Apistogramma ortegai, Britzke & Oliveira & Kullander, 2014

Britzke, Ricardo, Oliveira, Claudio & Kullander, Sven O., 2014, Apistogramma ortegai (Teleostei: Cichlidae), a new species of cichlid fish from the Ampyiacu River in the Peruvian Amazon basin, Zootaxa 3869 (4), pp. 409-419 : 410-415

Apistogramma ortegai , new species

( Figs. 1–8 )

Apistogramma sp. “Pebas” Koslowski, 2002: 90–91, fig.

Apistogramma sp. “Papagei” Koslowski, 2002: 90–91, fig.

Holotype. MUSM 48898 , 38.4 mm SL; Peru, Departamento Loreto, Distrito Pebas: small stream tributary of Ampiyacu River , 03°18'46.1''S, 71°50'58.4''W, 13 August 2011. C. Oliveira, M. Taylor, R. Britzke and J. Mori.

Paratypes. All from Peru, Departamento Loreto, vicinity of Pebas. Same date and collectors as holotype. LBP 12461, 14 (1 c&s), 18.3–44.1 mm SL. LBP 12444, 9 , 19.4–50.5 mm SL. NRM 66403, 10 , 19.0–42.0 mm SL. MUSM 48899 , 1 , 32 mm SL. LBP 12463, 8 , 22.8–45.2 mm SL. LBP 12455, 11 (5 c&s), 24.5–37.0 mm SL .

Diagnosis. A species of the Apistogramma regani species group, sharing exclusively with A. commbrae ( Regan, 1906) ; A. inconspicua Kullander, 1983 ; and A. linkei Koslowski, 1985 a tail spot (contiguous caudal spot to bar 7). Apistogramma ortegai differs from A. commbrae by absence of vertical stripes on caudal fin (vs. presence); from A. inconspicua by absence of vertical stripes on caudal fin (vs. presence) and by lateral band running into tail spot (vs. lateral band ending in bar 6); from A. linkei by absence of vertical stripes on caudal fin (vs. presence of two vertical stripes posteriorly) and by horizontal abdominal stripes (vs. vertical abdominal stripes). Distinguished from other species with similar general counts, body shape and similar basic melanic color pattern, with exception of the contiguous caudal spot to bar 7: from A. eunotus by predorsal scales 7–8 (vs. 9–12), prepelvic scales 6–8 (vs. 9–13) and presence of abdominal stripes (vs. absence); from A. cruzi by prepelvic scales 6–8 (vs. 9–13); from A. aguarico by dorsal-fin lappets short (vs. five first dorsal-fin lappets elongated).

Description. Morphometric and meristic data are presented in Table 1 . Body moderately deep, laterally compressed. Snout triangular in lateral view. Predorsal outline straight, in some adult males slightly elevated. Dorsal-fin base and prepelvic outline straight and gently curved. Dentary lateral line canal with 5 pores; anguloarticular canal with 2 pores; infraorbital canal with 4 pores ( Fig. 4 ). E1 row scales 21 (3), 22 (6), 23 (26). Tube-bearing scales in upper lateral line 7 (2), 8 (3), 10 (3), 11 (5), 12 (10), 13 (8), 14 (4). Pore-bearing scales in upper lateral line 1 (1), 2 (19), 3 (13), 4 (1). H1 row scales 6 (2), 7 (14), 8 (14), 9 (5). Tube-bearing scales in lower lateral line 3 (3), 4 (4), 5 (16), 6 (7), 7 (4). Pore-bearing scales in lower lateral line 1 (18), 2 (14), 3 (3). Predorsal scales 7–8. Prepelvic scales 6–8. Circumpeduncular scale rows 16. Dorsal-fin rays XV.6 (6), XV.7 (10), XVI.6 (11), XVI.7 (9). Anal-fin rays III.6 (29), III.7 (6). Pectoral fin rounded, pectoral-fin rays 12 (35). Pelvic fins with slightly extended tip extending beyond anal-fin origin. Dorsal fin relatively low, first spine half length of last spine, relative spine length increasing from first to third, lappets of first, second and third spines less than half length of respective spine, straight and gently curved. Dorsal spines sub-equal in length from the fourth to sixth or slowly increasing in length to last. In adult male much produced third to sixth lappets. Soft dorsal fin with bifurcate rays, posterior branch of second and anterior branch of third ray forming long filamentous tip reaching slightly beyond posterior margin of caudal fin. Gill rakers externally on first gill arch, 5 on lobe, 1 in angle, and 2 (5) on ceratobranchial. Vertebrae 13+11=24 (6).

