Characin

Potamodromous. Migrating within streams, migratory in rivers, e.g. Saliminus, Moxostoma, Labeo. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Cyphocharax voga (Hensel)

Curimatus voga Hensel, 1869:78 [type locality: Brazil: São Leopoldo, Rio dos Sinos].—Steindachner, 1874:427 [placed as a synonym of Curimatus Gilbert Quoy and Gaimard, 1824].—Eigenmann and Eigenmann, 1889:424 [as in Steindachner, 1874].—Eigenmann, 1910:421 [as in Steindachner, 1874].—Fowler, 1975:372 [as in Steindachner, 1874].—Vari, 1989a, tables 2, 3 [assignment to Cyphocharax].

Curimatus Gilberti.—Steindachner, 1874:427 [in part, specimens from Brazil: Rio Macuri above Porto Alegre; Curimatus voga Hensel, 1869, placed as a synonym of Curimata Gilbert Quoy and Gaimard].—Ihering, 1893:113 [Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Camaguã]; 1898:176 [based on Ihering, 1893].—Pellegrin, 1909:148 [Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul].

Curimatus gilberti.—Eigenmann and Eigenmann, 1889:424 [references in part; distribution in part, not cited occurrence in regions north of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; listed specimens in part, Argentina: Buenos Ayres (= Aires); Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre]; 1891:47 [in part, Curimatus voga citation].—Eigenmann, 1894:633 [Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul].—Eigenmann and Kennedy, 1903:511 [Paraguay: Estancia la Armonia].—Evermann and Kendall, 1906:78 [Argentina].—Eigenmann and Ogle, 1907:3 [Uruguay: Montevideo].—Eigenmann, 1907:451 [Argentina: Buenos Aires]; 1910:421 [citation in part].—Bertoni, 1914:9 [Paraguay].—Devincenzi, 1926:209 [Uruguay: Puntas del Cebollati].—Devincenzi and Teague, 1942:59, fig. [Uruguay].

Curimata gilbert.—Fowler, 1906:300 [Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul]; 1943:312 [Uruguay: Florida and Montevideo].

Curimatopsis maculatus Ahl, 1934:240 [type locality: Argentina].—Arnold and Ahl, 1936:130–131, unnumbered text fig. [brief description, aquarium requirements].—Pozzi, 1945:271 [Río Paraná, Río Uruguay, Río Paraguay, Río Salado].—Fernández-Yépez, 1948:69 [? incorrect locality: Brazil, Amazon].—Ringuelet and Aramburu, 1961:36 [Argentina].—Ringuelet et al., 1967:19 [reference].—Fowler, 1975:376 [reference].—Lopez et al., 1987:19 [Argentina].—Vari, 1989a, tables 2, 3 [assignment to Cyphocharax].

Curimata gilberti.—Pearson, 1937:109 [Paraguay].—Lüling, 1980:111 [Argentina].—de Buen, 1949:87 [literature compilation, evidently based on Devincenzi, 1926, and Fowler, 1943].—Bertoletti, 1986:275 [Rio Grande do Sul].—Lopez et al., 1987:19 [Argentina].

Curimata gilberti gilberti.—Bertoni, 1939:54 [Paraguay: Asuncíon].—Olivier, 1961:47 [Argentina: Laguna Vitel].—Ringuelet and Aramburu, 1961:36 [Argentina].

Pseudocurimata gilberti.—Fernández-Yépez, 1948:46 [assignment to Pseudocurimata; distribution in part].—Ringuelet et al., 1967:199 [Argentina].—Bonetto, Cordiviola de Yuan, Pignalberi, and Oliveros, 1969:213 [Argentina: Río Paraná, not seen].—Alaimo and Freyre, 1969:197 [Argentina: Buenos Aires, Laguna de Chascomús; not seen].—Bonetto, Cordiviola de Yuan, Pignalberi, and Oliveros, 1970:135 [Argentina: middle Río Paraná; not seen].—Freyre and Togo, 1971:175 [induction of spawning, ontogeny].—Ringuelet, 1975:61, 65, 72 [Río Uruguay, Río Paraguay, and Río de La Plata systems].—Bonetto et al., 1978:17 [Argentina: Río Riachueto basin, Laguna La Brava; not seen].—Azpelicueta, 1980:85 [osteological observations].—Buckup and Malabarba, 1983:106 [Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul, Estação Ecológica do Taim].—Menni et al., 1984:10, 29 [Argentina: Córdòba].—Lopez et al., 1984:76 [Argentina: Río Paraguay].—Pignalberi de Hassan and Cordiviola de Yuan, 1985:21 [Argentina: middle Río Paraná, Corrientes and Santa Fe regions].—Cordiviola de Yuan and Pignalberi de Hassan, 1985:215 [Argentina: lower Río Paraná, Diamente and San Pedro regions].—Pignalberi de Hassan and Cordiviola de Yuan, 1988:168, 173 [Argentina: Formosa, Río Paraguay].

