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Accepted by M.R. de Carvalho: 25 Mar. 2015; published: 24 Apr. 2015
ZOOTAXA
ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)
ISSN
1175-5334
(online edition)
Copyright © 2015 Magnolia Press
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http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3949.2.9
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6EE53509-2ED0-4466-986B-A9DA84413CB3
Rivulus berovidesi, a new killifish species (Teleostei: Rivulidae) from western
Cuba
RODET RODRIGUEZ SILVA
Instituto de Ecología y Sistemática. Carretera Varona 11835 e/ Oriente y Lindero, La Habana 19, CP 11900, Calabazar, Boyeros, La
Habana, Cuba. E-mail: rodet@ecologia.cu and rodetrodriguezsilva@gmail.com
Abstract
Rivulus berovidesi, a new killifish species, is described from a small stream in Sierra de Cajalbana, northwestern Cuba.
It is readily distinguished from Rivulus cylindraceus Poey by the combination of an exclusive color pattern and meristic
characters such as a d-type frontal scalation pattern (versus e-type pattern in Rivulus cylindraceus). The current diag-
nosis of Rivulus berovidesi based on chromatic, morphological and meristic characters is consistent with a recent mo-
lecular analysis of this genus in Cuba.
Key words: Rivulus berovidesi, frontal scalation pattern, killifish, meristic characters
Introduction
The killifish genus Rivulus Poey, is the most speciose genus of the family Rivulidae including more than 125
valid species occurring in a great diversity of wetlands (Bussing 2002; Costa 2004, 2005; Valdesalici & Schindler
2011). However, based on recent molecular phylogenies, other authors consider that the genus Rivulus (sensu
stricto) comprises less than five valid species (Hrbek et al. 2004; Costa 2011; Eschmeyer 2014). This group is
represented by small oviparous fish (about 20-120 mm standard length) with sexual dimorphism characterized, in
most cases, by the presence of an ocellated spot on the caudal fin of females (Ghedotti & Wiley 2002).
The geographic distribution of these fishes covers Middle and South America, where it ranges from Mexico
to Argentina, although there are some species inhabiting many Caribbean islands (Lasso-Alcala et al. 2006).
Particularly, a recent survey concerning the phylogeography of Cuban Rivulus (Ponce de Leon et al. 2014)
concluded that only one of the two species previously described in this genus (Rivulus cylindraceus Poey
(1860), the type species) inhabited the whole archipelago. However this same work provided solid evidence on
the existence of a different lineage of Rivulus in northwestern Cuba, which constitutes the new species herein
described.
During recent field trips to the mountain system Sierra de Cajalbana, located in northwestern Cuba,
several specimens of this putative new species were observed and collected. In this paper chromatic, meristic
and morphological characters are analyzed to describe this new killifish species.
Material and methods
A total of 23 specimens (11 males and 12 females) of Rivulus berovidesi sp. n. were collected at Sierra de
Cajalbana, Pinar del Rio province, Cuba (Fig. 1). Measurements and counts were made according to Hoedeman
(1959) using a digital caliper (nearest 0.1 mm), under a dissecting microscope. Seven meristic and eight
morphometric variables commonly used in descriptions and revisions of killifish species (Hoedeman 1959;
Costa 2004; Rodriguez 2009; Valdesalici et al. 2011; Valdesalici & Schindler 2011) were measured. The
frontal scalation pattern is described following Hoedeman (1958). All measurements are presented as percentages
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of standard length (SL), except for eye diameter and snout length, which are given as percentage of head length
(HL). Body color patterns for both sexes were also documented.
Institutional abbreviations used: CZACC, Instituto de Ecologia y Sistematica, Cuba; MFP, Museo Felipe Poey,
Universidad de La Habana, Cuba; MNHNCU, Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, Cuba; MCZ, Museum of
Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, USA.
FIGURE 1. Distribution map of Rivulus species from Cuba. Red spots represent distribution of Rivulus cylindraceus and red
triangles represents distribution of Rivulus berovidesi sp. n., 1 Sierra de Cajalbana (ty pe locality); 2 Rio Camarones.
Rivulus berovidesi, new species
(Figs. 2–6)
Holotype. CZACC-9.83, adult male, 37.3 mm SL, Sierra de Cajalbana, Pinar del Rio province, Cuba, 220 46’
31.7’’N, -830 26’ 37.7’’W, 26 February, 2014. R. Rodriguez Silva.
Paratypes. All from Sierra de Cajalbana, Pinar del Rio province, Cuba. Same date and collector as holotype.
CZACC-9.84, three males, 31.1–34.7 mm SL; CZACC-9.85, three females, 36.3–37.9 mm SL; MFP18.00570, two
males 32.2–32.8 mm SL and two females 33.7–34.3 mm SL; MNHN 1457 one male 31.3 mm SL and two
females 31–35.6 mm SL; MZC 171656 and 171657 two males 32.7–37.9 mm SL respectively and MZC
171658 and 171659 two females 31.4–33.5 mm SL respectively.
