 33.6 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from
lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed,
greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of head side. Snout blunt.
Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal and anal fins pointed in males; dorsal fin rounded to gently pointed and anal fin rounded in
females; long filamentous rays on tip of dorsal and anal fins in males, tip reaching posterior half of caudal fin.
Dorsal-fin rays unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral
fin reaching vertical through base of 6th anal-fin ray in males, and reaching urogenital papilla in females. Tip
of each pelvic fin reaching base of 4th anal-fin ray in males and 1st anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases in
close proximity. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical approximately through anal-fin origin in males, slightly anterior
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to anal-fin origin in females; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 8 and 9 in males, between
neural spines of vertebrae 11 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 9 and 10 in
males, between pleural ribs of vertebrae 11 and 12 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 21–23 in males, 15–17 in
females; anal-fin rays 20–22 in males, 17–18 in females; caudal-fin rays 27–28; pectoral-fin rays 13–14; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation A-patterned; E-scales medially overlapped; no scale anterior to H-scale; supraorbital
scales 1–2. Longitudinal series of scales 27–28; transverse series of scales 9–10; scale rows around caudal
peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of flanks in males. Small papillate contact
organs on inner surface of dorsalmost ray of each pectoral fin in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 12–15, parietal 3–5, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 +
19–21, preorbital 2–4, otic 1–2, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular 12, mandibular 13, lateral mandibular 7, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale of
lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 65% of length; basihyal cartilage about 25% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 2–4. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 3 +
10. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae
28–29.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body and head yellow ochre, with 10–11 dark red crimson bars and bright blue dots.
Sides of head yellow ochre, with small blue spots on opercular region, dorsoposterior scales with red crimson
edge; red crimson bar on preopercle. Iris yellow, with dark red crimson bar through center of eye. Dorsal fin
yellow ochre, anterior portion and distal border pale pink, with small round light blue spots; series of short
vertical lines along distal border. Anal fin yellow ochre, anterior portion pale pink, with dark gray oblique
bars. Dorsal and anal fin filaments black. Caudal fin orange, pale pink close to margins, with small round
light blue spots; narrow bright blue margin. Pelvic fins pale pink. Pectoral fins hyaline.
Females. Sides of body light gray, with gray spots, sometimes coalescent forming bars; venter pale golden;
one to three rounded black blotches on anterocentral portion of flanks. Opercular region pale greenish golden.
Iris light yellow, with gray bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins hyaline, with faint gray spots on basal
region; small light blue spot on posterior margin of anal fin, just posterior to fin base. Paired fins hyaline.
Distribution
Rio do Barro floodplains, middle rio São Francisco basin, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Cerrado.
Simpsonichthys stellatus (Costa & Brasil, 1994)
(Figs. 37–38)
Cynolebias stellatus Costa & Brasil, 1994b: 5 (type locality: temporary pool 1 km N from the city of São Francisco,
Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil [approximately 15º50’S 44º50’W; altitude about 470 m]; holotype: MNRJ 12446).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Minas Gerais, rio São Francisco basin: MNRJ 12446, holotype, male, 39.8 mm SL;
UFRJ 2066, 5 paratypes; UFRJ 2067, 4 paratypes (c&s); MZUSP 45771, 4 paratypes; MNRJ 12518, 3
paratypes; temporary pool 1 km N of the city of São Francisco; W. J. E. M. Costa, G. C. Brasil & C. CampSEASONAL SOUTH AMERICAN KILLIFISH SIMPSONICHTHYS
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inha, 7 Feb. 1994. UFRJ 2121, 6; UMMZ 230861, 4; MNHN 1997-0051, 4; MCZ 138940, 4; temporary pool
7 km S from São Francisco; G. C. Brasil, 13 Mar. 1994. UFRJ 2121, 101; UFRJ 5126, 8 (c&s); temporary
pool 1.4 km S from São Francisco; W. J. E. M. Costa, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 8 Feb. 1999.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other species of the S. notatus group by possessing a combination of row of elongated light blue spots with black interspace on the basal portion of the dorsal fin in males (vs. never a similar
color pattern) and a dark gray to black distal stripe on the anal fin in males (vs. no distinctive distal dark
stripe).
FIGURE 37. Simpsonichthys stellatus, male, MNRJ 12446, holotype, 39.8 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: São Francisco.
FIGURE 38. Simpsonichthys stellatus, female, UFRJ 4769, about 30 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: São Francisco.
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 4. Largest specimen examined 37.9 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from
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lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed,
greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of head side. Snout blunt.
Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of both dorsal and anal fins pointed in males, rounded in females. Short filamentous rays on tip of
both dorsal and anal fins in males, tip of filaments reaching vertical through caudal-fin base. Anterior and
posterior rays of dorsal-fin, including rays on tip of fin, unbranched; median rays branched. Caudal fin
rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of pectoral fins reaching vertical through base of 4th anal-fin
ray in males, and through urogenital papilla in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching between base of 4th
and 6th anal-fin rays in males, and between urogenital papilla and base of 1st anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin
bases in close proximity. Anal-fin origin on vertical through base of 2nd or 3rd dorsal-fin ray in males, through
dorsal-fin origin in females. Dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, and neural
spines of vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males,
and pleural ribs of vertebrae 9 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 20–23 in males, 15–17 in females; anal-fin
rays 19–21 in males, 17–19 in females; caudal-fin rays 25–28; pectoral-fin rays 14; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation A-patterned; E-scales slightly medially overlapped; no scale anterior to H-scale;
supraorbital scales 2. Longitudinal series of scales 27; transverse series of scales 11; scale rows around caudal
peduncle 16. Contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of flank in males. Small papillate contact
organs on inner surface of dorsalmost ray of pectoral fin in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 11–15, parietal 3–4, anterior rostral 1–2, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 +
19–21, preorbital 2–3, otic 1, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular 12–16, mandibular 10–11, lateral mandibular 5, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale
of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 60–65% of length; basihyal cartilage about 35% of total length of
basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 3. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 3 +
9. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae 27–
28.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body dark yellow ochre, with 9–11 dark gray bars and light blue dots; venter yellowish
white. Sides of head yellow ochre, with small blue spots on opercular region. Iris light yellow, with dark reddish brown bar through center of eye. Dorsal fin dark brownish red, with small round light blue spots; spots
along dorsal fin base elongated, lateral interspace dark gray; row of blue spots along distal margin of dorsal
fin. Anal fin light purplish gray, with dark gray oblique bars; distal edge dark gray to black. Caudal fin dark
brownish red, with small round blue spots. Pelvic fins purplish gray, each with black tip. Pectoral fins hyaline.
Females. Sides of body light gray, with faint gray spots, sometimes coalesced to form bars; venter pale
golden; one to three rounded black blotches on anterocentral portion of flanks. Opercular region pale greenish
golden. Iris light yellow, with gray bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins hyaline, with faint gray spots on
basal region; spots on anal fin elongated; small light blue spot on posterior margin of anal fin, just posterior to
fin base. Paired fins hyaline.
Distribution
Middle rio São Francisco floodplains, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Cerrado.
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Simpsonichthys nielseni Costa, 2005
(Figs. 39–40)
Simpsonichthys nielseni Costa, 2005: 58 (type locality: temporary pool in Pirapora, rio São Francisco floodplains,
17º21’59.6”S 44º56’32.3”W, altitude 500 m, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil; holotype: UFRJ 6060).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Minas Gerais, rio São Francisco floodplains: UFRJ 6060, holotype, male, 37.0 mm SL;
UFRJ 6061, 7 paratypes; UFRJ 6062, 5 paratypes (c&s); MCP 37306, 2 paratypes; temporary pool in
Pirapora, 17º21’59.6”S 44º56’32.3”W; altitude 500 m; W. J. E. M. Costa & C. P. Bove, 22 Jan. 2005.
FIGURE 39. Simpsonichthys nielseni, male, UFRJ 6060, holotype, 37.0 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Pirapora.
FIGURE 40. Simpsonichthys nielseni, female, UFRJ 6062, paratype, 29.8 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Pirapora.Fig.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other congeners by having six or seven light greenish yellow stripes on caudal fin
in males, parallel to fin rays, between fin base and fin margin, each stripe distally terminating in sharp tip and
alternating with elongate spots of the same color on subdistal portion of fin.
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Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 4. Largest specimen examined 40.5 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lower
jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed,
greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of head side. Snout blunt.
Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal fin pointed. Tip of anal fin pointed in males, rounded in females. Short filamentous rays on
tip of dorsal and anal fins in males; tip of filaments reaching vertical through caudal-fin base. Anterior and
posterior rays of dorsal fin, including rays on tip of fin, unbranched; median rays branched. Caudal fin subtruncate in males, rounded in females. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching
vertical between base of 4th and 6th anal-fins ray in males, and through pelvic-fin base in females. Tip of pelvic fin reaching between base of 3rd and 4th anal-fin rays in males, and between urogenital papilla and base of
1st anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases medially in contact. Dorsal-fin origin anterior to anal-fin origin in
males, anal-fin origin on vertical between base of 2nd and 4th dorsal-fin rays; dorsal-fin origin slightly anterior
to slightly posterior to anal-fin origin in females. Dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 8 and 9
in males, between neural spines of vertebrae 9 and 11 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 9 in males, between pleural ribs of vertebrae 9 and 11 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 21–22 in males,
16–17 in females; anal-fin rays 19–21 in males, 17–18 in females; caudal-fin rays 25–27; pectoral-fin rays
12–13; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation usually A-patterned; E-scales medially overlapping; no scale anterior to G-scale.
Longitudinal series of scales 26-27; transverse series of scales 9-10; scale rows around caudal peduncle 12–
13. Minute contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of flank in males. Small papillate contact
organs on upper surface of dorsalmost ray of pectoral fins in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 13, parietal 2–3, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2–3 +
19–21, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 1–2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular plus mandibular 26–27, lateral mandibular 4–5, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale
of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 60% of length; basihyal cartilage about 35% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 3. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 2 + 10.
Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae 27.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body dark yellow ochre, with 9–11 dark purplish gray bars and light blue dots; venter yellowish white. Sides of head yellow ochre to bright greenish blue on opercular and infraorbital region. Scales
on posterodorsal of head side and anterodorsal portion of flanks red. Iris light purplish yellow, with dark
brown bar through center of eye. Dorsal fin greenish brown; greenish yellow elongate spots forming short
bars on basal region, alternating with dark gray to black elongate spots; row of greenish blue short lines along
distal margin of fin. Anal fin greenish brown, with light greenish yellow bars. Caudal fin greenish yellow,
with greenish blue margin; light greenish yellow stripes, parallel to fin rays, diverging from fin base to all fin
margins, each stripe distally terminating in sharp tip, and alternating with elongate spots of identical color on
subdistal portion of fin. Pelvic fins purplish brown. Pectoral fins hyaline.
Females. Sides of body light yellowish brown, with dark gray spots; spots above anal-fin base sometimes
elongate, forming short bars; 2–3 spots on anterocentral portion of flank black; venter pale golden. Opercular
region greenish golden. Iris light yellow, with gray bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins hyaline, with
black small spots on basal region; small light blue spot on posterior margin of anal fin, just posterior to fin
base. Paired fins hyaline.
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Distribution
Middle rio São Francisco floodplains, Pirapora, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Cerrado.
Simpsonichthys notatus (Costa, Lacerda & Brasil, 1990)
(Figs. 41–42)
Cynolebias notatus Costa, Lacerda & Brasil, 1990: 10 (type locality: temporary pool in Município de Alvorada do Norte
[road between Alvorada do Norte and Flores de Goiás], Estado de Goiás, Brazil [approximately 14º30’S 46º50’W;
altitude about 490 m]; holotype: MZUSP 39985).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Goiás, rio Tocantins drainage, rio Amazonas basin: MZUSP 39985, holotype, male,
25.2 mm SL; MZUSP 39986, 3 paratypes; MNRJ 11559, 2 paratypes; UFRJ 155, 10; UFRJ 268, 1 (c&s); road
between Alvorada do Norte and Flores de Goiás, rio Paranã drainage; M. T. C. Lacerda, G. C. Brasil & D.
Nielsen, 4 Mar. 1989. UFRJ 6107, 11; UFRJ 6108, 4 (c&s); UFRJ 6443, 2; same locality; G. C. Brasil, 23
Apr. 2005. UFRJ 6444, 14; UFRJ 6445, 6; 3 km from Flores de Goiás, rio Paranã floodplains; G. C. Brasil, 22
Apr. 2005. MNRJ 11557, 3; rio Paranã floodplains, Nova Roma; M. T. C. Lacerda, G. C. Brasil & D. Nielsen,
5 Mar. 1989. UFRJ 2068, 23; UMMZ 230860, 4; MCZ 138945, 6; swamp close to rio Paranã, road IaciaraNova Roma; W. J. E. M. Costa, G. C. Brasil & C. Campinha, 13 Feb. 1994. UFRJ 5415, 17; UFRJ 5416, 5
(c&s); temporary pool 2 km N of Ribeirão Canabrava, 15º03’0.4”S 47º04’3.3”W; altitude 449 m; W. J. E. M.
Costa, C. P. Bove & B. B. Costa, 25 Jan. 2002.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other species of the S. notatus group by having bright blue dots restricted to dorsal
portion of caudal fin in males (vs. dots on whole fin). Similar to S. radiosus, S. similis, S. gibberatus, S. trilineatus, and S. auratus, and distinguished from the remaining species of the S. notatus group by having one or
two black blotches on anterocentral portion of flank in males (vs. blotch absent). Similar to S. radiosus, and
distinguished from S. similis, S. trilineatus, and S. auratus by having oblique dark gray bars on anal fin in
males (vs. bars absent), a bright blue stripe on distal edge of dorsal fin in males (vs. distal blue stripe absent),
and by the absence of white dots on anal fin in males (vs. presence). Differs from S. radiosus by the absence
of blue stripes on the caudal fin in males (vs. presence).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 4. Largest specimen examined 33.5 mm SL. Dorsal profile slightly
convex on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of
side of head. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal and anal fins pointed in males, rounded in females. Short filamentous rays on tip of dorsal
and anal fin in males, tip reaching vertical through middle of caudal fin. All dorsal-fin rays usually
unbranched, sometimes median rays branched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin
of each pectoral fin reaching vertical between base of 4th and 6th anal-fin ray in males, and urogenital papilla in
females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching between base of 2nd and 4th anal-fin ray in males, and between urogenital papilla and base of 1st anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases in close proximity. Anal-fin origin on
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vertical between base of 2nd and 4th dorsal-fin ray in males; anal-fin origin on vertical just anterior, or just posterior, or through dorsal-fin origin in females. Dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 6 and 8 in
males, and neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae
7 and 8 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 9 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 21–25 in males, 15–19 in
females; anal-fin rays 20–24 in males, 17–19 in females; caudal-fin rays 22–26; pectoral-fin rays 12–13; pelvic-fin rays 6.
FIGURE 41. Simpsonichthys notatus, male, UFRJ 6445, 31.7 mm SL; Brasil: Goiás: Flores de Goiás.
FIGURE 42. Simpsonichthys notatus, female, UFRJ 6445, 25.1 mm SL; Brasil: Goiás: Flores de Goiás.
Frontal squamation A-patterned; E-scales medially overlapping; no scale anterior to G-scale. Longitudinal series of scales 25–27; transverse series of scales 10–11; scale rows around caudal peduncle 12. Contact
organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of flank in males. Small papillate contact organs on inner surface
of dorsalmost ray of pectoral fin in males.
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Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 12–15, parietal 3, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 + 18–
20, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular 15,
mandibular 11–14, lateral mandibular 4–6, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 75% of length; basihyal cartilage about 25% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 1–2. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 3 + 9.
Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae 26–
28.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body dark yellow ochre, with 8-10 dark purplish gray bars and light blue dots; one or two
black blotches on anterocentral portion of flanks, rarely blotches absent; venter pale orangish golden. Sides of
head yellow ochre, with small green spots on opercular region; often scales of laterodorsal portion with red
margin. Iris light yellow, with dark reddish brown bar through center of eye. Dorsal fin reddish or orangish
brown, with light blue dots; row of blue dots on distal margin of fin. Anal fin orangish brown, with dark
brownish gray bars. Caudal fin reddish or orangish brown, with light blue dots on dorsal half of fin, dots
sometimes absent; blue line on margin of dorsal half of fin. Pelvic fins dark orangish brown. Pectoral fins
hyaline.
Females. Sides of body light brownish gray, with dark gray spots, sometimes horizontally coalescent on
anterior portion and vertically coalescent on posterior portion of flanks; venter pale golden; three to five
rounded black blotches on anterocentral portion of flank. Opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris light
yellow, with gray bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins hyaline, with faint gray spots on basal region;
small light blue spot on posterior margin of anal fin, just posterior to fin base. Paired fins hyaline.
Distribution
Rio Paranã drainage, upper rio Tocantins basin, Estado de Goiás, central Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Cerrado.
Simpsonichthys radiosus Costa & Brasil, 2004
(Figs. 43–44)
Simpsonichthys radiosus Costa & Brasil, 2004: 1 (type locality: rio Crixás floodplains, about 6 km from the confluence
with rio Paranã, Formosa, Estado de Goiás, Brazil, about 15o20’S 47o20’W, altitude about 800 m; holotype: UFRJ
6017).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Goiás, rio Tocantins drainage, rio Amazonas basin: UFRJ 6017, holotype, male, 23.4
mm SL; UFRJ 6018, 9 paratypes; UFRJ 6019, 6 paratypes (c&s); UFRJ 6020, 6 paratypes; UFRJ 6021, 5
paratypes; Formosa, rio Crixás floodplains, about 6 km from the confluence with rio Paranã, about 15o20’S
47o20’W; altitude about 800 m; G. C. Brasil, 10 May 2004.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all congeners by possessing a unique color pattern on caudal fin in males, consisting
of three to five light blue stripes crossing fin, parallel to fin rays, alternating with subdistal rounded light blue
spots (vs. never a similar color pattern).
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Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 4. Largest specimen examined 27.6 mm SL. Dorsal profile straight to
slightly convex on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body
moderately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of side of head. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal fin slightly pointed in both sexes, tip of anal fin slightly pointed in males, rounded in
females. Tip of dorsal and anal fins with minute filamentous rays in males. Median dorsal-fin rays branched,
anterior and posterior rays unbranched. Caudal fin subtruncate. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of
each pectoral fin reaching vertical between base of 1st and 3rd anal-fin rays in males, between anus and urogenital papilla in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching base of 2nd or 3rd anal-fin ray in males, between urogenital papilla and base of 1st anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases in close proximity. Dorsal-fin origin
anterior to anal-fin origin; anal-fin origin on vertical between base of 4th and 6th dorsal-fin rays in males,
between base of 1st and 3rd dorsal-fin rays in females; dorsal and anal-fin origins between neural spines of 7th
and 8th vertebrae in males, 9th and 10th vertebrae in females. Dorsal-fin rays 23–26 in males, 17–19 in females;
anal-fin rays 21–23 in males, 18–22 in females; caudal-fin rays 25–26; pectoral-fin rays 12–13; pelvic-fin rays
5–6.
Frontal squamation A-patterned; E-scales medially overlapped; no scale anterior to G-scale. Longitudinal
series of scales 25–27; transverse series of scales 10; scale rows around caudal peduncle 12. Minute contact
organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of flank in males. Small papillate contact organs on dorsal surface of dorsalmost pectoral-fin ray in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 3–4 + 8–10, parietal 2–4, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital
2 + 17–20, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 2–3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1, preopercular 13–14, mandibular 10–12, lateral mandibular 5–6, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of
each scale of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 85% of length; basihyal cartilage about 30% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 3. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 3 + 9.
Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae 27–
28.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body light purplish brown to reddish brown on anteroventral portion, with 8-9 gray bars,
and few pale blue dots irregularly arranged on dorsal portion; black rounded blotch on lateral midline, overlapping third bar, at vertical through dorsal-fin origin. Opercular region golden, with light blue spots. Iris
light yellow, with dark brown bar. Dorsal fin reddish brown, with subbasal row of light blue spots, and similar
slightly smaller spots on posterior region; distal bright blue stripe with black dorsal outline. Anal fin reddish
brown, with five faint gray bars. Caudal fin dark reddish brown, with 3-5 light blue stripes parallel to fin rays,
alternating with subdistal rounded light blue spots. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins reddish brown, tip dark
gray.
Females. Sides of body light purple, with small dark gray spots; spot on anterocentral portion of flank
black. Opercular region light golden, with gray dots. Iris light yellow, with dark gray bar. Unpaired fins hyaline, with small gray spots on basal portion; small light blue spot on posterior portion of anal fin. Paired fins
hyaline.
Distribution
Rio Crixás floodplains, rio Paranã drainage, upper rio Tocantins basin, central Brazil (Fig. 1).
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FIGURE 43. Simpsonichthys radiosus, male, UFRJ 6017, holotype, 23.4 mm SL; Brazil: Goiás: Formosa.
FIGURE 44. Simpsonichthys radiosus, female, UFRJ 6018, paratype, 23.5 mm SL; Brazil: Goiás: Formosa.
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Cerrado.
Simpsonichthys similis Costa & Hellner, 1999
(Figs. 45–46)
Simpsonichthys similis Costa & Hellner, 1999: 90 (type locality: temporary pool close to Urucuia, road to São Romão,
rio Urucuia basin, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil [approximately 16º05’S 45º45’W; altitude about 500 m]; holotype: MZUSP 51834).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Minas Gerais, rio Urucuia drainage, rio São Francisco basin: MZUSP 51834, holotype,
male, 28.4 mm SL; MZUSP 51835, 1 paratype; UFRJ 4146, 1 paratype female; UFRJ 4147, 5 paratypes
(c&s); temporary pool close to Urucuia; S. Hellner & K. Schoelzel, Apr. 1995. UFRJ 4148, 1 paratype; born
in aquarium, descendant of fishes collected with the holotype.