Curimata gilbert gilbert.—Fowler, 1950:284 [citations in part; not synonymy of C. voga into C. gilberti].—Travassos, 1960:8 [literature compilation in part; Rio Paraguay basin references, not other citations].

Curimatus gilberti gilberti.—Grosser and Hahn, 1981:64 [Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul, Lagoa Negra, Viamão].

Curimata cf. gilberti.—Lüling, 1981:16 [Argentina].

Curimatus sp.—Bossemeyer et al., 1981:63 [Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul, Rio Jacui, and Rio Jacuizinho].

Curimata cf. voga.—Géry et al., 1987:423, fig. 39 [Paraguay: Río Paraguay].

Curimata gillii.—Géry et al., 1987:416 [in part; some of reported specimens from Paraguay: Río Paraguay basin, marécages (swamp) N of Coronel Oviedo].

Cyphocharax voga.—Malabarba, 1989:124 [Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul, Laguna dos Patos system].

DIAGNOSIS.—Cyphocharax voga is distinguished from its congeners by the combination of 32 to 37 scales in the lateral line to the hypural joint, the 34 to 37 (typically 35 or 36) vertebrae, the absence of multiple series of longitudinal dark stripes or small dark spots in longitudinal rows on the body, absence of a discrete patch of dark pigmentation on the dorsal fin, the presence of patch of dark pigmentation on the midlateral surface of the caudal peduncle ranging in shape from vertically ovoid to rotund, the absence of an anterior extension in larger specimens of the pigmentation on midlateral surface of caudal peduncle as a thin midlateral line, the absence of 4 or 5 large midlateral dark spots on the body, the presence in juveniles and many adults of a somewhat random series of spots on the lateral and dorsolateral surfaces of body, the absence of marked pigmentation on the middle caudal-fin rays, and the possession of 9 branched dorsal-fin rays.

Cyphocharax voga is most similar phenetically to the allopatric species C. santacatarinae and C. gilbert, and indeed was considered a synonym of the latter for over a century. The presence of a somewhat random series of dark spots on the lateral and dorsolateral surfaces of the body in juveniles and mid-sized specimens of C. voga readily discriminates it from those two species. The three species can also be differentiated by various other details of pigmentation and meristics (see “Remarks” under C. gilbert).

DESCRIPTION.—Body moderately elongate, somewhat compressed laterally, less so in larger individuals. Dorsal profile of head convex from tip of snout to vertical line through posterior nostril, straight or slightly convex from that line to tip of supraoccipital spine. Dorsal profile of body smoothly curved from tip of supraoccipital spine to origin of dorsal fin; straight and posteroventrally slanted at base of dorsal fin, gently convex from base of last dorsal-fin ray to caudal peduncle. Dorsal surface of body with indistinct median keel anterior to dorsal fin, smoothly rounded transversely posterior to fin. Ventral profile of body gently curved from tip of lower jaw to caudal peduncle. Prepelvic region obtusely flattened; scales of that region not enlarged relative to those on adjoining portions of body. Obtuse median keel present posterior to insertion of pelvic fin. Secondary obtuse keel on each side of postpelvic portion of body about two scales dorsal of ventral midline.

Greatest body depth at origin of dorsal fin, depth 0.35–0.42 [0.39]; snout tip to origin of dorsal fin 0.49–0.53 [0.52]; snout tip to origin of anal fin 0.83–0.88 [0.84]; snout tip to origin of pelvic fin 0.54–0.61 [0.56]; snout tip to anus 0.79–0.85 [0.81]; origin of dorsal fin to hypural joint 0.53–0.59 [0.54]. Dorsal fin obtusely pointed in profile distally; last unbranched and first branched rays three to three and one-half times length of ultimate ray. Pectoral fin pointed in profile distally; length of pectoral fin 0.18–0.23 [0.18], extends about one-half distance to vertical line through origin of pelvic fin. Pelvic fin pointed in profile distally, length of pelvic fin 0.18–0.22 [0.19], reaches slightly more than one-half distance to origin of anal fin. Caudal fin forked. Adipose fin well developed. Anal fin emarginate, anteriormost branched rays about two and one half to three times length of ultimate ray. Least depth of caudal peduncle 0.13–0.15 [0.14].

