Astyanax abramis

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Astyanax abramis
Astyanax abramis FishBase.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Family: Characidae
Genus: Astyanax
Species:
A. abramis
Binomial name
Astyanax abramis
(Jenyns, 1842)

Astyanax abramis is a small freshwater fish from the inland rivers of South America. It is plentiful in almost the entire continent, with a habitat including the La Plata, upper Amazon, and Meta River basins. The body shape is subrhomboidal (somewhat rhomboidal) and laterally compressed, and the scales are largely silver, with a blue or green tint on the dorsal side.

Contents

As a cryptic species, A. abramis could possibly constitute multiple species that are currently undescribed. A. abramis is also a part of a species complex that includes itself and various congeners, including Astyanax bimaculatus , the namesake of the complex, and Astyanax lacustris , which is very closely related to A. abramis and looks very similar. Astyanax is a particularly speciose genus wherein cryptics and complexes are not uncommon.

Description

Abramis astyanax is a small fish that has a maximum recorded length of 14.0 cm (5.5 in) in standard length (SL) and a maximum recorded weight of 29.70 g. [1]   The body is compressed laterally and is subrhomboidal. It is a silvery fish with a green or blue tint on the back, and there is a dark spot, starting on the caudal peduncle, that reaches the posterior margin of the caudal fin. [2] Its fins, while largely transparent, can also have a slight red, orange, or yellow tint. [3]

There is a dark humeral spot on each side behind the top of the head ("humeral" means "around or related to the shoulder", as in "humerus"). This spot manifests as a horizontal oval, and the humeral region also sports two vertical brown bars. There is a black lateral stripe, just above the lateral line, that starts at the humeral spot or just behind it. [4]

Morphometric characteristics include 1 dorsal-fin spine, 10 dorsal-fin rays, and 30 to 34 anal-fin rays. A. abramis also has 42 to 48 lateral-line scales; this can be used to differentiate it from closely related congener A. lacustris, which has 36 to 39. [2] The scales are generally small, with concentric grooves near the posterior margin. [3] A. abramis lacks maxillary teeth, which can be used to tell it apart from various other similar congeners; [5] however, the premaxilla still sports teeth, and A. abramis is believed to demonstrate unilateral replacement of missing teeth. [6]

Sexual dimorphism

While there are few morphometric differences between the sexes, male A. abramis can be distinguished from female by the presence of small hooks or barbs on the anal-fin rays of male specimens. [3] Females also tend to be more common than males. [7]

Taxonomy

When first described, A. abramis was given the basionym Tetragonopterus abramis. [8] English naturalist Leonard Jenyns prescribed this name in 1842, building from the work of well-known English natural historian Charles Darwin, who collected the type specimens in the 19th century. [3] [9] At one point, it was described as a separate species under the name Bertoniolus paraguayensis, but this name has been synonymized with A. abramis. [10] In 2016, its classification as a species was confirmed as valid, and it received a redescription. [11]

Within Astyanax, there are three subgenera - Astyanax stricto sensu , Poecilurichthys, and Zygogaster. [12] A. abramis belongs to Poecilurichthys.[ citation needed ]

Multiple species in the genus Astyanax are considered cryptic - that is, two or more possible species that are currently considered synonymous because of remarkable similarity, but that cannot reproduce with each other. A. abramis is no exception to this and is considered a cryptic species. [2] It is also a part of the Astyanax bimaculatus species complex, alongside Astyanax lacustris. [13]

At the time of description, Jupiaba species J. abramoides was believed to be closely related to A. abramis. This is the origin of its specific epithet - "oides" means "having the shape of". [14] The basionym of J. abramoides is, in fact, Astyanax abramoides. [15]

Etymology and nomenclature

The specific name "abramis" is an allusion to European species Abramis brama , a leuciscid that has a similar body shape (described as "subrhomboidal"). The genus name "Astyanax" comes from a figure in Homer's Iliad, Astyanax, who was the son of Hector, a famed Trojan warrior. Why the genus has this name was not made clear in the original text, but could possibly refer to the large, armor-like scales of species A. argentatus. [16]

