Evidence for the true type-locality of Rhamdia quelen (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae), and the geographical origin and invalid neotype designation of four of its synonyms

Abstract

Historical information on the probable type-locality of Pimelodus quelen and of its four junior synonyms that share the same neotype, Pimelodus namdia, Pimelodus sebae, Heterobranchus sextentaculatus, and Silurus rivularis, is presented and discussed. The neotype designation for those four species is deemed invalid for not complying with the provisions of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, making it technically possible to revalidate any of the four taxa from the synonymy of Rhamdia quelen without having to address the International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature. The type-locality of both Curimata gilbert and Callichthys asper are also restricted to rio Macacu at the village of Japuíba, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Cryptic diversity and diversification processes in three cis-Andean Rhamdia species (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) revealed by DNA barcoding

“…More recently, some synonyms of R. quelen were recovered with integrative methods ( Garavello and Shibatta, 2016 ; Ribolli et al, 2017 ), new species were described ( DoNascimiento et al, 2004 ; Bichuette and Trajano, 2005 ; Angrizani and Malabarba, 2018 ), flagging Rhamdia quelen as a species complex. Koerber and Reis (2020 ) suggested a new type-locality in an affluent of the Guanabara Bay, state of Rio de Janeiro, to replace a missing type specimen of Rhamdia quelen . However, a taxonomic revision of Rhamdia is straightaway necessary to explain species delimitation problems, which hinder their correct identification ( Koerber and Reis, 2020 ).…”

“… Koerber and Reis (2020 ) suggested a new type-locality in an affluent of the Guanabara Bay, state of Rio de Janeiro, to replace a missing type specimen of Rhamdia quelen . However, a taxonomic revision of Rhamdia is straightaway necessary to explain species delimitation problems, which hinder their correct identification ( Koerber and Reis, 2020 ). Because Rhamdia species occur in almost every freshwater environment of the Neotropical region, an accurate dataset (e.g., BOLD system database) helps understand its distribution.…”