Astyanax cocibolca, a new characid (Pisces: Ostariophysi) from Lake Nicaragua, Central America

Astyanax cocibolca, a small filter-feeding species is a new characid species endemic to Lake Nicaragua. It is distinguished from the syntopic Astyanax aeneus by its high gill raker count, slender body, upturned snout, long maxillary bones, conical outer premaxillary teeth, lower number of scales abo...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: William A Bussing
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Vicerractoría Investigación 2008-09-01
Series:Revista de Biología Tropical
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.scielo.sa.cr/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-77442008000300029
Description
Summary:Astyanax cocibolca, a small filter-feeding species is a new characid species endemic to Lake Nicaragua. It is distinguished from the syntopic Astyanax aeneus by its high gill raker count, slender body, upturned snout, long maxillary bones, conical outer premaxillary teeth, lower number of scales above lateral line, more intense black lateral band, smaller size, and trophic niche partitioning. At present the new species utilizes the open-water habitat at least as a nursery where young can feed on the rich plankton population. Adults feed on copepoda, cladocera, fruits, seeds and algae. The bulk of the adult population presumably resides inshore. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (3): 1361-1370. Epub 2008 September 30.<br>Se describe Astyanax cocibolca, una nueva especie pequeña y planctívora, endémica en el Lago de Nicaragua. Se distingue de la especie simpátrica Astyanax aeneus por su alto número de branquiespinas, cuerpo delgado, hocico inclinado hacia arriba, maxilar serrado en algunos, dientes unicúspides en la fila exterior del premaxilar, menor número de escamas arriba de la línea lateral, banda negra lateral más intensa y tamaño menor.
ISSN:0034-7744
2215-2075