Taxonomic revision of Hopliancistrus Isbrücker & Nijssen, 1989 (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) with redescription of Hopliancistrus tricornis and description of four new species

Abstract

Hopliancistrus is an Ancistrini genus diagnosed by having few and very strong cheek odontodes on interopercular area, and a patch of strong and stiff odontodes on the antero-lateral border of the snout. The type species is herein redescribed based on types and recently collected specimens. In addition, four new congeneric species are described based on specimens collected in other parts of the Rio Xingu and Rio Tapajós basins. Hopliancistrus tricornis is distributed in the lower Rio Tapajós and is diagnosed by the possession of four branched anal-fin rays and relatively large white to yellow spots on trunk and pectoral and pelvic fins, and dark brown spots on dorsal, caudal and anal fins. Hopliancistrus munduruku is described based on specimens from Rio Jamanxim (Rio Tapajós basin) and Rio Curuá (Rio Xingu basin) and is diagnosed by the possession of five branched anal-fin rays and large yellow blotches on trunk and dark brown to black spots over the fins. Hopliancistrus wolverine is distributed in the rapids of the lower and middle Rio Xingu and is diagnosed by the possession of five branched anal-fin rays and conspicuous small yellow dots on head, trunk and fins. Hopliancistrus xikrin is distributed in medium- to small-sized tributaries of the lower portion of Rio Xingu basin, and is diagnosed by absence of contact between the transverse process of the first dorsal-fin pterygiophore and the transverse process of the second pterygiophore. Hopliancistrus xavante is distributed in the tributaries of upper Rio Xingu basin, and is diagnosed by having a thick skin covering the nuchal plate; by having large white spots on trunk and fins; and by the possession of five branched anal-fin rays. An osteological description and a key for species identification are also provided. © 2021 de Oliveira et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.