Maskaheros, Mcmahan, Caleb D., Matamoros, Wilfredo A., Piller, Kyle R. & Chakrabarty, Prosanta, 2015

Mcmahan, Caleb D., Matamoros, Wilfredo A., Piller, Kyle R. & Chakrabarty, Prosanta, 2015, Taxonomy and systematics of the herichthyins (Cichlidae: Tribe Heroini), with the description of eight new Middle American Genera, Zootaxa 3999 (2), pp. 211-234 : 217-218

Genus Maskaheros gen. nov. McMahan and Piller 2015

( Fig. 3 and 4 )

Inclusive species. M. argenteus (type species by designation), M. regani

Diagnosis. Species of Maskaheros gen. nov. are diagnosed by the presence of small dark, irregularly placed (i.e., not in a consistent pattern of rows) spots along the entirety of the body (often much fainter in M. regani ), as well as two dark and broad interorbital bars on the head. In addition, these are moderately deep-bodied cichlids (less deep-bodied in overall shape as juveniles), with two to three dark blotches on the body along the upper lateral line. A moderately sized to large dark caudal blotch is present in center of the caudal peduncle but not filling the majority of the caudal peduncle as in Vieja . This spot on the caudal peduncle may be smaller in juveniles. Dorsal, caudal, and anal fins are covered in small spots. Teeth are conical and the upper lip hangs slightly over the lower lip. The caudal fin is moderately rounded in shape.

Distribution. Atlantic slope of Mexico and Guatemala in the Río Coatzacoalcos and Río Usumacinta drainages.

Etymology. Gender masculine. The generic epithet Maskaheros is derived from the Spanish word “máska” a shortened form of mascara meaning mask, in reference to the mask-like appearance of the broad, dark interorbital bars that diagnose this genus, and “-heros” in reference to the generic name formerly used for many neotropical cichlid species.

Comments. Recent phylogenetic studies have all recovered a close relationship between Maskaheros and Vieja / Paraneetroplus . In the present phylogeny, Paraneetroplus is the sister group to Maskaheros , as also recovered in Matamoros et al. (2015). The deep body shape, head markings, and caudal spot (see Diagnosis) separate this genus from Vieja and Paraneetroplus .

Material examined. M. argenteus ; UMMZ 143975 [n=1, Guatemala: Río San Pedro], UMMZ 143981 [n=5, Guatemala: Río La Pasion], UMMZ 208263 [n=1, Mexico: Río Usumacinta tributary]; M. regani ; UMMZ 184757 [n=5, Mexico: Río Coatzacoalcos], SLU 5009 [n=1, Río Coatzacoalcos].

Figures

FIGURE 3. Maskaheros argenteus, UMMZ 143975, 107.86 mm SL.

FIGURE 4. Close-up of head of M. argenteus, showing two broad interorbital bars (mask-like appearance that diagnoses the genus), UMMZ 143975, 107.86 mm SL.