Redescription of Hyphessobrycon itaparicensis, a senior synonym of H. sergipanus (Characiformes: Characidae)

Hyphessobrycon itaparicensis was originally described from a small stream in the Itaparica coastal island, Bahia State, Brazil, and has been sampled in several coastal rivers draining Bahia and Sergipe States. Broad examination of type material and recently collected specimens resulted in the redescription provided herein. The presence of one humeral blotch, absence of pseudotympanum, and conservation aspects of H. itaparicensis are briefly discussed. Data obtained from the original description, paratypes and topotypes of H. sergipanus showed broad overlap with H. itaparicensis and absence of morphological diagnostic features supporting the recognition of H. sergipanus as a valid species. Thus, H. sergipanus is considered as junior synonym of H. itaparicensis. We emphasize the need of examining large population samples and type material of similar congeners to avoid improper propositions of new specific names.


Introduction
Hyphessobrycon itaparicensis Lima & Costa was described in 2001 based on specimens sampled in 1994 in a small stream in the Ilha de Itaparica, a continental island in the Baía de Todos os Santos', near Salvador, Bahia State, in northeastern Brazil (Lima, Costa, 2001).Until recently, the species was only known from its type locality, which is currently buried by a series of real estate enterprises performed in the last two decades.The first record of the species elsewhere its type locality was published by Burger et al. (2011), expanding its occurrence to small coastal drainages at southern portions of Itaparica island, reaching the proximities of Camamu municipality, in Bahia State.More recently, Brito et al. (2014) and Camelier, Zanata (2014) recorded H. itaparicensis further north, in rio Real (a coastal drainage on the border between Bahia and Sergipe States), and in rio Piauí and rio Sergipe (two coastal basins draining Sergipe State), indicating an apparently disjunct distribution.Posteriorly, Bragança et al. (2015) described H. ellisae, remarkably similar to H. itaparicensis from the rio Piauí (Brito et al., 2014).However, the combination Hyphessobrycon ellisae had already been used by Pearson (1924) for a species from the Amazon basin, and it was then replaced by H. sergipanus Bragança et al. (Bragança et al., 2016).

e170141[2]
The original description of Hyphessobrycon itaparicensis is based on a restricted population from the Ilha de Itaparica and does not encompass the intraspecific variation along its currently known distribution.The recently described H. sergipanus is remarkable similar to H. itaparicensis and its taxonomic validity doubtful.Aiming to clarify the taxonomic status of this Atlantic Forest fish species, a redescription of H. itaparicensis based on the examination of the type material and recently collected specimens along the Northeastern Mata Atlântica freshwater ecoregion is herein provided.

Material and Methods
Counts and measurements were taken according to Fink, Weitzman (1974) and Menezes, Weitzman (1990).In Tab. 1, standard length (SL) is expressed in mm and all other measurements are expressed as a percentage of SL, except subunits of the head that are expressed as percentages of the head length.Meristic data are given in the description, an asterisk indicates counts of the holotype, and the frequency of each count is given in parentheses.Counts of vertebrae, supraneurals, procurrent caudal-fin rays, branchiostegal rays, gill-rakers, and dentary teeth were taken only from cleared and stained specimens (c&s), prepared according to Taylor, Van Dyke (1985).In the number of vertebrae the Weberian apparatus was counted as four elements and the fused first preural and first ural centrum of the caudal region was counted as a single element.Precaudal vertebrae include the Weberian apparatus and the vertebrae associated with ribs or haemal arches without haemal spines.Caudal vertebrae are vertebra associated with haemal spines.Pattern of circuli and radii was examined on scales sampled from the region between the lateral line and the origin of the dorsal fin.Institutional abbreviations follow Fricke, Eschmeyer (2017), with inclusion the of the Coleção Ictiológica da Universidade Federal de Sergipe (CIUFS).Catalog numbers are followed by the total number of specimens in alcohol, number of specimens measured and counted in parentheses (when distinct), SL range of all specimens of the lot, and if any, the number of c&s specimens and their SL range and/ or the presence of samples of tissue from specimens directly preserved in alcohol for molecular studies (mol).Lots not used to obtain measurements and counts are indicated with an asterisk.
