Autapomorphies of Thoracocharax stellatus:

1. Opening between orbitosphenoid and pterosphenoid (39): (1> 0) present, rounded or ovate, usually margined by frontal dorsally. Paralleled in nodes 205 and 302.

2. Ventral extent of third infraorbital (64): (0> 1) not reaching horizontal arm of preopercle, at least anteriorly. Paralleled in nodes 168 and 180.

3. Number of maxillary teeth (135): (0> 1) two or more.

4. Articulation between ventral margin of metapterygoid and posterodorsal margin of quadrate (155): (0> 1) present. Paralleled in nodes 176 and 299 and in Deuterodon langei, Heterocharax macrolepis, Pristella maxillaris, and Roeboides descalvadensis .

5. First basibranchial (182): (1> 0) absent or much reduced, not articulating anteriorly with basihyal. Paralleled in node 163.

6. Number of branchiostegal rays (213): (0> 1) five. Paralleled in Characidium borellii, Hoplias cf. malabaricus, Piaractus mesopotamicus, and Rhaphiodon vulpinus .

7. Number of dorsal pterygiophores (278): (0> 1) 12 or more. Paralleled in the Serrasalmidae and in Characidium rachovii, Distichodus maculatus, and Hoplias cf. malabaricus .

8. Number of branched anal-fin rays (289): (0> 1) 35 or more. Paralleled in nodes 207 and 212 and in Gymnocorymbus ternetzi, Metynnis maculatus, Piabucus melanostomus, Pseudocorynopoma doriae, Rhaphiodon vulpinus, and Stethaprion erythrops . Some trees: Paralleled in node 261 and in Markiana nigripinnis .

9. Scales covering anal-fin base (327): (0> 1) several rows covering basal third of anal fin. Paralleled in the Serrasalmidae, in nodes 210 and 221, and in Bario steindachneri, Markiana nigripinnis, Paragoniates alburnus, Rhaphiodon vulpinus, and Roeboides microlepis .

10. Ventral union of gill membranes (349): (0> 1) joined along length of isthmus but not attached to isthmus. Paralleled in the Iguanodectinae and in node 162.