Comprehensive Description
provided by Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology
Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1836)
Pacu lineatus Valenciennes in D'Orbigny, 1836: no page, pl. 8: fig. 3 [type locality: designated by Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes (1850:84) as la rivière de la Plata á Buénos-Ayres ((=Argentina) Río de La Plata at Buenos Aires)].—Müller and Troschel, 1844:84 [America meridionali (= southern America)]; 1845:8 [same information as in Müller and Troschel, 1844].—Valenciennes in D'Orbigny, 1847:9 [distinguished from curimatids; brief description].
Paca lineatus Jardine, 1841:258 [Guiana; generic name modified].—Valenciennes in D'Orbigny, 1847, pl. 8: fig. 3 [illustration of species].
Prochilodus lineatus.—Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1850:84 [la rivière de la Plata á Buénos-Ayres (=Río de la Plata, at Buenos Aires)].—Günther, 1864:295 [based upon Valenciennes, 1850].—Lütken, 1875b:193 [Plata-Flodens (=Río de la Plata)].—Steindachner, 1881:130 [Argentina, Province of Buenos Aires].—Eigenmann and Eigenmann, 1891:48 [in listing of South American fishes].—Boulenger, 1897:3 [Bolivia, Chaco, Mission de San Francisco].—Evermann and Kendall, 1906:79 [similarity to Prochilodus platensis noted].—Eigenmann et al., 1907:151 [La Plata basin].—Eigenmann, 1907a:451; 1910:424 [in listing of South American fishes]; 1912:271 [similarity to P. maripicru].—Devincenzi, 1925a:99 [Uruguay].—Devincenzi and Barattini, 1926, pl. 11: fig. 2 [Uruguay].—Fowler, 1932:345 [Brazil, Mato Grosso, Descalvados]; 1950:220 [literature compilation]; 1975:359 [literature compilation].—MacDonagh, 1934:49 [Argentina].—Pearson, 1937b: 109 [Río Paraguay basin].—Devincenzi and Legrand, 1940:6, pl. XI [index, Uruguay; illustration].—Devincenzi and Teague, 1942:60 [middle Río Uruguay].—Pozzi, 1945:258 [Argentina].—Buen, 1950:87 [Uruguay].—Saul, 1975:112 [comments on feeding].—Géry, 1977:219 [in part, not citation for Rio São Francisco].—Pauls and Bertollo, 1984:787 [karyotype].—Bertoletti, 1985:100 [Brazil, Rio Uruguai]; 1986:275 [Rio Grande do Sul].—Bertollo et al., 1986:156, table 1 [karyotype].—Ferraz de Lima, 1987:88 [Brazil, Mato Grosso, Rio Cuiabá major importance in fishery].—Géery et al., 1987:436 [Paraguay, Río Paraguay; Argentina].—Godoy, 1987:179 [Río de La Plata basin].—López et al., 1987:19 [Argentina].—Petrere, 1989:5 [economic importance].—Bertoletti et al., 1990:46 [Brazil, Rio Uruguai].—Carozza and Cordiviola de Yuan, 1991:119 [age and growth studies].—Menin and Mimura, 1992:523 [feeding modifications].—Cordiviola de Yuan and Campana, 1993:327 [scale development].—Rossi, 1993:159 [ontogeny of dentition and digestive system; food items through ontogeny].—Sverlij et al., 1993:1 [biology and fisheries].—Fugi et al., 1996:297 [daily feeding periodicity and food items].—Agostinho et al., 1997:184 [Brazil, upper Rio Paraná; abundance in most localities].—Britski et al., 1997:72, figs, on pages 72, 73 [Brazil, Pantanal].—Pavanelli and Caramaschi, 1997:26, table 1 [Brazil, Paraná, Rio Paraná basin].—Revaldaves et al., 1997:381 [Brazil, upper Rio Paraná; within basin genetic variability].—Mochek and Pavlov, 1998:28 [Bolivia, Río Pilcomayo; ecology].—Agostinho and Julio, 1999:382, table 16.1 [Brazil, Rio Paraná].—Benneman et al., 2000:14, 16 [Brazil, Paraná, Rio Tibagi].—Kas'yanov and lzyumov, 2000:353 [Bolivia, Río Pilcomayo; age and growth].—Fugi et al., 2001:27 [Brazil, Rio Paraná; trophic morphology].—Nakatani et al., 2001:198, figs. 57, 58 [descriptions of eggs, larval, and juvenile stages].—Sivasundar et al., 2001:413 [Río de La Plata basin; high levels of gene flow within basin].
Curimatus lineatus.—Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1850:90, cited as synonym of Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1836)].
Prochilodus reticulatus [not of Valenciennes, 1850].—Kner, 1859:147 [Brazil, lrisanga].—Günther, 1864:295 [in part, based upon Kner, 1859, Brazil citation].—Perugia, 1891:640 [Argentina, upper Río Paraná].—Eigenmann, 1910:424 [in part, citation of species in Alta Parana (=upper Rio Paraná)].—Bertoni, 1914:10 [Paraguay]; 1939:54 [Paraguay].—Fowler, 1950:222 [in part, cited occurrence of species in Río Paraguay].—Ringuelet, 1975:62 [citations for Parana and Paraguay basins; not citation for Amazon basin].—López et al., 1987:19 [Argentina].—[Not Pearson, 1937b: 109; Ringuelet and Aramburu, 1961:37.
