Prochilodus magdalenae Steindachner 1879

Maximum length based on examined specimen; reported to reach 50 cm SL in literature (Ref. 12403, 37057).

Prochilodus magdalenae Steindachner, 1879

Prochilodus asper var. magdalenae Steindachner, 1879a:78 (page 62 of separate), pl. 12: fig. 1 and 1a [name used in caption for two figures but species is cited on page 35 of text as Prochilodus asper; type locality: Magdalenen-Strome (= Río Magdalena, Colombia)].

Prochilodus asper [not of Lütken, 1875].—Steindachner, 1879a:51 (page 35 of separate) [Río Magdalena; apparently erroneously cited as Prochilodus asper in species account, although associated figure in publication (pl. 12: fig. 1 and 1a) is identified as Prochilodus asper var. magdalenae]; 1880:67 [Colombia, Río Cauca]; 1902:141 [Colombia, Santander, Río Lebrija].—Posada Arango, 1909:300 [Río Magdalena, Río Cauca].—Fowler, 1975:358 [literature compilation].

Prochilodus rubrotaeniatus [not of Jardine, 1841].—Steindachner, 1880:68 [Colombia, Río Cauca].—Eigenmann and Eigenmann, 1891:48 [in listing of South American fishes; in part, citation of species from (Río) Cauca].—Posada Arango, 1909:300 [Río Cauca].—Miles, 1947:136 [comments on Steindachner, 1880].

Prochilodus magdalenae.—Eigenmann and Eigenmann, 1891:48 [in listing of South American fishes].—Eigenmann and Ogle, 1907:5 [cited similarity to P. beani].—Eigenmann, 1907b:768 [lateral-line scale count]; 1910:424 [in listing of South American fishes]; 1920a:6, 11 [Colombia, Río Atrato; Prochilodus magdalenae cited as senior synonym of P. beani Eigenmann and Ogle, 1907]; 1920b:16 [(Río) Atrato and (Río) Magdalena basins]; 1922a:114 [(Río) Atrato and (Río) Magdalena basins].—Ridoutt, 1939:70 [in key to species of Prochilodus].—Fowler, 1942:133 [Colombia, Ríos Atrato, Sucio, Truandó, and Cauca].—Miles, 1943:43, unnumbered fig. on page 46 [Colombia, Río Cauca basin; illustration of external head osteology]; 1947:136, fig. 77 [Río Magdalena basin, upper Río Cauca, Río Atrato]; 1973:38 [Colombia, Río Cauca basin].—Mago-Leccia, 1972:47 [use of caudal-fin pigmentation to distinguish species groups].—Géry, 1977:219 [Colombia].—Cala, 1987:76 [Colombia].—Menezes and Vazzoler, 1992:62 [reproductive characteristics].—Román-Valencia and Acero, 1992:122 [Colombia, Antióquia: coastal rivers, Río León, Río Sucio].—Román-Valencia, 1993a:59 [Colombia, Río Atrato; diet, reproductive biology].—Cala, 1995:49 [Colombia: Río Magdalena basin, Betania Reservoir; reductions of populations in and upriver of impoundment].—Mojica-C., 1999:554 [Colombia, Río Magdalena, Río Cesar, Río San Jorge, Río Cauca, Río Ranchería, Río Sinú].—Sánchez, M. et al., 2000:218 [Colombia, Departamento del Huila, upper Río Magdalena; economic importance].—Instituto Alexander von Humboldt, 2000:184 [Colombia, Río Magdalena basin; endangered].

Prochilodus beani Eigenmann in Eigenmann and Ogle, 1907:5, fig. 2 [type locality: Truando (=Colombia, Chocó, Truandó)].—Eigenmann 1920a:6 [cited as equivalent to Prochilodus magdalenae].—Vari and Howe, 1991:34 [holotype depository].

Prochilodus magdalenensis.—Posada Arango, 1909:300 [Río Magdalena, unjustified emendation of species name].

Prochilodus steindachneri Eigenmann, 1920b:16 [nomen nudum; cited from Río Magdalena basin].

Prochilodus steindachneri Eigenmann, 1922a:115 [type locality: Cauca near Caceres (=Colombia, Antióquia, Río Cauca, close to Cáceres); preoccupied by Prochilodus steindachneri Fowler, 1906 (=Prochilodus vimboides Kner, 1859) and replaced by Prochilodus eigenmanni Ahl, 1937].