Head profile rounded anteriorly, somewhat more obtusely pointed in smaller specimens, head length 0.26–0.32 [0.26]; upper jaw slightly longer than lower, mouth barely subterminal; snout length 0.25–0.31 [0.30]; nostrils of each side very close, anterior circular, posterior crescent-shaped with aperture closed by thin flap of skin separating nares; orbital diameter 0.25–0.32 [0.27]; adipose eyelid present, with broad vertically ovoid opening over center of eye; length of postorbital portion of head 0.40–0.50 [0.49]; gape width 0.25–0.30 [0.28]; interorbital width 0.40–0.46 [0.46].

Pored lateral-line scales from supracleithrum to hypural joint 32 to 37 [37]; all scales of lateral line pored, canals in scales straight; 3 to 5 series of pored scales extend beyond hypural joint onto caudal-fin base; 5 to 6 [6] scales in transverse series from origin of dorsal fin to lateral line; 5 to 6 [5] scales in transverse series from lateral line to origin of anal fin.

Dorsal-fin rays ii,9 or iii,9 (when three unbranched rays present, first very small; iii,9 rare) [ii,9]; anal-fin rays ii,7 or iii,7 (when three unbranched rays present, first very small) [ii,7]; pectoral-fin rays 13 to 15 [15]; pelvic-fin rays i,8 or 9 (i,9 less common) [i,8].

Total vertebrae 34 (4), 35 (56), 36 (46), 37 (5).

COLOR IN LIFE.—(Based on a transparency of recently captured specimens collected by Dr. R.M.C. Castro in the Rio Sanga Funda, Município de Osório, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.) Body and head silvery overall, darker dorsally. Spot of dark pigmentation on midlateral surface of caudal peduncle very obvious. Basal two-thirds of dorsal fin and basal four-fifths of caudal fin with reddish tint; distal portions of those fins mostly hyaline, but with margins of fin rays dusky. Other fins hyaline with some series of small dark spots along fin rays.

COLOR IN ALCOHOL.—Overall coloration of specimens retaining guanine on scales silvery; darker on dorsal surfaces of head and body. Specimens lacking guanine on scales tan to light brown, darker dorsally. No pronounced pigmentation pattern on head at any age. Juveniles with dark, rhomboidal spot on caudal peduncle (Figure 55). Spot terminates posteriorly at caudal-fin base, and extends dorsally and ventrally, to or nearly to, margins of caudal peduncle, particularly in very small individuals. Juveniles with series of dark chromatophores along myomere margins above and below lateral line, and with some scattered small, irregular patches of pigmentation on lateral and dorsal surfaces of body. Overall pigmentation more developed on dorsal portions of head and body.

Dark pigmentation along myomeres decreasingly obvious in individuals above 45 mm SL, but random dark spotting on lateral and dorsal portions of body becoming more apparent, most often concentrated in irregular series of spots proximate to lateral line. Individuals above 130 mm SL with spots on body somewhat more obscure. Dark caudal peduncle spot somewhat obscure in smaller individuals, rotund or horizontally elongate. Caudal peduncle spot in specimens above 45 mm SL round or somewhat triangular, not extending to dorsal and ventral margins of caudal peduncle.

AUTAPOMORPHIES OF Cyphocharax voga.—The most distinctive feature of juvenile and mid-sized specimens of C. voga is the pattern of somewhat randomly arranged dark spots on the lateral and dorsolateral surfaces of the body (Figures 55, 56). That pigmentation pattern is not present elsewhere in the genus or family and is consequently considered autapomorphic for the species.

DISTRIBUTION.—Coastal rivers of Rio Grande do Sul and southern Santa Catarina states, Brazil; Uruguay; Buenos Aires region and rivers draining into Río de La Plata estuary in Argentina; lower Río Paraná, Río Paraguay system in Paraguay and Argentina (Figure 58).

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—567 specimens (78, 29.3–196.3).

