Zootaxa,Taxonomic revision of the seasonal South American ... 2007 Taxonomic revision of... · wilson j. e. m. costa * * Laboratório de Ictiologia Geral e Aplicada, Departamento

ZOOTAXA

Taxonomic revision of the seasonal South American killifish genus Simpsonichthys

(Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes: Aplocheiloidei: Rivulidae)

WILSON J. E. M. COSTA

Magnolia PressAuckland, New Zealand

1669

COSTA2 · Zootaxa 1669 © 2007 Magnolia Press

WILSON J. E. M. COSTATaxonomic revision of the seasonal South American killifish genus Simpsonichthys (Teleostei: Cyprin-odontiformes: 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 (Print edition)

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Accepted by C. Gilbert: 21 Oct. 2007; published: 21 Dec. 2007 3

ZOOTAXAISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)

ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition)Copyright © 2007 · Magnolia Press

Zootaxa 1669: 1–134 (2007) www.mapress.com/zootaxa/

Taxonomic revision of the seasonal South American killifish genus Simpsonich-thys (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


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

Zootaxa 1669 © 2007 Magnolia Press · 5SEASONAL SOUTH AMERICAN KILLIFISH SIMPSONICHTHYS

Abstract

Fifty species in five subgenera of Simpsonichthys (family Rivulidae) are recognized as valid. Xenurolebias, from thecoastal plains of eastern Brazil, includes one species, S. myersi; Ophthalmolebias, from the coastal river basins of easternand southeastern Brazil, comprises S. constanciae, S. suzarti, S. bokermanni, S. perpendicularis, and S. rosaceus; Sim-psonichthys, from the central Brazilian plateau, in the upper Paraná, upper Araguaia and upper São Francisco riverbasins, comprises S. cholopteryx, S. parallelus, S. nigromaculatus, S. punctulatus, S. boitonei, S. santanae, and S. zona-tus; 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 Hyp-solebias, from the São Francisco, Tocantins, Middle Jequitinhonha and lower Jaguaribe river basins and isolated coastalbasins 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. jan-aubensis, S. marginatus, S. delucai, S. alternatus, S. fasciatus, S. multiradiatus, S. flammeus, and S. brunoi. No new spe-cies are described here in the above groups. Detailed descriptions and keys to identification for all species ofSimpsonichthys 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 planíciescosteiras do leste do Brasil, inclui uma espécie, S. myersi; Ophthalmolebias, das bacias costeiras do leste de sudeste doBrasil, compreende S. constanciae, S. suzarti, S. bokermanni, S. perpendicularis e S. rosaceus; Simpsonichthys, do plan-alto central brasileiro, nas bacias do alto rio Paraná, alto rio Araguaia e alto rio São Francisco, compreende S. cholop-teryx, S. parallelus, S. nigromaculatus, S. punctulatus, S. boitonei, S. santanae e S. zonatus; Spectrolebias, das bacias domédio rio Tocantins, médio rio Araguaia, rio Xingu, rio Mamoré e rio Paraguai, no Brasil, Bolívia e Paraguai, com-preende S. reticulatus, S. costai, S. chacoensis, S. filamentosus e S. semiocellatus; e Hypsolebias, das bacias dos rios SãoFrancisco, Tocantins, médio Jequitinhonha e baixo Jaguaribe e bacias costeiras isoladas do nordeste do Brasil, com-preende S. ocellatus, S. rufus, S. stellatus, S. nielseni, S. notatus, S. radiosus, S. similis, S. gibberatus, S. virgulatus, S. tri-lineatus, 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 echaves para identificação de todas as espécies de Simpsonichthys.

Introduction

The genus Simpsonichthys Carvalho is the most speciose and geographically widespread genus of neotropicalseasonal 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 andsouthwestern Brazil; southern tributaries of the Amazon River basin, including the Tocantins, Araguaia, andXingu drainages in Brazil; the Mamoré River basin in Bolivia; the Paraguay River basin in Paraguay andBolivia; and the upper Paraná River basin in central Brazil (Costa, 1996, 2006a). All species of Simpsonich-thys spend their entire lives in shallow seasonal pools formed by rains, in different natural areas of SouthAmerica (Costa, 1995), including rainforests (the Amazonian forest and the Atlantic forest, including theadjacent coastal Restinga); semiarid areas (the Caatinga of northeastern Brazil, the Gran Chaco of Paraguayand Bolivia, and a coastal area of Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil); and savanna-like regions such asthe Brazilian Cerrado, which includes forested vegetation formations such as the Mata Ciliar and Mata deGaleria, and open vegetation formations as Campo Limpo, Brejos, and Buritizal (Buriti-palm). The pools inall these regions are dry during some months of the year (usually between July and November), when all indi-


viduals die. Embryos, protected by the thickened outer layer of egg, undergo a diapause until the beginning ofthe rainy season (which usually lasts from November to March).

Simpsonichthys comprises a genus of small to median sized killifish species, usually reaching 35 to 60mm standard length as adults, although one species, S. ghisolfii Costa, Cyrino & Nielsen, is known to reachabout 75 mm SL. At the opposite extreme, S. parallelus Costa, S. nigromaculatus Costa, S. cholopteryxCosta, 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 Simpsonichthysis 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 ofdorsal and anal rays (counts in males are always greater). In addition, the dorsal and anal fins of males oftenhave 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 sitesthroughout the world. Several species are maintained by specialized breeders and have become popularaquarium fishes.

Despite their vast geographic range and great morphological diversity, it is surprising that all known 50species of Simpsonichthys were described after 1941, and 46 of these have only been described within the last20 years. This is a consequence of recently increased interest in South American seasonal fishes, which hasresulted in greater collecting effort and an increased number of publications involving the ecology and taxon-omy of these fishes. This work has also revealed, unfortunately, that several species are threatened withextinction (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 dis-tribution is often limited to that appearing in their original descriptions. The present revision incorporates aconsiderable amount of new information; including detailed descriptions of species, primary synonyms, taxo-nomic keys to subgenera and species, lists of material examined, and information on geographic distributionand 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-raycounts include all elements. Numbers of vertebrae, gill-rakers, and caudal-fin rays were recorded only fromcleared and stained specimens. The compound caudal centrum was counted as a single element. Osteologicalpreparations were made according to Taylor and Van Dyke (1985). Terminology for morphological featuresand classification of Simpsonichthys into subgeneric assemblages follow Costa (2006a). Abbreviations forinstitutions 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 Univer-sidade Católica, Porto Alegre; MCZ, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge; MNHN, MuséumNational d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris; MNRJ, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio deJaneiro; MUNHINA, Museo Nacional de Historia Natural y Antropología, Montevideo; MZUSP, Museu deZoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo; UFRJ, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Riode 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 Insti-tution, Washington.


Taxonomic accounts

Simpsonichthys Carvalho, 1959Simpsonichthys 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), fea-tures 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 inmales; bar on posterior portion of caudal peduncle never extending onto dorsal and ventral margins ofcaudal 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 inmales; bar on posterior portion of caudal peduncle extending onto dorsal and ventral margins of cau-dal 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 neuromastscontinuous; anal fin hyaline in females ..................................................................................................3

2b(1a). Eyes placed laterally on head; anterior and posterior sections of supraorbital series of neuromasts sep-arated 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 onposterior portion of anal fin in females ..................................................................................................4

3b(2a). Anterodistal portion of anal fin of females distinctively thickened; small blue spot often present onposterior portion of anal fin in females ...............................................................................Hypsolebias

4a(3a). Pelvic fin and pelvic-girdle well-developed; red bars never present on opercle in males . Spectrolebias4b(3a). Pelvic fin and pelvic-girdle vestigial or absent; red bars present on opercle in males ....Simpsonichthys

Subgenus Xenurolebias Costa, 2006Xenurolebias 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 finlanceolate and asymmetrical due to expansion of ventral portion of fin in males (vs. caudal fin rounded or sub-truncate; dorsal and ventral portion symmetrical), and a unique color pattern consisting of a bar on posteriorportion 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).


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 Spec-trolebias: 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. trilinea-tus, 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 Itaú-nas, 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 deLinhares, Estado do Espírito Santo, Brazil [about 19º15’S 40°00’W]; holotype: MNRJ 10613).

Material examinedBrazil: 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 andItaúnas, 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, 22Dec. 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


paratype of C. izecksohni; MNRJ 10615, 2 paratypes of C. izecksohni; MZUSP 14721-14724, 4 paratypes ofC. 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 toConceição 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 5km 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 ofAlcobaça; 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 fromlower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately slender and com-pressed, 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 caudalfin; dorsal fin rounded to slightly pointed in females. Tip of anal fin pointed in males, with long filamentreaching vertical through middle of caudal fin; anal fin rounded in females, with short filaments on posteriormargin. Most dorsal and anal-fin rays branched, rays at tip of fin unbranched. Caudal fin lanceolate, ventralportion weakly expanded, resulting in an asymmetrical shape. Pectoral fins elliptical to pointed. Posteriormargin 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 vertebrae13 and 16 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 10 in males and pleural ribs ofvertebrae 9 and 12 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 15–18 in males, 12–16 in females; anal-fin rays 20–24 inmales, 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 smallsupraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 26–28; transverse series of scales 9–10; scale rows aroundcaudal peduncle 12–14. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of flank in males. Minute papillatecontact organs on inner surface of two dorsalmost rays of pectoral-fin in males.


TABLE 1. Morphometric data of species of the subgenera Xenurolebias and Ophthalmolebias.

continued.

S. myersi S. constanciae S. bokermanni

males

(n = 38)

females

(n = 35)

males

(n = 5)

females

(n = 5)

males

(n = 5)

females

(n = 4)

Standard length (mm) 22.9–36.5 21.3–30.4 27.1–41.0 20.0–32.6 23.0–28.0 20.4–26.9

Percents of standard length

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

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

Percents of head length

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

S. suzarti S. perpendicularis S. rosaceus

males

(n = 2)

females

(n = 2)

males

(n = 5)

females

(n = 5)

males

(n = 5)

females

(n = 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


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


Length of dorsal-fin base 32.9 22.4–23.6 30.2–32.8 22.8–26.8 29.3–31.1 19.6–23.0


Caudal-fin length 35.6–40.3 –– 33.0–37.8 31.8–35.7 36.9–39.1 33.4–36.0



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


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, preoper-cular 11–14, mandibular 8–12, lateral mandibular 3–7, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of eachscale of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.

Basihyal subtriangular, width about 55–75% of length; basihyal cartilage about 35% of total length ofbasihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth absent. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch3 + 10–11. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic present. Ventral process of posttemporal long. Total verte-brae 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: Itaú-nas.

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, withthree dark brown bars, anterior bar adjacent to posterior margin of orbit, middle bar on preopercle, posteriorbar between preopercle and posterior edge of opercle; short dark brown infraorbital bar. Iris light yellow to


orangish yellow, with reddish brown bar through center of eye. Dorsal fin dark brownish red to dark brownwith 5–8 pale yellow to light blue bars on basal portion, often pale yellow to light blue small round spots ondistal half of fin; dorsal-fin filaments orange to brown. Anal fin dark brown to dark red, with 6–8 pale yellowto light blue bars, dorsal portion of bar just posterior to end of anal-fin base white; often small pale blue or yel-low round spots on distal portion of fin; anal-fin filaments orange. Caudal fin pale yellow to light blue, with4–9 dark red to dark brown bars, sometimes branched; caudal fin margin dark reddish brown, united to poste-riormost bar of caudal peduncle. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins dark reddish brown, with pale yellow mar-gin.

Females. Sides of body pale brown with 9–12 broad dark brownish gray bars; 1–3 vertically elongated toround black blotches on anterocentral part of flank; often 1–3 small dark gray to black spots on posterior partof caudal peduncle. Dorsum pale brown. Venter light gray. Side of head pale brown with small dark brownspots; golden iridescence on opercular region. Iris yellow with brown bar through center of eye. Dorsal andanal fins hyaline with elongated dark gray spots on basal portion of fin; caudal fin hyaline with small darkgray 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 sub-

genus Xenurolebias indicated that the two included nominal species (myersi and izecksohni) cannot be distin-guished.

Subgenus Ophthalmolebias Costa, 2006Ophthalmolebias 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 expansionwhen crest is present), eyes positioned laterally on head (vs. dorsolaterally), anterior and posterior sections ofthe 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 pres-ence of palm-like projections on the egg chorion surface, present in all species of the subgenus except S. bok-ermanni, 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 isendemic to the plains adjacent to the lower rio São João, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, a semi-arid coastal zone.


No species of Ophthalmolebias is known to occur in the broad area between the rio Pardo and rio São Joãobasins (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. mar-ginatus, 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 notsurpassing vertical through posterior margin of caudal fin; anal fin short, nearly rectangular; somedorsal and anal-fin rays branched; males with contact organs on flank scales and inner surface ofupper pectoral-fin rays .........................................................................................................................2

1b. Four longitudinal rows of rounded black spots on male flank; dorsal and anal fins with long filamen-tous rays in males, tip posteriorly surpassing posterior margin of caudal fin; anal fin long, nearly tri-angular; 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 ...................................................................................................32b(1a). Anal-fin extremity pointed in males ................................................................................................... 43a(2a). 22–23 caudal-fin rays; 3 + 11 gill-rakers on first branchial arch; 24–25 scales in longitudinal series;


reddish brown bars alternating with bright greenish blue bars on whole male flank; oblique brownbars 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 poste-rior 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 inmales ....................................................................................................................................S. rosaceus

4b(2b). Dorsal-fin origin on vertical through base of anal-fin ray 8; white dots on dorsal fin and dorsal halfof 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 deJaneiro, Brazil [approximately 22o45’S 42o00’W; altitude about 4 m]; holotype: CAS (SU) 36514).

Material examinedBrazil: 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, 23Feb. 1985. MZUSP 38337, 5; same locality as MZUSP 36295; R. Lacorte & P. S. Santos, 2 Jul. 1978. UFRJ1851, 6 (c&s); UFRJ 1978, 3 (c&s); same locality as MZUSP 36295; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove, M. Mel-gaço & 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 localityas MZUSP 36295; W. J. E. M. Costa, M. Britto & R. Cunha, 1 Jun. 1994. UFRJ 4757, 6; temporary pool inBarra 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 poolbetween Barra de São João and Rio das Ostras; W. J. E. M. Costa, 3 Feb. 2001. MNRJ 15596, 2; road AmaralPeixoto, km 150-152; E. Izecksohn, O. Peixoto & C. Cruz, 19 Aug. 1973. MNRJ 19542, 5; road Amaral Peix-oto, 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 asimilar color pattern), long filamentous rays on tip of dorsal and anal fins in males, tip of longest dorsal andanal rays extending beyond posterior border of caudal fin (vs. filamentous rays short, never reaching posteriormargin of caudal fin), dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 11 in males (vs. betweenneural spines of vertebrae 11 and 13), and absence of contact organs on flank and pectoral fin (vs. contactorgans present in males).

DescriptionMorphometric 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.


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 SãoJoão.

Tip of dorsal and anal fins pointed and long in males, rounded in females. Tip of dorsal and anal fins withlong filamentous rays in males, tip of filaments reaching vertical behind posterior margin of caudal fin. Dor-sal 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


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 spinesof vertebrae 10 and 11 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 11 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin betweenpleural 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. Supraorbitalscales 2–3. Longitudinal series of scales 25–27; transverse series of scales 10–11; scale rows around caudalpeduncle 12. Contact organs absent from flank and pectoral fins. Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 7–8 + 6–7, parietal 2, anterior rostral usually absent, sometimes minute sin-gle neuromast, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 + 24–30, preorbital 2–3, otic 2–3, post-otic 1–3, supratempo-ral 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 caudal-fin base.

Basihyal subtriangular, width about 35% of length; basihyal cartilage about 10% of total length of basi-hyal. 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 vertebrae26–28.

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 allextension 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 barthrough center of eye. Dorsal fin with pale blue spots alternating with dark gray spots, sometimes with goldeniridescence; distal margin light blue; filaments black. Anal fin pale green, with dark gray spots, sometimeswith golden iridescence; filaments black. Caudal fin with pale blue dots alternating with dark gray spots. Pec-toral 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 orangishgolden. 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 onbasal 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 daLavoura Cacaueira), Município de Ilhéus, Estado da Bahia, Brazil [about 14o50’S 39o15’W; altitude about 40 m];holotype: MNRJ 11167).


