Showing papers by "Leandro M. Sousa published in 2007"

Merodoras nheco, new genus and species from Rio Paraguay basin, Brazil (Siluriformes, Doradidae), and nomination of the new subfamily Astrodoradinae

Abstract: Merodoras nheco, new genus and species of Doradidae (Siluriformes) is described from Rio Paraguay basin, Brazil. The new genus belongs to the new subfamily Astrodoradinae, a monophyletic group formally named herein that includes, besides Merodoras , Amblydoras, Anadoras, Astrodoras, Hypodoras , Physopyxis, and Scorpiodoras . This group is diagnosed by the possession of: lacrimal serrated and participating in the orbital margin, four to seven pleural ribs; spines on the postcleithral process; postero-inferior portion of the coracoid exposed. Merodoras nheco, new species, is distinguished from other doradids by the unique combination of the following characteristics: 1) tips of retrorse spines on the midlateral scutes ventrally oriented in adults; 2) incomplete lateral line, with only a few midlateral scutes anteriorly; 3) pectoral girdle entirely exposed ventrally, with the opening of the arrector ventralis inferior reduced to a small fossae on the anterior edge of the coracoid; 4) caudal fin truncate; 5) dorsal-fin spine smooth, without serrae on both faces; 5) lacrimal serrated; 6) lateral ethmoid serrated. Merodoras nheco inhabits the “Pantanal Matogrossense,” a flooded portion of the upper Rio Paraguay basin in western Brazil.