Serrasalmidae

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Serrasalmidae
Temporal range: Miocene - present
Piranha-serrasalmus manueli 01.jpg
Serrasalmus manueli
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Superfamily: Erythrinoidea
Family: Serrasalmidae
Bleeker, 1859
Genera [1]

Acnodon
Catoprion
Colossoma
†Megapiranha
Metynnis
Mylesinus
Myleus
Myloplus
Mylossoma
Ossubtus
Piaractus
Pristobrycon
Pygocentrus
Pygopristis
Serrasalmus
Tometes
Utiaritichthys

Contents

The Serrasalmidae (serrasalmids) are a family of characiform fishes, recently[ when? ] elevated to family status. It includes more than 90 species. The name means "serrated salmon family", which refers to the serrated keel running along the belly of these fish. Fish classified as Serrasalmidae are also known by these common names: pacu , piranha , and silver dollar . These common names generally designate differing dental characteristics and feeding habits. [2]

Description

Serrasalmids are medium- to large-sized characiform fishes that reach about 1 m (3.3 ft) long, generally characterized by a deep, laterally compressed body with a series of midventral abdominal spines or scutes, and a long dorsal fin (over 16 rays). Most species also possess an anteriorly directed spine just before the dorsal fin extending from a supraneural bone; exceptions include members of the genera Colossoma , Piaractus , and Mylossoma . [3]

Most serrasalmids have about 60 chromosomes, ranging from 54 to 62. Metynnis has 62 chromosomes, as does Catoprion , Pristobrycon striolatus , and Pygopristis . [4]

Distribution

Serrasalmids inhabit all major and some minor Atlantic river systems in South America east of the Andes, but have been introduced to other areas. [5] Species range from about 10°N latitude south to about 35°S latitude. [6]

Ecology

The diets of the various serrasalmid fishes include seeds, fruits, leaves, and various invertebrate and vertebrate prey, as well as fish flesh, scales, and fins. To emphasize the diversity of diets, authors commonly highlight the fruit- and leaf-eating pacus and the highly carnivorous piranhas. Most in the family other than piranhas are primarily herbivorous. In contrast, piranhas have been long believed to be strict carnivores. [4] Many species change diets depending on age and resource availability. [4]

The primarily carnivorous piranha group comprises the genera Catoprion , Pristobrycon , Pygocentrus , Pygopristis and Serrasalmus , but based on phylogeny also the mainly herbivorous (although with omnivorous tendencies) Metynnis . [7] The remaining primarily herbivorous species can be divided into two groups based on ecology and, to some extent, phylogeny: Colossoma , Mylossoma and Piaractus are mainly found in relatively slow-moving waters, and feed extensively on fruits, nuts and seeds, playing an important role as seed dispersers. Mylesinus , Myleus , Ossubtus , Tometes and Utiaritichthys are found in fast-flowing sections of rivers, and mainly feed on aquatic plants, especially Podostemaceae. [7] Myloplus mostly feed on plant material and some of its species are phylogenetically related with the previous group, but this genus includes species of both slow and fast-flowing waters. [8]

Taxonomy

The Serrasalmidae were recently classified as a subfamily of the Characidae. Their relationship to other characiforms has yet to be determined. [6] The taxonomy and systematics of piranhas and their relatives are complicated and much remains unsettled. Consequently, both species identification and phylogenetic placement of many taxa are problematic. [6]

However, the ongoing classification of these fish is difficult and often contentious, with ichthyologists basing ranks according to characteristics that may overlap irregularly (see Cladistics). Ultimately, classifications can be rather arbitrary. [2]

Despite this, the Serrasalmidae are relatively well understood, and agreement is wide on the genera and species included. [3]

Fossil record

The fossil record, particularly for piranhas, is relatively sparse. Most known fossils are from the Miocene, although a few unidentified forms are considered Paleocene and two reportedly date to as early as the Late Cretaceous. [4] Fossils of a living species of Colossoma from the Miocene have been described, suggesting a very conservative history for a specialized herbivorous fish. [5] All serrasalmine genera had originated by the middle Miocene, with the possible exception of three of the four piranha genera (Pygocentrus, Pristobrycon, and Serrasalmus). [4]

Relationship to humans

Many serrasalmids are in demand as aquarium ornamentals, and several pacus, such as Piaractus and Colossoma, are economically important to commercial fisheries and aquaculture. [6]

