Difference between revisions of "Characidae" - New World Encyclopedia

From New World Encyclopedia
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| familia = '''Characidae'''
 
| familia = '''Characidae'''
 
| subdivision_ranks = Subfamilies, [[Genus|genera]], and species
 
| subdivision_ranks = Subfamilies, [[Genus|genera]], and species
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12 subfamilies, 170 genera, and over 885 species
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| subdivision = 12 subfamilies, 170 genera, and over 885 species
 +
}}
  
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}}
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'''Characidae''' is a large and diverse family of freshwater [[subtropical]] and [[tropical]] fish, belonging to the [[Order (biology)|Order]] [[Characiformes]]. Known as '''characins''', members of this family are found in [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]], southern [[North America]], and [[Africa]], and include such varied forms as the [[piranha]]s, the [[tetra]]s, a blind cavefish in [[Mexico]] (populations of ''Astyanax mexicanus'' found in caves) and [[Brazil]] (''Stygichthys typhlops''), and a species found as far northward as southwestern United States (''Astyanax mexicanus'') (Nelson 1994).
  
−
'''Characidae''' is a large and diverse family of freshwater [[subtropical]] and [[tropical]] fish, belonging to the [[Order (biology)|Order]] [[Characiformes]]. Known as '''characins''', members of this family are found in Central and South America, southern North America, and Africa, and include the [[piranha]]s, the [[tetra]]s, a blind cavefish in Mexico (populations of ''Astyanax mexicanus'' found in caves) and Brazil (''Stygichthys typhlops''), and a species found as far northward as southwestern United States (''Astyanax mexicanus'').
+
The small size and beautiful colors of many of these fish make them popular aquarium fish, and larger members of the order, such as species of ''Brycon'' and larger piranhas, are important as food resources. Some, such as the "tigerfish" within ''Hydrocynus'' (sometimes placed in a separate family, Alestiidae, but sometimes as a subfamily, Alestiinae of Characidae), are prized as game fish.  
  
−
Fish of this family are important as food and also include popular [[aquarium]] fish species.<ref name=nelson/>
 
  
−
ecologically
 
  
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
  
−
The Characidae family is placed within the order Characiformes. Characiformes are characterized by well developed teeth (most are carnivores) and the presence of a pelvic fin (with five to twelve rays) and normally an adipose fin, and a body that is almost always scaled (Nelson 1994). Members of the Characiformes are typically small and often colorful, making them popular aquarium fishes (Nelson 1994).  
+
The Characidae family is placed within the order Characiformes. Characiformes are characterized by well developed teeth (most are carnivores) and the presence of a pelvic fin (with five to twelve rays) and normally an adipose fin, and a body that is almost always [[scale (zoology)|scaled]] (Nelson 1994).  
  
−
The Characidae family is large and diverse, and is one of the only completely freshwater fish families indigenous to both Africa and South America, along with Osteoglossidae (Nelson 1994). Members range in size from just 13 millimeters in length to ''Hydrocynus goliath'' of the Congo, which reaches a length of 1.4 meters; many members are under 3 centimeters in length (Nelson 1994).  
+
The Characidae family is large and diverse, and is one of the only completely freshwater fish families indigenous to both [[Africa]] and [[South America]], along with Osteoglossidae (Nelson 1994). Members range in size from just 13 millimeters in length to the large ''Hydrocynus goliath'' of the Congo, which reaches a length of 1.4 meters; many members are under 3 centimeters in length (Nelson 1994).  
  
−
This family has undergone much taxonomic revision. Among those fishes that remain in the Characidae for the time being are the [[tetra]]s, comprising the very similar genera ''[[Hemigrammus]]'' and ''[[Hyphessobrycon]]'', as well as a few related forms. These include the [[Astyanax mexicanus|cave]] and [[Neon Tetra|neon]] tetras. The [[piranha]]s is also currently in this family.  
+
This family has undergone much taxonomic revision. Among those fishes that remain in the Characidae for the time being are the [[tetra]]s, comprising the very similar genera ''[[Hemigrammus]]'' and ''[[Hyphessobrycon]]'', as well as a few related forms. These include the [[Astyanax mexicanus|cave]] (''Astyanax mexicanus'') and [[Neon Tetra|neon]] tetras. The [[piranha]]s (''Serraslamus'') are also currently in this family.  
  