Prochilodus asper magdalenae.—Eigenmann, 1922a:114 [cited in synonymy of Prochilodus magdalenae Steindachner, 1879a].

Prochilodus eigenmanni Ahl, 1937:136 [type locality: Colombia, Antióquia, Río Cauca, close to Cáceres; name proposed as substitute for Prochilodus steindachneri Eigenmann, 1922, that was preoccupied by Prochilodus steindachneri Fowler, 1906].—Fowler, 1942:133 [Colombia, Río Cauca]; 1975: 358 [literature compilation].

Prochilodus reticulatus magdalenae.—Schultz, 1944:261 [shift of Prochilodus asper var. magdalenae Steindachner (1879a) to subspecies of P. reticulatus].—Dahl, 1955:17 [Colombia, Río Sinu; economic importance]; 1963a:43 [Colombia, Ríos Magdalena, Sinú, Atrato; economic importance; common name]; 1963b:95 [habitat, reproduction]; 1971:xvi, 109, text figure [Colombia, Río Magdalena and Río Sinú; major economic importance; life history].—Henao, 1963:57 [life history].—Dahl and Medem, 1964:55 [Colombia, Rio Sinu].—Patiño R., 1973:79, fig. 29 [Colombia, Río Magdalena-Cauca basin, Río San Jorge, Río Atrato, Río Sinú; commercial importance, life history, and ecology].—Fowler, 1975:360 [literature compilation].—Godoy, 1975:67 [economic importance].—Flórez, 1985:9 [Río Magdalena system; ecology].—Petrere, 1985:10 [importance in fisheries].

Prochilodus sp.—Román-Valencia, 1990:204 [Colombia, middle Río Atrato].

DIAGNOSIS.—Prochilodus magdalenae differs from P. brevis, P. lacustris, P. mariae, P. nigricans, and P. rubrotaeniatus in the lack of dark, irregular, wavy, bar-like patterns on the caudal-fin lobes that are present in those five species. Within the group of Prochilodus species that lack dark caudal-fin markings, P. magdalenae differs from P. vimboides in the number of scales along the lateral line (43 to 46 versus 34 to 39, respectively), the number of horizontal rows of scales between the dorsal-fin origin and the lateral line (8 or 9 versus 5 to 7, respectively), and the number of horizontal rows of scales around the caudal peduncle (17 to 19 versus 13 to 15, respectively); from P. britskii in the number of scales between the dorsal-fin origin and the lateral line (8 or 9 versus 6 or 7, respectively), the number of horizontal rows of scales around the caudal peduncle (17 to 19 versus 13 or 14, respectively), and the number of teeth in the inner row of each side of the lower jaw (9 to 16 versus 6 or 7, respectively); from P. hartii in the lack of a series of wavy stripes along the lateral surface of the body (versus the presence of such stripes in all but largest specimens examined), the number of horizontal rows of scales around the caudal peduncle (17 to 19 versus 14 to 16, respectively), and the number of scales along the lateral line (43 to 46, 44 most frequent, versus 40 to 43, 41 most frequent, respectively); from P. argenteus in the number of horizontal rows of scales between the dorsal-fin origin and the lateral line (8 or 9 versus 10 or 11, respectively) and in the number of vertebrae (39 to 42 versus 42 to 44, respectively); from P. lineatus in the absence of the series of wavy dark stripes along the body (versus presence of such stripes in P. lineatus) and in the number of vertebrae (39 to 41 versus 42 to 44); from P. costatus in the absence of the series of wavy dark stripes along the body (versus presence of such stripes in P. costatus) and in the number of vertebrae (39 to 41 versus 41 to 43, with 41 in only 1 of 6 specimens radiographed, respectively); and from P. reticulatus in the ranges and modal values of the number of scales along the lateral line (43 to 46, 44 and 45 most frequent, versus 41 to 45, 42 and 43 most frequent and 45 present in only 1 specimen examined for this feature, respectively; Figure 48), the number of vertebrae (39 to 42 with 41 most frequent and 39 in only 8.1% of radiographed specimens versus 38 to 40 with 39 most frequent and 40 present in only 11.1% of radiographed specimens, respectively, Figure 49), and the number of median predorsal scales (12 to 17, with 13 most frequent, versus 11 to 18 with 15 and 16 most frequent, respectively; Figure 50).

