Chiapaheros, 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 : 226

Chiapaheros gen. nov. McMahan and Piller 2015

( Fig. 14 and 15 )

Inclusive species. Chiapaheros grammodes (type by monotypy)

Diagnosis. Chiapaheros is diagnosed by the presence of thin dark lines (typically seven) running across the side (cheeks) of the head, in combination with an elongated predorsal profile and head. The presence of these lines along the head was one of the key diagnostic characters in the description of this species, and this character also works effectively to separate this genus from all other herichthyin (and heroin) genera. A relatively dorsoventrally oblong black spot is present at the base and center of the caudal peduncle. Chiapaheros is morphologically similar to the “guapotes” of the genera Parachromis and Petenia . In addition to the cephalic lines present in Chiapaheros , this genus can be differentiated from Parachromis and Petenia by the possession of a maxilla that does not extend to the anterior portion of the orbit.

Distribution. Atlantic slope of Mexico and western Guatemala in the Río Grijalva drainage.

Etymology. Gender masculine. The generic name is in recognition of Río Chiapa, the type locality of C. grammodes in Chiapas, Mexico. Additionally, this generic epithet appears to have been recorded in a GenBank submission by the late Gustavo Concheiro-Pérez, with sequence data corresponding to Concheiro-Pérez et al. (2006). This name is also in memory of Gustavo Concheiro-Pérez and his recognition of the distinctiveness of this species.

Comments. The sole member of this genus has been recovered in its own clade in every taxonomically wellsampled phylogeny of neotropical Cichlidae to date. The species was described as a member of Cichlasoma , and besides being regarded as belonging temporarily to ‘ Cichlasoma’ (incertae sedis), this species has never been placed in a separate genus.

Material examined. UMMZ 181815 [n=12 (Paratypes), Mexico: Río Grande de Chiapa], FMNH 93577 [n=9 (Paratypes), Mexico: Río Grijavla].

Figures

FIGURE 14. Chiapaheros grammodes, UMMZ 181815 (Paratype), 70.62 mm SL.

FIGURE 15. Close-up of the markings along the side of the head of C. grammodes, UMMZ 181815 (Paratype), 70.62 mm SL.