 +
These fish inhabit a wide range and a variety of habitats. They originate in the [[Americas]] from southwestern [[Texas]] and [[Mexico]] through [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]] (Nelson 2006). Many fish come from rivers, but the [[blind cave tetra]] even inhabits [[cave]]s.
  
−
==Distribution and habitat==
+
==Taxonomy==
−
These fish inhabit a wide range and a variety of habitats. They originate in the [[Americas]] from southwestern [[Texas]] and [[Mexico]] through [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]].<ref name=nelson>{{cite book | title = Fishes of the World | last = Nelson | first = Joseph, S. | publisher = John Wiley & Sons, Inc. | year = 2006 | ISBN = 0471250317}}</ref> Many fish come from rivers, but the [[blind cave tetra]] even inhabits [[cave]]s.
+
The taxonomy of the Characidae remains unsettled, including some authorities moving many former members of the family into their own related but distinct families. The pencilfishes of the genus ''Nannostomus'' are a typical example, having now been moved into the [[Lebiasinidae]]. Likewise, assorted predatory characins belonging to ''Hoplias'' and ''Hoplerythrinus'' have now been moved into the [[Erythrinidae]], and the sabre-toothed fishes of the genus ''Hydrolycus'' have been moved into the [[Cynodontidae]]. The subfamily Alestiinae was promoted by some to the family level ([[Alestiidae]]) and the subfamilies Crenuchinae and Characidiinae were moved to the family [[Crenuchidae]] (Nelson 2006). Other fish families that were formerly classified as members of the Characidae, but which were moved into separate families of their own during recent taxonomic revisions (post-1994) include [[Acestrorhynchidae]], [[Anostomidae]], [[Chilodontidae (fishes)|Chilodontidae]], [[Citharinidae]], [[Ctenoluciidae]], [[Curimatidae]], [[Distichodontidae]], [[Gasteropelecidae]], [[Hemiodontidae]], [[Hepsetidae]], [[Parodontidae]], and [[Prochilodontidae]].
  
−
==Physical characteristics==
+
The larger [[piranha]]s have historically been placed in the Characidae, but some authorities place them in their own related family, the Serrasalmidae. This reassignment has yet to enjoy universal acceptance, but is gaining in popularity among taxonomists working with these fishes. Given the current state of flux of the Characidae, a number of other changes will doubtless take place, reassigning once-familiar species to other families. Indeed, the entire [[phylogenetics|phylogeny]] of the [[Ostariophysi|Ostariophysans]] (fishes possessing a [[Weberian apparatus]]) has yet to be conclusively settled, and until that phylogeny is settled, the opportunity for yet more upheavals within the taxonomy of the Characoid fishes is considerable.
−
These fish vary in length, though many are less than 3 [[centimetre]]s (1 [[inch|in]]).<ref name=fishbase/> The smallest species grows to a maximum length of 13 [[millimetre]]s (0.5 [[inch|in]]).<ref name=fishbase>{{FishBase family | family = Characidae | year = 2007 | month = Apr}}</ref>
 
  
−
==Taxonomy==
+
A large number of [[taxon|taxa]] in this family are ''[[incertae sedis]]'' ("of uncertain position"). The relationships of many fish in this family are poorly known (Nelson 2006). The genera ''[[Hyphessobrycon]]'', ''[[Astyanax (fish)|Astyanax]]'', ''[[Hemigrammus]]'', ''[[Moenkhausia]]'', and ''[[Bryconamericus]]'' include the largest number of currently recognized species
−
This family has undergone a large amount of change.<ref name=nelson/> More recent revision has moved many former members of the family into their own related but distinct families - the Pencilfishes of the genus ''Nannostomus'' are a typical example, having now been moved into the [[Lebiasinidae]], the assorted predatory characins belonging to ''Hoplias'' and ''Hoplerythrinus'' have now been moved into the [[Erythrinidae]], and the Sabre-Toothed Fishes of the genus ''Hydrolycus'' have been moved into the [[Cynodontidae]]. The subfamily Alestiinae was promoted to family level ([[Alestiidae]]) and the subfamilies Crenuchinae and Characidiinae were moved to the family [[Crenuchidae]].<ref name=nelson/> Other fish families that were formerly classified as members of the Characidae, but which were moved into separate families of their own during recent taxonomic revisions (post-1994) include [[Acestrorhynchidae]], [[Anostomidae]], [[Chilodontidae (fishes)|Chilodontidae]], [[Citharinidae]], [[Ctenoluciidae]], [[Curimatidae]], [[Distichodontidae]], [[Gasteropelecidae]], [[Hemiodontidae]], [[Hepsetidae]], [[Parodontidae]], and [[Prochilodontidae]].{{Fact|date=April 2007}}
+
among characid fishes that are in need of revision (de Lucena 2003). Among these, ''[[Astyanax (fish)|Astyanax]]'' is the largest [[genus]] in the family (Nelson 2006). These genera were originally proposed between 1854 and 1908 and are still more or less defined as by [[Carl H. Eigenmann]] in 1917, even though diverse species have been added to each genus since that time. The anatomical diversity within each genus, the fact that each of these generic groups at the present time cannot be well-defined, and the high number of species involved are the major reasons for the lack of phylogenetic analyses dealing with the relationships of the species within these generic "groups" (de Lucena 2003).  
  