Prochilodus nigricans [not of Agassiz, 1829].—Weyenberg, 1877:5 [Argentina: Tucuman (Río) Paraná, (Río) Uruguay, (Río) Bermejo, (Río) Salado].—Bertoni, 1914:10 [Paraguay]; 1939:54 [Paraguay].—Eigenmann and Allen, 1942:57 [in part, citation of species in (Río de) La Plata basin].—Pozzi, 1945:258 [Argentina].—Fowler, 1950:221 [literature compilation, in part; not citations of species from Paraguay].—Ringuelet, 1975:72 [upper and lower Río Paraguay].—Nomura, 1984:54 [Brazil, common name].—López et al., 1987:19 [Argentina].
Prochilodus scrofa Steindachner, 1881:129 [page 29 of separate], pl. 6: fig. 2 [type locality: Umgebung von Rio Janeiro vielleicht aus dem Rio Parahyba (= Brazil), vicinity of Rio de Janeiro, perhaps Rio Paríba do Sul; restricted herein to Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Paríba do Sul].—Eigenmann and Eigenmann, 1891:48 [in listing of South American fishes].—Ulrey, 1895: 260 [Brazil].—Eigenmann and Norris, 1900:355 [Brazil, Piracicaba].—Eigenmann and Kennedy, 1903:511 [Paraguay, Asuncion, Estancia Armonia, Arroyo Termentina; Brazil, Piracicaba].—Eigenmann et al., 1907:124 [Paraguay, Bahia Negra].—Eigenmann and Ogle, 1907:5 [cited similarity to P. beani].—Eigenmann, 1910:424 [in listing of South American fishes].—Bertoni, 1914:10 [Paraguay]; 1939:54 [Paraguay].—Pearson, 1937b:109 [Río Paraguay].—Campos, 1945:451 [Brazil, São Paulo, Rio Mogi-Guaçu].—Pozzi, 1945:258 [Argentina].—Fowler, 1950:223 [literature compilation]; 1975:360 [literature compilation].–Ringuelet and Aramburu, 1961:37 [Argentina; common name].—Bonetto, 1963:14, fig. 2 [migration].—Ringuelet et al., 1967:204 [Río Paraguay and Río Paraná].—Britski, 1972:83 [Brazil, São Paulo, Rio Paraná].—Roberts, 1973b:214 [nocturnal spawning].—Godoy, 1975:44, 66, 633 [tagging, details of anatomy, economic importance, life history, growth, longevity].—Lowe-McConnell, 1975:110 [spawning grounds]; 1979:233 [partial spawning; number of ova]; 1984:143 [economic importance]; 1987:155 [fish tagging; speed of migration].—Ringuelet, 1975:59 [Río Paraná basin].—Géry, 1977:222 [Rio de Janeiro; Río Paraguay].—Galetti et al., 1984:403 [karyotype].—Nomura, 1984:54 [Brazil, common name].—Pauls and Bertollo, 1984:787 [karyotype].—Bertoletti, 1985:100 [Brazil, Rio Uruguai]; 1986:275 [Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul].—Northcote et al., 1985:2707 [effects of impoundment on populations identified as P. scrofa].—Bertollo et al., 1986:156, table 1 [karyotype].—Godoy, 1986:41 [Brazil, Rio Paraná].—Toledo et al., 1986: 447 [speed of migration in upper Rio Paraná, Brazil].—Géry et al., 1987: 436 [Paraguay, Río Paraguay, Río Paraná].—López et al., 1987:19 [Argentina].—Nupelia, 1987:43 [Brazil, Itaipu Reservoir; common name; economic importance].—Toledo et al., 1987:501 [Brazil, Rio Paraná, Rio Mogi-Guaçu].—Petrere, 1989:3 [economic importance; upper Rio Paraná].—Anonymous, 1991:30 [as most commercially important species in Itaipu reservoir; biology].—Fugi and Hahn, 1991:873 [diet and feeding modifications].—Godinho et al., 1991:64 [ability to ascend fish ladders].—Petrere et al., 1991:126 [growth rates].—Santos and Barbieri, 1991:12 [age and growth].—Menezes and Vazzoler, 1992:62 [reproductive characteristics].—Agostinho et al., 1993:180, table 1 [Brazil; Rio Paraná, reproduction below Itaipu Reservoir].—Agostinho et al., 1993:182 [Brazil, Itaipu Reservoir; fisheries].—Sverlij et al., 1993:2 [biology and fisheries].—Agostinho and Julio, 1999:397 [Brazil, Itaipu Reservoir].—Sivasundar et al., 2001:414 [genetic similarity of populations in upper Rio Paraná with those from other portions of Ríio de La Plata basin].—Marçal-Simabuku and Peret, 2002:299 [Brazil, São Paulo, Rio Mogi-Guaçu; seasonal diet].—[Not Petrere, 1985:1.]