Color in preserved specimens. Basic color of body light beige in both sexes. Head usually slightly darker than body. Lips in both sexes grey, more intense in males. Brown markings and light grey lines on cheek present in males fixed in ethanol, absent in specimens fixed in formalin. Reticulated pattern on scales above lateral band. Dark vertical bars most distinct above lateral band. Caudal spot confluent with lateral band, usually indistinctly in males. Tail spot formed by dark spot at middle part of Bar 7 contiguous with dark spot at base of caudal fin and in some specimens drop-shaped ( Fig. 6A, B ), in others component spots forming a double-spot ( Fig. 6C, D ). Lateral band originating in narrow postorbital stripe, about one scale deep, running on E1scale series, extending posteriorly into tail spot. Suborbital stripe reaching ventrally to lower margin of preopercle. Preorbital between the anterior orbital rim and the upper lip. Preorbital stripe between anterior orbital rim and upper lip. Distinct, moderately wide supraorbital stripe from orbit dorsad. Dorsal fin dusky with some light spots posteriorly on soft-rayed portion, not forming conspicuous terminal spot stripes; anal fin similar. Lappets of dorsal fin white. Membranes of two anterior dorsal-fin spines black, darker areas at bar origins basally between spines. Caudal fin dusky, vertical stripes absent. Pectoral fin transparent. Pelvic fin mainly hyaline, spine and interradial membranes of anterior soft rays light grey. Abdominal markings consisting of horizontal stripes between every scale row, most distinct in first and second horizontal row below lateral band, from pectoral axilla to bar 4, less distinct posteriorly; and in third and fourth scale series below lateral band. In adult females usually 2–6 dark spots, each contained in a vertical bar, in middle region of body.

Color in life. Males ( Fig. 5A ): Basic color of body iridescent blue with red marks associated with scales dorsal to lateral band. Lips grey or light blue. Cheek sky blue with red markings. Anterior vertical bars indistinct; bars distinct in posterior part of side. Bar 7 connected to caudal spot, extending to root of caudal peduncle, usually not distinct in males. Dorsal fin distal margin dark gray; conspicuous red and sky blue vertical stripes increasing in intensity caudad. Lappets of dorsal fin red and sky blue. Anal fin yellow and light blue. The first spine and membrane of anal fin black. Caudal fin orangeish yellow. Pectoral fin transparent. Pelvic fins light yellow, spine and membranes of first rays light grey. No distinct lateral band. Abdominal markings consisting of three horizontal stripes as in preserved specimens; most distinct in first and second horizontal row below lateral band, from pectoral axilla to bar 4, less distinct posteriorly and in third and fourth scale series below lateral band.

Females ( Fig. 5B ): Basic color of body yellow, markings black. Dorsal fin yellow with dark distal margin. First and second spines and membranes of dorsal fin black. Base of dorsal with fin dark areas corresponding to vertical bars 3, 4, 5 and 6, distinct dorsally. Bars 3, 4 and 5 distinct below lateral band. First spine and membrane of pelvic fin black, remainder of fin yellow. Pelvic fin with black margin. Caudal fin yellow. Adult females generally with 2–6 spots contained within vertical bars. Caudal spot approximately square, confluent with bar 7. Abdominal markings consisting of three dark horizontal stripes as in preserved specimens; most distinct in first and second horizontal row below lateral band, from pectoral axilla to bar 4, less distinct more posteriorly and in third and fourth scale series below lateral band. Reproductive females show black midventral stripe, starting at end of pelvic fins, continued to anal opening.

Etymology. The specific name is given for Professor Hernán Ortega Torres, ichthyologist at the Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru, in recognition of his life-long dedication and contribution to the study of the fishes of Peru.

Distribution and habitat. Apistogramma ortegai is known only from a small stream (quebrada) tributary to the Ampyiacu River in the municipality of Pebas. All specimens were collected along the margin, with most of its area within a dense, difficult to access forest ( Fig. 7 ). The stream had clear and acid water, pH 6.0, water temperature 26°C, and a depth of at most 50 cm. The bottom substrate was mainly comprised of sand and leaves, with some clay. Aquatic vegetation was not present. Species collected together with A. ortegai were A. bitaeniata , Bujurquina peregrinabunda , Crenicichla sp. , Cichlasoma amazonarum, Acestrocephalus sp., Astyanax bimaculatus, Characidium sp., Knodus sp. , Leporinus sp. aff. friderici, Moenkhausia margitae, Moenkhausia oligolepsis, Pyrrhulina semifasciata, Corydoras fowleri, Ituglanis sp., Rhamdia sp. , Gymnotus sp. , and Sternopygus macrurus .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Apistogramma ortegai, holotype, male, MUSM 48898, 38.4 mm SL, Peru, Departamento Loreto, Distrito Pebas, small stream tributary of Ampiyacu River.

FIGURE 2. Apistogramma ortegai, paratype, female, MUSM 48899, 32 mm SL, Peru, Departamento Loreto, Distrito Pebas, small stream tributary of Ampiyacu River.

FIGURE 3. Distribution of cephalic lateralis pores in head of Apistogramma ortegai.

FIGURE 4. Apistogramma ortegai. Lower pharyngeal tooth-plate in occlusal view and detail of the teeth.

FIGURE 5. Apistogramma ortegai, live coloration in male (A) and female (B), collected with holotype.

FIGURE 6. Variation in the shape of the caudal spot in Apistogramma ortegai. A. Male showing drop shape ("Pebas” form); B. Female showing drop shape ("Pebas” form); C. Male showing double-spot ("Papagey”; form) D. Female showing double-spot ("Papagey” form).

FIGURE 7. Type locality of Apistogramma ortegai. Peru, Departamento Loreto, Distrito Pebas, small stream tributary of Ampiyacu River.

FIGURE 8. Map showing the type locality of Apistogramma ortegai.