Cryptoheros Allgayer

Genus Cryptoheros Allgayer

Cryptoheros Allgayer 2001: 14 (original description).

Type species. Heros spilurus Günther, 1862, by original designation.

Diagnosis. Genus distinguished by one strict synapomorphy (fig. 3c in Schmitter-Soto, in press): one to five short, acute interdigitations in sutural connection between halves of lower pharyngeal jaw. Also characterized by a twisted median loop in adult gut (except in Cr. myrnae and Cr. sajica), and peritoneum moderately pigmented dorsolaterally (also found in Archocentrus, Petenia, and Amatitlania kanna).

Description. D. XVI-XIX,9-11; A. VII-X (VI in Cr. panamensis),l-9. Gill rakers on lower limb of first arch 6-7, occasionally 5. Pored lateral-line scales 26-30; circumpeduncular scales 16-18, rarely 19 or 20. A genus of small cichlids, less than 130 mm SL. Body rather oval, deep, depth 42-56% of SL. Maxilla not reaching orbit, premaxillary dorsal process not reaching anterior rim of orbit (except in young). Frenum present in lower lip. Filamentous rays of dorsal and anal fins extending to mid-caudal fin or beyond. Origin of pelvic fin located behind a vertical from origin of dorsal fin. Caudal fin truncate or rounded. Scales usually strongly ctenoid (moderately ctenoid in Cr. sajica). Up to two pored scales on caudal fin, as an extension of the lateral line. Gut simple, with variations (secondary loops) in some species; anal and anterior esophageal loops adjacent. Genital papilla usually tongue-shaped or rounded. No spots on cheek; vertical bar on head, absent or faint, as a darkening of opercle and nape; interorbital bands faint or absent. Seven vertical bars on sides, diffuse or well marked. Breast region often yellowish or olive. Caudal blotch usually two-thirds or more on peduncle, never ocellated.

Distribution. Panama to Mexico, mostly on Atlantic versant (Fig. 5).

Species composition. Nine species: Cr. spilurus, Cr. chetumalensis, Cr. cutteri, Cr. septemfasciatus, Cr. altoflavus, Cr. myrnae, Cr. nanoluteus, Cr. sajica, and Cr. panamensis. Three clades diagnosable, here described as subgenera, one of which is monotypic.

Remarks. The generic name was introduced by Allgayer (2001) for the “smaller Archocentrus ” species, i.e., those species included here in the subgenera Cryptoheros and Bussingius, and the genus Amatitlania, but excluding Cr. panamensis. Allgayer (2001) also united Archocentrus, Cryptoheros, and Herotilapia in a new subtribe, Archocentrina. However, this decision was not supported by cladistic analyses, and Allgayer did not consider conflicting evidence, such as that presented by Roe et al. (1997) (see below).