Material examinedBrazil: 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 local-ity 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 areabsent, 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 ondorsal 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 pro-file convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Body moder-ately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on lateral portion ofside of head. Snout blunt to slightly pointed. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shapedin 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 filamen-tous 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


3rd anal-fin ray in males and base of 1st anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases medially in contact. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical through base of 8th anal-fin ray in both sexes; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines ofvertebrae 12 and 13 in males, and vertebrae 11 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of ver-tebrae 8 and 9. Dorsal-fin rays 16–17 in males, 14–16 in females; anal-fin rays 23–26 in males, 22–23 infemales; 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. Supraorbitalscales 2–3. Longitudinal series of scales 27; transverse series of scales 9–10; scale rows around caudal pedun-cle 16. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of lateral surface of body in males. Small papillate con-tact 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 rostral1, infraorbital 2 + 18–22, preorbital 2, otic 2, post-otic 4, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercu-lar 2, preopercular 16–17, mandibular 10–12, lateral mandibular 2–3, paramandibular 1. One or two neuro-masts 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 basi-hyal. 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 vertebrae28–29.

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 orangishbrown, side pale greenish golden. Iris yellow, with dark brown bar through center of eye. Dorsal fin palebrownish red with white dots. Anal fin pale brownish red, sometimes with faint light blue dots on posteriorportion. Caudal fin pale brownish red, with greenish white dots on dorsal half of fin; ventral half usuallywithout dots, sometimes with minute white dots; posterior margin light blue. Pectoral fin hyaline. Pelvic finspale brownish red.

Females. Side of body light purplish brown, with narrow and short pale greenish blue bars on anteriorportion; usually one, rarely two rounded black spots on anterocentral region. Dorsum pale brown. Sides ofhead pale brown, opercular region greenish blue. Iris yellow, with dark gray bar through center of eye. Dor-sal fin hyaline, with faint brown spots and pale blue dots. Anal fin pink, with blue dots on posterobasalregion. 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, approximately15o 45’S 39o00’W, altitude about 4 m, Estado da Bahia, Brazil; holotype: MCP 34088).

Material examinedBrazil: 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.


DiagnosisDistinguished 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, whenpresent, restricted to anterior portion of flanks), dark brown reticulation on dorsal fin in males (vs. reticulatedmarks 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 pro-file convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Body moder-ately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on lateral portion ofhead side. Snout slightly pointed. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped infemales.

Tip of dorsal fin slightly pointed in males, rounded in females. Tip of anal fin rounded in both sexes. Tipof both dorsal and anal fins with short filamentous rays in males, tips reaching vertical through caudal-finbase. Dorsal-fin rays unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pec-

toral 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. Pelvic-

fin 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 bothsexes. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 9 and10 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. Supraorbitalscales 2–3. Longitudinal series of scales 24–25; transverse series of scales 9; scale rows around caudal pedun-cle 12. Minute contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of lateral surface of body in males, usuallyinconspicuous. Small papillate contact organs on inner surface of three dorsalmost rays of pectoral fin inmales.

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 lat-eral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.

Basihyal subtriangular, width about 50% of length; basihyal cartilage about 25% of total length of basi-hyal. 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 vertebrae27.

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, withdark brown bar. Dorsal fin light blue, with broad reddish brown reticulation. Anal fin yellow, with obliquebrown bars. Caudal fin brownish red, with light blue dots. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins orange.


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 spotsalternating with light blue narrow bars on anterocentral portion of flank. Opercular region pale greenishgolden. Iris light yellow, with dark gray bar. Dorsal fin hyaline, with faint gray spots; anal fin pink with grayspots; caudal fin hyaline; small pale blue spots on posterior portion of dorsal and anal fins, and on dorsal por-tion 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.


Simpsonichthys perpendicularis Costa, Nielsen & De Luca, 2001(Fig. 10)

Simpsonichthys perpendicularis Costa, Nielsen & De Luca, 2001: 26 (type locality: temporary pool near ribeirão doSalto, 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 examinedBrazil: 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 doSalto 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 Ophthal-molebias in possessing more gill-rakers on the first branchial arch (4 + 14, vs. 2–4 + 11) and more dorsal-finrays in females (16–18, vs. 13–16).

Description Morphometric data appear in Table 1. Largest male examined 43.3 mm SL. Dorsal profile slightly con-

cave on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventralprofile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderatelydeep, 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. Tipof both dorsal and anal fins with filamentous rays in males, the longest dorsal-fin filaments reaching posteri-orly to vertical through middle of caudal fin; tip of anal-fin filaments reaching vertical through base of caudalfin. Dorsal-fin rays unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pecto-ral 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 papillaand 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 ori-gin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 9 in males and between pleural ribs of vertebrae 9 and 10 infemales. 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; onesupraorbital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 26–28; transverse series of scales 9–10; scale rows aroundcaudal 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 rostral1, infraorbital 2 + 19–20, preorbital 2, otic 2, post-otic 3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercu-lar 2, preopercular 14–15, mandibular 10, lateral mandibular 3, paramandibular 1. One or two neuromasts oncenter 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 basi-hyal. 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 vertebrae27–28.


Coloration Males. Sides of body light purplish brown to pale golden anteriorly; 7–10 pale brown bars between verti-

cal through pectoral-fin base and middle of dorsal-fin base and 3 purplish brown stripes on posterior half ofbody; posterior two bars overlapping anterior portion of stripes. Opercular region golden. Iris yellow, withpurplish brown bar through center of eye. Pelvic and unpaired fins pale yellow, with dark gray spots. Pectoralfins 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; usuallyone or two black blotches, rarely three, on anterocentral portion, alternated with light blue vertically elongatedspots. Opercular region pale golden. Iris yellow, with grayish brown bar through center of eye. Dorsal finhyaline, with dark gray round spots. Caudal fin hyaline, pale pink ventrally. Anal fin pink, with faint metallicblue 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, roadbetween Potiguará [Potiraguá] and Itapetininga, Estado da Bahia, Brazil [approximately 15o30’S 39o50’W; altitudeabout 170 m]; holotype: MZUSP 62572).


Material examinedBrazil: 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 Potiguaráand 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 Ophthal-

molebias group by having pale golden bars restricted to anterior portion of flanks in males (vs. golden barsabsent in S. constanciae, and bright greenish blue bars on the whole flank in S. suzarti). Similar to S. perpen-dicularis and distinguished from S. bokermanni by the absence of bright dots on the flanks and unpaired finsin males (vs. bright dots on dorsal fin, dorsal portion of caudal fin, and dorsal portion of flanks). Distin-guished from S. perpendicularis in having pale red to pink unpaired fins (vs. yellow) and the absence of threebrown 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 pro-file convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderatelydeep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on lateral portion of headside. Snout blunt to slightly pointed. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped infemales.

Tip of both dorsal and anal fins slightly pointed in males, rounded in females. Tip of both dorsal and analfins with filamentous rays in males, the dorsal-fin filaments reaching vertical through middle of caudal fin, tipof anal-fin filaments reaching vertical through base of caudal fin. Dorsal-fin rays unbranched. Caudal finrounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margins of pectoral fins 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 3rdanal-fin ray in males and between urogenital papilla and anal-fin origin in females. Pelvic-fin bases mediallyin close proximity. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical through base of 6th or 7th anal-fin ray, between neural spinesof vertebrae 11 and 12 in males, and between neural spines of vertebrae 12 and 13 in females. Anal-fin originbetween 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-finrays 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; supraorbitalscales 1–2. Longitudinal series of scales 25–27; transverse series of scales 8–9; scale rows around caudalpeduncle 14. Minute contact organ on each scale of anteroventral half of body side in males. Small, papillatecontact 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 ros-tral 1, infraorbital 2 + 18–25, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventralopercular 2–4, preopercular 17–18, mandibular 12, lateral mandibular 3, paramandibular 1. One or two neu-romasts 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 basi-hyal. 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 vertebrae26–28.


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 caudalpeduncle); sometimes faint purplish gray stripe on lateral midline of caudal peduncle. Opercular regiongolden. Iris yellow, with purplish brown bar through center of eye. Dorsal fin yellow with round reddish grayspots 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; usuallyone or two black blotches on anterocentral portion, sometimes absent, when present alternating with lightgreenish blue short bars. Opercular region pale golden. Iris yellow, with gray brown bar through center ofeye. Dorsal fin hyaline, with dark gray round spots. Caudal fin hyaline, pale pink on ventral portion. Anal finpink, 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).


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, 1959Simpsonichthys 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. Dwarf species, reaching about 25 mm SL; caudal fin with dark gray margin and subdistal blue linein males; dark gray distal stripe on dorsal and anal fins in males; pectoral fins hyaline in males ......2

1b. Median sized species, reaching about 40 mm SL; caudal fin without dark margin and subdistal blueline in males; red distal stripe on dorsal and anal fins in males; pectoral fins red in males ................4

2a(1a). 17–20 anal-fin rays in females; dorsal and anal fins orange in males; no dark bars on unpaired fins inmales ....................................................................................................................................................3

2b(1a). 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

3a(2a). 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

3b(2a). Two to four black spots on posterobasal portion of dorsal fin in males; yellow dots on caudal fin inmales; body depth in males 33.5-36.0 % SL ............................................................S. nigromaculatus

4a(1b). No longitudinal rows of light blue dots on flank in males; short filamentous ray on tip of dorsal finin males, reaching basal portion of caudal fin .....................................................................................5

4b(1b). Longitudinal rows of light blue dots on flank in males; long filamentous ray on tip of dorsal fin inmales, reaching the distal portion of caudal fin ..............................................................S. punctulatus

5a(4b). Pelvic fins vestigial; 20–23 anal-fin rays in males; black spots on dorsal-fin base in males. ........... 65b(1b). Pelvic fins absent; 17–19 anal-fin rays in males; no black spot on dorsal-fin base in males. ..............

............................................................................................................................................. S. boitonei6a(5a). Dorsal-fin rays 19–21 in males, 14–17 in females; dorsal-fin origin anterior to anal-fin origin in

males ................................................................................................................................... S. santanae6b(5a). Dorsal-fin rays 15–17 in males, 12–13 in females; dorsal-fin origin posterior to anal-fin origin in

males ..................................................................................................................................... S. zonatus


Simpsonichthys cholopteryx Costa, Moreira & Lima, 2003(Figs. 13–14)

Simpsonichthys cholopteryx Costa, Moreira & Lima, 2003: 140 (type locality: ribeirão do Sapo, rio Araguaia basin, onroad 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 examinedBrazil: 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 MT100, 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 Ferronorterailway, 17º31’11”S 53º15’33”W; C. L. R. Moreira & F. C. T. Lima, 21 May 2001. MZUSP 73323, 41paratypes; 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 dorsal-fin 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 inmales (vs. dark red), posterior border of caudal fin dark gray in males (vs. pale pink), iridescent dots onunpaired fins absent in males (vs. present), pectoral fins hyaline in males (vs. red)), with metallic blue spots inmales; 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).


from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lowerjaw 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-finrays unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reachingvertical through base of third or fourth anal-fin ray in males, and vertical just anterior to anus in females. Pel-vic fins and pelvic girdle absent. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical through base of 5th anal-fin ray in males, and2nd anal-fin ray in females; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 9–11 in males, and vertebrae10–12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7–10 in males, and vertebrae 9–10 infemales. 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 supraor-bital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 22–24; transverse series of scales 8–10; scale rows around caudalpeduncle 14–16. Minute contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of lateral surface of body in males. Nocontact 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, preopercular7, mandibular 4, lateral mandibular 2, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale of lateralline. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.


TABLE 2. Morphometric data of species of the subgenus Simpsonichthys.

continued.

S. cholopteryx S. parallelus S. nigromaculatus

males

(n = 7)

females

(n = 7)

males

(n = 5)

females

(n = 5)

males

(n = 5)

females

(n = 3)



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



Pre-pelvic length –– –– –– –– –– ––





Pelvic-fin length –– –– –– –– –– ––

Head length 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

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

S. punctulatus S. boitonei S. santanae S. zonatus

males

(n = 2)

females

(n = 2)

males

(n = 10)

females

(n = 10)

males

(n = 4)

females

(n = 4)

males

(n = 5)

females

(n = 4)

Standard length (mm) 25.5–29.1 19.4–24.0 22.2–26.1 18.4–20.1 18.9–23.6 17.2–18.6 19.5–29.4 17.5–22.3


Body depth 30.9 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

Pelvic-fin length 9.0–9.4 5.3–8.3 –– –– 6.1–7.4 5.9–7.3 5.7 4.0–4.8

Head length 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 29.9–34.7 31.1–34.6


Basihyal subtriangular, width about 30% of length; basihyal cartilage about 20% of total length of basi-hyal. 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 vertebrae24–26.

FIGURE 13. Simpsonichthys cholopteryx, male, MZUSP 78061, holotype, 23.5 mm SL; Brazil: Mato Grosso: Alto Ara-guaia.

FIGURE 14. Simpsonichthys cholopteryx, female, UFRJ 5428, paratype, 18.6 mm SL; Brazil: Mato Grosso: Alto Ara-

guaia.

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 fourlight blue bars. Iris greenish blue, with dark reddish brown bar. Dorsal fin yellow, light blue on anterior por-tion, with six to seven pale brown bars; distal dark gray stripe, ventrally bordered by metallic green line. Analfin light blue on anterior and yellow on posterior half, with six pale brown bars; distal dark gray stripe, dor-sally bordered by metallic blue line. Caudal fin yellow, with four to five brown bars; dark gray band alongdistal 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 onanterocentral portion of flank. Sides of head pale brownish yellow, with pale green iridescence on opercular


region, and with dark brown bars, three on opercular region, one adjacent to posterior edge of eye, and one onsuborbital region. Unpaired fins hyaline, with dark gray spots; anterior portion of anal fin pale orange. Pecto-ral 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 For-moso, a tributary of rio Correntes, rio Paranaíba drainage, rio Paraná basin, Parque Nacional da Emas, Estado deGoiás, Brazil [approximately 22o 45’ S, 42o 00’ W]; holotype: MZUSP 57537).

Material examinedBrazil: 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, 4paratypes; UFRJ 5196, 16 paratypes; UFRJ 5197, 4 paratypes; UFRJ 5386, 11; seasonal swamp in the flood-plains of the rio Formoso, Parque Nacional da Emas; W. J. E. M. Costa, A. C. Bacellar and S. M. Q. Lima, 31Mar. 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 inmales (vs. 19–22), 20–23 anal-fin rays in males (vs. 17–19), 17–20 anal-fin rays in females (vs. 20–22), distalborder of dorsal and anal fins dark gray in males (vs. dark red), posterior border of caudal fin dark gray inmales (vs. pale pink), iridescent dots on unpaired fins absent in males (vs. present), pectoral fins hyaline inmales (vs. red with metallic blue spots), iris blue in males (vs. yellow), iridescent blue bars on flank much nar-rower than red bars in males (vs. approximately as wide as red bars), ground color of dorsal and anal finsorange 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 oncaudal fin absent in males (vs. present); maximum adult size 23.5 mm SL (vs. 40.0 mm SL).


from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex fromlower 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 ofhead. 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. Dorsal-fin 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


ray in males, and on vertical through anal-fin origin in females; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of ver-tebrae 9 and 10 in males and vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae8 and 9 in males and vertebrae 9 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 16–18 in males, 15–17 in females; anal-fin 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 dasEmas.

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. Supraorbitalscales absent. Longitudinal series of scales 24–25; transverse series of scales 9; scale rows around caudalpeduncle 16. Contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of lateral surface of body in males. Minutepapillate 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, preopercu-lar 7–8, mandibular 5–6, lateral mandibular 1, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale oflateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.

Basihyal subtriangular, width about 40% of length; basihyal cartilage about 15% of total length of basi-hyal. 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 vertebrae25.

