Aphyocharacinae, Eigenmann, 1909

Node 194: Aphyocharacinae (100 / 100 / 64 / 66)

Genera Aphyocharax , Inpaichthys Géry & Junk , Leptagoniates ?, Paragoniates Steindachner , Phenagoniates Eigenmann & Wilson , Prionobrama , Rachoviscus Myers ?, and Xenagoniates Myers.

As classically treated, the subfamily Aphyocharacinae included only Aphyocharax ( Eigenmann, 1909) . Géry (1977), however, mentioned the pronounced resemblance between Aphyocharax and the members of his Paragoniatinae (genera Leptagoniates , Paragoniates , Phenagoniates , Prionobrama , Rachoviscus , and Xenagoniates ), especially with Prionobrama and Rachoviscus . A similar group of genera was obtained as monophyletic by Quevedo (2006). Leptagoniates was not analyzed in this paper, but it shares an overall resemblance with Xenagoniates and, in the case of its type-species, L. steindachneri Boulenger , a very long anal-fin, with more than 60 rays. This unusual character state could be an evidence of close relationship between Leptagoniates and the Aphyocharacinae . The relationships of Rachoviscus are also unclear. Géry (1977) mentioned that R. crassiceps Myers has non-aligned premaxillary teeth, which seems to form two independent rows in some specimens. This condition is comparable to that of Inpaichthys kerri among the species herein analyzed. Rachoviscus additionally shares with Inpaichthys certain resemblances in overall form and coloration. Both Leptagoniates and Rachoviscus are provisionally included in this node based on the long anal-fin and the position of the premaxillary teeth which probably relate these genera with Xenagoniates and Inpaichthys , respectively. Thus, this node includes the subfamilies Aphyocharacinae and Paragoniatinae of Géry (1977), plus Inpaichthys kerri as sister group of these former subfamilies. The nomenclatural options derivable from these results are to conserve as valid both the Aphyocharacinae and Paragoniatinae , add a new monotypic subfamily for Inpaichthys , or join together all members of this clade in the same subfamily. The latter option is preferred so as to be conservative in the creation of new categories, and avoid the potential need to create other subfamilies for species eventually resolved at the base of this clade. Among the available names, Aphyocharacinae Eigenmann, 1909 has temporal precedence over Paragoniatinae Géry, 1972 .

Synapomorphies:

1. Synchondral articulation between lateral ethmoid and anterodorsal border of orbitosphenoid (35): (1> 0) present. Paralleled in Leporinus striatus , Mimagoniates rheocharis , Pristella maxillaris , and Rhaphiodon vulpinus .

2. Fourth infraorbital (66): (0> 1) absent or much reduced and bordered posteriorly by third and fifth infraorbitals. Paralleled in the Gasteropelecidae , in node 186, and in Aphyodite grammica , Hasemania nana , Hemigrammus erythrozonus , Hoplocharax goethei , Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis , and Nematobrycon palmeri . Reversed in node 207.

3. Number of branched pelvic-fin rays (258): (1> 0) six or less. Paralleled in nodes 220, 236, 280, and 302 and in Axelrodia lindeae , Cheirodon interruptus , Cyanocharax alburnus , Hollandichthys multifasciatus , Hoplocharax goethei , and Hyphessobrycon luetkenii . Some trees: Paralleled in Hasemania nana and Hyphessobrycon elachys . Reversed in Aphyocharax dentatus and Paragoniates alburnus .

Autapomorphies of Inpaichthys kerri :

1. Length of sphenotic spine (10): (0> 1) extending ventrally to articulation between sphenotic and hyomandibula. Reversal of synapomorphy 1 of node 197. Paralleled in Creagrutus anary . Some trees: Paralleled in Aphyodite grammica .

2. Posterior extension of rhinosphenoid cartilage (49): (0> 1) extended to vertical through region of articulation between orbitosphenoid and pterosphenoid.

3. Antorbital (55): (0> 1) absent or fused with first infraorbital. Paralleled in Hoplias cf. malabaricus .

4. Canal of lateral line on caudal-fin membrane (92): (1> 0) absent. Reversal of synapomorphy 3 of the Characidae . Paralleled in the Aphyoditeinae and Bryconops clade, in nodes 227, 229, 244, 287, 294, and 298, and in Aphyocharax nattereri , Bryconamericus rubropictus , B. thomasi , Charax stenopterus , Hyphessobrycon anisitsi , and Phenacogaster tegatus .

5. Abrupt posterior expansion of interopercle (164): (0> 1) present. Paralleled in the Cheirodontinae and in Apareiodon affinis , and Pyrrhulina australis .

6. Posterior margin of cleithrum (234): (1> 0) without concavity ventral to first postcleithrum. Reversal of synapomorphy 2 of node 196. Paralleled in node 298 and in Cheirodon interruptus .

7. Bony hooks on fin rays (307): (1> 0) absent. Paralleled in the Gymnocharacinae , in nodes 207, 283, 297, and 301, and in Astyanax paris , Bryconamericus mennii , Exodon paradoxus , Pseudochalceus kyburzi , and Rhoadsia altipinna . Some trees: Paralleled in Hasemania nana and Hyphessobrycon elachys .

8. Contact between dorsal margin of adductor mandibulae and ventral margin of dilator operculi (335): (1> 0) absent. Paralleled in Creagrutus anary , Piabucus melanostomus , Prionobrama paraguayensis , Pristella maxillaris , Prodontocharax melanotus , and Pyrrhulina australis . Some trees: Paralleled in Hyphessobrycon elachys .