Diagnosis.Hyphessobrycon itaparicensis can be easily distinguished from most congeners, except the species of the "rosy tetra clade" sensu Weitzman, Palmer (1997)   Description.Morphometric data are summarized in Tab. 1. Body somewhat compressed and elongate.Greatest body depth at vertical through dorsal-fin origin or slightly ahead of this point.Dorsal profile of head somewhat convex from upper lip to vertical through anterior nostrils; straight to slightly convex above eye and somewhat concave from the vertical through posterior border of eye and to tip of supraoccipital spine.Dorsal profile of body somewhat convex from tip of occipital spine to dorsal-fin origin; straight to somewhat convex and posteroventrally slanted along dorsal-fin base; straight from end of dorsal-fin base to adipose fin and slightly concave along caudal peduncle.Head rounded anteriorly in lateral profile.Ventral profile of head and body convex from lower lip to pelvic-fin origin; straight from that point to anal-fin origin; straight and posterodorsally slanted along anal-fin base, and slightly concave along ventral profile of caudal peduncle.
Eyes relatively large compared with head length.Lower jaw slightly longer than upper jaw, mouth terminal.Posterior terminus of maxilla usually extending beyond vertical through anterior margin of orbit.Nostrils close to each other and separated by skin flap; anterior opening small, semicircular and with dermal flap; posterior one more than twice in size, elongate and without dermal flap.Nasal bone present.Frontals separated anteriorly, with wide fontanel; parietal fontanel large, extending from epiphyseal bar to supraoccipital spine, slightly narrowed anteriorly.Infraorbital series variable; usually six elements but only five elements are present in some specimens, possibly due to fusion of infraorbitals three with four (e.g., UFBA 7553, 27.4 mm SL).Third infraorbital largest and contacting laterosensory canal of preopercle ventrolaterally.Laterosensorial canal of first infraorbital absent; canal present and close to inner margin of orbital rim from second to fourth infraorbitals.Degree of development of the parietal branch of the supraorbital canal variable, reaching parietal bone (UFBA 7558), just reaching suture between frontal and parietal bones (CIUFS 426, 38.9 mm SL; UFBA 7553, 27.4 mm SL), or poorly developed, not reaching the suture between frontal and parietal bones (CIUFS 694, 21.9 mm SL; UFBA 7515, 19.0 mm SL).

Coloration in alcohol.
Overall ground color yellow to light brown (Fig. 1).Guanine restricted to part of infraorbitals, preopercle, and opercle in somewhat recently fixed specimens.Dorsal part of head with melanophores sparsely and evenly distributed, usually darker posterior to eyes.Melanophores sparsely distributed over maxilla and lateral portion of head, larger posterior to eyes.Opercle with sparse melanophores, usually more concentrated on its dorsal half.Ventral portion of head with a few scattered small melanophores, more concentrated on anteriormost portion.Dorsum and scales along lateral of body with sparse melanophores; middorsal series usually homogeneously darkened; two or three dorsalmost series of scales with clearer posterior border.Scales below it with melanophores homogeneously distributed.Abdominal region clear or with sparse tiny melanophores.Humeral region with a vertically-elongated faint humeral blotch, wider dorsally and tapering ventrally; widest portion located on second horizontal series above lateral line, reaching three or four scales horizontally.Humeral blotch preceded and followed by clear areas, although clear areas not completely devoid of melanophores; blotch formed by superficial melanophores.Some specimens, usually about 33.0 mm SL or larger, with concentration of melanophores posterior to the clear area on the rear of the humeral blotch, but not characterizing a well-defined second blotch (see item Discussion).Midlateral black narrow stripe along 6 e170141 [6] horizontal septum from vertical through dorsal-fin origin to caudal peduncle, more evident in the stretch posterior to the dorsal-fin origin, but falling short of the end of caudal peduncle; dark line or stripe formed by melanophores over skin and also embedded dark pigmentation; largest specimens (about 37.0 mm SL or larger) with longitudinal stripe slightly wider and less conspicuous.No distinct caudal-peduncle blotch or/and stripe.All fins slightly darkened; dorsal, caudal, and pectoral usually with tiny melanophores forming dark lines along borders of rays and sparse melanophores on interradial membranes.Anal fin similarly colored, but lacking dark lines on borders of rays; distal border of fin somewhat darker, more evident on anteriormost rays.Pelvic fin somewhat less colored, with melanophores usually restricted to distal portion of rays; some specimens with distal half of rays distinctly dark.Adipose fin mostly hyaline; some specimens with few scattered small melanophores at base of fin.Specimens sampled in black water streams usually with overall darker coloration of body and fins, rendering some patterns and blotches described above somewhat merged with ground coloration and inconspicuous.