Prochilodus platensis Holmberg, 1888:898 [type locality: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Río de la Plata, Buenos Aires]; 1889:375 [Argentina; common name]; 1891:186 [Argentina, Río de La Plata; redescription].—Lahille, 1895:271 [Argentina].—Evermann and Kendall, 1906:79 [Argentina; similarity to Prochilodus lineatus noted].—Eigenmann and Ogle, 1907:5 [cited similarity to P. beani].—Eigenmann, 1910:424 [in listing of South American fishes]—Devincenzi, 1925a:103 [Uruguay].—Fowler, 1926:261 [Argentina, Buenos Aires]; 1950:222 [literature compilation]; 1975:359 [literature compilation].—Ringuelet, 1940:99 [Argentina, Rosario]; 1975:44 [Río de La Plata basin].—Pozzi, 1945:258 [Argentina].—Angelescu and Gneri, 1949: 214 [digestive system morphology].—Ringuelet and Aramburu, 1961:37 [Argentina; common name].—Bonetto, 1963:24 [migration].—Ringuelet et al., 1967:204 [Argentina, Río de La Plata basin; biological data; common name].—Mago-Leccia, 1972:47 [use of caudal-fin pigmentation to distinguish species groups].—Oliveros and Occhi, 1972:121 [buccopharyngeal anatomy].—Bayley, 1973:26 [Río Pilcomayo in Bolivia and Argentina; migration; spawning].—Pignalberi and Cordiviola de Yuan, 1973:29 [Argentina, middle Río Paraná; conspecificity of various morphs].—Cordiviola de Yuan, 1974:217 [Argentina, Río Paraná].—Bonetto, 1975:196, table 6 [ecology, biomass]; 1994:447, 454 [dominance in lentic environments of Río Paraná; reduction of populations of species in impoundments].—Godoy, 1975:67 [economic importance]; 1987:180 [Río de La Plata basin].—Lowe-McConnell, 1975:109 [abundance]; 1984:143 [economic importance]; 1987:153 [abundance].—Géry, 1977:222 [as possible synonym of P. lineatus].—Bonetto, Neigg et al., 1978:73 [Argentina, Corrientes].—Bonetto, Neigg et al., 1978:81 [Argentina, Corrientes].—Bonetto, Roldan et al., 1978: 1 [Argentina, Corrientes].—Bonetto et al 1981:79 [Argentina, Corrientes].—Cione and Tonni, 1981:4 [Argentina].—Arratia et al., 1983:80, 90, table 3 [Argentina, Río Bermejo].—Bowen, 1983:60 [adaptations for detritivory].—Bowen et al., 1984:1120 [utilization of detritus].—Miquelarena, 1984: 614 [caudal fin].—Cordiviola de Yuan and Pignalberi de Hassan, 1985:214 [lower Río Paraná, Diamente and San Pedro regions]; 1989:43 [Argentina, Río Paraná; population density].—Petrere, 1985:1 [importance in fisheries].—López et al., 1987:18 [Argentina].—Casciotta et al., 1989: 607 [Argentina, Río Dulce].—Miquelarena et al., 1990:272, table 1 [Argentina, Tucuman, Río Sali basin].—Haro et al., 1991:252 [Argentina, Río Quarto].—Petrere et al., 1991:126 [growth rates].—Bistoni et al., 1992:107 [Argentina, Río Dulce].—Menezes and Vazzoler, 1992:62 [reproductive characteristics].—Menin and Mimura, 1992:523 [feeding modifications].—Menni et al., 1992:136, table 2 [Argentina, Río Pilcomayo-Paraguay basins].
Prochilodus argenteus [not of Agassiz, 1829].—Perugia, 1891:640 [Argentina, central Chaco, Resistencia].—Eigenmann et al., 1907:151 [in part, Río de La Plata basin citations].—Eigenmann, 1910:424 [in listing of South American fishes; in part].—Bertoni, 1939:54 [Paraguay].—Ringuelet, 1975:72 [upper and lower Río Paraguay].—López et al., 1987:18 [Argentina].
Prochilodus costatus [not of Valenciennes, 1850].—Eigenmann, 1910:424 [in listing of South American fishes; citation of occurrence in Río Paraguay basin].
Salmo novemradiatus Larrañaga, 1923:387 [not seen; publication based upon manuscript prepared in 1814; species originally cited as Salmo 9-radiatus; information based upon Devincenzi (1925b:312) and Eschmeyer et al., in Eschmeyer, 1998].—Devincenzi, 1925b:312 [Salmo novemradiatus equated with Prochilodus lineatus].
Prochilodus affinis [not of Lütken, 1875a].—Fowler, 1950:215 [literature compilation in part; not cited occurrence of species outside of Río de la Plata basin].
Prochilodus hartii [not of Steindachner, 1874].—Fowler, 1950:218 [literature compilation, in part; not cited occurrence of species in Brazil, São Paulo].—Ringuelet, 1975:59 [Argentina, Río Paraná basin].
Prochilodus marcgravei.—Ringuelet et al., 1967:204 [in part, Argentinian records].—[Not Ringuelet and Aramburu, 1961:37; Ringuelet, 1975:61.
