Systematics, taxonomic revision and biogeography of the Heptapterini Gill, 1861 (Ostariophysi, Siluriformes, Heptapteridae) class

Abstract

The Heptapterini class, of the Heptapteridae family, consists of small to medium size catfish which inhabit streams throughout almost the entire Neotropical region. Of the 24 genuses of this class which are recognized as valid (10 of which have yet to be formally described), only Mastiglanis, Nemuroglanis and Taunayia have been revised. Taking as a base cladistic methodology, the objective through this research is: 1) to undertake a rigorous re-analysis of the phylogenetic relationships of the species of the Heptapteridae family (through parsimony programs), with special attention to the Heptapterini class; 2) to implement a classification for the whole family up to the generic level; 3) to undertake a taxonomic revision of the Heptapterini class, with the description of several new taxons; 4) to formulate a hypothesis on the historical biogeography of the Heptapterini class, and to postulate a general hypothesis on the evolutive history of the Neotropical hydrographic basins; and 5) gather ecological and geographical distribution information on the members of the Heptapterini class, to support future conservationist actions. (AU)