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Felipe Alonso (4)

Abstract:The knowledge about the diversity and phylogeny of South American callichthyid armored catfishes of the subfamily Corydoradinae is still growing, after important recent contributions, and many species have uncertain relationships. In this study, we present the first combined phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus based on five genes, 83 morphological characters, and 153 species, providing synapomorphies for some of the main genera of Corydoradinae, as recently defined. The inclusion of species not previously analyzed in a phylogenetic context challenged the monophyly of Hoplisoma and required the definition of a new genus for endemic species from the Andean portion of the northwestern La Plata basin (ANWLP): Hoplisoma gladysae, H. micracanthum, and H. petracinii. We found Hoplisoma non monophyletic with Hoplisoma sensu stricto not sister to a clade of species herein named the ‘Hoplisoma’ paleatum clade. In this clade we recovered a new species of Hoplisoma, which is endemic to the upper Bermejo basin, as sister to ‘Hoplisoma’ paleatum from the lower La Plata basin. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by a unique colouration similar to that of the syntopic H. micracanthum, suggesting a putative case of Müllerian co-mimicry, (Alonso et al. 2024). Lineage: Placed in Lineage 9, the "short-snouted" species with the designated type species: C. punctatus. Aquarium Care: This is akin to most of this genus, very peaceful, and would be best housed with small to medium sized tankmates such as Tetras, Rasboras and Danios or in a species tank for breeding purposes. Best to purchase 6 individuals or more as they will be happier in a group. Diet: Readily accepts a mixed and varied diet which includes granular foods, tablet food, frozen bloodworm and a good quality flake. Etymology: The specific epithet honours Jorge Osvaldo Fernández Santos, an esteemed aquarist and fish collector who made significant contributions to the knowledge of Argentinean fish by collecting and generously donating numerous specimens to scientific collections and collaborating with ichthyologists. He had been an avid promoter of the fish keeping hobby, particularly with respect to native species. As a result, this species is named in recognition of Osvaldo’s contributions to the study and knowledge of Argentina’s fishes. Remarks: Will do better in cooler water temperatures.

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Callichthyidae

South America: Endemic to the upper basin of the Bermejo River, La Plata basin, Argentina.

Male: 4.5cm (1¾ins) Female: 5.0cm (2ins)

21-25°C (69-77°F)

6.0-7.2.

Felipe Alonso, Guillermo Enrique Terán, Gastón Aguilera, Martin Miguel Montes, Wilson Sebastián Serra Alanís, Pablo Calviño, Héctor Samuel Vera-Alcaraz, Yamila Cardoso, Stefan Koerber, Juan Marcos Mirande. Integrative phylogeny of Corydoradinae (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) with an emphasis on Northwestern La Plata species, including descriptions of a new genus and species, Zoologischer Anzeiger, 2024, ISSN 0044-5231, DOI: