‘Armored’ creature with ‘copper colored’ teeth found in river. It’s a new species
In a river of eastern Brazil, an “armored” creature swam along searching for the next meal to sink its “copper colored” teeth into. But it wasn’t the only one searching. Passing scientists scooped up the blotchy animal for a closer look.
It turned out to be a new species.
Researchers visited several sections of the Sapucaí River between 2001 and 2024 to survey overlooked aquatic life, according to a study published Dec. 6 in the peer-reviewed journal Neotropical Ichthyology. During the surveys, scientists caught dozens of unfamiliar-looking catfish.
For over a decade, scientific studies referenced the unique Sapucaí fish as an unknown species, but no one had studied the animals in detail — until now.
A team of researchers took a closer look at the catfish, analyzed their DNA and compared their appearances to other known species. Sure enough, the catfish were consistently distinct.
Researchers realized they’d discovered a new species: Neoplecostomus sapucai, or the Sapucaí River armored catfish.
Sapucaí River armored catfish can reach about 3.5 inches in length, the study said. Their bodies are “elongated” and “entirely covered with bony plates,” except for a few small spots. They have “broad” heads, bumpy lips and dozens of “copper colored” teeth.
A photo shows the golden yellow and brown coloring of the new species. Blurred blotches of color dot its fins and sides.
Males and females of the new species vary by teeth size and number, researchers said. Males have fewer “short, robust” teeth while females have “slender and more numerous teeth.”
Sapucaí River armored catfish live in shallow stony streams with “crystal-clear waters” and a “rapid flow,” the study said. The fish also were found living near reservoirs, pastures and highways, suggesting human activities “do not appear to pose significant threats” to its populations.
Researchers said they named the new species after the Sapucaí River where it was discovered and, so far, the only water system where it’s been found.
Sapucaí River armored catfish have been found in 16 sites within the Sapucaí River drainage, an area stretching between Minas Gerais and São Paulo states in eastern Brazil and near Rio de Janeiro.
The new species was identified by its DNA, body plates, teeth, coloring, fins and other subtle physical features, the study said.
The research team included Pedro Uzeda, Isabel Paiola, Poliana Cesar, Vitor Kenzo Okubo, Wellington Marques-Frisoni, Breno Andrade and Francisco Langeani.
The team also discovered a second new species of armored catfish.
This story was originally published December 12, 2024 at 6:19 AM with the headline "‘Armored’ creature with ‘copper colored’ teeth found in river. It’s a new species."