−
The larger [[piranha]]s were originally classified as belonging to the Characidae, but various revisions place them in their own related family, the Serrasalmidae. This reassignment has yet to enjoy universal acceptance, but is gaining in popularity among taxonomists working with these fishes. Given the current state of flux of the Characidae, a number of other changes will doubtless take place, reassigning once-familiar species to other families. Indeed, the entire [[phylogenetics|phylogeny]] of the [[Ostariophysi|Ostariophysans]] (fishes possessing a [[Weberian apparatus]]) has yet to be conclusively settled, and until that phylogeny is settled, the opportunity for yet more upheavals within the taxonomy of the Characoid fishes is considerable.
+
===Classification of subfamilies and genera===
  
−
A large number of [[taxon|taxa]] in this family are ''[[incertae sedis]]''. The relationships of many fish in this family are poorly known.<ref name=nelson/> A comprehensive phylogenetic study for the entire family is needed.<ref name=fishbase/> The genera ''[[Hyphessobrycon]]'', ''[[Astyanax (fish)|Astyanax]]'', ''[[Hemigrammus]]'', ''[[Moenkhausia]]'', and ''[[Bryconamericus]]'' include the largest number of currently recognized species
 
−
among characid fishes that are in need of revision.<ref name=lucena>{{cite journal|url=http://www.ufrgs.br/ni/vol1num2/1(2)artigo03.pdf|title=New characid fish, ''Hyphessobrycon scutulatus'', from the rio Teles Pires drainage, upper rio Tapajós system (Ostariophysi: Characiformes: Characidae)|first=Carlos Alberto Santos|last=de Lucena|journal=Neotropical Ichthyology|volume=1|issue=2|pages=93-96|year=2003|format=[[PDF]]}}</ref> ''[[Astyanax (fish)|Astyanax]]'' is the largest [[genus]] in the family.<ref name=nelson/> These genera were originally proposed between 1854 and 1908 and are still more or less defined as by [[Carl H. Eigenmann]] in 1917, even though diverse species have been added to each genus since that time. The anatomical diversity within each genus, the fact that each of these generic groups at the present time cannot be well-defined, and the high number of species involved are the major reasons for the lack of phylogenetic analyses dealing with the relationships of the species within these generic "groups."<ref name=lucena/>
 
−
 
−
| subdivision =
 
 
Subfamily [[Agoniatinae]]<br/>
 
Subfamily [[Agoniatinae]]<br/>
 
&nbsp;''[[Agoniates]]''<br/>
 
&nbsp;''[[Agoniates]]''<br/>
−
</br>
+
 
 
Subfamily [[Aphyocharacinae]]<br/>
 
Subfamily [[Aphyocharacinae]]<br/>
 
&nbsp;''[[Aphyocharax]]''<br/>
 
&nbsp;''[[Aphyocharax]]''<br/>
−
</br>
+
 
 
Subfamily [[Bryconinae]]<br/>
 
Subfamily [[Bryconinae]]<br/>
 
&nbsp;''[[Brycon]]''<br/>
 
&nbsp;''[[Brycon]]''<br/>
Line 138: Line 133:
 