Coloration in life.
Life color pattern is somewhat variable along distribution and apparently influenced by the physical characteristics of water body inhabited by each population (Fig. 3).Specimens from clear water rivers usually possess yellowish overall body coloration, including distinct yellow coloration of fins, maxillae, and dorsal half of head (Figs.3a, c-e).Additionally, a brown-reddish longitudinal stripe, from the rear of the humeral blotch or body midlength to the caudal peduncle is observed in some of those specimens (Fig. 3d).On the other hand, specimens from dark waters are more pigmented, with no humeral blotch or clear surrounding areas visible (Fig. 3b).These specimens are usually shiny silver, with large amount of guanine over scales on flank and dark longitudinal stripe, when visible.They possess yellow or orange chromatophores over scales on anterior half of body and strong yellow to orange fins.
Sexual dimorphism.Lima, Costa (2001: 235) mentioned "no hooks on fins" of H. itaparicensis.However, Brito et al. (2014) and Vieira et al. (2016) recently reported the presence of bony processes on anal and pelvic fins in H. itaparicensis specimens from rivers draining Sergipe State.Examination of paratypes of H. itaparicensis (MZUSP 57540, UFRJ 4843) and various recently sampled specimens also revealed well-developed bony processes on first to fourth branched anal-fin rays and on the anteriormost two or three branched pelvic-fin rays (Fig. 4).Anal-fin bifurcated bony processes are distributed from the last unbranched up to the eighth branched anal-fin rays, usually on distal half of rays, on the segment just before the bifurcation of rays and continuing on dorsal hemitrichium of each ray.Bony processes are concave, anterodorsally directed bilaterally, symmetric, larger around midlength of branched portion of rays (Fig. 4a), and usually more numerous in the third and fourth branched anal-fin rays, with up to 12 paired processes (UFBA 7558, 40.5 mm SL).Pelvic-fin rays have similar concave and anterodorsally directed bony processes on the first and second, rarely on third, branched rays of mature males (Fig. 4b; see also Brito et al. (2014: 1159, Fig. 5d).However, pelvic-fin bony processes are not bifurcate and are distributed on the border of three or four segments anterior to branching point or restricted to the dorsal hemitrichium.Bony processes decrease in size on distal portion of rays.Up to 15 bony processes were observed in the first and 13 processes on the second branched ray (UFBA 7558, 40.5 mm SL).In one paratype (MZUSP 57540, 25.4 mm SL), six processes were observed in each of the two first branched rays and in another paratype (UFRJ 4843, 32.0 mm SL), processes occur on three first branched rays.
Other sexually dimorphic traits observed in H. itaparicensis include interradial membrane on areas with bony processes on both fins tumescent, shape of the analfin profile distinct in males and females, and pelvic-fin length distinct in males and females.According to Brito et al. (2014: 1159, Figs. 5a-b) the anal-fin distal profile is almost straight in males vs. concave from fifth to tenth branched ray in females.Examination of mature males performed herein corroborates this information, although with some variation among populations examined.Brito et al. (2014) described the distal end of the pelvic fin surpassing the anal-fin origin in males but not reaching the anal fin in females.However, examination of paratypes (UFRJ 4843, 32.0) revealed pelvic fin of females reaching the anal-fin origin and non-type mature males with pelvic fin barely reaching anal-fin base (UFBA 7558, 40.5 mm SL).Males usually have tips of pelvic-fin rays reaching beyond the anal-fin origin and overlapping the base of the first branched fin rays, while in females the pelvic fin may reach the anal fin but does not reach the basal portion of the branched fin rays.The holotype is apparently a female, relatively large-sized, without bony processes on fin rays, with concave anal-fin profile, and pectoral-fin barely reaching pelvic-fin insertion.Distinct elongation of fins in males and sexually dimorphic coloration typical of various species of Hyphessobrycon were not observed in H. itaparicensis.Gill glands (Burns, Weitzman, 1996) were not found on first gill arch of neither sex.