In terms of a common name, A. abramis is one of various species of Astyanax referred to as "lambari". [2]

Distribution and habitat

Astyanax abramis can be found in the La Plata basin, as well as the upper Amazon and Meta River basins. It is most often found in lentic (still water) environments. [1] Lentic environments, without the oxygenation provided by flowing water, are generally lower in dissolved oxygen, which has resulted in A. abramis developing adaptations to such conditions, including morphological plasticity (albeit limited). [17]

The relevant habitat stretches through multiple countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Paraguay. [3] Specific rivers, regions, and tributaries include the Juramento, [18] Yabotí, [19] and Parana. [4]

Ecology and biology

In environments of strong hypoxia, A. abramis can develop reversible dermal extensions, possibly as a way to increase the efficacy of aquatic surface respiration (ASR). Previous research on similar traits had revealed a demonstrable link between morphological plasticity and ASR, and this is likely to remain the case in A. abramis. [17] ASR is a trait in many species of fish that need to cope with hypoxic environments. [20]

Astyanax abramis lives in syntopy with sister species A. lacustris. [13] It is also known to live in sympatry with other congeners, including A. puka, A. asuncionensis, A. eigenmanniorum, and A. lineatus, specifically in the Juramento River. [18] Because it is an unspecialized feeder that also eats other fish, sympatry with smaller species is unlikely. [7]

Astyanax abramis is also subject to parasite infestation. The parasitic nematode worm Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) hilarii has been recorded from a wide variety of neotropical fish species, including A. abramis. [21]

Reproduction

Astyanax abramis has a split spawning season, with higher reproduction activity in April and October. These months correspond with periods of higher water temperature and greater rainfall. In female fish, the length of the body is positively correlated with the size of the ovaries, so a period of greater reproductive activity is likely to have more large female specimens. [7]

Diet

Astyanax abramis is a highly-adaptable omnivore that lives in regions strongly influenced by flood cycles. The intestines can become larger in periods of food scarcity, which allows it to eat items that are more difficult for it to digest, like plant material. Juveniles, being smaller, are not afforded as much flexibility, and as such are sometimes more carnivorous than the omnivorous adults. [7]

Other studies report that the juveniles are more herbivorous than the adults, but this is likely explained by environmental differences; [21] there is also evidence that general food abundance influences diet (such as increased allochthonous plant consumption in areas with plentiful riparian vegetation), which means that the role of A. abramis in the trophic system changes depending on the region. [22] Disregarding age, however, smaller adults also tend to be more carnivorous than larger adults, further diversifying observed feeding habits. [23]

Conservation status

Astyanax abramis has not been evaluated by the IUCN. [1] Given its wide distribution and the fact that it can easily be collected in various locations, it is most likely to be a species of least concern. [3] For instance, in an evaluation of the fish fauna of the Yabotí stream, Hirt et al. ranked A. abramis as the ninth most abundant species, and the Yabotí stream is largely within the protected Yabotí Biosphere Reserve. [19]

Related Research Articles

<i>Astyanax</i> (fish) Genus of fishes

Astyanax is a genus of freshwater fish in the family Characidae of the order Characiformes. Some of these fish, like many of their relatives, are kept as aquarium pets and known collectively as tetras. With around 150 described species and new ones being described yearly, this genus is among the largest of the entire order; Hyphessobrycon also has more than 145 species and which one is larger at any one time depends on whether more species have been recently described in one or the other. The blind and colorless cave tetra of Mexico is a famous member of the genus, but its taxonomic position is disputed: Some recognize it as part of the Mexican tetra and this is supported by phylogenetic evidence, but others recognize the cave form as a separate species, A. jordani.

