Taxonomic revision of the South American fish genus Chalceus Cuvier (Teleostei: Ostariophysi: Characiformes) with the description of three new species
Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society
2004
Journal Article
140
1
103-135
Characidae freshwater fishes systematics new species taxonomy fish Madre de Dios River aquatic habitats distributions animals Chalceus Teleostei Ostariophysi Characiformes Madre de Dios Bibliography
The Neotropical characid fishes of the genus Chalceus Cuvier, 1817, are reviewed. In total, five species are recognized (including three new species). Chalceus epakros sp. nov. is the most widespread geographically, occurring in many rivers of the Amazon basin, the Rio Orinoco and in the Essequibo River drainage in Guyana. Chalceus guaporensis sp. nov. is restricted to the upper Rio Madeira, Rio Guapore and Rio Madre de Dios, of Brazil, Bolivia and Peru, respectively. Chalceus spilogyros sp. nov. occurs only in the Rio Trombetas, lower Rio Tapajos and lower Rio Madeira drainages. Chalceus macrolepidotus Cuvier occurs in the Rio Negro drainage, middle and lower Rio Orinoco basin and in the rivers of the Atlantic slopes of the Guianas, and Chalceus erythrurus Cope in the Rio Amazonas and Rio Solimoes to Rio Ucayali drainage in Peru. Chalceus ararapeera Cuvier & Valenciennes and Creagrutus pellegrini Puyo are considered synonyms of C. macrolepidotus, and Pellegrinina heterolepis Fowler is placed into the synonymy of C. erythrurus. Characters pertaining to the monophyly of Chalceus are discussed and a key to species is presented.