DIAGNOSIS.—The lack of dark, irregular, wavy, bar-like patterns on the caudal-fin lobes discriminates Prochilodus lineatus from P. brevis, P. lacustris, P. mariae, P. nigricans, and P. rubrotaeniatus, which have such caudal-fin pigmentation. Within the group of species with hyaline caudal fins, P. lineatus differs from P. vimboides in the number of scales along the lateral line (44 to 50 versus 34 to 39, respectively), the number of horizontal rows of scales around the caudal peduncle (17 to 21 versus 13 to 15, respectively), and the number of vertebrae (42 to 44 versus 36 to 39, respectively); from P. britskii in the number of horizontal rows of scales around the caudal peduncle (17 to 21 versus 13 or 14, respectively); the number of vertebrae (42 to 44 versus 39 or 41, respectively), and the number of teeth in the inner row of each side of the lower jaw (9 to 18 teeth versus 6 or 7, respectively); from P. hartii in the number of scales in the lateral line (44 to 50 versus 40 to 43, respectively), the number of horizontal rows of scales around the caudal peduncle (17 to 21 versus 14 to 16, respectively), and the number of vertebrae (42 to 44 versus 37 to 40, respectively); from P. magdalenae in the number of vertebrae (42 to 44 versus 39 to 42, respectively), the presence of dark, wavy, horizontal stripes on the lateral surface of the body (versus the lack of such pigmentation in P. magdalenae), and, less discretely, in the number of scales in the lateral line (44 to 50, 47 and 48 most frequent and 44 to 46 in only 10 of 122 specimens from which this count was taken, versus 43 to 46, 44 and 45 most frequent with 46 in only 3 of 41 specimens examined from which this count was taken, respectively); from P. argenteus in the number of horizontal rows of scales between the dorsal-fin origin and the lateral line (7 to 10, 9 most frequent, 8 common, and 10 infrequent, versus 10 or 11, 11 most frequent, respectively; Figure 33), the number of median predorsal scales (14 to 20, 16 most frequent, versus 17 to 22, 18 to 21 about equally frequent and 17 rare, respectively; Figure 34), and the number of scales along the lateral line (44 to 50, 47 most frequent, versus 45 to 51, 48 most frequent, respectively); from P. reticulatus in the number of vertebrae (42 to 44 versus 38 to 40, respectively), the presence of distinct wavy, dark, horizontal stripes along the lateral surface of the body (versus the absence of such stripes in P. reticulatus), and less distinctly in the number of lateral-line scales (44 to 50, with 47 most frequent, versus 41 to 45, with 43 most frequent, respectively); and from P. costatus in the number of scales along the lateral line (44 to 50, 47 most frequent and 44 to 46 less frequent, versus 44 to 47, 45 most frequent and 47 in only 2 of 32 specimens examined for this feature, respectively; Figure 41), and in the number of vertebrae (42 to 44, with 43 in 63.0% of specimens examined for this feature, versus 41 to 43, with 41 and 42 about equally frequent and 43 in only 6.7% of specimens examined for this feature; Figure 42).
DESCRIPTION.—Morphometric and meristic data for Prochilodus lineatus presented in Table 11. Body moderately high, transversely compressed. Greatest body depth at dorsal- fin origin. Dorsal profile of head gently concave. Predorsal profile of body convex. Dorsal profile of body posteroventrally inclined along dorsal-fin base, ranging from gently convex to straight from posterior of dorsal-fin base to adipose-fin origin, and concave along caudal peduncle. Predorsal portion of body gently ridged medially. Postdorsal portion of body obtusely rounded transversely. Ventral profile of body moderately convex from tip of lower jaw to posterior of anal-fin base. Ventral profile of caudal peduncle concave. Prepelvic region transversely flattened proximate to pelvic-fin insertion. Poorly developed median keel present between pelvic-fin insertion and anus.
Head profile pointed. Mouth terminal. Snout length greater than horizontal width of orbit. Nares of each side of head close to each other; anterior nares circular, posterior nares crescent shaped. Adipose eyelid present but poorly developed; most developed anteriorly, but with greater part of eye uncovered. Lips fleshy, moderately developed relative to those of some other prochilodontids, and forming oral disk when protracted.
Functional teeth in two rows in each jaw. All teeth movably implanted in flesh that overlies jaws. All teeth of similar size, with exposed portion spoon shaped from frontal view except when worn down. Inner tooth series in each jaw of protracted mouth with 13 to 25 teeth on left side of upper jaw and 9 to 18 teeth on left side of lower jaw. Outer row of teeth in each jaw with approximately 95 teeth on each side of upper jaw and approximately 75 teeth on each side of lower jaw in examined specimens. Upper and lower lips bordered by numerous globular, fleshy papillae.
Scales spinoid. Scales in middorsal series between posterior of dorsal-fin base and adipose-fin origin similar in form to those of adjoining regions of body. Lateral line with 44 to 50 (51.2% of specimens with 47) pored scales; 7 to 10 (76.9% of specimens with 9) horizontal rows of scales between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line; 6 to 9 (61.2% of specimens with 8) horizontal rows of scales between pelvic-fin insertion and lateral line; 6 to 9 (58.7% of specimens with 7) horizontal rows of scales between anal-fin origin and lateral line; 14 to 20 (34.5% of specimens with 16) median predorsal scales; 13 to 19 (41.6% of specimens with 15) scales in middorsal series between posterior of dorsal-fin base and adipose-fin origin; 17 to 21 (87.6% of specimens with 18) horizontal rows of scales around caudal peduncle.
