Anatomia comparada y evolucion de las especies de pseudoplatystoma Bleeker 1862 (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae).(Zoología)

Resumen

Se presenta un estudio anatomico comparativo de las especies de Pseudoplatystoma, un grupo diverso de bagres neotropicales. Con la ayuda de caracteres morfologicos significativos se realizo un analisis filogenetico preliminar, que si bien no resuelve en forma definitiva la evolucion del grupo, demuestra la existencia de una especie putativa no descrita. En consecuencia, se reconoce el estatus de P. tigrinum como especie restringida al rio Amazonas, su localidad tipica. Las poblaciones del rio Orinoco, atribuidas a esta especie corresponden a un nuevo taxon en proceso de descripcion.

Palabras clave: Anatomia descriptiva, anatomia comparada, filogenia, diversidad, Pseudoplatystoma.

Abstract

A detailed descriptive and comparative study of the anatomy of the species of Pseudoplatystoma is performed. Characters with phylogenetic signal were used to reconstruct the evolution of the recognized and putative new species. Although the recovered phylogenetic tree is unresolved, it is noteworthy for estimating the diversity of Pseudoplatystoma. The diversity of this group remained underestimated for long time. Based on preliminary data, this group may have more than twice the number of species. The status of P. tigrinum is recognized and supported in this work and is restricted to the Amazon river (its type locality). The population of this species from the Orinoco river basin is regarded as putative new species in the process of description.