Zarske, A & J Géry, 2006
On the identity of Copella nattereri (Steindachner, 1876) including description of a new species (Teleostei: Characiformes: Lebiasinidae).Abstract.
A lectotype is designated for Pyrrhulina nattereri STEINDACHNER, 1876, now Copella nattereri (STEINDACHNER, 1876). This act was necessary owing to the present confusion: the type material from Barra do Rio Negro, collected by NATTERER, was not being found in the NMW during 12 years of researches, and the remaining type material from near Obidos, collected by the THAYER expedition, does not correspond with the fishes described under the name nattereri by modern ichthyologists as well as by aquarists. Different forms of the ecological-based group are
distinguished. Morphometrics and meristics are apparently not useful in separating them. Waiting for results in behavioral and genetic studies, the color-pattern seems to be the best discriminant character. C. nattereri is characterized by (1) a dark longitudinal band from tip of snout to the base of caudal fin, (2) a pale or silvery line above the dark, (3) about three rows of spots on the scales of the flanks, red in vivo and pale in alcohol, and (4) a dark, usually triangular, spot on the basis of the ventral rays of caudal fin. C. nigrofasciata (MEINKEN, 1952) is closely related to C. nattereri. The two forms can only be separated by the scale-spots, C. nigrofasciata having five or six rows of red spots on the scales of the flanks, pale in alcohol, whereas C. nattereri has always only three similar rows. Their taxonomic level is discussed. At least two other forms complete the group. One, Copella meinkeni n. sp., is described. It is characterized by: (1) the absence of the broad dark longitudinal band and the pale line about it; (2) the presence of five or six rows of red spots of the flanks, pale in alcohol, and (3) the absence of a spot on the basis of the ventral rays of caudal fin. A fourth taxon, provisionally termed C. spec. aff. meinkeni, is not described as new, owing to lack of information. It differs externally from Copella meinkeni n. sp. in the color of the scales of the flanks, the five or six rows being marked by dark to red-brown dots (instead of red), similarly pale in alcohol, and the presence of the inferior triangular caudal spot. An extensive discussion and a key to the Copella species follow the descriptions.
Zarske, A & J Géry, 2006.
Zoologische Abhandlungen 56: 15–46.