Characters A B
Morphometrics
1. Standard length 251.1 23.8–460.2
2. Greatest body depth 32.8 30.5–45.7
3. Predorsal length 46.0 40.8–52.6
4. Dorsal-fin base length 16.2 12.1–19.9
5. Dorsal fin to adipose fin distance 28.8 20.7–30.6
6. Dorsal fin to caudal fin distance 44.9 36.3–51.2
7. Prepelvic length 49.7 45.9–62.0
8. Preanal distance 76.1 74.2–82.9
9. Snout to anal-fin insertion 78.7 77.7–86.2
10. Anal-fin base length 10.8 7.2–12.4
11. Caudal-peduncle length 13.5 10.6–15.5
12. Dorsal-fin length 26.1 21.4–38.1
13. Pectoral-fin length 22.3 17.2–23.6
14. Pelvic-fin length 19.5 14.2–25.5
15. Least caudal-peduncle height 12.3 10.7–14.6
16. Head length 26.1 23.0–36.8
17. Snout length 43.7 32.6–48.4
18. Bony orbital diameter 17.7 15.0–30.2
19. Postorbital length 41.2 32.8–51.3
20. Interorbital width 48.9 47.0–59.2
21. Mouth width 43.5 38.5–50.7
Meristics
Lateral-line scales 47 44–50
Scale rows between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line 9 7–10
Scale rows between anal-fin origin and lateral line 7 6–9
Scale rows between pelvic-fin insertion and lateral line 8 6–9
Rows of scales around caudal peduncle 17 17–21
Median predorsal scales 16 14–20
Median scales between dorsal and adipose fins 19 13–19
Vertebrae 43 42–44
Inner row teeth, upper jaw 21 13–25
Inner row teeth, lower jaw 13 9–18
Dorsal fin preceded by small, but well-developed, anteroventrally bifurcate, procumbent spine somewhat triangular in lateral view. Dorsal-fin rays (including procumbent spine) iii,9 or 10 (iii, 10 most frequent); anal-fin rays iii,7 to 9, or ii,8 (ii,8 most frequent); pectoral-fin rays i,13 to 18 (i,15 most frequent); pelvic-fin rays i,7 or 8 (i,8 most frequent); principal caudal-fin rays 10/9.
Vertebrae 42 to 44 (63.0% of specimens with 43).
Dorsal fin truncate, slightly pointed distally; posterior unbranched and anterior branched rays longest and subequal. Dorsal-fin origin located closer to tip of snout than to caudal- fin base. Greatest length of adipose fin approximately 1.5 times horizontal width of orbit. Adipose-fin origin located along vertical that passes through middle of anal-fin base. Pectoral fin distally pointed. Tip of adpressed pectoral fin reaching posteriorly approximately two-thirds of distance between pectoral- and pelvic-fin insertions. Pelvic fin falcate. Pelvic-fin insertion located along vertical that passes through posterior one-third of dorsal-fin base. Tip of adpressed pelvic fin extending posteriorly approximately two-thirds of distance between pelvic-fin insertion and anus. Axillary scale present, its length approximately one-third of greatest length of pelvic fin. Unbranched posterior and branched anterior anal-fin rays longest and subequal. Caudal fin bifurcate.
COLORATION IN ALCOHOL.—Ground coloration silvery yellow or brownish yellow, with dorsal portions of body and head darker. Lateral surface of body with 8 to 17 dark, irregular, vertically elongate pigment patches between head and caudal fin. Pigment with approximate overall form of narrow isosceles triangles, with apexes positioned along center of ventrolateral portion of body and bases along dorsomedial region of body. Patches well developed in small specimens, but indistinct or absent in large individuals. Lateral surface of body with approximately 8 to 14 dark, wavy, horizontal stripes along dorsal and ventral margins of exposed portions of scales. Approximately 4 to 7 (most frequently 5) wavy stripes above lateral line, and 4 to 7 (most frequently 6) wavy lines below. Field of black or brown chromatophores forming dark, irregularly shaped spot on upper portion of opercle.
Dorsal fin with 2 to 8 (most frequently 5) dark, irregular stripes beginning on anterior margin of fin and extending across fin approximately parallel to fin base. Adipose fin with small dark spots scattered over surface, and margin finely bordered with black. Pectoral, pelvic, anal, and caudal fins dusky. Iris yellowish silver or brownish orange, with diffuse dusky areas on dorsal and ventral portions.
COLORATION IN LIFE.—(Based upon color transparencies of recently collected adults from the upper Rio Paraná basin taken by first author and figure of species in Nakatani et al. (2001)). Dark pigmentation as described above. Ground coloration silvery, with some red pigmentation on lateral surface of body. Dorsal region of body and especially head darker. Dorsal fin hyaline. Pectoral and caudal fins moderately dusky, with pectoral fin sometimes reddish. Pelvic fin red overall, with coloration shifting from bright yellow basally to red distally. Anal fin with interradial membranes dusky and with anterior and posterior margins of fin reddish yellow. Iris yellowish silver.
Underwater observations of Prochilodus lineatus in different habitats of the Rio Miranda basin, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, by the authors showed that, although populations in large channels demonstrated the life coloration just described, populations in tributary, hard-water streams were much darker.
DISTRIBUTION.—Prochilodus lineatus is broadly distributed throughout the Rio Paraná Río Paraguay basin in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay (Figure 43, diamonds). We also have examined material of the species that originated in the independent Rio Paraiba do Sul system of the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the rivers draining into northern portions of Lagoa dos Patos in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In addition to the localities from which specimens examined in this study originated, the species also occurs in the southern portions of the Lagoa dos Patos, Brazil (Roberto E. Reis, MCP, pers. comm., 2002), the Río Sali and Río Dule systems that drain into the Mar Chiquita basin of the state of Córdoba, Argentina (Sverlij et al., 1993:5, fig. 2), and south of the mouth of the Río de La Plata in the Río Salado and Laguna de Chascomús of Argentina (Sverlij et al., 1993:5, fig. 2).