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 fourred crimson bars, one below eye and three on opercular region, alternating with light blue bars. Iris metallicblue, 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 finmargin and distal margin of dorsal and anal fins; narrow metallic blue line between orange and dark grayzones 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 roundedblack blotches on center of body. Iris yellow, anterior and posterior borders bright blue, with dark brown barthrough center of eye. Unpaired fins pale yellow, with rounded black spots, larger and transversely elongatedclose 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 ofrio da Prata, rio Aporé drainage, upper rio Paraná basin, near the road GO-050, Chapadão do Céu, 18º33’2.0”S52º37’43.1”W, altitude 778 m, Estado de Goiás, Brazil; holotype: UFRJ 6467).

Material examinedBrazil: 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 doCéu, 18º33’2.0”S 52º37’43.1”W, altitude 778 m; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove & B. B. Costa, 14 January2007.

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 followingfeatures: pelvic fin and pelvic girdle absent (vs. present), 24–25 vertebrae (vs. 26–31), second pharyngobran-chial teeth absent (vs. present), ventral process of posttemporal absent (vs. long), 17–20 anal-fin rays infemales (vs. 20–22), body depth 33.5–36.0 % SL in males (vs. 28.8–32.5 % SL), maximum adult size 25.6mm SL (vs. about 40.0 mm SL), bright blue bars on flank in males much narrower than interspace (vs. approx-imately as wide as red bars), five alternating bright blue and pink to red bars on head side in males (vs. nevera similar color pattern), short postorbital pink stripe connecting pink bars 2 and 3 (vs. stripe absent), anteriorand posterior margins of iris bright blue (vs. yellow), dark gray band bordered by a bright blue line on distal


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. dotsabsent).

FIGURE 17. Simpsonichthys nigromaculatus, male, UFRJ 6467, holotype, 24.0 mm SL; Brazil: Goiás: rio Aporé drain-age.

FIGURE 18. Simpsonichthys nigromaculatus, female, UFRJ 6468, paratype, 21.1 mm SL; Brazil: Goiás: rio Aporédrainage.


from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile gently con-vex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, com-pressed, greatest body depth in vertical just anterior to anal-fin origin. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of ofeach 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. Dorsal-fin 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.


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 vertebrae9 and 10 in males, and vertebrae 9 and 11 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and8 in males, and vertebrae 8 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 16–19 in males, 15–17 in females; anal-fin rays19–22 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 nosupraorbital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 24–26; transverse series of scales 9; scale rows around caudalpeduncle 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, preopercular10–14, mandibular 5–6, lateral mandibular 2, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale of lat-eral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.

Basihyal subtriangular, width about 50 % of length; basihyal cartilage about 15 % of total length of basi-hyal. 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 vertebrae24–25.

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 andanterior margins metallic blue; brownish red bar through center of eye. Proximal portion of dorsal and analfins orangish yellow, distal portion dark gray, distal and proximal portions separated by bright blue horizontalline; faint small reddish gray spots on anterior portion of dorsal-fin base and entire anal-fin base; 2–4 blackspots on posterior portion of dorsal-fin base. Caudal fin orangish yellow with light yellow dots; broad darkgray 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 roundedblack blotches on anterocentral portion of flank. Iris yellow, anterior and posterior borders bright blue, withdark brown bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins hyaline with rounded dark gray spots, larger and trans-versely elongated close to base of dorsal and anal fins. Pectoral fin grayish hyaline.

DistributionRio 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 tostream tributary to rio Bezerra, rio Preto drainage, rio São Francisco basin, near the road BR-020, 15º33’1.0”S47º10’33.2”W, altitude 901 m, Município de Formosa, Estado de Goiás, Brazil; holotype: UFRJ 6478).


Material examinedBrazil: 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 tostream 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, reach-ing posterior portion of caudal fin (vs. reaching basal portion of caudal fin). Distinguished from all congenersby the unique combination of the following features: pelvic fin present (vs. pelvic fin absent), second pharyn-gobranchial teeth absent (vs. present), ventral process of posttemporal short (vs. long), 18–19 dorsal-fin raysin males and 14–15 in females (vs. 15–17 in males, 12–13 in females), long filamentous ray on tip of dorsalfin in males (vs. filamentous rays short or absent), five alternating bright blue and pink to red bars on headside in males (vs. never a similar color pattern), pectoral fin pink with blue spots in males (vs. hyaline), and noblack 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.


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 pedun-cle. 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 posi-tioned 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 ellipti-

cal. 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-finrays 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 10and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, and vertebrae 8 and 10in 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 twosupraorbital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 25; transverse series of scales 8; scale rows around caudalpeduncle 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, preopercu-lar 12–14, mandibular 8, lateral mandibular 3–5, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale oflateral 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 basi-hyal. 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 vertebrae26–27.

ColorationMales. 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. Fivenarrow alternating light blue and light red bars on side of head; dorsolateral portion light blue with light redscale margins. Iris light yellow; brownish red bar through center of eye. Dorsal and anal fins light red withsmall bright blue spots, distal portion dark red without spots; basal portion of anal fin yellowish orange. Cau-dal fin light red with light blue dots; narrow bright blue line along entire margin of fin. Pectoral fins light redwith 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 blackblotches on anterocentral portion of flank. Iris yellow, with dark brown bar through center of eye. Unpairedfins 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.


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 examinedBrazil: 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. MZUSP38418, 1 (c&s); Reserva do IBGE; M. Ribeiro, May 1986. UFRJ 4071, 2; UFRJ 4988, 1 (c&s); córregoRoncador, 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 originanterior to anal-fin origin (vs. posterior), more dorsal-fin rays in males (19–22, vs. 17–18), fewer anal-fin raysin males (17–19, vs. 20–23), iridescent dots on unpaired fins in males (vs. iridescent dots absent), and pectoralfins red, with metallic blue spots in males (vs. hyaline).


from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex fromlower 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 headside. 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 withshort filamentous rays in males, tip of filaments reaching vertical through caudal-fin base. Dorsal-fin raysunbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching ver-tical between base of 4th and 6th anal-fin rays in males, on vertical through anus in females. Pelvic fins andpelvic 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 originbetween 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 11in 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 smallsupraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 25–26; transverse series of scales 10–11; scale rows aroundcaudal peduncle 12–14. Papillate contact organ on each scale of flank below lateral line. Small papillate con-tact 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, infraorbital1–2 + 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 centerof 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 basi-hyal. 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 vertebrae26–28.

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 coa-

lesced forming bars. Dorsum reddish brown. Venter pink. Sides of head crimson red, with five greenish bluebars between area adjacent to anterior margin of orbit and posterior portion of opercle. Iris yellow, with darkbrownish red bar through center of eye. Dorsal and anal fins orangish red to dark grayish red on distal third offins, with small light greenish blue spots on basal region, row of slightly larger blue spots on subdistal regionsometimes coalesced to form stripe, and narrow light blue distal margin. Caudal fin orangish red, with lightblue dots and traces parallel to fin rays, and light blue marginal line along margin, often wider on dorsal andventral 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 lightblue narrow bars on anterior portion of flank; one to three vertically elongated black blotches on anterocentralpart of flanks. Dorsal light brown. Venter light yellowish white. Sides of head pale brown, with four dark


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], DistritoFederal, 750 m from the boundary with Goiás, Brazil, [16°2’31”S 47°45’38”W]; holotype: MZUSP 43777).

Material examinedBrazil: Distrito Federal, rio São Bartolomeu drainage, rio Paraná basin: MCP 15453, 4 paratypes; tempo-

rary 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. paralle-

lus and S. cholopteryx), and presence of vertically elongated, alternating, blue and black spots (vs. never asimilar color pattern). Distinguished from S. zonatus in possessing more dorsal-fin rays (19–21 in males and14–17 in females, vs. 15–17 in males and 12–13 in females), and dorsal-fin origin on vertical slightly anteriorto anal-fin origin in males (vs. posterior to anal-fin origin).


from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile gently convex fromlower 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 withshort filamentous rays in males, the filaments reaching posteriorly to vertical through caudal-fin base. Dorsal-fin rays unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reach-ing 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 infemales. 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 verte-brae 7 and 9 in males, between neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleu-ral ribs of vertebrae 8 and 9 in males, between pleural ribs of vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Dorsal-fin rays19–21 in males, 14–17 in females; anal-fin rays 19–21 in males, 17–19 in females; caudal-fin rays 26–27 inboth sexes; pectoral-fin rays 12–13 in both sexes; pelvic-fin rays 5 in both sexes.


Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scale anterior to G-scale; two smallsupraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 25–26; transverse series of scales 8–9; scale rows aroundcaudal peduncle 12. Papillate contact organ on each scale of flank bellow lateral line. Small papillate contactorgans 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, preopercu-lar 16–19, mandibular 10–11, lateral mandibular 6–8, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of eachscale of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.


FIGURE 23. Simpsonichthys santanae, male, UFRJ 6389, topotype, 23.6 mm SL; Brasil: Distrito Federal: ribeirão San-tana.

FIGURE 24. Simpsonichthys santanae, female, UFRJ 6389, topotype, 18.4 mm SL; Brasil: Distrito Federal: ribeirãoSantana.

Coloration Males. Sides of body light red, with 12–14 vertical rows of bright blue dots, dots of anterior rows coa-

lesced to form bars. Dorsum light yellowish brown. Venter pink. Sides of head red with four greenish blue


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 onanterocentral part of flank. Dorsum light yellowish brown. Venter light yellowish white. Side of head palebrown with three dark gray bars on opercular region; golden iridescence on opercular region. Iris yellow withbrown 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 examinedBrazil: 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 hav-

ing 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 malesand 12–13 in females, vs. 19–21 in males and 14–17 in females) and dorsal-fin origin posterior to anal-fin ori-gin 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 caudalpeduncle. Ventral profile gently convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight oncaudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eyepositioned 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 withshort filamentous rays in males, tip of filaments reaching vertical through caudal-fin base. Dorsal-fin raysunbranched. Caudal fin round. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of pectoral fins reaching verticalbetween base of 4th and 6th anal-fin rays in males, and reaching urogenital papilla in females. Pelvic fins


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-finorigin between neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 11 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 11 and 12 infemales. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 9 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 10and 11 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 15–17 in males, 12–15 in females; anal-fin rays 19–20 in males, 17–19 infemales; 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 smallsupraorbital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 26–27; transverse series of scales 8; scale rows around caudalpeduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of lateral surface of body in males. Minutepapillate 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, pre-orbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular 13, man-dibular 9, lateral mandibular 6, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale of lateral line. Twoneuromasts on caudal-fin base.

Basihyal subtriangular, width about 45% of length; basihyal cartilage about 20% of total length of basi-hyal. 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 olderspecimens. Sides of head red, with four greenish blue bars, one below eye and three on opercular region. Irisyellow, with dark brownish red bar through center of eye. Dorsal fin red, with alternating black and light blueelongated spots on basal portion, and row of greenish blue round spots along subdistal region. Basal half ofanal fin orange, with greenish blue elliptical spots; distal half of anal fin red, with row of blue round spotsalong subdistal region. Caudal fin red, with small greenish blue round spots; narrow blue margin. Pectoraland pelvic fins red, with blue base.

Females. Sides of body pale brown, with 10–15 dark brownish gray bars; one black blotch on anterocen-tral part of flank. Venter light yellowish white. Sides of head pale brown, with three dark brownish gray barson 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.


Distribution Upper rio Urucuia drainage, rio São Francisco basin, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil (Fig. 4).


Subgenus Spectrolebias Costa & Nielsen, 1997

Spectrolebias Costa & Nielsen, 1997: 258 (type species Spectrolebias semiocellatus Costa & Nielsen, by original desig-nation; 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 Para-

guayan 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........................................................21b. Dorsal fin pointed in males; no bars on head ........................................................................................32a(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. costai3a(1b). Anal-fin rays 23–25 in males; flanks light orange to translucent, unpaired fins pale red in males.......43b(1b). Anal-fin rays 26–28 in males; flanks and unpaired fins dark bluish gray in males. ......... S. chacoensis4a(3a). Frontal squamation E-patterned; anal fin pointed and with long filaments in males; no black spot on

anal fin in males .............................................................................................................. S. filamentosus4b(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, infront of Altamira], Estado do Pará, Brazil, about 3º15’S 52º20’W [3º13’34.6”S 52°12’26.1”W, altitude 39m]; holo-type: MCP 34090).


Material examinedBrazil: 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 Alta-mira, 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 areticulate color pattern, and a black and bluish white spot on anterior portion of dorsal fin.


from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile gently con-vex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, com-pressed, greatest body depth on vertical just anterior to dorsal-fin origin. Eye positioned on dorsal portion ofhead. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.

TABLE 3. Morphometric data of species of the subgenus Spectrolebias.

...... continued

S. costai S. reticulatus S. chacoensis

males

(n = 5)

females

(n = 4)

males

(n = 3)

females

(n = 2)

males

(n = 1)

females

(n = 1)

Standard length (mm) 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

Pelvic-fin length 8.2–9.8 9.3–10.2 8.2–11.0 9.3–10.6 10.3 10.4

Head length 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


TABLE 3 (continued).

Tip of dorsal fin rounded in both sexes, posterior portion fan-shaped in males; short filamentous rays ondorsal-fin tip in males; tip of anal fin gently pointed in males, rounded in females. Dorsal-fin raysunbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching ver-tical through base of 8th anal-fin ray in males and vertical through anal-fin origin in females. Tip of each pel-vic fin reaching base of 4th anal-fin ray in males, and base of 2nd anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases inclose proximity. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical anterior to anal-fin origin in males, anal-fin origin on verticalbetween base of 3rd and 6th dorsal-fin rays; dorsal-fin origin on vertical through base of 2nd anal-fin ray infemales; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of 4th and 5th vertebrae in males, and between neural spinesof 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 rays22; pectoral-fin rays 14; pelvic-fin rays 5.

Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scale anterior to G-scale; supraorbitalscales absent. Longitudinal series of scales 23; transverse series of scales 8; scale rows around caudal pedun-cle 12. Contact organs absent from flanks. Papillate contact organs on inner surface of two dorsalmost pecto-ral 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 lateralline. Four neuromasts on caudal-fin base.

S. filamentosus S. semiocellatus

males

(n = 5)

females

(n = 5)

males

(n = 7)

females

(n = 7)

Standard length (mm) 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

Pelvic-fin length 11.0 12.0–12.6 7.6–8.9 8.2–10.0

Head length 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


Basihyal subtriangular, width about 55% of length; basihyal cartilage about 35% of total length of basi-hyal. 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 iri-

descent 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 roundblue 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 anotheradjacent to posterior edge of eye. Iris yellow, with black bar. Unpaired fins hyaline, with dark grey spots.Pectoral and pelvic fins hyaline.


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 examinedBrazil: 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; temporarylagoon 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 kmE from rio das Mortes, road to Cocalinho; W. J. E. M. Costa, G. C. Brasil, M. I. Landim & C. R. Moreira, 16Feb. 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. RioTocantins 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 rioCanabrava 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 congenersexcept S. reticulatus and S. semiocellatus in having two or three vertical rows with two neuromasts each oncaudal-fin base (vs. only two neuromasts on caudal-fin base).


from snout to end of dorsal-fin base nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile gently convex fromlower 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-finrays unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of pectoral fins reaching ver-

tical through base of 6th or 7th anal-fin ray in males, and through base of 3rd anal-fin ray in females. Tip ofeach pelvic fin reaching base of 3rd or 4th anal-fin ray in males, and between urogenital papilla and anal-finorigin in females. Pelvic-fin bases in close proximity. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical between base of 4th and


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. Dorsal-fin rays 21–23 in males, 15–19 in females; anal-fin rays 23–26 in males, 19–23 in females; caudal-fin rays21–23; pectoral-fin rays 12–13; pelvic-fin rays 6.

Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scale anterior to G-scale; supraorbitalscales absent. Longitudinal series of scales 22–24; transverse series of scales 9; scale rows around caudalpeduncle 12. Contact organs of flank absent. Minute contact organs on two uppermost pectoral-fin rays inmales.

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, preo-percular 11–14, mandibular 7–8, lateral mandibular 3–5, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of eachscale of lateral line. Two or three vertical rows of two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.


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.