Geographic distribution. Hyphessobrycon itaparicensis occurs in small coastal Brazilian rivers in the Northeastern
Mata Atlântica freshwater ecoregion (NMAF), from streams around Camamu municipality, Bahia State in its southernmost distribution, to tributaries of rio Sergipe in Areia Branca municipality, Sergipe State, up north (Fig. 5).The known distribution of this species is restricted to a group of basins proposed by Camelier, Zanata (2014), the 'Group North', which includes drainages situated in the northernmost portion of the NMAF ecoregion.m deep) below a small waterfall in Ilha de Itaparica, located about 200 m from the sea, although without tidal influence (Lima, Costa, 2001), in Barra do Gil, municipality of Vera Cruz (C.Sampaio, person.comun.), on the eastern portion of the island.According to the original description, no syntopic fish species was found on that occasion.Sampling efforts performed since 2004 in rivers draining Bahia and Sergipe States revealed the occurrence of the species in several small slow water coastal streams, exclusively in remnants of Atlantic Forest.According to Brito et al. (2014: see fig.3), in the lower portion of Piauí and Sergipe river basins, the species inhabits small and shallow streams, with variable substrate, lentic areas alternating with lotic stretches, and acid blackwaters with pH 5.3-5.7.In the present study, the species was sampled in clear (Fig. 6a) and blackwater streams (Fig. 6b), although predominantly in the former.The locations sampled are mainly sandy or muddy bottomed, usually with organic debris, up to 2 m deep and 10 m wide.They are surrounded mainly by shrubs and trees, with grass and palm trees (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) dominant in certain locations.Aquatic plants (e.g., Juncus sp., Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott, Nymphaea sp.) are common where H. itaparicensis occurs.At Ilha de Itaparica, it was sampled in small lentic streams and pounds of blackwater, with temperature around of 26°C and pH 5.5.According to Brito et al. (2014), the species occurs in groups of 10-15 individuals in calm water and close to surface vegetation where they forage.Gut contents analysis provided by these authors revealed fragments of Arthropoda (Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Acari) and algae (Desmidiaceae).In addition, the analysis of stomach contents of two specimens of H. itaparicensis (UFBA 7515) also revealed the presence of organic debris, insect larvae, fragments of adults of terrestrial insects (Hymenoptera: Formicidae and other unidentified orders) and of other unidentified arthropods.
Among congeners, only H. parvellus Ellis occurs in sympatry with H. itaparicensis, and this co-occurrence is restricted to a few small basins on northernmost portion of the species distribution (rio Marcanaí, rio Sauípe, rio Real, and rio Sergipe).According to Brito et al. (2014)  itaparicensis occurs exclusively in small coastal streams draining remnants of Atlantic Forest, a highly threatened biome and one of the two Brazilian hotspots (Myers et al., 2000;Tabarelli et al., 2005).The type locality of the species, a small island stream in the Ilha de Itaparica, has been destroyed by a series of real estate enterprises performed in the last two decades, but the species still occurs in small pools in the island.We herein define a somewhat continuous distribution of H. itaparicensis, from coastal rivers around the rio the Contas, in the proximities of Camamu municipality (Bahia State) to rio Sergipe (Sergipe State), with exception of areas around Salvador and adjacent urban concentrations.As the species is abundant in streams to the south and to the north of Salvador, in dark acidic water streams surrounded at some degree by the remnants of the Atlantic Forest, we suggest that the distribution gap is due to intense urban occupation.The species is apparently dependent of the marginal vegetation, which provides shady water areas for successful protection and reproduction, and input of allochthonous food, especially small insects.Given that, deforestation apparently severely affects the occurrence of H. itaparicensis.Hyphessobrycon itaparicensis was registered in five conservation units, one of integral protection, the Itabaiana National Park at its northernmost record, and four of sustainable use, Baía de Todos os Santos Environmental Protection Area (EPA), including the type locality, Caminhos Ecológicos da Boa Esperança EPA, Pratigi EPA and Baía de Camamu EPA, mainly in its southern distribution (Fig. 5).According to Brito et al. (2014), the areas of occurrence in Sergipe State are subjected to several anthropic impacts such as removal of native vegetation for planting of pasture and crops, elimination of wetlands, shrimp farming, sand extraction, and unplanned state development, a similar situation throughout the species distribution.Due to intense anthropic pressure on the streams of the Northeastern Mata Atlântica ecoregion, it is possible that important areas for the survival of the species will disappear and additional evolutionary and ecological studies should be conducted in order to better understand its biological aspects.

