Hyphessobrycon comes from the Greek word “hyphesson,” meaning ‘of lesser stature’, used as a prefix, and Brycon as the generic name. Meanwhile, compressus is derived from the Latin term “compressus,” which means ‘compressed’ and is used to refer to this species’ compressed body shape.
Classification
Order: Characiformes
Family: Characidae
Distribution
Known from southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.
Type locality is ‘Río Papaloapam basin at El Hule, Oaxaca, Mexico’.
Río Papaloapam
The Río Papaloapam, also known as the Papaloapan River, is one of the most important rivers in Mexico, running through the states of Veracruz and Oaxaca. It is the largest river in the region, and the third longest river in Mexico, stretching over 320 km in length.
The river originates from the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range, near the Puebla-Veracruz border. It then flows in a generally eastward direction, passing through the cities of Tlacotalpan and Cosamaloapan before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico.
The Río Papaloapam is an important source of water for agriculture and hydroelectric power generation. The river basin is home to many communities that rely on the river for their livelihoods. The river also plays an important role in transportation, as it is navigable for large cargo vessels from the Gulf of Mexico to the city of Tuxtepec, located along its banks.
The biodiversity of the river and its surrounding ecosystem is also significant. The Río Papaloapam is home to over 500 species of fish, including several endangered species such as the Mexican blindcatfish (Prietella phreatophila). The river basin also supports a wide variety of wildlife, including jaguars, ocelots, and white-tailed deer.
However, the Río Papaloapam has faced a number of environmental challenges in recent years. Agricultural activities, including the use of pesticides and fertilizers, have resulted in water pollution and decreased water quality. Deforestation, particularly in the upper regions of the river basin, has led to soil erosion and decreased habitat for wildlife. These environmental threats have also impacted the livelihoods of local communities that depend on the river.
Efforts have been made to address these environmental challenges and promote sustainable use of the river and its resources. The Mexican government has implemented programs to improve water quality and promote sustainable agriculture practices in the river basin. Non-governmental organizations and local communities have also been involved in efforts to protect the biodiversity of the river and promote ecotourism.
In conclusion, the Río Papaloapam is a vital natural resource for the region, supporting the livelihoods of local communities and providing important ecological services. However, the river and its surrounding ecosystem face significant environmental challenges that require ongoing attention and action to ensure their long-term sustainability.
It has been gathered from small rivers, streams, temporary freshwater swamps, and large permanent lakes.
Sympatric species include Astyanax aeneus and Poecilia sphenops.
Sympatric species
Sympatric species are organisms that coexist in the same geographical area or habitat, and yet they are different species. They share the same environment, which makes them interact with each other, and this interaction may have a significant effect on their evolutionary processes. The term “sympatric” was first used by an American ecologist, G. Evelyn Hutchinson, in the mid-20th century.
One of the most interesting aspects of sympatric species is how they can evolve and adapt to their shared environment while minimizing competition for resources. Sympatric species often occupy distinct ecological niches to reduce the competition for resources. This means that they are able to coexist without competing for the same food, shelter, or other resources. For example, one species may feed on a particular type of plant or insect, while another species may feed on a different type of plant or insect, and thus avoid direct competition with each other.
Sympatric species may also evolve through a process called “character displacement.” This occurs when two or more species occupying the same geographical area develop different characteristics that allow them to reduce competition and increase their chances of survival. For example, two species of finches on the Galápagos Islands have evolved different beak sizes, allowing them to specialize in different food sources and reducing competition between them.
However, sympatric species can also compete for the same resources. In these cases, they may develop strategies to minimize competition, such as partitioning resources, or evolving different mating behaviors or reproductive strategies. For example, some species of birds may use different songs to attract mates, thus reducing competition for mating partners.
Sympatric speciation is another phenomenon that occurs when new species arise within a single geographic area, without a physical barrier to gene flow. This can happen when two populations of a single species evolve different characteristics that lead to reproductive isolation, such as different mating behaviors, or preferences for different habitats or food sources. Over time, these differences accumulate and result in the formation of two distinct species.
Overall, the study of sympatric species is critical for understanding the complex dynamics of evolution and ecological interactions. It has important implications for conservation efforts, as understanding how different species coexist and interact can help us better manage and protect natural ecosystems.