BRAZIL. Santa Catarina: Canal parallel to Rio Capivari, along road from Tubarão to Gravatal, Município de Tubarão, USNM 280063, 12. Rio Correia, along BR 101, Município de Tubarão, USNM 280059, 3. Rio Grande do Sul: No specific locality, ANSP 70355–70357, 3; ANSP 21838–21843, 6. Lagoa de Tramandaí, Tramandaí, MZUSP 21689, 1 (160.0); MZUSP 14193–14194, 2; MCP 9200, 1. Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, ZMB 7472, 1 (161.5, lectotype of Curimatus voga); ZMB 23577, 3 (paralectotypes of Curimatus voga); MZUSP 13791, 3 (127.4–129.3); MZUSP 20892, 8 (6, 53.9–72.3); MZUSP 20903, 1 (57.3); MZUSP 4496, 2 (151.3–173.0); MZUSP 20904, 1; MZUSP 20905, 1. Rio Sanga Funda, Município de Osório, USNM 296522, 19; MZUSP 39786, 18. Município de Osório, Lagoa das Malvas, MZUSP 14197, 2 (1, 166.0). Arroio Morena, Município de Rio Pardo, MZUSP 28257, 7 (2, 84.3–90.2). Rio Paranhama at confluence with Rio dos Sinos, Taquara, MZUSP 21720, 1. Porto Alegre, Passo do Lami, MZUSP 20895, 76. Porto Alegre, Rio Guaíba, MZUSP 20845, 4; MZUSP 20846, 10. Barragem da Lomba do Sabaõa, Município de Viamão, MZUSP 21459, 1 (111.5). Lagoa dos Quadros, MZUSP 14195, 2; MZUSP 14196, 1. Pelotas, MZUSP 9618, 1 (140.5). Canal São Gonçalo, Pelotas, USNM 295891, 6 (108.2–162.0); USNM 295939, 14 (70.3–104.3; 2 specimens cleared and counterstained for cartilage and bone). Porto Alegre, Assuncão, MZUSP 20893, 31. Lagoa-Mirim, Pelotas, MZUSP 21725, 2 (31.5–32.2). Canal along road from Pelotas to Rio Grande, near Pelotas, USNM 295932, 2; MZUSP 21723, 3. Arroio Pelotas where crossed by road from Pelotas to Porto Alegre, USNM 295925, 1. Rio Sanga Funda, Terra de Areia, MCP uncat., 10. Arroio do Bolacha, along road from Rio Grande to Cassino, MZUSP 21722, 4; USNM 295931, 4. Arroio do Bolacha, MZUSP 38522, 8 (5, 76.9–85.8). Arroio Senandes along road from Rio Grande to Cassino, MZUSP 21724, 104; USNM 295995, 38. Arroio Chasqueiro, along highway from Pelotas to Jagarão, USNM 295928, 4 (2, 38.1–84.7); MZUSP 21729, 7. Rio Vacacaí, Município de Santa Maria, USNM 295926, 6 (40.6–76.3). Belém Novo near Porto Alegre, MZUSP 21669, 2 (1, 51.3); USNM 295925, 1. Belém Novo, Arroio Chapeu Virado, MZUSP 21672, 23 (2, 67.8–67.9). Estação Ecológica do Taim, MZUSP 21727, 9; USNM 297380, 2 (73.4–79.4); MZUSP 21726, 2 (75.1–81.2); USNM 295941, 6. Lagoa Mirim, USNM 295927, 1. Tributary to Rio Ibicuí da Faxina, along road from Rosario to Livramento, 500 m from tum-off to Bagé, Município de Livramento, USNM 295933, 1. Arroio do Salso, on road from Livramento to Rosario do Sul, USNM 295885, 12; MCP uncat., 11; MZUSP 39782, 11. Itaqui, MZUSP 1688, 1; MZUSP 1935, 1.

URUGUAY. Maldonado: No specific locality, NMW 67034, 2. Arroyo Miguelete, NMW 66957, 4; NMW 68748, 2; NMW 68772, 2. Laguna del Sauce, MZUSP 20821, 3 (2, 183.3–196.3). Canelones: Montevideo, USNM 39148, 1; BMNH 1872.5.6:29–30, 2 (95.2). Montevideo, Cerro Largo, ANSP 54066, 1. Paysandú: Río Uruguay, Paysandú, MZUSP 21375, 3 (2, 111.5–120.7). Florida: Estancia Santa Adela, Arroyo Chamizo, MZUSP 20891, 8 (3, 58.9–67.1). Arroyo Borneo Chico, ANSP 67853, 1.

ARGENTINA. No definite locality, ZMB 20818, 1 (29.3, holotype of Curimatopsis maculatus). Buenos Aires: Buenos Aires, USNM 55576, 2 (130.2–136.7). Junin, USNM 295929, 7. Arroyo El Pescado, USNM 313875. Choco: Río Paraná near Barranqueras, USNM 196618, 2. Lago Chascomüs, USNM 176030, 1. Corrientes: Bela Vista, Arroyo Carrizal, MZUSP 10220, 1.

PARAGUAY. Central: Arroyo Yuqury, 1 km from Capiata, USNM 295935, 1 (110.2). Paraguari: Río Tebicuary, USNM 181645, 2 (92.7–95.5). Vicinity of Minas-cué, USNM 232215, 1 (84.4). Parque Nacional Ybycui, USNM 232217, 1; USNM 229437, 1 (80.7); USNM 229419, 1 (68.4).