Pimelodella guato, a new species is described from rio Paraguai basin in Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso States, Brazil. This new species can be diagnosed from all congeners by several exclusive characteristics, not least the long maxillary barbels reaching at least the anal-fin terminus.
Open-access – https://www.scielo.br/j/ni/a/jKj7yDJKFMPnD7CsJSjvvbw/
“This study also discusses the ichthyofaunal similarities between the Paraguai and Amazon basins, shedding light on their biogeographic history. Additionally, the research includes considerations about the sexual dimorphism of Pimelodella and provides an identification key for the Pimelodella species found in the Paraguai basin.”
𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲
A new species of Pimelodella (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from the Paraguai basin, Brazil, with a discussion regarding its distribution
𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Pierre, V., & Slobodian, V.. (2024). A new species of Pimelodella (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from the Paraguai basin, Brazil, with a discussion regarding its distribution. Neotropical Ichthyology, 22(1), e230110. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2023-0110
𝗔𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁
A new species of Pimelodella is described from the rio Paraguai basin in Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso States, Brazil. The new species distinguishes from all other members of the genus based on a unique combination of characteristics, which include: dorsal profile straight from snout to dorsal-fin, maxillary barbel reaching at least the anal-fin terminus when parallel to main body axis, robust dorsal-fin spine bearing small spinules along three-fourths of its posterior margin, 41–42 total vertebrae (rarely 43 or 44), 13–23 large and retrorse blades at the posterior margin of the pectoral-fin spine, and dorsolateral region of body slightly darkened.
This study also discusses the ichthyofaunal similarities between the Paraguai and Amazon basins, shedding light on their biogeographic history. Additionally, the research includes considerations about the sexual dimorphism of Pimelodella and provides an identification key for the Pimelodella species found in the Paraguai basin.
𝗘𝘁𝘆𝗺𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆
The species name guato is in honour of the indigenous Guató people, who are affectionately known as “people of the Pantanal waters” due to their primary mode of transportation, canoes. Historically, the Guató people inhabited an extensive area along the rio Paraguai (Schmidt, 1942).
However, in the 1940s, they began to lose their territory due to cattle ranching, and many relocated to cities such as Cáceres and Corumbá. This dispersal led to a reduction in the Guató population, and since then, they have been fighting for recognition of their ethnicity and the demarcation of their lands (Costa, 2015).
The choice of guato is a homage to the resilience and cultural significance of these people who inhabit the same region where the new species is found. It also recognizes the ongoing struggles with land delimitation that indigenous communities continue to face, particularly in Brazil. A noun in apposition.
𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁
Pimelodella guato, holotype, ZUFMS-PIS 8515, 78.5 mm SL, Brazil, Mato Grosso do Sul, Corumbá municipality, rio Paraguai basin, rio Miranda, sandy beaches at Passo do Lontra region, 19°34’37”S 57°00’42”W. A. Dorsal; B. Left lateral; and C. Ventral views. Scale bar = 1 cm.
Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published in Neotropical Ichthyology journal. This paper is released under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
