Heterocharacinae, Gery, 1966

Node 217: Heterocharacinae (100 / 100 / 99 / 35)

Genera Gnathocharax ?, Heterocharax , Hoplocharax , and Lonchogenys .

The monophyly of a clade composed of Gnathocharax (not analyzed here), Heterocharax , Hoplocharax , and Lonchogenys was proposed by Lucena (1998). According to his hypothesis, this clade also included the subfamily Characinae . The tentative inclusion of Gnathocharax in this subfamily follows Lucena (1998). Lucena & Menezes (2003) followed this classification and included these genera in the Characinae . The relationships of the miniature genus Priocharax Weitzman & Vari (not analyzed here) are uncertain. In the phylogeny of Lucena (1998) Priocharax is the sister group of the remaining members of the Characinae (including the members of this clade). Lucena & Menezes (2003) also included Priocharax in the Characinae , and that classification is followed herein as far as the placement of this genus pending focused studies of this question. Toledo-Piza (2007) obtained a sister-group relationship between Gnathocharax and the cynodontin Roestes separate from the remaining taxa of the Cynodontinae . She stated, however, that not all the information relating Roestes with the remaining Cynodontinae was included in her analysis. Until the relationships of Gnathocharax be further studied it is tentatively included in this clade.

Synapomorphies:

1. Ventromedial opening of posttemporal fossa (8): (0> 1) present. Paralleled in nodes 175 and 184.

2. Dorsal process of pterotic where tendon from epaxial musculature attach (45): (0> 1) present, projecting dorsally from tube for semicircular canal. Paralleled in node 193 and in Rhoadsia altipinna and Serrasalmus maculatus .

3. Ventral extent of third infraorbital (64):(1> 0)reaching horizontal arm of preopercle. Reversal of synapomorphy 3 of node 180. Paralleled in the Iguanodectinae , in nodes 184, 198, 225, and 302, and in Agoniates anchovia , Brycon pesu , Hasemania nana , Markiana nigripinnis , Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae , Pseudochalceus kyburzi , Roeboexodon geryi , and Stichonodon insignis . Some trees: Reversed in node 292.

4. Laterosensory canal of first infraorbital (73): (1> 0) projects dorsally from main body of first infraorbital. Paralleled in the Gasteropelecidae .

5. Morphology of premaxillary, maxillary, and dentary teeth (118): (1> 0) all teeth conical, caniniform or mamilliform. Paralleled in nodes 174, 181, and 211 and in Axelrodia lindeae , Grundulus cochae , and Exodon paradoxus .

6. Inner row of dentary teeth (143): (1> 0) present. Reversal of synapomorphy 2 of node 189. Paralleled in node 276 and in Aphyocharacidium bolivianum .

7. Anterior extension of interopercle (163): (0> 1) not extending anteriorly beyond terminus of horizontal arm of preopercle. Paralleled in nodes 162, 174, and 212 and in Hoplias cf. malabaricus and Piaractus mesopotamicus .

8. Shape of posteroventral corner of preopercle (174): (1> 0) acute.

9. Edentulous basihyal lamella (189): (0> 1) present. Paralleled in the Alestidae , in nodes 175 and 302, and in Bryconops affinis and Carnegiella strigata .

10. Anteriorly directed spine at base of first rib (223): (0> 1) present. Paralleled in Agoniates anchovia . Some trees: Paralleled in node 302.

11. Horizontal line of chromatophores just dorsal to anal-fin base (344): (0> 1) present. Paralleled in Coptobrycon bilineatus .