Revisão taxonômica do gênero Achirus (Pleuronectiformes: Achiridae) e a descrição anatômica das espécies Achirus declivis e Achirus lineatus da região sudeste do Brasil

• Autor(a) principal: Severiano, Kleyton Magno Cantalice
• Data de Publicação: 2011
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações da UERJ
• Texto Completo: http://www.bdtd.uerj.br/handle/1/16240
• topic: Achirus; Revision.Taxonomy; Geographical distribution; Anatomy; Achirus; Revisão; Taxonomia; Distribuição geográfica; Anatomia; CNPQ::CIENCIAS BIOLOGICAS::ZOOLOGIA::TAXONOMIA DOS GRUPOS RECENTES

The genus Achirus is composed by nine species present in oceans and rivers on both sides of North, Central, and South America. Due to a lack of adequate anatomical descriptions and a recent study that encompasses all species comprising the genus, the species are often difficult to be identified and studied under a phylogenetic/biogeographycal perspective. This study reviewed the taxonomy of the genus Achirus by a morphological/osteological analysis of some species (cf. Achirus lineatus and Achirus declivis), comparing them with existing data in literature. The results suggest that all species are valid, however, shows a lack of information on Achirus mucuri and Achirus zebrinus. Achirus declivis differed from Achirus lineatus by a steeper dorsal region, the premaxillary ascending process of the blind side obliquely directed with an expanded anterior process, and a well developed pectoral fin. Achirus achirus presented a geographical range significantly greater than documented in the literature. Additionally, we present an identification key comprising all species of the genus Achirus as well as a review of its geographical distribution, comparing them with biogeographical models for neotropical taxa proposed in literature.