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 ofblue dots, two below eye and three on opercular region. Iris dark brown, with two narrow blue bars. Dorsaland anal fins dark brown to black, with row of blue dots on basal region and narrow subdistal blue stripe; mel-anophores distinctively more concentrated on posterior portion of fins. Caudal fin hyaline, with narrow lightblue posterior margin, and sometimes with faint blue dots on middle. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins blackwith blue dot.

Females. Sides of body light brown, with brown chromatophores irregularly arranged, forming nine or tenill-defined bars. Head pale brown, opercular region greenish blue, with two black bars, one on suborbitalregion 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 for-

est.

Simpsonichthys chacoensis (Amato, 1986)(Fig. 30)

Cynolebias chacoensis Amato, 1986: 10 (type locality: road Mariscal Estigarriba-[Capitán Pablo] Lagerenza, 624 kmNW from Asunción, 14 km from Comando de Transmisiones Tenente Segundo Américo Picco, Charca TopógrafoAcevedo, Nueva Asunción, Paraguay [about 21°00’S 60°00’W]; holotype: MUNHINA 2577).

Material examinedParaguay, río Paraguay basin: UFRJ 3030, 2 ex.; UFRJ 3170, 1 ex. (c&s); 92 km N of Mariscal Estigar-

riba, San Juan; L. Van den Berg, Mar. 1994. USNM 232295, 1; flooded Chaco, 15 km NE of Ochoa; M. Lud-low & 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 malesof 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 pro-file convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Body moder-ately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion ofhead 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 filamen-tous rays on tip of anal fin in males, tip reaching vertical posterior to distal edge of caudal fin. Dorsal-fin raysunbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching ver-


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 closeproximity. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical through base of 5th anal-fin ray in males, and 3rd anal-fin ray infemales, between neural spines of vertebrae 8 and 9 in males and vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Anal-finorigin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 10 and 11. Dorsal-fin rays 23–26 in males, 17–20 in females; anal-finrays 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; sometimesone supraorbital scale, but this usually absent. Longitudinal series of scales 27–29; transverse series of scales10; 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, preopercular18–19, mandibular 11–15, lateral mandibular 2–3, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scaleof lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.

Basihyal subtriangular, width about 60% of length; basihyal cartilage about 20% of total length of basi-hyal. 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 blackwith white dots on basal region and subdistal blue stripe. Caudal fin dark gray to black, with light blue shineon posterior portion. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins dark blue.

Females. Sides of body light brown, with dark gray marks irregularly arranged, sometimes forming about10 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 darkgray 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.


Simpsonichthys filamentosus Costa, Barrera & Sarmiento, 1997(Fig. 31)

Simpsonichthys filamentosus Costa, Barrera & Sarmiento, 1997: 83 (type locality: swamp close to río San Pablo, ríoMamoré basin, about 60 km N from Ascención de Guarayos, road Santa Cruz-Trinidad, Departamento de SantaCruz, Bolivia, about 15°37’S 63°35’W; holotype: CBF 3002).

Material examinedBolivia: 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; MZUSP51328, 2 paratypes; swamp close to the río San Pablo, road Santa Cruz-Trinidad, about 60 km N from Ascen-

ción 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 con-

tact), long filamentous rays on tip of dorsal and anal fins in males (vs. filaments absent, or present only on dor-sal fin in S. semiocellatus, or present only on anal fin in S. chacoensis), and presence (vs. absence) of contactorgans on scales of flank in males.

FIGURE 31. Simpsonichthys filamentosus, male, UFRJ 3989, paratype, 30.1 mm SL; Bolivia: Santa Cruz: Ascención deGuarayaos.



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 mar-gin of orbit, gently convex on trunk, slightly concave on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, com-pressed, greatest body depth on vertical just anterior to dorsal-fin origin. Eye positioned on dorsal portion ofside 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, spatula-shaped. Long filamentous rays on tip of dorsal and anal fins in males, tip reaching vertical posterior to distalmargin of caudal fin. Dorsal-fin rays unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior mar-

gin 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 pel-

vic-fin base. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical through base of 6th or 7th anal-fin rays, between neural spines of ver-tebrae 9 and 10 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleuralribs of vertebrae 5 and 6 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 8 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 16–19 inmales, 13–16 in females; anal-fin rays 22–25 in males, 20–23 in females; caudal-fin rays 21–24; pectoral-finrays 12–13; pelvic-fin rays 6.

Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scale anterior to G-scale; supraorbitalscales absent. Longitudinal series of scales 28–29; transverse series of scales 11–12; scale rows around caudalpeduncle 14. Contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of flank in males. Contact organs of pecto-ral 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, preopercular15–17, mandibular 9–11, lateral mandibular 2–3, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale oflateral 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 basi-hyal. 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 vertebrae28–29.

Coloration Males. Side of body dark orange, with 15 vertical rows of white dots. Dorsum pale brown. Venter orang-

ish golden. Head side dark orange, opercular region greenish golden. Iris yellow, with dark reddish brownbar through center of eye. Unpaired fins pale reddish brown, with light blue dots. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pel-vic fins reddish brown.

Females. Side of body light brown, with 15 dark gray bars; one or two black spots on anterocentral por-tion of flank. Sides of head light brown, opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris yellow, with dark brownbar 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.


Simpsonichthys semiocellatus (Costa & Nielsen, 1997)(Figs. 32–33)

Spectrolebias semiocellatus Costa & Nielsen, 1997: 259 (type locality: temporary pool close to rio Formoso, rio Ara-guaia basin, Formoso do Araguaia, Estado do Tocantins, Brazil [11°47’31.6”S 49°45’54.7”W]; holotype: MZUSP50654).

Material examinedBrazil: 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); UFRJ3933, 2; temporary pool close to rio Formoso, Formoso do Araguaia; D. T. B. Nielsen, A. Carletto & A. C. deLuca, 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, 20Apr. 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 por-tion of distal edge of anal fin, with a light blue subdistal outline in males (never a similar color pattern). Dis-tinguished from all congeners except S. reticulatus and S. costai in having two or three vertical rows with twoneuromasts each on caudal-fin base (vs. only two neuromasts on caudal-fin base).


from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile gently convex fromlower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body slender, compressed, greatestbody depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of head side. Snout blunt. Urogenitalpapilla 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 bothsexes. 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 pecto-

ral 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. Dorsal-

fin origin on vertical through base of 8th or 9th anal-fin ray, between neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 11 inmales and neural spines of vertebrae 12 and 13 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 6and 7 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 15–17 in males, 13–16 infemales; anal-fin rays 23–25 in males, 22–23 in females; caudal-fin rays 21–23; pectoral-fin rays 12–14; pel-vic-fin rays 5–6.

Frontal squamation F-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scale anterior to G-scale; supraorbitalscales absent. Longitudinal series of scales 29–30; transverse series of scales 8–9; scale rows around caudalpeduncle 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, preo-percular 12–15, mandibular 9–10, lateral mandibular 5–6, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center ofeach 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 basi-hyal. 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 verte-brae 30–31.


FIGURE 32. Simpsonichthys semiocellatus, male, UFRJ 6404, topotype, 23.8 mm SL; Brasil: Tocantins: Formoso doAraguaia.

FIGURE 33. Simpsonichthys semiocellatus, female, UFRJ 6404, topotype, 21.2 mm SL; Brasil: Tocantins: Formoso doAraguaia.

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 ofeye, posterior bar adjacent to posterior margin of iris. Suborbital oblique dark gray bar continuous with ante-rior 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 blueline on posterior portion of distal margin of anal fin; brilliant blue line on distal margin of anal fin, anterior toblack 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 hya-line; gray spot on posterior portion of distal margin of anal fin.


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 lat-eroventral 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. similisCosta & 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 Fran-

cisco basin, lower rio Jaguaribe basin and adjacent coastal basins, and middle rio Jequitinhonha.

Key to species groups of the subgenus Hypsolebias

1a. Frontal squamation E-patterned.............................................................................................................31b. Frontal squamation F-patterned ........................................................................ S. notatus species group2a(1a). Flank with unbroken conspicuous dark gray bars in females ................................................................32b(1a). Flank with dark gray inconspicuous broken bars or spots in females ........ S. magnificus species group3a(2a). Anal fin long, spatula-shaped in females; no spots on caudal peduncle in females ................................

....................................................................................................................... S. flammeus species group3b(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).


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. similisCosta & Hellner, S. gibberatus Costa & Brasil, S. trilineatus (Costa & Brasil), S. auratus Costa & Nielsen,and S. virgulatus Costa & Brasil.

DistributionMiddle rio Jequitinhonha, upper rio Tocantins and middle rio São Francisco basins (Fig. 1).

Key to species of the S. notatus group

1a. No metallic colors on flank in females ...................................................................................................21b. Large black blotch, with wide bluish silver to light golden outline on anterocentral portion of flanks in

females ................................................................................................................................... S. ocellatus2a(1a). Black blotch on anterocentral portion of flanks in males .......................................................................52b(1a). Black blotch never on flanks in males ....................................................................................................33a(2b). Elongated bright blue spots alternating with black interspace on dorsal-fin base in males; anal-fin ori-

gin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, 9 and 11 in females. ......................................43b(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. rufus4a(3a). Distal dark gray to black stripe on anal fin in males; caudal fin brownish red, with small blue rounded

spots. ....................................................................................................................................... S. stellatus4b(3a). No distal stripe on anal fin in males; caudal fin yellow with blue stripes ............................... S. nielseni5a(2a). Anal fin with bright dots and no bars in males; no distal stripe on dorsal fin in males. ........................75b(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 ...................................................................................................................................66a(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 bluespots 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. radiosus7a(5a). Anterior portion of flank bright golden in males; humeral dark brown blotch in males; flank with dark

gray spots in females...............................................................................................................................87b(5a). Anterior portion of flanks dark metallic yellow ochre in males; no humeral marks; flanks with dark

gray bars in females ................................................................................................................................98a(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. similis9a(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. virgulatus10a(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. trilineatus10b(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


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, nearItaobim, road BR-367, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil [approximately 16º40’S 41º40’W; altitude about 270 m];holotype: MZUSP 61232).

Material examinedBrazil: 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 kmW 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; tempo-rary 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.


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 infemales).

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 caudalpeduncle. 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 dorsalportion of side of head. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped infemales.

TABLE 4. Morphometric data of species of the Simpsonichthys notatus group.

......continued

S. ocellatus S. rufus S. stellatus S. nielseni

males

(n = 5)

females

(n = 5)

males

(n = 3)

females

(n = 3)

males

(n = 6)

females

(n = 6)

males

(n = 5)

females

(n = 5)


% of standard length

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



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

Length of dorsal-fin

base

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




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


TABLE 4 (continued)

TABLE 4 (continued)

S. notatus S. radiosus S. similis S. gibberatus

males

(n = 7)

females

(n = 5)

males

(n = 5)

females

(n = 5)

males

(n = 2)

females

(n = 2)

males

(n = 5)

females

(n = 5)



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





base

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





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 84.1–88.4 102.9–110.3 96.0–102.0

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 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

S. trilineatus S. auratus S. virgulatus

males

(n = 6)

females

(n = 5)

males

(n = 4)

females

(n = 5)

males

(n = 10)

females

(n = 10)



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









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


Tip of dorsal fin slightly pointed in males, rounded in females; anal fin rounded in both sexes; filaments ofdorsal and anal fins absent. Median dorsal-fin rays branched, anterior and posterior rays, including rays on fintip, unbranched. Caudal fin subtruncate. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reach-

ing 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 prox-

imity. 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 verte-brae 7 and 9 in males, between vertebrae 10 and 13 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of verte-brae 7 and 9 in males, between 10 and 11 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 21–26 in males, 16–20 in females; anal-fin 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; noscale anterior to H-scale. Supraorbital scales 2. Longitudinal series of scales 26–27; transverse series ofscales 11; scale rows around caudal peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of flanks inmales. 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, preopercu-lar 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 basi-hyal. 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 vertebrae27–28.

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 brownishgray, opercular region pale golden, with reddish brown bar on preopercle. Iris yellow, with dark brown barthrough center of eye. Dorsal fin purplish gray, with small round pale blue spots. Anal fin purplish gray, withlight blue bars. Caudal fin purplish gray with pale blue bars; often bars interrupted on dorsal portion formingrows 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 speci-mens), alternating with short and narrow silver bars on median portion of flanks; usually one, rarely two ellip-tical black blotches with wide bluish silver to light golden contour, resulting in brilliant ocellated spot onanterocentral portion of flanks. Venter and head pale golden. Iris yellow, with faint brown bar through centerof 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


rio São Francisco, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil [approximately 17º10’S 45º00’W; altitude about 490 m]; holo-type: MZUSP 61234).

Material examinedBrazil: 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; tempo-rary 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 con-geners of the S. notatus group by the combination of black blotch on anterocentral portion of each flank absentin 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.


from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex fromlower 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 infemales; 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 inclose proximity. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical approximately through anal-fin origin in males, slightly anterior


to anal-fin origin in females; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 8 and 9 in males, betweenneural spines of vertebrae 11 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 9 and 10 inmales, between pleural ribs of vertebrae 11 and 12 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 21–23 in males, 15–17 infemales; anal-fin rays 20–22 in males, 17–18 in females; caudal-fin rays 27–28; pectoral-fin rays 13–14; pel-vic-fin rays 6.

Frontal squamation A-patterned; E-scales medially overlapped; no scale anterior to H-scale; supraorbitalscales 1–2. Longitudinal series of scales 27–28; transverse series of scales 9–10; scale rows around caudalpeduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of flanks in males. Small papillate contactorgans 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, preo-percular 12, mandibular 13, lateral mandibular 7, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale oflateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.


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 crimsonedge; red crimson bar on preopercle. Iris yellow, with dark red crimson bar through center of eye. Dorsal finyellow ochre, anterior portion and distal border pale pink, with small round light blue spots; series of shortvertical lines along distal border. Anal fin yellow ochre, anterior portion pale pink, with dark gray obliquebars. Dorsal and anal fin filaments black. Caudal fin orange, pale pink close to margins, with small roundlight 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 basalregion; 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 examinedBrazil: 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, 3paratypes; temporary pool 1 km N of the city of São Francisco; W. J. E. M. Costa, G. C. Brasil & C. Camp-


inha, 7 Feb. 1994. UFRJ 2121, 6; UMMZ 230861, 4; MNHN 1997-0051, 4; MCZ 138940, 4; temporary pool7 km S from São Francisco; G. C. Brasil, 13 Mar. 1994. UFRJ 2121, 101; UFRJ 5126, 8 (c&s); temporarypool 1.4 km S from São Francisco; W. J. E. M. Costa, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 8 Feb. 1999.

DiagnosisDistinguished from all other species of the S. notatus group by possessing a combination of row of elon-

gated light blue spots with black interspace on the basal portion of the dorsal fin in males (vs. never a similarcolor pattern) and a dark gray to black distal stripe on the anal fin in males (vs. no distinctive distal darkstripe).

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.


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 filamentous rays on tip ofboth dorsal and anal fins in males, tip of filaments reaching vertical through caudal-fin base. Anterior andposterior 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, throughdorsal-fin origin in females. Dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, and neuralspines 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-finrays 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 caudalpeduncle 16. Contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of flank in males. Small papillate contactorgans 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, preopercu-lar 12–16, mandibular 10–11, lateral mandibular 5, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scaleof lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.

Basihyal subtriangular, width about 60–65% of length; basihyal cartilage about 35% of total length ofbasihyal. 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 red-dish brown bar through center of eye. Dorsal fin dark brownish red, with small round light blue spots; spotsalong dorsal fin base elongated, lateral interspace dark gray; row of blue spots along distal margin of dorsalfin. Anal fin light purplish gray, with dark gray oblique bars; distal edge dark gray to black. Caudal fin darkbrownish red, with small round blue spots. Pelvic fins purplish gray, each with black tip. Pectoral fins hya-line.

Females. Sides of body light gray, with faint gray spots, sometimes coalesced to form bars; venter palegolden; one to three rounded black blotches on anterocentral portion of flanks. Opercular region pale greenishgolden. Iris light yellow, with gray bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins hyaline, with faint gray spots onbasal region; spots on anal fin elongated; small light blue spot on posterior margin of anal fin, just posterior tofin base. Paired fins hyaline.

