The genus Triportheus Cope, 1872 is revised and a total of 16 species (including 3 new species) are recognized from most of the major river drainages of South America. Triportheus magdalenae (Steindachner, 1878) is the sole species occurring west of the Andean Cordilleras. Triportheus paranensis (Günther, 1874) is considered a junior synonym of Triportheus nematurus (Kner, 1858) and a new Triportheus species is described for the río Paraguay basin. Chalcinus rotundatus iquitensis Nakashima, 1941 and Chalcinus elongatus iquitensis Nakashima, 1941 are placed into the synonymy of Triportheus albus Cope, 1872 and T. culter (Cope, 1872) respectively. The name Salmo clupeoides employed by Natterer (in Kner, 1860) is considered a nomen nudum. Neotypes are designated for Chalceus angulatus Spix & Agassiz, 1829, Chalceus rotundatus Jardine in Schomburgk, 1841 and Chalcinus auritus Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1850. Lectotypes are designated for Chalcinus brachipomus Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1850 and Chalcinus nematurus. Identification keys are provided for the Triportheus species in the major drainage basins of South America.
Characid; taxonomy; South America; fishes