<i>Carlastyanax</i> Genus of fishes

Carlastyanax aurocaudatus is a small species of freshwater fish in the family Characidae native to the Río Cauca in Colombia. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Carlastyanax, which was named in 1972 specifically for the species by Jacques Géry. Upon description, it was named Astyanax aurocaudatus by Carl H. Eigenmann. There has been debate concerning whether or not the genus should be recognized, but C. aurocaudatus is currently considered a valid species.

<i>Astyanax argentatus</i> Species of fish

Astyanax argentatus is a small freshwater fish native to northern Central America and southern North America. Given its native range, it is also known as the Texan tetra. Little has been published regarding the feeding habits or behavior of A. argentatus, but it is known to have the northernmost distribution of any member of the genus Astyanax.

<i>Astyanax altiparanae</i> Species of fish

Astyanax altiparanae, sometimes called the yellow-tail tetra or yellow-tail lambari, is a species of schooling freshwater fish widely distributed across the southern half of South America. It is an ecologically flexible species, able to adapt to various resource and space conditions, and its diet follows this pattern; it is considered opportunistic and omnivorous. Its widespread nature and unspecified ecology contribute to its status as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List. It was originally described from the upper Paraná river basin, which is the origin of its specific epithet; "alto" means "higher" in Brazilian Portuguese, hence "alto Paraná".

<i>Astyanax angustifrons</i> Species of fish

Astyanax angustifrons, sometimes referred to as the Campeche tetra, is a small freshwater fish from the rivers of Central and South America. It has a healthy distribution across southern Mexico and northern Guatemala, and is relatively common within its native range. Details regarding its diet and behavior are sparse, but it lives in areas with plentiful riparian vegetation, and most other members of the genus are omnivorous. Its habitat includes places affected by pollution and human activity; nonetheless, it is not endangered.

<i>Astyanax aramburui</i> Species of fish

Astyanax aramburui is a small freshwater fish from the rivers of South America, restricted to a relatively small region within the Paraná and Uruguay river basins of Argentina. It was named after the scientist who established a professional presence for ichthyology in the country, Raúl Arámburu. Considered a near-threatened species by the IUCN, its range includes creeks in a sub-basin affected by various forms of pollution.

<i>Astyanax argyrimarginatus</i> Species of fish

Astyanax argyrimarginatus is a small species of freshwater fish native to various river basins in Brazil. Originally thought to be restricted to the Tocantins-Araguaia river system, a study in 2012 expanded its range to include the Rio Xingu, as well. Specific biotope preferences are unknown, but it is mostly collected from clearwater streams in fairly good health. Its relative abundance and presence in some protected locales means that it is not endangered.

<i>Astyanax asuncionensis</i> Species of fish

Astyanax asuncionensis is a small species of freshwater fish described in 1972 from Asunción, the capital of Paraguay in South America. Its specific epithet is in reference to this. Currently, its range is known to encompass areas of not just Paraguay but also Argentina and Brazil. It is an adaptable, omnivorous species that easily lives in sympatry with various congeners.

<i>Astyanax atratoensis</i> Species of fish

Astyanax atratoensis is a small freshwater fish that occupies the Atrato river basin in Colombia. Originally described from a tributary therein, the Truandó River, it gets its specific epithet from the region. Though it faces no imminent threats, A. atratoensis inhabits waterways with a history of severe environmental pressure in the form of anthropogenic pollution. Several restoration efforts have been undertaken in the relevant regions.

<i>Astyanax bagual</i> Species of fish

Astyanax bagual is a small species of freshwater fish known only from the Taquari-Antas river basin in southern Brazil. It is unusual in the genus Astyanax because mature male specimens display bony hooks on the rays of all fins; in opposition, most others have them on the anal, pelvic, or pectoral fins - sometimes on more than one of these, but very rarely on all fins. It can further be told apart from various congeners by way of dentition and some aspects of coloration, including the presence of two humeral spots instead of one.

<i>Astyanax bimaculatus</i> Species of fish

The twospot astyanax, also called the two-spot tetra, is a small species of freshwater fish native to South America. It is a middlingly common tetra in the aquarium industry, with hobbyist reports of its sale and presence, and it is also a well-studied member of the genus Astyanax in wild settings. Amateur aquarists report peaceful schooling behavior in captivity, though fish in wild schools may turn on one another if presented with the threat of a predatory species.

<i>Astyanax biotae</i> Species of fish

Astyanax biotae is a small species of freshwater fish native to various localities in Brazil. It primarily eats invertebrates, like copepods and aquatic fly larvae, and its diet also includes seeds, fruits, and filamentous algae. Its scales are largely silver, with a touch of yellow-brown on the back and a hint of blue on the sides. Like many species of Astyanax, it has a humeral spot, which is a blotch of pigmentation in the area above or around the pectoral fin.

<i>Astyanax bourgeti</i> Species of fish

Astyanax bourgeti is a small species of freshwater fish native to the upper Amazon river in Brazil. Originally described in 1908, it is not a particularly well-studied member of the genus Astyanax, but there is enough information available to establish a native range, an appearance, and potential relationships to congeners; for example, A. bourgeti is a known member of the subgenus Poecilurichthys, and has been considered such for most of its existence. Biotope preferences, sympatry, diet, and behavior are all unknown.

<i>Astyanax brachypterygium</i> Species of fish

Astyanax brachypterygium is a small species of freshwater fish endemic to a collection of high-elevation streams in Brazil. It was named in 2001 alongside congener Astyanax cremnobates, to which it bears a strong resemblance; physical details help to differentiate between the two. Its scales are a greenish-brown on the back and silver on the belly, with reddish fins and a dark humeral spot. One of its defining features is a notably short anal-fin base, which has 13 to 15 rays.

<i>Astyanax brevirhinus</i> Species of fish

Astyanax brevirhinus is a small species of freshwater fish known only from a river basin in northeastern Brazil. It is somewhat understudied and lacks a conservation status, but it is present in a region that is the subject of an ecological restoration project - the Jequitinhonha River. Specifics of diet and behavior are unknown, though shoaling activity has been observed in laboratory conditions.

<i>Astyanax caucanus</i> Species of fish

Astyanax caucanus is a small species of freshwater fish only found in Colombia. While little research exists regarding its ecological habits, such as diet and mating practices, its environment preferences are known to include marshy lowlands, and it easily lives in sympatry with various other fish species in the Cauca and Magdalena river basins. It is not known to share a habitat with any other species of Astyanax, but has a noted phyletic relationship to a group of congeners including Astyanax filiferus, Astyanax stilbe, and Astyanax magdalenae.

Astyanax apiaka is a small freshwater fish endemic to the Apiacá river in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Its discovery is recent, as of 2023, which results in little published research of its natural behaviors or preferred biotopes. However, descriptions of its appearance and general environment have been solidified, as well as some baseline information regarding its diet. It lacks a conservation status from the IUCN.

<i>Astyanax clavitaeniatus</i> Species of fish

Astyanax clavitaeniatus is a small species of freshwater fish native to various rivers in the Amazon basin. It is characterized by a club-shaped lateral stripe, which is where it gets its scientific name; "clava" means "club", and "taenia" means "stripe". It is a deep-bodied fish with a silvery base color, which is not uncommon for members of Astyanax. Its markings - including a humeral spot and two vertical brown bars - indicate that it is a part of a species complex centered around congener Astyanax bimaculatus.

<i>Deuterodon heterostomus</i> Species of fish

Deuterodon heterostomus is a small species of characin endemic to a large river system in southeast Brazil. It was originally the only member of the genus Probolodus, but Probolodus is now considered obsolete, synonymized with Deuterodon. Much like other members of Deuterodon, and like some fish in related genera, D. heterostomus is a small, silvery fish with fins in some combination of red and clear. It has a defined humeral spot that can be used for identification.

