Redescription of the type species of Odontostilbe Cope, 1870 (Teleostei: Characidae: Cheirodontinae), and description of three new species from the Amazon basin

Abstract

The widespread Neotropical cheirodontine Odontostilbe fugitiva is reviewed, and three new species of the genus are described from the Amazon basin. A neotype is designated for O. fugitiva, from the mouth of the río Mazán, upper río Amazonas basin, Peru. Three nominal species are herein considered as synonyms of O. fugitiva: O. madeirae, O. drepanon, and O. caquetae. The three new species are respectively O. ecuadorensis from the río Napo basin, O. nareuda from the rio Madeira basin, and O. parecis from the rio Guaporé basin (rio Madeira basin). Among other diagnostic characters, gill rakers are especially informative in distinguishing species. Description of gill raker denticulation is provided for the first time for species of the Cheirodontinae. Secondary sexually dimorphic characters are described for all species.