A new color-changing species of Corydoras (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) from the rio Jutaí, Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

A new species of Corydoras is described from the rio Jutaí, Amazon basin, Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by having the following features: (I) ventral surface of trunk entirely or almost entirely covered by small- to relatively large-sized coalescent platelets, forming a typical mosaic-like pattern; (II) large, arched dark brown or black patch extending from interopercle region to posterior process of parieto-supraoccipital, transversally crossing the orbit and forming a typical mask-like blotch; (III) absence of conspicuous dark markings on caudal fin; (IV) absence of longitudinal rows of dark blotches on flanks; (V) region of first dorsolateral body plate surrounding posterior process of parieto-supraoccipital clearly lighter than remaining portions of head, forming a V-shaped pattern in dorsal view; (VI) anterior portion of dorsal fin with a conspicuous dark patch; and (VII) anterior portion of dorsal-fin base with conspicuous concentration of dark brown or black chromatophores, forming a dark patch slightly darker than ground color of body. A discussion on the possible positive adaptive value of the color pattern is also provided.