Cryptoheros myrnae ( Loiselle, 1997 )

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 : 44-45

Cryptoheros myrnae ( Loiselle, 1997)

Figures 5, 14

Archocentrus myrnae Loiselle, 1997: 3 (original description).

Cichlasoma septemfasciatum (part. et non Regan), Bussing 1987: 219.

Cryptoheros myrnae , Allgayer 2001: 16 ( new combination).

Holotype. AMNH 59079 , 81 mm SL, W. A. Bussing. Rio Cocolis, tributary of Rio Sixaola, 3.5 km SE of Shiroles , Limón, Atlantic Costa Rica.

Paratypes. AMNH 59080 (8), LACM 44988-2, 44989-2 (30); UCR 144-2 (10); UMMZ 217739 (20) (Fig. 14).

Diagnosis. No unique autapomorphies, but distinguished from other species of the subgenus Bussingius as follows: upper symphysial teeth usually abruptly larger than adjacent teeth (vs. not abruptly larger); gill rakers on first arch digitiform, blunt (vs. trapezoidal or bifid); a diffuse but complete longitudinal stripe, ending in a tenuous blotch on the caudal peduncle (vs. on the fin); lateral spot circular (vs. oval); predorsal scales modally 11 (vs. modally 12 or more).

Description. D. XVII-XVIII,9-11; A. VIII-IX,8-9. Gill rakers on lower limb of first arch modally 6; gill rakers digitiform. Scales strongly ctenoid. Predorsal scales modally 11; pored lateral-line scales modally 27 (not counting scales overlapping between the two segments of the lateral line); scales from lateral line to base of first dorsal-fin ray 1.5-2.5; circumpeduncular scales 16-18 (further meristic data appear in Table 3).

Largest specimen examined, 68 mm SL (maximum size 80 mm SL: Kullander 2003). The most slender species of Bussingius , depth 42-50% of SL; head length 33-37% of SL; orbital diameter 25-30% of SL (other morphometric data appear in Table 4). Head profile straight above orbits, convex on nape. Teeth not embedded; labiolingually compressed, the sides not concave. Upper symphysial teeth usually abruptly larger than adjacent teeth; lower symphysial teeth subequal to adjacent teeth. Lips medially narrow; lower lip slightly tapering or not, rather square at corner; often with fleshy hair-like protuberances on lower lip.

Pectoral and pelvic fins always reaching caudad beyond 3rd anal-fin spine. Filamentous rays of dorsal fin extending to mid-caudal fin. One or two pored scales of lateral line continuing onto caudal fin; usually no subsidiary scales present elsewhere between caudal-fin rays. Interradial scale rows on dorsal and anal fin imbricated(i.e. with supplementary scales), up to 6 scales long.

Gut simple, with secondary loops. Peritoneum heavily pigmented dorsoanteriorly. Genital papilla globose and distally pigmented in females, tip triangular and immaculate in males.

No interorbital bars, but snout darkened; suborbital streak, if visible, posteriorly sharp; opercular spot usually not distinct. Eyes metallic blue in life. Longitudinal stripe diffuse but complete, extending from orbit to caudal fin. Bars on side of body diffuse, sometimes absent or incomplete; 1st bar V-shaped with coalescent arms, like an inverted triangle, inclined on head; medial intensification of 3rd bar a circular spot. Bars not extending onto dorsal fin. Ocellus on dorsal fin of mature females starting on 8th or 9th spine and ending between 11th and 13th spine. Three hyaline rows of dots on soft dorsal fin, iridescent blue in life. About 6 rows of light spots on sides (golden in life in thoracic region), smaller than scales; breast and throat orange in life; a black triangular region ventral to pectoral fin in females. Axil of pectoral fin somewhat dark to black; base of pectoral fin whitish. Caudal blotch mainly on peduncle, situated across lateral line; coalescent with last bar and pointed ventrally.

Distribution. Atlantic Central America, from Río Guarumo, Panama, to Río Estrella, Costa Rica (Fig. 5).

Remarks. Cr. myrnae is replaced by Cr. septemfasciatus north of the Río Estrella ( Bussing 1998). Specimens of Cr. myrnae have, in the past, been used to demonstrate the supposed variability of Cr. septemfasciatus (Bussing 1978) .