Diagnosis. Both males and females of Rivulus berovidesi sp.n. are readily distinguished from Rivulus
cylindraceus by the presence of a dark lateral band situated longitudinally along the lateral line, extended
from the posterior margin of the eye to the base of the caudal fin (versus a lack of this dark lateral band in
Rivulus cylindraceus). Dorsal fin slightly shifted to the caudal peduncle in relation to the origin of anal fin (1–3
mm) when compared to Rivulus cylindraceus. Frontal scalation pattern in Rivulus berovidesi sp. n. is d-type
versus e-type pattern in Rivulus cylindraceus (Fig. 2)
Description. Morphometric and meristic data for holotype and 22 paratypes are presented in Tables 1 and
2. Largest examined male 37.9 mm SL; largest examined female 38.0 mm SL. Body subcylindrical anteriorly and
compressed posteriorly. Dorsal profile slightly convex from the snout to the posterior base of dorsal fin.
Ventral profile slightly convex from the lower jaw to the anal fin origin. Both paired and impaired fins rounded
and without filaments. Dorsal fin origin above base of the 5th or 6th anal fin ray. Pectoral fins inserted behind
to the posterior margin of opercles. Pelvic fins are the smallest, reaching anus. Dorsal fin rays 6–9, caudal fin
rays 15–19, anal fin rays 8–11, pelvic fin rays 4–6 and pectoral fin rays 11–14.
Body and head entirely scaled with cycloid scales. Longitudinal series of scales 34–37, transverse series of
scales 9, pre-dorsal scales 21–25. Frontal scalation is d-type pattern. Males of Rivulus berovidesi sp.n. are
yellow and orange ventrally, whereas females are less colored. Figure 3 shows sexual dimorphism in this
species, which includes differences in color of body and fins as well as females characterized by a distinctive
ocellated caudal spot. Females have a diffuse ocellated caudal spot which can extend from the posterior base
of the dorsal fin to the upper margin of the caudal fin.
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TAB L E 1. Morphometric data for holotype and paratypes of Rivulus berovidesi sp. n. Standard length (SL) and
head length (HL) are expressed in millimeters; all other measurements are expressed as percentage of SL except for
eye diameter and snout length, which are given as percentage of HL.
TAB L E 2. Meristic data for holotype and paratypes of Rivulus berovidesi sp. n. Values in parentheses indicate number of
specimens examined with that count.
FIGURE 2. Outline drawings of the frontal scalation patterns of Rivulus from Cuba. A: Rivulus berovidesi sp. n. with a d-
type pattern and B: Rivulus cylindraceus with an e-type pattern. The horizontal broken line indicates the pair of scales with
their margins fully exposed.
Holotype N Paratypes
Morphometric variables Mean Min Max SD
Standard length (mm) 37.3 23 33.8 28.9 37.9 2.5
Pre-dorsal length 68.0 23 70.1 67.3 71.5 1.6
Pre-anal length 60.9 23 61.9 59.5 65.3 1.2
Interdorsal-anal length 7.1 23 8.2 6.8 10.6 1.1
Caudal peduncle depth 13.7 23 12.7 11.1 14.4 0.9
Head length (mm) 10.4 23 9.0 8.1 10.4 0.6
Snout length 28.1 23 30.1 25.9 33.5 2.0
Eye diameter 23.7 23 26.6 23.7 30.0 1.8
Counts Holotype Paratypes (N=23)
Pre-dorsal scales 23 21 (4) 22 (4) 23 (6) 24 (6) 25 (3)
Lateral scales 37 34 (4) 35 (7) 36 (7) 37 (5)
Dorsal rays 7 6 (4) 7 (9) 8 (8) 9 (2)
Caudal rays 19 15 (1) 16 (2) 17 (9) 18 (7) 19 (4)
Anal rays 10 8 (2) 9 (12) 10 (8) 11 (1)
Pelvic rays 5 4 (4) 5 (10) 6 (9)
Pectoral rays 11 11 (10) 12 (9) 13 (2) 14 (2)
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FIGURE 3. Rivulus berovidesi sp. n., life coloration in both sexes in specimens kept in captivity for three months after
collection in the field.
FIGURE 4. Rivulus berovidesi sp. n., life coloration in males (above) and females (below) in specimens just after
collection in the field.
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FIGURE 5. Rivulus berovidesi sp. n., paratype, female, CZACC-9.85, 37.2 mm SL, small stream in Sierra de Cajalbana, Pinar
del Rio province, Cuba.
FIGURE 6. Rivulus berovidesi sp. n., holotype, male, CZACC-9.83, 37.3 mm SL, small stream in Sierra de Cajalbana, Pinar
del Rio province, Cuba.
