Tomocichla Regan 1908

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 : 229-230

Genus Tomocichla Regan 1908

( Fig. 18 )

Inclusive species. T. tuba (type species), T. asfraci

Diagnosis. Tomocichla is diagnosed by the presence of conical but compressed teeth in the anterior of the upper jaw, and strongly pronounced rounded posterior edges of the dorsal and anal fins. These species possess an overall elongate body, but the body and head depth are higher than that of most members of Theraps or Rheoheros . The number of anal-fin spines is four or five, and the mouth is subterminal with large lips. Pigmentation is largely dark in dorsal portions of the body and white, gray, or cream colored ventrally. Tomocichla is most similar to Paraneetroplus but does not possess the anterior-facing (horizontally-positioned anterior) dentary teeth present in Paraneetroplus .

Distribution. Atlantic slope of Middle America from the Río Escondido drainage in Nicaragua to the rivers of Bocas del Toro, Panama.

Comments. Tomocichla was initially considered part of the Regan’s Theraps section of Cichlasoma . Species of Tomocichla occur in fast-flowing rivers and is one of the few genera of herichthyin cichlids found outside of northern Middle America. Regan (1908) initially proposed Tomocichla based on the posterior placement of the pelvic fins. Bussing (1975) offers information on aspects of the taxonomy and biology of Tomocichla such as comparisons with similar species and morphological variation.

Material examined. T. tuba , FMNH 7734 [n=2, Costa Rica: Río Matina], LSUMZ 14684 [n=1, Costa Rica: Río Barranca], LSUMZ 14729 [n=1, Costa Rica: Río Sarapiquí].

Figures

FIGURE 18. Tomocichla tuba, FMNH 7734, 135 mm SL. Right side photographed as left side has been dissected away in this specimen.