The genus Schizodon (Teleostei: Ostariophysi: Anostomidae) in Venezuela, a reappraisal

Schizodon fasciatus corti is shown to be a distinct species, S. corti , endemic to the Lago Maracaibo system. Schizodon corti can be distinguished from its congeners in northern South America by a combination of meristic and morphometric features and details of pigmentation. Schizodon corti is also characterized by distinctive sexually dimorphic modifications of the full pleural ribs in males. These modifications include a realignment of all ribs, the thickening of the first three full pleural ribs (on vertebrae 5, 6, 7), and an elongation and pronounced curvature of the first pleural rib. Initial citations of Schizodon fasciatus and S. isognathus from Venezuela by Guenther and Peters, respectively, are evaluated and are considered erroneous.