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Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters

An international journal for field-orientated ichthyology
Volume27Number1April2016
pages 1-96, 44 figs., 11 tabs.

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Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters, Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 25-40, 7 figs., 1 tab., April 2016
2016 by Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil, Mnchen, Germany ISSN 0936-9902

Redescription of Leporinus altipinnis,

a senior synonym of L.falcipinnis,
and comments on L.holostictus
(Characiformes: Anostomidae)
Heraldo A. Britski* and Jos L. O. Birindelli**

Leporinus altipinnis is redescribed based on type specimens and additional material from the Amazonas and
Orinoco river basins in Brazil and Venezuela. It is distinguished from congeners by having a unique color pattern
composed by five dark transversal bars on the trunk in specimens up to 40mm SL, which split into eight bars in
specimens ranging from 60 to 100mm SL, then into ten bars in specimens of approximately 140mm SL, and then
into 13 or 14 dark bars in specimens larger than 200mm SL. Leporinus altipinnis is also the only species of banded
Leporinus that shows anteriormost rays of dorsal and caudal fins elongate, giving them falcate aspect. Leporinus
altipinnis inhabits preferably black-water rivers, and is distributed in tributaries of the Amazonas river basin, such
as the Arapiuns and Negro rivers, and in the Orinoco river basin. Leporinus falcipinnis is recognized as a junior
synonym of L.altipinnis. In addition, comments on L.holostictus are provided and the species is considered a
junior synonym of L.fasciatus.
Leporinus altipinnis redescrita com base nos exemplares tipo e em exemplares adicionais das bacias dos rios
Amazonas e Orinoco, no Brasil e Venezuela. A espcie se diferencia de suas congneres pelo padro de colorido
exclusivo, composto de cinco faixas transversais escuras no tronco nos exemplares at 40mm SL, as quais se
dividem em oito faixas nos exemplares de 60 a 100mm SL, depois em dez faixas nos exemplares com aproximadamente 140mm SL, e em treze ou quatorze faixas nos exemplares com 200mm SL ou mais. Leporinus altipinnis
tambm a nica espcie do grupo com faixas transversais que apresenta prolongamento dos raios mais anteriores das nadadeiras dorsal e caudal, dando-lhes aspecto falcado especialmente s nadadeiras dorsal e caudal.
A espcie tem preferncias por rios de guas pretas e ocorre em afluentes de rios amznicos, especialmente nos
rios Arapiuns e Negro e na bacia do rio Orenoco. Leporinus falcipinnis aqui considerada um sinnimo jnior de
L.altipinnis. Adicionalmente, so fornecidos comentrios sobre L.holostictus e a espcie considerada um sinnimo jnior de L.fasciatus.

Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de So Paulo, Caixa Postal 42494, 04218-970, So Paulo, SP, Brazil.
E-mail:heraldo@usp.br
** Departamento de Biologia Animal e Vegetal, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Caixa Postal 10.011, 8657090, Londrina, PR, Brazil. E-mail: josebirindelli@yahoo.com (corresponding author)
Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters, Vol. 27, No. 1

Copyright Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil

26

Introduction
Leporinus is one of the largest genera in the order Characiformes, with approximately 80 valid
species (Garavello & Britski, 2003; Sidlauskas &
Vari, 2008). Recent collecting trips and increasing
analysis of specimens deposited in fish collections
have revealed a still great number of undescribed
species in the genus (e.g., Birindelli & Britski,
2009, 2013), as well as many taxonomic problems
that need to be investigated (e.g., Britski et al.,
2011, 2012).
Small individuals (15-30mm SL) of all species
of Leporinus present color patterns with transverse
dark brown bars on the body, usually in number
of eight. During development, this color pattern
changes in most species of the genus, with the dark
bars fading and dark brown blotches gradually
appearing and even forming, in some cases, longitudinal dark brown stripes on the body (Birindelli
& Britski, 2013). In some species of Leporinus, the
original dark bars may persist in adult individuals, in which case, these bars are either present
as in juveniles or split partially acquiring Y-, V-,
K- or X-shaped bars, or split completely into two
or more dark transversal bars increasing up to
15 the total number of bars in fully-developed
specimens. All species in which dark transversal
bars persist in fully developed specimens are
treated as belonging to the banded species group
of Leporinus, following Bhlke (1958), Garavello
& Britski (1987), and Sidlauskas & Vari (2012).
Sidlauskas & Vari (2008) recognized the banded
species of Leporinus as possibly a monophyletic
unit supported by some osteological features,
including the presence of nine branched pelvic-fin
rays (vs. eight in all other anostomids; Sidlauskas
& Vari, 2008, character #111). The monophyly of
the banded species of Leporinus was also supported by molecular data (Ramirez et al., 2016).
Bhlke (1958), who studied some species of this
group stated that the various banded species of
Leporinus have never been adequately compared
with a view toward determining how many
and which are the valid species. Subsequently,
few other authors studied the taxonomy of this
group (e.g., Gry, 1964, 1977, 1999). Sidlauskas &
Vari (2012) studying the anostomid species from
Guyana highlighted the taxonomic confusion still
persistent in many valid species of the banded
species of Leporinus.

The banded species of Leporinus is herein

defined as including all species having dark
transversal bars in fully-developed specimens
and nine branched pelvic-fin rays. According to
the most recent list of valid species (Garavello &
Britski, 2003), ten species are included into the
banded species of Leporinus: L.affinis Gnther,
1864, L.bleheri Gry, 1999, L.desmotes Fowler,
1914, L.falcipinnis Mahnert, Gry & Muller, 1997,
L.fasciatus (Bloch, 1794), L.holostictus Cope, 1878,
L.jatuncochi Ovchynnyk, 1971, L.pearsoni Fowler,
1940, L.tigrinus Borodin, 1929, and L.yophorus
Eigenmann, 1922. Note that L.octofasciatus Steindachner, 1915, previously considered as part of
that group (e.g., Garavello, 1979), is excluded by
having only eight branched pelvic-fin rays.
Through the study of specimens of distinct
ontogenetic stages of Leporinus deposited in different collections, one of the pieces of the taxonomic
puzzle involving the banded species of Leporinus
was solved. The aim of the present contribution
is to present the results obtained during this
investigation, which consist of the redescription
of L.altipinnis based on type specimens and additional material, diagnosing it among congeners,
and the recognition of L.falcipinnis as its junior
synonym. In addition, details concerning the color
pattern of L.fasciatus, and color pattern shifts
during ontogeny, are provided and the species
L.holostictus is recognized as a junior synonym
of L.fasciatus.
Materials and methods
This paper is part of a broader research project
that aims to revise all banded species of Leporinus.
For that, all nominal species of the banded species group of Leporinus were evaluated. Extensive
material was examined from distinct fish collections, including type specimens of all species,
and partial or complete ontogenetic series of
most species. Primary type specimens of L.affinis,
L.desmotes, L.falcipinnis, L.holostictus, L.pearsoni,
L.tigrinus, and L.yophorus were examined. The
holotypes of L.fasciatus (ZMB 3543, available
in Zarske, 2011) and L.jatuncochi (MUSM 5868)
were examined through photographs. One of the
paratypes of L.bleheri was examined (instead of
the holotype). The limits between valid species
were determined through comparisons of extensive ontogenetic series with particular attention