ECOPHENOTYPIC VARIATION.—The broad range in the overall form of the body in Prochilodus lineatus from different habitats was discussed by Sverlij et al. (1993:3). Those authors noted that previous research by Cabrera and Candida (1964), Vidal (1967), and Pignalberi and Cordiviola de Yuan (1973) revealed distinctly different body forms among various populations of the species, with the variation apparently correlated with biotic and abiotic features of the habitat. Underwater observations of the species in the region of Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, by the authors confirmed these earlier observations. Specimens of P. lineatus seen feeding on the nutrient poor sandy substrates of tributary streams had thicker lips and more attenuate bodies with an almost straight ventral profile of the body than did individuals of the species in the main river, a habitat with more hard substrate surfaces covered by periphyton.
COMMON NAME.—Corimbatá, curimbatá, curimba, grumatã (Brazil), and sábalo (Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia).
BIOLOGY AND FISHERIES.—Prochilodus lineatus is one of the commercially most important fish species throughout the Río de La Plata basin. Life history and fisheries information for the species throughout the Argentinian portions of its distributional range was summarized by Sverlij et al. (1993).
COMPARISONS.—As indicated in the “Diagnosis,” Prochilodus lineatus is unequivocally different in one or more meristic or pigmentary features from all congeners except for P. argenteus and P. costatus. Prochilodus lineatus of the Río de La Plata basin and the Rio Paraiba do Sul basin and P. argenteus that is endemic to the Rio São Francisco system, although having an overlap in the number of median predorsal scales and the number of horizontal rows of scales between the lateral line and the dorsal-fin origin, nonetheless, demonstrate pronounced differences in the modal counts for those values (see Figure 34 for median predorsal scales). In light of those differences and the allopatry of the nominal forms, we recognize them as distinct species in this study.
Prochilodus lineatus, in turn, although overlapping P. costatus of the Rio São Francisco basin in lateral-line scale counts, has a distinctly different range of modal values for this feature (Figure 41) and has shifted ranges and modally different values for the number of vertebrae (Figure 42). Because of these differences and the allopatry between these two nominal forms, we recognize them as distinct species.
MATERIAL EXAMINED.—785 specimens (186, 23.8–460.2 mm SL; partial meristic data taken from 120 additional specimens).
ARGENTINA. Buenos Aires: Buenos Aires, BMNH 1880.4.1:4–5, 2 (1, 453.2–460.2); CAS 11631 (formerly IU 11354), 2 (1, 190.0–233.4) [1R]; CAS 19251, 1 (317.2) [1R]; CAS-SU 31561, 1 (192.8) [1R]; CAS-SU 40107, 14 (1, 47.177.4); MNHN A.9905, 1 (62.8); NRM 9720, 1; USNM 176080, 1. Buenos Aires, Río de La Plata, MZUSP 20882, 1 (131.0). La Plata, BMNH 1878.5.16:61–7, 7 (1, 108.2–137.5) [2R]; BMNH 1908.8.29:16, 1 (333.1); BMNH 1912.6.18:1, 1 (316.3). Formosa: Formosa, BMNH 1971.2.12:17, 1 (94.9) [1R], Santiago Del Estero: Río Dulce, in Santiago del Estero, CAS-SU 31562, 1 (157.8) [1R]; CAS-SU 36000, 2 (1, 172.7183.7) [2R], Río Dulce, Termas de Río Hondo, USNM 361245, 9. Inexact Locality: Río Uruguay, AMNH 12277, 1 (333.0). ARGENTINA, NRM 7069, 2; NRM 7070, 1; USNM 53432, 1 (246.2).
BOLIVIA. Santa Cruz: Río Parapetí, at highway bridge in San Antonio del Parapetí, approximately 40 air km E of Camiri, USNM 304449, 4 (3, 124.8–203.2) [4R], Tarija: Río Pilcomayo, in Villa Montes, USNM 317566, 3 (1, 283.0–306.5).