<i>Deuterodon oyakawai</i> Species of fish

Deuterodon oyakawai is a small species of characin endemic to a large river basin along the Atlantic coast in southeast Brazil. It was originally one of three members of the genus Probolodus, but Probolodus is now considered obsolete, synonymized with Deuterodon. Much like other members of Deuterodon, and like some species in related genera, D. oyakawai is a small, silvery fish with fins in some combination of red and clear. It has a defined humeral spot that can be used for identification.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2023). "Astyanax Abramis" in FishBase . February 2023 version.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Paiz, Leonardo; Baumgätner, Lucas; Júnio da Graça, Weferson; Margarido, Vladimir (2015-02-09). "Basic cytogenetics and physical mapping of ribosomal genes in four Astyanax species (Characiformes, Characidae) collected in Middle Paraná River, Iguassu National Park: considerations on taxonomy and systematics of the genus". Comparative Cytogenetics. 9 (1): 54–65. doi: 10.3897/CompCytogen.v9i1.9002 . ISSN   1993-078X. PMC   4387380 . PMID   25893074.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Terán, Guillermo E.; Mirande, J. Marcos (30 March 2019). "Astyanax abramis (Mojarrón)" (PDF). Universo Tucumano (26). ISSN   2618-3161 . Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  4. 1 2 "Astyanax abramis". Global Biodiversity Information Facility . Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  5. ↑ Azpelicueta, M. de las Mercedes; Mirande, J. Marcos; Almirón, Adriana E.; Casciotta, Jorge R. (11 September 2003). "A new species of Astyanax (Characiformes, Characidae) from Paraná river basin in Argentina" (PDF). Revista del Museo de la Plata, Zoología. 15 (166): 1–12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 July 2020.
  6. ↑ Stuart, Courtney E.; Green, Stephanie J.; Vernygora, Oksana; LeBlanc, Aaron R. H.; Bertschi, Mary H.; Brown, Maria (April 2021). "New insights into patterns and rates of tooth replacement in serrasalmid and characid fishes, with implications for the subsistence fishery of P eru's remote ribereños villages". Journal of Fish Biology. 98 (4): 1196–1201. doi:10.1111/jfb.14634. ISSN   0022-1112. PMID   33249600. S2CID   227236074.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Leite, Erica Ferreira; Godoi, Divina Sueide de; Jacyntho, Luiz Antonio; Maceno, Jhonathan Ferreira Santos; Duarte, Cristiane Regina do Amaral (2021). "FEEDING HABITS AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF ASTYANAX ABRAMIS/HÁBITO ALIMENTAR E BIOLOGIA REPRODUTIVA DE ASTYANAX ABRAMIS". Brazilian Journal of Development. 7 (1): 2582–2597. doi:10.34117/bjdv7n1-176. S2CID   234215105.
  8. ↑ "Astyanax abramis". National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  9. ↑ Pauly, Daniel (17 August 2007). Darwin's Fishes. Cambridge University Press. p. 33. ISBN   9781139451819 . Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  10. ↑ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species related to Bertoniolus paraguayensis". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  11. ↑ Lucena, Carlos Alberto S. De; Soares, Helena Gouvea (2016-01-28). "Review of species of the Astyanax bimaculatus "caudal peduncle spot" subgroup sensu Garutti & Langeani (Characiformes, Characidae) from the rio La Plata and rio São Francisco drainages and coastal systems of southern Brazil and Uruguay". Zootaxa. 4072 (1): 101–125. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4072.1.5. ISSN   1175-5334. PMID   27395912.