Britski & Birindelli: Redescription of Leporinus altipinnis

Copyright Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil

to color pattern shifts, and of meristic data with
particular attention to number of scales in lateral
line and transversal series, and number of teeth
in the premaxillary and dentary bones.
Counts and measurements were taken according to Britski & Garavello (1978) and Winterbottom (1980). Standard length (SL) is expressed in
mm and all other measurements are expressed
as percentage of SL, except subunits of the head,
which are expressed as percentages of head
length. The lateral-line scale count included the
pored scales extending onto the base of the median
caudal-fin rays; counts of the longitudinal scale
rows above lateral line exclude the lateral-line
scale and the middorsal scale row; counts of the
longitudinal scale rows below lateral line exclude
the lateral-line scale row and include half a scale
row when the pelvic-fin origin is immediately
behind the middle of a scale. Weberian-apparatus
vertebrae were counted as four elements and
included in the vertebral counts; the compound
caudal centrum (i.e., preural 1 fused to ural 1)
of the caudal region was counted as a single element. The pattern of radii was defined on scales
immediately dorsal to the lateral line row at the
vertical through the dorsal-fin origin.
All examined specimens are alcohol preserved, except when indicated by CS, clear and
stained according to Taylor & Van Dyke (1985),
or SK, dry skeleton prepared following generally the methods of Bemis et al. (2004). Institutional abbreviations are:ANSP, Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Philadelphia;
BMNH, Natural History Museum, London; CAS,
California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco;
FMNH, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago; INPA, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da
Amaznia, Manaus; MBUCV, Museo de Biologa
de la Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas;
MCNG, Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Guanare,
Guanare; MCP, Museu de Cincia e Tecnologia
da PUCRS, Porto Alegre;MCZ, Museum of
Comparative Zoology, Boston;MNRJ, Museu
Nacional do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro;
MPEG, Museu Paraense Emlio Goeldi, Belm;
MZUEL, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade
Estadual de Londrina, Londrina; MZUSP, Museu
de Zoologia da Universidade de So Paulo, So
Paulo;and UF, University of Florida, Florida
Museum of Natural History, Gainesville.

Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters, Vol. 27, No. 1

27

Leporinus altipinnis Borodin, 1929

(Figs.1-2)
Leporinus fasciatus altipinnis Borodin, 1929: 280,
pl.8 (type locality: Jaturana; 2 syntypes MCZ
20487). Fowler, 1950: 232, fig.269 (catalogue,
figure copied). Mahnert, Gry & Muller,
1997: 843 (reference).
Leporinus falcipinnis Mahnert, Gry & Muller, 1997:
838 (type locality: rio Arapiuns, 1 hour about
downstream of mouth of rio Aru, small farm
at right shore, lower Tapajs basin, Par,
Brazil, 204'S5538'W; holotype MZUSP
51827). Garavello & Britski, 2003: 75 (catalogue). Britski & Garavello, 2007: 25 (catalogue). Sidlauskas & Vari, 2008: 73, 150, 152,
179 (Venezuela, Amazon, backwater of island
in Rio Atabapo, about 1 hour above San
Fernando de Atabapo; some anatomical and
morphological data). Santos et al., 2006: 36,
fig. (illustration, diagnosis, natural history,
fishery).
Leporinus sp. Toledo-Piza, 2002: 103, drawing
number 118 (Venezuela, San Carlos, rio Negro,
illustration).
Diagnosis.Leporinus altipinnis is distinguished
from all congeners by having a unique coloration
composed by five dark brown transversal bars on
the trunk of specimens up to 40mm SL, which
split into eight bars in specimens 60-100mm
SL, then into ten bars in specimens of approximately 140mm SL, and at last into 13 or 14 bars
in specimens larger than 200mm SL (Figs.1-2).
Leporinus altipinnis is further distinguished from
all congeners, except L.affinis, L.bleheri, L.desmotes, L.fasciatus, L.jatuncochi, L.octofasciatus,
L.pearsoni, L.tigrinus, and L.yophorus, by having dark transversal bars on body in adults (vs.
body with one to several dark round blotches, or
with one to six dark stripes) and nine branched
pelvic-fin rays (vs. eight). Leporinus altipinnis
is distinguished from L.affinis, L.bleheri, L.desmotes, L.jatuncochi, L.octofasciatus, L.pearsoni,
L.tigrinus, and L.yophorus by having 10-14 dark
transversal bars in specimens larger than 140mm
SL (vs. 6-8); and anteriormost rays of the dorsal
and caudal fins elongated, distinctly longer than
median rays in specimens larger than 100mm SL
(vs. anterior rays of dorsal and caudal fins not
distinctly longer than adjacent rays in specimens
larger than 100mm SL). Leporinus altipinnis is
distinguished from L.fasciatus by having 6 or 7

28

Copyright Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil

scale rows between lateral line and dorsal-fin

origin (vs. 7 or 8), and 13 to 14 bars on body in
specimens larger than 140mm SL (vs. 9 or 10).
Description.Morphometric data in Table 1.
Medium size, relative to congeners. Largest examined specimen 315.7mm SL. Head and body
elongate and moderately compressed. Dorsal
profile straight from snout tip to supraoccipital
spine, sometimes slightly concave between anterior and posterior nares, gently convex from
supraoccipital to dorsal-fin origin; straight along
dorsal-fin base, straight or gently convex from
terminus of dorsal-fin base to adipose-fin origin,
distinctly convex from adipose-fin origin to base
of anteriormost procurrent rays of caudal fin. Ventral profile convex from lower jaw tip to vertical
through posterior naris, straight from that point
to vertical through pectoral-fin base, straight to
slightly convex from latter point to anal-fin origin,
straight along anal-fin base, and concave from
terminus of anal-fin base to base of anteriormost
procurrent rays of caudal fin. Greatest body depth
at dorsal-fin origin.
Mouth terminal, mouth opening longitudinally aligned with ventral margin of pupil in specimens of 200mm SL or larger, and longitudinally
aligned with dorsal margin of pupil in specimens
50-100mm SL (Figs.1-2). Snout rounded, anteriorly blunt. Premaxilla with four incisiform teeth
gradually decreasing in size from symphyseal
tooth. Dentary with four incisiform teeth gradu-

ally decreasing in size posterolaterally (Fig.3).

Scales cycloid, with 5(3) or 6(4) radii. Lateral
line complete, extending from supracleithrum to
base of median caudal-fin rays, with 41(1), 42(16)
or 43(19) pored scales (42 on syntypes of L.altipinnis, 43 on holotype of L.falcipinnis). Longitudinal
scale rows between dorsal-fin origin and lateral
line 6(32) or 7(3) (6 on syntypes of L.altipinnis,
7 on holotype of L.falcipinnis). Longitudinal scale
rows between lateral line and pelvic-fin origin
5(15) or 6(21) (6 on syntypes of L.altipinnis, and
holotype of L.falcipinnis). Longitudinal scale rows
around caudal peduncle 16(36). Predorsal scales
from tip of supraoccipital spine to dorsal-fin origin
12(7), 13(11), 14(10), 15(2) or 16(1).
Dorsal-fin rays ii,10(31). Dorsal-fin origin
slightly anterior to midpoint of standard length
and to vertical through pelvic-fin origin; distal
margin of dorsal fin strongly concave in specimens of 150mm SL or larger, and slightly convex in specimens of 100mm SL or smaller, last
unbranched and first two or three branched rays
elongate in most specimens larger than 100mm
SL. Adipose fin small, teardrop-shaped with
origin approximately at vertical through base of
last anal-fin ray. Pectoral-fin rays i,13(1), i,14(14),
i,15(15), or i,16(1) (13 on syntypes of L.altipinnis,
16 on holotype of L.falcipinnis); tip of adpressed
pectoral fin extending to midpoint between
origins of pectoral and pelvic fins or up to fifth,
fourth or third scale anterior to pelvic-fin base;
distal margin of pectoral fin concave posteriorly

Table 1. Morphometric data for Leporinus altipinnis. N, number of specimens; SD, standard deviation; ALT,syntypes of L.fasciatus altipinnis, MCZ 20487; FAL, holotype of L.falcipinnis, MZUSP 51827.
n

mean

range

SD

ALT

ALT

FAL

92.0

80.0

223.0

Standard length (SL)

