New auchenipterid genus

[Silurus]

Akama, A & CJ Ferraris Jr, 2011. Spinipterus, a new genus of small, spiny catfish (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the Peruvian Amazon. Zootaxa 2992: 52-60.

Abstract

A new species of small auchenipterid catfish is described based on a single specimen from the Amazon basin and is placed into a new genus. Spinipterus, new genus, is diagnosed by the following striking autapomorphic features: pectoral and dorsal-fin spines with four prominent rows of serrations; lateral margin of the skull roofing bones ornamented with a single row of spines; size reduction of hipurals; elongation and angle of posterior cleithral process; and adducted dorsal fin rests into a mid-dorsal groove. The new genus also differs from most other auchenipterid genera by having lower counts for some fin rays. Current diagnoses of auchenipterid genera do not allow us to place the new species into any genus, which requires us to propose the new genus Spinipterus.

[Silurus]

The full species name is Spinipterus acsi.

[racoll]

From the Nanay near Iquitos. I wonder if this species is known in the trade?

[Silurus]

I initially thought that

Trachycorystes sp(1)

might be Spinipterus, but closer examination reveals that the anterior cranial fontanel is not large enough.

[The.Dark.One]

From the synopsis I would say this is Auchenipterinae sp Guyana (despite the locality difference based on what I know of the distribution of the sp Guyana it is probably still this fish).

Could I have the pdf please Silurus?

steven.grant1@virgin.net

thanks

[Marc van Arc]

From the synopsis I would say this is Auchenipterinae sp Guyana (despite the locality difference based on what I know of the distribution of the sp Guyana it is probably still this fish).

Based on the pictures in the PDF I'd say this is "my" fish.
A name at last, after so many years -)

[The.Dark.One]

Carl has kindly confirmed that it does look like "our" ;o) fish Marc lol.

I sent him links to my Scotcat images. They only had one immature specimen and don't seem to be aware that another ichthyologist had 3 specimens (2 with locality).

It appears that the fish is not from Guyana (despite the trade name), and is from the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon.

[The.Dark.One]

It appears that there are two (currently) undescribed species that may end up in Spinipterus (according to the description). I wouldn't be surprised if

Trachelyopterus

sp 2 ends up being in this genus based on the morphology of the body but more importantly the dorsal and pectoral fin spines and I would suggest it being reassigned in the catelog as Spinipterus sp 1

[racoll]

It appears that the fish is not from Guyana (despite the trade name), and is from the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon.

How do we know this?

If the fish did come from Guyana, it would be obvious to the exporters, right?

Would it be something that was made up?

[The.Dark.One]

It appears that the fish is not from Guyana (despite the trade name), and is from the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon.

How do we know this?

If the fish did come from Guyana, it would be obvious to the exporters, right?

Would it be something that was made up?

Because we know it comes from the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon based on the holotype, and the specimens another Brazilian ichthyologist has, and pictures from peruvian ornamental fish exporters. I think the chances of some other specimens turning up from Guyana are very slim, albeit not out of the question. And yes I do sometimes think that shops get crossed messages about where fish are from, sometimes misinformation is given on purpose IMO.

[Jools]

Also, if it was exported from Guyana, why would it have a Spanish trade name (Tatia novia).

Jools

[Marc van Arc]

Also, if it was exported from Guyana, why would it have a Spanish trade name (Tatia novia).

This is mere guessing, but I can understand the trade name as such - probably spelled Tayta novia. It is however overdone, because it would normally be either Tayta or Novia.
The German seller may have interpreted this as Tatia (Tayta) new (novia) species (sp) from Guyana

[Jools]

Yeah, but why use a Spanish name in an English speaking country? Or, put it another way, why export a fish from Guyana out of a neighbouring Spanish speaking country? Anyway, probably a moot point - just struck me as odd.

Cheers,

Jools

[The.Dark.One]

It appears that there are two (currently) undescribed species that may end up in Spinipterus (according to the description). I wouldn't be surprised if

Trachelyopterus

sp 2 ends up being in this genus based on the morphology of the body but more importantly the dorsal and pectoral fin spines and I would suggest it being reassigned in the catelog as Spinipterus sp 1

Thanks to loan of images from Dave Rinaldo, Jorne Kasa, and amiidae I have had an article published in the CSG Newsletter on Spinipterus. In it I give my evidence on my comment above as to why

Trachelyopterus sp(2)

should be in Spinipterus.
Alberto Akama (senior author of Spinipterus acsi) has seen the article and agrees it is an undescribed Spinipterus. This is in addition to the other 2 undescribed species mentioned in the description.

[Jools]

That all adds up, I've renamed the species.

Cheers,

Jools