Thorichthys Meek 1904

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 : 227-228

Genus Thorichthys Meek 1904

( Fig. 16 )

Inclusive species. T. ellioti (type species; synonym of T. maculipinnis ), T. affinis , T. aureus , T. callolepis , T. helleri , T. meeki , T. pasionis , T. socolofi .

Diagnosis. All species in the genus Thorichthys are relatively small cichlids with five mandibular pores along the dentary, with all other herichthyin genera possessing four mandibular pores. Species possess an elongate and moderately to strongly angular head profile with a small terminal mouth. Scales are not present on the base of the soft dorsal or anal fin. Pectoral fins are elongate, tapering posteriorly, typically to a moderately defined point (i.e., non-rounded edge) and extending to around one-fourth of the anal fin. The posterior edge of the dorsal and anal fins often have elongated tips.

Distribution. Atlantic slope of Middle America from Río Chachalacas area in Mexico, south to the Río Motagua drainage in Guatemala and Honduras.

Comments. The genus was first described by Meek (1904) but subsequently regarded as a subgenus of Cichlasoma . The genus is readily diagnosed; however, relationships among, and morphological variation within, species are problematic. Miller and Nelson (1961) gave nine characters to generally diagnose the genus, although it was then recognized as a species group within Cichlasoma . Thorichthys ellioti is currently regarded as a synonym of T. maculipinnis , and more work is needed to examine the validity of this species and its potential separation from T. maculipinnis .

Material examined. T. affinis ; LSUMZ 16248 [n=3, Guatemala: Lago Peten-Itza], LSUMZ 16376 [n=73, Gutemala: Laguna Sacnab, Lago Yaxhá]; T. aureus ; LSUMZ 16278 [n=5, Guatemala: El Paraiso], LSUMZ 16394 [n=6, Guatemala: Río Dulce], FMNH 82060 [n=6, Belize: Temash River]; T. maculipinnis ; FMNH 5533 [n=11, Guatemala: El Rancho]; T. helleri ; LSUMZ 16262 [n=4, Guatemala: Río La Pasion], LSUMZ 16476 [n=3, Guatemala: Las Pozas], FMNH 4615 [n=23, Mexico: Rio Otopa]; T. meeki ; LSUMZ 16346 [n=14, Guatemala: Río La Pasion], LSUMZ 16439 [n=2, Guatemala: Río Machaquilaito], FMNH 109029 [n=3, Guatemala: Peten]; T. pasionis ; LSUMZ 16261 [n=3, Guatemala: Río La Pasion], LSUMZ 16368 [n=8, Guatemala: Río La Pasion], FMNH 109052 [n=8, Guatemala: Río San Pedro].

Figures

FIGURE 16. Thorichthys ellioti, FMNH 4627 (Holotype), 103.18 mm SL.