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Diagnosis
Distinguished from remaining species of S. notatus group in possessing the following combination of
characters: often one or two black blotches on anterocentral portion of flanks in males (vs. blotch always
absent), white dots on all unpaired fins in males (vs. never all fins with light dots), row of small blue spots on
distal margin of dorsal fin in males (vs. distal blue stripe or no distinctive distal blue mark), anterior portion of
flanks dark metallic yellow ochre in males (vs. bright golden), and absence of humeral dark brown blotch in
males (vs. presence).
FIGURE 45. Simpsonichthys similis, UFRJ 4148, male, paratype, 44.5 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Urucuia.
FIGURE 46. Simpsonichthys similis, not preserved, female, about 20 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Urucuia.
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 4. Largest specimen examined 43.3 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from
lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed,
greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of head side. Snout blunt.
Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal and anal fins slightly pointed in males, rounded in females. Short filamentous rays on tip of
dorsal and anal fins in males, tip of filaments reaching vertical through caudal-fin base. Dorsal-fin rays
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unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fin elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching vertical through base of 2nd anal-fin ray in males, and through pelvic-fin base in females. Tip of each pelvic fin
reaching base of 2nd anal-fin ray in males, and urogenital papilla in females. Pelvic-fin bases in close proximity. Anal-fin origin on vertical through base of 3rd dorsal-fin ray in males, through base of 1st dorsal-fin ray in
females; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae
11 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, and pleural ribs of
vertebrae 10 and 11 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 22–23 in males, 16–18 in females; anal-fin rays 20–21 in
males, 17 in females; caudal-fin rays 26–29; pectoral-fin rays 14; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation A-patterned; E-scales medially slightly overlapping; no scale anterior to H-scale;
supraorbital scales 2. Longitudinal series of scales 27; transverse series of scales 10; scale rows around caudal
peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of flanks in males. Small papillate contact organs
on inner surface of dorsalmost ray of pectoral fin in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 11–14, parietal 3–4, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2
+ 19, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1–2, preopercular
15, mandibular 10–11, lateral mandibular 5, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 75–80% of length; basihyal cartilage about 20% of total length of
basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 2. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 3 +
10. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae
27–28.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body metallic yellow ochre, with 11–12 dark purplish brown bars and light blue dots;
sometimes one or two black blotches on anterocentral portion of flanks, often blotches absent; venter pale
orangish golden. Sides of head yellow ochre, with small green spots on opercular region. Iris light yellow,
with dark reddish brown bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins dark purplish brown to dark gray, with
small white spots, usually small, rounded, sometimes elongated and parallel to fin rays; subdistal row of blue
dots on distal margin of caudal fin; sometimes spots of caudal and anal fins distally elongated. Pelvic fins
dark purplish brown. Pectoral fins hyaline.
Females. Sides of body light gray, with faint 11–12 gray bars; venter pale golden; one to three rounded
black blotches on anterocentral portion of flanks. Opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris light yellow,
with gray bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins hyaline, with faint gray spots on basal region; small light
blue spot on posterior margin of anal fin, just posterior to fin base. Paired fins hyaline.
Distribution
Rio Urucuia drainage, middle rio São Francisco basin, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Cerrado.
Simpsonichthys gibberatus Costa & Brasil, 2006
(Figs. 47–48)
Simpsonichthys gibberatus Costa & Brasil, 2006: 50 (type locality: Unaí, temporary pool about 2 km from the right bank
of rio Preto, rio Paracatu drainage, rio São Francisco basin, about 16º41’30”S 46º30’00”W, altitude about 550 m,
Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil; holotype: UFRJ 6373).
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Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Minas Gerais, rio Paracatu drainage, rio São Francisco basin: UFRJ 6373, holotype,
male, 27.9 mm SL; UFRJ 6374, 11 paratypes; UFRJ 6375, 6 paratypes (c&s); MCP 39933, 4 paratypes; Brazil: Estado de Minas Gerais: Unaí, temporary pool about 2 km from the right bank of rio Preto, rio Paracatu
drainage, rio São Francisco basin; G. C. Brasil, 14 Feb. 2006.
Diagnosis
Differs from all congeners by a pronounced convexity on dorsal profile between posterior portion of head
and anterior portion of trunk in females, greatest body depth at level of posterior margin of opercle (vs. at level
of pelvic-fin base).
FIGURE 47. Simpsonichthys gibberatus, UFRJ 6373, male, holotype, 27.9 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Unaí: middle
rio Paracatu drainage.
FIGURE 48. Simpsonichthys gibberatus, UFRJ 6374, female, paratype, 19.9 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Unaí: middle rio Paracatu drainage.
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 4. Largest specimen examined 27.9 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from
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lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed,
greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base in male, at level of posterior margin of opercle in females. Eye
positioned on dorsal portion of head side. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males,
pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal and anal fins pointed and with short filamentous rays in males, tip of longest filament reaching vertical through caudal-fin base. Dorsal and anal fins rounded in females, anal fin slightly lengthened.
Most dorsal-fin rays unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching vertical between base of 6th and 8th anal-fins ray in males, and base of 3rd anal-fins ray in
females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching between base of 3rd and 4th anal-fin rays in males, reaching urogenital
papilla in females. Pelvic-fin bases medially in contact. Dorsal-fin origin anterior to anal-fin origin, anal-fin
origin on vertical between base of 4th and 5th dorsal-fin rays in males, between base of 1st and 3rd dorsal-fin rays
in females. Dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 6 and 7 in males, between neural spines of
vertebrae 11 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, between
pleural ribs of vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 21–26 in males, 15–17 in females; anal-fin rays
18–20 in males, 16–18 in females; caudal-fin rays 27–29; pectoral-fin rays 13–14; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation A-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no row of scales anterior to H-scale; two
small supraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 25–27; transverse series of scales 8–9; scale rows
around caudal peduncle 12. Prominent contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of flanks in males.
No contact organs on pectoral fins.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 13–15, parietal 2–3, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2–3 +
17–23, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1–2, preopercular plus mandibular 27–33, lateral mandibular 5–9, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateral
line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 70% of length; basihyal cartilage about 25% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 1–2. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 2 + 9.
Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae 27–
28.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body light golden, with 9–11 light brown bars and horizontal series of small bright greenish blue spots; often dark gray to black spot on anterocentral portion of flanks. Dorsum light brown, venter
yellowish white. Sides of head light golden to reddish brown on scales margins of dorsoposterior portion of
head, with small greenish blue spots on center of scales; infraorbital region light golden. Iris light yellow,
with reddish brown bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins dark gray to almost black, with small light blue
spots; pale blue line on posterior margin of caudal fin. Pelvic fins dark gray. Pectoral fins hyaline.
Females. Sides of body light brownish gray, with 11–13 pale gray bars and 1 or 2 round black spot on
anterocentral portion of flanks. Dorsum light brownish gray, venter light gray. Opercular region pale golden.
Iris light yellow, with gray bar through center of eye. Fins hyaline.
Distribution
Middle rio Preto drainage, a part of rio Paracatu drainage, rio São Francisco basin, Unaí, Estado de Minas
Gerais, Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Cerrado.
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Simpsonichthys virgulatus Costa & Brasil, 2006
(Figs. 49–50)
Simpsonichthys virgulatus Costa & Brasil, 2006: 43 (type locality: temporary lagoon about 7 km from ribeirão Entre
Rios, rio Paracatu drainage, rio São Francisco basin, about 16º49’30”S 46º30’00”W, altitude about 530 m, Município de Unaí, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil; holotype: UFRJ 6336).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Minas Gerais, rio Paracatu drainage, rio São Francisco basin: UFRJ 6336, holotype,
male, 41.5 mm SL; UFRJ 6337, 33 paratypes; UFRJ 6338, 6 paratypes (c&s); MCP 39931, 5 paratypes; Brazil: Estado de Minas Gerais: Município de Unaí, temporary lagoon about 7 km from ribeirão Entre Rios, rio
Paracatu drainage, rio São Francisco basin; G. C. Brasil, 26 May 2005.
Diagnosis
Similar to S. auratus and S. trilineatus and distinguished from all other congeners in having the following
combination of features: frontal squamation A-patterned (vs. E-patterned), anterior portion of flank golden
with dark brown to black blotches in males (vs. never a similar color pattern), and dark gray spots over the
entire flanks in females (vs. never a similar color pattern). Distinguished from S. auratus and S. trilineatus by
having more black blotches on anterior portion of flanks in males (7–13, vs. 3–5), dark brown bars on whole
caudal peduncle in males (vs. whole caudal peduncle purplish brown in S. auratus, and caudal peduncle light
brown with three purplish brown stripes in S. trilineatus), and pectoral fins hyaline in males (vs. ventral portion of pectoral fins pale red).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 4. Largest specimen examined 52.7 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from
lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body deep, compressed, greatest body
depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of head side. Snout blunt. Urogenital
papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal and anal fins pointed in males; tip of dorsal fin slightly pointed and tip of anal fin rounded in
female; dorsal and anal fins short in females. Short filamentous rays on tip of both dorsal and anal fins in
males, tip of filaments reaching vertical through caudal-fin base. Anterior and posterior rays of dorsal-fin
rays, including rays on tip of fin, unbranched; median rays branched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching vertical between base of 2nd and 4th anal-fins ray in males,
between pelvic-fin base and anus in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching between base of 2nd and 3rd analfin rays in males, between urogenital papilla and base of 2nd anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases medially
in contact. Dorsal-fin origin anterior to anal-fin origin in males, anal-fin origin on vertical between base of 2nd
and 3rd dorsal-fin rays; dorsal-fin origin posterior to anal-fin origin in females, on vertical between base of 2nd
and 3rd anal-fin rays. Dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, between neural
spines of vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 9 in males,
between pleural ribs of vertebrae 9 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 20–21 in males, 14–16 in females; analfin rays 19–20 in males, 16–18 in females; caudal-fin rays 25–27; pectoral-fin rays 12–13; pelvic-fin rays 5–6.
Frontal squamation A-patterned; E-scales slightly overlapping medially; row of scales anterior to H-scale,
just posterior to rostral regions; single supraorbital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 26–28; transverse
series of scales 8–9; scale rows around caudal peduncle 12. Minute contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of flanks in males. Small papillate contact organs on upper surface of dorsalmost ray of pectoralfins in males.
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Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 11–13, parietal 3, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 +
18–19, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 1–3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular 15–16, mandibular 12, lateral mandibular 5–7, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateral
line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 55% of length; basihyal cartilage about 15% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 2–3. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 3 + 9.
Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae 27–
28.
FIGURE 49. Simpsonichthys virgulatus, UFRJ 6336, male, holotype, 41.5 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Unaí: middle
rio Paracatu drainage.
FIGURE 50. Simpsonichthys virgulatus, UFRJ 6337, female, paratype, 29.6 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Unaí: middle
rio Paracatu drainage.
Coloration
Males. Side of body golden, with rounded dark brown to black rounded blotches on anterior portion of
flank and 4-7 dark brown bars on posterior portion of flanks; vertical rows of light green dots along entire
flanks, sometimes coalesced and forming vertical lines, alternating with narrow dark orangish brown stripes
on anterior portion of flanks. Dorsum light brown, venter yellowish white. Sides of head light brown to
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greenish golden on opercular region. Scale margins on posterodorsal portion of sides of head dark orangish
brown. Iris light yellow, with dark reddish brown bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins dark yellowish
brown, with light green dots; row of greenish blue short vertical lines along distal margin of dorsal fin. Pelvic
fins yellowish brown. Pectoral fins hyaline.
Females. Sides of body light yellowish brown, with dark gray spots; spots above anal-fin base usually
elongate, forming short bars; 3–4 spots on anterocentral portion of flanks black, often coalesced to form
stripe. Dorsum pale brown, venter pale golden. Opercular region greenish golden. Iris light yellow, with
gray bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins hyaline, with black small spots on basal region; small light blue
spot on posterior margin of anal fin, just posterior to fin base. Paired fins hyaline.
Distribution
Ribeirão Entre Ribeiros floodplains, rio Paracatu drainage, rio São Francisco basin, Unaí, Estado de
Minas Gerais, Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Cerrado.
Simpsonichthys trilineatus (Costa & Brasil, 1994)
(Fig. 51)
Cynolebias trilineatus Costa & Brasil, 1994b: 8 (type locality: João Pinheiro close to the rio Paracatú [close to the city of
Brasilândia], rio São Francisco basin, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil [17º02’52.0”S 46º01’34.0”W; altitude 509 m];
holotype: MNRJ 12525).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Minas Gerais, rio Paracatu drainage, rio São Francisco basin: MNRJ 12525, holotype,
male, 24.3 mm SL; UFRJ 2132, 1 paratype (c&s); Brasilândia; G. C. Brasil, 1 May 1994. MNRJ 12526, 1
paratype; UFRJ 2133, 2 paratypes; same locality as holotype; G. C. Brasil, 1 Jun. 1994. UFRJ 4637, 140;
UFRJ 4670, 10 (c&s); UFRJ 5272, 2; UMMZ 234762, 14; same locality as holotype; W. J. E. M. Costa, D.
Belote, G. Neves & D. Almeida, 10 Apr. 1998. UFRJ 4749, 2; same locality as holotype; D. Nielsen & A.
Carletto, 1 May 1996.
Diagnosis
Similar to S. auratus and S. virgulatus, and distinguished from all other species of the S. notatus group by
having anterior portion of flanks bright golden in males (vs. dark metallic yellow ochre) and by the presence
of a dark brown humeral blotch in males (vs. absence in females). It differs from S. auratus and S. virgulatus
by having five (vs. six) pelvic-fin rays, and three purplish brown stripes on posterior half of flanks in males
(vs. never this color pattern).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 4. Largest specimen examined 49.2 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from
lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body deep, compressed, greatest body
depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of head side. Snout blunt. Urogenital
papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal and anal fins pointed in males, rounded in females. Filamentous rays on tip of dorsal and
anal fins in males, tip of filaments reaching vertical through posterior half of caudal fin. Dorsal-fin rays
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unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching vertical between base of 4th and 7th anal-fin rays in males, and through urogenital papilla in females. Tip of each
pelvic fin reaching base of 4th or 5th anal-fin ray in males, and between base of 1st or 2nd anal-fin ray in females.
Pelvic-fin bases in close proximity. Anal-fin origin in vertical through base of the 2nd or 3rd dorsal-fin ray in
males and 1st ray in females. Dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males and neural
spines of vertebrae 10 and 13 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males
and pleural ribs of vertebrae 9 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 19–22 in males, 14–16 in females; anal-fin
rays 18–22 in males, 16–18 in females; caudal-fin rays 26–27; pectoral-fin rays 13–14; pelvic-fin rays 5.
Frontal squamation A-patterned; E-scales slightly overlapping medially; no row of scales anterior to Hscale; supraorbital scales 2. Longitudinal series of scales 27; transverse series of scales 8; scale rows around
caudal peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of flank in males. Minute papillate
contact organs on inner surface of dorsalmost ray of pectoral-fins in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 13–17, parietal 2, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 + 19–
21, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular 17–
18, mandibular 11–15, lateral mandibular 5, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateral line.
Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 50% of length; basihyal cartilage about 25% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 2. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 3 + 10.
Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae 27–
28.
FIGURE 51. Simpsonichthys trilineatus, MNRJ 12525, male, holotype, 24.3 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Brasilândia.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body light yellowish gray, golden on anterior third; three purplish brown stripes, the
median stripe continuous with vertical row of three round black blotches on anterior portion of flanks; six vertical rows of white dots on posterior two thirds of flanks; venter golden. Sides of head golden. Iris light yellow, with dark reddish brown bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins dark reddish brown, with white dots.
Pelvic fins dark reddish brown. Pectoral fins hyaline, ventral edges pale orange.
Females. Sides of body light gray with dark gray spots, rarely vertically coalescent; venter pale golden;
one or two rounded black blotches on anterocentral portion of flanks. Opercular region pale greenish golden.
Iris light yellow, with gray bar through center of eye. Fins hyaline; small light blue spot on posterior margin
of anal fin, just posterior to fin base.
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Distribution
Middle rio Paracatu floodplains, middle rio São Francisco basin, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Cerrado.
Simpsonichthys auratus Costa & Nielsen. 2000
(Fig. 52)
Simpsonichthys auratus Costa & Nielsen, 2000: 8 (type locality: temporary pool close to rio Taboca, a tributary of rio
Paracatu, rio São Francisco basin, Lagoa Grande, Minas Gerais, Brazil [approximately 17º50’S 46º40’W; altitude
about 680 m]; holotype: MZUSP 52912).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Minas Gerais, rio Paracatu drainage, rio São Francisco basin: MZUSP 52912, holotype,
male, 30.3 mm SL; MZUSP 52913, 3 paratypes; UFRJ 4666, 3 paratypes; UFRJ 4667, 10 paratypes (c&s);
UMMZ 234240, 2 paratypes; UFRJ 4635, 5; lagoa Grande, temporary pool close to rio Taboca; W. J. E. M.
Costa, D. Belote, G. Neves and D. Almeida, 10 Apr. 1998. UFRJ 4668, 10 paratypes; UFRJ 4669, 8; same
locality; D. T. B. Nielsen & A. Carletto, 1 May 1996.
Diagnosis
Similar to S. trilineatus and S. virgulatus, and distinguished from all other congeners by having the anterior portion of the flanks bright golden in males (vs. dark metallic yellow ochre) and by the presence of a
humeral dark brown blotch in males (vs. absence). It differs from S. trilineatus and S. virgulatus by the following characters in combination: 3–4 black blotches on anterior portion of flanks in males (vs. 7–13), pectoral fins pale red (vs. hyaline), six pelvic-fin rays (vs. five), and caudal peduncle without conspicuous dark
marks in males (vs. stripes or bars).
FIGURE 52. Simpsonichthys auratus, not preserved, male, topotype, about 30 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Lagoa
Grande.
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Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 4. Largest specimen examined 32.6 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from
lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed,
greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of head side. Snout blunt.
Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of both dorsal and anal fins pointed in males, rounded in females. Short to moderately elongate filamentous rays on tip of dorsal and anal fin in males, tip reaching vertical through middle of caudal fin. Dorsalfin rays unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin
reaching vertical through base of 6th anal-fin ray in males and urogenital papilla in females. Tip of each pelvic
fin reaching base of 3rd anal-fin ray in males and base of 1st or 2nd anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases in
close proximity. Anal-fin origin on vertical through base of 2nd or 3rd dorsal-fin ray in males and 1st ray in
females. Dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males and neural spines of vertebrae
11 and 13 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males and pleural ribs of
vertebrae 10 and 11 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 19–21 in males, 13–15 in females; anal-fin rays 18–20 in
males, 16–17 in females; caudal-fin rays 25–28; pectoral-fin rays 13–14; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation A-patterned; E-scales slightly overlapping medially; no row of scales anterior to Hscale; single supraorbital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 27; transverse series of scales 8; scale rows
around caudal peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of flank in males. Small
papillate contact organs on inner surface of dorsalmost ray of pectoral fin in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 13–14, parietal 2–3, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2
+ 19–20, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1, preopercular 16–19, mandibular 12–13, lateral mandibular 6, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateral
line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 60% of length; basihyal cartilage about 20% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 3. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 3 + 10.
Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae 26–
28.
Coloration
Males. Anterior third of side of body golden, with three or four rounded black blotches, posterior two
thirds light purplish brown, with dark purplish brown bars and six to eight horizontal rows of light greenish
blue dots; venter golden. Sides of head golden, with small dark brown spots. Iris light yellow, with dark reddish brown bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins dark reddish brown , with white dots. Pelvic fins dark
reddish brown, with white dot on base. Pectoral fins hyaline, ventral edge pale reddish orange.
Females. Sides of body light gray, with dark gray spots, often coalescent on posterior half of flank forming bars; venter pale golden; two rounded black blotches on anterocentral portion of flank. Opercular region
pale golden. Iris light yellow, with gray bar through center of eye. Fins hyaline; small light blue spot on posterior margin of anal fin, just posterior to fin base.
Distribution
Rio Taboca floodplains, rio Paracatu drainage, middle rio São Francisco basin, Estado de Minas Gerais,
Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Cerrado.
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Simpsonichthys magnificus species group
Diagnosis
Distinguished from other species groups of Simpsonichthys by having dark bluish gray bars alternating
with red bars on anterior portion of flanks in males (secondarily dark gray bars absent and red bars present
only in young males of S. adornatus) (vs. never a similar color pattern).
Included species
Simpsonichthys hellneri (Berkenkamp), S. adornatus Costa, S. fulminantis (Costa & Brasil), S. carlettoi
Costa & Nielsen, S. magnificus (Costa & Brasil), and S. picturatus Costa.
Distribution
Middle rio São Francisco basin (Fig. 4).
Key to species of the S. magnificus group
1a.
Filamentous rays on tip of dorsal and anal fins short in males, reaching vertical between base and
middle of caudal fin, or absent; vertically elongated minute bright blue spots at least on anterior portion of flank in males .............................................................................................................................2
1b.
Filamentous rays on tip of dorsal and anal fins reaching posterior margin of caudal fin in males; round
minute bright blue spots on flank in males ............................................................................ S. hellneri
2a(1a). Dorsal-fin rays 19–25 in males; dorsal-fin origin on vertical between pelvic-fin base and anal-fin origin in males; all bright spots of flank vertically elongated in males; no spots on caudal peduncle in
females. ..................................................................................................................................................3
2b(1a). Dorsal-fin rays 28–32 in males; dorsal-fin origin on vertical between pectoral-fin base and pelvic-fin
base in males; anterior bright spots vertically elongated, posterior spots rounded on flank in males;
two black blotches on posterior portion of caudal peduncle in females. .......................... S. adornatus
3a(2a). Pectoral fins red in males; unpaired fins with transverse rows of bright blue marks in males. .............4
3b(2a). Pectoral fins hyaline in males; unpaired fins with bright blue lines parallel to fin rays in males.
