Systematics of the neotropical fish subfamily Glandulocaudinae (Teleostei: Characiformes: Characidae)

• Autor(a) principal: Menezes,Naércio A.
• Data de Publicação: 2009
• Outros Autores: Weitzman,Stanley H.
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Neotropical ichthyology (Online)
• Texto Completo: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-62252009000300002
• topic: South America; Lophiobrycon; Glandulocauda; Mimagoniates; Taxonomy; Biogeography

The systematics of the Glandulocaudinae is reviewed in detail and justification for the recognition of the group as a subfamily is discussed. The subfamily Glandulocaudinae consists of three genera: Lophiobrycon with one species plesiomorphic in some anatomical features but some others exclusively derived relative to the species in the other genera; Glandulocauda with two species intermediate in phylogenetic derivation; and Mimagoniates with seven species (one new), all more phylogenetically derived concerning their pheromone producing caudal-fin organs and with other anatomical characters presumably more derived than in the species of the other genera. Glandulocauda melanogenys Eigenmann, 1911, is considered a junior synonym of Hyphessobrycon melanopleurus Ellis, 1911. A replacement name, Glandulocauda caerulea Menezes & Weitzman, is proposed for G. melanopleura Eigenmann, 1911. Gland cells found in the caudal-fin organs of all species are histologically indistinguishable from club cells and probably secrete a pheromone during courtship. The club cells are associated with somewhat modified to highly derived caudal scales forming a pheromone pumping organ in the more derived genera and species. This subfamily is distributed in freshwaters of eastern and southern Brazil, Paraguay, and northeastern Uruguay.