35

Percents of standard length

Predorsal distance
Dorsal-fin to adipose-fin
Prepelvic distance
Body depth
Caudal peduncle depth
Caudal peduncle length
Anal-fin lobe length
Head length

31
31
31
31
31
31
31
31

47.1
38.9
49.0
24.7
9.2
12.7
14.7
24.6

45.1-51.5
35.7-40.8
45.9-52.2
23.0-26.8
8.2-9.9
11.4-13.7
13.8-15.7
22.0-26.4

1.3
1.2
1.4
0.9
0.4
0.5
0.5
1.1

48
40
50
25
10
12
14
25

48
39
49
26
10
13
14
26

46
40
46
25
10
13
15
22

Percents of head length

Preopercle length
Snout length
Head depth
Eye diameter
Bony interorbital

31
31
31
31
31

78.4
37.4
75.0
28.3
37.3

74-82
31-42
69-84
19-35
34-43

1.9
2.4
3.3
3.9
2.3

79
36
73
29
38

77
39
75
27
35

74
41
82
20
43

53.0-289.0

Britski & Birindelli: Redescription of Leporinus altipinnis

Copyright Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil

29

c
Fig.1. Leporinus altipinnis: a-b, syntypes of L.fasciatus altipinnis, MCZ 20487, 92.0 and 80.0mm SL; Brazil: Jatuarana, Amazonas basin; c, holotype of L.falcipinnis, MZUSP 51827, 223.0mm SL; Brazil: rio Arapiuns, Tapajs
basin.

and gently convex ventrally, unbranched and

first two or three branched rays slightly elongate in most specimens larger than 100mm SL.
Pelvic-fin rays i,9(31); distal margin of pelvic fin
slightly concave posteriorly and slightly convex
medially, unbranched and first two or three
branched rays elongate in most specimens larger
than 100mm SL. Anal-fin rays ii,7(1), ii,8(29), or
ii,9(1); anal-fin origin approximately at vertical
through posterior margin of fourth or fifth scale
anterior to adipose-fin origin; distal margin of
anal fin concave in most examined specimens
larger than 100mm SL, last unbranched and first
two or three branched rays elongate in most of
those specimens; adpressed anal fin not reaching
base of caudal-fin rays. Principal caudal-fin rays
i,8,9,i(31). Caudal fin forked, unbranched and first
Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters, Vol. 27, No. 1

two or three branched rays of each lobe elongate

in most specimens, making fin lobes distinctly
falcate. Supraneurals 5(2). Vertebrae 40(2), with
ribs on vertebrae five through 20(2).
Color in alcohol.Ground color brown or tan,
weakly countershaded. Body with conspicuous
transverse dark brown bars generally wide and
encircling head and trunk, including ventral
region. Head with broad dark brown bar over
dorsal portion of snout tip, skin covering upper
jaw, and lower jaw ventrally; broad dark brown
bar on dorsal area between eyes continued ventrally below eye. Trunk with five brown transverse
bars in specimens up to 40mm SL, which split
into eight bars in specimens ranging from 60 to
100mm SL, then into ten bars in specimens of

Copyright Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil

30

e
Fig.2. Leporinus altipinnis: a, MZUSP 51011, 36.0mm SL; b, MZUSP 29139, 95.7mm SL; c, MZUSP 91583, 229.8mm
SL; d, MZUEL 7052, 131.1mm SL; e, uncatalogued specimen, approximately 200mm SL. All from Brazil: rio
Negro, Amazonas basin (except d, aquarium trade specimen); c-d photographed alive.
Britski & Birindelli: Redescription of Leporinus altipinnis

Copyright Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil

approximately 140mm SL, and at last into 13 or
14 dark bars in specimens larger than 200mm SL
(Fig.2). Membranes of fins generally hyaline, rays
somewhat darkened in specimens of 150mm SL
or larger, brown blotches at base of dorsal and
anal fins and at middle of pelvic fin in specimens
of approximately 50mm SL, blotches continuous
with dark bars of body. Adipose fin with base and
distal margin dark brown.
Color in life. Life coloration similar to preserved
specimens, but ground coloration more yellow
and fins more hyaline (Fig.2d-e).
Distribution. Leporinus altipinnis inhabits preferably black-water rivers, and is known from rio
Arapiuns (a tributary of the lower rio Tapajs),
a small creek near Parintins (type locality), rio
Paraconi at FLONA do Pau Rosa, and from several localities in the rio Negro and ro Orinoco,
in Brazil and Venezuela (Fig.4). There is no significant geographical variation in meristic data
or coloration of the specimens from the Amazon
and Orinoco basins, what may be due to fact that
all examined samples came from similar habitats
(i.e., blackwater rivers of lowlands of the rain forest) or because the Cassiquiari canal is connecting
populations from those two basins.
Remarks. Borodin (1929: 280) described Leporinus
altipinnis on the basis of two specimens collected
by the Thayer Expedition and referred to the type
locality as Jaturana, Brazil. This name, however,
is absent from the list of localities of the Thayer
Expedition (Dick, 1977; Higuchi, 1996). There is,
on the other hand, one locality recorded in that
list similar to the one referred by Borodin (1929),
Jatuarana (Higuchi, 1996). Based on that, it is
likely that the type locality was misspelled by
Borodin. Higuchi (1996) indicate that Jatuarana
refers to a creek or small lake SW of Parintins, near
Barreirinha (247'S 5704'W), Amazonas state,
with specimens being collected by Mr. Naves.
The latter was not a participant of the Thayer
Expedition and was also credited as collector
of specimens labeled as collected in the Lago
Hyanuary, referred as Paran do Januari, at approximately 312'S 6005'W, near Manaus, by Higuchi (1996). The collections credited to Mr. Naves
were obtained on January 10 and 15, 1866, when
the Thayer Expedition was in Manaus (Agassiz
& Agassiz, 1868). Since specimens of L.altipinnis
are known to be sold in the fish market at Manaus
Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters, Vol. 27, No. 1

31

maxilla
premaxilla

dentary
retroarticular

angulo-articular

Fig.3. Leporinus altipinnis, MZUSP 110814, 228.0mm

SL, head, showing jaws and teeth morphology. Brazil:
rio Negro, Amazonas basin. Scale bar 10mm.

(Santos et al., 2006), it is also possible that the type

specimens were purchased in Manaus from Mr.
Naves, who might have collected the specimens
around Manaus. A third possibility includes an
area in Brazil called Floresta Nacional de Jatuarana in Borba, Amazonas state, which has as
boundary the rio Sucunduri, a tributary of the rio
Madeira, approximately at 735'S 5931'W. Even
though the type locality is uncertain at this point,
we follow Higuchi (1996) in considering Parintins
as the type locality of L.altipinnis.
The naturalist Alfred R. Wallace draw a specimen about 300mm SL collected by him in the rio
Negro in 1850-1852, and identified 150 years later
as Leporinus sp. (Toledo-Piza, 2002: 103, drawing
number 118). The specimen displays 13 dark bars
on the body, a hallmark of L.altipinnis. Wallace
also recorded a few meristic data of the specimen,
including 10 total rays in the pelvic fin (probably
nine branched), a feature exclusive to the banded
species Leporinus, as mentioned above. It is interesting to note that the species was described
approximately 80 years later, and it was until now
poorly understood.
Leporinus altipinnis has been labeled in museum collections from Venezuela (MCNG, MBUCV),
in some publications (e.g., Montaa et al., 2010),
and on websites as Leporinus cf. fasciatus var.
doble raya, mije doble ray, etc., in reference to
the split of the dark bars during development.
Santos et al. (2006: 36) presented a drawing of
a large specimen of L.altipinnis bearing 15 dark
bars on body. Even though, the largest specimens