Distribution Middle rio São Francisco floodplains, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil (Fig. 1).



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 examinedBrazil: 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 inPirapora, 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 andalternating with elongate spots of the same color on subdistal portion of fin.



from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lowerjaw 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 ontip of dorsal and anal fins in males; tip of filaments reaching vertical through caudal-fin base. Anterior andposterior rays of dorsal fin, including rays on tip of fin, unbranched; median rays branched. Caudal fin sub-truncate 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 pel-

vic 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 anteriorto slightly posterior to anal-fin origin in females. Dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 8 and 9in males, between neural spines of vertebrae 9 and 11 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of ver-tebrae 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 rays12–13; 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 contactorgans 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, preopercu-lar plus mandibular 26–27, lateral mandibular 4–5, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scaleof lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.


Coloration Males. Sides of body dark yellow ochre, with 9–11 dark purplish gray bars and light blue dots; venter yel-

lowish white. Sides of head yellow ochre to bright greenish blue on opercular and infraorbital region. Scaleson posterodorsal of head side and anterodorsal portion of flanks red. Iris light purplish yellow, with darkbrown bar through center of eye. Dorsal fin greenish brown; greenish yellow elongate spots forming shortbars on basal region, alternating with dark gray to black elongate spots; row of greenish blue short lines alongdistal 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 finmargins, each stripe distally terminating in sharp tip, and alternating with elongate spots of identical color onsubdistal 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 sometimeselongate, forming short bars; 2–3 spots on anterocentral portion of flank black; venter pale golden. Opercularregion greenish golden. Iris light yellow, with gray bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins hyaline, withblack small spots on basal region; small light blue spot on posterior margin of anal fin, just posterior to finbase. Paired fins hyaline.


Distribution Middle rio São Francisco floodplains, Pirapora, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil (Fig. 1).


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 examinedBrazil: 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); roadbetween 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, 23Apr. 2005. UFRJ 6444, 14; UFRJ 6445, 6; 3 km from Flores de Goiás, rio Paranã floodplains; G. C. Brasil, 22Apr. 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 Iaciara-Nova 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. trilin-eatus, and S. auratus, and distinguished from the remaining species of the S. notatus group by having one ortwo black blotches on anterocentral portion of flank in males (vs. blotch absent). Similar to S. radiosus, anddistinguished from S. similis, S. trilineatus, and S. auratus by having oblique dark gray bars on anal fin inmales (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 absenceof blue stripes on the caudal fin in males (vs. presence).


convex on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ven-tral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moder-ately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion ofside 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 dorsaland anal fin in males, tip reaching vertical through middle of caudal fin. All dorsal-fin rays usuallyunbranched, 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 uro-

genital papilla and base of 1st anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases in close proximity. Anal-fin origin on


vertical between base of 2nd and 4th dorsal-fin ray in males; anal-fin origin on vertical just anterior, or just pos-terior, or through dorsal-fin origin in females. Dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 6 and 8 inmales, and neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae7 and 8 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 9 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 21–25 in males, 15–19 infemales; anal-fin rays 20–24 in males, 17–19 in females; caudal-fin rays 22–26; pectoral-fin rays 12–13; pel-vic-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. Longitudi-nal series of scales 25–27; transverse series of scales 10–11; scale rows around caudal peduncle 12. Contactorgan on each scale of anteroventral portion of flank in males. Small papillate contact organs on inner surfaceof dorsalmost ray of pectoral fin in males.


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 lat-eral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.

Basihyal subtriangular, width about 75% of length; basihyal cartilage about 25% of total length of basi-hyal. 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 ofhead yellow ochre, with small green spots on opercular region; often scales of laterodorsal portion with redmargin. Iris light yellow, with dark reddish brown bar through center of eye. Dorsal fin reddish or orangishbrown, with light blue dots; row of blue dots on distal margin of fin. Anal fin orangish brown, with darkbrownish gray bars. Caudal fin reddish or orangish brown, with light blue dots on dorsal half of fin, dotssometimes absent; blue line on margin of dorsal half of fin. Pelvic fins dark orangish brown. Pectoral finshyaline.

Females. Sides of body light brownish gray, with dark gray spots, sometimes horizontally coalescent onanterior portion and vertically coalescent on posterior portion of flanks; venter pale golden; three to fiverounded black blotches on anterocentral portion of flank. Opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris lightyellow, 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).


Simpsonichthys radiosus Costa & Brasil, 2004(Figs. 43–44)

Simpsonichthys radiosus Costa & Brasil, 2004: 1 (type locality: rio Crixás floodplains, about 6 km from the confluencewith rio Paranã, Formosa, Estado de Goiás, Brazil, about 15o20’S 47o20’W, altitude about 800 m; holotype: UFRJ6017).

Material examinedBrazil: 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 bluespots (vs. never a similar color pattern).



slightly convex on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal pedun-cle. Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Bodymoderately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal por-tion 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 infemales. 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 urogen-

ital papilla in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching base of 2nd or 3rd anal-fin ray in males, between urogen-

ital 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 rays5–6.

Frontal squamation A-patterned; E-scales medially overlapped; no scale anterior to G-scale. Longitudinalseries of scales 25–27; transverse series of scales 10; scale rows around caudal peduncle 12. Minute contactorgan on each scale of anteroventral portion of flank in males. Small papillate contact organs on dorsal sur-face of dorsalmost pectoral-fin ray in males. Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 3–4 + 8–10, parietal 2–4, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital2 + 17–20, preorbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 2–3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 1, preo-percular 13–14, mandibular 10–12, lateral mandibular 5–6, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center ofeach 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 basi-hyal. 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, over-lapping third bar, at vertical through dorsal-fin origin. Opercular region golden, with light blue spots. Irislight yellow, with dark brown bar. Dorsal fin reddish brown, with subbasal row of light blue spots, and similarslightly smaller spots on posterior region; distal bright blue stripe with black dorsal outline. Anal fin reddishbrown, 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 darkgray.

Females. Sides of body light purple, with small dark gray spots; spot on anterocentral portion of flankblack. Opercular region light golden, with gray dots. Iris light yellow, with dark gray bar. Unpaired fins hya-line, with small gray spots on basal portion; small light blue spot on posterior portion of anal fin. Paired finshyaline.

Distribution Rio Crixás floodplains, rio Paranã drainage, upper rio Tocantins basin, central Brazil (Fig. 1).


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.


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]; holo-type: MZUSP 51834).

Material examinedBrazil: 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; bornin aquarium, descendant of fishes collected with the holotype.


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 alwaysabsent), white dots on all unpaired fins in males (vs. never all fins with light dots), row of small blue spots ondistal margin of dorsal fin in males (vs. distal blue stripe or no distinctive distal blue mark), anterior portion offlanks dark metallic yellow ochre in males (vs. bright golden), and absence of humeral dark brown blotch inmales (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.



Tip of dorsal and anal fins slightly pointed in males, rounded in females. Short filamentous rays on tip ofdorsal and anal fins in males, tip of filaments reaching vertical through caudal-fin base. Dorsal-fin rays


unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fin elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching verti-

cal 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 proxim-

ity. Anal-fin origin on vertical through base of 3rd dorsal-fin ray in males, through base of 1st dorsal-fin ray infemales; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae11 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, and pleural ribs ofvertebrae 10 and 11 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 22–23 in males, 16–18 in females; anal-fin rays 20–21 inmales, 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 caudalpeduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of flanks in males. Small papillate contact organson 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, preopercular15, mandibular 10–11, lateral mandibular 5, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale of lat-eral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.

Basihyal subtriangular, width about 75–80% of length; basihyal cartilage about 20% of total length ofbasihyal. 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 vertebrae27–28.

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 paleorangish 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, withsmall white spots, usually small, rounded, sometimes elongated and parallel to fin rays; subdistal row of bluedots on distal margin of caudal fin; sometimes spots of caudal and anal fins distally elongated. Pelvic finsdark purplish brown. Pectoral fins hyaline.

Females. Sides of body light gray, with faint 11–12 gray bars; venter pale golden; one to three roundedblack 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 lightblue 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).


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 bankof 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).


Material examinedBrazil: 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; Bra-zil: Estado de Minas Gerais: Unaí, temporary pool about 2 km from the right bank of rio Preto, rio Paracatudrainage, 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 levelof pelvic-fin base).

FIGURE 47. Simpsonichthys gibberatus, UFRJ 6373, male, holotype, 27.9 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Unaí: middlerio Paracatu drainage.

FIGURE 48. Simpsonichthys gibberatus, UFRJ 6374, female, paratype, 19.9 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Unaí: mid-

dle rio Paracatu drainage.


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 in male, at level of posterior margin of opercle in females. Eyepositioned 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 reach-ing 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 pec-

toral 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 urogenitalpapilla 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 raysin females. Dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 6 and 7 in males, between neural spines ofvertebrae 11 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, betweenpleural ribs of vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 21–26 in males, 15–17 in females; anal-fin rays18–20 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; twosmall supraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 25–27; transverse series of scales 8–9; scale rowsaround 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, preopercu-lar plus mandibular 27–33, lateral mandibular 5–9, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateralline. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.


Coloration Males. Sides of body light golden, with 9–11 light brown bars and horizontal series of small bright green-

ish blue spots; often dark gray to black spot on anterocentral portion of flanks. Dorsum light brown, venteryellowish white. Sides of head light golden to reddish brown on scales margins of dorsoposterior portion ofhead, 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 bluespots; 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 onanterocentral 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).



Simpsonichthys virgulatus Costa & Brasil, 2006(Figs. 49–50)

Simpsonichthys virgulatus Costa & Brasil, 2006: 43 (type locality: temporary lagoon about 7 km from ribeirão EntreRios, rio Paracatu drainage, rio São Francisco basin, about 16º49’30”S 46º30’00”W, altitude about 530 m, Municí-pio de Unaí, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil; holotype: UFRJ 6336).


male, 41.5 mm SL; UFRJ 6337, 33 paratypes; UFRJ 6338, 6 paratypes (c&s); MCP 39931, 5 paratypes; Bra-zil: Estado de Minas Gerais: Município de Unaí, temporary lagoon about 7 km from ribeirão Entre Rios, rioParacatu 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 goldenwith dark brown to black blotches in males (vs. never a similar color pattern), and dark gray spots over theentire flanks in females (vs. never a similar color pattern). Distinguished from S. auratus and S. trilineatus byhaving more black blotches on anterior portion of flanks in males (7–13, vs. 3–5), dark brown bars on wholecaudal peduncle in males (vs. whole caudal peduncle purplish brown in S. auratus, and caudal peduncle lightbrown with three purplish brown stripes in S. trilineatus), and pectoral fins hyaline in males (vs. ventral por-tion of pectoral fins pale red).


from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex fromlower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body deep, compressed, greatest bodydepth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of head side. Snout blunt. Urogenitalpapilla 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 infemale; dorsal and anal fins short in females. Short filamentous rays on tip of both dorsal and anal fins inmales, tip of filaments reaching vertical through caudal-fin base. Anterior and posterior rays of dorsal-finrays, including rays on tip of fin, unbranched; median rays branched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins ellipti-

cal. 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 anal-

fin 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 neuralspines 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; anal-fin 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; transverseseries of scales 8–9; scale rows around caudal peduncle 12. Minute contact organ on each scale of anteroven-tral portion of flanks in males. Small papillate contact organs on upper surface of dorsalmost ray of pectoral-fins in males.


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, preopercu-lar 15–16, mandibular 12, lateral mandibular 5–7, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateralline. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.


FIGURE 49. Simpsonichthys virgulatus, UFRJ 6336, male, holotype, 41.5 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Unaí: middlerio Paracatu drainage.

FIGURE 50. Simpsonichthys virgulatus, UFRJ 6337, female, paratype, 29.6 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Unaí: middlerio 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 entireflanks, sometimes coalesced and forming vertical lines, alternating with narrow dark orangish brown stripeson anterior portion of flanks. Dorsum light brown, venter yellowish white. Sides of head light brown to


greenish golden on opercular region. Scale margins on posterodorsal portion of sides of head dark orangishbrown. Iris light yellow, with dark reddish brown bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins dark yellowishbrown, with light green dots; row of greenish blue short vertical lines along distal margin of dorsal fin. Pelvicfins yellowish brown. Pectoral fins hyaline.

Females. Sides of body light yellowish brown, with dark gray spots; spots above anal-fin base usuallyelongate, forming short bars; 3–4 spots on anterocentral portion of flanks black, often coalesced to formstripe. Dorsum pale brown, venter pale golden. Opercular region greenish golden. Iris light yellow, withgray bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins hyaline, with black small spots on basal region; small light bluespot 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).


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 ofBrasilândia], rio São Francisco basin, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil [17º02’52.0”S 46º01’34.0”W; altitude 509 m];holotype: MNRJ 12525).

Material examinedBrazil: 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, 1paratype; 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 presenceof a dark brown humeral blotch in males (vs. absence in females). It differs from S. auratus and S. virgulatusby having five (vs. six) pelvic-fin rays, and three purplish brown stripes on posterior half of flanks in males(vs. never this color pattern).


from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex fromlower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body deep, compressed, greatest bodydepth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of head side. Snout blunt. Urogenitalpapilla 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 andanal fins in males, tip of filaments reaching vertical through posterior half of caudal fin. Dorsal-fin rays


unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching ver-

tical 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 neuralspines of vertebrae 10 and 13 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 8 in malesand pleural ribs of vertebrae 9 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 19–22 in males, 14–16 in females; anal-finrays 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 H-scale; supraorbital scales 2. Longitudinal series of scales 27; transverse series of scales 8; scale rows aroundcaudal peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of flank in males. Minute papillatecontact 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.


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 ver-tical rows of white dots on posterior two thirds of flanks; venter golden. Sides of head golden. Iris light yel-low, 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 marginof anal fin, just posterior to fin base.


Distribution Middle rio Paracatu floodplains, middle rio São Francisco basin, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil (Fig. 1).


Simpsonichthys auratus Costa & Nielsen. 2000(Fig. 52)

Simpsonichthys auratus Costa & Nielsen, 2000: 8 (type locality: temporary pool close to rio Taboca, a tributary of rioParacatu, rio São Francisco basin, Lagoa Grande, Minas Gerais, Brazil [approximately 17º50’S 46º40’W; altitudeabout 680 m]; holotype: MZUSP 52912).

Material examinedBrazil: 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; samelocality; 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 ante-

rior portion of the flanks bright golden in males (vs. dark metallic yellow ochre) and by the presence of ahumeral dark brown blotch in males (vs. absence). It differs from S. trilineatus and S. virgulatus by the fol-lowing characters in combination: 3–4 black blotches on anterior portion of flanks in males (vs. 7–13), pecto-ral fins pale red (vs. hyaline), six pelvic-fin rays (vs. five), and caudal peduncle without conspicuous darkmarks in males (vs. stripes or bars).

FIGURE 52. Simpsonichthys auratus, not preserved, male, topotype, about 30 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Lagoa

Grande.




Tip of both dorsal and anal fins pointed in males, rounded in females. Short to moderately elongate fila-mentous rays on tip of dorsal and anal fin 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 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 infemales. Dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males and neural spines of vertebrae11 and 13 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males and pleural ribs ofvertebrae 10 and 11 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 19–21 in males, 13–15 in females; anal-fin rays 18–20 inmales, 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 H-scale; single supraorbital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 27; transverse series of scales 8; scale rowsaround caudal peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of flank in males. Smallpapillate 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, preopercu-lar 16–19, mandibular 12–13, lateral mandibular 6, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateralline. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.


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 greenishblue dots; venter golden. Sides of head golden, with small dark brown spots. Iris light yellow, with dark red-dish brown bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins dark reddish brown , with white dots. Pelvic fins darkreddish 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 form-ing bars; venter pale golden; two rounded black blotches on anterocentral portion of flank. Opercular regionpale golden. Iris light yellow, with gray bar through center of eye. Fins hyaline; small light blue spot on pos-terior 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).



