Re: commbrae/inconspicua/linkei

[Mike & Diane Wise <apistowise@bewellnet.com>]

Gary & everyone else,

Every time you try to ID an apisto please repeat: "Color is not used in IDing
apistos, color is not used in IDing apistos, color is not used in IDing apistos,
..." Now that we have have this very valuable piece of information memorized,
lets see what separates the 3 scientifically described species of the
commbrae-complex. All species have the commbrae-caudal patch made out of a caudal
spot and the last vertical bar (Bar 7). Now for diagnostic features:

A. commbrae: moderately deep body; narrow lateral band ends just in front of
caudal patch (Bar 7); 2-4 usually highly visible abdominal stripes; banded caudal
fin (at least the posterior end, but commonly over the entire tail). This species
is found throughout the Rio Paraguay system above the mouth of the Rio Paraná
(along with A. trifasciata & A. borellii, but not necessarily sympatric with
them).

A. inconspicua: larger and slightly deeper bodied than A. commbrae; no abdominal
stripes (or very very weakly visible at best); caudal fin round to slightly
squared off with well developed rows of spots; lateral band sits higher on the
flanks and is never continuous to the caudal spot but ends at Bar 6. If you are
willing to count dorsal spines, A. inconspicua has only 15 instead of the 16
dorsal spines typical of most apistos. A. inconspicua is found in the headwaters
of the Rio Paraguay and Rio Guaporé systems. Both A. borellii & A. trifasciata
are found in parts of the same area, but not necessarily sympatric.

A. linkei: similar in size to A. inconspicua but deeper bodied; no abdominal
stripes, but instead has 1 or 2 horizontal rows of anteriorly darkened scales
that form rows of spots below the lateral band; caudal fin round with no rows of
spot (or at best 2-3 rows of very indistinct spots on the posterior part of the
tail); and a stipple-like pattern of dark spots on the top of the head. All
specimens so far collected show a yellow breast, thus the common name
Gelbbrust/Yellow-breast. This color, however, is variable in its intensity and
should NOT be considered a diagnostic feature since other apisto species (even in
the commbrae-complex!) show this. I wouldn't be surprised if we find populations
of A. linkei without a yellow breast in the future. A. linkei is found in the
upper Rio Mamoré & San Miguel of Boliva's Llanos de Mojos lowland plains. Other
apistos from this area include A. staecki & A. luelingi, but they are not
typically sympatric with A. linkei.

The combrae-complex species appear to be the southern ecological equivalent to
the macmaster-group of northern South America. Both groups contain fish that
inhabit streams and oases on open plains that are seasonally inundated.

Linke & Staeck show the correct species. Their A. commbrae is an extremely
colorful population. Their A. inconspicua if very drab and their A. linkei is
typical. Read their sections on morphologically similar species for each of these
species. It should be about the same as I have listed.

Gary doesn't mention the commbrae-like caudal patch. Perhaps it is some other
species like A. pleurotaenia, A. sp. Paraguay, or one of the unpublished species
from the Mato Grosso region of South America. Without a description of the dark
markings it's impossible to really ID an apisto. Remember, color is not used in
IDing apistos, color is not used in IDing apistos, color is not used in IDing
apistos, ... .

Mike Wise

Frauley/Elson wrote:

> Hi,
> I have a pair of fish here that were mixers with borellii and
> trifasciata. I'd say they're either commbrae, inconspicua or linkei. The
> male's body colour seems stable at clear blue. In the photos (Aqualog
> and other sources), all these fish have red and blue on the gillplates.
> Linkei may or may not have yellow on the chest (this fish doesn't),
> however, the very base of the pectorals is yellow.
> Can someone help with with a visual ID, or a feed to a trustworthy
> commbrae/inconspicua photo source?
> Thanks,
> Gary
>
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