Cryptoheros

Juan J. Schmitter-Soto, 2007, A systematic revision of the genus Archocentrus (Perciformes: Cichlidae), with the description of two new genera and six new species., Zootaxa 1603, pp. 1-78 : 9-10

Key to subgenera of genus Cryptoheros

16a(7b) Teeth truncate and labiolingually compressed, incisor-like ................................................................... ………………………………………..Subgenus Panamius (one species: Cryptoheros panamensis )

16b All teeth pointed ................................................................................................................................ 17

17a(16b) Lateral spot usually distinct (not distinct from lateral bar in C. sajica ); 1.5-2.5 scales between lateral line and first dorsal-fin ray; dorsal-fin interradial scale rows 2-7 scales long, distally in one row (sometimes with sporadic supplementary scales, but not distally); in females opening of genital papilla V-shaped at its rostral end ................................................ …...……...Subgenus Bussingius , 18

17b No well-defined lateral spot; scales between lateral line and first dorsal fin ray 2-3.5; dorsal-fin interradial scale rows 4-11 scales long, distally in two rows; opening of genital papilla not as above .................................................................................................................... Subgenus Cryptoheros , 22

Key to species of genus Cryptoheros (subgenus Bussingius )

18a(17a) Bars on side of body of uniform width (Fig. 16); no lateral spot discernible from third bar; no blotch on dorsal fin; caudal blotch tenuous or absent; A. VI -VIII ......................... Cryptoheros sajica

18b Bars on side of body, not uniform in width; lateral spot present; a black, ocellated blotch on spinous dorsal fin of mature females; caudal blotch usually present (at least tenuous); A. VIII -IX 19

19a(18b) Lateral spot circular (Fig. 14); caudal blotch tenuous; iris metallic blue in life; breast and throat orange in life; axil of pectoral fin somewhat dark to black; predorsal scales modally 11 ..................... ............................................................................................................ Cryptoheros myrnae

19b Lateral spot, if present, oval or squarish; caudal blotch tenuous or marked; iris not metallic blue in life; breast and throat not orange in life, axil of pectoral fin with same coloration as breast or somewhat darker; predorsal scales modally 12 or more ................................................................... 20

20a(19b) Breast, fins and throat greyish; no longitudinal stripe on side of body; dorsal-fin interradial scale rows not imbricated (i.e. with no supplementary scales); jaw teeth not oval in section; opercular spot indistinct (Fig. 12); anal creases 12-16 .......................................... Cryptoheros septemfasciatus

20b Breast, fins and throat yellow or yellowish; a longitudinal stripe from opercle to pectoral-fin origin; dorsal-fin interradial scale rows imbricated (i.e. with supplementary scales); jaw teeth oval in section, widest medially; opercular spot usually distinct; anal creases 10-14 ................................. 21

21a(20b) Breast, fins and throat only yellowish in life; bars on side of body indistinct (Fig. 13); body depth 45 -55% of SL................................................................................................ Cryptoheros altoflavus

21b Breast, fins and throat intensely yellow in life; bars on side of body intensified medially and dorsally, as series of spots (Fig. 15); body depth 44-50% of SL................... Cryptoheros nanoluteus

Key to species of genus Cryptoheros (subgenus Cryptoheros )

22a(17b) First bar on side of body divided, or at least dorsally expanded (Fig. 7); body deep, always greater than 45% of SL; bars on side of body of uniform intensity................................. Cryptoheros spilurus

22b First bar on side of body not divided, nor distinctly expanded dorsally; body deep or not; bars on sides of body alternating in intensity or not.......................................................................................23

23a(22b) Bars on side of body of alternating intensity, the second much lighter than the first and third (Fig. 11); body depth usually greater than 49% of SL, always greater than 44% of SL; spot on tail usually saddled (i.e., extending over top, but not under bottom, of caudal peduncle); lower gill-rakers on first arch modally 7; circumpeduncular scales modally 19; scales from lateral line to first dorsal fin ray modally 2.5-3.5; distance between origin of pectoral and first lateral line scale, usually 14-15% of SL...................................................................................................................... Cryptoheros cutteri

23b Bars on side of body of uniform intensity (Fig. 9); body depth usually less than 47% of SL; always less than 48% of SL; spot on tail usually not saddled (i.e., extending neither over top nor under bottom of caudal peduncle, or else extending both over top and under bottom of peduncle); lower gill-rakers on first arch modally 6; circumpeduncular scales modally 17; scales from lateral line to first dorsal fin ray modally 2-2.5; distance between origin of pectoral and first lateral line scale usually 12-13% of SL............................................................................... Cryptoheros chetumalensis