Austrofundulus leoni

description

Description. Males have a reddish-brown colored background in the dorsal fin with several curved rows of dark brown spots. Basal spots are large, often joining into irregular or oblong flecks. The dorsal often has long fin ray extensions. The dorsal fin of females is unpatterned, with clear or light gray background. The background color of the males’ caudal fin is reddish, with grayish overtones towards the posterior section of the fin. There are numerous indistinct dull gray spots randomly dispersed on the caudal fin. The distal edge has a weak blue-black terminal edge. Both the dorsal and the ventral edge of the caudal fin extend to form a long “ lyre-tail ”. Females have a light grayish translucent caudal fin. The anal fin of males is patterned similarly to the dorsal fin. The background color is brownreddish with a few large indistinct gray flecks in the basal half of the anal fin. The large gray flecks coalesce and become darker to form a blue-black distal margin. The base of the anal fin is creamy white, grading into this same color on the belly. The anal fin often has a long extension. The anal fin of females is clear or light gray, with a few faint basal spots. The pectoral

Molecular phylogeny of Austrofundulus Myers (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae), with revision of the genus and the description of four new species.

diagnosis

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished from all species of Austrofundulus by strong reddish-brownish background body color observed in all sexually mature males. Relative to other species, the caudal peduncle is slender. The caudal fin is also large and slender with long extensions.

Molecular phylogeny of Austrofundulus Myers (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae), with revision of the genus and the description of four new species.

distribution

Distribution. This species is distributed in the western and southwestern lowlands of the Lake Maracaibo basin. In the north it is replaced by A. guajira which occurs in Venezuela only near the border with Colombia and across the Guajira peninsula. Specimens collected from the drainage of the Rio Limon have all proved to be A. leoni.

Molecular phylogeny of Austrofundulus Myers (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae), with revision of the genus and the description of four new species.

etymology

Etymology. From Latin leo (lion) for its large size and majestic nature, and for the family Leon Mata who has been instrumental to conducting research in the Maracaibo basin.

Molecular phylogeny of Austrofundulus Myers (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae), with revision of the genus and the description of four new species.