DESCRIPTION.—Morphometric and meristic data for Prochilodus magdalenae presented in Table 12. Body moderately high, transversely compressed. Greatest body depth at dorsal-fin origin. Dorsal profile of head ranging from gently concave to straight. Predorsal profile of body moderately convex. Body profile posteroventrally inclined along dorsal-fin base; profile ranging from gently convex to straight from posterior of dorsal-fin base to adipose-fin origin, and concave along caudal peduncle. Predorsal portion of body with slight median ridge. Postdorsal region of body transversely obtusely rounded. Ventral profile of body moderately convex from tip of lower jaw to posterior of anal-fin base. Ventral profile of caudal peduncle concave. Prepelvic region transversely flattened proximate to pelvic-fin insertion. Distinct median keel present between pelvic-fin insertion and anus.

Head profile pointed. Snout length greater than horizontal width of orbit. Nares of each side of head close to each other; anterior nares circular, posterior nares crescent shaped. Adipose eyelid present but poorly developed; most developed anteriorly, but with greater part of eye uncovered. Lips fleshy and forming oral disk when protracted.

Functional teeth in two rows in each jaw. All teeth movably implanted in flesh that overlies jaws. All teeth of similar size, with exposed portion spoon shaped except when worn down. Inner tooth series in each jaw of protracted mouth with 15 to 23 teeth on left side of upper jaw and 9 to 16 teeth on left side of lower jaw. Outer row of teeth in each jaw with approximately 72 teeth on each side of upper jaw and approximately 57 teeth on each side of lower jaw in the lectotype. Upper and lower lips bordered by numerous globular, fleshy papillae.

Scales spinoid. Scales in middorsal series between posterior of dorsal-fin base and adipose-fin origin similar in form to those of adjoining regions of body. Lateral line with 43 to 46 (40% of specimens with 45) pored scales; 8 or 9 (65.1% of specimens with 9) horizontal rows of scales between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line; 7 or 8 (57.1% of specimens with 8) horizontal rows of scales between pelvic-fin insertion and lateral line; 6 or 7 (60.5% of specimens with 7) horizontal rows of scales between anal-fin origin and lateral line; 12 to 17 (54.2% of specimens with 16 or 17) median predorsal scales; 13 to 16 (35.7% of specimens with 15) scales in middorsal series between posterior of dorsal-fin base and adipose-fin origin; 17 to 19 (83.3% of specimens with 18) horizontal rows of scales around caudal peduncle.

Dorsal fin preceded by small, but well-developed, anteroventrally bifurcate, procumbent spine somewhat triangular in lateral view. Dorsal-fin rays (including procumbent spine) iii,10 [iii,10]; anal-fin rays iii,8 or 9 (iii,8 most frequent) [iii,8]; pectoral-fin rays i,12 to 17 (i,15 most frequent) [i,14]; pelvic-fin rays i,8 or 9 (i,8 most frequent) [i,8]; principal caudal-fin rays 10/9 [10/9].

Vertebrae 39 to 42 (44.1% of specimens with 41).

Dorsal fin truncate, slightly pointed distally; posterior unbranched and anterior branched rays longest and subequal. Dorsal-fin origin located closer to tip of snout than to caudal-fin base. Greatest length of adipose fin approximately equal to horizontal width of orbit. Adipose-fin origin located along vertical that passes approximately through posterior one-third of anal-fin base. Pectoral fin distally pointed. Tip of adpressed pectoral fin reaching posteriorly approximately four-fifths of distance between pectoral-fin and pelvic-fin insertions. Pelvic fin falcate. Pelvic-fin insertion located slightly posterior to vertical that passes through dorsal-fin origin. Tip of adpressed pelvic fin reaching posteriorly approximately four-fifths of distance between pelvic-fin insertion and anus. Axillary scale present, its length approximately one-third of greatest length of pelvic fin. Posterior unbranched and anterior branched anal-fin rays longest and subequal. Caudal fin bifurcate.

COLORATION IN ALCOHOL.—Ground coloration silvery yellow or brownish yellow, with dorsal portion of body and head darker. Lateral surface of body with up to 10 dark, diffuse, vertical, irregular patches of pigmentation between head and caudal fin. Patches with approximate overall form of narrow isosceles triangles, with apexes positioned along middle of ventrolateral surface of body and bases along dorsomedial region of body. Patches obvious in small specimens, but indistinct or absent in large individuals. Lateral surface of body lacking distinct dark, wavy, horizontal stripes present in many congeners. Field of brown or black chromatophores forming dark, irregular patch on upper one-half of opercle.

