Taxonomic review of the Hyphessobrycon panamensis species-group (Characiformes: Characidae)

A taxonomic review of the Hyphessobrycon panamensis species-group is presented, with recognition of six valid species. In Central America, H. panamensis was restricted to the drainages of both Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Panama; H. savagei was recorded at the rio Pirris and rio Terraba, Pacific coast of Costa Rica, and Hyphessobrycon bussingi, new species, described from the rio Sixaola basin, Atlantic coast of Costa Rica, and from the rio Changuinola, rio Guarumo and rio San San, Atlantic coast of Panama. At trans-andean South America, H. columbianus was recorded at the rio Acandi, Colombia, and its geographical distribution was extended into the coastal drainages in San Blas province, Panama; H. condotensis was recorded at the rio Atrato, rio Baudo, lower rio Magdalena and rio San Juan basins, Colombia, while H. sebastiani was considered as its junior synonym. Hyphessobrycon daguae was revalidated, erected to the specific level, considered as senior synonym of H. chocoensis, and recorded from the rio Dagua, rio Patia and rio Telembi basins, in Colombia, the rio Mira, at the border between Colombia and Ecuador, and the rio Cayapas, rio Mataje, and rio Santiago, in Ecuador. Color pattern and secondary sexual characters (e.g. number, arrangement and shape of hooks in mature males) suggest that the Hyphessobrycon panamensis species-group is a putatively monophyletic lineage. (AU)