Kreiser’s Killifish

This new species of the subgenus Profundulus shares similar characters with members of the subgenus (viz., P. (P.) punctatus, P. (P.) guatemalensis, P. (P.) oaxacae): dark humeral spot, a scaled preorbital region and between 32-34 vertebrae. It differs from other members of thesubgenus by having less than half of its caudal fin densely covered with scales; from P. oaxacae and P. punctatus by the not having conspicuous brown spots on the sides of the body; from P. guatemalensis by having fewer pectoral-fin rays, (13-16 vs. 17-20) and caudal-fin rays (13-18 vs.19-23); from P. guatemalensis, P. punctatus, by having a golden blotch covering most of the operculum and reaching the base of the pectoral fin. Profundulus (P.) kreiseri differs from all members of the subgenus Tlaloc (viz., P. (T.) candalarius, P.(T.) hildebrandi, P. (T.) labialis, P. (T.) portillorum) by the presence of a dark humeral spot anda scaled preorbital. It further differs from P. (T.) candalarius, P. (T.) hildebrandi, P. (T.) labialis by having 32-34 vertebrae (vs. 35-39) (Ref.91935).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 12; Analsoft rays: 9 - 14; Vertebrae: 32 - 34

The area where the species was collected from are both characterized as small tributaries ranging from 0.8 to 4 meters in width with stones (from pebbles to boulders) as the dominant substrate; estimated canopy cover of both localities 70-80%; and both creeks feature a variety of run, pool, riffle, rapid and small waterfall habitats (Ref. 91935).

Morphometric and meristic data for type material are summarized in Table 2. The largest specimen is 81.2 mm SL. The body is elongate with the dorsal and ventral profiles nearly symmetrical. The narrowest point on the body is the tip of the snout, with the body expanding gradually dorsally and ventrally to the deepest point slightly anterior to the verticals through the dorsal- and anal-fin origins. The vertical through the origin of the dorsal fin is slightly anterior to the origin of the anal fin. The body depth narrows in the region of these two unpaired fins, and the dorsal and ventral body margins are straight and parallel on the caudal peduncle before diverging out slightly at the origin of the caudal fin. The head (including cheek, infraorbital and preorbital regions) is covered with scales that are deeply embedded in the skin. The mouth is terminal, the lower jaw protruding slightly beyond the upper. The posterior portion of the maxilla extends ventrally to a vertical through the anterior region of the orbit. The number of dorsal-fin rays ranges from 10-12 (holotype=11). The number of pectoral-fin rays ranges from 13-16 (holotype=14). The posterior edge of the pectoral fin does not reach the pelvic-fin origin. The number of anal-fin rays ranges from 9-14 (holotype=12; mode=12). The caudal fin is rounded, the number of fin rays ranging from 13-18 (holotype=17). All specimens examined have six pelvic-fin rays. The number of scales along the midline of the body ranges from 33-34 (holotype=33). The number of scales around the caudal peduncle ranges from 9-10 (holotype=10). The number of vertebrae ranges from 31-33 (holotype=32).

Profundulus kreiseri is only known from the middle reaches of the Chamelecón and Ulúa rivers in Honduras (Figs. 1, 3). Ecological notes. The only known localities of Profundulus kreiseri are both characterized as small tributaries ranging in width from 0.8 to 4 meters with stones (from pebbles to boulders) as the dominant substrate. The canopy cover of both localities is estimated to be 70–80%. Both creeks feature a variety of run, pool, riffle, rapid and small waterfall habitats (Fig. 3).