..................................................................................... ......................................................S. fulminantis
4a(3a). Dorsal and anal fins rounded, without filaments, in males; black distal margin on unpaired fins in
males. ............................................................................... .....................................................................5
4b(3a). Dorsal and anal fins pointed, with short filaments on tip, in males; distal margin of unpaired fins without distinctive pigmentation in males. ................. ................................................................. S. carlettoi
5a(4a). Flanks with 8–10 red bars in males, 18–20 brown bars in females; greenish blue dots on unpaired fins
in males. ………………………………............. ............................................................... S. picturatus
5b(4a). Flanks with 5–7 red bars in males, 13–15 brown bars in females; greenish blue vermiculate transverse
stripes on unpaired fins in males. ..................................................................................... S. magnificus
Simpsonichthys hellneri (Berkenkamp, 1993)
(Figs. 53–54)
Cynolebias hellneri Berkenkamp, 1993: 8 (type locality: road Januária-Manga, about 10.5 km from Itacarambi, Município de Manga, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil [about 14º50’S 44º10’W]; holotype designated in the original description, but uncatalogued).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Minas Gerais, rio São Francisco basin: UFRJ 2070, 1 ; temporary pool 25 km N from
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Itacarambi; W. J. E. M. Costa, G. C. Brasil & C. Campinha, 8 Feb. 1994. UFRJ 2120, 1; temporary pool 7 km
S from São Francisco; G. C. Brasil, 13 Mar. 1994. UFRJ 2093, 33; UFRJ 2080, 4 (c&s); UMMZ 230856, 10;
MNHN 1997-0050, 4; USNM 343819, 3; MCZ 138942, 10; swamp 1 km N from São Francisco; W. J. E. M.
Costa, G. C. Brasil & C. Campinha, 8 Feb. 1994. UFRJ 4800, 41; UFRJ 4989, 8 (c&s); temporary pool 10 km
N from Itacarambi; W. J. E. M. Costa, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 9 Feb. 1999. UFRJ 4801, 16; temporary pool
10.5 km N from Itacarambi; W. J. E. M. Costa, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 9 Feb. 1999. UFRJ 4766, 9; temporary
pool 11 km N from Itacarambi; W. J. E. M. Costa, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 9 Feb. 1999. UFRJ 3802, 7; temporary pool 4 km N from São Francisco; A. L. F. Cyrino, D. T. B. Nielsen, J. L. Cruz & A. De Luca, 27 Jan.
1996. UFRJ 3807, 6; temporary pool at the road Itacarambi-Manga; A. L. F. Cyrino, D. T. B. Nielsen, J. L.
Cruz & A. De Luca, 27 Jan. 1996
FIGURE 53. Simpsonichthys hellneri, male, UFRJ 4800, topotype, about 30 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Itacarambi.
FIGURE 54. Simpsonichthys hellneri, female, UFRJ 4800, topotype, about 25 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Itacarambi.
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Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other species of the S. magnificus group by possessing long filamentous rays on
tips of both dorsal and anal fins in males, reaching posterior margin of the caudal fin (vs. filaments, when
present, reaching a vertical through base or middle of caudal fin), and round minute bright blue spots on
flanks in males (vs. vertically elongated minute bright blue spots at least on anterior portion of flanks).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 5. Largest specimen examined 37.4 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from
lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body deep, compressed, greatest body
depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of side of head. Snout blunt. Urogenital
papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
TABLE 5. Morphometric data of species of the Simpsonichthys magnificus group.
S. hellneri
S. adornatus
S. fulminantis
S. carlettoi
males
females
males
females
males
females
males
females
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
(n = 4)
(n = 3)
30.3–37.4
24.6–26.8
39.5–45.1
34.2–36.8
24.9–44.0
22.3–34.2
30.9–35.4
25.0–27.2
Body depth
36.7–39.0
37.0–39.6
33.4–35.5
34.3–36.8
32.8–38.4
33.5–40.0
31.3–35.7
36.2–36.8
Caudal peduncle depth
16.8–18.0
16.1–17.1
13.7–15.6
14.1–15.2
12.9–16.9
13.1–15.4
15.0–16.3
14.0–15.1
Pre-dorsal length
47.8–50.4
60.4–64.5
28.3–34.4
58.1–60.6
42.8–48.4
58.5–60.4
43.4–46.0
58.9–60.4
Pre-pelvic length
42.8–44.2
49.6–50.4
39.2–40.8
49.4–49.9
41.0–45.3
50.3–54.7
41.8–43.3
50.9–51.0
dorsal-fin 39.7–42.2
23.6–27.9
54.0–60.3
23.9–27.5
37.0–42.3
23.5–29.1
41.8–43.4
24.2–25.2
Standard length (mm)
% of standard length
Length
of
base
Length of anal-fin base
39.5–43.0
25.2–28.6
43.4–48.2
24.6–25.2
34.2–39.9
23.9–26.7
39.8–42.1
25.5–26.8
Caudal-fin length
36.4–41.2
35.5–36.9
29.3–32.5
29.6–30.2
38.9–40.7
36.7–39.5
31.7–39.0
32.6–36.1
Pectoral-fin length
27.6–31.9
24.2–25.6
20.8–22.8
20.1–22.7
28.4–29.2
25.6–27.1
24.6–31.5
22.4–25.2
Pelvic-fin length
10.6–12.8
11.5–12.8
7.9–8.9
9.9–10.6
10.2–10.7
11.5–11.6
8.6–11.2
9.7–10.5
Head length
28.4–29.8
28.7–31.2
24.4–27.2
26.7–27.4
25.1–29.0
27.1–30.8
25.6–27.3
27.7–29.4
% of head length
Head depth
104.8–112.7 99.0–103.4 106.8–113.8 98.3–108.9 98.1–115.7 89.8–111.7 103.0–112.3 99.3–109.8
Head width
65.1–69.8
64.3–68.6
67.2–75.9
73.7–78.2
64.6–76.4
64.5–77.9
65.3–67.7
60.4–66.8
Snout length
13.8–14.8
12.9–14.3
11.4–14.6
12.3–14.9
14.2–15.1
13.1–14.8
14.7–16.7
12.6–13.7
Lower jaw length
16.9–19.5
16.1–17.9
23.0–29.9
22.5–27.5
16.5–18.3
13.9–14.8
16.1–21.0
14.6–16.6
Eye diameter
30.3–34.1
32.8–35.8
26.3–31.4
32.4–33.5
29.3–34.5
31.0–35.6
31.8–34.2
32.6–35.2
......continued
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TABLE5 (continued)
S. magnificus
S. picturatus
males
females
males
females
(n = 7)
(n = 7)
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
23.7–38.1
19.5–29.7
33.2–42.5
28.0–36.2
Body depth
33.8–39.2
32.5–39.0
36.1–37.8
35.9–38.6
Caudal peduncle depth
14.6–17.5
13.8–16.9
16.4–17.9
16.0–16.8
Pre-dorsal length
44.0–48.9
59.0–61.5
41.1–46.8
57.8–61.6
Pre-pelvic length
42.7–45.4
50.0–52.7
39.9–43.0
50.0–50.8
Length of dorsal-fin base
39.6–45.5
21.4–27.8
40.6–44.7
22.5–27.8
Length of anal-fin base
38.9–41.6
23.6–26.0
38.9–43.1
22.6–24.7
Caudal-fin length
35.1–35.4
32.6–32.9
32.8–38.0
30.3–36.7
Pectoral-fin length
25.4–29.3
24.2–25.2
25.2–30.0
22.1–25.1
Pelvic-fin length
10.0–10.8
10.6–11.6
9.3–11.5
8.4–12.0
Head length
27.1–29.4
29.3–31.3
25.9–26.8
26.6–29.3
Head depth
99.3–120.1
89.1–102.9
108.9–116.0
93.8–107.8
Head width
63.0–70.3
62.4–74.0
69.1–76.2
67.2–77.7
Snout length
14.7–16.2
12.9–14.3
13.1–14.8
11.3–13.4
Lower jaw length
13.9–18.8
15.2–15.5
21.3–27.0
17.3–19.2
Eye diameter
28.5–35.6
32.3–36.4
28.6–32.4
28.9–32.4
Standard length (mm)
% of standard length
% of head length
Tip of both dorsal and anal fins gently pointed in males, rounded in females. Long filamentous rays on
tip of dorsal and anal fins in males, tip reaching vertical through posterior margin of caudal fin. Dorsal-fin
rays unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of pectoral fins reaching vertical between base of 5th and 7th anal-fin ray in males, and between urogenital papilla and base of 2nd anal-fin
ray in females. Tip of pelvic fins reaching between base of 2nd and 5th anal-fin ray in males and base of 1st or
2nd anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases in close proximity. Dorsal-fin origin slightly anterior, or slightly
posterior, or on vertical through anal-fin origin in males; dorsal-fin origin through base of 4th or 5th anal-fin ray
in females; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, and pleural ribs
of vertebrae 8 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 19–23 in males, 14–18 in females; anal-fin rays 20–23 in
males, 17–21 in females; caudal-fin rays 22–25; pectoral-fin rays 12–13; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales slightly overlapping medially; no row of scales anterior to Gscale; supraorbital scales absent. Longitudinal series of scales 25-26; transverse series of scales 11; scale rows
around caudal peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of flank in males. Contact
organs absent from pectoral fins.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 10–12, parietal 3–4, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 +
20–23, preorbital 3, otic 1–2, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1–2, preopercular 15–16, mandibular 8–10, lateral mandibular 3–4, paramandibular 1. One or two neuromasts on each
scale of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 50% of length; basihyal cartilage about 20% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 1–2. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 2 + 9.
Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae 26–29.
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Coloration
Males. Sides of body dark yellow ochre on anterior half, dark purplish pink on posterior half of flank; 9–
11 dark gray bars, three anterior bars bluish dark gray, almost black, alternating with three red bars; minute
blue spots on entire flank; venter yellowish white. Sides of head yellow ochre, opercular region greenish
golden with blue small spots; margin of dorsoposterior scales red. Iris light yellow, with dark reddish brown
bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins dark red, with metallic blue dots on dorsal and anal fins, and metallic
blue lines on fin membranes of anal fin, parallel to fin rays. Pelvic fins bright blue, anterior rays dark red.
Pectoral fins hyaline.
Females. Sides of body light gray, with irregularly shaped dark brown spots, arranged in irregular horizontal rows; anterior spots often horizontally coalescent; venter pale golden; one or two rounded black
blotches on anterocentral portion of flanks. Opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris light yellow, with
gray bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins hyaline, with dark gray spots on basal region; spots of anal fin
elongate and parallel to fin rays; small light blue spot on posterior margin of anal fin, just posterior to fin base.
Paired fins hyaline.
Distribution
Floodplains of middle rio São Francisco, between Manga and São Francisco, Estado de Minas Gerais,
Brazil (Fig. 4).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Caatinga.
Simpsonichthys adornatus Costa, 2000
(Figs. 55–56)
Simpsonichthys adornatus Costa, 2000: 9 (type locality: temporary pool near Sítio do Mato, rio São Francisco basin,
Estado da Bahia, Brazil [13º00’46.1”S 43º28’50.0”W; altitude 463 m]; holotype: MZUSP 54563).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado da Bahia, rio São Francisco basin floodplains: MZUSP 54563, holotype, male, 44.5 mm
SL; UFRJ 4805, 18 paratypes; UFRJ 4806, 1 paratype; temporary pool 8 km N of Sítio do Mato; W. J. E. M.
Costa, F. M. Pupo & E. S. Araujo, 12 Feb. 1999. MZUSP 54564, 10 paratypes; MCP 22262, 20 paratypes;
UFRJ 5188, 20 paratypes; UFRJ 5189, 10 paratypes; UFRJ 4807, 8 paratypes (c&s); 1.5 km N from the typelocality; same collectors, 15 Feb. 1999.
Diagnosis
Readily distinguished from all other aplocheiloids by the possession of numerous dorsal-fin rays in males
(28–32, vs. 5–25). Probably related to the high number of dorsal-fin rays, it also differs from all other rivulids
by possessing the dorsal-fin origin inserted near the nape, between neural spines of third and fourth vertebrae
(vs. between neural spines of vertebrae 6 and 20). Differs from all other species of Simpsonichthys by having
the flanks light blue, with longitudinal rows of minute bluish white spots in males (vs. never a similar color
pattern), well defined horizontal rows of small dark brown spots on flanks in females, and two rounded black
spots vertically arranged on posterior portion of caudal peduncle in females (vs. never similar color patterns).
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FIGURE 55. Simpsonichthys adornatus, male, MZUSP 54563, holotype, 44.5 mm SL; Brazil: Bahia: Sítio do Mato.
FIGURE 56. Simpsonichthys adornatus, female, UFRJ 4806, paratype, 37.1 mm SL; Brazil: Bahia: Sítio do Mato.
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 5. Largest specimen examined 45.1 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from
lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body deep, compressed, greatest body
depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of side of head. Snout blunt. Urogenital
papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal fin pointed in males, rounded in females; tip of anal fin rounded in both sexes. Short filamentous ray on tip of dorsal fin in males, reaching vertical through middle of caudal fin; filaments absent in
anal fin. Dorsal-fin rays unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each
pectoral fin reaching vertical through base of 5th anal-fin ray in males, and between pelvic-fin base and urogenital papilla in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching base of 4th anal-fin ray in males and base of 1st analfin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases in close proximity. Dorsal-fin origin anterior to anal-fin origin in males,
anal-fin origin on vertical through base of 5th dorsal-fin ray; dorsal-fin origin posterior to anal-fin origin in
females, on vertical through base of 3rd or 4th anal-fin ray. Dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae
3 and 5 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 11 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of
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vertebrae 6 and 7 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 28–32 in males,
14–19 in females; anal-fin rays 21–24 in males, 18–22 in females; caudal-fin rays 22–24; pectoral-fin rays
12–13; pelvic-fin rays 5–6.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no row of scales anterior to G-scale;
supraorbital scales 2. Longitudinal series of scales 27–29; transverse series of scales 10; scale rows around
caudal peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of flank and ventral portion of opercle in males. Small
papillate contact organs on inner surface of three dorsalmost rays of pectoral fins in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 14–17, parietal 2, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 +
23–25, preorbital 3, otic 1, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1, preopercular
14–18, mandibular 12–13, lateral mandibular 5, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateral
line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 50% of length; basihyal cartilage about 25% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 1–3. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 2 + 9.
Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae 27–
29.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body light blue to purplish blue, with longitudinal rows of white dots, anterior dots vertically elongated; faint gray bars alternating with pale red bars on anterior portion of flanks. In preserved specimens, about 15 faint gray bars on flank. Sides of head light blue, opercular region bright greenish blue;
posterodorsal scales with red margin. Iris pale yellow with black bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins
dark bluish gray, with bluish white dots, basal region yellowish gray; anterior third of dorsal fin with bright
blue oblique lines. Pelvic fins dark yellowish gray. Pectoral fins hyaline.
Females. Sides of body light purplish gray, golden on venter, with horizontal rows of small, dark brownish gray spots, sometimes coalesced to form horizontal stripes; spots on anterocentral portion of flanks black.
Two round black blotches, vertically arranged, on posterior portion of caudal peduncle. Iris light yellow, with
dark gray bar through center of eye. Opercular region light blue, with small gray spots. Unpaired fins and
pelvic fins hyaline, with small dark brownish gray spots; small light blue spot on posterior margin of anal fin,
just posterior to fin base. Pectoral fins hyaline.
Distribution
Floodplains of middle rio São Francisco, Estado da Bahia, northeastern Brazil (Fig. 4).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Caatinga.
Simpsonichthys fulminantis (Costa & Brasil, 1993)
(Figs. 57)
Cynolebias fulminantis Costa & Brasil, 1993: 194 (type locality: swamp near Guanambi, Estado da Bahia, northeastern
Brazil [14°15’15.6”S 42°46’55.6”W; altitude 555 m]; MZUSP 43674).
Cynolebias hellneri non C. hellneri Berkenkamp; Costa, 1995: 125 (equivocal synonymy).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado da Bahia, rio São Francisco basin: MZUSP 43674, holotype, male, 38.9 mm SL; MZUSP
43675, 2 paratypes; UFRJ 685, 2 paratypes; UFRJ 686, 3 paratypes; Guanambi, rio das Rãs drainage; G. C.
Brasil, 1 Jan. 1992. UFRJ 2194, 1; temporary pool about 30 km S of Bom Jesus da Lapa; G. C. Brasil, Apr.
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1994. UFRJ 3809, 6; UFRJ 5864, 4 (c&s); temporary pool near Guanambi; A. L. F. Cyrino, D. T. B. Nielsen,
J. Cruz & A. De Luca, 27 Jan. 1996. UFRJ 4802, 1; temporary pool 4.5 km S from Guanambi; W. J. E. M.
Costa, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 11 Feb. 1999. UFRJ 4847, 2; same locality as UFRJ 4802; W. J. E. M. Costa, F.
M. Pupo, E. S. Araujo & A. C. Bacellar, 4 May 1999. UFRJ 6068, 6; UFRJ 6069, 2; Guanambi, road to Caitité; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove & B. B. Costa, 13 Jan. 2005. UFRJ 6446, 14; 8 km S of Bom Jesus da
Lapa; D. Nielsen & R. Suzart, Feb. 2006.
Diagnosis
Easily distinguished from all other species of the S. magnificus group by having bright blue lines parallel
to rays on all unpaired fins in males (vs. similar lines present only on anterior portion of dorsal fin of S. adornatus or on anal fin of S. hellneri, and absent in the remaining species of the S. magnificus group).
FIGURE 57. Simpsonichthys fulminantis, male, UFRJ 4847, topotype, 44.0 mm SL; Brazil: Bahia: Guanambi.
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 5. Largest specimen examined 44.0 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from
lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed,
greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of head side. Snout blunt.
Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of both dorsal and anal fins long and pointed in males, rounded in females. Short filamentous ray on
tip of dorsal and anal fins in males, tip reaching vertical through middle of caudal fin. Dorsal-fin rays
unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching vertical through base of 6th or 7th anal-fin ray in males, and base of 2nd anal-fin ray in females. Tip of each pelvic
fin reaching base of 3rd anal-fin ray in males and base of 2nd anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases in close
proximity. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical either just anterior to, just posterior to, or through anal-fin origin in
males, through base of 1st or 2nd anal-fin ray in females; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 6
and 8 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 11 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of
vertebrae 7 and 8 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 20–23 in males,
15–17 in females; anal-fin rays 20–22 in males, 18–21 in females; caudal-fin rays 20–23; pectoral-fin rays 12;
pelvic-fin rays 5.
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Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales slightly overlapping medially; no row of scales anterior to Gscale; single supraorbital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 25-27; transverse series of scales 11; scale rows
around caudal peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of flank in males. Small papillate
contact organs on inner surface of dorsalmost ray of pectoral fin in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 12–15, parietal 3–4, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 +
23, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular 14–
16, mandibular 11, lateral mandibular 4–5, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateral line.
Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 55% of length; basihyal cartilage about 15% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 2–3. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 2 + 9.
Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae 26–
27.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body dark yellow ochre on anterior half, dark purplish pink on posterior half of flanks; 8–
10 red bars, three anterior red bars wider and more conspicuous than posterior bars, alternating with three dark
green bars; vertically elongated, minute metallic blue spots on flank, more conspicuous on its posterior half;
venter light yellow ochre. Sides of head yellow ochre, golden with blue small spots on opercular region; margin of dorsoposterior scales red. Iris light yellow, with dark reddish brown bar through center of eye.
Unpaired fins dark red, with metallic blue lines on fin membranes, parallel to fin rays. Pelvic fins bright blue,
anterior rays pale red crimson. Pectoral fins hyaline.
Females. Sides of body light purplish gray, with about 15–18 vertical rows of faint dark greenish gray
spots, sometimes coalesced to form bars; venter pale orangish golden; one or two rounded dark greenish gray
blotches on anterocentral portion of flanks. Opercular region pale golden. Iris light yellow, with gray bar
through center of eye. Fins hyaline in live specimens, but with in faint gray bars parallel to fin rays in preserved specimens; small light blue spot on posterior margin of anal fin, just posterior to fin base.
Distribution
Rio das Rãs drainage, rio São Francisco basin, Estado da Bahia, northeastern Brazil (Fig. 4).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Caatinga.
Simpsonichthys carlettoi Costa & Nielsen, 2004
(Figs. 58)
Simpsonichthys carlettoi Costa & Nielsen, 2004: 126 (type locality: temporary pool near Guanambi, road to Malhada,
Estado da Bahia, Brazil, 14°13.989’S 42°57.667’W, altitude about 500 m; holotype: MCP 34089).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado da Bahia, rio São Francisco basin: MCP 34089, holotype, male, 30.9 mm SL; UFRJ 5945,
paratypes, 1 male, 35.4 mm SL, and 1 female, 27.2 mm SL (c&s); temporary pool near Guanambi, road to
Malhada, 14o 13.989’S 42o 57.667’W, rio das Rãs drainage; altitude about 500 m; A. Carletto & D. T. Nielsen,
Jan. 2002. UFRJ 5946, paratype, 1 male, 33.3 mm SL; born in aquarium, first generation obtained from the
three wild type specimens. UFRJ 6065, 5; Guanambi, road to Malhada; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove & B. B.
Costa, 13 Jan. 2005. UFRJ 6070, 11; UFRJ 6071, 3; 14 km from Guanambi, road to Malhada; W. J. E. M.
Costa, C. P. Bove & B. B. Costa, 13 Jan. 2005.
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Diagnosis
Similar to S. magnificus and S. picturatus and distinguished from all other species of the S. magnificus
group by having pectoral fins red in males (vs. hyaline). Distinguished from S. magnificus and S. picturatus
by possessing dorsal and anal fins pointed in males (vs. rounded) and distal border of unpaired fins not distinctively pigmented in males (vs. unpaired fins with black border). It is also distinguished from S. magnificus by
never having blue spots of the dorsal fin coalesced to form transverse vermiculate marks in males (vs. coalesced), and from S. picturatus by having more dorsal-fin rays in males (24–25, vs. 19–23).
FIGURE 58. Simpsonichthys carlettoi, male, MCP 34089, holotype, 30.9 mm SL; Brazil: Bahia: Guanambi.