Discussion
Reexamination of the type material and specimens from extensive samples throughout the distribution of Hyphessobrycon itaparicensis revealed broad intraspecific variation in some characters and a few inconsistencies with information of the original description of the species.According to the original description, H. itaparicensis possesses seven longitudinal series of scales above lateral line and five below (see Lima, Costa, 2001: 235).However, the present analysis revealed six longitudinal series above (rarely seven) and six below the lateral line.Furthermore, H. itaparicensis was described as having 3-5 maxillary teeth (Lima, Costa, 2001: 235), but a range of 3-11 maxillary teeth occurs in the species, with majority of specimens having 4-6 teeth (67 of 97 specimens examined).Although with a gradual distribution of counts and broad overlap, a tendency of having lower number of teeth (3-5) in the southern portion of the species distribution, and, in opposition, an increase in the number of maxillary teeth to the north (6-11) is clear.
The presence of two faint humeral botches was described as diagnostic to Hyphessobrycon itaparicensis (Lima, Costa, 2001: 235).Examination of a large number of specimens revealed that presence of melanophores concentrated posteriorly to the humeral blotch is intraspecifically variable in the species (Figs. 1,3).Usually, a clear area on the rear of the humeral blotch is followed by a weak concentration of melanophores, with poorly defined posterior limits and not characterizing a distinct second humeral blotch (Figs. 1,3c,e).However, some specimens possess a somewhat more defined concentration of melanophores, resembling a second poorly defined humeral blotch (Figs. 3a,b), and in others the concentration of melanophores is continuous with an also usually faint longitudinal stripe (Fig. 3d).Definition of a second humeral blotch have been discussed in the literature and cases somewhat similar to that of H. itaparicensis are treated as a "(…) pigmented area progressively fading posteriorly as a longitudinal stripe" (e.g., Marinho, Birindelli, 2013;Marinho, Ohara, 2013;Marinho et al., 2015) rather than as a second humeral blotch.Particularly to members of Hyphessobrycon, Teixeira et al. (2016) recognized the second humeral blotch as present only when it has well-defined anterior and posterior limits, as seen, for example, in H. bifasciatus, H. flammeus, and H. griemi.Thus, following the proposition of Teixeira et al. (2016), H. itaparicensis possesses a unique well defined humeral blotch.Examination of the type material revealed a faded coloration of the holotype with no humeral blotch visible at all (Fig. 1b).Among paratype specimens one humeral blotch is represented by a few remnant melanophores, with no posterior concentration of dark chromatophores.
Presence of a horizontal dark brownish crimson stripe on the posterior half of body side, when alive, was defined by Lima, Costa (2001: 235) as a diagnostic feature to H. itaparicensis.However, high variation on this character was observed throughout the populations examined.In fact, the presence of a reddish stripe is not common to the species and depends on the developmental stage and physical characteristics of the water.Relatively large specimens (around 40.0 mm SL) living in clear water streams may possess a reddish longitudinal stripe, along with a pale yellow coloration on body and fins.On the other hand, specimens from black and acid waters are overall darker, without longitudinal stripe and humeral blotch easily distinguishable.Furthermore, ontogenetic variation in body coloration apparently occurs, with darker and narrower midline stripe more conspicuous in specimens up to 37.0 mm SL (see item Sexual dimorphism) and stripe less evident in larger specimens.