Copyright Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil

32

10

-5

-10
-80

-75

-70

-65

-60

-55

-50

Fig.4. Northern portion of South America, showing the distribution of Leporinus altipinnis. , type locality of
L.fasciatus altipinnis; , type locality of L.falcipinnis.

examined by us had only 13 or 14 dark bars,

the second bar is dorsally split indicating that
specimens larger than the ones herein examined
might have 15 dark bars on body. In fact, Santos
et al. (2006) mentioned that the species reaches
up to 350mm SL, whereas the largest specimen
examined herein is 315.7mm SL.
The only records of live specimens of L.altipinnis includes Roggo (1996: 55, fig.2), mentioned
by Mahnert et al. (1997) as a photograph of a live
specimen taken underwater in the rio Tapajs;
Roggo (2015: photo F62-04, in The freshwater
project in the Rio Negro and Tributaries), which
shows a group of five specimens of approximately
100mm SL with eight dark bars on the body;
and Willis (2005), which includes a picture of a
specimen collected in the ro Pasiba, a tributary
of the ro Cassiquiare and identified as Leporinus
cf. fasciatus var. doble raya.
Discussion
Borodin (1929: 280) described Leporinus altipinnis
based on two specimens (95 and 80mm long)
with ten dark bars on the body. Borodins description is short, possibly because he allocated the
new taxon as a subspecies of L.fasciatus, but the
accompanying drawings reveal precise features
of coloration, position of the mouth, and shape
and arrangement of the teeth. On the other hand,

Mahnert et al. (1997) described L.falcipinnis on

the basis of a single large individual (220mm
SL) that possessed the maximum number of dark
bars known for the species (i.e., 14). Interestingly,
both aforementioned taxa were named in allusion
to the elongated fin lobes, an exclusive feature of
this species. The lack of information regarding the
ontogeny of the coloration of the banded species
of Leporinus led to the description of the same
species twice. In addition, both descriptions were
based on few specimens. Mahnert et al. (1997: 837)
noted the limitation of describing a species based
on limited material: The new species described
here is therefore based on the unique preserved
specimen. We are conscious that such a description is fragmentary, as no osteological details
could be studied, the juvenile color pattern and,
mainly, the sexual dimorphism in this species
remain unknown. This taxonomic history, as
well as the comments cited above, emphasizes
the need for more comprehensive taxonomic revisions based on extensive material and considering
ontogenetic changes, especially for large species
of Anostomidae that undergo impressive changes
during development.
Eigenmann (1912: 308) was the first author to
describe the ontogenetic change in the coloration
of the banded species of Leporinus, through the
examination of 63 specimens of L.fasciatus collected in the Essequibo River, and ranging from
52 to 335mm SL. He described these changes as:
Britski & Birindelli: Redescription of Leporinus altipinnis

Copyright Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil

Young with the snout, a bar through and over
the eye, and another across the opercle and nape,
black; five bars encircling the body, one in front
of the dorsal, one below and behind the dorsal,
one in front and one behind the anal, and one at
the end of the caudal peduncle. The first two split
into two bars when a length of 75mm is reached,
the next two begin to split at length of 200mm, the
components moving apart; in the adult there are
ten obscure bars about equally spaced, beginning
with the one across the opercle. Some details in
Eigenmanns description were not corroborated
by our investigation, especially regarding the timing of the splits (see observations below). Bhlke
(1958) presented the changes in the coloration
of L.pearsoni in specimens 90-163mm SL. Gry
(1964), through the examination of specimens
of L.fasciatus collected in the upper Amazon
in Loreto, Peru, reported that specimens of approximately 35mm SL exhibits eight dark bars on
the trunk and specimens of about 90mm SL ten
dark bars, which occurred due to splitting of the
sixth and seventh dark bars during development,
observations corroborated herein.
Specimens of L.fasciatus from 13.8 to around
20mm SL have eight dark bars on body (Fig.5a),
not considering those on head: the first one is the
nape bar, located at the region of body immediately posterior to occiput dorsally and laterally
covering opercle; the second and third bars are
between the nape bar and origin of dorsal fin;
the fourth bar is located ventral to middle of
dorsal-fin base; the fifth bar is located between
the end of dorsal-fin base and vertical through
anus; the sixth bar is at anal-fin origin, anterior
to adipose-fin origin; the seventh bar is located
below rear of adipose fin; and the eighth bar at
end of caudal peduncle partially covering base
of caudal-fin rays. In some individuals up to
18mm SL (MZUSP 29148, 29150, 53639, 112210),
the second and third bars and/or the fourth and
fifth are so close that they are almost completely
continuous (Fig.5a). These bars might be close
together and partially united forming X, H, K
or V in specimens 18.5-35.6mm SL (Fig.5a-b)
(MZUSP 29150, 112210, 112213). Eight distinctly
separated (and undivided) bars are present in
specimens 23.8-35.0mm SL (Fig.5b-c) (MZUSP
29150, 48379). The sixth bar might be only partially
divided and shaped as X, H, K or V in specimens
42.5-300mm SL (Figs.5d,6a-c) (MCP 46072;
MZUEL 10196; MZUSP 29125, 29151, 43444),
or completely divided into two separate bars in
Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters, Vol. 27, No. 1

33

specimens 60.1-300mm SL (Figs.5e,6d) (e.g.,

MZUEL 10187, MZUSP 29125). The seventh bar
is partially divided in specimens 42.5-81.9mm
SL (MCP 21033; MZUSP 29124, 29125, 48384),
and completely divided in specimens larger
than those. The division of the sixth bar usually
starts from dorsal portion of body, whereas the
seventh bar usually divides along its entire depth
(Figs.5d,6a). In most specimens there is a total
of ten dark bars on the body: three from head to
dorsal-fin origin, one below dorsal-fin base, three
from dorsal-fin terminus to anal-fin origin, one
below adipose fin and two on caudal peduncle
(Figs.5e,6d). Nevertheless, in some specimens
the sixth bar is never completely divided and is
shaped as X, V, K or H (Fig.6b-c) (MCP 46072,
MZUEL 10196, CAS 20168, FMNH 93087). In the
latter specimens, there are a maximum of nine
dark brown bars on body (Fig.6b-c). In addition, in some large specimens with ten bars, the
second, third, fourth and/or fifth bars might be
X or Y shaped (Bloch, 1794; Zarske, 2011) (ANSP
176829, MPEG 17503).
Leporinus holostictus, a junior synonym of
L.fasciatus. Leporinus holostictus was described
by Cope (1878: 690) on the basis of a single
specimen of 104mm SL collected in the Peruvian
Amazon, precise locality unknown (Fig.7a). The
species was later redescribed by Fowler (1906:
330) on the basis of the same specimen, which
was illustrated, conspicuously showing eight
dark bars on the trunk, and an additional specimen briefly mentioned at the end of the species
description The other example shows the depth
as 31/2 (Fig.7b). Gry (1964, 1977) considered
L.holostictus as a subspecies of L.fasciatus, albeit
stating that it was probably invalid. Garavello
(1978) came to similar conclusion and included
L.holostictus as a junior synonym of L.fasciatus.
Nevertheless, L.holostictus was later considered
valid in Garavello & Britski (2003). The holotype
of L.holostictus has the same color pattern as specimens of L.fasciatus of approximately 50-150mm
SL, four teeth on premaxilla, four teeth on dentary,
lateral line with 42 perforated scales, seven rows
of scales from the dorsal-fin to the lateral line, five
rows of scales from the lateral line to the pelvic-fin
base, and 16 circumpeduncular scales. The other
specimen (ANSP 21468) later described by Fowler
(1906) and possibly collected with the holotype of
L.holostictus, although badly preserved and difficult to determine, has four teeth on premaxilla,

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34

Fig.5. Leporinus fasciatus: a-c, MZUSP 29150, Brazil: rio Tef, Amazonas basin (a, 18.5mm SL; b, 23.8mm SL;
c,35.0mm SL); d, MZUSP 48384, 73.1mm SL; Brazil: Lago Janauac, Amazonas basin; e, MZUSP 7641, 114.4mm
SL; Brazil: Lago Jos-Au, Amazonas basin.
Britski & Birindelli: Redescription of Leporinus altipinnis

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35

Fig.6. Leporinus fasciatus: a, uncatalogued specimen, approximately 80mm SL; Venezuela: rio Ventuari, Orinoco
basin; b, MCP 46072, 119.7mm SL; Brazil: rio Jauaperi, Negro basin; c, MZUEL 10196, 174.1mm SL; Brazil: rio Pitinga, Uatum basin; d, MZUEL 10187, 205.8mm SL; Brazil: Igarap do Boto, Uatum basin. All photographed alive.
Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters, Vol. 27, No. 1

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36

b
Fig.7. Leporinus fasciatus: a, holotype of L.holostictus, ANSP 21467, 101.1mm SL; unknown locality in the Peruvian Amazon; b, ANSP 21468, 72.5mm SL, possibly collected with holotype of L.holostictus.

four teeth on dentary, 43 perforated scales, seven

rows of scales from the dorsal-fin to the lateral
line, five rows of scales from the lateral line to the
pelvic-fin base, and 16 circumpeduncular scales.
Those data place the holotype of L.holostictus and
the aforementioned additional specimen entirely
within the range presented by L.fasciatus. In addition, the examination of extensive material from
Peru, and the study of the changes in coloration of
L.fasciatus during ontogeny (herein described and
illustrated), leaves no doubts that the L.holostictus
is a junior synonym of L.fasciatus.
Material examined. All specimens alcohol preserved
unless noted.Leporinus affinis: B razil :BMNH
1849.11.8.52-53, 2 syntypes, 148.8-175.4mm SL; Par:
rio Capim. MCP 18214, 3, 100.0-109.0mm SL; Gois:
Lus Alves, lakes of rio Araguaia. MNRJ 25724, 1,
150.6mm SL; Mato Grosso: rio das Mortes, tributary of
rio Araguaia. MZUSP 47828, 3, 185.0-262.0mm SL;
Gois, Cocalinho: Lago Rico, rio Araguaia. MZUSP
48038, 1 CS, 85.0mm SL; Par: Jatobal: rio Tocantins,
434'S 939'W.

L.altipinnis: Brazil: MCZ 20487, 2 syntypes, 80.092.0mm SL; Amazonas: Jatuarana [probably a creek or
small lake near Barreirinha, Parintins, Amazonas, approximately 238'S 5643'W]. MZUSP 51827, holotype
of L.falcipinnis, 223.0mm SL; Par: rio Arapiuns, tributary of the lower rio Tapajs. CAS 20169, 1, 185.9mm

SL; Amazonas: rio Negro, at Castanheiro. CAS 70567,

1, 180.4mm SL; Amazonas: Boa Futura: rio Xeruiuni.
FMNH 78805, 1, 168.4mm SL; Amazonas: Manaus.
MPEG 305, 2, 58.7-62.1mm SL; Amazonas: rio Negro
at Ilha de Tamaquar. MPEG 312, 2, 35.9-141.5mm
SL; Amazonas: Barcelos: rio Negro at Lago da Ilha.
MPEG 691, 2, 138.5-302.0mm SL; Amazonas: rio Negro
at Anavilhanas. MPEG 16120, 1, 153.8mm SL; Amazonas: Maus: rio Paraconi, at FLONA do Pau Rosa,
348'58"S 817'09.4"W. MPEG 16147, 1, 134.5mm SL;
Amazonas: Maus: rio Paraconi, at FLONA do Pau
Rosa, 349'49.7"S 5817'26.5"W. MZUEL 7052, 1,
131.1mm SL; purchased in aquarium store in So
Paulo city. MZUSP 6821, 3, 53.6-65.1mm SL; Amazonas: Manaus: creek tributary of rio Tarumzinho,
310'S 6000'W. MZUSP 29134, 11, 65.9-83.0mm SL;
Amazonas: rio Arirar, rio Negro basin, 031'S 6333'W.
MZUSP 29135, 4, 69.5-11.4mm SL; Amazonas: Barcelos: rio Negro, 058'S 6257'W. MZUSP 29136, 15,
54.6-84.5mm SL; Amazonas: rio Negro at Ilha de Cumuru. MZUSP 29138, 46, 53.0-87.5mm SL; Amazonas:
rio Negro at Ilha de Tamaquar, 030'S 6455'W.
MZUSP 29139, 41, 64.0-95.7mm SL, 1 CS, 81.3mm SL;
Amazonas: rio Negro at Ilha de Buiu-Au. MZUSP
29140, 1, 92.3mm SL; Amazonas: rio Negro, below rio
Dara, 028'S 6446'W. MZUSP 29146, 3, 51.5-74.5mm
SL; Amazonas: Santa Isabel do Rio Negro: rio Negro at
mouth of rio Urubaxi, 031'S 6450'W. MZUSP 31067,
1, 61.6mm SL; Amazonas: rio Negro at Ilha de Tamaquar, 030'S 6455'W. MZUSP 51011, 9, 36.0-51.0mm
SL; Amazonas: Manaus: rio Negro, 305'S 6013'W.
Britski & Birindelli: Redescription of Leporinus altipinnis

Copyright Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil

MZUSP 63461, 6, 48.1-65.4mm SL; Amazonas: Paricatuba: rio Negro marginal lagoon. MZUSP 91437, 1,
315.7mm SL; Amazonas: Lago do rio Aiuan, rio Negro
basin, 038'S 6456'W. MZUSP 91583, 2, 224.4229.8mm SL; Amazonas: rio Uaups, tributary of rio
Negro, 255'S 6938'W. MZUSP 110814, 2 SK, 220.0228.0mm SL; Roraima: Caracara: rio Jufari, 101'46"S
6206'06"W. MZUSP 112215, 1, 248.2mm SL; Amazonas: Manaus: rio Negro, 310'S 6000'W. MZUSP
112216, 1, 240.6mm SL; Amazonas: Manaus: tributary
of igarap Tarumzinho, rio Negro basin. Venezuela:
FMNH 104000, 1, 182.5mm SL; Amazonas: San Fernando de Atabapo: ro Atabapo. FMNH 104017, 1,
289.0mm SL; Amazonas: ro Autana, 443'42"N 67
38'07"W. MCNG 21378, 2, 160.9-161.2mm SL; AP:
Laguna Larga, ro Cinaruco. MCNG 3297, 8, 197.9199mm SL; Amazonas: ro Marapiare, in front of
Yutaje. MCNG 41968, 3, 50.4-67.4mm SL; Dpto. Ro
Negro: Laguna Anapacoa at Piedra Anapacoa, ro
Pasimoni, 150'81"N 6635'11"W.

Leporinus bleheri: Brazil: MZUSP 58375, 1 paratype,
114.5mm SL; Bolivia: Itenz: ro Verde, tributary of ro
Guapore, 1408'S 6030'W. MPEG 10791, 4, 128.1154.3mm SL; Amazonas: Coari. MPEG 16764, 2,
169.0-180.6mm SL; Amazonas: Coari. MZUSP 66676,
1, 130.0mm SL; Amazonas: Santa Isabel do Rio Negro,
rio Tiqui, 016'27"N 6954'56"W. MZUSP 85374, 1,
168.3mm SL; Amazonas: Santa Isabel do Rio Negro:
rio Tiqui, 015'22"S 6950'23"W. MZUSP 93445, 1,
168.0mm SL; Amazonas: Santa Isabel do Rio Negro:
rio Tiqui, 010'N 6907'W.

