Cincelichthys, 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 : 223-224

Genus Cincelichthys gen. nov., McMahan and Piller 2015

( Fig. 11 )

Inclusive species. C. bocourti (type species by designation), C. pearsei

Diagnosis. Cincelichthys possess spatulate, chisel-like teeth, and species are deep-bodied and round or oval in overall body shape. Lateral markings appear along the body as wide, irregular bands dorsally to ventrally. Species possess solid black scales dispersed throughout the lateral sides of the body. White- or faint-colored spots are present on the medial and distal portions of the dorsal, caudal, and anal fins. Species possess a small mouth, with the lower jaw extending slightly beyond the upper jaw. The mouth is slightly upturned. A small black spot is present at the center and base of the caudal peduncle. The chisel-like teeth distinguish this genus from all others within the herichthyins except Kihnichthys , which also possesses chisel-like teeth, but exhibits a larger blotch filling the caudal peduncle, versus the small spot characteristic of Cincelichthys .

Distribution. Atlantic slope of Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala from the Río Grijalva-Usumacinta drainage to Lago Izabal (Río Dulce drainage basin).

Etymology. Gender masculine. “Cincel-“ is the Spanish word for chisel, in reference to the spatulate or chisellike teeth defining the genus. “-ichthys” is Greek for fish.

Comments. Previous molecular phylogenetic studies have recovered and recognized these two species as members of Theraps ( McMahan et al. 2010; López-Fernández et al. 2010). The phylogeny presented here corroborates that of Říčan et al. (2013). Sufficient morphological differences (dentition, markings, orientation of the lower jaw) exist to diagnose a new genus for these two species. Cincelichthys bocourti was initially described as a member Neetroplus ; however, this genus is a synonym of Hypsophrys , as the type species for Neetroplus is H. nematopus ( Chakrabarty and Sparks 2007) . Therefore, Neetroplus cannot be used for these species.

Material examined. C. bocourti ; MNHN 1894-0241 [n=1 (Holotype), Guatemala: Lago Izabal], LSUMZ 16455 [n=11, Guatemala: Lago Izabal], FMNH 100620 [n=1, Belize: Belize District]; C. pearsei ; FMNH 109053 [n=1, Guatemala: Río San Pedro], FMNH 109054 [n=3, Guatemala: Río San Pedro], FMNH 109055 [n=1, Guatemala: Río Usumacinta], UMMZ 144088 [n=10, Guatemala: Río San Pedro], LSUMZ 16227 [n=4, Guatemala: Río La Pasion], UMMZ 144088 [n=10, Guatemala: Río San Pedro].

Figures

FIGURE 11. Cincelichthys bocourti, LSUMZ 16455, 152.53 mm SL.