Journal article
Long Overlooked, Finally Recognized: A New Species of Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the Orinoco River Basin Revealed through Morphology and mtDNA
American Museum novitates, v 2026(4055), pp 1-19
09 Jun 2026
Abstract
A new species of Characidium is described from tributaries of the Orinoco River in Colombia and Venezuela. The new species can be distinguished from congeners by a combination of characters, including presence of a conspicuous blotch on the caudal peduncle, presence of secondary vertical bars in addition to primary bars, a complete lateral line with 31–34 perforated scales, 14 circumpeduncular scales, absence of hooks on the pelvic-fin rays of mature males and absence of sexual dichromatism. Molecular species-delimitation analyses consistently supported the monophyly of C. oblivium and recognized it as an independent lineage. Molecular divergence between this lineage and other closely related species was substantially higher than the minimal variation observed within it, providing strong evidence for its status as a distinct species. This study highlights the often overlooked role of museum collections in harboring hidden biodiversity.
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Details
- Title
- Long Overlooked, Finally Recognized: A New Species of Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the Orinoco River Basin Revealed through Morphology and mtDNA
- Creators
- Leonardo Oliveira-Silva - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)Mark Henry Sabaj - Drexel UniversityScott A. Schaefer - American Museum of Natural HistoryClaudio Oliveira - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)Angela Zanata - Universidade Federal da Bahia
- Publication Details
- American Museum novitates, v 2026(4055), pp 1-19
- Publisher
- American Museum of Natural History
- Number of pages
- 20
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Ichthyology
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001808368000001
- Other Identifier
- 991022201343404721