Tometes

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Tometes
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Family: Serrasalmidae
Genus: Tometes
Valenciennes, 1850
Type species
Tometes trilobatus
Valenciennes, 1850

Tometes is a genus of fish in the family Serrasalmidae found in fast-flowing rivers in northern South America. [1] [2] Adults of all seven species in this genus are phytophagous, feeding primarily on aquatic plants in the family Podostemaceae. [3]

Contents

The genus name Tometes was coined in 1850 by Valenciennes in reference to the incisiform teeth. When the type species of the genus, T. trilobatus, was described in 1850, it was placed in synonym with Myleus setiger, the type species of the genus Myleus , which is why Tometes and Myleus were considered to be the same genus for a long time. It was just later that the two genera were revalitated and other specimen could be categorized in the genus Tometes. [4]

Taxonomy

Even today the taxonomic classification of the Serrasalmidae is not an easy task. Many names are placed in synonymy due to a lack of information and insufficient data bases. It was not long ago when it was discovered that Tometes and Myleus are two different genera but that Tometes, Myleus, Mylesinus and Ossubtus share a common ancestor. Typical characters of Tometes coincide with Mylesinus and Ossubtus specimen more than Myleus. [4] It is further known that Tometes live in sympatry with other reophilic Serrasalmidae. [1] Tometes species are also not to be mistaken with pacus, a vegetarian fish, which is often sold as a vegetarian piranha in the corresponding countries. One can easily distinguish one from another by their very different composition of their dentition. [5] [ better source needed ]

Description

Depending on the exact species, the maximum length of Tometes is between 28.3 and 91.1 cm (0.9–3.0 ft). [2] They can weigh more than 5 kg (11 lb). [6] The body color is generally gray or silvery, showing a brighter color at the bottom side. Their name was given due to their incisiform teeth, which are thicker and lower than in the other related genera. [4] Also the teeth are placed side by side, are weakly attached to the jaw and are primarily used for cutting leaves. Sexually mature male of Tometes differ from females by an additional anal-fin lobe, an elongated dorsal fin or a red pattern on the body. [7]

Range, habitat and ecology

T. ancylorhynchus, T. kranponhah and T. siderocarajensis are found in clearwater rivers that originate in the Brazilian Shield (Xingu and Tocantins—Araguaia basins), [3] T. camunani, T. lebaili and T. trilobatus are found in rivers of the eastern Guiana Shield (Trombetas, Commewijne, Mana, Maroni, Oyapock, Amapá Grande and Araguari basins), [1] [4] and T. makue is from the Rio Negro and Orinoco basins. [8] These species all live in rapidly moving water with a rocky environment. A dense occurrence of Tometes larvae and juveniles in rapids around Podostemaceae plants, the main food source of adult Tometes, suggests that there is a positive rheotrophism (adaptability to fast-flowing water) in the larval stage. [1] Unlike the strictly phytophagous adults, juveniles also feed on invertebrates. [6] Their association with Podostemaceae plants restricts their distributions, which makes them vulnerable to the loss of rapids by the introduction of hydroelectric dams. In a cultural aspect rheophilic serrasalmids (notably Tometes, Myloplus and Mylesinus ) are important in the tradition of local communities. [1]

Species

There are currently 7 recognized species in this genus: [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serrasalmidae</span> Family of fishes

The Serrasalmidae (serrasalmids) are a family of characiform fishes, recently 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.

<i>Alestes</i> Genus of fishes

Alestes is a genus in the family Alestidae, known as the "African Characidae" as they are found exclusively on that continent. As suggested by that name, they Alestidae was formerly included in Characidae. Myletes is a synonym of Alestes, but the former name has historically also been used for various South American serrasalmids.

Ossubtus is a genus of fish in the family Serrasalmidae. It contains a single species, Ossubtus xinguense, the parrot pacu or eaglebeak pacu, The species is endemic to rapids in the Xingu River basin in the Brazilian Amazon. This vulnerable species is primarily a herbivore.

<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.

Myleusnema bicornis is an intestinal parasite of Myleus ternetzi, or "Ternetz's Silver Dollar", a freshwater Characoid fish commonly found in the French Guiana river. M. bicornis has several unusual morphological characteristics, namely the two postcloacal "horns" in the posterior of males, and a separate elongated cephalic region (head) that may be extended and retracted. These features differ vastly from other Cosmocercoidean nematodes, as well as any others within the family Kathlaniidae, and as such necessitate the creation of the new genus Myleusnema; however, no genetic taxonomic studies have been performed.

