A New Small-Sized Pareiorhaphis (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the Manhuaçu River, Doce River Basin, Minas Gerais State, Eastern Brazil

We report the first record of a species of Pareiorhaphis in the Manhuaçu River basin, an affluent to the right bank of the middle Doce River drainage in eastern Brazil. The description is based on a series of specimens recently collected and also on historical samples. All specimens were obtained from habitats with very strong water current running over flat bedrock. The new species is readily diagnosed from congeners by features related to the distinct morphology of lower lip papillae, unique pattern of plates covering the pectoral girdle between insertions of pectoral fins, and the lack of a maxillary barbel. In addition, the combination of longer snout, smaller orbital diameter, shape of the pectoral-fin spine, low number of dentary teeth, and lack of a dorsal-fin spinelet also distinguishes the new species from all species of Pareiorhaphis. The new species is further compared to Pareiorhaphis nasuta, P. scutula, P. proskynita, and P. vetula, congeners from the Doce River basin, and hypothesized to have traits that represent important adaptations for living in torrential habitats.