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 presentonly 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 andmiddle of caudal fin, or absent; vertically elongated minute bright blue spots at least on anterior por-tion of flank in males .............................................................................................................................2

1b. Filamentous rays on tip of dorsal and anal fins reaching posterior margin of caudal fin in males; roundminute 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 ori-gin in males; all bright spots of flank vertically elongated in males; no spots on caudal peduncle infemales. ..................................................................................................................................................3

2b(1a). Dorsal-fin rays 28–32 in males; dorsal-fin origin on vertical between pectoral-fin base and pelvic-finbase 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. .............43b(2a). Pectoral fins hyaline in males; unpaired fins with bright blue lines parallel to fin rays in males.

..................................................................................... ......................................................S. fulminantis4a(3a). Dorsal and anal fins rounded, without filaments, in males; black distal margin on unpaired fins in

males. ............................................................................... .....................................................................54b(3a). Dorsal and anal fins pointed, with short filaments on tip, in males; distal margin of unpaired fins with-

out distinctive pigmentation in males. ................. ................................................................. S. carlettoi5a(4a). Flanks with 8–10 red bars in males, 18–20 brown bars in females; greenish blue dots on unpaired fins

in males. ………………………………............. ............................................................... S. picturatus5b(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, Municí-pio de Manga, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil [about 14º50’S 44º10’W]; holotype designated in the original descrip-tion, but uncatalogued).

Material examinedBrazil: Estado de Minas Gerais, rio São Francisco basin: UFRJ 2070, 1 ; temporary pool 25 km N from


Itacarambi; W. J. E. M. Costa, G. C. Brasil & C. Campinha, 8 Feb. 1994. UFRJ 2120, 1; temporary pool 7 kmS 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 kmN from Itacarambi; W. J. E. M. Costa, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 9 Feb. 1999. UFRJ 4801, 16; temporary pool10.5 km N from Itacarambi; W. J. E. M. Costa, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 9 Feb. 1999. UFRJ 4766, 9; temporarypool 11 km N from Itacarambi; W. J. E. M. Costa, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 9 Feb. 1999. UFRJ 3802, 7; tempo-rary 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: Itacar-

ambi.


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, whenpresent, reaching a vertical through base or middle of caudal fin), and round minute bright blue spots onflanks in males (vs. vertically elongated minute bright blue spots at least on anterior portion of flanks).


from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex fromlower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body deep, compressed, greatest bodydepth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of side of head. Snout blunt. Urogenitalpapilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.

TABLE 5. Morphometric data of species of the Simpsonichthys magnificus group.

......continued

S. hellneri S. adornatus S. fulminantis S. carlettoi

males

(n = 5)

females

(n = 5)

males

(n = 5)

females

(n = 5)

males

(n = 5)

females

(n = 5)

males

(n = 4)

females

(n = 3)



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





base

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





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


TABLE5 (continued)

Tip of both dorsal and anal fins gently pointed in males, rounded in females. Long filamentous rays ontip of dorsal and anal fins in males, tip reaching vertical through posterior margin of caudal fin. Dorsal-finrays unbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of pectoral fins reaching ver-

tical 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 rayin females; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, and neural spines of verte-brae 10 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, and pleural ribsof vertebrae 8 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 19–23 in males, 14–18 in females; anal-fin rays 20–23 inmales, 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 G-scale; supraorbital scales absent. Longitudinal series of scales 25-26; transverse series of scales 11; scale rowsaround caudal peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of flank in males. Contactorgans 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, preo-percular 15–16, mandibular 8–10, lateral mandibular 3–4, paramandibular 1. One or two neuromasts on eachscale of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.


S. magnificus S. picturatus

males

(n = 7)

females

(n = 7)

males

(n = 5)

females

(n = 5)

Standard length (mm) 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

% of head length

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


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; minuteblue spots on entire flank; venter yellowish white. Sides of head yellow ochre, opercular region greenishgolden with blue small spots; margin of dorsoposterior scales red. Iris light yellow, with dark reddish brownbar through center of eye. Unpaired fins dark red, with metallic blue dots on dorsal and anal fins, and metallicblue 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 hori-zontal rows; anterior spots often horizontally coalescent; venter pale golden; one or two rounded blackblotches on anterocentral portion of flanks. Opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris light yellow, withgray bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins hyaline, with dark gray spots on basal region; spots of anal finelongate 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).


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 examinedBrazil: 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 type-locality; 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 rivulidsby 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 havingthe flanks light blue, with longitudinal rows of minute bluish white spots in males (vs. never a similar colorpattern), well defined horizontal rows of small dark brown spots on flanks in females, and two rounded blackspots vertically arranged on posterior portion of caudal peduncle in females (vs. never similar color patterns).


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.


from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex fromlower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body deep, compressed, greatest bodydepth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion of side of head. Snout blunt. Urogenitalpapilla 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 fila-mentous ray on tip of dorsal fin in males, reaching vertical through middle of caudal fin; filaments absent inanal 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 uro-

genital papilla in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching base of 4th anal-fin ray in males and base of 1st anal-fin 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 vertebrae3 and 5 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 11 and 12 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 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 rays12–13; 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 aroundcaudal peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of flank and ventral portion of opercle in males. Smallpapillate 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, preopercular14–18, mandibular 12–13, lateral mandibular 5, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateralline. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.


Coloration Males. Sides of body light blue to purplish blue, with longitudinal rows of white dots, anterior dots verti-

cally elongated; faint gray bars alternating with pale red bars on anterior portion of flanks. In preserved spec-imens, 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 finsdark bluish gray, with bluish white dots, basal region yellowish gray; anterior third of dorsal fin with brightblue 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 brown-ish 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, withdark gray bar through center of eye. Opercular region light blue, with small gray spots. Unpaired fins andpelvic 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).


Simpsonichthys fulminantis (Costa & Brasil, 1993)(Figs. 57)

Cynolebias fulminantis Costa & Brasil, 1993: 194 (type locality: swamp near Guanambi, Estado da Bahia, northeasternBrazil [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 examinedBrazil: 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.


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 Cai-tité; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove & B. B. Costa, 13 Jan. 2005. UFRJ 6446, 14; 8 km S of Bom Jesus daLapa; 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. ador-natus 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.



Tip of both dorsal and anal fins long and pointed in males, rounded in females. Short filamentous ray ontip of dorsal and anal fins in males, tip reaching vertical through middle of caudal fin. Dorsal-fin raysunbranched. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching ver-

tical 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 closeproximity. 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 6and 8 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 11 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs ofvertebrae 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.


Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales slightly overlapping medially; no row of scales anterior to G-scale; single supraorbital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 25-27; transverse series of scales 11; scale rowsaround caudal peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of flank in males. Small papillatecontact 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.


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 darkgreen 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; mar-gin 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 grayspots, sometimes coalesced to form bars; venter pale orangish golden; one or two rounded dark greenish grayblotches on anterocentral portion of flanks. Opercular region pale golden. Iris light yellow, with gray barthrough center of eye. Fins hyaline in live specimens, but with in faint gray bars parallel to fin rays in pre-served 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).


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 examinedBrazil: 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 thethree 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.


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. picturatusby possessing dorsal and anal fins pointed in males (vs. rounded) and distal border of unpaired fins not distinc-tively pigmented in males (vs. unpaired fins with black border). It is also distinguished from S. magnificus bynever having blue spots of the dorsal fin coalesced to form transverse vermiculate marks in males (vs. coa-lesced), 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.



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. Anal-fin origin on vertical posterior to dorsal-fin origin in males, anal-fin origin on vertical through base of fourthdorsal-fin ray; dorsal-fin origin on vertical posterior to anal-fin origin in females, through base of fourth anal-

fin 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 G-scale; single supraorbital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 26; transverse series of scales 10; scale rowsaround caudal peduncle 16. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of opercle and lateral surface oftrunk 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-


lar 16–18, mandibular 11–12, lateral mandibular 3, paramandibular 1. One or two neuromast on each scale oflateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.

Basihyal subtriangular, width about 55% of length; basihyal cartilage about 25% of total length of basi-hyal. 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 vertebrae27.

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, withpale red bar on preopercle. Iris light yellow, with dark reddish brown bar through center of eye. Unpaired finsdark red, with transverse rows of bright greenish blue dots; dots on caudal fin and posterior portion of anal fincoalesced 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 barson posterior portion of flank; five rounded black blotches on anterocentral portion of flank, three of themlarge, about equal eye in size. Opercular region pale golden. Iris light yellow, with gray bar through center ofeye. 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).


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 kmfrom the river channel, county of Manga, Minas Gerais, Brazil [about 13°40’S 43°50’W]; holotype: MZUSP41374).

Material examinedBrazil: 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 plainof the rio São Francisco, about 1 km from the river channel; G. C. Brasil, 10 Feb. 1990. UFRJ 4959, 4; UFRJ4958, 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. MNRJ16116, 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 remainingspecies of the S. magnificus group by possessing distal border of the unpaired fins black in males (vs. never ablack border), dorsal and anal fins rounded in males and without filamentous rays in males (vs. pointed, withfilamentous rays on the tip); differs from S. picturatus in having five to seven red bars on anterior portion of


flank in males (vs. eight to ten), 13–15 bars on flank in females (vs. 18–20), and greenish blue vermiculatetransverse 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.


from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex fromlower 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. Cau-dal 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 rayin females; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 6 and 8 in males and neural spines of verte-brae 10 and 11 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males and pleural ribsof vertebrae 8 and 9 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 21–25 in males, 15–18 in females; anal-fin rays 21–23 inmales, 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 G-scale; single supraorbital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 26–28; transverse series of scales 9; scale rowsaround 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. Twoneuromasts on caudal-fin base.



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 con-spicuous than posterior bars; vertically elongated, minute metallic blue spots on flank, more conspicuous onits posterior half; venter light yellow ochre. Sides of head side yellow ochre, golden with blue small spots onopercular region; scales of posterodorsal portion of head side with red margin. Iris light yellow, with dark red-dish brown bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins dark red with transverse greenish blue vermiculatemarks; 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 barsextremely narrow; venter pale orangish golden; one to four rounded dark greenish gray blotches on anterocen-tral 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 examinedBrazil: 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, 14Feb. 1999. UFRJ 5194, 15 paratypes; UFRJ 5195, 8 paratypes; MZUSP 59229, 8 paratypes; UFRJ 5054, 7paratypes (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”S43º17’13.4”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 fromremaining 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 filamentousrays 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 inmales (vs. greenish blue vermiculate transverse stripes).


from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex fromlower 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. Urogenitalpapilla 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 infemales. Pelvic-fin bases in close proximity. Dorsal-fin origin on vertical either slightly anterior, slightly pos-

terior, or on anal-fin origin in males, and on vertical through base of 3rd or 4th anal-fin ray in females; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 6 and 8 in males and neural spines of vertebrae 9 and 11 infemales. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 6 and 8 in males and pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 19–23 in males, 14–18 in females; anal-fin rays 20–22 in males, 17–20 infemales; 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; sin-gle supraorbital scale. 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 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, preo-percular 13–16, mandibular 10, lateral mandibular 4–6, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale oflateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.

Basihyal subtriangular, width about 65% of length; basihyal cartilage about 25% of total length of basi-hyal. 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 conspicuousthan posterior bars; vertically elongated, minute metallic blue spots on flanks, more conspicuous on posteriorhalf; venter light yellow ochre. Sides of head side yellow ochre, golden with small blue spots on opercularregion; margin of dorsoposterior scales red. Iris light yellow, with dark reddish brown bar through center ofeye. Unpaired fins dark red, with transverse rows of greenish blue dots; distal margin dark gray to black. Pec-toral 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, anteriorbars extremely narrow; venter pale orangish golden; one to four rounded dark greenish gray blotches onanterocentral portion of flanks. Opercular region pale golden. Iris light yellow, with gray bar through centerof 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 Bra-

zil (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, andS. janaubensis Costa.

Distribution Rio Jaguaribe basin and adjacent coastal basins, and middle rio São Francisco basin (Fig. 1).


Key to species of the S. antenori group

1a. Dorsal and anal-fin filaments reaching between central and posterior portion of caudal fin, or surpass-ing 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 grayin males. ........................................................ ......................................................................... S. antenori

2a(1a). Filamentous rays of dorsal and anal fins of moderate length in males, tip of each fin reaching posteriorportion of caudal fin. .................................................................... ..........................................................3

2b(1a). Filamentous rays of dorsal and anal fins rather long in males, tip of each fin extending beyond poste-rior margin of caudal fin. ................................................ ...................................................................... 5

3a(2a). Urogenital papilla long in males, notably conspicuous in lateral view. ................................................ 43b(2a). Urogenital papilla short in males, almost imperceptible in lateral view. ……………

…………………………………………………………………......................................S. macaubensis4a(3a). No contact organs on flank in males; a median neuroma ...........................................S. mediopapillatus4b(3a). Contact organs on anteroventral portion of flank in males; no median neuromast on posterior rostral

series. ...................................................................... ............................................................... S. ghisolfii5a(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 distalstripe in males. ........................................................................................................................... S. igneus

6a(5a). Pectoral-fin contact organs pronounced in males; dorsal profile of head conspicuously concave; anter-obasal 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 portionof 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 inmales 39.0–45.2% SL; body depth in combined sexes 37.0–42.7% SL; caudal-peduncle depth in com-bined 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, rioJaguaribe 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 doCeará, Brazil; holotype: MNHN 1981-1211).

Material examinedBrazil: 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;


same collectors and date. UFRJ 4867, 176; UFRJ 4880, 8 (c&s); temporary pool 1.5 km N of Limoeiro doNorte; same collectors and date. UFRJ 4873, 25; temporary pool in the road BR-304 near Aracati; same col-lectors and date. MNRJ 4542, 7; Russas; W. Franca and A. L. Carvalho, 03 Aug. 1945. MNRJ 21260, 4; roadBR-116, km 138, Russas; C. Cruz & M. C. A. Barbosa, 12 Jul. 1979. MNRJ 19465, 3; Pedras, perto de Rus-sas; 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 RioGrande 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 fil-

aments 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).


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 ofhead. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females.

TABLE 6. Morphometric data of species of the Simpsonichthys antenori group.

......continued

S. antenori S. ghisolfii S. mediopapillatus S. macaubensis

males

(n = 5)

females

(n = 5)

males

(n = 5)

females

(n = 5)

males

(n = 10)

females

(n = 10)

males

(n = 1)

females

(n = 1)

Standard length (mm) 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


base

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

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

% of head length

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


TABLE 6 (continued)

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 some-times 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 originbetween 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 infemales. 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 supraor-bital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 27-28; transverse series of scales 14; scale rows around caudalpeduncle 16. Prominent contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of lateral surface of body inmales. 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, preopercular15–17, mandibular 12–14, lateral mandibular 7–9, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scaleof lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.

Basihyal subtriangular, width about 70% of length; basihyal cartilage about 30% of total length of basi-hyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 5–6. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 4 + 13.

S. igneus S. flavicaudatus S. janaubensis S. flagellatus

males

(n = 5)

females

(n = 5)

males

(n = 5)

females

(n = 5)

males

(n = 7)

females

(n = 7)

males

(n = 7)

females

(n = 5)



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





base

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


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


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. Irislight yellow, with dark gray bar. Dorsal fin dark bluish gray with white dots, and dark bluish gray distal bor-der; dorsal-fin filaments black. Anal fin dark bluish gray, with white dots; subdistal zone reddish orange; bluespot on fin tip; black distal stripe; anal-fin filaments black. Caudal fin dark bluish gray with white spots, andmetallic light blue bar on posterior edge of the fin. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvic fins reddish orange, withblack tip.

Females. Sides of body light gray, with 11–18 dark gray bars; venter pale golden; 1-4 rounded blackblotches on anterocentral portion of flank; 1–11 irregularly arranged rounded black blotches on caudal pedun-cle. Opercular region pale golden. Iris light yellow, with gray bar. Unpaired fins hyaline, with faint, longitu-dinally elongated gray spots; small, iridescent blue spot on posterior portion of anal fin close to caudalpeduncle. 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).



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: UFRJ6385).

