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Every activity that involves exploitation of natural resources, such as fishing, needs to be organized and conducted based on information from monitoring programs to allow continuous evaluation. With the increasing fishing pressure in Brazil, the understanding of the importance of fisheries monitoring programs and how they can inform and assist in conservation decision-making remains limited. Based on the literature on fisheries and participatory conservation, we call attention to the need to generate information on the national fisheries sector in order to improve fisheries in the country. Given the context of the need to generate information on fishing stocks under exploitation, as well as to identify potential alternative fisheries and carry out various sectoral analyses in compliance with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we present and discuss in the present paper the lack of a system of continuous fishing monitoring in Brazil and its effects on the fisheries sustainability in the country. Resumo Toda atividade que atua envolvendo a exploração de recursos naturais, como a pesca, precisa ser organizada e conduzida com base nas informações dos programas de monitoramento para permitir uma avaliação contínua. Com o aumento da pressão pesqueira no Brasil, o entendimento da importância dos programas de monitoramento da pesca e como eles podem informar e auxiliar na tomada de decisões de conservação permanece limitado. Com base na literatura sobre pesca e conservação participativa, chamamos a atenção para a necessidade de gerar informações sobre o setor pesqueiro nacional para melhorar a pesca no país. Dado o contexto da necessidade de gerar informações sobre os estoques pesqueiros em exploração, bem como identificar potenciais alternativas de pesca e realizar diversas análises setoriais em conformidade com a Agenda 2030 para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável, é apresentada e discutida no presente trabalho a falta de um sistema de monitoramento contínuo da pesca no Brasil e seus efeitos na sustentabilidade da pesca no país.

Hypostomus krikati, new species Figure 1, Table 1. Hypostomus cf. plecostomus: Soares (2005): 1 –131 (inventory of species) Hypostomus cf. plecostomus: Guimarães et al. (2020a):e20201023 (inventory of species). Hypostomus aff. plecostomus: Guimarães et al. (2020b):32 –51 (inventory of species) Hypostomus aff. plecostomus: Guimarães et al. (2021):1 –54 (inventory of species). Holotype. CICCAA 01731, 209.3 mm SL, Brazil, Maranhão state, Rio Pindaré (Mearim River basin), Bom Jesus das Selvas municipality, Pindaré River, Mearim River basin, 4°23′52.0″S 46°50′33.5″W, 26.Jul. 2014, Guimarães E.C. and Brito P.S. Paratypes. All from Brazil, Maranhão state: CICCAA 06160, 1, 120.1 mm SL.; CICCAA 06161, 1, 177.6 mm SL.; CICCAA 06162, 1, 134.3 mm SL.; collected with holotype.—CICCAA 00459, 1, 116.3 mm SL, Rio Zutiua (Mearim River basin), Santa Inês municipality, 3°43′1.79″S, 45°32′2.98″W; Guimarães E.C. and Brito P.S.; 19 Jan 2014.; 19 Jan 2014.; CICCAA 00462, 3, 103.3– 129.7 mm SL; CICCAA 07109, 1, 99.1 mm SL Rio Zutiua (Mearim River basin), Santa Inês municipality, 3°43′1.79″S, 45°32′2.98″W; Guimarães E.C. and Brito P.S.; 19 Jan 2014.; 10 Oct 2013.; CICCAA 00461, 1, 142.9 mm SL, Igarapé Mineirão (Mearim River basin), Alto Alegre do Pindaré municipality, 3°42′30.23″S, 45°56′20.33″W; Guimarães E.C. and Brito P.S.; 18 Jan 2014.; CICCAA 00467, 1, 107.9 mm SL, Lago do Lírio (Mearim River basin), Alto Alegre do Pindaré municipality, 3°39′12.22″S, 45°46′25.06″W; Guimarães E.C. and Brito P.S.; 18 Jan 2014.; CICCAA 00468, 1, 126.2 mm SL, Igarapé Igarapá (Mearim River basin), Bom Jardim municipality, 3°45′51.31″S, 46° 8′15.45″W; Guimarães E.C. and Brito P.S.; 15 Jan 2014.; CICCAA 00525, 1, 122.8 mm SL.; CICCAA 00526, 2, 110.7–119.0 mm SL, Rio Zutiua (Mearim River basin), Santa Inês municipality, 3°43′1.79″S, 45°32′2.98″W; Guimarães E.C. and Brito P.S.; 10 Out 2013.; CICCAA 00529, 1, 123.0 mm SL, Igarapé do Fausto (Mearim River basin), Alto Alegre do Pindaré municipality, 3°42′50.26″S, 46° 3′29.61″W; Guimarães E.C. and Brito P.S.; Dez 2015.; CICCAA 06159, 1, 204.1 mm SL, Igarapé Jenipapo (Mearim River basin), Alto Alegre do Pindaré municipality, 3°51′20.24″S, 46°11′9.56″W; Guimarães E.C. and Brito P.S.; Out 2013.; CIUEMA 1300, 1, 191.9 mm