Hypostomus cf. niceforoi (Fowler 1943)

Angulo, Arturo, 2021, New records and range extensions to the Costa Rican freshwater fish fauna, with an updated checklist, Zootaxa 5083 (1), pp. 1-72 : 8

5) * Hypostomus cf. niceforoi (Fowler 1943) ;

Loricariidae .

Japurá Suckermouth; Pez Diablo, Plecostomo, Pleco, Arrisuaca, Chupapiedras, Pez Gato Acorazado ( Fig. 2G ).

Diagnosis: This exotic species differs from other congeners as well as related species of the Hypostominae (Loricariidae) occurring in Middle American freshwaters by the following combination of characters: jaws long, with dentaries approaching a 180° angle; teeth villiform and numerous (>60); hypertrophied odontodes on evertible plates on the cheek absents; dorsal fin elements II, 7; and coloration pattern (greyish blue to greyish brown with several black spots on the body, fins and abdomen). See Matamoros et al. (2016) for a detailed comparative analysis.

Basis of the record: Several captures have been recently (2013–2021) reported by artisanal and sport anglers in the lower and middle portions (0– 110 m.a.s.l.) of the Lago de Nicaragua, Río Frío, San Juan, San Carlos, Sarapiquí, Tortuguero, Parismina (Atlantic), Nicoya, Tempisque, Bebedero and Barranca (Pacific) River basins.

Remarks: This species was recorded around the Lago de Nicaragua, at the Rivas Department (municipality of Cardenas), by Matamoros et al. (2016). Published and unpublished records of Hypostomus aspidolepis (Günther, 1867) in Costa Rican freshwaters outside its native range of distribution (i.e., the Térraba and Coto River basins), e.g., Herrera & Molina (2011), also could correspond to this invasive species. The “ cf. ” designation was employed, following Matamoros et al. (2016), since H. niceforoi may be a species complex that probably will be divided into multiple species in the future.

Figures

FIG. 2. New country records. (A) Amphilophus labiatus, specimen captured in the Río San Juan, San Carlos, Alajuela (ca 10.89057, -84.26540), at ca 26 m.a.s.l., in November 2020, by an anonymous angler. (B) Amphilophus labiatus, specimen captured in the Río Sapoá, La Cruz, Guanacaste (11.21815, -85.60819), at 8 m.a.s.l., on January 19, 1967, by William Bussing and Myrna López (UCR 0122-014). (C) Anchovia clupeoides, specimen captured in the Río Pacuare, near the mouth of the river, Siquirres, Limón (10.21952, -83.28254), at 8 m.a.s.l., on November 17, 2004, by Jorge Picado (UCR 2840-005). (D) Colossoma macropomum, specimen captured in the Río Bebedero, Portones de Taboga, Bebedero, Cañas, Guanacaste, Costa Rica (10.36978, -85.19772), at 10 m.a.s.l., on March 27, 2020, by Javier Blandon. (E) Colossoma macropomum, specimen captured in the Río Bebedero, Altamira, Cañas, Guanacaste, Costa Rica (10.35378, -85.20408), at 18 m.a.s.l., on April 30, 2021, by Agustin Guzman. (F) Gobioides peruanus being depredated by the Bare-throated Tiger Heron (Trigrisoma mexicanum Swainson, 1834), photo captured in the Quebrada Bomba Vieja (Barranca river basin), near the mouth of the Río Barranca, El Roble, Puntarenas (9.96228, -84.73493), at 6 m.a.s.l., on January 6, 2021, by Beto Guido Méndez (Bird watcher guide/Naturalist). (G) Hypostomus cf. niceforoi, specimens captured in the Humedal Caño Negro, Los Chiles, Alajuela (ca 10.89081, -84.79415), at ca 33 m.a.s.l., on May 11-16, 2016, by Didiher Chacón-Chaverri. (H) Lutjanus purpureus, specimen captured in the Quebrada Hone Creek/Río Carbón, Talamanca, Limón (9.67153, -82.79047), at 12 m.a.s.l., on October 6, 2007, by Maribel Mafla et al. (UCR 2751-001). (I) Lutjanus purpureus, specimen captured in the Río Moín, at the Puerto Fluvial JAPDEVA, Limón (09.99745, -83.08077), at 7 m.a.s.l., on December 14, 2006, by Karina Rodríguez (UCR 2761-003).