L.desmotes: G uyana :ANSP 39324, holotype,
146.4mm SL; ANSP 39325, 3 paratypes, 84.4-121.3mm
SL; Rupununi river, paratypes. BMNH 1972.7.27.124,
1, 69.5mm SL; Guyana: Arakwai creek, Rupununi basin.
Brazil: INPA 2666, 1, 98.6mm SL; Roraima: rio Tacutu.
INPA 4611, 5, 117.7-171.4mm SL; INPA 15431, 4,
82.4-140.3mm SL; Amazonas: Uraricoera: rio Branco.
MZUSP 40734, 2 alc, 119.0-127.6mm SL; Gois:
Monte Alegre de Gois: rio Paran, tributary of rio
Tocantins. MZUSP 47906, 1, 125.3mm SL; Par: rio
Cupij, tributary of rio Tocantins. MZUSP 105499, 1,
126.8mm SL; Par: Marab: rio Tapirap, 536'47"S
5026'42"W. MZUSP 107802, 1, 106.2mm SL; Par:
Cana dos Carajs: rio Paranapanema, at rapids below
Poo do Ja, 623'15"S 5002'03"W.

L.fasciatus: Brazil: CAS 20167, 3, 104.3-200.0mm
SL; Amazonas: rio Negro at Castanheiro. CAS 139291,
1, 243.0mm SL; Amazonas: rio Amazonas at Villa
Bella. MCP 21033, 1, 81.9mm SL; Par: Santarm: rio
Tapajs at Lago Verde, 231'S 5457'W. MCP 30008,
2, 90.9-96.3mm SL; Amazonas: Alvares: Lago Aman,
at mouth of rio Bar, 227'S 6443'W. MCP 46072, 1,
119.7mm SL; Roraima: Rorainpolis: rio Jauaperi,
013'55"S 6103'52"W. MZUEL 10187, 1, 205.8mm SL;
Amazonas: Presidente Figueiredo: Igarap do Boto,
tributary of rio Uatum, 207'00"S 5918'24"W. MZUEL
10194, 2, 228.0-242.2mm SL; Amazonas: Presidente
Figueiredo, rio Uatum at Cachoeira Morena, 207'21"S

Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters, Vol. 27, No. 1

37

5934'43"W. MZUEL 10196, 13, 150.4-204.5mm SL;

Amazonas: Presidente Figueiredo: rio Pitinga, tributary
of rio Uatum, at Corredeira Quarenta Ilhas, 053'16"S
5934'28"W. MZUEL 11547, 2, 114.5-117.6mm SL;
Amazonas: Presidente Prudente: rio Pitinga, tributary
of rio Uatum, 106'46"S 5936'26"W. MZUSP 3581,
3, 132.5-173.4mm SL; Par: Santarm: rio Tapajs.
MZUSP 3816, 2, 217.2-221.5mm SL; Par and Amazonas. MZUSP 5428, 10, 178.0-225.0mm SL; Par:
Oriximin: rio Trombetas. MZUSP 5808, 1, 288.0mm
SL; Amazonas: Silves: Lago Sarac. MZUSP 5883, 1,
228.7mm SL; Amazonas: Manacapuru: Lago Manacapuru. MZUSP 6071, 2, 178.1-198.5mm SL; Amazonas:
Manaus: rio Preto da Eva. MZUSP 6095, 1, 154.5mm
SL; Amazonas: rio Puraquequara, 256'S 5949'W.
MZUSP 6146, 1, 266.5mm SL; Amazonas: Manaus: rio
Negro, 310'S 6000'W. MZUSP 6186, 1, 250.0mm SL;
Amazonas: Manaus: Igarap Jaraqui, tributary of rio
Negro. MZUSP 6770, 3, 93.9-253.0mm SL; Amazonas:
Manaus: tributary of Igarap Tarumzinho, rio Negro
basin. MZUSP 7055, 1, 160.7mm SL; Amazonas: rio
Canum, rio Madeira basin, 458'S 5856'W. MZUSP
7641, 1, 114.4mm SL; Amazonas: Parintins: Lago JosAu. MZUSP 13209, 1, 104.9mm SL; Amazonas: Rio
Preto da Eva: 242'S 5942'W. MZUSP 13211, 11,
72.5-293.0mm SL; Par: rio Trombetas at Lago Jacar.
MZUSP 13456, 1, 202.8mm SL; Amazonas: Itacoatiara:
rio Amazonas. MZUSP 13902-4, 3, 247.0-267.5mm
SL; Rondnia: rio Machado at Lago do Paraso. MZUSP
15680, 2, 222.7-244.3mm SL; Par: Oriximin: rio Trombetas, 125'S 5637'W. MZUSP 15725, 1, 290.5mm SL;
Par: rio Trombetas. MZUSP 15819, 3, 172.2-238.0mm
SL; Par: rio Trombetas at Reserva Biolgica do Rio
Trombetas. MZUSP 27387, 1, 214.0mm SL; Amazonas:
rio Negro at Anavilhanas. MZUSP 27901, 2, 60.488.7mm SL; Amazonas: Iranduba: Lago Janauac, 313'S
6004'W. MZUSP 29125, 30, 30.8-111.5mm SL, 2 CS,
97.1-105.5mm SL; Amazonas: rio Negro, below rio
Dara, 028'S 6446'W. MZUSP 29126, 1, 123.8mm
SL; MZUSP 29127, 3, 52.8-112.0mm SL; MZUSP 29128,
1, 103.2mm SL; MZUSP 29129, 1, 112.4mm SL; MZUSP
29132, 1, 54.2mm SL; Amazonas: rio Negro at Anavilhanas, 242'S 6045'W. MZUSP 29130, 2, 24.1-56.2mm
SL; Roraima: Marar: rio Branco, 130'N 6116'W.
MZUSP 29144, 7, 39.6-57.2mm SL; Amazonas: Tef: rio
Tef at Jauari-Atuuba, 322'S 6443'W. MZUSP 29150,
18, 13.8-50.8mm SL; Amazonas: Jurupari: rio Tef.
MZUSP 29151, 5, 42.8-64.8mm SL; Amazonas: AranTuba, rio Tef. MZUSP 36068, 3, 162.7-216.0mm SL;
Amazonas: rio Japur, at Lago Aman, 229'S 6437'W.
MZUSP 36073, 1, 212.7mm SL; Amazonas: rio Japur,
245'S 6430'W. MZUSP 36075, 3, 141.4-220.6mm SL;
MZUSP 36079, 4, 182.0-236.2mm SL; Amazonas: rio
Japur at Lago Aman. MZUSP 36930, 1, 221.0mm
SL; MZUSP 37439, 2, 220.0-230.5mm SL; MZUSP 37469,
1, 394.3mm SL; Mato Grosso: Vila Bela da Santssima
Trindade: rio Guapor. MZUSP 48378, 150.6-152.0mm
SL; Par: Oriximin: rio Trombetas. MZUSP 48381, 4,
170.4-196.0mm SL; Amazonas: rio Solimes at Lago