&nbsp;''[[Tyttobrycon]]''<br/>
 
&nbsp;''[[Tyttobrycon]]''<br/>
  
 +
==References==
 +
<ref name=lucena>{{cite journal|url=http://www.ufrgs.br/ni/vol1num2/1(2)artigo03.pdf|title=New characid fish, ''Hyphessobrycon scutulatus'', from the rio Teles Pires drainage, upper rio Tapajós system (Ostariophysi: Characiformes: Characidae)|first=Carlos Alberto Santos|last=de Lucena|journal=Neotropical Ichthyology|volume=1|issue=2|pages=93-96|year=2003|format=[[PDF]]}}</ref>
  
−
==References==
 
−
<references/>
 
 
*{{ITIS | ID = 162848 | taxon = Characidae | year = 2007 | date = 02 Mar}}  
 
*{{ITIS | ID = 162848 | taxon = Characidae | year = 2007 | date = 02 Mar}}  
 
*Géry, Jacques, ''Characoids of the World'', ISBN 0-87666-458-3
 
*Géry, Jacques, ''Characoids of the World'', ISBN 0-87666-458-3
 
[[Category:Characidae| ]]
 
[[Category:Characidae| ]]
 +
 +
Nelson 1994
 +
 +
<ref name=nelson>{{cite book | title = Fishes of the World | last = Nelson | first = Joseph, S. | publisher = John Wiley & Sons, Inc. | year = 2006 | ISBN = 0471250317}}</ref>
  
 
{{credit|Characidae|156011965}]
 
{{credit|Characidae|156011965}]
 
[[Category:Life sciences]]
 
[[Category:Life sciences]]
 
[[Category:Animals]]
 
[[Category:Animals]]

Revision as of 01:58, 16 September 2007


Characidae
Fossil range: Upper Miocene - Recent[1]
Bleeding heart tetra Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma
Bleeding heart tetra Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Family: Characidae
Subfamilies, genera, and species

12 subfamilies, 170 genera, and over 885 species

Characidae is a large and diverse family of freshwater subtropical and tropical fish, belonging to the Order Characiformes. Known as characins, members of this family are found in Central and South America, southern North America, and Africa, and include such varied forms as the piranhas, the tetras, a blind cavefish in Mexico (populations of Astyanax mexicanus found in caves) and Brazil (Stygichthys typhlops), and a species found as far northward as southwestern United States (Astyanax mexicanus) (Nelson 1994).

The small size and beautiful colors of many of these fish make them popular aquarium fish, and larger members of the order, such as species of Brycon and larger piranhas, are important as food resources. Some, such as the "tigerfish" within Hydrocynus (sometimes placed in a separate family, Alestiidae, but sometimes as a subfamily, Alestiinae of Characidae), are prized as game fish.


Description

The Characidae family is placed within the order Characiformes. Characiformes are characterized by well developed teeth (most are carnivores) and the presence of a pelvic fin (with five to twelve rays) and normally an adipose fin, and a body that is almost always scaled (Nelson 1994).

The Characidae family is large and diverse, and is one of the only completely freshwater fish families indigenous to both Africa and South America, along with Osteoglossidae (Nelson 1994). Members range in size from just 13 millimeters in length to the large Hydrocynus goliath of the Congo, which reaches a length of 1.4 meters; many members are under 3 centimeters in length (Nelson 1994).

This family has undergone much taxonomic revision. Among those fishes that remain in the Characidae for the time being are the tetras, comprising the very similar genera Hemigrammus and Hyphessobrycon, as well as a few related forms. These include the cave (Astyanax mexicanus) and neon tetras. The piranhas (Serraslamus) are also currently in this family.

These fish inhabit a wide range and a variety of habitats. They originate in the Americas from southwestern Texas and Mexico through Central and South America (Nelson 2006). Many fish come from rivers, but the blind cave tetra even inhabits caves.