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 5. Largest specimen examined 35.4 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from
lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed,
greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of head side. Snout blunt.
Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal and anal fins pointed in adult males to sharply pointed in older males, rounded in females.
Dorsal-fin rays unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin
reaching vertical through base of 6th anal-fin ray in males and anus in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching
base of 3rd anal-fin ray in males and urogenital papilla in females. Pelvic-fin bases in close proximity. Analfin origin on vertical posterior to dorsal-fin origin in males, anal-fin origin on vertical through base of fourth
dorsal-fin ray; dorsal-fin origin on vertical posterior to anal-fin origin in females, through base of fourth analfin ray. Dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of 6th and 7th vertebrae in males, and between neural spines of
10th and 11th vertebrae in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of 7th and 8th vertebrae in males, and
between pleural ribs of 9th and 10th vertebrae in females. Dorsal-fin rays 24–25 in males, 15–18 in females;
anal-fin rays 21–24 in males, 18–20 in females; caudal-fin rays 22–23; pectoral-fin rays 13; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales slightly overlapping medially; no row of scales anterior to Gscale; single supraorbital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 26; transverse series of scales 10; scale rows
around caudal peduncle 16. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of opercle and lateral surface of
trunk in males. Papillate contact organs on inner surface of dorsalmost pectoral-fin ray in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 10–11, parietal 3, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 + 20–
21, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 2–3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1–2, preopercu-
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lar 16–18, mandibular 11–12, lateral mandibular 3, paramandibular 1. One or two neuromast on each scale of
lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 55% of length; basihyal cartilage about 25% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 2–3. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 3 +
10. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae
27.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body dark brownish purple, with 10 or 11 red bars; three anterior red bars wider and more
conspicuous than posterior bars, and alternating with three dark green bars; minute vertically-elongated,
metallic blue spots on entire flank, brighter on posterior half; venter light gray. Sides of head light blue, with
pale red bar on preopercle. Iris light yellow, with dark reddish brown bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins
dark red, with transverse rows of bright greenish blue dots; dots on caudal fin and posterior portion of anal fin
coalesced to form vermiculate marks. Pectoral and pelvic fins red.
Females. Side of body light purplish gray, with gray spots on anterior portion and seven interrupted bars
on posterior portion of flank; five rounded black blotches on anterocentral portion of flank, three of them
large, about equal eye in size. Opercular region pale golden. Iris light yellow, with gray bar through center of
eye. Fins hyaline; small light blue spot on posterior margin of anal fin.
Distribution
Rio das Rãs drainage, rio São Francisco basin, Estado da Bahia, north-eastern Brazil (Fig. 4).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Caatinga.
Simpsonichthys magnificus (Costa & Brasil, 1991)
(Figs. 59)
Cynolebias magnificus Costa & Brasil, 1991: 59 (type locality: right bank plain of the rio São Francisco, about 1 km
from the river channel, county of Manga, Minas Gerais, Brazil [about 13°40’S 43°50’W]; holotype: MZUSP
41374).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Minas Gerais, rio São Francisco basin: MZUSP 41374, holotype, male, 26.8 mm SL;
MZUSP 41375, 9 paratypes; UFRJ 154, 12; UFRJ 260, 1 (c&s); UFRJ 2119, 1 (c&s); Manga, right bank plain
of the rio São Francisco, about 1 km from the river channel; G. C. Brasil, 10 Feb. 1990. UFRJ 4959, 4; UFRJ
4958, 3 (c&s); 1 km E from Gado Bravo, rio Verde Grande floodplains; W. J. E. M. Costa, F. Pupo & E.
Araujo, 10 Feb. 1999. Estado da Bahia: UFRJ 5827, 1; Malhada; D. Nielsen & A. Carletto, Feb. 2002. MNRJ
16116, 10; Mocambinho, Manga; D. F. Moraes, L. O. Alvarenga & C. Rico, 1990. MNRJ 16324, 8;
Mocambinho, Manga; D. F. Moraes & J. A. Oliveira, 1990.
Diagnosis
Similar to S. picturatus and S. carlettoi and distinguished from all other species of the S. magnificus group
by having pectoral fins red in males (vs. hyaline). Similar to S. picturatus and distinguished from remaining
species of the S. magnificus group by possessing distal border of the unpaired fins black in males (vs. never a
black border), dorsal and anal fins rounded in males and without filamentous rays in males (vs. pointed, with
filamentous rays on the tip); differs from S. picturatus in having five to seven red bars on anterior portion of
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flank in males (vs. eight to ten), 13–15 bars on flank in females (vs. 18–20), and greenish blue vermiculate
transverse stripes on unpaired fins in males (vs. greenish blue dots).
FIGURE 59. Simpsonichthys magnificus, male, not preserved, topotype, about 25 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Manga.
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 5. Largest specimen examined 38.1 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from
lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed,
greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of side of head. Snout blunt.
Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal and anal fins rounded in both sexes; fin filaments absent. Dorsal-fin rays unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching vertical through base
of 6th or 7th anal-fin ray in males, and through base of 2nd or 3rd anal-fin ray in females. Tip of each pelvic fin
reaching base of 2nd or 3rd anal-fin ray. Pelvic-fin bases in close proximity. Dorsal-fin origin slightly anterior
or slightly posterior or on vertical through anal-fin origin in males, and between base of 3rd and 5th anal-fin ray
in females; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 6 and 8 in males and neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 11 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males and pleural ribs
of vertebrae 8 and 9 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 21–25 in males, 15–18 in females; anal-fin rays 21–23 in
males, 18–20 in females; caudal-fin rays 23–25; pectoral-fin rays 12–13; pelvic-fin rays 5–6.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales slightly overlapping medially; no row of scales anterior to Gscale; single supraorbital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 26–28; transverse series of scales 9; scale rows
around caudal peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of lateral surface of body in males.
Small papillate contact organs on inner surface of dorsalmost ray of pectoral-fin in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 10–11, parietal 4, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 3 + 21,
preorbital 4, otic 2, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular 16,
mandibular 12, lateral mandibular 4–5, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateral line. Two
neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 65% of length; basihyal cartilage about 25% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 1–2. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 3 +
10. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae
26–28.
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Coloration
Males. Sides of body dark yellow ochre on anterior half, dark purplish pink on posterior half of flank;
five to seven red bars, three anterior red bars alternating with three dark green bars, and wider and more conspicuous than posterior bars; vertically elongated, minute metallic blue spots on flank, more conspicuous on
its posterior half; venter light yellow ochre. Sides of head side yellow ochre, golden with blue small spots on
opercular region; scales of posterodorsal portion of head side with red margin. Iris light yellow, with dark reddish brown bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins dark red with transverse greenish blue vermiculate
marks; distal margin dark gray to black. Pectoral fins red, ventral margin gray to black. Pelvic fins dark red.
Females. Sides of body light purplish gray, with 13–15 pale greenish gray interrupted bars, anterior bars
extremely narrow; venter pale orangish golden; one to four rounded dark greenish gray blotches on anterocentral portion of flank. Opercular region pale golden. Iris light yellow, with gray bar through center of eye.
Fins hyaline; small light blue spot on posterior margin of anal fin, just posterior to fin base.
Distribution
Middle rio São Francisco basin, between Malhada, Estado da Bahia, and Itacarambi, Estado de Minas
Gerais, Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Shaded places of temporary pools in the Caatinga.
Simpsonichthys picturatus Costa, 2000
(Figs. 60–61)
Simpsonichthys picturatus Costa, 2000: 12 (type locality: temporary pool near Volta das Pedras, rio São Francisco basin,
Estado da Bahia, Brazil [12o24’8.7”S 43o12’17.7”W; altitude 445 m]; holotype: MZUSP 59228).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado da Bahia, rio São Francisco basin: MZUSP 59228, holotype, male, 42.5 mm SL; UFRJ
5053, 46 paratypes; temporary pool near Volta das Pedras; W. J. E. M. Costa, F. M. Pupo and E. S. Araujo, 14
Feb. 1999. UFRJ 5194, 15 paratypes; UFRJ 5195, 8 paratypes; MZUSP 59229, 8 paratypes; UFRJ 5054, 7
paratypes (c&s); UFRJ 4875, 49; same locality as holotype; W. J. E. M. Costa, A. C. L. H. Bacellar, F. M.
Pupo & E. S. Araújo, 4 May 1999. UFRJ 5418, 3; UFRJ 5419, 8; temporary pool near Igarité, 11º28’8.7”S
43º17’13.4”W; altitude 433 m; W. J. E. M. Costa, B. B. Costa & C. P. Bove, 26 Jan. 2002.
Diagnosis
Similar to S. magnificus and S. carlettoi and distinguished from all other species of the S. magnificus
group by having pectoral fins red in males (vs. hyaline). Similar to S. magnificus and distinguished from
remaining species of the S. magnificus group by possessing distal border of unpaired fins black in males (vs.
never black border), dorsal fin rounded and without filamentous rays in males (vs. pointed, with filamentous
rays on tip). It differs from S. magnificus by having eight to ten red bars on anterior portion of flanks in males
(vs. five to seven), 18–20 bars on flank in females (vs. 13–15), and greenish blue dots on unpaired fins in
males (vs. greenish blue vermiculate transverse stripes).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 5. Largest specimen examined 42.5 mm SL. Dorsal profile convex
from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from
lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body deep, compressed, greatest body
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depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of side of head. Snout blunt. Urogenital
papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
FIGURE 60. Simpsonichthys picturatus, male, UFRJ 5053, paratype, 38.6 mm SL; Brazil: Bahia: Volta das Pedras.
FIGURE 61. Simpsonichthys picturatus, female, UFRJ 5053, paratype, 35.7 mm SL; Brazil: Bahia: Volta das Pedras.
Tip of both dorsal and anal fins rounded in both sexes; fin filaments absent. Dorsal-fin rays unbranched.
Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching vertical through
base of 7th anal-fin ray in males and between pelvic-fin base and urogenital papilla in females. Tip of each
pelvic fin reaching base of 4th anal-fin ray in males and between urogenital papilla and anal-fin origin in
females. Pelvic-fin bases in close proximity. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical either slightly anterior, slightly posterior, or on anal-fin origin in males, and on vertical through base of 3rd or 4th anal-fin ray in females; dorsalfin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 6 and 8 in males and neural spines of vertebrae 9 and 11 in
females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 6 and 8 in males and pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and
10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 19–23 in males, 14–18 in females; anal-fin rays 20–22 in males, 17–20 in
females; caudal-fin rays 22–25; pectoral-fin rays 12–13; pelvic-fin rays 5–6.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no row of scales anterior to G-scale; single supraorbital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 26–27; transverse series of scales 10–11; scale rows
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around caudal peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of lateral surface of body in males.
Small papillate contact organs on inner surface of dorsalmost ray of pectoral fins in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 10–12, parietal 3–4, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 +
18–19, preorbital 3–4, otic 2, post-otic 1–2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1–2, preopercular 13–16, mandibular 10, lateral mandibular 4–6, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of
lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 65% of length; basihyal cartilage about 25% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 3-4. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 3 + 9.
Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae 25–
27.
Coloration
Males. Side of body dark yellow ochre on anterior half, dark purplish pink on posterior half of flank; 8–
10 red bars, three anterior red bars alternating with three dark green bars, and wider and more conspicuous
than posterior bars; vertically elongated, minute metallic blue spots on flanks, more conspicuous on posterior
half; venter light yellow ochre. Sides of head side yellow ochre, golden with small blue spots on opercular
region; margin of dorsoposterior scales red. Iris light yellow, with dark reddish brown bar through center of
eye. Unpaired fins dark red, with transverse rows of greenish blue dots; distal margin dark gray to black. Pectoral fins light red, ventral margin gray to black. Pelvic fins dark red.
Females. Sides of body light purplish gray, with 18–20 faint dark greenish gray interrupted bars, anterior
bars extremely narrow; venter pale orangish golden; one to four rounded dark greenish gray blotches on
anterocentral portion of flanks. Opercular region pale golden. Iris light yellow, with gray bar through center
of eye. Fins hyaline; small light blue spot on posterior margin of anal fin, just posterior to fin base.
Distribution
Middle rio São Francisco basin, between Igarité and Volta das Pedras, Estado da Bahia, northeastern Brazil (Fig. 4).
Habitat
Shaded places of temporary pools in the Caatinga.
Simpsonichthys antenori species group
Diagnosis
Differs from other assemblages within Simpsonichthys in possessing 5–10 pharyngobranchial teeth (vs. 1–
4) and anteromedian flap of preopercle vestigial or absent (vs. broad to slightly narrowed).
Included species
Simpsonichthys antenori (Tulipano), S. macaubensis Costa & Suzart, S. mediopapillatus Costa, S.
ghisolfii Costa, Cyrino & Nielsen, S. igneus Costa, S. flavicaudatus (Costa & Brasil), S. flagellatus Costa, and
S. janaubensis Costa.
Distribution
Rio Jaguaribe basin and adjacent coastal basins, and middle rio São Francisco basin (Fig. 1).
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Key to species of the S. antenori group
1a.
Dorsal and anal-fin filaments reaching between central and posterior portion of caudal fin, or surpassing it in males; unpaired fins pink, yellow or orange in males. ..............................................................2
1b.
Dorsal and anal-fin filaments short in males, reaching caudal-fin base; unpaired fins dark bluish gray
in males. ........................................................ ......................................................................... S. antenori
2a(1a). Filamentous rays of dorsal and anal fins of moderate length in males, tip of each fin reaching posterior
portion of caudal fin. ..............................................................................................................................3
2b(1a). Filamentous rays of dorsal and anal fins rather long in males, tip of each fin extending beyond posterior margin of caudal fin. ................................................ ...................................................................... 5
3a(2a). Urogenital papilla long in males, notably conspicuous in lateral view. ................................................ 4
3b(2a). Urogenital papilla short in males, almost imperceptible in lateral view. ……………
…………………………………………………………………...................................... S. macaubensis
4a(3a). No contact organs on flank in males; a median neuroma ...........................................S. mediopapillatus
4b(3a). Contact organs on anteroventral portion of flank in males; no median neuromast on posterior rostral
series. ...................................................................... ............................................................... S. ghisolfii
5a(2b). Six pelvic-fin rays; flanks with gray bars and few or no light dots in males; anal fin pink anteriorly and
yellow posteriorly, with gray distal stripe in males. ...............................................................................6
5b(2b). Seven pelvic-fin rays; flanks of males without bars or sometimes hardly visible only in preserved
specimens, and with numerous light dots; anal fin yellow, with orange subdistal stripe and black distal
stripe in males. ........................................................................................................................... S. igneus
6a(5a). Pectoral-fin contact organs pronounced in males; dorsal profile of head conspicuously concave; anterobasal portion of dorsal fin with short light stripes alternating with dark gray to black areas.
.................................................................................................................................................................7
6b(5a). Pectoral-fin contact organs minute in males; dorsal profile of head nearly straight; anterobasal portion
of dorsal fin with small light spots, sometimes slightly elongated. .. ........................... . S. flavicaudatus
7a(6a). Elongated light blue spots restricted to anterior portion of dorsal-fin base in males; anal-fin base in
males 39.0–45.2% SL; body depth in combined sexes 37.0–42.7% SL; caudal-peduncle depth in combined sexes 13.4–16.6% SL. ...... ........................................................................................ S. flagellatus
7b(6a). Elongated light blue spots along entire dorsal-fin base in males; anal-fin base in males 34.4–38.4%
SL; body depth in combined sexes 30.7–38.4% SL; caudal-peduncle depth in combined sexes 11.7–
14.3% SL. ........................................................................................................................ S. janaubensis
Simpsonichthys antenori (Tulipano)
(Figs. 62)
Cynolebias antenori Myers, 1952: 139 (nomen nudum; based on specimens collected near Russas, Estado do Ceará, rio
Jaguaribe floodplains, northeastern Brazil).
Cynolebias antenori Tulipano, 1973: 23 (spring from specimens collected in Ceará, northeastern Brazil; neotype:
MZUSP 56256, from temporary pool 2.5 km N of Limoeiro do Norte, Estado do Ceará, rio Jaguaribe floodplains,
approximately 5o 10’ S, 38o 05’ W).
Cynolebias heloplites Huber, 1981:1 (type locality: lagoon at km 76 of the road between Fortaleza and Russas, Estado do
Ceará, Brazil; holotype: MNHN 1981-1211).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado do Ceará, rio Jaguaribe basin: MZUSP 56256, neotype, male, 43.7 mm SL; UFRJ 4864,
43; temporary pool 2.5 km N from Limoeiro do Norte, approximately 5o10’S, 38o05’W; W. J. E. M. Costa, A.
C. L. H. Bacellar, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 15 May 1999. UFRJ 4878, 6; temporary pool in Limoeiro do Norte;
96 · Zootaxa 1669 © 2007 Magnolia Press
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same collectors and date. UFRJ 4867, 176; UFRJ 4880, 8 (c&s); temporary pool 1.5 km N of Limoeiro do
Norte; same collectors and date. UFRJ 4873, 25; temporary pool in the road BR-304 near Aracati; same collectors and date. MNRJ 4542, 7; Russas; W. Franca and A. L. Carvalho, 03 Aug. 1945. MNRJ 21260, 4; road
BR-116, km 138, Russas; C. Cruz & M. C. A. Barbosa, 12 Jul. 1979. MNRJ 19465, 3; Pedras, perto de Russas; C. Cruz & M. Barbosa, 12 Jun. 1979. Coastal basins: MZUSP 38342, 29; Pacajus; G. C. Brasil, Sep.
1972. MNRJ 19478, 10; Aquirás, road BR-116, km 30; C. Cruz & M. Barbosa, 12 Jul. 1979. Estado do Rio
Grande do Norte: ZVC.P uncat., 2; Mossoró; G. C. Brasil, Sep. 1972.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from remaining species of the S. antenori group by possessing short dorsal and anal-fin filaments in males, which reach caudal-fin base (vs. reaching between central and posterior portion of caudal fin,
or surpassing it) and unpaired fins dark bluish gray in males (vs. pink, yellow or orange).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 6. Largest specimen examined 44.8 mm SL. Dorsal profile slightly
concave on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle.
Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body deep,
compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsolateral portion of side of
head. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
TABLE 6. Morphometric data of species of the Simpsonichthys antenori group.
S. antenori
S. ghisolfii
S. mediopapillatus
S. macaubensis
males
females
males
females
males
females
males
females
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
(n = 10)
(n = 10)
(n = 1)
(n = 1)
40.9–44.5
31.0–35.5
36.8–73.2
34.2–64.1
28.4–43.4
23.6–38.2
38.6
28.4
Body depth
38.5–40.2
38.4–40.9
35.8–42.7
37.6–44.0
37.8–39.6
38.0–41.4
37.4
38.1
Caudal peduncle depth
16.5–17.1
15.1–17.0
14.4–16.3
13.5–17.2
14.1–16.0
13.0–14.6
14.6
14.9
Pre-dorsal length
44.9–50.6
55.8–62.7
42.4–49.2
55.2–59.3
46.6–49.8
57.1–61.7
49.4
65.6
Pre-pelvic length
44.2–46.6
49.1–53.8
40.2–42.4
47.0–51.5
41.0–45.3
49.6–51.4
42.5
49.2
dorsal-fin 38.7–43.6
22.6–29.3
39.0–44.8
23.9–30.2
37.9–41.1
23.1–29.2
40.3
25.1
Standard length (mm)
% of standard length
Length
of
base
Length of anal-fin base
39.9–45.3
27.3–29.9
41.2–43.7
27.2–33.7
39.9–42.8
25.1–27.4
40.2
27.8
Caudal-fin length
33.1–35.8
33.4–37.0
34.6–35.4
32.6–37.0
34.6–40.4
33.0–37.1
36.1
35.3
Pectoral-fin length
26.6–32.6
26.0–28.7
23.9–26.9
24.5–27.3
25.3–31.3
24.0–28.2
28.9
27.1
Pelvic-fin length
8.6–10.9
10.8–12.0
9.1–9.5
10.1–11.9
9.7–11.6
10.1–12.8
10.5
12.4
Head length
28.3–30.6
30.7–32.6
26.8–28.5
28.6–30.1
27.6–30.8
27.9–31.8
28.2
32.0
Head depth
98.4–117.3
94.1–103.2 101.0–117.6 97.8–116.1 106.9–121.1 101.6–125.7
108.8
102.7
Head width
74.7–78.4
65.9–69.7
69.2–78.0
69.6–82.5
65.0–70.2
62.5–72.2
69.4
67.0
Snout length
12.5–14.7
11.9–13.5
15.7–16.3
13.5–16.1
13.2–16.6
13.2–15.4
15.9
14.7
Lower jaw length
23.6–27.3
18.6–23.1
20.2–21.2
16.0–17.3
17.6–19.4
15.6–17.6
20.9
18.5
Eye diameter
27.3–29.2
29.6–31.3
24.7–30.2
25.7–32.9
27.8–33.5
28.6–33.1
29.0
29.6
% of head length
......continued
SEASONAL SOUTH AMERICAN KILLIFISH SIMPSONICHTHYS
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TABLE 6 (continued)
S. igneus
S. flavicaudatus
S. janaubensis
S. flagellatus
males
females
males
females
males
females
males
females
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
(n = 7)
(n = 7)
(n = 7)
(n = 5)
40.8–44.9
32.8–35.3
32.7–41.1
32.1–35.9
30.0–43.1
24.7–31.6
33.6–46.2
31.9–36.4
Body depth
40.6–43.9
37.7–41.5
37.8–41.9
37.7–42.7
33.9–38.4
30.7–36.8
37.6–42.7
37.0–42.1
Caudal peduncle depth
15.2–16.0
13.9–15.4
15.5–16.6
13.9–16.4
12.6–14.3
11.7–13.6
14.4–16.6
13.4–14.8
Pre-dorsal length
47.3–49.4
56.5–61.6
42.5–47.3
58.7–61.7
44.6–45.3
56.1–60.5
41.8–44.8
56.7–59.7
Pre-pelvic length
44.1–46.1
49.8–52.8
42.6–44.4
50.1–54.3
42.1–46.1
47.8–52.2
40.0–45.0
47.6–50.8
dorsal-fin 38.4–43.6
23.8–26.2
39.6–42.7
23.0–25.8
39.6–42.3
22.2–26.4
41.4–45.3
23.1–25.9
Standard length (mm)
% of standard length
Length
of
base
Length of anal-fin base
40.3–45.9
27.3–30.0
40.3–45.2
27.0–29.8
34.4–38.4
25.3–27.6
39.0–45.2
24.7–27.7
Caudal-fin length
34.1–38.3
32.9–37.9
34.1
33.8
33.2–37.1
32.3–36.8
36.9–41.6
35.0–37.2
Pectoral-fin length
28.2–31.0
26.8–27.7
26.3
25.5
24.2–29.7
22.7–26.8
27.0–29.0
25.2–28.3
Pelvic-fin length
10.0–11.8
10.9–12.4
9.9
11.5
8.9–11.3
9.8–11.1
10.3–11.7
10.7–12.4
Head length
29.4–30.2
30.2–32.7
28.3–29.5
30.7–32.2
27.6–31.4
28.1–31.8
26.8–29.6
29.6–31.7
% of head length
Head depth
108.5–119.0 98.2–101.4 97.5–108.1 93.2–100.3 97.1–108.7 88.6–100.1 105.8–115.5 97.6–101.5
Head width
72.4–75.9
69.9–73.5
70.4–73.1
69.4–73.0
62.5–71.2
59.3–63.4
65.5–70.8
64.3–67.0
Snout length
13.5–15.3
12.7–14.5
14.7
14.3
13.8–15.4
13.0–15.3
14.8–16.8
13.4–14.5
Lower jaw length
28.0–32.9
28.0–29.5
21.2
17.6
17.5–20.0
17.8–19.8
17.9–21.0
15.8–18.9
Eye diameter
24.9–29.9
27.9–30.0
27.2–29.4
28.8–32.4
27.6–30.7
29.6–32.8
29.1–34.1
30.7–32.1
Tip of dorsal fin pointed in males, rounded to slightly pointed in females; tip of anal fin pointed in males,
rounded in females. Tip of both dorsal and anal fins with filamentous rays in males, usually short, but sometimes reaching vertical through posterior portion of caudal fin. Caudal fin subtruncate in males, round in
females. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of pectoral fins reaching vertical through base of 7th or 8th
anal-fin ray in males, and 3rd or 4th anal-fin ray in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching base of 3rd anal-fin
ray in males and 2nd anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases medially united. Dorsal-fin origin in vertical
through base of 2nd anal-fin ray in males, and base of 3rd or 4th anal-fin ray in females; dorsal-fin origin
between neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 12 in females.
Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 9 and 10 in
females. Dorsal-fin rays 21–25 in males, 15–20 in females; anal-fin rays 22–24 in males, 19–23 in females;
caudal-fin rays 23–26; pectoral-fin rays 12–13; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scale anterior to G-scale; one supraorbital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 27-28; transverse series of scales 14; scale rows around caudal
peduncle 16. Prominent contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of lateral surface of body in
males. Small papillate contact organs on inner surface of three dorsalmost rays of pectoral fin in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 16–18, parietal 3, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 + 20–
24, preorbital 3, otic 1, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2–3, preopercular
15–17, mandibular 12–14, lateral mandibular 7–9, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale
of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 70% of length; basihyal cartilage about 30% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 5–6. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 4 + 13.
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Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic present. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae 26–
28.
FIGURE 62. Simpsonichthys antenori, male, UFRJ 4873, 33.5 mm SL; Brazil: Ceará: Aracati.
Coloration
Males. Side of body light bluish gray with white dots; 12–18 approximately straight faint gray bars, more
conspicuous on caudal peduncle; sometimes venter pale pink. Opercular region light greenish golden. Iris
light yellow, with dark gray bar. Dorsal fin dark bluish gray with white dots, and dark bluish gray distal border; dorsal-fin filaments black. Anal fin dark bluish gray, with white dots; subdistal zone reddish orange; blue
spot on fin tip; black distal stripe; anal-fin filaments black. Caudal fin dark bluish gray with white spots, and
metallic light blue bar on posterior edge of the fin. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins reddish orange, with
black tip.
Females. Sides of body light gray, with 11–18 dark gray bars; venter pale golden; 1-4 rounded black
blotches on anterocentral portion of flank; 1–11 irregularly arranged rounded black blotches on caudal peduncle. Opercular region pale golden. Iris light yellow, with gray bar. Unpaired fins hyaline, with faint, longitudinally elongated gray spots; small, iridescent blue spot on posterior portion of anal fin close to caudal
peduncle. Paired fins hyaline.
Distribution
Lower section of the rio Jaguaribe basin, and smaller coastal adjacent river basins between Mecejana,
Estado do Ceará, and Areia Branca, Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Caatinga.
SEASONAL SOUTH AMERICAN KILLIFISH SIMPSONICHTHYS
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99
Simpsonichthys macaubensis Costa & Suzart, 2006
(Figs. 63)
Simpsonichthys ghisolfii non S. ghisolfii Costa, Cyrino & Nielsen; Costa, 2006a: 22 (misidentification).
Simpsonichthys macaubensis Costa & Suzart in Costa, 2006b: 34 (type locality: temporary pool near Macaúbas, rio
Paramirim drainage, rio São Francisco basin, about 13°00’S 42°30’W, Estado da Bahia, Brazil; holotype: UFRJ
6385).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado da Bahia, rio São Francisco basin: UFRJ 6385, holotype, male, 38.6 mm SL; UFRJ 6105, 1
paratype; UFRJ 6106, 12 paratypes (c&s); temporary pool near Macaúbas, rio Paramirim drainage, R. Suzart,
Feb. 2003.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other species of the S. antenori group by the following combination of characters:
contact organs on ventral portion of flanks in males (vs. contact organs absent in S. mediopapillatus, S. flavicaudatus, S. flagellatus, and S. janaubensis); dorsal and anal-fin filaments slightly long, posteriorly reaching
central portion of caudal fin in males (vs. short, reaching caudal-fin base in S. antenori, or long, surpassing
posterior margin of caudal fin in S. igneus, S. flavicaudatus, S. flagellatus, and S. janaubensis); urogenital
papilla short in males (vs. long in S. ghisolfii and S. mediopapillatus); caudal fin yellow in males (vs. bluish
gray in S. antenori); anal fin yellow, with distal black stripe, and iridescent dots over entire anal fin in males
(vs. anal fin pink anteriorly and yellow posteriorly, with gray distal stripe and iridescent dots restricted to posterior portion of fin in S. flavicaudatus, S. flagellatus, and S. janaubensis); no red pigmentation on anal fin in
males (vs. subdistal reddish orange in S. antenori and S. igneus); caudal peduncle bars slightly curved in males
(vs. zigzag shaped in S. ghisolfii and S. mediopapillatus).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 6. Largest specimen examined 38.7 mm SL. Dorsal profile approximately straight on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Body
deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsolateral portion of
side of head. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal fin pointed in males, slightly pointed in females; tip of anal fin pointed in males, rounded in
females. Tip of both dorsal and anal fins with short filamentous rays in males, in both cases reaching vertical
through center of caudal fin. Caudal fin subtruncate in males, rounded in females. Pectoral fins elliptical.
Posterior margin of pectoral fins reaching vertical between base of 6th and 9th anal-fin rays in males, and
between base of 1st and 3rd anal-fin rays in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching base of 3rd anal-fin ray in
males and between base of 1st and 3rd anal-fin rays in females. Pelvic-fin bases medially united. Dorsal-fin
origin in vertical through base of 2nd or 3rd anal-fin ray in males, and between base of 5th and 6th anal-fins ray in
females; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae
11 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 6 and 8 in males, and pleural ribs of
vertebrae 8 and 9 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 21–23 in males, 14–16 in females; anal-fin rays 21–23 in males,
19 in females; caudal-fin rays 21–22; pectoral-fin rays 12–13; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scales anterior to H-scale; two or three
supraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 27–29; transverse series of scales 12–13; scale rows around
caudal peduncle 16. Contact organ on posterior margin of each scale of ventral portion of flank in males.
Small papillate contact organs on inner surface of dorsal-most ray of pectoral fin in males.
100 · Zootaxa 1669 © 2007 Magnolia Press
COSTA
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 14, parietal 2, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 + 18, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular 15, mandibular 13, lateral mandibular 3, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateral line. Two
neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, greatest width about 75-80% of length; basihyal cartilage about 30-35% of total
length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 7-9. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 4 + 11. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long.
Total vertebrae 27–29.
FIGURE 63. Simpsonichthys macaubensis, UFRJ 6385, male, holotype, 38.6 mm SL; Brazil: Bahia: Macaúbas: rio
Paramirim drainage.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body light gray, with 13–15 approximately straight faint gray stripes, more conspicuous
on caudal peduncle, and bluish white dots. Dorsum pale brown. Venter light gray. Opercular region pale
green. Iris light yellow, with dark purplish gray bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins yellow, with white
to bluish white dots; dorsal-fin filaments dark yellow; anal-fin filaments black; black distal stripe on anal fin.
Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins yellow.
Females. Sides of body light gray, with 14–18 narrow dark gray bars; 2–3 black small spots on anterocentral portion of flanks; 1–7 irregularly arranged rounded black blotches on caudal peduncle. Dorsum dark gray.
Venter light gray. Opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris light yellow, with gray bar through center of
eye. Unpaired fins hyaline, with faint, longitudinally elongated gray spots. Paired fins hyaline.
Distribution
Rio Paramirim drainage, rio São Francisco basin, Estado da Bahia, Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Caatinga.
SEASONAL SOUTH AMERICAN KILLIFISH SIMPSONICHTHYS
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101
Simpsonichthys mediopapillatus Costa, 2006
(Figs. 64)
Simpsonichthys ghisolfii non S. ghisolfii Costa, Cyrino & Nielsen; Costa, 2003: 41 (misidentification).
Simpsonichthys mediopapillatus Costa, 2006b: 30 (type locality: temporary pool 8 km S of Pindaí, rio São Domingos
drainage, a tributary to the Rio Verde Pequeno, itself a tributary of rio Verde Grande, rio São Francisco basin,
14°33’36.7”S 42°42’9.8”W, altitude 628 m, Estado da Bahia, Brazil; holotype: UFRJ 5406).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado da Bahia, rio São Francisco basin: UFRJ 5406, holotype, male, 40.3 mm SL; UFRJ 5408, 9
paratypes; UFRJ 5407, 3 paratypes (c&s); Brazil: Estado da Bahia, temporary pool 8 km S of Pindaí, rio São
Domingos drainage, a tributary to the Rio Verde Pequeno, itself a tributary of rio Verde Grande, rio São Francisco basin, 14°33’36.7”S 42°42’9.8”W, altitude 628 m; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove & B. B. Costa, 23 Jan.
2002. UFRJ 6064, 12 paratypes; UFRJ 6074, 4 paratypes; MCP 40139, 3 paratypes; same locality and collectors, 15–16 Jan. 2005.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other congeners of the S. antenori group in having a median neuromast on posterior rostral series (vs. median rostral neuromast absent). Similar to S. ghisolfii, and distinguished from the
other species of the S. antenori group, by possessing a long (vs. short) urogenital papilla in males, zigzag
shaped bars on caudal peduncle in males (vs. bars straight or slightly curved), and a distinctive narrow subdistal bright yellowish orange stripe on anal fin in males (vs. never a similar color pattern). Also distinguished
from S. ghisolfii by the absence of contact organs on the flank of males (vs. minute contact organs present on
posterior border of scales of the anteroventral portion of flank).
FIGURE 64. Simpsonichthys mediopapillatus, UFRJ 5406, male, holotype, 40.3 mm SL; Brazil: Bahia: Pindaí: rio
Verde Grande drainage.
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 6. Largest specimen examined 43.4 mm SL. Dorsal profile nearly
straight on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral pro-
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COSTA
file convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Eye positioned on dorsolateral portion of side of head. Snout blunt. Body deep, compressed, greatest body depth at
level of pelvic-fin bases. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and long in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal fin pointed in males, slightly pointed in females; tip of anal fin pointed in males, rounded in
females. Tips of dorsal and anal fins with filamentous rays in males, tips reaching posterior portion of caudal
fin. Caudal fin subtruncate in males, round in females. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of pectoral
fins reaching to vertical between base of 6th and 8th anal-fin rays in males, and between urogenital papilla and
base of 1st anal-fin ray in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching to base of 3rd or 4th anal-fin ray in males and
between urogenital papilla and base of 1st anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases medially united. Dorsal-fin
origin on vertical between base of 3rd and 4th anal-fin rays in males, and between base of 4th and 6th anal-fin
rays in females; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males, and neural spines of
vertebrae 11 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males, and pleural
ribs of vertebrae 9 and 11 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 20–23 in males, 15–17 in females; anal-fin rays 21–23
in males, 19–21 in females; caudal-fin rays 22–24; pectoral-fin rays 12; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scales anterior to H-scale; two or three
supraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 28–30; transverse series of scales 12–13; scale rows around
caudal peduncle 16. No contact organs on scales. Small papillate contact organs on inner surface of three
dorsalmost rays of pectoral fin in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 14–17, parietal 2–3, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral with one lateral
neuromast and middle neuromast, infraorbital 2 + 22–24, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 3, supratemporal 1,
median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1, preopercular 16–18, mandibular 13–15, lateral mandibular 4, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 80% of length; basihyal cartilage about 25% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 9. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 4 + 11.
Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae 29–
30.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body light bluish gray, with white dots and 13–19 approximately straight and wide gray
bars, more conspicuous and zigzag shaped on caudal peduncle. Dorsum pale brown. Venter light gray. Opercular region pale greenish blue. Iris light yellow, with dark purplish gray bar through center of eye. Dorsal fin
greenish yellow, dark purplish pink on distal portion, with white dots; dorsal-fin filaments dark purple. Anal
fin greenish yellow, with bluish white dots; subdistal zone bright yellowish orange, to light blue near fin tip;
distal zone black; anal-fin filaments black. Caudal fin dark greenish yellow, with bluish white dots; broad
bright blue zone on posterior margin of fin. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins yellow, with black tips.
Females. Sides of body light gray, with 13–16 dark gray bars; venter pale golden; 1–3 rounded black
blotches on anterocentral portion of flank; 1–7 irregularly arranged rounded black blotches on caudal peduncle. Dorsum pale brown. Venter light gray. Opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris light yellow, with
gray bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins hyaline, with faint, longitudinally elongated gray spots; small,
iridescent blue spot on posterior portion of anal fin close to caudal peduncle. Paired fins hyaline.
Distribution
Rio Verde Grande drainage, rio São Francisco basin, Estado da Bahia, Brazil (Fig. 1)
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Caatinga.
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Simpsonichthys ghisolfii Cyrino & Nielsen, 1996
(Figs. 65–66)
Simpsonichthys ghisolfii Costa, Cyrino & Nielsen, 1996: 18 (type locality: Guanambi [rio das Rãs drainage, rio São
Francisco basin], Bahia, Brazil [14°15’15.6”S 42°46’55.6”W; altitude 555 m]; holotype: MZUSP 49403).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado da Bahia, rio das Rãs drainage, rio São Francisco basin: MZUSP 49403, holotype, 47.1 mm
SL; MZUSP 49404, 1 paratype; UFRJ 3526, 2 paratypes; UFRJ 3527, 2 paratypes (c&s); UFRJ 3808, 1
(c&s); Guanambi; A. L. F. Cyrino, D. Nielsen, J. C. Cruz & A. C. de Luca, 27 Jan. 1996. UFRJ 4768, 4; idem;
W. J. E. M. Costa, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 11 Feb. 1999. UFRJ 4849, 10; idem; W. J. E. M. Costa, A. C. L. H.
Bacellar, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 4 May 1999. UFRJ 6066, 6; UFRJ 6067, 2; Guanambi, road to Caitité; W. J. E.
M. Costa, C. P. Bove & B. B. Costa, 13 Jan. 2005. UFRJ 6073, 12; UFRJ 6075, 1; 5 km N from Pindaí; W. J.
E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove & B. B. Costa, 16 Jan. 2005.
Diagnosis
Similar to S. mediopapillatus, and distinguished from all other species of the S. antenori group, in having
a long (vs. short) urogenital papilla in males, zigzag shaped bars on caudal peduncle in males (vs. bars straight
or slightly curved), and a distinctive narrow subdistal bright yellowish orange stripe on anal fin in males (vs.
never a similar color pattern). Distinguished from S. mediopapillatus by the presence of minute contact organs
on anteroventral portion of flank of males (vs. contact organs absent) and absence of median neuromast on
posterior rostral series (vs. presence).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 6. Largest specimen examined 72.8 mm SL. Dorsal profile nearly
straight on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Eye positioned
on dorsolateral portion of side of head. Snout blunt. Body deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of
pelvic-fin bases. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and long in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal fin pointed in males, rounded to slightly pointed in females; tip of anal fin pointed in males,
rounded in females. Tip of dorsal and anal fins with filamentous rays in males, tips reaching vertical through
posterior portion of caudal fin. Caudal fin subtruncate in males, round in females. Pectoral fins elliptical.
Posterior margin of pectoral fins reaching vertical between base of 5th and 7th anal-fin rays in males, and
between base of 1st and 5th anal-fin rays in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching base of 3rd or 4th anal-fin
ray in males and between base of 1st and 3rd anal-fin rays in females. Pelvic-fin bases medially united. Dorsalfin origin in vertical between base of 2nd and 4th anal-fin rays in males, and between base of 3rd and 5th anal-fins
ray in females; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 11 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, and pleural
ribs of vertebrae 9 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 20–25 in males, 16–20 in females; anal-fin rays 21–24
in males, 19–24 in females; caudal-fin rays 23–25; pectoral-fin rays 12–13; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scales anterior to H-scale; two or three
supraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 27–29; transverse series of scales 12–13; scale rows around
caudal peduncle 16. One to three minute contact organs on anteroventral portion of flanks in males. Small
papillate contact organs on inner surface of dorsalmost ray of pectoral fins in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 14–17, parietal 2–4, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2
+ 19–25, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 2–3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1–2, preopercular 16–19, mandibular 12–14, lateral mandibular 4–7, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale
of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
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Basihyal subtriangular, width about 75–95% of length; basihyal cartilage about 15–20% of total length of
basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 5–6. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 4
+ 11–12. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae 29–30.
FIGURE 65. Simpsonichthys ghisolfii, male, UFRJ 4849, topotype, 50.5 mm SL; Brazil: Bahia: Guanambi.
FIGURE 66. Simpsonichthys ghisolfii, female, UFRJ 4849, topotype, 32.9 mm SL; Brazil: Bahia: Guanambi.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body light bluish gray, with white dots and 14–19 approximately straight faint gray bars,
more conspicuous on caudal peduncle. ,Opercular region pale greenish blue. Iris light yellow, with dark purplish gray bar. Dorsal fin yellow, sometimes dark purplish pink on distal portion, with white dots; dorsal-fin
filaments black. Anal fin greenish yellow, with bluish white dots; often subdistal zone yellowish orange, light
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blue spot near fin tip; usually black distal stripe, sometimes gray or stripe inconspicuous in life; anal-fin filaments black. Caudal fin dark yellow, with white dots; blue line on posterior margin of caudal fin. Pectoral
fins hyaline. Pelvic fins yellow, with black tip.
Females. Sides of body light gray, with 16–18 dark gray bars; venter pale golden; 2–6 rounded black
blotches on anterocentral portion of flank; 1–17 irregularly arranged rounded black blotches on caudal peduncle. Opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris light yellow, with gray bar. Unpaired fins hyaline, with faint,
longitudinally elongated gray spots; small, iridescent blue spot on posterior portion of anal fin close to caudal
peduncle. Paired fins hyaline.
Distribution
Rio das Rãs drainage, rio São Francisco basin, Estado da Bahia, Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Caatinga.
Simpsonichthys igneus Costa, 2000
(Figs. 67)
Simpsonichthys igneus Costa, 2000: 10 (type locality: temporary pool close to Igarité [22 km N of Igarité], rio São Francisco basin, Estado da Bahia, Brazil [11°28’8.4”S 43°17’13.4”W; altitude 433 m]; holotype: MZUSP 56254).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado da Bahia, rio São Francisco basin: MZUSP 56254, holotype, male, 42.3 mm SL; MZUSP
56255, 8 paratypes; MCP 23669, 8 paratypes; UFRJ 4857, 100 paratypes; UFRJ 5190, 15 paratypes; UFRJ
5191, 6 paratypes; UFRJ 5192, 10 paratypes; UFRJ 5193, 10 paratypes; temporary pool 22 km N from Igarité;
W. J. E. M. Costa, A. C. L. H. Bacellar, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 06 May 1999. UFRJ 4872, 33 paratypes; 40 km
N of Igarité; same collectors and date. UFRJ 4868, 28 paratypes; UFRJ 4870, 62 paratypes; UFRJ 4869, 10
paratypes (c&s); 27.5 km N of Igarité; same collectors and date. UFRJ 4877, 14 paratypes; 21.5 km N from
Igarité; same collectors and date. UFRJ 5417, 7; same locality as for holotype; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove
& B. B. Costa, 26 Jan. 2002.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from other species of the S. antenori group by possessing seven pelvic-fin rays (vs. six) and
bars of the flank inconspicuous in live males, poorly visible in preserved specimens (vs. bars visible in both in
live and preserved individuals).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 6. Largest specimen examined 51.4 mm SL. Dorsal profile slightly
concave on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle.
Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, about straight on caudal peduncle. Eye positioned on dorsolateral portion of side of head. Snout blunt. Body deep, compressed, greatest body depth at
level of pelvic-fin bases. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal fin pointed in males, rounded to slightly pointed in females; tip of anal fin pointed in males,
rounded in females. Tip of dorsal and anal fins with filamentous rays in males, tips reaching beyond posterior
border of caudal fin. Caudal fin subtruncate in males, round in females. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior
margin of each pectoral fin reaching vertical through base of 7th or 8th anal-fin ray in males, and 1st or 2nd anal-
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COSTA
fin ray in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching base of 3rd or 4th anal-fin ray in males and 1st anal-fin ray in
females. Pelvic-fin bases medially united. Dorsal-fin origin in vertical through base of 2nd anal-fin ray in
males, and base of 5th or 6th anal-fin ray in females; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 8 and
9 in males and neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 13 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 9 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 20–24 in males, 15–
19 in females; anal-fin rays 21–25 in males, 20–24 in females; caudal-fin rays 23–25; pectoral-fin rays 13–14;
pelvic-fin rays 7.
FIGURE 67. Simpsonichthys igneus, male, MZUSP 56254, holotype, 42.3 mm SL; Brazil: Bahia: Igarité.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scales anterior to H-scale; two
supraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 29–30; transverse series of scales 14; scale rows around caudal peduncle 16. One to three minute contact organs on each scale of anteroventral portion of flank in males,
sometimes inconspicuous. Small papillate contact organs on inner surface of three dorsalmost rays of pectoral
fins in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 14–18, parietal 3, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral with one lateral
neuromast and middle neuromast, infraorbital 2 + 19–25, preorbital 3, otic 1–2, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1,
median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular 16–18, mandibular 13–15, lateral mandibular 4–5, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 70–75% of length; basihyal cartilage about 25% of total length of
basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 5–6. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 4 +
13. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent . Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae
28–30.
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Coloration
Males. Sides of body light purplish gray, with white dots. In life, body bars not conspicuous in adult
specimens, but preserved specimens with 13–18, narrow, straight faint gray bars on flank. Opercular region
pale greenish golden. Iris light yellow, with dark purplish gray bar. Dorsal fin dark purplish pink on anterior
two thirds to yellow on posterior portion, with white dots; dorsal-fin filaments black. Anal fin greenish yellow, with bluish white dots; subdistal zone reddish orange; blue spot on fin tip; black distal stripe; anal-fin filaments black. Caudal fin yellow, with white dots, and metallic light blue stripe on posterior edge of fin.
Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins reddish orange, each with a black tip.
Females. Sides of body light gray, with 13–18 dark gray bars; venter pale golden; 1–4 rounded black
blotches on anterocentral portion of flank; 1–15 irregularly arranged rounded black blotches on caudal peduncle. Opercular region pale golden. Iris light yellow, with gray bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins hyaline, with faint, longitudinally elongated gray spots; small, iridescent blue spot on posterior portion of anal fin
close to caudal peduncle. Paired fins hyaline.
Distribution
Floodplains of middle portion, left bank, of the rio São Francisco, between Barra and Igarité, Estado da
Bahia, northeastern Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Caatinga.
Simpsonichthys flavicaudatus (Costa & Brasil, 1990)
(Fig. 68)
Cynolebias flavicaudatus Costa & Brasil, 1990: 18 (type locality: vicinity of Lagoa Grande, county of Santa Maria da
Boa Vista, Pernambuco, Brazil [approximately 9°00’S 40°20’W; altitude 300 m]; holotype: MZUSP 40129).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Pernambuco, rio São Francisco basin: MZUSP 40129, holotype, male, 41.1 mm SL;
MZUSP 40130, 3 paratypes; MNRJ 11556, 2 paratypes; UFRJ 146, 2; UFRJ 281, 1 (c&s); UFRJ 4565, 2
(c&s); vicinities of Lagoa Grande, Santa Maria da Boa Vista; G. C. Brasil, 16 May 1989. UFRJ 5186, 3;
Irecê; D. Nielsen & A. Carletto, May 2000.
Diagnosis
Similar to S. flagellatus and S. janaubensis, and distinguished from remaining species of the S. antenori
group by having iridescent dots on anal fin restricted to posterior portion of fin in males (vs. on the whole fin),
anterior portion of anal fin pink and posterior portion yellow in males (vs. dark bluish gray in S. antenori and
whole fin yellow in S. ghisolfii, S. mediopapillatus, S. macaubensis, and S. igneus), and a distal gray stripe on
anal fin in males (vs. black distal stripe). Differs from S. flagellatus and S. janaubensis by possessing minute
contact organs on pectoral fins in males (vs. pronounced), dorsal profile of head nearly straight (vs. concave),
and anterobasal portion of dorsal fin with small light spots, sometimes slightly elongated (vs. elongated brilliant white to light blue spots, forming short bars).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 6. Largest specimen examined 41.1 mm SL. Dorsal profile nearly
straight on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Eye positioned
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on dorsolateral portion of side of head. Snout blunt. Body deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of
pelvic-fin bases. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal fin pointed in males, rounded to slightly pointed in females; tip of anal fin pointed in males,
rounded in females. Tip of both dorsal and anal fins with filamentous rays in males, tips reaching beyond distal border of caudal fin. Caudal fin subtruncate in males, round in females. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior
margin of pectoral fins reaching vertical between base of 5th and 7th anal-fin ray in males, and through base of
1st or 2nd anal-fin ray in females. Tip of pelvic fins reaching base of 3rd or 4th anal-fin ray in males and between
urogenital papilla and base of 1st anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases medially united. Dorsal-fin origin
in vertical through base of 2nd anal-fin ray in males, and between base of 3rd and 5th anal-fins ray in females;
dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 11 and 12
in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 9 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 8
and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 22–24 in males, 16–18 in females; anal-fin rays 23–24 in males, 19–21 in
females; caudal-fin rays 24–26; pectoral-fin rays 13–14; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scales anterior to G-scale; one
supraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 29; transverse series of scales 12–13; scale rows around caudal peduncle 16. Minute contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of lateral surface of body in
males, usually inconspicuous. Small papillate contact organs on inner surface of three dorsalmost rays of pectoral fins in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 15–16, parietal 2, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 +
18–20, preorbital 2, otic 1, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1, preopercular
14–17, mandibular 13–14, lateral mandibular 4–5, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateral
line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 70% of length; basihyal cartilage about 20% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 7–8. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 4 +
11. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae
28–30.
FIGURE 68. Simpsonichthys flavicaudatus, male, not preserved, topotype, about 40 mm SL; Brazil: Pernambuco:
Lagoa Grande.
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Coloration
Males. Sides of body light bluish to purplish gray, with 8–10 pale gray bars, ventral portion of median
stripes abruptly widening towards its ventral tip. Opercular region pale greenish blue. Iris light yellow, with
dark purplish gray bar. Dorsal fin dark purplish pink on anterior three fourths to dark yellow on posterior portion, with small white spots; spots on anterobasal region of fin slightly elongated; dorsal-fin filaments dark
purple. Anal fin dark purplish pink on anterior two thirds to dark yellow on posterior portion, with small
white dots restricted to the yellow zone; dark gray distal stripe; anal-fin filaments black. Caudal fin dark yellow, with bluish white dots, and metallic light blue line on posterior edge of fin. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic
fins pink, with gray tip.
Females. Side of body light gray, with 10–15 gray bars; venter pale golden; 1–2 rounded faint gray
blotches on anterocentral portion of flank; 1–3 irregularly arranged rounded faint gray blotches on caudal
peduncle; blotches sometimes inconspicuous. Opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris light yellow, with
gray bar. Unpaired fins hyaline with faint, longitudinally elongated gray spots; small, iridescent blue spot on
posterior portion of anal fin close to caudal peduncle. Paired fins hyaline.
Distribution
Middle rio São Francisco basin, Estado de Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Caatinga.
Simpsonichthys flagellatus Costa, 2003
(Figs. 69)
Simpsonichthys flagellatus Costa, 2003: 46 (type locality: temporary pool 12 km W of Bom Jesus da Lapa, Estado da
Bahia, Brazil, 13°15’43.2”S 43°31’37.2”W, altitude 449 m; holotype: MZUSP 40129).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado da Bahia, rio São Francisco basin: MCP 28578, holotype, male, 42.2 mm SL; UFRJ 4788,
54 paratypes; MCP 28579, 5 paratypes; temporary pool 12 km W of Bom Jesus da Lapa, 13o15’43.2”S
43o31’37.2”W; altitude 449 m; W. J. E. M. Costa, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 13 Feb. 1999. UFRJ 4881, 10
paratypes (c&s); UFRJ 4861, 67; same locality; W. J. E. M. Costa, A. C. L. H. Bacellar, F. Pupo & E. Araujo,
4 May 1999. UFRJ 4874, 93; UFRJ 5352, 10 (c&s); temporary pool near Volta das Pedras; W. J. E. M. Costa,
A. C. L. H. Bacellar, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 4 May 1999. UFRJ 4854, 43; temporary pool about 20 km N of
Ibotirama; W. J. E. M. Costa, A. C. L. H. Bacellar, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 5 May 1999. UFRJ 4786, 11; UFRJ
4790, 19; temporary pool near Volta das Pedras, 25 km S of Ibotirama; W. J. E. M. Costa, F. Pupo & E.
Araujo, 14 Feb. 1999. UFRJ 4785, 13; temporary pool near Paratinga, 71.5 km N of Bom Jesus da Lapa; W.
J. E. M. Costa, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 14 Feb. 1999. UFRJ 4783, 9; temporary pool near Volta das Pedras, 22
km S of Ibotirama; W. J. E. M. Costa, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 14 Feb. 1999. UFRJ 4851, 7; temporary pool near
Paratinga; W. J. E. M. Costa, A. C. L. H. Bacellar, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 4 May 1999. UFRJ 4853, 3; temporary pool about 19 km N of Ibotirama; W. J. E. M. Costa, A. C. L. H. Bacellar, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 5 May
1999. UFRJ 5425, 3; Correntina; D. Nielsen & A. Carletto, Jan. 2002. UFRJ 6045, 7; 48.5 km S of Bom
Jesus da Lapa; W. J. E. M. Costa, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 12 Feb. 1999. Estado de Minas Gerais: UFRJ 4789,
45; UFRJ 4787, 96; UFRJ 5353, 10 (c&s); temporary pool near Travessão, 24 km N of São Francisco; W. J. E.
M. Costa, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 9 Feb. 1999. UFRJ 3804, 6; UFRJ 4499, 2 (c&s); temporary pool 3 km N of
Travessão; D. T. B. Nielsen, A. L. F. Cyrino, J. L. Cruz & A. Luca, 27 Jan. 1996. UFRJ 2125, 4 (c&s); UFRJ
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COSTA
4500, 2 (c&s); UFRJ 144, 22; Januária, close to left bank of rio São Francisco; G. C. Brasil, 12 Feb. 1990.
UFRJ 2092, 6; temporary pool in Januária; W. J. E. M. Costa, G. C. Brasil & C. Campinha, 8 Feb. 1994.
UFRJ 4782, 14; temporary pool 11 km N of Itacarambi; W. J. E. M. Costa, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 9 Feb. 1999.
UFRJ 2094, 9; UFRJ 4564, 2 (c&s); MNHN 1997-0049, 3; MCZ 138937, 4; UMMZ 2094, 6; temporary pool
25 km N of Itacarambi; W. J. E. M. Costa, G. C. Brasil & C. Campinha, 8 Feb. 1994. UFRJ 2091, 1; temporary pool 20 km N of Manga; W. J. E. M. Costa, G. C. Brasil & C. Campinha, 8 Feb. 1994. UFRJ 4780, 4;
temporary pool 1 km E of Gado Bravo; W. J. E. M. Costa, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 10 Feb. 1999. UFRJ 2090, 9;
temporary pool 1 km N of Itacarambi; W. J. E. M. Costa, G. C. Brasil & C. Campinha, 8 Feb. 1994. UFRJ
4784, 17; temporary pool 10 km N of Itacarambi; W. J. E. M. Costa, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 9 Feb. 1999. UFRJ
4781, 10; temporary pool 2 km W from Gado Bravo; W. J. E. M. Costa, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 10 Feb. 1999.
MNRJ 16067, 64; Mocambinho, Manga; D. F. Moraes, L. O. Alvarenga & C. Rico, 1990. UFRJ 6072, 3; 14
km from Guanambi, road to Malhada; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove & B. B. Costa, 13 Jan. 2005.
FIGURE 69. Simpsonichthys flagellatus, male, UFRJ 4788, paratype, 44.7 mm SL; Brazil: Bahia: Bom Jesus da Lapa.
Diagnosis
Similar to S. flavicaudatus and S. janaubensis, and distinguished from remaining species of the S. antenori group in possessing iridescent dots on anal fin restricted to posterior portion of fin in males (vs. on the
whole fin), anterior portion of anal fin pink and posterior portion yellow in males (vs. dark bluish gray in S.
antenori and entirely yellow in S. ghisolfii, S. mediopapillatus, S. macaubensis, and S. igneus), and a distal
gray stripe on anal fin in males (vs. black distal stripe). Differs from S. flavicaudatus by having pronounced
pectoral-fin contact organs in males (vs. minute), dorsal profile of head concave (vs. nearly straight), and by
the presence of elongated brilliant white spots on basal portion of dorsal fin in males, to form short bars (vs.
round brilliant spots); differs from S. janaubensis in having longer anal-fin base in males (39.0–45.2% SL vs.
34.4–38.4% SL), body depth in combined sexes 37.0–42.7% SL (vs. 30.7–38.4% SL), caudal-peduncle depth
in combined sexes 13.4–16.6% SL (vs. 11.7–14.3% SL) and elongated light blue spots restricted to anterior
portion of dorsal-fin base in males (vs. along entire dorsal-fin base).
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Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 6. Largest specimen examined 65.4 mm SL. Dorsal profile concave
on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin bases. Eye positioned on dorsolateral portion of head side.
Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal fin pointed in males, rounded to slightly pointed in females; tip of anal fin pointed in males,
rounded in females. Tip of dorsal and anal fins with long filamentous rays in males, tips reaching beyond distal border of caudal fin. Caudal fin subtruncate in males, round in females. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior
margin of pectoral fins reaching vertical between base of 5th and 7th anal-fin rays in males, and through base of
2nd or 3rd anal-fin ray in females. Tip of pelvic fins reaching base of 3rd or 4th anal-fin ray in males and base of
1st or 2nd anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases medially united. Dorsal-fin origin slightly anterior or
slightly posterior to anal-fin origin in males, slightly posterior in females. Dorsal-fin origin between neural
spines of vertebrae 6 and 8 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 9 and 11 in females. Anal-fin origin
between pleural ribs of vertebrae 6 and 8 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 10 in females. Dorsalfin rays 20–26 in males, 13–19 in females; anal-fin rays 21–25 in males, 18–22 in females; caudal-fin rays
23–26; pectoral-fin rays 12–13; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; one row of scales anterior to H-scale;
three supraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 28–31; transverse series of scales 11–14; scale rows
around caudal peduncle 16. Minute contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of flank in males,
sometimes inconspicuous. Prominent contact organs on inner surface of three dorsalmost rays of pectoral fin
in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 14–18, parietal 2, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 +
19–24, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 4, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1, preopercular
14–18, mandibular 14, lateral mandibular 6, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateral line.
Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 70–90% of length; basihyal cartilage about 20% of total length of
basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 7–9. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 4
+ 11–12. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae 29–31.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body pale light golden, with 10–14 dark gray bars, slightly oblique, ventral portion
weakly directed anteriorly, ventral portion of bars usually widening towards its ventral tip; sometimes bars
ventrally branched. Few light blue dots on dorsal portion of sides of body. Opercular region pale greenish
golden. Iris light yellow, with dark purplish gray bar. Dorsal fin purplish pink on anterior portion, yellow on
posterior portion; small light blue spots over fin, spots on anterobasal region elongated, forming short stripes
alternated with black areas; dorsal-fin filaments dark brownish purple. Anal fin purplish pink on anterior portion, yellow with small white dots on posterior portion, often dots coalescing to form elongated oblique spots;
pale gray distal stripe; anal-fin filaments black. Caudal fin yellow, with light blue dots and metallic light blue
line on posterior edge of fin. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins pink.
Females. Sides of body light gray, with 10–12 dark gray bars; venter pale golden; 1–4 rounded black
blotches on anterocentral portion of flanks, sometimes absent; 2–7 irregularly arranged rounded black
blotches on caudal peduncle, sometimes absent. Opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris light yellow,
with gray bar. Unpaired fins hyaline, with faint, longitudinally elongated gray spots; small, iridescent blue
spot on posterior portion of anal fin close to caudal peduncle. Paired fins hyaline.
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Distribution
Middle rio São Francisco basin, Bahia and Minas Gerais states, Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Caatinga.
Simpsonichthys janaubensis Costa, 2003
(Figs. 70–71)
Simpsonichthys flagellatus non S. flagellatus Costa; Costa, 2003: 46 (misidentification).
Simpsonichthys janaubensis Costa, 2006b: 27 (type locality: rio Gorutuba floodplains, rio Verde Grande drainage, middle rio São Francisco basin, Janaúba, 15°48’5.9”S 43°19’13.5”W, altitude 556 m, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil;
holotype: UFRJ 5409).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Minas Gerais, rio São Francisco basin: UFRJ 5409, holotype, male, 39.4 mm SL; UFRJ
5409, 2 paratypes; UFRJ 5410, 6 paratypes (c&s); UFRJ 5411, 24 paratypes;Brazil: Estado de Minas Gerais:
rio Gorutuba floodplains, rio Verde Grande drainage, middle rio São Francisco basin, Janaúba; W. J. E. M.
Costa, C. P. Bove & B. B. Costa, 21 Jan. 2002. UFRJ 6076, 10 paratypes; MCP 40138, 5 paratypes; same
locality and collectors, 28 Jan. 2006.
Diagnosis
Similar to S. flavicaudatus and S. flagellatus in having a unique color pattern of the anal fin in males, consisting of anterior portion of fin pink and posterior portion yellow, with iridescent dots restricted to posterior
portion of fin. Differs from S. flavicaudatus and S. flagellatus in possessing elongated light blue spots along
entire dorsal-fin base (vs. elongated spots restricted to the anterobasal portion of dorsal fin), shorter anal-fin
base in males (34.4–38.4 % SL, vs. 39.0–45.2 % SL), and more slender trunk and caudal peduncle (body
depth 33.9–38.4% SL in males and 30.7–36.8% SL in females vs. 37.8–41.9% SL in males and 37.0–42.7%
SL in females; caudal peduncle depth 12.6–14.3% SL in males and 11.7–13.6% SL in females vs. 14.4–16.6%
SL in males and 13.4–16.4% SL in females).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 6. Largest specimen examined 43.1 mm SL. Dorsal profile gently
concave on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, about straight to slightly concave on caudal
peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight to slightly
concave on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin
base. Eye positioned on dorsolateral portion of head side. Snout slightly pointed. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal fin pointed in males, slightly pointed in females; tip of anal fin pointed in males, rounded in
females. Tips of both dorsal and anal fins with long filamentous rays in males, the tips reaching posterior portion of caudal fin. Caudal fin subtruncate in males, round in females. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of pectoral fins reaching vertical between base of 5th and 7th anal-fin rays in males, and between urogenital
papilla and base of 2nd anal-fin ray in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching between base of 1st and 4th analfin ray in males and base of 1st or 2nd anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases medially united. Dorsal-fin origin slightly anterior to anal-fin origin in males, anal-fin origin in vertical between base of 2 nd and 4th dorsal-fin
rays; dorsal-fin origin slightly anterior or slightly posterior to anal-fin origin in females, in vertical between
base of 1st and 3rd anal-fin rays. Dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 6 and 8 in males, and
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113
neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 8 in
males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 9 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 22–26 in males, 15–19 in females;
anal-fin rays 22–25 in males, 20–22 in females; caudal-fin rays 23–25; pectoral-fin rays 12–13; pelvic-fin rays
6.
FIGURE 70. Simpsonichthys janaubensis, UFRJ 5409, male, holotype, 39.4 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Janaúba: rio
Verde Grande drainage.
FIGURE 71. Simpsonichthys janaubensis, UFRJ 6076, female, paratype, 24.7 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Janaúba:
rio Verde Grande drainage.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scales anterior to H-scale; two
supraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 29–31; transverse series of scales 13–14; scale rows around
caudal peduncle 16. No contact organs on scales. Prominent papillate contact organs on inner surface of three
dorsalmost rays of pectoral fins in males.
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COSTA
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 14–18, parietal 2, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 +
21–23, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 4, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1, preopercular
14–19, mandibular 14–18, lateral mandibular 4-6, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateral
line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 70% of length; basihyal cartilage about 25% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 8–10. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 4 +
11. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae
30–31.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body pale golden, with 10–13 dark gray, approximately vertical and straight bars, ventral
portion of bars often wider and slightly directed anteriorly. Dorsum pale brown. Venter gray. Opercular
region pale greenish golden. Iris light yellow, with dark purplish gray bar through center of eye. Dorsal fin
purplish pink on anterior three fourths, yellow on posterior fourth; small round light blue spots over fin, spots
on basal region vertically elongated, alternating with dark gray areas on anterior portion of basal portion of
fin; dorsal-fin filaments dark brownish purple. Anal fin purplish pink on anterior half to two-thirds, yellow
with light blue dots on posterior portion, some dots sometimes coalescing to form elongated oblique spots;
pale gray distal stripe; anal-fin filaments black. Caudal fin yellow, with light blue small spots and light blue
line on posterior edge of fin. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins pink.
Females. Sides of body light gray, with 11–14 dark gray bars, 1–2 rounded black blotches on anterocentral portion of flank, and 1–3 rounded black blotches on caudal peduncle, these sometimes absent. Dorsum
pale brown. Venter pale golden. Opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris light yellow, with gray vertical
bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins hyaline, with faint, longitudinally elongated gray spots; small, iridescent blue spot on posterior portion of anal fin close to caudal peduncle. Paired fins hyaline.
Distribution
Known only from a temporary pool in the floodplains of the middle rio Gorutuba, rio Verde Grande drainage, rio São Francisco basin, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil (Fig. 1).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Caatinga.