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Janauac. MZUSP 48384, 3, 69.6-74.2mm SL; Amazonas: Lago Janauac. MZUSP 43444, 3, 65.2-88.4mm
SL; Amazonas: Tapera: rio Negro, 012'S 6404'W.
MZUSP 48386, 1, 112.7mm SL; Amazonas: Manaus: rio
Preto da Eva. MZUSP 48387, 1, 139.9mm SL, Amazonas: Santo Antnio do Ia: rio Ia. MZUSP 48698,
1, 140.5mm SL; Amazonas: Fonte Boa: Igarap Tom,
tributary of rio Solimes, 231'S 6606'W. MZUSP
59059, 11, 166.2-220.6mm SL; Amazonas: Tapera: rio
Negro. MZUSP 63209, 1, 47.0mm SL; Amazonas: Tef:
rio Tef, at Lago Aman. MZUSP 63408, 2, 255.4267.0mm SL; Mato Grosso: Aripuan: rio Aripuan,
934'45"S 5925'19"W. MZUSP 83552, 14, 182.0299.0mm SL; Amazonas: rio Maraui, rio Negro basin,
024'S 6512'W. MZUSP 84260, 1, 158.4mm SL;
Rondnia: Montenegro: tributary of rio Jamari, rio
Madeira basin. MZUSP 91438, 2, 237.3-280.4mm SL;
Amazonas: Tapera: rio Negro. MZUSP 92358, 1,
172.2mm SL; Amazonas: rio Tiqui, rio Negro basin,
010'N 6907'W. MZUSP 101529, 1, 173.4mm SL; Par:
Monte Dourado: rio Jari, 037'52"S 5231'35"W.
MZUSP 101537, 1, unmeasured; Amap: Laranjal do
Jari: rio Iratapuru, tributary of rio Jari. MZUSP 101543,
3, 101.8-108.9mm SL; Amap: Laranjal do Jari: rio Jari,
034'16"S 5234'44"W. MZUSP 101696, 1, 226.4mm
SL; Par: Monte Dourado: rio Jari, 035'38"S 5238'55"W.
MZUSP 101763, 1, 227.9mm SL; Par: Monte Dourado: rio Jari, 039'45"S 5231'40"W. MZUSP 101740, 1,
153.8mm SL; Par: Monte Dourado: rio Jari, 037'01"S
5231'33"W. MZUSP 101766, 3, 85.6-116.0mm SL;
Amap: Laranjal do Jari: rio Jari, 033'59"S 5234'40"W.
MZUSP 101902, 99.5-105.8mm SL; Amap: Laranjal
do Jari: rio Jari, 046'54"S 5231'48"W. MZUSP 101903,
207.9mm SL; Par: Monte Dourado: rio Pacanari,
tributary of rio Jari, 039'43"S 5231'45"W. MZUSP
101904, 1, 97.1mm SL; Par: Monte Dourado: rio Iratapuru, tributary of rio Jari, 034'03"S 5234'41"W.
MZUSP 101905, 1, 212.9mm SL; Par: Monte Dourado:
rio Jari, 039'15"S 5231'13"W. MZUSP 102417, 1,
195.7mm SL; Amap: Laranjal do Jari: rio Jari. MZUSP
103178, 1, 207.0mm SL; Amazonas: rio Japur, 153'S
6700'W. MZUSP 103228, 1, 251.9mm SL; Amazonas:
Canta Galo, rio Negro. MZUSP 103242, 4, 77.0225.0mm SL; Amap: Laranjal do Jari: rio Iratapuru,
tributary of rio Jari, 033'59"S 5234'43"W. MZUSP
103453, 1, 232.9mm SL; Par, Monte Dourado: rio Jari,
033'59"S 5234'43"W. MZUSP 104725, 1, 344.0mm
SL; Par; Monte Dourado: rio Jari. MZUSP 104744, 1,
252.3mm SL; MZUSP 104857, 1, 213.2mm SL; Par:
Monte Dourado: rio Jari, 036'9"S 5231'35"W. MZUSP
104835, 1, 170.2mm SL; Amap: Laranjal do Jari: Igarap Arapiranga, tributary of rio Jari, 048'05"S
5227'20"W. MZUSP 104888, 1, 147.7mm SL; Amap:
Laranjal do Jari: rio Iratapuru, tributary of rio Jari, 033'
59"S 5234'43"W. MZUSP 112000, 3, 84.2-103.1mm
SL; Par: Porto de Moz: rio Xingu. MZUSP 112211, 1,
57.5mm SL; Amazonas: rio Negro at Ilha do Buiu-Au.
MZUSP 112212, 1, 55.5mm SL; Amazonas: rio Negro
below rio Dara, 028'S 6446'W. MZUSP 112213, 4,

35.7-52.2mm SL; Amazonas: Barcelos: rio Negro, 058'S

6257'W. MZUSP 112214, 1, 136.6mm SL; Amazonas:
rio Uaups. MZUSP 112210, 4, 19.2-24.9mm SL;
Amazonas: Santa Isabel do Rio Negro: rio Negro, 031'S
6450'W. UF 100622, 1, 180.0mm SL; Rondnia: rio
Jamari, tributary of rio Madeira.French Guiana:
BMNH 1909.9.4.1, 1, 158.5mm SL; San Lorenzo: Maroni river. Guyana: ANSP 176829, 2, 147.5-157.4mm SL;
Essequibo: Essequibo river at Paddle Rock Campsite.
ANSP 176830, 1, 144.8mm SL; Essequibo: Burro
Burro river at Water Dog Falls Campsite. BMNH
1911.10.3.1.475, 3, 68.9-230.0mm SL; Bartica: Essequibo
river. BMNH 1934.9.12.317-318, 1, 146.4mm SL; Essequibo river at Bartica. BMNH 1972.7.27.148-150, 3,
116.0-246.0mm SL; Essequibo river at Demerara. CAS
116628, 10, 55.3-171.5mm SL; Essequibo river at Bartica Rock. MZUSP 108841, 1, 208.7mm SL; PotaroSiparuni: Kuribrong river, 523'48"N 5932'00"W.
MZUSP 108874, 1, 175.7mm SL; Potaro-Siparuni:
Kuribrong river, 532'46"N 5917'03"W. MZUSP
108860, 1, 169.3mm SL; Potaro-Siparuni: Kuribrong
river, 532'04"N 5918'37"W. Peru: ANSP 21467, holotype of L.holostictus, 101.1mm SL; Peruvian Amazon.
ANSP 21468, 1, 72.5mm SL; Peruvian Amazon (possibly collected with holotype of L.holostictus). ANSP
137831, 8, 153.0-182.0mm SL; Loreto: Iquitos: ro Nanay.
CAS 117234, 1, 91.6mm SL; Loreto: ro Ampiyacu
near Pebas. MZUSP 26723, 1, 38.6mm SL; Ucayali:
Colonel Portillo: ro Ucayali. Suriname: UF 16266, 1,
110.4mm SL; Marowijne: Marowijne river. MZUSP
13210, 4, 137.9-179.2mm SL; Brokopondo: Sara creek.
MZUSP 99416, 2, 81.5-102.2mm SL; Maroni: Marowijne river. Venezuela: CAS 20164, 3, 59.2-65.8mm SL;
Amazonas: ro Orinoco, between Atabapo and Atures
Rapids. CAS 20165, 1, 98.0mm SL; Amazonas: ro
Atabapo, tributary of ro Orinoco. CAS 20166, 1,
80.7mm SL; ro Orinoco at Chono Salata Rapids. CAS
20168, 1, 143.1mm SL; Bolivar: ro Orinoco at Caicara.
CAS 70751, 1, 245.0mm SL; Amazonas: ro Orinoco
at Laja Suspiro. FMNH 93087, 1, 157.5mm SL; ro
Caron, tributary of ro Orinoco. MCNG 21340, 2,
120.0-161.5mm SL; Bolivar: Departamento Sucre: ro
Caura at Jubillat, 638'00"N 6437'00"W. MCNG 51526,
3, 75.1-91.6mm SL; Apure: ro Cunavichito at Puente
San Felipe. MCNG 40686, 1, 177.4mm SL; Apure:
Departamento Pedro Camejo: ro Cinaruco, 632'20"N
6724'08.5"W. MCNG 53536, 1, 137.7mm SL; Apure:
Pedro Camejo: Cao La Guardia at Puerto La Laguna
Morocoto. MCNG 52441, 2, 170.1-171.0mm SL; Apure:
Pedro Camejo: Cao La Guardia, downstream of Laguna Morocoto.