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Color in life. Males (Fig. 4): Body coloration is greenish or olive-green dorsally. There is a wide dark lateral
band extended from the posterior margin of the eye to the base of the caudal fin. Ventral ground coloration is
yellowish with orange spots reaching the anal fin base. An iridescent blue spot is present behind the margin of
opercle in both sexes. Males have an iridescent olive- green spot on the opercle too. Dorsal fin is greenish, caudal
fin is slightly greenish on its base and more transparent to the edges. Anal fin is spotted in orange in their base
and yellow or yellow- green to the ends. Pelvic fins are yellow and pectoral fins are transparent.
Females (Fig. 4): Body coloration less striking when compared to males. General body coloration brown,
darker dorsally than ventrally. Ventral coloration is paler with some small yellowish spots. There is a narrow dark
lateral band extended from the posterior margin of the eye to the base of the caudal. Diffuse ocellated caudal
spot present which can extends from the posterior base of dorsal fin to the superior margin of caudal fin and
sometimes along the caudal fin base too (Fig. 4 and 5). All fins slightly greenish or transparent.
Color in preserved specimens. Preserved specimens with the typical dark lateral band from the posterior
margin of the eye to the base of caudal fin in both sexes, although slightly paler than living specimens. Ventral
region of the body with a yellowish homogeneous coloration while dorsal region is brownish-gray. Males with
a reticulated pattern on scales above lateral dark band (Fig. 6) while females with the diffuse ocellated caudal
spot extended from the end of dorsal fin to the superior margin of caudal fin (Fig. 5). All fins with a whitish
coloration.
Etymology. The specific name of this new species is given in honor to the Professor Vicente Berovides
Alvarez, professor at the Faculty of Biology, Universidad de la Habana, Cuba in recognition of his life-long
dedication and contribution to train several generations of new researchers in biological sciences.
Distribution and habitat. Rivulus berovidesi sp. n. is known only from northwest mountain system in
Pinar del Rio province. Particularly, in Sierra de Cajalbana (type locality) and Rio Camarones. Both localities
are situated in northwestern Cuba (Fig. 1). This species inhabits small mountain streams with a depth of 30–70
cm approximately and bottom substrate basically composed by stones, sand and dead leaves (Fig. 7). There is
not aquatic vegetation in the area. The streams are clear with pH 7.5 and water temperature 24°C. Other
freshwater fish collected together with Rivulus berovidesi sp. n. were: Gambusia punctata, Girardinus
uninotatus, Girardinus creolus, Girardinus microdactylus, Nandopsis tetracanthus, Agonostomus monticola and
Gobiomorus dormitor.
FIGURE 7. Type locality of Rivulus berovidesi sp. n. Small stream at Sierra de Cajalbana, Pinar del Rio province, Cuba
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Discussion
Diagnosis based on morphological and meristic characters of Rivulus berovidesi sp. n. is consistent with the
results derived from a recent molecular analysis on the phylogeography of Cuban Rivulus (Ponce de Leon et
al. 2014). These authors found that the new species showed 15% cytb and 2.5% CAM-4 sequence divergence
with the species R. cylindraceus, which is more than three times the minimum divergence observed between
cytb sequences of rivulid sister species (April et al. 2011). Additionally, the apparent non-overlapping
geographic distribution of Rivulus cylindraceus and Rivulus berovidesi sp. n. corresponds with the separate
phylogeographic history of both species.
Hoedeman (1958), described a d-type pattern for the frontal scalation in Rivulus cylindraceus. However,
the current work describes a same pattern in Rivulus berovidesi sp. n. versus a frontal scalation e-type pattern in
Rivulus cylindraceus. In our study, frontal scalation pattern of Rivulus berovidesi is compared with the holotype
of R. cylindraceus (MCZ 6423) and other specimens collected from well determined populations of this species
living in Cuba. Following the examination of frontal scalation carried out in this study and analyzing
Hoedeman’s work, where collection locality given is imprecise, it is probable that the specimens examined by
this author were collected within the distribution range of Rivulus berovidesi sp. n. and thus belonged to this
latter species.
Rivulus berovidesi sp. n. is the first species of Rivulus described from the Cuban archipelago after Rivulus
insulaepinorum (now a synonym of Rivulus cylindraceus; Ponce de Leon et al. 2014). As occurs in some other
Cuban freshwater fish groups, the diversity of rivulids from Cuba is currently underestimated. This constitutes a
potential research subject for its importance in the overall biogeographical landscape and may have significant
impact on the knowledge of freshwater fish from the Caribbean. In addition, ecological studies need to be carried
out to know life-history details of this new species as well as to assess the conservation status of their populations.
Acknowledgements
I thank to Tomas M. Rodriguez-Cabrera for photographs of living and preserved specimens as well as your
revision of the manuscript, Jans Morffe Rodriguez made drawings of frontal scalation patterns and Karsten E.
Hartel (MCZ) sent available photos of the holotype of Rivulus cylindraceus. I thank to The Rufford Foundation
for providing financial support for expeditions (Ref. 12925-2).
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