Rheoheros, Mcmahan, Caleb D., Matamoros, Wilfredo A., Piller, Kyle R. & Chakrabarty, Prosanta, 2015

Mcmahan, Caleb D., Matamoros, Wilfredo A., Piller, Kyle R. & Chakrabarty, Prosanta, 2015, Taxonomy and systematics of the herichthyins (Cichlidae: Tribe Heroini), with the description of eight new Middle American Genera, Zootaxa 3999 (2), pp. 211-234 : 224

Genus Rheoheros gen. nov. McMahan and Matamoros 2015

( Fig. 12 )

Inclusive species. R. lentiginosus (type species by designation), R. coeruleus

Diagnosis. Rheoheros gen. nov. is diagnosed by possessing the combination of an elongate body shape and a unique pattern of dark blotches and/or bars down the body. Markings extending from the first (dorsal-most) blotch often transverse the head anterior to the dorsal fin. Blotch and bar markings are always present at and dorsal to the middle of the body, but not ventral. The genus is most similar to Paraneetroplus ; however, the freckled appearance in species of Rheoheros is absent in Paraneetroplus . Additionally, Paraneetroplus possesses a much deeper skull (i.e., head depth) than Rheoheros .

Distribution. Atlantic slope of Mexico and Guatemala in the Río Grijalva-Usumacinta system.

Etymology. Gender masculine. “Rheo” is from a form of the Greek verb “to flow” in reference to the preferred habitat of species in this genus. “-heros” is in reference to the generic name formerly used for many neotropical cichlid species.

Comments. Rheoheros coeruleus was included in the analysis of Říčan et al. (2013) with no voucher specimen reported, and there appear to be few lots of specimens for this species in collections (beyond the type series) as we are aware. Miller et al. (2005) considered R. coeruleus to be a synonym of R. lentiginosus , but provided no evidence for this assertion. Additional material of this species for comparative examination is certainly needed.

Material examined. R. lentiginosus , LSUMZ 16436 [n=6, Guatemala: Río Machaquilaito], FMNH 109002 [n=29, Guatemala: Río San Pedro], FMNH 109001 [n=38, Guatemala: Río San Pedro].

Figures

FIGURE 12. Rheoheros lentiginosus, FMNH 109002, 95.52 mm SL.