Austrofundulus guajira

description

Description. The males have a steel-blue to gray colored background in the dorsal fin with several curved rows of dark gray to black spots. Basal spot are large, often joining into irregular or oblong flecks. Distal spots are smaller, and are arranged in a concentric pattern. In large individuals, the dorsal fin has a lance-like extension, but the overall shape of the fin is round. Females have clear dorsal fins with a few gray spots. The background color of the caudal fin is greenish, with grayish overtones. There are numerous small dull greenish-yellow spots that are arranged in irregular rows radiating from the base of the caudal fin. The distal edge has a black terminal edge. Many individuals also have a bright red subterminal band, which is anteriorly edged by a black edge. The caudal fin is very round, almost circular, and has neither dorsal nor ventral extensions. Females have a light grayish caudal fin, with few gray spots. The anal fin of males is patterned similarly to the dorsal fin. The background color is steel-blue to light gray with a few large gray flecks in the basal half of the anal fin. The large gray flecks transition into a black terminal margin. Large males po

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 its robust size and by its dusky-gray to black background body color in all sexually mature males. The caudal fin of this species is without extensions, and it sometimes contains a bright red subterminal band, edged by a black terminal band. All fins are very round, without extensions, with the exception of the anal fin which in some large adult males has a small lance-like extension.

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

distribution

Distribution. Known from the xeric regions of the Guajira peninsula of NW Venezuela and NE Colombia, north - northwest of the city of Maracaibo, Venezuela.

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

etymology

Etymology. This species is named for the Guajira peninsula of Venezuela and Colombia, an area where it occurs.

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