Material examinedBrazil: 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. flav-icaudatus, S. flagellatus, and S. janaubensis); dorsal and anal-fin filaments slightly long, posteriorly reachingcentral portion of caudal fin in males (vs. short, reaching caudal-fin base in S. antenori, or long, surpassingposterior margin of caudal fin in S. igneus, S. flavicaudatus, S. flagellatus, and S. janaubensis); urogenitalpapilla short in males (vs. long in S. ghisolfii and S. mediopapillatus); caudal fin yellow in males (vs. bluishgray 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 pos-terior portion of fin in S. flavicaudatus, S. flagellatus, and S. janaubensis); no red pigmentation on anal fin inmales (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 approxi-

mately straight on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Ven-tral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Bodydeep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsolateral portion ofside 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 infemales. Tip of both dorsal and anal fins with short filamentous rays in males, in both cases reaching verticalthrough 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 infemales; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae11 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 6 and 8 in males, and pleural ribs ofvertebrae 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 threesupraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 27–29; transverse series of scales 12–13; scale rows aroundcaudal 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.


Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 14, parietal 2, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral 1, infraorbital 2 + 18, pre-orbital 3, otic 2, post-otic 3, supratemporal 1, median opercular 1, ventral opercular 2, preopercular 15, man-dibular 13, lateral mandibular 3, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateral line. Twoneuromasts on caudal-fin base.

Basihyal subtriangular, greatest width about 75-80% of length; basihyal cartilage about 30-35% of totallength of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 7-9. Gill-rakers on first bran-chial 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 palegreen. Iris light yellow, with dark purplish gray bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins yellow, with whiteto 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 anterocen-tral 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 ofeye. 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).



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 examinedBrazil: 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 SãoDomingos drainage, a tributary to the Rio Verde Pequeno, itself a tributary of rio Verde Grande, rio São Fran-cisco 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 collec-tors, 15–16 Jan. 2005.

Diagnosis Distinguished from all other congeners of the S. antenori group in having a median neuromast on poste-

rior rostral series (vs. median rostral neuromast absent). Similar to S. ghisolfii, and distinguished from theother species of the S. antenori group, by possessing a long (vs. short) urogenital papilla in males, zigzagshaped bars on caudal peduncle in males (vs. bars straight or slightly curved), and a distinctive narrow subdis-tal bright yellowish orange stripe on anal fin in males (vs. never a similar color pattern). Also distinguishedfrom S. ghisolfii by the absence of contact organs on the flank of males (vs. minute contact organs present onposterior border of scales of the anteroventral portion of flank).

FIGURE 64. Simpsonichthys mediopapillatus, UFRJ 5406, male, holotype, 40.3 mm SL; Brazil: Bahia: Pindaí: rioVerde 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-


file convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Eye posi-tioned on dorsolateral portion of side of head. Snout blunt. Body deep, compressed, greatest body depth atlevel 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 infemales. Tips of dorsal and anal fins with filamentous rays in males, tips reaching posterior portion of caudalfin. 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-finrays in females; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males, and neural spines ofvertebrae 11 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males, and pleuralribs of vertebrae 9 and 11 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 20–23 in males, 15–17 in females; anal-fin rays 21–23in 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 threesupraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 28–30; transverse series of scales 12–13; scale rows aroundcaudal peduncle 16. No contact organs on scales. Small papillate contact organs on inner surface of threedorsalmost rays of pectoral fin in males.

Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 14–17, parietal 2–3, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral with one lateralneuromast 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, para-mandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.


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. Oper-cular region pale greenish blue. Iris light yellow, with dark purplish gray bar through center of eye. Dorsal fingreenish yellow, dark purplish pink on distal portion, with white dots; dorsal-fin filaments dark purple. Analfin 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; broadbright 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 blackblotches on anterocentral portion of flank; 1–7 irregularly arranged rounded black blotches on caudal pedun-cle. Dorsum pale brown. Venter light gray. Opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris light yellow, withgray 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)



Simpsonichthys ghisolfii Cyrino & Nielsen, 1996(Figs. 65–66)

Simpsonichthys ghisolfii Costa, Cyrino & Nielsen, 1996: 18 (type locality: Guanambi [rio das Rãs drainage, rio SãoFrancisco basin], Bahia, Brazil [14°15’15.6”S 42°46’55.6”W; altitude 555 m]; holotype: MZUSP 49403).

Material examinedBrazil: 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 straightor 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 organson anteroventral portion of flank of males (vs. contact organs absent) and absence of median neuromast onposterior rostral series (vs. presence).


straight on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ven-tral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Eye positionedon dorsolateral portion of side of head. Snout blunt. Body deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level ofpelvic-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 throughposterior 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. Dorsal-

fin origin in vertical between base of 2nd and 4th anal-fin rays in males, and between base of 3rd and 5th anal-finsray in females; dorsal-fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males, and neural spines of ver-tebrae 11 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, and pleuralribs of vertebrae 9 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 20–25 in males, 16–20 in females; anal-fin rays 21–24in 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 threesupraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 27–29; transverse series of scales 12–13; scale rows aroundcaudal peduncle 16. One to three minute contact organs on anteroventral portion of flanks in males. Smallpapillate 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, preo-percular 16–19, mandibular 12–14, lateral mandibular 4–7, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scaleof lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.


Basihyal subtriangular, width about 75–95% of length; basihyal cartilage about 15–20% of total length ofbasihyal. 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 verte-brae 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 pur-plish gray bar. Dorsal fin yellow, sometimes dark purplish pink on distal portion, with white dots; dorsal-finfilaments black. Anal fin greenish yellow, with bluish white dots; often subdistal zone yellowish orange, light


blue spot near fin tip; usually black distal stripe, sometimes gray or stripe inconspicuous in life; anal-fin fila-ments black. Caudal fin dark yellow, with white dots; blue line on posterior margin of caudal fin. Pectoralfins 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 blackblotches on anterocentral portion of flank; 1–17 irregularly arranged rounded black blotches on caudal pedun-cle. 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 caudalpeduncle. Paired fins hyaline.

Distribution Rio das Rãs drainage, rio São Francisco basin, Estado da Bahia, Brazil (Fig. 1).


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 Fran-cisco basin, Estado da Bahia, Brazil [11°28’8.4”S 43°17’13.4”W; altitude 433 m]; holotype: MZUSP 56254).

Material examinedBrazil: 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; UFRJ5191, 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 kmN of Igarité; same collectors and date. UFRJ 4868, 28 paratypes; UFRJ 4870, 62 paratypes; UFRJ 4869, 10paratypes (c&s); 27.5 km N of Igarité; same collectors and date. UFRJ 4877, 14 paratypes; 21.5 km N fromIgarité; 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 inlive and preserved individuals).


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 posi-tioned on dorsolateral portion of side of head. Snout blunt. Body deep, compressed, greatest body depth atlevel 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 posteriorborder 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-


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 and9 in males and neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 13 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of verte-brae 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; twosupraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 29–30; transverse series of scales 14; scale rows around cau-dal 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 pectoralfins in males.

Cephalic neuromasts: supraorbital 14–18, parietal 3, anterior rostral 1, posterior rostral with one lateralneuromast 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, para-mandibular 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 ofbasihyal. 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 vertebrae28–30.


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 regionpale greenish golden. Iris light yellow, with dark purplish gray bar. Dorsal fin dark purplish pink on anteriortwo thirds to yellow on posterior portion, with white dots; dorsal-fin filaments black. Anal fin greenish yel-low, with bluish white dots; subdistal zone reddish orange; blue spot on fin tip; black distal stripe; anal-fin fil-aments 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 blackblotches on anterocentral portion of flank; 1–15 irregularly arranged rounded black blotches on caudal pedun-cle. Opercular region pale golden. Iris light yellow, with gray bar through center of eye. Unpaired fins hya-line, with faint, longitudinally elongated gray spots; small, iridescent blue spot on posterior portion of anal finclose 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).


Simpsonichthys flavicaudatus (Costa & Brasil, 1990)(Fig. 68)

Cynolebias flavicaudatus Costa & Brasil, 1990: 18 (type locality: vicinity of Lagoa Grande, county of Santa Maria daBoa Vista, Pernambuco, Brazil [approximately 9°00’S 40°20’W; altitude 300 m]; holotype: MZUSP 40129).

Material examinedBrazil: 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 andwhole fin yellow in S. ghisolfii, S. mediopapillatus, S. macaubensis, and S. igneus), and a distal gray stripe onanal fin in males (vs. black distal stripe). Differs from S. flagellatus and S. janaubensis by possessing minutecontact 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 bril-liant white to light blue spots, forming short bars).


straight on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Ven-tral 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 ofpelvic-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 dis-tal 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 12in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 9 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 8and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 22–24 in males, 16–18 in females; anal-fin rays 23–24 in males, 19–21 infemales; 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; onesupraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 29; transverse series of scales 12–13; scale rows around cau-dal peduncle 16. Minute contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of lateral surface of body inmales, usually inconspicuous. Small papillate contact organs on inner surface of three dorsalmost rays of pec-toral 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, preopercular14–17, mandibular 13–14, lateral mandibular 4–5, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateralline. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.


FIGURE 68. Simpsonichthys flavicaudatus, male, not preserved, topotype, about 40 mm SL; Brazil: Pernambuco:

Lagoa Grande.


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, withdark purplish gray bar. Dorsal fin dark purplish pink on anterior three fourths to dark yellow on posterior por-tion, with small white spots; spots on anterobasal region of fin slightly elongated; dorsal-fin filaments darkpurple. Anal fin dark purplish pink on anterior two thirds to dark yellow on posterior portion, with smallwhite dots restricted to the yellow zone; dark gray distal stripe; anal-fin filaments black. Caudal fin dark yel-low, with bluish white dots, and metallic light blue line on posterior edge of fin. Pectoral fins hyaline. Pelvicfins pink, with gray tip.

Females. Side of body light gray, with 10–15 gray bars; venter pale golden; 1–2 rounded faint grayblotches on anterocentral portion of flank; 1–3 irregularly arranged rounded faint gray blotches on caudalpeduncle; blotches sometimes inconspicuous. Opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris light yellow, withgray bar. Unpaired fins hyaline with faint, longitudinally elongated gray spots; small, iridescent blue spot onposterior portion of anal fin close to caudal peduncle. Paired fins hyaline.

Distribution Middle rio São Francisco basin, Estado de Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil (Fig. 1).


Simpsonichthys flagellatus Costa, 2003(Figs. 69)

Simpsonichthys flagellatus Costa, 2003: 46 (type locality: temporary pool 12 km W of Bom Jesus da Lapa, Estado daBahia, Brazil, 13°15’43.2”S 43°31’37.2”W, altitude 449 m; holotype: MZUSP 40129).

Material examinedBrazil: 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, 10paratypes (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 ofIbotirama; W. J. E. M. Costa, A. C. L. H. Bacellar, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 5 May 1999. UFRJ 4786, 11; UFRJ4790, 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, 22km S of Ibotirama; W. J. E. M. Costa, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 14 Feb. 1999. UFRJ 4851, 7; temporary pool nearParatinga; W. J. E. M. Costa, A. C. L. H. Bacellar, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 4 May 1999. UFRJ 4853, 3; tempo-rary pool about 19 km N of Ibotirama; W. J. E. M. Costa, A. C. L. H. Bacellar, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 5 May1999. UFRJ 5425, 3; Correntina; D. Nielsen & A. Carletto, Jan. 2002. UFRJ 6045, 7; 48.5 km S of BomJesus 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 ofTravessão; D. T. B. Nielsen, A. L. F. Cyrino, J. L. Cruz & A. Luca, 27 Jan. 1996. UFRJ 2125, 4 (c&s); UFRJ


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 pool25 km N of Itacarambi; W. J. E. M. Costa, G. C. Brasil & C. Campinha, 8 Feb. 1994. UFRJ 2091, 1; tempo-rary 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. UFRJ4784, 17; temporary pool 10 km N of Itacarambi; W. J. E. M. Costa, F. Pupo & E. Araujo, 9 Feb. 1999. UFRJ4781, 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; 14km 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. anten-

ori group in possessing iridescent dots on anal fin restricted to posterior portion of fin in males (vs. on thewhole 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 distalgray stripe on anal fin in males (vs. black distal stripe). Differs from S. flavicaudatus by having pronouncedpectoral-fin contact organs in males (vs. minute), dorsal profile of head concave (vs. nearly straight), and bythe 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 depthin combined sexes 13.4–16.6% SL (vs. 11.7–14.3% SL) and elongated light blue spots restricted to anteriorportion of dorsal-fin base in males (vs. along entire dorsal-fin base).


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 pro-file convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body deep, com-pressed, 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 dis-tal 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 orslightly posterior to anal-fin origin in males, slightly posterior in females. Dorsal-fin origin between neuralspines of vertebrae 6 and 8 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 9 and 11 in females. Anal-fin originbetween pleural ribs of vertebrae 6 and 8 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 20–26 in males, 13–19 in females; anal-fin rays 21–25 in males, 18–22 in females; caudal-fin rays23–26; 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 rowsaround 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 finin 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, preopercular14–18, 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 ofbasihyal. 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 verte-brae 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 barsventrally branched. Few light blue dots on dorsal portion of sides of body. Opercular region pale greenishgolden. Iris light yellow, with dark purplish gray bar. Dorsal fin purplish pink on anterior portion, yellow onposterior portion; small light blue spots over fin, spots on anterobasal region elongated, forming short stripesalternated with black areas; dorsal-fin filaments dark brownish purple. Anal fin purplish pink on anterior por-tion, 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 blueline 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 blackblotches on anterocentral portion of flanks, sometimes absent; 2–7 irregularly arranged rounded blackblotches 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 bluespot on posterior portion of anal fin close to caudal peduncle. Paired fins hyaline.


Distribution Middle rio São Francisco basin, Bahia and Minas Gerais states, Brazil (Fig. 1).


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, mid-

dle 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 examinedBrazil: 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; samelocality 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, con-

sisting of anterior portion of fin pink and posterior portion yellow, with iridescent dots restricted to posteriorportion of fin. Differs from S. flavicaudatus and S. flagellatus in possessing elongated light blue spots alongentire dorsal-fin base (vs. elongated spots restricted to the anterobasal portion of dorsal fin), shorter anal-finbase in males (34.4–38.4 % SL, vs. 39.0–45.2 % SL), and more slender trunk and caudal peduncle (bodydepth 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 caudalpeduncle. Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight to slightlyconcave on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-finbase. Eye positioned on dorsolateral portion of head side. Snout slightly pointed. Urogenital papilla cylindri-cal 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 infemales. Tips of both dorsal and anal fins with long filamentous rays in males, the tips reaching posterior por-tion of caudal fin. Caudal fin subtruncate in males, round in females. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior mar-

gin 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 anal-

fin ray in males and base of 1st or 2nd anal-fin ray in females. Pelvic-fin bases medially united. Dorsal-fin ori-

gin slightly anterior to anal-fin origin in males, anal-fin origin in vertical between base of 2nd and 4th dorsal-finrays; 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


neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 8 inmales, 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 rays6.

FIGURE 70. Simpsonichthys janaubensis, UFRJ 5409, male, holotype, 39.4 mm SL; Brazil: Minas Gerais: Janaúba: rioVerde 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; twosupraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 29–31; transverse series of scales 13–14; scale rows aroundcaudal peduncle 16. No contact organs on scales. Prominent papillate contact organs on inner surface of threedorsalmost rays of pectoral fins in males.


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, preopercular14–19, mandibular 14–18, lateral mandibular 4-6, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateralline. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.


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. Opercularregion pale greenish golden. Iris light yellow, with dark purplish gray bar through center of eye. Dorsal finpurplish pink on anterior three fourths, yellow on posterior fourth; small round light blue spots over fin, spotson basal region vertically elongated, alternating with dark gray areas on anterior portion of basal portion offin; dorsal-fin filaments dark brownish purple. Anal fin purplish pink on anterior half to two-thirds, yellowwith 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 blueline 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 anterocen-tral portion of flank, and 1–3 rounded black blotches on caudal peduncle, these sometimes absent. Dorsumpale brown. Venter pale golden. Opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris light yellow, with gray verticalbar through center of eye. Unpaired fins hyaline, with faint, longitudinally elongated gray spots; small, irides-cent 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 drain-

age, rio São Francisco basin, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil (Fig. 1).


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).


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 inmales; 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 inmales; posterior portion of flank without bars in males; black and blue border on dorsal and anal finsin males. …………………… ............................................................................................ S. marginatus

2a(1a). Anal fin pointed in males. ......................... .............................................................................................52b(1a). Anal fin rounded in males. .....................................................................................................................33a(2b). Dorsal fin rounded in males; dorsal fin with bars on basal portion and spots on distal portion in males.

………………………………………...................................................................................... S. delucai3b(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 inmales. .................................................................................................................................. S. alternatus

4b(3b). Dorsal-fin origin on vertical anterior to anal-fin origin or on vertical through base of 1st or 2nd anal-finrays; 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; dor-sal 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 withlight 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 inmales; 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 inmales; 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 trib-utary of rio Maranhão, rio Tocantins basin, Estado de Goiás, Brazil [approximately 15°00’S 49°00’W]; holotype:MNRJ 12440).

Material examinedBrazil: 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, 4paratypes (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 closeto 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 hav-ing flanks dark red, with blue bars anteriorly and vertical rows of blue dots posteriorly in males (vs. never asimilar color pattern).



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 mod-erately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsal portion ofside 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.

......continued

S. marginatus S. fasciatus S. alternatus

males

(n = 7)

females

(n = 6)

males

(n = 10)

females

(n = 8)

males

(n = 7)

females

(n = 6)



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









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

% of head length

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


TABLE 7 (continued)

S. delucai S. flammeus S. brunoi

males

(n = 4)

females

(n = 4)

males

(n = 8)

females

(n = 5)

males

(n = 5)

females

(n = 5)



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









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

% 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

(n = 6)

females

(n = 6)

males

(n = 6)

females

(n = 6)

males

(n = 6)

females

(n = 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









Head length 28.6–31.0 30.4–31.1 28.6–31.0 30.4–31.1 28.6–31.0 30.4–31.1

% of head length

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


Tip of both dorsal and anal fins pointed in males, rounded in females. Tip of both dorsal and anal finswith 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 anal-

fin 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. Pel-vic-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 neuralspines of vertebrae 6 and 7 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 11 in females. Anal-fin originbetween pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 9 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin 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; supraorbitalscales 2. Longitudinal series of scales 24–26; transverse series of scales 9–10; scale rows around caudalpeduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of anteroventral portion of flanks in males. Small papillate contactorgans on inner surface of dorsalmost ray of pectoral fins in males.


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, preopercu-lar plus mandibular 30–32, lateral mandibular 8, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on center of each scale oflateral 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 firstbranchial arch 3 + 10–11. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of posttemporalshort. 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 headlight purplish brown, metallic green on opercular region. Iris yellow with dark brown bar through center ofeye. Unpaired fins brownish red, with light greenish blue dots; distal margin of dorsal and anal fin dark grayto 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 por-tion 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 andpelvic 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).


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 examinedBrazil: 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); tempo-

rary 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 onanal 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 byhaving dorsal fin rounded to slightly pointed in males (vs. pointed), dorsal fin reddish brown, with light green-


ish yellow spots and three or four brown bars restricted to posterobasal portion in males (vs. six to eight barsthrough 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, approxi-mately straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pel-vic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsolateral portion of side of head. Snout blunt. Urogenital papillacylindrical 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 bor-der 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


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 8and 10 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 11 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs ofvertebrae 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 rays12–13; pelvic-fin rays 6.

Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no row of scales anterior to G-scale; twosmall supraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 25-26; transverse series of scales 8; scale rows aroundcaudal peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of lateral surface of body in males. Smallpapillate 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 lat-eral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.


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 lightgreenish yellow with 3–4 short brown bars on posterobasal portion, brownish red with greenish yellow spotson 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 finsreddish brown, with greenish yellow base.

Females. Sides of body light yellowish gray, with one or two black spots on anterocentral portion offlank; 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 analfin close to caudal peduncle. Paired fins hyaline.

Distribution Rio Urucuia floodplains, rio São Francisco basin, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil (Fig. 4).


Simpsonichthys alternatus (Costa & Brasil, 1994)(Figs. 76)

Cynolebias alternatus Costa & Brasil, 1994b: 7 (type locality: João Pinheiro [Município] close to rio Paracatu [near thecity of Brasilândia], rio São Francisco basin, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil [17º02’52.0”S 46º01’34.0”W; altitude509 m]; holotype: MNRJ 12523).

Material examinedBrazil: 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; UFRJ3457, 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


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 onanal 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 finpointed in males (vs. rounded to slightly pointed), dorsal fin with 6–8 bars through whole fin in males (vs. barsrestricted 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 ondorsal fin in males (vs. dark gray to black).


slightly concave on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, about straight on caudal peduncle. Ven-tral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body moder-ately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsolateral portionof 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 inmales, tips reaching vertical through caudal-fin base; no filamentous rays on anal fin. Caudal fin subtruncatein 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. Pelvic-

fin 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 ver-tebrae 8 and 9 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleuralribs of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 10 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 18–22 inmales, 14–17 in females; anal-fin rays 21–24 in males, 18–20 in females; caudal-fin rays 23–24; pectoral-finrays 12–13; pelvic-fin rays 6.


Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no scales anterior to G-scale; onesupraorbital scale. Longitudinal series of scales 23–24; transverse series of scales 9–10; scale rows aroundcaudal peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of lateral surface of body in males. Smallpapillate 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, preopercu-lar 16–17, mandibular 11–13, lateral mandibular 5, paramandibular 1. One or two neuromasts on each scaleof lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.


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 yel-low, with 6–8 reddish brown bars through the entire fin, connected to distal red stripe. Anal fin light greenishyellow, with 4–5 brown oblique bars and red distal stripe. Caudal fin light greenish yellow, with 3–5 reddishbrown 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, withgray bar. Unpaired fins hyaline, with faint spots; small, iridescent blue spot on posterior portion of anal finclose to caudal peduncle. Paired fins hyaline.

DistributionRio Paracatu floodplains, rio São Francisco basin, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil (Fig. 4).


Simpsonichthys fasciatus Costa & Brasil, 2006(Figs. 77)

Simpsonichthys fasciatus Costa & Brasil, 2006: 46 (type locality: Unaí, temporary pool about 2 km from the right bankof 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).


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 Franciscobasin; 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


females (vs. short, about semicircular), and oblique bars on dorsal fin in males (vs. never a similar color pat-tern). Simpsonichthys fasciatus differs from S. alternatus and S. delucai in possessing dorsal-fin origin usu-

ally 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 ondistal 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.


concave on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, about straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral pro-file convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Body moder-ately deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsolateral portionof 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 infemales. Short filamentous rays on tip of dorsal fin in males, tip of longest filament reaching vertical throughcaudal-fin base. Most dorsal-fin rays unbranched. Caudal fin subtruncate in males, rounded in females. Pec-

toral 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 betweenneural spines of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males, between neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 11 in females. Anal-finorigin 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-finrays 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; twosmall supraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 24–25; transverse series of scales 8–9; scale rowsaround 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.


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, preopercular13–15, mandibular 10–12, lateral mandibular 4–5, paramandibular 1. One neuromast on each scale of lateralline. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.


Coloration Males. Sides of body light pinkish gray, with 9–10 reddish brown bars. Dorsum light brown, venter yel-

lowish white. Sides of head yellowish gray; narrow red pigmentation on scale margins of posterodorsal por-tion of head; opercular and infraorbital regions golden. Iris light yellow, with brown bar through center ofeye. Dorsal fin light greenish blue, with 6-8 oblique dark reddish brown bars; dark gray to black stripe on dis-tal margin of fin. Anal fin light greenish blue to light yellowish gray on anterior portion, with 5 oblique darkreddish brown bars; distal portion of fin dark orangish red. Caudal fin light greenish blue, with 4 dark reddishbrown bars. Pelvic fins reddish brown. Pectoral fins hyaline.

Females. Sides of body light brownish gray, usually with round black spot on anterocentral portion offlanks, sometimes two spots or spots absent; often faint gray bars on ventral portion of caudal peduncle. Dor-sum light brownish gray, venter light gray. Opercular region pale greenish golden. Iris light yellow with graybar 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).


Simpsonichthys multiradiatus (Costa & Brasil, 1994)(Figs. 78)

Cynolebias multiradiatus Costa & Brasil, 1994a:1 (type locality: temporary pool in Brejinho de Nazaré, Tocantins, Bra-zil [approximately 11o00’S 48o40’W; altitude 247 m]; holotype: MNRJ 12519).

Material examinedBrazil: 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); UFRJ2075, 6 paratypes; UFRJ 2076, 8 paratypes; UFRJ 2097, 63; UMMZ 230858, 12; MCZ 138938, 2; temporarypool 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).



on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile con-vex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderatelydeep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsolateral portion ofside 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 verticalthrough center of caudal fin. Caudal fin subtruncate in males, round in females. Pectoral fins elliptical. Pos-

terior 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-finray in males and reaching urogenital papilla in females. Pelvic-fin bases medially in close proximity. Dorsal-fin 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 10in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 8 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 8and 9 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 25–28 in males, 17–21 in females; anal-fin rays 23–28 in males, 21–24 infemales; 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 rowof scales anterior to H-scale; two small supraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 26–27; transverseseries of scales 11–12; scale rows around caudal peduncle 14. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portionof lateral surface of body in males. Small papillate contact organs on inner surface of three dorsalmost rays ofpectoral 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, preoper-cular 16–19, mandibular 14, lateral mandibular 4–5, paramandibular 1. One or two neuromasts on each scaleof lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.


FIGURE 78. Simpsonichthys multiradiatus, male, UFRJ 2076, paratype, about 30.0 mm SL; Brazil: Tocantins: Brejinho

de Nazaré.


Coloration Males. Sides of body bright blue, with 12–14 reddish gray bars. Venter pale orange. Posterolateral por-

tion of head red, with blue spot on center of each scale. Opercular region greenish blue. Iris light yellow, withdark brown bar. Dorsal fin brownish red, with small round blue spots; sometimes oblique short brownish redstripes on posterior portion of fin; anterobasal portion of fin with elongated spots, parallel to fin rays. Anal finlight blue, with 6–7 brownish red bars. Caudal fin light blue, with 5–6 brownish red bars and bright blue dis-tal 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 anterocentralportion of flanks. Venter pale golden. Opercular region pale green. Iris light yellow, with gray bar. Unpairedfins hyaline, with faint spots; small, iridescent blue spot on posterior portion of anal fin close to caudal pedun-cle. Paired fins hyaline.

Distribution Middle rio Tocantins floodplains, Estado do Tocantins, central Brazil (Fig. 4).


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 examinedBrazil: 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 inthe 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); MNHN1997.0047, 8; UMMZ 230857, 12; USNM 343825, 5; MCZ 138944, 2; swamp close to rio Paranã, road Iaci-ara-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 irides-

cent blue bars on the flanks in females; similar to S. brunoi and distinguished from all other cynolebiatins byhaving filamentous rays along entire distal border of dorsal and anal fins in males (vs. filamentous rays, whenpresent, 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 25.0–30.0mm 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), nodark zones on dorsal fin in males (vs. melanophores concentrated on the anterior portion of the fin forming adark gray zone), and dorsolateral regions of head red, with blue spots on center of scales (vs. metallic greenishblue, without red pigmentation).


on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile con-vex 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 ofside 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 infemales, anal fin spatula-shaped. Entire distal border of dorsal and anal fins with long filamentous rays inmales, 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 6and 8 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Anal-fin origin between pleural ribs ofvertebrae 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 rays13–14; 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.


Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no row of scales anterior to H-scale; twosmall supraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 26–27; transverse series of scales 10–11; scale rowsaround 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 lateralline. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.

Basihyal subtriangular, width about 55% of length; basihyal cartilage about 40–45% of total length ofbasihyal. 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 vertebrae26–28.

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, pos-terior 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. Pelvicfins blue.

Females. Sides of body pale brownish gray, with faint gray bars; anterocentral portion of flanks with oneto three black spots, alternating with vertically elongate metallic blue spots. Venter pale golden. Opercularregion pale blue. Iris light yellow, with gray bar. Unpaired fins hyaline, with faint spots; small, iridescentblue 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).


Simpsonichthys brunoi Costa, 2003(Fig. 81)

Simpsonichthys brunoi Costa, 2003: 55 (type locality: temporary pool near the city of Vila Boa, ribeirão Canabravafloodplains, upper rio Urucuia drainage, rio São Francisco basin [correctly upper rio Paranã drainage, rio São Fran-cisco basin] 15º03’0.4”S 47º04’3.3”W; altitude 449 m, Estado de Goiás, Brazil; holotype: MCP 28576).

Material examinedBrazil: 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, 8paratypes; temporary pool near the city of Vila Boa, ribeirão Canabrava floodplains, 15º03’0.4”S47º04’3.3”W; altitude 449 m; W. J. E. M. Costa, C. P. Bove & B. B. Costa, 25 Jan. 2002.


Diagnosis Similar to S. flammeus and distinguished from remaining species of the S. flammeus group by having iri-

descent blue bars on the flanks in females (vs. blue bars absent); similar to S. flammeus and differing from allother cynolebiatins by having filamentous rays along the entire distal border of the dorsal and anal fins inmales (vs. filamentous rays when present restricted to the tip of the fin); differs from S. flammeus in havingfewer 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 inmales, forming a dark gray zone (vs. absence of dark zones on dorsal fin), and the entire opercular and dorso-lateral regions of head metallic greenish blue (vs. opercular region bright blue, dorsolateral region of the headred, with blue spots on the center of scales).

FIGURE 81. Simpsonichthys brunoi, male, not preserved, about 30 mm SL; Brazil: Goiás: Vila Boa.


on head, convex from nape to end of dorsal-fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile con-vex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle. Body moderatelydeep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base. Eye positioned on dorsolateral portion ofside 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 infemales, anal fin spatula-shaped. Entire distal border of dorsal and anal fins with long filamentous rays inmales, 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 betweenneural spines of vertebrae 7 and 9 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 11 in females. Anal-fin ori-gin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 6 and 8 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 7 and 9 in females. Dorsal-fin rays 18–20 in males, 15–17 in females; anal-fin rays 20–22 in males, 18–21 in females; caudal-fin rays24–25; pectoral-fin rays 13–14; pelvic-fin rays 6.

Frontal squamation usually E-patterned, rarely F-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no row ofscales anterior to H-scale; two small supraorbital scales. Longitudinal series of scales 26–27; transverse seriesof scales 10; scale rows around caudal peduncle 12. Contact organ on each scale of ventral portion of lateralsurface of body in males. Small papillate contact organs on inner surface of three dorsalmost rays of pectoralfin in males.


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, preopercular21–22, mandibular 12–14, lateral mandibular 4–5, paramandibular 1. One to three neuromasts on each scaleof lateral line. Two neuromasts on caudal-fin base.


Coloration Males. Side of body metallic greenish blue, with 11–13 pale reddish brown bars. Venter pale orange. Pos-

terolateral portion of head pale golden, with bright greenish blue spot on center of each scale. Opercularregion metallic greenish blue. Iris light yellow, with dark brown bar. Dorsal fin light blue, with 6–8 brownishred bars, anterior bars parallel to fin rays, posterior bars crossing fin rays; anterior portion of dorsal fin darkgray; 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 oneto three black spots, alternating with vertically elongate metallic blue spots. Venter pale golden. Opercularregion pale blue. Iris light yellow, with gray bar. Unpaired fins hyaline, with faint spots; small, iridescentblue 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).


Acknowledgments

I am specially grateful to C. Bove and B. Costa for help during several collecting trips. Much of our knowl-edge about Simpsonichthys is due to the collecting efforts of G. Brasil and D. Nielsen. Thanks are also due toA. Carletto, A. Cyrino, A. De Luca, J. C. Ghisolfi, R. Suzart, for the fine material obtained from various col-lecting 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 curato-rial support in ichthyological collections under their care and hospitality during visits to their institutions; toU. Caramaschi, J. Huber, M. Ribeiro, for sending me material for study; and to C. Gilbert, for providing acarefull revision of the manucript. This study was funded by CNPq (Conselho Nacional de DesenvolvimentoCientífico e Tecnológico - Ministério de Ciência e Tecnologia) and FAPERJ (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisado Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Programa Cientistas do Nosso Estado). Collecting permits were obtained fromIBAMA (02001,000179/99-70; 049/2004).


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