  12. ↑ Rossini, Bruno César; Oliveira, Carlos Alexandre Miranda; Melo, Filipe Augusto Gonçalves de; Bertaco, Vinicius de Araújo; Astarloa, Juan M. Díaz de; Rosso, Juan J.; Foresti, Fausto; Oliveira, Claudio (2016-12-19). Rétaux, Sylvie (ed.). "Highlighting Astyanax Species Diversity through DNA Barcoding". PLOS ONE. 11 (12): e0167203. Bibcode:2016PLoSO..1167203R. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167203 . ISSN   1932-6203. PMC   5167228 . PMID   27992537.
  13. 1 2 Teixeira, Thais K. S. S.; Venere, Paulo C.; Ferreira, Daniela C.; Mariotto, Sandra; Castro, Jonathan P.; Artoni, Roberto F.; Centofante, Liano (2018-03-26). "Comparative cytogenetics of Astyanax (Teleostei: Characidae) from the upper Paraguay basin". Neotropical Ichthyology. 16 (1). doi: 10.1590/1982-0224-20170092 . ISSN   1982-0224.
  14. ↑ Scharpf, Christopher; Lazara, Kenneth J. (15 September 2020). "Order CHARACIFORMES: Family CHARACIDAE: Subfamily STETHAPRIONINAE (h-t)". The ETYFish Project. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  15. ↑ "Astyanax abramoides". Global Biodiversity Information Facility . Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  16. ↑ Scharpf, Christopher; Lazara, Kenneth J. (29 December 2022). "Order CHARACIFORMES: Family CHARACIDAE: Subfamily STETHAPRIONINAE (a-g)". The ETYFish Project. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  17. 1 2 Scarabotti, Pablo A.; López, Javier A.; Ghirardi, Romina; Parma, María Julieta (November 2011). "Morphological plasticity associated with environmental hypoxia in characiform fishes from neotropical floodplain lakes". Environmental Biology of Fishes. 92 (3): 391–402. doi:10.1007/s10641-011-9850-y. hdl: 11336/100779 . ISSN   0378-1909. S2CID   26086109.
  18. 1 2 Terán, Guillermo; Aguilera, Gastón; Mirande, Juan (14 October 2014). "First record of Astyanax puka Mirande, Aguilera & Azpelicueta, 2007 (Teleostei: Characidae) in Juramento River basin, Salta, Argentina". Check List. 10 (5): 1231–1233. doi: 10.15560/10.5.1231 . hdl: 11336/13025 .
  19. 1 2 Ojeda, Alejandra Paola; Zapata, Pedro Darío; Hirt, Lourdes M. (June 2012). "Amplificación interespecífica de microsatélites de Astyanax abramis, utilizando cebadores para la especie emparentada Astyanax fasciatus" [Interspecific amplification of Astyanax abramis microsatellites using primers for the related astyanax fasciatus]. Revista de Ciencia y Tecnología (in Spanish) (17). Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  20. ↑ Abdallah, Sara J.; Thomas, Benjamin S.; Jonz, Michael G. (June 2015). "Aquatic surface respiration and swimming behaviour in adult and developing zebrafish exposed to hypoxia". The Journal of Experimental Biology. 218 (Pt 11): 1777–1786. doi: 10.1242/jeb.116343 . ISSN   1477-9145. PMID   25944921. S2CID   207171848.
  21. 1 2 Gallas, Moisés; Calegaro-Marques, Cláudia; Bencke-Amato, Suzana (September 2015). "Supplemental observations on the morphology of Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) hilarii (Nematoda: Camallanidae) parasitizing two species of Astyanax (Characiformes: Characidae) and ecological analyses". Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad. 86 (3): 590–596. doi: 10.1016/j.rmb.2015.07.005 .
  22. ↑ Thierry, Rejas, D.A. (ed.) Aguirre, L.F. (ed.) Zepita,C. Ibanez,C. Bigorne, Rémy Zubieta,J. Oberdorff (2008). Plasticidad alimenticia de Astyanax abramis (Characidae) en rios de alta y baja conductividad en la subcuenca del Chapare (Cochabamba - Bolivia). UMSS. OCLC   959938976.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  23. ↑ Eugenia, Barros, Silvina (2004). Alimentación de Astyanax abramis (Characiformes: Characidae) en el Embalse Cabra Corral, Salta, Noroeste de Argentina. Universidad de Zaragoza: Facultad de Veterinaria. OCLC   803587389.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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