Dorsal fin with 5 to 10 (most frequently 6) dark, irregular stripes beginning on anterior margin of fin and running approximately parallel to dorsal-fin base. Adipose fin with small, dark, diffuse marks and with border finely marked with black. Pectoral, pelvic, anal, and caudal fins dusky. Iris yellowish silver, with diffuse dusky areas on dorsal and ventral portions.

DISTRIBUTION.—Examined specimens of Prochilodus magdalenae originated in the Río Atrato, Río Sinú, and Río Cauca-Magdalena basins in northwestern Colombia (Figure 43, squares). In addition, Mojica-C. (1995:554) cited P. magdalenae from the Río Rancheria, an independent coastal drainage in the state of Guajira, on the Peninsula of Guajira, Colombia (approximately 11°34′N, 72°54′W).

COMMON NAME.—Bocachico (Colombia).

COMPARISONS.—Meristic features and details of pigmentation unequivocally distinguish Prochilodus magdalenae from all of its congeners with the exception of P. reticulatus, the only other member of the genus with a Trans-Andean distribution. The two nominal forms differ in the ranges for the number of scales along the lateral line and in the number of vertebrae, and they differ in the modal value for the number of predorsal scales (see details in “Diagnosis,” above, and Figures 48–50). In light of these differences and the geographic separation of their areas of occurrence, we treat these nominal forms as separate species herein.

ECOLOGY AND REPRODUCTION.—According to Patiño R. (1973:79), Prochilodus reticulatus magdalenae (the P. magdalenae of this study) was historically the most important and valued species in the freshwater fisheries of Colombia, accounting for approximately 50% of the catch. That author reported that populations of P. magdalenae have been adversely affected by habitat destruction resulting from direct and indirect anthropogenic activities and as a consequence of competition from introduced species. The majority of its yearly cycle is spent in lentic waters, but during the breeding season it undergoes an upriver migration to its spawning grounds. The larvae move downstream with the rains to return to quiet backwaters where they develop and mature. Sánchez et al. (2000:218–219) reported that P. magdalenae is one of the most important commercial fish species in the upper Río Magdalena basin below the Betania impoundment.

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—204 specimens (41, 46.4–312.0 mm SL; partial meristic data taken from an additional 47 specimens).

