On two Jenynsia taxa (Cyprinodontiformes: Anablepidae) from Argentina, originally placed in the poeciliid genus Xiphophorus

Abstract

The type material of Xiphophorus heckelii Weyenbergh, 1874 and X. obscurus Weyenbergh, 1877 has apparently been re-examined for the first time. Xiphophorus heckelii is confirmed as a junior synonym of Jenynsia multidentata (Jenyns, 1842). Xiphophorus obscurus is recognized as a senior synonym of Jenynsia pygogramma Boulenger, 1902, which is placed in synonymy. A lectotype and paralectotypes are designated for Jenynsia obscura (Weyenbergh, 1877).

First record sheds light on the distribution of the cyprinodontiform genus Jenynsia (Günther, 1866) in the High Andean Plateau

“…This study reports the first record of J. obscura in the Puna, between 3400 and 3900 m a.s.l. Twelve specimens of J. obscura were recognized by the following combination of characters: 22–23 scales in the predorsal series, 35–36 scales in the lateral line series, very fine line of pigments along the lateral series in the middle of the flank and some vertical spots close to the mid‐dorsal line (Koerber & Azpelicueta, 2009) (Figure 1). These fishes were captured at elevations above the limit of the Puna: Salar Antofalla 3950 m, El Peñón and Antofagasta de la Sierra at 3400 m in Catamarca Province, Argentina (Figure 2).…”