L.jatuncochi: Brazil: INPA 10607, 1, 145.2mm SL;
Rondnia: rio Jamari, tributary of rio Madeira. INPA
10609, 1, 177.3mm SL; Rondnia: rio Jamari. INPA
11012, 2, 196.1-202.1mm SL; Rondnia: rio Aripuan.
INPA 12239, 16, 22.8-78.7mm SL; Amazonas, rio
Madeira. MZUSP 100574, 2, 87.0-87.3mm SL; Mato
Grosso: Aripuan: rio Aripuan, tributary of rio Madeira. MZUSP 101034, 1, 182.6mm SL; Mato Grosso:

Britski & Birindelli: Redescription of Leporinus altipinnis

Copyright Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil

Aripuan: rio Aripuan, 1010'06"S 5926'50"W. UF
100625, 1, 140.0mm SL; Rondnia: rio Jamari, tributary
of rio Madeira.

L.pearsoni: B olivia :ANSP 69069, holotype,
97.2mm SL; ro Chimore at Boca Chapare. Ecuador:
FMNH 102144, 1, 157.5mm SL; Napo: ro Arajuno,
104'30"S 7732'00"W. FMNH 102145, 2, 150.0184.0mm SL; Napo: ro Arajuno, 105'24"S 7734'18"W.
Peru: ANSP 143800, 1, 160.0mm SL; Amazonas: Madre
de Dios: ro Man. ANSP 180841, 1, 80.7mm SL;
Amazonas: Madre de Dios: ro Tahuamano. FMNH
84279, 1, 122.0mm SL; ro San Alejandro.

L.tigrinus: Brazil: MCZ 20446, 2 syntypes, 138.3143.9mm SL; Gois: exact locality unknown. CAS
70447, 3, 91.3-146.0mm SL; Gois: Santo Antnio: rio
Tocantins. INPA uncatalogued, 8, 89.0-122.5mm SL;
Par: Altamira: rio Xingu at Cachoeira do Espelho,
339'05"S 5222'43"W. MCP 19738, 1, 111.5mm SL;
Gois: Minau: rio Tocantins. MCP 33962, 3, 100.0118.0mm SL; Gois: Santa Rosa Meia Ponte: rio Meia
Ponte, tributary of rio Paranaba. MZUSP 99495, 2 CS,
82.5-112.8mm SL; Par: Jacareacanga: rio Teles Pires,
tributary of rio Tapajs, 920'24"S 5646'33"W.

L.yophorus: C olombia :CAS 61680, holotype,
163.9mm SL; Barrign: ro Meta, Orinoco basin. ANSP
135435, 1, 222.0mm SL; Meta: ro Negrito. Venezuela:
ANSP 160347, 1, 99.3mm SL; Bolivar: confluence of ro
Caura and ro Orinoco. FMNH 3765, 1, 123.3mm SL;
Bolivar: Ciudad Bolivar. FMNH 85504, 7, 50.0-61.8mm
SL; Apure: ro Aruaca. FMNH 104001, 1, 54.8mm SL;
Barinas: ro Anaro, close to mouth of ro Suripa. FMNH
104004, 1, 59.0mm SL; Barinas: Cao La Indiacita,
tributary of ro Suripa. FMNH 104006, 2, 75.9-76.5mm
SL; Barinas: Ca Sucopo, tributary of ro Suripa. MCZ
59632, 1, 128.3mm SL; Lagoon close to ro Orinoco,
841'N 6200'W. UF 36167, 4, 45.5-72.6mm SL; Apure:
ro Orinoco basin.

Acknowledgments
For critical review of the manuscript we thank Brian
Sidlauskas, Fernando Jerep and an anonymous reviewer. For various discussions we thank Oscar Shibatta. We thank Alec Zeinad and Tiago Carvalho for
providing pictures of live specimens (Figs.2e and 6b,
respectively); and Barbara Lundrigan for the picture of
the holotype of L.jatuncochi. For loan and assistances
during collection visits we thank John Lundberg and
Mark Sabaj Perez (ANSP), Ralf Britz, James Maclaine
and Oliver Crimmen (BMNH), Tomio Iwamoto and
Dave Catania (CAS), Kevin Swagel and Susan Mochel
(FMNH), Lucia Rapp Py-Daniel and Renildo Oliveira
(INPA), Francisco Provenzano (MBUCV), Otto Castillo
(MCNG), Carlos Lucena, Margarete Lucena and Roberto Reis (MCP), Karsten Hartel and Andrew Williston
(MCZ), Paulo Buckup and Marcelo Britto (MNRJ);
Wolmar Wosiacki, Alberto Akama and Andr NettoFerreira (MPEG), and Larry Page (UF). This study was
Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters, Vol. 27, No. 1

39

financially supported by CNPq (JLOB, grant 47890/

2013-9), and FAPESP (JLOB, grant 10/51250-9). Authors
received productivity research grants from CNPq (HAB)
and Fundao Araucria (JLOB, grant 641/2014). This
contribution was also supported by the South American
Characiformes Inventory project (FAPESP 2011/50282-7).

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Britski & Birindelli: Redescription of Leporinus altipinnis

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Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters

An international journal for field-orientated ichthyology

Volume27Number1April 2016

CONTENTS

Chen, Yan-Qiao, Chang-Lian Peng and E Zhang:Sinocyclocheilus guanyangensis, a new

species of cavefish from the Li-Jiang basin of Guangxi, China (Teleostei: Cyprinidae).. 1
Cardoso, Yamila P., Florencia Brancolini, Ariel Paracampo, Marta Lizarralde, Raphael
Covain and Juan I. Montoya-Burgos: Hypostomus formosae, a new catfish species from
the Paraguay River Basin with redescription of H.boulengeri (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)............................................................................................................................................... 9
Britski, Heraldo A. and Jos L. O. Birindelli: Redescription of Leporinus altipinnis, a senior
synonym of L.falcipinnis, and comments on L.holostictus (Characiformes: Anostomidae)................................................................................................................................................. 25
Britz, Ralf: Pillaiabrachia siniae, a new species of earthworm eel from northern Myanmar
(Teleostei: Synbranchiformes: Chaudhuriidae)...................................................................... 41
Decru, Eva, Emmanuel Vreven, Oumar Sadio and Jos Snoeks: Brycinus epuluensis, a new
species from the Epulu River (Congo basin), Africa (Teleostei: Alestidae)....................... 49
Liu, Shu-Wei, Jun-Xing Yang and Xiao-Yong Chen: Paralepidocephalus translucens, a new
species of loach from a cave in eastern Yunnan, China (Teleostei: Cobitidae)................. 61
de Oliveira, Renildo R., Lucia Rapp Py-Daniel, Claudio H. Zawadzki and Jansen Zuanon:
Two new Amazonian species of Ancistrus with vestigial adipose fin, with an appraisal
on adipose fin loss in neotropical armoured catfishes (Teleostei: Loricariidae)............... 67
Varella, Henrique R. and Ricardo Britzke: Apistogramma eleutheria and A.flavipedunculata,
two new species of dwarf cichlids from the rio Curu on Serra do Cachimbo, Brazil
(Teleostei: Cichlidae)................................................................................................................... 81

Cover photograph
Pillaiabrachia siniae (photograph by Ralf Britz)
Ralf Britz
(this volume pp. 41-47)
Articles appearing in this journal are indexed in:
AQUATIC SCIENCES and FISHERIES ABSTRACTS
BIOLIS - BIOLOGISCHE LITERATUR INFORMATION SENCKENBERG
CAMBRIDGE SCIENTIFIC ABSTRACTS
CURRENT CONTENTS/AGRICULTURE, BIOLOGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES and SCIE
FISHLIT
ZOOLOGICAL RECORD