Piranhas are generally less valued, although they are commonly consumed by subsistence fishers and frequently sold for food in local markets. A few piranha species occasionally appear in the aquarium trade, and, in recent decades, dried specimens have been marketed as tourist souvenirs. [6] Piranhas occasionally bite and sometimes injure bathers and swimmers, but serious attacks are rare and the threat to humans has been exaggerated. [6] However, piranhas are a considerable nuisance to commercial and sport fishers because they steal bait, mutilate catch, damage nets and other gear, and may bite when handled. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Characiformes</span> Order of fishes

Characiformes is an order of ray-finned fish, comprising the characins and their allies. Grouped in 18 recognized families, more than 2000 different species are described, including the well-known piranha and tetras.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piranha</span> Common name for certain fishes of the family Serrasalmidae

A piranha or piraña is any of a number of freshwater fish species in the family Serrasalmidae, or the subfamily Serrasalminae within the tetra family, Characidae in order Characiformes. These fish inhabit South American rivers, floodplains, lakes and reservoirs. Although often described as extremely predatory and mainly feeding on fish, their dietary habits vary extensively, and they will also take plant material, leading to their classification as omnivorous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silver dollar (fish)</span> Common name for several species of fish

Silver dollar is a common name given to a number of species of fishes, mostly in the genus Metynnis, tropical fish belonging to the family Serrasalmidae which are closely related to piranha and pacu. Most commonly, the name refers to Metynnis argenteus. Native to South America, these somewhat round-shaped silver fish are popular with fish-keeping hobbyists.

<i>Serrasalmus</i> Genus of fishes

Serrasalmus is a genus of piranhas. They are collectively known as pirambebas; the "typical" piranhas like the piraya piranha are nowadays placed in Pygocentrus. Like all piranhas, Serrasalmus are native to South America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pacu</span> Common name for several species of fish

Pacu is a common name used to refer to several species of omnivorous South American freshwater serrasalmid fish related to piranhas. Pacu and piranha do not have similar teeth, the main difference being jaw alignment; piranha have pointed, razor-sharp teeth in a pronounced underbite, whereas pacu have squarer, straighter teeth and a less severe underbite, or a slight overbite. Pacu, unlike piranha, mainly feed on plant material and not flesh or scales. Additionally, the pacu can reach much larger sizes than piranha, at up to 1.08 m in total length and 40 kg (88 lb) in weight.

<i>Pristobrycon</i> Genus of fishes

Pristobrycon is a genus of piranhas from the Orinoco and Amazon Basins, as well as rivers in the Guianas.

Palometa is a name used for several species of fish:

<i>Piaractus brachypomus</i> Species of fish

Piaractus brachypomus, the Red-Bellied Pacu or Pirapitinga, is a large species of pacu, a close relative of piranhas and silver dollars, in the serrasalmid family. It is native to the Amazon basin in tropical South America, but it formerly included populations in the Orinoco, which was described in 2019 as a separate species, P. orinoquensis. Additionally, P. brachypomus is widely farmed and has been introduced to other regions. In South Florida they are invasive in rivers, canals or lakes.

<i>Megapiranha</i> Extinct genus of fishes

Megapiranha is an extinct serrasalmid characin fish from the Late Miocene Ituzaingó Formation of Argentina, described in 2009. The type species is M. paranensis. It is thought to have been about 71 centimetres (28 in) in length and 10 kilograms (22 lb) in weight. The holotype consists only of premaxillae and a zigzag tooth row; the rest of its body is unknown. This dentition is reminiscent of both the double-row seen in pacus, and the single row seen in the teeth of modern piranhas, suggesting that M. paranensis is a transitional form. Its bite force is estimated between 1,240–4,749 N (279–1,068 lbf).

<i>Myloplus schomburgkii</i> Species of fish

Myloplus schomburgkii, also known as the Disk tetra, Disk pacu, Black-ear pacu, Black-band myleus or Black-barred myleus is a species of serrasalmid with a black bar on its side. This species is found in the middle and lower Amazon River basin, Nanay River, upper Orinoco River basin in Brazil, Peru, Venezuela and possibly in Suriname.

<i>Metynnis</i> Genus of fishes

Metynnis is a genus of serrasalmid fish from tropical and subtropical South America. They are herbivorous or omnivorous, and inhabit a wide range of freshwater habitats, ranging from rivers and streams, to floodplains, flooded forests, lakes, pools and reservoirs. They generally reach 8–15 cm (3–6 in) in standard length, although a few species may reach up to 18 cm (7 in). The genus contains many of the species known as silver dollars in the aquarium trade.

