New Characidium from the rio Doce basin

What is it about?

A new species of Characidium is described from the tributaries of the upper andmiddle rio Doce basin, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The new species is distinguishedfrom most congeners, except C. cricarense, C. hasemani, C. helmeri, C. kalunga, C.pterostictum, C. schubarti, C. summus, and C. travassosi by lacking scales in the areabetween the anterior limit of the isthmus and the anterior margin of cleithrum.The new species differs from the aforementioned species by a series of characters,including the presence of the adipose fin, 2–4 scales between the anus and analfin, two rows of dentary teeth, presence of the parietal branch of the supraorbitalcanal, 4 scale rows above the lateral line, and absence of two conspicuous inclineddark bands on each caudal-fin lobe. The new species further differs from mostcongeners with an unscaled ventral surface of the isthmus by the presence of 33–34 pored scales on the lateral line and by the dark dashes on the caudal fin-rays notforming well-defined bands .

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Why is it important?

In summary, the description of a new species of Characidium from the rio Doce basin provides important insights into taxonomy, conservation, ecosystem dynamics, biogeography, and comparative studies. This research expands our knowledge of the Neotropical fish fauna and contributes to the broader understanding of freshwater fish diversity and evolution.

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