Simpsonichthys flammeus species group
Diagnosis
Distinguished from the remaining species groups of Hypsolebias in having a long posterior process of the
supraoccipital (vs. short) and elongated anal fin in females (vs. short).
Included species
Simpsonichthys marginatus Costa & Brasil, S. delucai Costa, S. alternatus (Costa & Brasil), S. fasciatus
Costa & Brasil, S. multiradiatus (Costa & Brasil), S. flammeus (Costa), and S. brunoi Costa.
Distribution
Upper and middle rio Tocantins basin and middle rio São Francisco basin (Fig. 4).
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115
Key to species of the S. flammeus group
1a.
Pelvic fins short, reaching base of first five anal-fin rays in males; caudal fin with dark red bars in
males; entire flanks with bars in males; no black and blue border on dorsal and anal fins in males.
.................................................................................................................................................................2
1b.
Pelvic fins long in adult males, reaching base of 10th anal-fin ray in males; caudal fin without bars in
males; posterior portion of flank without bars in males; black and blue border on dorsal and anal fins
in males. …………………… ............................................................................................ S. marginatus
2a(1a). Anal fin pointed in males. ......................... .............................................................................................5
2b(1a). Anal fin rounded in males. .....................................................................................................................3
3a(2b). Dorsal fin rounded in males; dorsal fin with bars on basal portion and spots on distal portion in males.
………………………………………...................................................................................... S. delucai
3b(2b). Dorsal fin pointed in males; whole dorsal fin with bars in males. .. ......................................................4
4a(3b). Dorsal-fin origin on vertical through base of 3rd, 4th or 5th anal-fin rays; red distal stripe on dorsal fin in
males. .................................................................................................................................. S. alternatus
4b(3b). Dorsal-fin origin on vertical anterior to anal-fin origin or on vertical through base of 1st or 2nd anal-fin
rays; dark gray to black distal stripe on dorsal fin in males. ………….
................................................................................................................................................ S. fasciatus
5a(2a). Filamentous rays along whole distal border of dorsal fin in males; 18–23 dorsal-fin rays in males; dorsal fin with transverse bars in males. . ................................................................................................... 5
5b(2a). Filamentous rays restricted to dorsal-fin tip in males; 25–28 dorsal-fin rays in males; dorsal fin with
light spots in males. ........................................................................................................ S. multiradiatus
6a(5a). Dorsal-fin rays 20–23 in males; dorsal-fin base 39.2–42.6% SL in males; body depth 38.9–40.3 in
males; no dark zones on dorsal fin in males; anterodorsal scales of flanks with red margin in males.
………………………………............................................................................................... S. flammeus
6b(5a). Dorsal-fin rays 18–20 in males; dorsal-fin base 34.7–38.5% SL in males; body depth 36.1–37.5 in
males; dark gray spot on anterior portion of dorsal fin in males; no red mark on flank.
.................................................................................................................................................... S. brunoi
Simpsonichthys marginatus Costa & Brasil, 1996
(Figs. 72–73)
Simpsonichthys marginatus Costa & Brasil, 1996: 94 (type locality: Barro Alto, temporary pool near rio dos Patos, a tributary of rio Maranhão, rio Tocantins basin, Estado de Goiás, Brazil [approximately 15°00’S 49°00’W]; holotype:
MNRJ 12440).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Goiás, rio Tocantins drainage, rio Amazonas basin: MNRJ 12440, holotype, male, 23.1
mm SL; MNRJ 12441, 1 paratype; MZUSP 50163, 2 paratypes; UFRJ 3536, 7 paratypes; UFRJ 3537, 4
paratypes (c&s); UFRJ 3922, 1; Barro Alto, temporary pool close to rio dos Patos, rio Maranhão drainage; W.
J. E. M. Costa, G. C. Brasil, M. I. Landim & C. L. Moreira, 12–13 Feb. 1996. MNRJ 18418, 12; pools close
to rio dos Patos, Barro Alto; D. F. Moraes & D. Lin, 10 Feb. 1999.
Diagnosis
Differs from all congeners in possessing long pelvic fins in larger males, reaching base of 10th anal-fin ray
(vs. reaching base of most anterior anal-fin ray). Distinguished from all other species of Hypsolebias by having flanks dark red, with blue bars anteriorly and vertical rows of blue dots posteriorly in males (vs. never a
similar color pattern).
116 · Zootaxa 1669 © 2007 Magnolia Press
COSTA
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 7. Largest specimen examined 37.9 mm SL. Dorsal profile slightly
concave on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle.
Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of
side of head. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
TABLE 7. Morphometric data of species of the Simpsonichthys flammeus group.
S. marginatus
S. fasciatus
S. alternatus
males
females
males
females
males
females
(n = 7)
(n = 6)
(n = 10)
(n = 8)
(n = 7)
(n = 6)
18.6–37.9
18.8–29.7
16.8–20.0
15.4–16.7
21.1–38.5
19.0–22.7
Body depth
35.1–39.4
33.8–39.3
34.4–37.1
30.3–35.0
33.8–36.9
29.7–35.4
Caudal peduncle depth
14.9–17.0
14.3–16.3
14.5–16.3
13.5–14.5
13.8–16.4
12.8–16.0
Pre-dorsal length
49.8–53.3
59.9–61.6
50.9–56.0
61.4–65.2
50.4–57.3
60.7–64.1
Pre-pelvic length
43.6–49.0
51.3–53.5
46.4–50.8
52.7–56.3
44.2–47.7
51.6–54.0
Length of dorsal-fin base
32.1–39.0
21.5–25.5
31.4–34.7
19.4–22.3
34.1–38.3
21.8–25.2
Length of anal-fin base
31.6–39.4
21.1–24.9
33.5–36.0
21.7–24.9
37.7–40.8
23.3–27.0
Caudal-fin length
45.0–46.7
39.8–40.2
36.3–41.4
35.1–41.3
37.0–37.4
34.0–39.0
Pectoral-fin length
32.5–36.3
31.1–31.4
25.8–28.2
24.1–28.3
25.0–26.5
21.6–23.2
Pelvic-fin length
16.0–25.3
13.5–13.9
8.1–9.8
8.0–10.5
9.0–11.5
9.3–10.8
Head length
31.9–36.5
33.9–35.4
32.5–35.2
34.1–36.7
30.2–32.6
30.9–35.9
Head depth
87.6–106.7
85.5–96.1
88.6–96.6
83.6–92.3
94.5–105.0
81.8–93.7
Head width
64.8–71.4
63.9–72.7
61.3–64.9
60.9–64.6
63.4–72.8
63.1–67.6
Snout length
12.6–14.1
11.7–13.5
10.0–12.6
10.8–12.8
12.4–13.8
11.9–12.8
Lower jaw length
17.4–17.7
16.0–16.3
16.9–19.1
14.3–16.6
17.4–18.3
14.3–15.1
Eye diameter
28.6–32.6
26.9–33.1
36.5–39.5
35.8–39.3
30.8–38.4
35.4–38.5
Standard length (mm)
% of standard length
% of head length
......continued
SEASONAL SOUTH AMERICAN KILLIFISH SIMPSONICHTHYS
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TABLE 7 (continued)
S. delucai
S. flammeus
S. brunoi
males
females
males
females
males
females
(n = 4)
(n = 4)
(n = 8)
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
(n = 5)
19.1–21.4
17.9–19.2
21.8–29.9
18.7–22.8
26.2–29.1
21.0–23.6
Body depth
33.7–35.5
32.5–35.6
34.4–40.3
33.2–35.3
36.1–37.5
34.8–36.4
Caudal peduncle depth
14.9–15.4
14.8–16.2
14.0–15.1
12.6–13.9
14.8–15.2
12.9–13.8
Pre-dorsal length
52.7–53.9
61.6–63.4
43.8–51.1
52.7–59.7
47.0–49.1
57.5–60.3
Pre-pelvic length
47.0–48.3
53.0–53.2
46.5–49.8
48.4–54.1
45.5–47.6
52.4–54.0
Length of dorsal-fin base
32.3–34.2
20.3–22.6
36.6–42.6
22.7–29.9
34.7–38.5
22.0–27.3
Length of anal-fin base
33.3–37.7
23.8–24.7
36.1–39.1
25.4–28.0
34.3–38.3
23.3–26.6
Caudal-fin length
33.5–37.3
35.2–36.3
35.6–39.7
33.6–37.8
32.9–34.5
32.4–36.3
Pectoral-fin length
21.4–24.9
19.3–24.5
24.8–29.7
25.7–26.4
23.9–25.5
24.2–27.2
Pelvic-fin length
7.3–10.9
8.4–10.1
8.5–10.3
9.2–10.2
8.1–9.0
8.7–10.3
Head length
31.6–33.6
32.5–34.2
30.7–31.9
30.7–35.1
30.4–31.5
32.1–33.8
Standard length (mm)
% of standard length
% of head length
Head depth
86.0–94.7
85.3–87.3
91.9–109.0
87.2–91.9
98.6–107.0
88.2–95.2
Head width
59.8–64.1
60.8–64.6
53.1–63.6
56.6–63.2
63.3–66.8
59.7–62.6
Snout length
11.2–12.9
9.2–12.0
11.1–13.4
11.8–12.4
11.7–14.4
10.7–13.6
Lower jaw length
17.8–19.7
15.3–16.3
17.2–18.7
15.1–15.3
15.6–19.5
15.0–17.1
Eye diameter
33.6–34.6
31.9–35.2
30.4–36.2
33.9–37.0
32.5–34.8
33.7–37.0
S. multiradiatus
S. multiradiatus
S. multiradiatus
males
females
males
females
males
females
(n = 6)
(n = 6)
(n = 6)
(n = 6)
(n = 6)
(n = 6)
29.7–45.6
24.1–40.6
29.7–45.6
24.1–40.6
29.7–45.6
24.1–40.6
Body depth
36.9–38.0
32.6–38.6
36.9–38.0
32.6–38.6
36.9–38.0
32.6–38.6
Caudal peduncle depth
13.6–15.8
13.1–14.8
13.6–15.8
13.1–14.8
13.6–15.8
13.1–14.8
Pre-dorsal length
42.9–46.9
53.1–56.6
42.9–46.9
53.1–56.6
42.9–46.9
53.1–56.6
Pre-pelvic length
45.0–47.6
48.0–52.6
45.0–47.6
48.0–52.6
45.0–47.6
48.0–52.6
Length of dorsal-fin base
42.9–44.6
25.4–27.7
42.9–44.6
25.4–27.7
42.9–44.6
25.4–27.7
Length of anal-fin base
35.1–37.2
23.6–25.1
35.1–37.2
23.6–25.1
35.1–37.2
23.6–25.1
Caudal-fin length
29.2–34.3
30.3–31.6
29.2–34.3
30.3–31.6
29.2–34.3
30.3–31.6
Pectoral-fin length
21.4–29.3
22.4–25.7
21.4–29.3
22.4–25.7
21.4–29.3
22.4–25.7
7.6–9.3
9.6–9.8
7.6–9.3
9.6–9.8
7.6–9.3
9.6–9.8
28.6–31.0
30.4–31.1
28.6–31.0
30.4–31.1
28.6–31.0
30.4–31.1
Head depth
100.5–111.2
97.8–106.8
100.5–111.2
97.8–106.8
100.5–111.2
97.8–106.8
Head width
63.9–68.5
60.9–68.1
63.9–68.5
60.9–68.1
63.9–68.5
60.9–68.1
Snout length
11.7–13.2
12.3–13.9
11.7–13.2
12.3–13.9
11.7–13.2
12.3–13.9
Lower jaw length
18.6–19.6
15.9–16.6
18.6–19.6
15.9–16.6
18.6–19.6
15.9–16.6
Eye diameter
28.6–34.4
30.9–34.2
28.6–34.4
30.9–34.2
28.6–34.4
30.9–34.2
Standard length (mm)
% of standard length
Pelvic-fin length
Head length
% of head length
118 · Zootaxa 1669 © 2007 Magnolia Press
COSTA
Tip of both dorsal and anal fins pointed in males, rounded in females. Tip of both dorsal and anal fins
with filamentous rays in males, tip of dorsal-fin filaments reaching vertical posterior to caudal fin. Caudal fin
rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of pectoral fins reaching vertical through base of 9th analfin ray in males, and through base of 5th anal-fin ray in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching between base
of 3rd and 10th anal-fin ray in males, and between urogenital papilla and base of 6th anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases separated by interspace equal to pelvic-fin base in width. Anal-fin origin on vertical through
base of 3rd dorsal-fin ray in males, and through dorsal-fin origin in females. Dorsal-fin origin between neural
spines of vertebrae 6 and 7 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 11 in females. Anal-fin origin
between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 9 and 10 in females. Dorsalfin rays 20–22 in males, 15–17 in females; anal-fin rays 21–23 in males, 18–19 in females; caudal-fin rays 24;
pectoral-fin rays 13–14; pelvic-fin rays 6.
FIGURE 72. Simpsonichthys marginatus, male, not preserved, about 30 mm SL; Brazil: Goiás: Barro Alto.
FIGURE 73. Simpsonichthys marginatus, female, not preserved, about 25 mm SL; Brazil: Goiás: Barro Alto.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales medially overlapped; no scale anterior to G-scale; supraorbital
scales 2. Longitudinal series of scales 24–26; transverse series of scales 9–10; scale rows around caudal
peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of flanks in males. Small papillate contact
organs on inner surface of dorsalmost ray of pectoral fins in males.
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Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 15, parietal 2, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 3 + 23–
24, preorbital 4–5, otic 1–2, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular plus mandibular 30–32, lateral mandibular 8, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale of
lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 55% of length in females, 75% in males; basihyal cartilage about 35%
of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 1–3. Gill-rakers on first
branchial arch 3 + 10–11. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal
short. Total vertebrae 26–27.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body brownish red, with 7–9 light greenish blue bars, posterior bars interrupted forming
vertical rows of small spots. ,Dorsal portion of head light purplish brown, scale margin red. Sides of head
light purplish brown, metallic green on opercular region. Iris yellow with dark brown bar through center of
eye. Unpaired fins brownish red, with light greenish blue dots; distal margin of dorsal and anal fin dark gray
to black, bordered by light greenish blue subdistal stripe. Pelvic fins brownish red, with bright blue edge.
Pectoral fins hyaline.
Females. Sides of body light brown, with 8–10 gray bars; one or two black blotches on anterocentral portion of flanks. Venter pale yellow. Head light brown, opercular region pale greenish blue. Iris light yellow,
with dark brown bar through center of eye. Dorsal and anal fins hyaline, with dark gray spots. Caudal and
pelvic fins gray. Pectoral fins hyaline.
Distribution
Known only from the type locality region, rio dos Patos floodplains, rio Maranhão drainage, rio Tocantins
basin, Estado de Goiás, central Brazil (Fig. 4).
Habitat
Temporary pools within Mata de Galeria in the Cerrado.
Simpsonichthys delucai Costa, 2003
(Figs. 74–75)
Simpsonichthys delucai Costa, 2003: 49 (type locality: temporary pool near the city of Urucuia, rio Urucuia floodplains,
rio São Francisco basin, approximately 16°08’S 45°45’W, altitude 498 m, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil; holotype:
MZUSP 46082).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Minas Gerais, rio Urucuia drainage, rio São Francisco basin: MCP 28572, holotype,
male, 21.4 mm SL; MCP 28573, 1 paratype; UFRJ 5426, 17 paratypes; UFRJ 5427, 4 paratypes (c&s); temporary pool near the city of Urucuia, approximately 16o08’S 45o45’W; altitude 498 m; A. C. De Luca & D. H. B.
Padrão, 27 Jan. 2001.
Diagnosis
Similar to S. alternatus and S. fasciatus and distinguished from the remaining species of the S. flammeus
group by possessing a distal red bar on caudal fin in males (vs. broad metallic blue bar), a red distal stripe on
anal fin in males (vs. no distinctive distal stripe), short to minute filamentous rays on tip of dorsal fin in males
(vs. long filaments), and anal fin rounded in males (vs. pointed); differs from S. alternatus and S. fasciatus by
having dorsal fin rounded to slightly pointed in males (vs. pointed), dorsal fin reddish brown, with light green-
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ish yellow spots and three or four brown bars restricted to posterobasal portion in males (vs. six to eight bars
through whole fin), and dark brown to black bars on flank in males (vs. reddish gray bars).
FIGURE 74. Simpsonichthys delucai, male, UFRJ 5426, paratype, 18.3 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Urucuia.
FIGURE 75. Simpsonichthys delucai, female, UFRJ 5426, paratype, 19.7 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Urucuia.
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 7. Largest specimen examined 22.1 mm SL, but in aquarium reaching
at least about 28 mm SL. Dorsal profile slightly concave on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base,
about straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsolateral portion of side of head. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla
cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal rounded to slightly pointed in males, rounded in females; anal fin rounded in both sexes;
median anal-fin rays long in females, anal fin spatula-shaped. Minute filamentous rays on posterodistal border of dorsal fin in males, tips reaching vertical through caudal peduncle; no filamentous rays on anal fin.
Caudal fin subtruncate in males, round in females. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of pectoral fins
reaching vertical between base of 4th and 6th anal-fin ray in males, and reaching anus in females. Tip of each
pelvic fin reaching between base of 2nd and 4th anal-fin ray in males, and reaching urogenital papilla in
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females. Pelvic-fin bases medially in close proximity. Dorsal-fin origin in vertical through base of 3rd anal-fin
ray in males, and base of 4th anal-fin ray in females. Dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 8
and 10 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 11 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of
vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 9 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 18–22 in males,
13–16 in females; anal-fin rays 22–23 in males, 18–20 in females; caudal-fin rays 23–24; pectoral-fin rays
12–13; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no row of scales anterior to G-scale; two
small supraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 25-26; transverse series of scales 8; scale rows around
caudal peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of lateral surface of body in males. Small
papillate contact organs on inner surface of three dorsalmost rays of pectoral fins in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 12–13, parietal 3, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2–3 +
19, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1, preopercular 14–
15, mandibular 11–12, lateral mandibular 5, paramandibular 1. One or two neuromasts on each scale of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 55% of length; basihyal cartilage about 30% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 3. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 3 + 11.
Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae 26.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body bright brownish yellow with 9–10 dark brown to black bars slightly posteriorly
inclined. Opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris light yellow, with dark brown bar. Dorsal fin light
greenish yellow with 3–4 short brown bars on posterobasal portion, brownish red with greenish yellow spots
on distal portion. Anal fin light greenish yellow with 5–6 brown oblique bars and brownish red distal stripe.
Caudal fin light greenish yellow with 4–5 brown bars and red distal border. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins
reddish brown, with greenish yellow base.
Females. Sides of body light yellowish gray, with one or two black spots on anterocentral portion of
flank; sometimes faint gray bars on caudal peduncle. Opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris light yellow,
with gray bar. Unpaired fins hyaline, with faint spots; small, iridescent blue spot on posterior portion of anal
fin close to caudal peduncle. Paired fins hyaline.
Distribution
Rio Urucuia floodplains, rio São Francisco basin, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil (Fig. 4).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Cerrado.
Simpsonichthys alternatus (Costa & Brasil, 1994)
(Figs. 76)
Cynolebias alternatus Costa & Brasil, 1994b: 7 (type locality: João Pinheiro [Município] close to rio Paracatu [near the
city of Brasilândia], rio São Francisco basin, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil [17º02’52.0”S 46º01’34.0”W; altitude
509 m]; holotype: MNRJ 12523).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Minas Gerais, rio Paracatu drainage, rio São Francisco basin: MNRJ 12523, holotype,
male, 22.7 mm SL; MNRJ 12524, 2 paratypes; MZUSP 46082, 3 paratypes; UFRJ 2129, 1 paratype; UFRJ
3457, 9; MNHN 1997.0048, 6; UMMZ 231545, 6; Brasilândia, João Pinheiro; G. C. Brasil, 1 May 1994.
UFRJ 2130, 11 paratypes; UFRJ 2131, 4 paratypes (c&s); same locality; G. C. Brasil, 1 Jun. 1994. UFRJ
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4636, 25; same locality; W. J. E. M. Costa, D. Belote, G. Neves & D. Almeida, 10 Apr. 1998. UFRJ 4750, 4;
same locality; D. Nielsen & A. Carletto, 1 May 1996.
FIGURE 76. Simpsonichthys alternatus, male, MNRJ 12523, holotype, 22.7 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Brasilândia.
Diagnosis
Similar to S. delucai and S. fasciatus, and distinguished from the remaining species of the S. flammeus
group by possessing a distal red bar on caudal fin in males (vs. broad metallic blue bar), a red distal stripe on
anal fin in males (vs. no distinctive distal stripe), short to minute filamentous rays on tip of dorsal fin in males
(vs. long filaments), and anal fin rounded in males (vs. pointed); differs from S. delucai by having dorsal fin
pointed in males (vs. rounded to slightly pointed), dorsal fin with 6–8 bars through whole fin in males (vs. bars
restricted to posterobasal portion of fin), and reddish gray bars on the side of body in males (vs. dark brown to
black bars); differs from S. fasciatus in having dorsal-fin origin in vertical between base of 3rd and 5th anal-fin
rays (vs. anterior to anal-fin base or in vertical between base of 1st and 2nd anal-fin rays) and red distal stripe on
dorsal fin in males (vs. dark gray to black).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 7. Largest specimen examined 38.8 mm SL. Dorsal profile straight to
slightly concave on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, about straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsolateral portion
of side of head. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal fin pointed in males, rounded in females; distal border of anal fin rounded in both sexes;
median anal-fin rays long in females, anal fin spatula-shaped. Tip of dorsal fin with short filamentous rays in
males, tips reaching vertical through caudal-fin base; no filamentous rays on anal fin. Caudal fin subtruncate
in males, round in females. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of pectoral fins reaching vertical through
base of 6th anal-fin ray in males, and between base of 1st and 3rd anal-fin rays in females. Tip of pelvic fins
reaching between base of 3rd and 4th anal-fin ray in males and reaching urogenital papilla in females. Pelvicfin bases medially in close proximity. Dorsal-fin origin in vertical between base of 3rd and 5th anal-fin rays in
males, and between base of 2nd and 4th anal-fin rays in females. Dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 8 and 9 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural
ribs of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 18–22 in
males, 14–17 in females; anal-fin rays 21–24 in males, 18–20 in females; caudal-fin rays 23–24; pectoral-fin
rays 12–13; pelvic-fin rays 6.