BRAZIL. Mato Grosso: Baía Coranda Grande, Rio Cuiabá, Município de Barão de Melgçaco, MZUSP 21547, 2 (1, 228.2–235.0). Rio Sangradouro Grande, Rio Cuiabá, Município de Barão de Melgaço, MZUSP 21596, 6 (2, 256.4–295.0); MZUSP 21601, 1 (102.3). Rio Cuiabá, município de Barão de Melgaço, MZUSP 21667, 1 (250.7). Cáceres, Rio Paraguai, MZUSP 2051, 2 (130.5–170.0). Rio Jauru, fazenda, Pontes e Lacerda, município de Cáceres, MZUSP 21598, 1 (224.4). Munícipio de Cuiabá, Chácara Santa Rita, lagoons along margin of Rio Cuiabá, LIRP 727, 1. Rio Cuiabá, Santo Antônio do Leveger, MZUSP 4414, 2 (116.5–215.6). Ranchão da Lagoa, Município de Santo Antônio do Leveger, MZUSP 21577, 1 (240.0). Reserva de Taiamã, Rio Paraguai, MZUSP 14854, 1 (423.3). Rio Jauru, Porto Esperidião, MZUSP 28101, 1 (272.3). Rio Paraguai, MZUSP 35824, 7 (111.5–149.1). Mato Grosso do Sul: Rio Paraná, in front of Jupia, MZUSP 4029, 7 (1, 148.9–210.2); MZUSP 20716, 8 (193.0–250.0). Baía Bela or Albuquerque, Rio Paraguai, município de Corumbá, MZUSP 21536, 1 (265.0). Corixão, Capão Grande, Nhecolândia, Corumbá, MZUSP 36445, 3 (1, 135.5–166.2). Córrego do Bebedouro, município de Três Lagoas, MZUSP 20825, 1 (124.0). Rio Paraná, Ilha Solteira (drying pool on right bank), MZUSP 21430, 5 (3, 93.8–110.3). Island facing Porto Chinelo, Rio Piquirí, fazenda Santo Antonio do Paraíso, município de Itiquira, MZUSP 36726, 1 (252.5). Minas Gerais: Itutinga reservoir, Rio Grande, MZUSP 21508, 2 (1, 290.0–337.0). Rio Paranaíba, projeta Usina Hidrelétrica Bocaina, MZUSP 38880, 9 (3, 96.6–332.2). Rio Sapucaí, MZUSP 1375, 2 (101.9133.2). Paraná: Rio Paraná, Porto Mendes, MZUSP 14697, 1 (402.0); MZUSP 14698, 1 (426.5). Rio Paraná, below Guaíra, MZUSP 20660, 1 (368.9). Rio Paraná, Guaíra (upriver of Sete Quedas rapids), MZUSP 21619, 30 (2, 91.4–178.0). Rio Paraná (below Sete Quedas rapids), MZUSP 21090, 24 (3, 90.7371.9). Rio Ocoí, close to cachoeira, MZUSP 21794, 1 (174.9). Rio de Janeiro: “Rio de Janeiro,” probably Rio Paraíba do Sul, NMW 56702, 1 (251.1, lectotype of Prochilodus scrofa: see discussion under “Remarks”) [1R], Rio Paraíba (do Sul), São Fidélis, MZUSP 20858, 3 (3, 230.0–245.0). Rio Grande do Sul: Vila Scharlau, São Leopoldo, MZUSP 21185, 1 (100.4). Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, MZUSP 20906, 3 (1, 125.0–126.0). Rio Guaíba, Ponta Grossa, Porto Alegre, MZUSP 20844, 1 (212.4). Rio Uruguai, near São Borja, MZUSP 21373, 1 (367.0). Itaqui, MZUSP 1538, 2 (1, 221.0–221.6). Pools in Rio Vacacaí, Santa Maria, MCP 09405, 5 (2, 73.8–101.3). Rio Grande do Sul, BMNH 1884.2.5:42–3, 1 (389.7). São Paulo: Cachoeira de Emas, Rio Mogi-Guaçu, MZUSP 3432, 1 (346.5); MZUSP 3433, 1 (325.7); MZUSP 20695, 1 (198.8); MZUSP 20699, 2 (81.0–86.0); MZUSP 20708, 1 (190.5); MZUSP 20733, 2 (101.7–121.1); MZUSP 20740, 1 (98.0); MZUSP 21457, 16 (3, 113.1–178.4). Município de Santa Rosa do Viterbo, Rio Pardo, Rio Paraná basin, LIRP 227, 58. Rio Pardo, LIRP 671, 1. Pirassununga, Rio Mogi-Guaçu, MZUSP 2935, 1 (224.4); MZUSP 42662 (formerly MZUSP 2058, in part), 1 (257.3). Pirassununga, CAS 11839, 1 (177.0); MZUSP 2070, 2 (121.2–189.3). Lagoa do Scatolin, Pirassununga, MZUSP 21436, 76 (6, 23.8–76.3). Cachoeira de Emas, Pirassununga, MZUSP 20693, 7 (3, 89.2–101.5). Rio Mogi-Guaçu, BMNH 1946.12.23:132–135, 4 (93.3–267.8). Rio Piracicaba, BMNH 1907.7.6:8, 1 (239.5); MZUSP 2005, 1 (153.2); MZUSP 3300, 1 (275.0). Piracicaba, CAS 58887, 1 (111.8); MZUSP 1525, 4 (1, 159.8–192.6); MZUSP 204, 6 (175.0–275.0); MZUSP 2071, 1 (195.0). Piracicaba, Rio Piracicaba, MZUSP 2020, 1 (180.2); MZUSP 2057, 1 (310.0). Rio Pardo, near Santa Rosa de Viterbo, Barragem de Itaipava (21°25′S, 47°20′W), USNM 302519, 2. Rio Pardo, Usina do Limoeiro, MZUSP 4629–4633, 5 (3, 220.0–270.0); MZUSP 20793, 1 (245.0); MZUSP 20864, 5 (1, 247.0–325.4). Rio Aguapeí (Rio Feio), CAS 11799, 1 (136.2); MZUSP 1444, 2 (1, 118.0–123.5). Ilha Solteira, Rio Paraná (drying pool), MZUSP 20871, 7 (165.1–355.0); MZUSP 21435, 10 (2, 109.2–340.7). Município de Luís Antônio, Lagoa do Diogo, Reserva de Jataí, Rio Paraná basin, LIRP 380, 143. Santa Branca, Rio Paraíba do Sul, MZUSP 9718, 1 (319.0); MZUSP 21369, 4 (4, 250.0–305.0). Ribeirão Mato Grosso, Monte Aprazível, MZUSP 3621, 2 (109.1–121.8). Monte Alegre, MZUSP 3684, 1 (243.0). Ribeirão Ponte Nova, MZUSP 3042, 3 (215.0–222.0). Porto Cabral, Presidente Epitácio, Rio Paraná, MZUSP 3810, 1 (275.0). Salto de Itapura, Rio Tietê, MZUSP 20900, 3 (2, 181.1–226.5). Rio Tietê, Penápolis, MZUSP 21380, 1 (230.3). Córrego do Moinho, município de Alfredo Castilho, lagoon to side of river, MZUSP 20832, 5 (2, 126.4–135.5). Rio Paraná, Porto Cabral, MZUSP 20667, 1 (249.3). Rio Grande, Franca, MZUSP 2063, 1 (249.0). Olímpia, MZUSP 1297, 1 (226.9). Inexact Locality: Rio Paraná, MZUSP 21384, 1 (73.6).
