Rhabdalestes, AND

Zanata, Angela M. & Vari, Richard P., 2005, The family Alestidae (Ostariophysi, Characiformes): a phylogenetic analysis of a trans-Atlantic clade, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 145 (1), pp. 1-144 : 107-108

RHABDALESTES AND VIRILIA )

Two major clades are defined within clade 22 on the basis of a series of derived features. The first clade consists of Hemmigrammopetersius , Micralestes , Rhabdalestes and Virilia (clade 23) and the second consists of 10 genera (see clade 31). Hemmigrammopetersius , Micralestes , Rhabdalestes and Virilia form a monophyletic group, clade 23, defined by the following synapomorphies:

165. Supraorbital absent (char. 2, 0> 1). Reversed in Rhabdalestes septentrionalis and character occurs independently in the clade formed by Ladigesia and Lepidarchus .

166. Deep-lying midlateral stripe extending along body onto caudal peduncle present (char. 173, 0> 1). Also independently acquired in Bryconaethiops microstoma , the clade formed by Chalceus epakros and C. guaporensis and clade 15 with a reversal in clade 16.

167. Band of dark chromatophores above anal fin present (char. 174, 0> 1). Also independently acquired in Ladigesia .

The following character is ambiguously optimized for this clade:

168. Connection between sensory canal in sixth infraorbital and laterosensory canals on neurocranium through anteriorly located pore located in frontal (char. 154, 0> 1). Either derived at this level, with secondary loss independently in Micralestes elongatus and clade 26 and with independent acquisition in Alestes and Hydrocynus forskahlii , or independently acquired in clade 24, M. lualabae , Micralestes sp. , Alestes and H. forskahlii .

Within clade 23 we have a multitomy formed of Micralestes sp. , clades 24, 25 and 26, with the lack of resolution among these clades involving the examined species of Micralestes . Micralestes sp. , a sample that could not be unequivocally assigned to presently recognized species of the genus, is defined by a single autapomorphy:

O 1. Tooth of inner dentary tooth row, when present, large and extending to approximately same height as, or higher than, dorsal limit of symphyseal tooth of outer dentary tooth row (char. 89, 1> 0).