Presence of a hiatus in the musculature covering anterior portion of the swimbladder, characterizing a pseudotympanum or just reduction of the musculature without hiatus, was previously discussed for a series of species of Hyphessobrycon, including H. brumado Zanata & Camelier, H. negodagua Lima & Gerhard, and H. parvellus (Lima, Gerhard, 2001;Zanata, Camelier, 2010;Dagosta et al., 2014).Hyphessobrycon itaparicensis has a musculature reduction in the humeral region, with a thin layer of muscles in the area between the first and second pleural ribs.The condition of H. itaparicensis is not considered a "pseudotympanum", since there is no muscle hiatus (see Malabarba, 1998: 200).Among congeners, H. brumado, H. negodagua, H. parvellus, and H. vinaceus Bertaco, Malabarba & Dergam have similar condition, with musculature reduced to a thin layer, somewhat less reduced in H. vinaceus.A distinct "pesudotympanum", with a muscular hiatus and partial exposition of the first and second pleural ribs was observed only in H. micropterus.
Hyphessobrycon sergipanus as new synonym.Bragança et al. (2015) described Hyphessobrycon ellisae, currently named as H. sergipanus (Bragança et al., 2016), based on 24 small specimens (9.5-21.0mm SL) from a unique stream 10 e170141 [10] affluent of the rio Piauí, one of the drainages previously cited by Brito et al. (2014) to harbor H. itaparicensis.According to the original description, H. sergipanus distinguishes from H. itaparicensis by only three characters: outer premaxillary teeth always unicuspid (vs.tricuspid), anteriormost four dentary teeth with three cusps (vs.five cusps), and presence of bony processes on pelvic-fin rays of mature males (vs.absence) (Bragança et al., 2015: 257, 258, and 260).The detailed comparison between the two species performed herein fails to demonstrate morphological differences between them.In the description of H. sergipanus, Bragança et al. (2015: 258) mentioned 2-3 exclusively unicuspid teeth in the outer premaxillary row.However, examination of 10 paratypes (UFRJ 5280, 13.5-21.0mm SL) and two c&s topotypes of H. sergipanus (CIUFS 694, revealed frequent occurrence of tricuspid premaxillary outer teeth instead of unicuspid.Thus, the presence of tricuspid teeth in H. sergipanus is compatible with the condition described for H. itaparicensis and does not represent a diagnostic character.The second proposed diagnostic feature of H. sergipanus is the presence of three cusps on the largest dentary teeth instead of five cusps as H. itaparicensis.As noted above, the description of H. sergipanus was based in small specimens.Examination performed herein of similar sized specimens throughout the distribution of H. itaparicensis (e.g., UFBA 7553,UFBA 7558,19.8 mm SL), revealed that dentary teeth composed either of uni-or tricuspid teeth are common conditions of small specimens of H. itaparicensis.
The information given by Bragança et al. (2015: 258) on the presence of bony processes on pelvic-fin rays of H. sergipanus and absence in H. itaparicensis, was apparently based solely in data of the original description of H. itaparicensis, which should be viewed with caution.Presence of bony processes on anal and pelvic fins of H. itaparicensis was recently described by Brito et al. (2014) in specimens from rivers draining Sergipe State, a condition confirmed in the present study and expanded for specimens throughout the distribution of H. itaparicensis.Thus, presence or absence of bony processes on the pelvic fin seems not useful to distinguish H. sergipanus and H. itaparicensis.
Therefore, as discussed above, it is clear that H. sergipanus cannot be unequivocally distinguished from H. itaparicensis.Thus, H. sergipanus is herein considered as junior synonym of H. itaparicensis.We strongly reiterate the proposition of Menezes et al. (2015) and Marinho et al. (2015) to examine large population samples of various sites, whenever possible.
Congeners in Northeastern Brazil.Twelve species of Hyphessobrycon are recorded in rivers draining northeastern Brazil, distributed between Bahia and Ceará States.Along with H. itaparicensis, four congeners were described from rivers draining Bahia: H. brumado from the upper rio de Contas basin, H. negodagua from the rio Paraguaçu, H. parvellus from the rio Catu and rio Itapicuru, and H. vinaceus from the rio Pardo basin.As previously stated, only H. parvellus occurs in sympatry with H. itaparicensis, in a few small basins on the northernmost portions of the species distribution (rio Sauípe, rio Real, and rio Sergipe) (Brito et al., 2014).Along with the distinctive body coloration, H. itaparicensis is easily distinguished from these congeners by having a humeral blotch (vs. absent in H. brumado, H. negodagua, and H. parvellus), absence of sexually dimorphic coloration (vs. present in H. brumado, H. negodagua, and H. parvellus), and higher number of maxillary teeth (3-11 vs. 0-3 in H. brumado, H. negodagua, and H. parvellus).Hyphessobrycon itaparicensis differs from H. vinaceus by having 5-8 perforated scales on lateral line (vs.10-26), and absence of dark stripe on caudal peduncle and median caudal-fin rays (vs.presence).

