Sistemática e biogeografia de Rypticus (Teleostei: Serranidae)
Soapfishes of the genus Rypticus Cuvier are reviewed. Rypticus macrostigmus Courtenay and R. brachyrhinus Courtenay are shown to be junior synonyms of R. bornoi Beeb e Tee- Van and R. randalli Courtenay respectively. Among serranids of the tribe Grammistini, monophyly of the genus is supported by six modifications in axial squeleton structure and reduction in the number of infraorbitals. Rypticus bistrispinus Mitchill and R. bornoi share the co-ossified parapophyses on last precaudal vertebrae without distal bifurcation. A clade consisting of R. maculatus Holbrook, R. randalli, R. nigripinnis Gill, R. subbifrenatus Gill, R. saponaceus Bloch & Schneider, R. bicolor Valenciennes and R. courtenayi McCarthy is defined by reduction in number of supraneurals and preopercular spines. Rypticus nigripinnis, R. randalli, R. subbifrenatus, R. saponaceus, R. bicolor and R. courtenayi share a unique head pore morphology. Two lineages are recognized within this clade: one (R. randalli + R. nigripinnis) is defined by reduction in the number of opercular spines and the other (R. subbifrenatus + R. saponaceus - R. bicolor + R. courtenayi) by a third distinct state in head pore morphology. Rypticus saponaceus, R. bicolor and R. courtenayi share a derived color pattern and increase in number of pyloric cecae. More inclusively, youngs of R. bicolor and R. courtenayi share three dark stripes originating at the orbit. Distribution maps are presented, in which some species have their known range extended. Information about habitat and life habits are presented and discussed. Some cladogenetic events hypothesized based on morphology are corroborated by vicariant biogeography.
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