<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.

Mylesinus is a genus of serrasalmids from South America, where found in the eastern Amazon, Essequibo and Orinoco basins. They are rheophilic, typically found at rapids and mainly feed on Podostemaceae plants. Because of their habitat preference, they are threatened by the building of dams. They reach up to 35 cm (1.15 ft) in standard length, and the adult males have a double-lobed anal fin and several filamentous extensions on the dorsal fin.

<i>Myleus</i> Genus of fishes

Myleus is a genus of serrasalmids from South America, where found in the Amazon, Orinoco and São Francisco basins, as well as river basin of the Guiana Shield. They are found in rivers with moderately or fast-flowing water, including rapids. They are primarily herbivores, but also take some animal matter. Depending on the exact species, they reach up to 12–42 cm (0.4–1.4 ft) in standard length, and the adult males have a double-lobed anal fin and filamentous extensions on the dorsal fin. Their strong teeth means that larger individuals can inflict severe bites on humans.

<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.

Utiaritichthys is a genus of serrasalmid fish found in the Amazon and Orinoco basins in tropical South America. The adults are typically found in rapidly flowing water where they feed on aquatic plants in the family Podostemaceae and filamentous algae. They reach up to 32.2 cm (1.06 ft) in standard length.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clearwater river (river type)</span> River classification based on chemistry, sediments and water colour

A clearwater river is classified based on its chemistry, sediments and water colour. Clearwater rivers have a low conductivity, relatively low levels of dissolved solids, typically have a neutral to slightly acidic pH and are very clear with a greenish colour. Clearwater rivers often have fast-flowing sections.

Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems is a peer-reviewed open access scientific journal covering management and conservation issues related to freshwater ecosystems. The journal publishes articles, short communications, reviews, comments and replies. It is published by EDP Sciences and the editor-in-chief is Thierry Oberdorff (IRD). The journal was established in 1928 as Bulletin Français de la Pêche et de la Pisciculture and obtained its current title in 2008.

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).

Myloplus zorroi is a medium to large omnivorous fish of the family Serrasalmidae from Brazil.

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).

Myloplus planquettei is a medium to large omnivorous fish of the family Serrasalmidae from South America, where found in the Mana, the Maroni and the Essequibo Basins on the Guiana Shield. It and can grow to a length of 58 cm (23 in).

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Andrade, M.C., Giarizzo, T. & Jégu, M. (2013): Tometes camunani (Characiformes: Serrasalmidae), a new species of phytophagous fish from the Guiana Shield, rio Trombetas basin, Brazil. Neotropical Ichthyology, 11 (2): 297-306.
  2. 1 2 3 Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2017). Species of Tometes in FishBase . February 2017 version.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Andrade, M.C., Jégu, M. & Giarizzo, T. (2016): Tometes kranponhah and Tometes ancylorhynchus (Characiformes: Serrasalmidae), two new phytophagous serrasalmids, and the first Tometes species described from the Brazilian Shield. Journal of Fish Biology, 89 (1): 467-494.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Jégu, M.; Dos Santos, G.M.; Keith, P.; Le Bail, P.-Y. (2002). "Supplementary description and rehabilitation of Tometes trilobatus Valenciennes, 1850, type-species of Tometes Valenciennes (Characidae: Serrasalminae)". Cybium. 26 (2): 99–122.
  5. ↑ Mitchell, E. (2013). "Vegetarian Piranhas' Teeth Point to Pre-Fall Perfection". Answers in Genesis.
  6. 1 2 "Tometes". OPEFE. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  7. ↑ Mol, J.H.A. (2012). The Freshwater Fishes of Suriname. Brill. p. 890. ISBN   978-90-04-20766-0.
  8. ↑ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2017). "Tometes makue" in FishBase . February 2017 version.
  9. ↑ Jégu, M.; Keith, P. (2005). "Threatened fishes of the world: Tometes lebaili (Jégu, Keith & Belmont-Jégu 2002) (Characidae: Serrasalminae)". Environmental Biology of Fishes. 72 (4): 378. doi:10.1007/s10641-004-4126-4. S2CID   35999447.
  10. ↑ Marcelo C. Andrade, Valéria N. Machado, Michel Jégu, Izeni P. Farias and 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.
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