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Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scales anterior to G-scale; one
supraorbital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 23–24; transverse series of scales 9–10; scale rows around
caudal peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of lateral surface of body in males. Small
papillate contact organs on inner surface of three dorsalmost rays of pectoral fins in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 13–18, parietal 4, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2–3
+ 19–21, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1, preopercular 16–17, mandibular 11–13, lateral mandibular 5, paramandibular 1. One or two neuromasts on each scale
of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 50% of length; basihyal cartilage about 35% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 2–3. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 3 +
10. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae
25–27.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body bright brownish yellow, with 8–11 reddish gray bars slightly posteriorly inclined.
Opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris light yellow, with dark brown bar. Dorsal fin light greenish yellow, with 6–8 reddish brown bars through the entire fin, connected to distal red stripe. Anal fin light greenish
yellow, with 4–5 brown oblique bars and red distal stripe. Caudal fin light greenish yellow, with 3–5 reddish
brown bars and red distal border. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins reddish brown, with greenish yellow base.
Females. Side of body light yellowish gray, with one or two black spots on anterocentral portion of flank;
sometimes faint gray bars on caudal peduncle. Opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris light yellow, with
gray bar. Unpaired fins hyaline, with faint spots; small, iridescent blue spot on posterior portion of anal fin
close to caudal peduncle. Paired fins hyaline.
Distribution
Rio Paracatu floodplains, rio São Francisco basin, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil (Fig. 4).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Cerrado.
Simpsonichthys fasciatus Costa & Brasil, 2006
(Figs. 77)
Simpsonichthys fasciatus Costa & Brasil, 2006: 46 (type locality: Unaí, temporary pool about 2 km from the right bank
of rio Preto, rio Paracatu drainage, rio São Francisco basin, about 16º41’30”S 46º30’00”W, altitude about 550 m,
Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil; holotype: UFRJ 6339).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Minas Gerais, rio Paracatu drainage, rio São Francisco basin: UFRJ 6339, holotype,
male, 19.7 mm SL; UFRJ 6340, 7 paratypes; UFRJ 6341, 4 paratypes (c&s); Brazil: Estado de Minas Gerais:
Unaí, temporary pool about 2 km from the right bank of rio Preto, rio Paracatu drainage, rio São Francisco
basin; G. C. Brasil, 15 Apr. 2005. UFRJ 6372, 7 paratypes; MCP 39932, 3 paratypes; UFRJ 6377, 1 paratype;
same locality; G. C. Brasil, 14 Feb. 2006.
Diagnosis
Similar to S. alternatus and S. delucai and distinguished from all other congeners in having the following
combination of characters: anal fin rounded in males (vs. pointed), anal fin elongated, spatula-shaped in
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females (vs. short, about semicircular), and oblique bars on dorsal fin in males (vs. never a similar color pattern). Simpsonichthys fasciatus differs from S. alternatus and S. delucai in possessing dorsal-fin origin usually just anterior to anal-fin origin, sometimes slightly posterior, in a vertical through base of 2nd anal-fin ray
(vs. dorsal-fin origin in a vertical between base of 3rd and 5th anal-fin rays) and a dark gray to black stripe on
distal margin of dorsal fin in males (vs. dark red distal stripe).
FIGURE 77. Simpsonichthys fasciatus, UFRJ 6339, male, holotype, 19.7 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Unaí: middle
rio Paracatu drainage.
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 7. Largest specimen examined 20.0 mm SL. Dorsal profile slightly
concave on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, about straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsolateral portion
of head side. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal fin pointed and tip of anal fin rounded in both sexes; anal fin long, spatula-shaped in
females. Short filamentous rays on tip of dorsal fin in males, tip of longest filament reaching vertical through
caudal-fin base. Most dorsal-fin rays unbranched. Caudal fin subtruncate in males, rounded in females. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of pectoral fins reaching vertical between base of 4th and 6th anal-fin s ray
in males, through urogenital papilla in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching between base of 1st and 2nd
anal-fin rays in males, reaching urogenital papilla in females. Pelvic-fin bases in contact medially. Dorsal-fin
origin often slightly anterior to anal-fin origin, or sometimes posterior to it, on vertical between base of 1st and
2nd anal-fin rays in males, and between base of 3rd and 4th anal-fin rays in females. Dorsal-fin origin between
neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males, between neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 11 in females. Anal-fin
origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, between pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 9 in females.
Dorsal-fin rays 19–20 in males, 13–14 in females; anal-fin rays 20–21 in males, 17–19 in females; caudal-fin
rays 22–24; pectoral-fin rays 12; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no row of scales anterior to G-scale; two
small supraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 24–25; transverse series of scales 8–9; scale rows
around caudal peduncle 12. Minute contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of flank in males.
Small papillate contact organs on upper surface of dorsalmost ray of pectoral fin in males.
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Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 11–13, parietal 3, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2–3
+ 18, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1–2, preopercular
13–15, mandibular 10–12, lateral mandibular 4–5, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateral
line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 50% of length; basihyal cartilage about 35% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 3. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 3 + 10.
Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae 25–26.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body light pinkish gray, with 9–10 reddish brown bars. Dorsum light brown, venter yellowish white. Sides of head yellowish gray; narrow red pigmentation on scale margins of posterodorsal portion of head; opercular and infraorbital regions golden. Iris light yellow, with brown bar through center of
eye. Dorsal fin light greenish blue, with 6-8 oblique dark reddish brown bars; dark gray to black stripe on distal margin of fin. Anal fin light greenish blue to light yellowish gray on anterior portion, with 5 oblique dark
reddish brown bars; distal portion of fin dark orangish red. Caudal fin light greenish blue, with 4 dark reddish
brown bars. Pelvic fins reddish brown. Pectoral fins hyaline.
Females. Sides of body light brownish gray, usually with round black spot on anterocentral portion of
flanks, sometimes two spots or spots absent; often faint gray bars on ventral portion of caudal peduncle. Dorsum light brownish gray, venter light gray. Opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris light yellow with gray
bar through center of eye. Fins hyaline.
Distribution
Middle rio Preto drainage, itself a part of the rio Paracatu drainage, rio São Francisco basin, Unaí, Estado
de Minas Gerais, Brazil (Fig. 4).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Cerrado.
Simpsonichthys multiradiatus (Costa & Brasil, 1994)
(Figs. 78)
Cynolebias multiradiatus Costa & Brasil, 1994a:1 (type locality: temporary pool in Brejinho de Nazaré, Tocantins, Brazil [approximately 11o00’S 48o40’W; altitude 247 m]; holotype: MNRJ 12519).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado do Tocantins, rio Tocantins drainage, rio Amazonas basin: MNRJ 12519, holotype, male,
32.9 mm SL; MNRJ 12520, 9 paratypes; MZUSP 46080, 8 paratypes; UFRJ 2074, 7 paratypes (c&s); UFRJ
2075, 6 paratypes; UFRJ 2076, 8 paratypes; UFRJ 2097, 63; UMMZ 230858, 12; MCZ 138938, 2; temporary
pool in Brejinho de Nazaré; W. J. E. M. Costa, G. C. Brasil & C. M. C. Santos, 15 Feb. 1994.
Diagnosis
Distinguished from all other species of the S. flammeus group by having numerous rays in dorsal and anal
fins (dorsal-fin rays 25–28 in males, 17–21 in females, vs. 18–23 in males, 13–18 in females; anal-fin rays 23–
28 in males, 21–24 in females, vs. 20–24 in males, 18–22 in females).
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Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 7. Largest specimen examined 46.4 mm SL. Dorsal profile concave
on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately
deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsolateral portion of
side of head. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal and anal fins pointed in males, rounded in females; median anal-fin rays long in females,
anal fin spatula-shaped. Tip of dorsal and anal fins with filamentous rays in males, tips reaching vertical
through center of caudal fin. Caudal fin subtruncate in males, round in females. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of pectoral fin reaching vertical between base of 3rd and 7th anal-fin ray in males, and between
urogenital papilla and base of 2nd anal-fin ray in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching base of 1st anal-fin
ray in males and reaching urogenital papilla in females. Pelvic-fin bases medially in close proximity. Dorsalfin origin in vertical between pelvic-fin base and anus in males, and through urogenital papilla in females.
Dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 5 and 7 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 8 and 10
in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 8
and 9 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 25–28 in males, 17–21 in females; anal-fin rays 23–28 in males, 21–24 in
females; caudal-fin rays 23–26; pectoral-fin rays 12–13; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation usually E-patterned, rarely A or F-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no row
of scales anterior to H-scale; two small supraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 26–27; transverse
series of scales 11–12; scale rows around caudal peduncle 14. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portion
of lateral surface of body in males. Small papillate contact organs on inner surface of three dorsalmost rays of
pectoral fins in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 15–18, parietal 2–3, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2
+ 25–27, preorbital 4, otic 2, post-otic 2, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2–3, preopercular 16–19, mandibular 14, lateral mandibular 4–5, paramandibular 1. One or two neuromasts on each scale
of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 65% of length; basihyal cartilage about 40% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 3. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 5 + 12.
Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae 26–
28.
FIGURE 78. Simpsonichthys multiradiatus, male, UFRJ 2076, paratype, about 30.0 mm SL; Brazil: Tocantins: Brejinho
de Nazaré.
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Coloration
Males. Sides of body bright blue, with 12–14 reddish gray bars. Venter pale orange. Posterolateral portion of head red, with blue spot on center of each scale. Opercular region greenish blue. Iris light yellow, with
dark brown bar. Dorsal fin brownish red, with small round blue spots; sometimes oblique short brownish red
stripes on posterior portion of fin; anterobasal portion of fin with elongated spots, parallel to fin rays. Anal fin
light blue, with 6–7 brownish red bars. Caudal fin light blue, with 5–6 brownish red bars and bright blue distal border. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins reddish brown.
Females. Sides of body pale brownish gray, with faint gray bars; one or two black spots on anterocentral
portion of flanks. Venter pale golden. Opercular region pale green. Iris light yellow, with gray bar. Unpaired
fins hyaline, with faint spots; small, iridescent blue spot on posterior portion of anal fin close to caudal peduncle. Paired fins hyaline.
Distribution
Middle rio Tocantins floodplains, Estado do Tocantins, central Brazil (Fig. 4).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Cerrado.
Simpsonichthys flammeus (Costa, 1989)
(Figs. 79–80)
Cynolebias flammeus Costa, 1989: 185 (type locality: swamp in the confluence of rio Bezerra and rio Paranã, Arraias,
Tocantins, Brazil [approximately 13°10’S 47°00’W; altitude about 450 m]; holotype: MNRJ 1152).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado do Tocantins, rio Tocantins drainage, rio Amazonas basin: MNRJ 1152, holotype, male,
22.3 mm SL; MNRJ 11553, 2 paratypes; MCP 12795, 2 paratypes; UFRJ 280, 1 ex. (c&s); Arraias, swamp in
the confluence of rio Bezerra and rio Paranã; W. J. E. M. Costa, 11 Jan. 1989. UFRJ 5116, 4; UFRJ 5117, 2
(c&s); Peixe; G. C. Brasil, 20 Apr. 2000. Estado de Goiás: UFRJ 2081, 75; UFRJ 2116, 4 (c&s); MNHN
1997.0047, 8; UMMZ 230857, 12; USNM 343825, 5; MCZ 138944, 2; swamp close to rio Paranã, road Iaciara-Nova Roma; W. J. E. M. Costa, G. C. Brasil & C. Campinha, 13 Feb. 1994. UFRJ 157, 33; idem; G. C.
Brasil, D. Nielsen & M. T. C. Lacerda, 5 Mar. 1989.
Diagnosis
Similar to S. brunoi and distinguished from remaining species of the S. flammeus group by having iridescent blue bars on the flanks in females; similar to S. brunoi and distinguished from all other cynolebiatins by
having filamentous rays along entire distal border of dorsal and anal fins in males (vs. filamentous rays, when
present, restricted to tip of fin); differs from S. brunoi by having more dorsal-fin rays in males (20–23, vs. 18–
20), and consequently a longer dorsal-fin base (39.2–42.6, vs. 34.7–38.5% SL, in adult males with 25.0–30.0
mm SL), a deeper body (body depth 38.9–40.3, vs. 36.1–37.5% SL, in adult males with 25.0–30.0 mm SL), no
dark zones on dorsal fin in males (vs. melanophores concentrated on the anterior portion of the fin forming a
dark gray zone), and dorsolateral regions of head red, with blue spots on center of scales (vs. metallic greenish
blue, without red pigmentation).
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 7. Largest specimen examined 42.8 mm SL. Dorsal profile concave
on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately
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deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsolateral portion of
side of head. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal and anal fins gently pointed in males, rounded in females; median anal-fin rays long in
females, anal fin spatula-shaped. Entire distal border of dorsal and anal fins with long filamentous rays in
males, tips of longest rays reaching beyond posterior border of caudal fin. Caudal fin subtruncate in males,
round in females. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of pectoral fins reaching vertical through base of
6th anal-fin ray in males, and reaching urogenital papilla in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching base of 3rd
anal-fin ray in males and reaching urogenital papilla in females. Pelvic-fin bases medially in close proximity.
Dorsal-fin origin at vertical through urogenital papilla. Dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 6
and 8 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of
vertebrae 7 and 8 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 20–23 in males,
15–18 in females; anal-fin rays 20–24 in males, 18–22 in females; caudal-fin rays 24–25; pectoral-fin rays
13–14; pelvic-fin rays 6.
FIGURE 79. Simpsonichthys flammeus, male, UFRJ 2116, 29.9 mm SL; Brazil: Goiás: Nova Roma.
FIGURE 80. Simpsonichthys flammeus, female, UFRJ 2116, about 25 mm SL; Brazil: Goiás: Nova Roma.
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Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no row of scales anterior to H-scale; two
small supraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 26–27; transverse series of scales 10–11; scale rows
around caudal peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of lateral surface of body in males.
Small papillate contact organs on inner surface of three dorsalmost rays of pectoral fin in males.
Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 14–17, parietal 3, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 + 22–
23, preorbital 4, otic 2, post-otic 3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular 22–
24, mandibular 12, lateral mandibular 5, paramandibular 1. One or two neuromasts on each scale of lateral
line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 55% of length; basihyal cartilage about 40–45% of total length of
basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 2–3. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 4
+ 11. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae
26–28.
Coloration
Males. Sides of body light blue, with 12–13 pale reddish brown bars. Venter pale orange. Posterolateral
portion of head red, with blue spot on center of each scale. Opercular region metallic blue. Iris light yellow,
with dark brown bar. Dorsal fin light blue with 8–10 brownish red bars, anterior bars parallel to fin rays, posterior bars crossing fin rays; filaments black. Anal fin light blue, with 6–8 brownish red bars; filaments black.
Caudal fin light blue, with 5–6 brownish red bars and bright blue distal border. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic
fins blue.
Females. Sides of body pale brownish gray, with faint gray bars; anterocentral portion of flanks with one
to three black spots, alternating with vertically elongate metallic blue spots. Venter pale golden. Opercular
region pale blue. Iris light yellow, with gray bar. Unpaired fins hyaline, with faint spots; small, iridescent
blue spot on posterior portion of anal fin close to caudal peduncle. Paired fins hyaline.
Distribution
Middle rio Tocantins basin between Nova Roma, Estado de Goiás, and Peixe, Estado do Tocantins, central
Brazil (Fig. 4).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Cerrado.
Simpsonichthys brunoi Costa, 2003
(Fig. 81)
Simpsonichthys brunoi Costa, 2003: 55 (type locality: temporary pool near the city of Vila Boa, ribeirão Canabrava
floodplains, upper rio Urucuia drainage, rio São Francisco basin [correctly upper rio Paranã drainage, rio São Francisco basin] 15º03’0.4”S 47º04’3.3”W; altitude 449 m, Estado de Goiás, Brazil; holotype: MCP 28576).
Material examined
Brazil: Estado de Goiás, rio Tocantins drainage, rio Amazonas basin: MCP 28576, holotype, male, 29.1
mm SL; MCP 28577, 7 paratypes; UFRJ 5414, 17 paratypes; UFRJ 5413, 15 paratypes; UFRJ 5412, 8
paratypes; temporary pool near the city of Vila Boa, ribeirão Canabrava floodplains, 15º03’0.4”S
47º04’3.3”W; altitude 449 m; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove & B. B. Costa, 25 Jan. 2002.
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Diagnosis
Similar to S. flammeus and distinguished from remaining species of the S. flammeus group by having iridescent blue bars on the flanks in females (vs. blue bars absent); similar to S. flammeus and differing from all
other cynolebiatins by having filamentous rays along the entire distal border of the dorsal and anal fins in
males (vs. filamentous rays when present restricted to the tip of the fin); differs from S. flammeus in having
fewer dorsal-fin rays in males (18–20, vs. 20–23), and a consequently shorter dorsal-fin base (34.7–38.5, vs.
39.2–42.6% SL, in adult males with 25.0–30.0 mm SL), slender body (body depth 36.1–37.5, vs. 38.9–40.3%
SL, in adult males with 25.0–30.0 mm SL), melanophores concentrated on anterior portion of dorsal fin in
males, forming a dark gray zone (vs. absence of dark zones on dorsal fin), and the entire opercular and dorsolateral regions of head metallic greenish blue (vs. opercular region bright blue, dorsolateral region of the head
red, with blue spots on the center of scales).
FIGURE 81. Simpsonichthys brunoi, male, not preserved, about 30 mm SL; Brazil: Goiás: Vila Boa.
Description
Morphometric data appear in Table 7. Largest specimen examined 30.1 mm SL. Dorsal profile concave
on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately
deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsolateral portion of
side of head. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.
Tip of dorsal and anal fins gently pointed in males, rounded in females; median anal-fin rays long in
females, anal fin spatula-shaped. Entire distal border of dorsal and anal fins with long filamentous rays in
males, tips of longest rays reaching beyond posterior border of caudal fin. Caudal fin subtruncate in males,
round in females. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of pectoral fins reaching vertical through base of
5th anal-fin ray in males, and reaching urogenital papilla in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching base of 3rd
anal-fin ray in males and reaching urogenital papilla in females. Pelvic-fin bases medially in close proximity.
Dorsal-fin origin at vertical through urogenital papilla or base of 1st anal-fin ray. Dorsal-fin origin between
neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 11 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 6 and 8 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 9 in females. Dorsalfin rays 18–20 in males, 15–17 in females; anal-fin rays 20–22 in males, 18–21 in females; caudal-fin rays
24–25; pectoral-fin rays 13–14; pelvic-fin rays 6.
Frontal squamation usually E-patterned, rarely F-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no row of
scales anterior to H-scale; two small supraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 26–27; transverse series
of scales 10; scale rows around caudal peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of lateral
surface of body in males. Small papillate contact organs on inner surface of three dorsalmost rays of pectoral
fin in males.
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Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 14–17, parietal 4, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 +
23–25, preorbital 4, otic 2, post-otic 3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular
21–22, mandibular 12–14, lateral mandibular 4–5, paramandibular 1. One to three neuromasts on each scale
of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.
Basihyal subtriangular, width about 45% of length; basihyal cartilage about 30% of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 3. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 3 + 12.
Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total vertebrae 27–
28.
Coloration
Males. Side of body metallic greenish blue, with 11–13 pale reddish brown bars. Venter pale orange. Posterolateral portion of head pale golden, with bright greenish blue spot on center of each scale. Opercular
region metallic greenish blue. Iris light yellow, with dark brown bar. Dorsal fin light blue, with 6–8 brownish
red bars, anterior bars parallel to fin rays, posterior bars crossing fin rays; anterior portion of dorsal fin dark
gray; filaments black. Anal fin light blue, with 5–6 brownish red bars; filaments black. Caudal fin light blue,
with 4–5 faint brownish red bars and bright blue distal border. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins blue.
Females. Sides of body pale brownish gray, with faint gray bars; anterocentral portion of flank with one
to three black spots, alternating with vertically elongate metallic blue spots. Venter pale golden. Opercular
region pale blue. Iris light yellow, with gray bar. Unpaired fins hyaline, with faint spots; small, iridescent
blue spot on posterior portion of anal fin close to caudal peduncle. Paired fins hyaline.
Distribution
Ribeirão Canabrava floodplains, rio Paranã drainage, upper rio Tocantins basin, Estado de Goiás, central
Brazil (Fig. 4).
Habitat
Temporary pools in the Cerrado.
Acknowledgments
I am specially grateful to C. Bove and B. Costa for help during several collecting trips. Much of our knowledge about Simpsonichthys is due to the collecting efforts of G. Brasil and D. Nielsen. Thanks are also due to
A. Carletto, A. Cyrino, A. De Luca, J. C. Ghisolfi, R. Suzart, for the fine material obtained from various collecting trips; to D. Almeida, E. Araujo, R. D’Arrigo, A. C. Bacellar, S. Barrera, D. Belote, C. Campinha, R.
Cunha, M. I. Landim, M. Melgaço, C. Moreira, A. Oliveira, J. Paz, A. Peixoto, M. de Pinna, F. Pupo, S. Lima,
and A. Sarraf, for technical assistance in the field; to H. Britski, M. Britto, P. Buckup, D. Catania, Z. M.
Lucena, N. Menezes, D. Moraes, D. Nelson, G. Nunan, L. Palmer, O. Oyakawa, and J. Sarmiento, for curatorial support in ichthyological collections under their care and hospitality during visits to their institutions; to
U. Caramaschi, J. Huber, M. Ribeiro, for sending me material for study; and to C. Gilbert, for providing a
carefull revision of the manucript. This study was funded by CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento
Científico e Tecnológico - Ministério de Ciência e Tecnologia) and FAPERJ (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa
do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Programa Cientistas do Nosso Estado). Collecting permits were obtained from
IBAMA (02001,000179/99-70; 049/2004).
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