Fig. 2 .
Fig. 2. Medial view of left side of upper and lower jaws of Hyphessobrycon itaparicensis, UFBA 7515, male, 27.5 mm SL, Brazil, Bahia, Ilha de Itaparica.Scale bar = 0.5 mm.Scales cycloid, circuli absent on exposed area of scales, with several parallel radii extending to posterior margin of scale.Lateral line incomplete; with five (3), six* (38), seven (42), or eight (10) pored scales; longitudinal scales series including pored scales 32(1), 33(10), 34(22), 35(19), or 36(3).Some scales lost in the holotype.Horizontal scale rows between dorsal-fin origin and pelvic-fin insertion 12*(14) or 13(78), commonly six above and six below lateral line, and more rarely seven above and six below.Scales along middorsal line between tip of supraoccipital process and origin of dorsal fin 10*(36), 11(35), or 12(9).Horizontal scale rows around caudal peduncle 13*(5) or 14(53).Base of anteriormost anal-fin rays covered by a series of three to five scales.Caudal fin with scales restricted to the base of rays.Muscular reduction at vertical through anterior portion of the swimbladder; swimbladder not completely exposed but covered by a thin layer of musculature; muscular reduction between first and second pleural ribs, visible or not by transparency through the body wall as a deep dark area under the humeral blotch.

Fig. 5 .
Fig. 5. Distribution map of Hyphessobrycon itaparicensis.White and red stars represent the type localities of H. itaparicensis and H. sergipanus, respectively.Some circles indicate more than one sampling site.Names of the main drainages of the Northeastern Mata Atlântica ecoregion are given.Numbers refer to conservation units (1) Itabaiana National Park, (2) Baía de Todos os Santos Environmental Protection Area (EPA), (3) Caminhos Ecológicos da Boa Esperança EPA, (4) Pratigi EPA and (5) Baía de Camamu EPA.Ecological notes.Hyphessobrycon itaparicensis was first sampled in a small clear water stream (about 4 m wide and 1 Popular name.Piaba.Conservation status.Hyphessobrycon itaparicensis was defined as 'Least Concern' (LC) in the Brazilian redlist (ICMBio, 2014).As given in the item Ecological Notes, H.
presence of humeral blotch(vs.absence in H. eilyos, H.  gracilior, and H. scutulatus), caudal fin hyaline (vs.caudal fin with black median stripe in H. weitzmanorum), 32-36 longitudinal scales series and vertically elongated humeral blotch (vs.29-31 longitudinal scales series and rounded humeral blotch in H. taguae), and maxillary teeth tricuspid (vs.pentacuspid teeth in H. panamensis).When alive, H. itaparicensis can be diagnosed from most congeners by usually having yellowish body and fins, allied to a dark brown or reddish midlateral stripe extending from dorsalfin base to caudal peduncle.

Tab. 1. Morphometric
data of Hyphessobrycon itaparicensis (n =108), including holotype, 16 paratypes, and 91 non-type specimens; and H. sergipanus (n=11), including holotype (obtained fromBragança et al., 2015)and 10 examined paratypes.Ranges of H. sergipanus do not include holotype.SD = standard deviation.Asterisk in percents of head length of H. sergipanus indicates the exact numbers given in the original description, with possible erroneous measurement of the upper jaw length.
remaining northeastern congeners are somewhat more widespread or occur only outside of Bahia State: Hyphessobrycon bifasciatus may represent a species complex and occurs in various eastern Brazilian rivers including southern Bahia State, H. diastatos Dagosta et al. from the rio São Francisco and upper-middle rio Tocantins, H. iheringi Fowler, H. latus Fowler (species inquirenda), and H. piabinhas Fowler are known from Fortaleza, Ceará State, and H. micropterus and H. santae (Eigenmann) from the rio São Francisco basin.Hyphessobrycon itaparicensis further differs from these congeners by the absence of caudal blotch