CLADE HEMIPSILICHTHYS GOBIO + HEMIPSILICHTHYS

PAPILLATUS

Diagnosis: Three of the characteristics described for H. gobio by Armbruster (2004) were also found in H. papillatus, and constitute synapomorphies for these two species: (1) 16–20 vertebrae from first normal neural spine (without bifid neural spine) behind dorsal fin up to hypural plate (a reversal, character 121–0); (2) distal margin of transverse process of Weberian apparatus pointed (character 132–1); and (3) posterior cleithral process reduced in size (character 157–1). In addition, Pereira et al. (2000) described two unique and unreversed synapomorphies for these two species: (1) anal fin of nuptial females much longer than in males; and (2) papillae in upper lip fused to form four or five transverse, elongate skin folds.