<i>Myloplus</i> Genus of fishes

Myloplus is a genus of freshwater fish in the family Serrasalmidae found in tropical and subtropical South America, where they inhabit rivers and streams. They are primarily herbivores, but also take some animal matter. Depending on the exact species, they reach up to 16–56 cm (0.5–1.8 ft) in standard length. Adult males have a double-lobed anal fin and filamentous extensions on the dorsal fin, and both sexes can be brightly colored when breeding.

<i>Mylossoma</i> Genus of fishes

Mylossoma is a genus of serrasalmids from tropical and subtropical South America, including the basins of the Amazon, Orinoco, Lake Maracaibo and Paraguay-Paraná. These common fish are found both in main river sections and floodplains. They support important fisheries and based on a review by IBAMA, they are the seventh most caught fish by weight in the Brazilian Amazon. They primarily feed on plant material such as seeds and fruits, and in their ecology they generally resemble the larger tambaqui. Mylossoma reach up to 28.5 cm (11.2 in) in length and 1 kg (2.2 lb) in weight.

<i>Piaractus</i> Genus of fishes

Piaractus is a genus of large serrasalmid from South America. The two traditionally recognized species of Piaractus are very similar in appearance and were formerly included in the genus Colossoma, which currently only contains another similar species, the tambaqui. A third Piaractus was described in 2019 as a new species, but it was formerly considered a subpopulation of P. brachypomus.

Tometes is a genus of fish in the family Serrasalmidae found in fast-flowing rivers in northern South America. Adults of all seven species in this genus are phytophagous, feeding primarily on aquatic plants in the family Podostemaceae.

Myloplus nigrolineatus is a species of freshwater fish in the serrasalmid family of order Characiformes. It is native to the Amazon River basin in South America.

Myloplus arnoldi is a medium to large omnivorous fish of the family Serrasalmidae from South America, where it is found in the Amazon, Xingu and Tocantins River basins. It can grow to a length of 33 cm (13 in). They are also called the silver dollar and are one of the fish referred to as "silver dollars". These fish are capable of delivering serious bites to humans.

Myloplus ternetzi is a medium to large omnivorous fish of the family Serrasalmidae from South America, where found in the east and the northeastern Guiana Shield rivers. It and can grow to a length of 23.1 cm (9.1 in).

Myloplus lucienae is a medium to large omnivorous fish of the family Serrasalmidae from Brazil. It and can grow to a length of 33.8 cm (13.3 in).

Acnodon senai is a species of serrasalmids found in South America. It is found in the Jari River basin in Brazil. This species reaches a length of 13.2 cm (5.2 in).

References

  1. ↑ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Family Serrasalmidae". FishBase . April 2013 version.
  2. 1 2 Magallanes, Frank (2006-04-06). "Subfamily Serrasalminae" (Website). Oregon Piranha Exotic Fish Exhibit.
  3. 1 2 Freeman et al. 2007 , p. 3
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Freeman et al. 2007 , pp. 6–7
  5. 1 2 Nelson, Joseph S. (2006). Fishes of the World. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN   0-471-25031-7.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Freeman, Barbie; Nico, Leo G.; Osentoski, Matthew; Jelks, Howard L.; Collins, Timothy M. (2007). "Molecular systematics of Serrasalmidae: Deciphering the identities of piranha species and unraveling their evolutionary histories" (PDF). Zootaxa . 1484: 2. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.1484.1.1 . Retrieved 2009-06-25.
  7. 1 2 Marcelo C. Andrade; Valéria N. Machado; Michel Jégu; Izeni P. Farias; Tommaso Giarrizzo (2017). "A New Species of Tometes Valenciennes 1850 (Characiformes: Serrasalmidae) from Tocantins-Araguaia River Basin Based on Integrative Analysis of Molecular and Morphological Data". PLOS ONE. 12 (4): e0170053. Bibcode:2017PLoSO..1270053A. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170053 . PMC   5396854 . PMID   28422969.
  8. ↑ Marcelo C. Andrade; Rafaela P. Ota; Douglas A. Bastos; Michel Jégu (2016). "A new large Myloplus Gill 1896 from rio Negro basin, Brazilian Amazon (Characiformes: Serrasalmidae)". Zootaxa. 4205 (6): 571–580. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4205.6.5. PMID   27988550.
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