A taxonomic review of the species of Charax Scopoli, 1777 (Teleostei: Characidae: Characinae) with description of a new species from the rio Negro bearing superficial neuromasts on body scales, Amazon basin, Brazil

The species of Charax were reviewed by Lucena (1987) who a little later (1989) added three new species to the genus. Examination of recently collected specimens from museum collections documented the more extensive geographic distribution for most species and revealed the existence of a new species in which superficial neuromasts were discovered and are herein described. These skin structures were also detected in C. metae Eigenmann, 1922. Anal- and pelvic-fin hooks previously observed only on the anal-fin of one species of the genus are described herein in some other species. Charax unimaculatus Lucena is considered a junior synonym of C. michaeli Lucena. All the species are redescribed and the new species described.Original Abstract: As especies de Charax foram revistas por Lucena (1987), que pouco depois (1989) acrescentou tres especies novas ao genero. O exame de exemplares recentemente coletados e depositados em colecoes de varios museus possibilitaram a extensao da distribuicao geografica da maioria das especies e revelou a existencia de uma especie nova, na qual foram descobertos neuro mastos superficiais, caracterizados neste trabalho. Estas estruturas da pele tambem foram detectadas em Charax metae Eigenmann, 1922. Ganchos das nadadeiras anal e pelvica, anteriormente observados apenas na nadadeira anal de uma das especies do genero, sao agora descritos em algumas outras especies. Charax unimaculatus Lucena e considerada sinonimo junior de C. michaeli Lucena Todas as especies sao redescritas, juntamente com a descricao da especie nova.