Glaphyropoma spinosum

biology_ecology

Ecological data. The type locality is a quartzitic cave situated within the limits of the Chapada Diamantina National Park, in the Serra do Sincorá, one of the main components of the Chapada Diamantina, inside the limits of the Chapada Diamantina National Park. The local terrain is composed of arenites, siltites, argilites and conglomerates. Caves in this area are formed by the erosion of soft rock components by rainwater penetrating through surface cracks and leaving spaces delimited by the harder components. The water depth in the creek where the catfish live varies mostly between 10 and 50 cm, with moderate current and some spotty accummulation of plant debris where fish are found foraging. Physico-chemico water variables in January 2007 were pH 4.1; temperature 23.0 ºC; conductivity 0.012 PS / cm; dissolved oxygen 6.3 mg / l. Preliminary population data based on visual censuses were obtained in January and July, 2007, corresponding respectively to the rainy and dry seasons in the area. In a 150 m of long stream reach and 1 m of width (in average), 61 individuals were visually counted in January and 59 in July of 2007, and respectively population densities of 0.41 ind. m- 2 (Jan

A new species of Glaphyropoma: the first subterranean copionodontine catfish and the first occurrence of opercular odontodes in the subfamily (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae)

description

Description. Morphometric data for holotype and paratypes presented in Table 1. For general aspect refer to Fig. 1. Body elongate, depressed in head and anterior trunk region, crosssection roughly circular from middle of trunk to origin of dorsal fin, gradually more compressed towards tail. Caudal peduncle region strongly compressed. Dorsal profile of trunk near dorsal fin nearly parallel to longitudinal axis of body, gently convex anteriorly and continuous with dorsal profile of head. Dorsal profile of body posterior to dorsal fin straight to base of caudal fin. Ventral profile of head straight, continuing in gently convex curve to pelvic-fin insertion. Ventral profile of body from origin of pelvic fin to origin of caudal peduncle nearly straight, slightly concave along caudal peduncle. Myotomes not evident through skin, except near caudal fin base. Integument thick, especially on back and sides of trunk, forming folds on sides of trunk in large specimens, thinnest on abdominal region. Bases and proximal portions of all fins covered with thick layer of integument, most notably on dorsal and anal fins. Skin papillae small, most concentrated on ventral surface of head and barbels. H

A new species of Glaphyropoma: the first subterranean copionodontine catfish and the first occurrence of opercular odontodes in the subfamily (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae)

diagnosis

Diagnosis. Distinguished from all other copionodontine catfishes by the presence of opercular odontodes. Further distinguished from its only congener, G. rodriguesi, by the reduction of dark integumentary pigmentation.

A new species of Glaphyropoma: the first subterranean copionodontine catfish and the first occurrence of opercular odontodes in the subfamily (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae)

etymology

Etymology. The name spinosum is Latin for prickly, spiny, in allusion to the presence of opercular odontodes in this species, unique within the Copionodontinae.

A new species of Glaphyropoma: the first subterranean copionodontine catfish and the first occurrence of opercular odontodes in the subfamily (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae)