Cyphocharax helleri (Steindachner 1910)

Usually occurs over sand or mud, in areas with slow moving current. Feeds on detritus (Ref. 12225).

Cyphocharax helleri (Steindachner)

Curimatus spilurus.—Günther, 1864:288 [Essequibo (= Essequibo River, Guyana); in part, deep-bodied syntype herein designated as paralectotype of Curimatus spilurus; see “Remarks” under that species].

Curimatus helleri Steindachner, 1910:266 [type-locality: Surinam: upper Surinam River].—Fernández-Yépez, 1948:73 [reference].—Vari, 1989a, tables 2, 3 [assignment to Cyphocharax].

Curimatus Vandeli Puyo, 1943:145, fig. 3 [type-locality: French Guiana: small creek in region of upper Marouni (River)].—Vari, 1989a, tables 2, 3 [assignment to Cyphocharax]. [New synonymy.]

Curimatus vandeli.—Puyo, 1949:120, fig. 61 [based on Puyo, 1943; French Guiana: small creek in region of upper Marouni (River)].

Curimatus (Hemicurimata) esperanzae pijperzi Géry, 1965:123, pl. 2, fig. 18 [type-locality: Surinam: Sipaliwini River Basin, Paru Savannah, “Vier Gebroeders Creek”].—Vari, 1989a, tables 2, 3 [assignment to Cyphocharax]. [New synonymy.]

Curimata helleri.—Fowler, 1975:369 [reference].—Boujard et al., 1990:178 [French Guiana: Arataye River].—Géry and Planquette, 1982:68 [French Guiana: Maroni basin, Crique Balaté (5°28′30″N, 54°2′30″W) and Saut Gostou, near Langa Tabiki; Curimatus Vandeli Puyo indicated as a possible synonym].

Curimata vandeli.—Fowler, 1975:370 [reference].

DIAGNOSIS.—Other than for Cyphocharax helleri, only two other species of Cyphocharax, C. pantostictos and C. multilineatus, have dark pigmentation on the body arranged in multiple discrete longitudinal rows. The pattern in C. helleri differs from that in C. pantostictos in forming irregular stripes along the junctions of horizontal scale rows, whereas in C. pantostictos the pigmentation consists of dark spots over the centers of the exposed surfaces of the scales on the lateral and dorsolateral surfaces of the body. Cyphocharax pantostictos also lacks the large, dark spot on the caudal peduncle of C. helleri. The species further differ in relative eye size (0.32–0.38 in C. helleri versus 0.27–0.32 in C. pantostictos) and relative length of the postorbital portion of the head (0.36–0.42 versus 0.42–0.46). Cyphocharax helleri lacks the distinct midlateral stripe on the caudal peduncle that characterizes C. multilineatus, having rather a large rotund spot of dark pigmentation on the posterior portion of the caudal peduncle and basal portion of the middle rays of the caudal fin. The species also differ in relative body depth (0.38–0.45 of SL in C. helleri versus 0.31–0.36 in C. multilineatus).

Within its known range Cyphocharax helleri is most similar in overall appearance, meristics, and morphometrics to C. microcephalus and C. gouldingi; species sympatric with C. helleri in portions of its distribution. Cyphocharax helleri has a pattern of distinct dark irregular longitudinal stripes on the lateral and dorsolateral surfaces of the body, pigmentation lacking in the two other species. Although some individuals of C. microcephalus have faint longitudinal stripes along the body (Figure 36) that pigmentation differs from the condition in C. helleri both in intensity and form of the stripes. The presence of a spot of dark pigmentation on the midlateral surface of the caudal peduncle in C. helleri further separates that species from. C. microcephalus in which such pigmentation is absent. Cyphocharax helleri is further distinguished from C. microcephalus in the relative length of the postorbital portion of the head (0.36–0.42 of HL versus 0.42–0.47 of HL, respectively) and less distinctly in the relative depth of the caudal peduncle (0.12–1.14 of SL versus 0.14–0.16 of SL respectively).

DESCRIPTION.—Body moderately elongate, deeper in ripe females, somewhat compressed laterally. Dorsal profile of head convex from tip of snout to vertical line through posterior nostril, straight from that line to tip of supraoccipital spine. Dorsal profile of body smoothly convex from tip of supraoccipital spine to origin of dorsal fin, more so in deeper bodied individuals; straight and posteroventrally slanted at base of dorsal fin, straight from base of last dorsal-fin ray to caudal peduncle. Dorsal surface of body with obtuse median keel extending from rear of supraoccipital spine to anterior of dorsal fin, smoothly rounded transversely posterior to fin. Ventral profile of body curved from tip of lower jaw to caudal peduncle, more convex in ripe females. Prepelvic region obtusely flattened, with median series of scales; scales in that series approximately of same size as those on proximate ventrolateral portions of body. Obtuse median keel present posterior to pelvic-fin insertion. Secondary obtuse keel on each side of postpelvic portion of body one scale dorsal of ventral midline.

(Note: values in square brackets are those for syntypes of Curimatus helleri presented in the original description of the species (Steindachner, 1910:266); see also discussion under “Remarks” below.) Greatest body depth at origin of dorsal fin, depth 0.38–0.45 [0.35–0.39]; snout tip to origin of dorsal fin 0.48–0.53; snout tip to origin of anal fin 0.81–0.86; snout tip to insertion of pelvic fin 0.54–0.59; snout tip to anus 0.77–0.82; origin of dorsal fin to hypural joint 0.55–0.61. Dorsal-fin margin slightly rounded distally; last unbranched and first branched rays two and one-half to three and one-half times length of ultimate ray. Pectoral fin pointed in profile distally; length of pectoral fin 0.20–0.25, extends three-quarters or slightly more of distance to vertical line through insertion of pelvic fin. Pelvic fin obtusely pointed in profile distally, length of pelvic fin 0.21–0.25, reaches one-half to three-quarters of distance to origin of anal fin. Caudal fin forked. Adipose fin well developed. Anal fin emarginate, anteriormost branched rays two and one-quarter to two and three-quarters times length of ultimate ray. Least depth of caudal peduncle 0.12–0.14.

Snout rounded, overall head profile pointed, head length 0.27–0.32 [0.29]; upper jaw slightly longer than lower, mouth barely subterminal; snout length 0.28–0.34; nostrils of each side very close, anterior circular, posterior crescent-shaped with aperture closed by thin flap of skin separating nares; orbital diameter 0.32–0.38; adipose eyelid present, more developed anteriorly, with broad, vertically ovoid opening over center of eye; length of postorbital portion of head 0.36–0.42; gape width 0.22–0.28; interorbital width 0.43–0.47.

Pored lateral-line scales from supracleithrum to hypural joint 29 to 34 [31–32]; all scales of lateral line pored in specimens over 30 mm SL, individuals below that length with posterior portion of lateral line incompletely pored to varying degrees (see also discussion under “Remarks” below); canals in scales straight; 3 to 5 series of pored scales extend beyond hypural joint onto caudal-fin base in specimens over 40 mm SL; 4 to 6 (4 rare) [4 ] scales in transverse series from origin of dorsal fin to lateral line; 4 or 5 [5] scales in transverse series from lateral line to origin of anal fin.

Dorsal-fin rays ii,8 or 9, or iii,9 (ii,8 rare; when three unbranched rays present, first very short) [11 dorsal-fin rays reported by Steindachner, presumably ii,9]; anal-fin rays ii,7 or 8, or iii,7 (ii,8 rare; when three unbranched rays present, first very short) [9 anal-fin rays reported by Steindachner, presumably ii,7]; pectoral-fin rays 12 to 14; pelvic-fin rays i,7 or 8 (i,7 rare) [9 pelvic-fin rays reported by Steindachner, presumably i,8].



Total vertebrae 30 (20), 31 (91), 32 (10).

COLOR IN LIFE.—Géry and Planquette (1982, fig. 8) included a photograph of a live or recently captured specimen of Cyphocharax helleri. Overall coloration of that specimen silvery-yellow, with yellow pigmentation most notable on lateral and dorsal surfaces of body. Ventral surface of body silvery. Series of dark, wavy, longitudinal lines apparent on lateral and dorsal surfaces of body. Prominent black, somewhat vertically ovoid spot on midlateral surface of caudal peduncle.

COLOR IN ALCOHOL.—Specimens retaining guanine on scales silvery to golden, darker on dorsal portions of head and body. Specimens lacking guanine on scales tan to yellowish brown, darker dorsally. Dorsal portion of snout and head dusky. Body with series of variably developed darker, horizontal stripes aligned along junctions between horizontal scale rows (Figures 13–17). Stripes most developed dorsal of lateral line, extending three to five scale rows ventral of lateral line in some individuals. Stripes variably developed, somewhat masked in specimens with large amounts of guanine remaining on scales, or in individuals that are very dark overall (see also discussion under “Geographic Variation” below). Prominent dark rotund spot on midlateral surface of caudal peduncle. Median fins variably dusky; paired fins hyaline.

DISTRIBUTION.—Río Cuyuni basin of eastern Venezuela, Atlantic drainages of Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana, and the Rio Cupixi of the state of Amapá, Brazil (Figure 18).

GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION.—The development of the longitudinal body stripes in Cyphocharax helleri demonstrates a notable degree of variation across the species range. The only two specimens available from the southern extreme of the species range, the Rio Cupixi in the state of Amapá, Brazil, have prominent horizontal dark lines on the body (Figure 17). Material of the species from eastern Surinam (Figure 13) and adjoining regions of French Guiana (Géry and Planquette, 1982, fig. 8) typically has well-developed pigmentation. Smaller specimens of the species from the Corantijn River basin along the western border of Surinam usually, but not always have less prominent stripes than those from regions to the south. All specimens from the Río Cuyuni system of Venezuela (MBUCV V-9492; USNM 295589, 308903) and in the western portions of the species range have faint, but still obvious, horizontal lines (Figure 16). A series of small specimens from the Waini River system in Guyana (UMMZ 216028), the northernmost known record of the species, have very faint stripes.

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—179 specimens (78, 27.4–95.5).

VENEZUELA. Bolívar: Caño Guanarapero, between Guassipati and Villa Lola, MBUCV V-10319, 1 (56.0); MBUCV V-10131, 2 (55.8–65.2). Caño Caballape, near Tumereno, MBUCV V-10106, 3 (56.0–60.2). MBUCV V-9492, 9. Río Cuyuni, Isla Jacobo, near Raudal de Kinotovaca, USNM 295589, 2 (formerly MBUCV V-10005, in part); USNM 308903, 3 (formerly MBUCV V-9492, in part).

GUYANA. Essequibo (= Essequibo River), BMNH 1864.1.21:71, 1 (62.1, paralectotype of Curimatus spilurus). Essequibo: Yarakita Creek, AMNH 14280, 7 (37.7–43.3); AMNH 14437, 4 (44.4–63.0). Santa Rosa, AMNH 14441, 17 (34.0–71.1). Barama River, approx. 20–30 mi from mouth, Waini River system, UMMZ 216028, 12.

SURINAM. No specific locality, USNM 16404, 1. Nickerie: Sisa Creek, USNM 225300, 35 (13, 36.8–48.1). Lower Lucie River, USNM 225314, 1 (42.9). “Vier Gebroeders Kreek,” Sipaliwini River system, ZMA 104.283, 1 (39.2, holotype of Curimatus (Hemicurimata) esperanzae pijpersi); ZMA 104.285, 3 (28.4–30.1, paratypes of Curimatus (Hemicurimata) esperanzae pijpersi); GC, 3 (29.2–29.7, paratypes of Curimatus (Hemicurimata) esperanzae pijpersi); ZMA 104.284, 8 (27.4–37.3, paratypes of Curimatus (Hemicurimata) esperanzae pijpersi). Brokopondo: Gran Kreek, 63 km S of Afobaka, USNM 220158, 3 (54.2–83.2; 1 specimen cleared and counterstained for cartilage and bone); MCZ 52045, 3 (61.5–73.4); BMNH 1976.10.21:104–106, 3 (2, 69.3–86.7); CAS 37745, 3 (59.0–68.7). Sara Kreek, ZMA 106.465, 26; ZMA 106.466, 19. Marowijne: Maka Kreek, ZMA 106.588, 3. Rio Lawa, Pleike Village, MZUSP 21365, 1.

FRENCH GUIANA. Comté River, below Saut Bief, GC, 1 (51.8). Upper Mana River, GC, 2.

BRAZIL. Amapá: Rio Cupixi, at road to Serra do Navio, USNM 267965, 2 (85.5–95.5).

Curimatus (Hemicurimata) esperanzae pijpersi Géry, 1965

Curimata Vanderi Britski, 1980

Curimata punctata Vari and Nijssen, 1986