Systematics of the Neotropical Characoid Genus Curimatopsis (Pisces: Characoidei)

Van, Richard P. Systematics of the Neotropical Characoid Genus Curimatopsis (Pisces: Characoidei). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, number 373, 28 pages, 21 figures, 1982.—The curimatid characoid genus Curimatopsis is redefined to form a monophyletic assemblage. Four species are recognized in the genus: Curimatopsis macrolepis (Steindachner, 1876), C. microlepis Eigenmann and Eigenmann, 1889, C. evelynae Gery, 1964, and C. crypticus, new species. These species share a number of derived osteological characters and form the sister group to all other members of the family. Synapomorphies unique to Curimatopsis among curimatids are (a) pronounced sexual dimorphism in caudal peduncle depth with associated modifications in caudal osteology, (b) morphology of the suspensorium, in particular the metapterygoid-quadrate fenestra, and (c) certain modifications of the dermal bones, particularly the absence of any discrete antorbital ossification. Curimatichthys, created by Fernandez-Yepez (1948) for C. microlepsis, is placed into the synonymy of Curimatopsis. Curimatopsis macrocephalus Ahl, 1931, is considered a junior synomym of C. macrolepis (Steindachner). Curimatopsis maculatus Ahl, 1934, and C. saladensis Meinken, 1933, are more closely related to curimatids outside of Curimatopsis and are excluded from the genus. The two species of Hemicurimata considered by Fernandez-Yepez to form the group most closely related to Curimatopsis were found to be based on juveniles of Psectrogaster amazonica Eigenmann and Eigenmann and Curimata spilura Gunther. Each of the latter species in turn is more closely related to curimatid species outside of Curimatopsis. OFFICIAL PUBLICATION DATE is handstamped in a limited number of initial copies and is recorded in the Institution's annual report, Smithsonian Year. SERIES COVER DESIGN: The coral Montastrea cavemosa (Linnaeus). Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Vari, Richard P. Systematics of the Neotropical characoid genus Curimatopsis (Pisces: Characoidei) (Smithsonian contributions to zoology ; no. 373) Bibliography: p. 1. Curimatopsis—Classification. 2. Fishes—Classification. 3. Fishes—Latin America—Classification. I. Title. II. Series. QL1.S54 |QL638.C89] no. 373 591s |597'.52] 82-5802 AACR2