Maximum Standard Length
40 – 45 mm.
Water Conditions
Temperature: 20 – 26 °C
pH: 6.5 – 8.0
Diet
Probably an opportunistic omnivore by nature.
Sexual Dimorphism
Nuptial adult males apparently develop a much darker colour pattern than females.
H. compressus, the type species of the genus Hyphessobrycon, is not a well-known fish in the ornamental trade. The genus Hyphessobrycon was originally established as a subgenus of Hemigrammus by Durbin in Eigenmann (1908). The main characteristic that distinguishes Hyphessobrycon from Hemigrammus is the absence of scales on the caudal fin.
The taxonomy of the genus has been revised several times since its establishment. Eigenmann (1918, 1921) revised the grouping, while Géry (1977) created artificial groups based on color pattern. These definitions are still used today, such as the H. agulha group and the H. heterohabdus group. However, these groupings are not considered to represent monophyletic assemblages, and their concepts are continuously redefined.
Weitzman & Palmer (1997) hypothesized the existence of a monophyletic assemblage within the genus based on color pattern and male fin morphology, which they called the “rosy tetra clade.” One of the characters supporting its monophyly is the presence of a prominent dark marking on the dorsal fin. Some authors consider this assemblage, plus other morphologically similar species, to represent Hyphessobrycon sensu stricto. The remaining species are included in a much-expanded H. heterohabdus group.
However, other researchers have proposed conflicting, typically more restricted, views of both the genus and/or its constituent species groups. As currently recognized, Hyphessobrycon is a polyphyletic lineage containing several genera. The process of splitting it up has already begun, and Malabarba et al. (2012) revalidated the genus Ectrepopterus Fowler, previously considered a synonym of Hyphessobrycon.
Malabarba et al. (2012) analyzed the relationships of Ectrepopterus and Hyphessobrycon within the Characidae in the context of Mirande’s (2010) previous work. They also included the type species, H. compressus, for the first time in such a study. The results showed that H. compressus is more closely related to “rosy tetra” representatives such as H. eques, H. pulchripinnis, and H. socolofi than other members of the genus, including H. anisitsi, H. bifasciatus, H. elachys, H. herbertaxelrodi, and H. luetkeni.
References
Meek, S. E., 1904 – Field Columbian Museum, Zoological Series v. 5: i-lxiii + 1-252
The fresh-water fishes of Mexico north of the isthmus of Tehuantepec.
Calcagnotto, D., S. A. Schaefer, and R. DeSalle, 2005 – Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 36(1): 135-153
Relationships among characiform fishes inferred from analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial gene sequences.
Endruweit, M., 2013 – Aquariophil
World Wide Web electronic publication, www.aquariophil.org, accessed on 2013.09.09
Géry, J., 1977 – T. F. H. Publications, Inc.: 1-672
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Malabarba, L. R., V. A. Bertaco, F. R. Carvalho & T. O. Litz., 2012 – Zootaxa 3204: 47-60
Revalidation of the genus Ectrepopterus Fowler (Teleostei: Characiformes), with the redescription of its type species, E. uruguayensis.
Mirande, J. M., 2010 – Neotropical Ichthyology 8(3): 385-568
Phylogeny of the family Characidae (Teleostei: Characiformes): from characters to taxonomy.
Oliveira, C. A., G. S. Avellino, K. T. Abe, T. C. Mariguela, R. C. Benine, G. Orti, R. P. Vari, and R. M. Corrêa e Castro, 2011 – BMC Evolutionary Biology 11(1): 275-300
Phylogenetic relationships within the speciose family Characidae (Teleostei: Ostariophysi: Characiformes) based on multilocus analysis and extensive ingroup sampling.
Reis, R. E., S. O. Kullander and C. J. Ferraris, Jr. (eds), 2003 – EDIPUCRS, Porto Alegre: i-xi + 1-729
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Weitzman, S. H. and L. Palmer, 1997 – Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 7(3): 209-242
A new species of Hyphessobrycon (Teleostei: Characidae) from the Neblina region of Venezuela and Brazil, with comments on the putative `rosy tetra clade’.
Zarske, A., 2014 – Vertebrate Zoology 64(2): 139-167
Zur Systematik einiger Blutsalmler oder “Rosy Tetras” (Teleostei: Ostariophysi: Characidae).
