‘Armored’ river creature with ‘copper colored’ teeth turns out to be new species
In a mountain stream of southern Brazil, an “armored” creature swam along searching for the next meal to sink its “copper colored” teeth into. But something pulled it toward the surface.
Passing scientists looked at their blotchy catch — and discovered a new species.
Researchers visited several rivers in Minas Gerais state in 2010 and 2023 searching for overlooked wildlife, according to a study published Dec. 6 in the peer-reviewed journal Neotropical Ichthyology. During the surveys, they found dozens of unfamiliar-looking catfish.
Intrigued, researchers analyzed the catfish and soon realized they’d discovered a new species: Neoplecostomus altimontanus, or the high mountain armored catfish.
High mountain armored catfish can reach about 4 inches in length, the study said. Their bodies are “entirely covered with bony plates” except for a few spots. Their “broad” heads have “moderate sized” eyes and dozens of “copper colored” teeth.
Photos show the blotchy pattern of the new species. The catfish vary in coloring from a paler creamy brown to darker gray-brown to slightly yellowy brown.
Males and females also vary by teeth size and number, researchers said. Males have fewer “short, robust” teeth while females have “slender and more numerous teeth.”
High mountain armored catfish live in cold, shallow streams with “crystal clear water” between elevations of about 4,200 to 4,900 feet, the study said. The fish were “more frequently captured at the portions with highest water flow, where small waterfalls are formed.”
Researchers said they named the new species “altimontanus,” a Latin phrase meaning “inhabitant of high mountains,” after its preferred habitat.
So far, the new species has only been found in two streams on the slopes of a mountain in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais, the study said. The sites are a roughly 140-mile drive northwest of Rio de Janeiro.
The new species was identified by its body plates, teeth, coloring and other subtle physical features, the study said. Researchers did not provide a DNA analysis of the new species.
The research team included Pedro Uzeda, Isabel Paiola, Poliana Cesar, Vitor Kenzo Okubo, Wellington Marques-Frisoni, Breno Andrade and Francisco Langeani.
The team also discovered a second new species of armored catfish.
This story was originally published December 6, 2024 at 11:48 AM with the headline "‘Armored’ river creature with ‘copper colored’ teeth turns out to be new species."