Taxonomy

The taxonomy of the Characidae remains unsettled, including some authorities moving many former members of the family into their own related but distinct families. The pencilfishes of the genus Nannostomus are a typical example, having now been moved into the Lebiasinidae. Likewise, assorted predatory characins belonging to Hoplias and Hoplerythrinus have now been moved into the Erythrinidae, and the sabre-toothed fishes of the genus Hydrolycus have been moved into the Cynodontidae. The subfamily Alestiinae was promoted by some to the family level (Alestiidae) and the subfamilies Crenuchinae and Characidiinae were moved to the family Crenuchidae (Nelson 2006). Other fish families that were formerly classified as members of the Characidae, but which were moved into separate families of their own during recent taxonomic revisions (post-1994) include Acestrorhynchidae, Anostomidae, Chilodontidae, Citharinidae, Ctenoluciidae, Curimatidae, Distichodontidae, Gasteropelecidae, Hemiodontidae, Hepsetidae, Parodontidae, and Prochilodontidae.

The larger piranhas have historically been placed in the Characidae, but some authorities place them in their own related family, the Serrasalmidae. This reassignment has yet to enjoy universal acceptance, but is gaining in popularity among taxonomists working with these fishes. Given the current state of flux of the Characidae, a number of other changes will doubtless take place, reassigning once-familiar species to other families. Indeed, the entire phylogeny of the Ostariophysans (fishes possessing a Weberian apparatus) has yet to be conclusively settled, and until that phylogeny is settled, the opportunity for yet more upheavals within the taxonomy of the Characoid fishes is considerable.

A large number of taxa in this family are incertae sedis ("of uncertain position"). The relationships of many fish in this family are poorly known (Nelson 2006). The genera Hyphessobrycon, Astyanax, Hemigrammus, Moenkhausia, and Bryconamericus include the largest number of currently recognized species among characid fishes that are in need of revision (de Lucena 2003). Among these, Astyanax is the largest genus in the family (Nelson 2006). These genera were originally proposed between 1854 and 1908 and are still more or less defined as by Carl H. Eigenmann in 1917, even though diverse species have been added to each genus since that time. The anatomical diversity within each genus, the fact that each of these generic groups at the present time cannot be well-defined, and the high number of species involved are the major reasons for the lack of phylogenetic analyses dealing with the relationships of the species within these generic "groups" (de Lucena 2003).

Classification of subfamilies and genera

Subfamily Agoniatinae
 Agoniates

Subfamily Aphyocharacinae
 Aphyocharax

Subfamily Bryconinae
 Brycon
 Chilobrycon
 Henochilus

Subfamily Characinae
 Acanthocharax
 Acestrocephalus
 Charax
 Cynopotamus
 Galeocharax
 Gnathocharax
 Heterocharax
 Hoplocharax
 Phenacogaster
 Priocharax
 Roeboides
 and many more

Subfamily Cheirodontinae
 Cheirodon
 Compsura
 Odontostilbe
 Serrapinnus
 Spintherobolus
 and many more

Subfamily Clupeacharacinae
 Clupeacharax

Subfamily Glandulocaudinae
 20 genera

Subfamily Iguanodectinae
 Iguanodectes
 Piabucus

Subfamily Rhoadsiinae
 Carlana
 Rhoadsia
 Parastremma

Subfamily Serrasalminae
 15 genera

Subfamily Stethaprioninae
 Brachychalcinus
 Orthospinus
 Poptella
 Stethaprion

Subfamily Tetragonopterinae
 Tetragonopterus

incertae sedis
(i.e., taxonomic placement at this level uncertain)
 Astyanax - Astynaxes
 Boehlkea
 Bryconamericus
 Bryconops
 Ceratobranchia
 Chalceus
 Deuterodon
 Exodon
 Gymnocorymbus
 Hasemania
 Hemibrycon
 Hemigrammus
 Hyphessobrycon
 Inpaichthys
 Knodus
 Moenkhausia
 Myxiops
 Nematobrycon
 Oligosarcus
 Paracheirodon
 Petitella
 Pseudochalceus
 Rachoviscus
 Roeboexodon
 Schultzites
 Thayeria
 Tyttobrycon

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

[2]

Nelson 1994

[3]

{{credit|Characidae|156011965}]

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named fishbase
  2. ↑ de Lucena, Carlos Alberto Santos (2003). New characid fish, Hyphessobrycon scutulatus, from the rio Teles Pires drainage, upper rio Tapajós system (Ostariophysi: Characiformes: Characidae). Neotropical Ichthyology 1 (2): 93-96.
  3. ↑ Nelson, Joseph, S. (2006). Fishes of the World. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. 
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