PARAGUAY. Alto Paraguay: Puerto Bahía Negra, Río Paraguay, CAS 11634 (formerly IU 10268), 1 (230.3) [IR]. Río Paraguay between Bahia Negra and Estancia Doña Julia (20°10′S, 58°9′41″W), NRM 22374, 2. Amambay: Río Paraguay basin, Río Apa, 1500 m below Bella Vista, NRM 29341, 9; NRM 29342, 9; NRM 29343, 5. Canendiyu: Riacho tributary to Río Paraná, in Salto del Guaíra, UMMZ 206413, 6 (1, 86.7–101.8) [1R]. Central: Río Paraguay, USNM 181416, 1. Río Paraguay, near Asunción, USNM 181716, 1. W of Asunción, BMNH 1935.6.4:340–344, 8 (1, 35.7–134.0) [1R]. Asunción, Río Paraguay, CAS 59317 (formerly IU 9940–9941), 2 (1, 221.7–224.0) [1R]. Asunción Bay, near Asunción, Río Paraguay, USNM 181717, 4 (1, 133.4–181.0); USNM 181775, 3 (1, 158.2–258.3) [2R]. Río Paraguay, 1 km S of bridge in Puente Remanso, UMMZ 205578, 4 (1, 69.2–99.20) [2R]; UMMZ 205861, 8 (1, 62.9–77.9) [1R]; UMMZ 208092, 4 (1, 119.7–211.6). Concepción: Arroyo Trementina, FMNH 52559 (formerly CM 9944–9945), 2 (1, 237.1–241.4) [1R]. Río Ypané, approximately ESE of Concepción, UMMZ 207982, 3 (1, 191.0–248.6) [1R]. Río Paraguay basin, Estancia Laguna Negra, Laguna Negra (27°03′S, 57°01′W), NRM 23122, 5. Itapuã: Arroyo Poromoco, 34.5 km N of Encarnación, UMMZ 206112, 5 (1, 67.1–75.7) [5R]. Arroyo San Rafael, 2.2 km NE of San Rafael, UMMZ 206170, 2 (1, 74.8–88.3) [1R]. La Cordillera: E shore of Lago Ypacaraí, in San Bernardino, UMMZ 207644, 2 (1, 188.5–198.1) [1R]. Ñeembucú: Río Paraguay basin, Arroyo Honda, at crossing of road from Pilar to Humaitá, NRM 32917, 10. Río Paraguay basin, Arroyo Monduosa, at crossing of road at km 7 on road from Pilar to San Juan de Ñeembucú (26°47′55″S, 58°17′07″W), NRM 32910, 1; NRM 32912, 1. Arroyo Funco Cue, small river crossing on road from Pilar to Humaitá, near Humaitá (27°03′51″S, 58°29′35″W), NRM 32887, 5. Paso Cornelio, swamp along road from Pilar to Humaitá (27°03′09″S, 58°25′40″W), near Humaitá, NRM 32833, 4. Presidente Hayes: Villa Hayes, FMNH 71225, 3 (1, 31.3–44.9). Flooded area and lagoa approximately 34.3 km NW of bridge in Puente Remanso, UMMZ 207012, 1 (386.4). Río Paraguay, approximately 1.0 km S of bridge in Puente Remanso, UMMZ 208092, 1 (325.9) [1R]. Río Pilcomayo, at bridge approximately 12 km WSW of Chaco-i, UMMZ 207554, 2 (1, 170.7–180.5) [1R]. Río Pilcomayo, at Puente Juan de Perón (24°44′33″S, 58°50′21″W), NRM 25912, 6; NRM 29945, 1. Río Pilcomayo drainage, laguna within military post at General Bruguez (24°44′33″S, 58°50′10″W), NRM 29511, 1. Inexact Locality: USNM 1632, 1; USNM 21445, 1.
URUGUAY. Canelones: Montevideo, USNM 118018, 1 (340.2): USNM 124491, 2 (1, 326.7–335.9). Colonia: Arroyo Rosario drainage, Arroyo Tolla, 500 m upstream from mouth into Arroyo Rosario (34°19′17″S, 57°20′13″W), NRM 36699, 1; NRM 41488, 11; NRM 41489, 11; NRM 41490, 12; NRM 41491, 12; NRM 41492, 10. Salto: Salto, Río Uruguay, BMNH 1927.2.9:10, 1 (165.0) [1R]. Soriano: Río Uruguay, S of Dolores, FMNH 71229, 4 (1, 112.5–144.0) [1R]. Inexact Locality: Uruguay, NMW 56704, 2 (2, 285.4–298.4). Río Uruguay, MCZ 843, 2 (1, 231.5–238.3) [1R].
- bibliographic citation
- Castro, Ricardo M. C. and Vari, Richard P. 2004. "Detritivores of the South American fish family Prochilodontidae (Teleostei:Ostariophysi:Characiformes) : a phylogenetic and revisionary study." Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 1-189. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00810282.622