COLOMBIA. Antioquia: “Ciénega” (= floodplain marsh or pool) of Río Magdalena, near Puerto Berrío, CAS 18318 (formerly IU 13046), 2 (1, 166.3–312.0). Puerto Berrío, CAS 58987 (formerly IU 12887), 1 (1, 125.6) [1R]; CAS 58988 (formerly IU 12888), 1 (116.1) [1R]. Peñas Blancas, CAS 11630 (formerly IU 12811), 5 (1, 102.1–251.0) [1R]. Río Cauca, near Cáceres, NMW 68274, 1 (1, 218.9, holotype of Prochilodus eigenmanni) [1R]. Atlântico: Barranquilla, BMNH 1900.1.30:25–7, 3 (1, 92.5–155.8) [1R], Bolivar: Soplaviento, CAS 18374 (formerly IU 12886), 1 (1, 61.7). Calamar, Río Magdalena, CAS 11624 (formerly IU 12885), 13 (1, 46.4–242.0) [1R]; USNM 79231, 3 (92.6–115.4) [3R]. Caldas: Caño Aguas Negras, 5.3 km by road downstream of San Miguel, ANSP 128132, 1 (1, 289.4). Río Miel, Hacienda Sonadora, approximately 8 km downstream of San Miguel, ANSP 128131, 1 (1, 272.6). Cauca: Río Cauca basin, Timba (3°07′N, 76°37′W), NRM 24961, 2; NRM 24962, 3. Chocó: Río Truandó, AMNH 5344, 9 (1, 100.5–207.9) [1R]; CAS 22752 (formerly IU 13578), 5 (1, 118.1–127.6) [1R]; CAS 58985 (formerly IU 13578), 19 (1, 78.5–162.8) [1R]; CAS 59346, 10 (1, 101.6–165.7) [1R]; UMMZ 197556, 6 (1, 100.5–110.2) [1R]; USNM 1662, 1 (1, 155.8, holotype of Prochilodus beani) [1R]; USNM 76962, 17 (1, 88.5–138.5) [17R]; USNM 306593, 1 (1, 149.0, paratype of Prochilodus beani, formerly USNM 1662a) [1R], Río Salado, approximately 1 mi [1.6 km] upriver of confluence with Río Truando, USNM 290140, 2 (173.5–179.5). Río Salado, approximately 4 mi [6.4 km] upriver of confluence with Río Truandó, USNM 220200, 2 (1, 116.0–117.0) [2R]; USNM 290139, 14 (118.8–132.3) [14R]; USNM 290142, 2 (287.6–300.0). Río Salado, approximately 0.25 mi [0.4 km] upriver of confluence with Río Truandó, USNM 290141, 3 (142.0–167.6) [3R], Río Pavavando, tributary of Río Salaqui, USNM 290143, 2 (129.0–150.6) [2R], Río Salado, near Teruita, USNM 290144, 7 (152.0–231.2) [3R]. Quibdó, Río Atrato, CAS 59347 (formerly IU 13044), 3 (1, 94.3–251.5) [1R]; CAS 59348 (formerly IU 12809), 1 (246.3) [7R]. Río Atrato, near city of Río Sucio, USNM 321671, 4 (201.0–257.0) [1R], Río Sucio, Río Sucio, AMNH 8735, 1 (271.8); CAS 11592 (formerly IU 12810), 3 (1, 237.2–242.3) [1R]; USNM 79251, 3 (1, 254.1–265.9). Río Atrato basin, mouth of Río Bojayá, at Bellavista, NRM 30726, 1. Río Atrato basin, Napipí, Ciénega Napipí, NRM 30728, 1. Córdoba: Lorica, Río Sinú, CAS 06408, 1 (232.8) [1R], Cundinamarca: Apulo, CAS 11585, 4 (1, 239.5–251.6) [1R]; CAS 11629 (formerly IU 13043), 2 (1, 211.9–234.0) [1R]. Girardot, CAS 59349 (formerly IU 12889), 2 (1, 177.2–281.4) [1R], Huila: Ciénega La Bija, Río Mag-dalena, near San Pabló, MZUSP 36690, 4 (184.4–196.4). Magdalena: Ciénega, Río Magdalena, NMW 56624, 4 (1, 206.2–294.2, paralectotypes of Prochilodus asper var. magdalenae); NMW 56625, 5 (1, 130.0–161.8, paralectotypes of Prochilodus asper var. magdalenae), NMW 56626, 2 (1, 253.8–264.0, paralectotypes of Prochilodus asper var. magdalenae) [1R]; NMW 56627:1, 1 (1, 234.4, lectotype of Prochilodus asper var. magdalenae) [1R]; NMW 56627: 2–3, 2 (265.4–276.0, paralectotypes of Prochilodus asper var. magdalenae) [2R]; NMW 56628, 3 (1, 236.3–296.2, paralectotypes of Prochilodus asper var. magdalenae) [1R]. Río Magdalena, NMW 56629:1–2, 2 (1, 237.2–269.1); NMW 56630, 1 (276.3); NMW 56631, 1 (approximately 240 mm SL); NMW 56632, 1 (279.9). Tolima: Piedra Moler, CAS 59351 (formerly IU 12890), 2 (1, 196.6–288.6) [1R]. Honda, Río Magdalena, CAS 18496 (formerly IU 12891), 1 (205.9) [1R]; UMMZ 191064, 1 (241.5) [1R]. Valle: Paila, CAS 58986 (formerly IU 12892), 4 (1, 134.1–160.6) [1R]. Buga Valle, Río Media Caños, UMMZ 191065, 1 (181.0) [1R]. Inexact Locality: Río Magdalena, MNHN 2374, 4(1, 151.8–233.2). Soplaviento or Honda, CAS 18309 (formerly IU 12886 or 12891), 2 (1, 245.2–252.2).

Prochilodus magdalenae is a tropical prochilodontid freshwater fish from Colombia. It is found in the Atrato, Sinú, Cauca and Magdalena Rivers. It has been measured to reach 36 cm (14 in) in standard length and 905 g (1.995 lb) in weight. They have a growing role in fisheries.