SL, Igarapé Jenipapo (Mearim River basin), Alto Alegre do Pindaré municipality, 3°51′20.24″S, 46°11′9.56″W; Guimarães E.C. and Brito P.S.; Out 2013.; CIUEMA 1301, 1, 130.1 mm SL, Igarapé Timbira (Mearim River basin), Alto Alegre do Pindaré municipality, 3°41′43.77″S, 45°55′13.80″W; Guimarães E.C. and Brito P.S.; 14 Jan 2014.; UFRJ 11170, 2, 98.9–113.6 mm SL, Rio Zutiua (Mearim River basin), Santa Inês municipality, 3°43′1.79″S, 45°32′2.98″W; Guimarães E.C. and Brito P.S.; 19 Jan 2014. Diagnosis. Hypostomus krikati sp. n. shares with members of the H. plecostomus super-group sensu Jardim de Queiroz (2020) the following characters states: mandible small to intermediate sized, low number of teeth (6–41 combined), teeth with a short crown, completely plated abdominal area, and body and fins with dark blotches or spots. The new species is distinguished from the members of H. cochliodon super-group sensu Armbruster (2003), by having slender villiform bicuspid teeth (vs. robust spoon-shaped teeth—see Armbruster (2003) fig. 1a vs. b and c); from the members of H. auroguttatus super-group sensu Jardim de Queiroz (2020), by having shorter mandible, low number of teeth (18–30), dark blotches over the body and fins, and the abdominal area plated (vs. large size of the mandible, high number of teeth (usually more than 30), pale blotches over the body and fins, and abdominal area often naked or partially naked—see Jardim de Queiroz (2020)); from the members of H. hemiurus super-group sensu Jardim de Queiroz 2020 (H. crassicauda Boeseman, 1968, H. hemiurus (Eigenmann, 1912), H. micromaculatus Boeseman, 1968, and H. saramaccensis Boeseman, 1968) by having roundish dark spots on the body (vs. slightly transverse dark spots in H. crassicauda, H. hemiurus, and H. micromaculatus —see Weber et al. (2012), figs. 8d and 9a,c) and abdomen completely covered by plates (vs. naked abdomen or with few disperse plates in H. saramaccensis —see Boeseman (1968)); from Hypostomus nematopterus by having dorsal-fin spine not extremely elongated, reaching approximately in a vertical line through the anal-fin base (vs. extremely elongated dorsal-fin spine, reaching or extending beyond the caudal-fin base—see Weber et al. (2012), fig. 9d); and from H. velhochico by having body with non-aligned spots (vs. body with horizontally aligned spots—see Zawadzki et al. (2017), figs 1 and 3). Furthermore, the new species differs from the members of Hypostomus plecostomus supergroup except Hypostomus affinis (Steindachner, 1877), H. ancistroides (Ihering 1911), H. argu s (Fowler, 1943), H. borellii (Boulenger, 1897), H. boulengeri (Eigenmann & Kennedy 1903), H. careopinnatus Martins, Marinho, Langeani & Serra, 2012, H. carinatus (Steindachner 1881), H. commersoni Valenciennes 1836, H. corantijni Boeseman 1968, H. delimai Zawadzki, Oliveira & Debona 2013, H. formosae Cardoso, Brancolini, Paracampo, Lizzaralde, Covain & Montoya-Burgos 2016, H. holostictus (Regan, 1913), H. hoplonites Rapp Py-Daniel 1988, H. interruptus (Miranda Ribeiro 1918), H. niceforoi (Fowler 1943), H. nigrolineatus Zawadzki, Carvalho, Birindelli & Azevedo 2016, H. pantherinus Kner 1854, H. paucimaculatus Boeseman 1968, H. plecostomus (Linnaeus 1758), H. piratatu Weber, 1986, H. pusarum (Starks 1913), H. rhantos Armbruster, Tansey & Lujan 2007, H. spiniger (Hensel 1870), H. subcarinatus Castelnau, 1855, H. tapijara Oyakawa, Akama & Zanata, 2005, and H. watwata Hancock 1828 by having strongly-developed odontodes along lateral keels (vs. lacking or moderately developed odontodes); from Hypostomus carinatus, H. delimai, H. hoplonites, H. spiniger, H. pusarum, and H. watwata by the number of plates in contact with the posterior border of the supraoccipital bone (only one shield-shaped fused predorsal plate in H. krikati sp. n. vs. 3–10 plates, combined); from H. affinis, H. ancistroides, H. argus, H. borellii, H. commersoni, H. interruptus, H. subcarinatus and H. tapijara by having 25 to 26 plates at the median lateral series (vs. 27–32, combined); from H. rhantos by having medium spots on body (vs. extremely small spots); from H. nigrolineatus by having a well-developed medial buccal papilla (vs. having a rudimentary papilla); from H. pusarum by having a buccal papilla pointed and smooth (vs. buccal papilla globose and rough); from H. corantijni, H. gymnorhynchus, and H. paucimaculatus by having body with non-aligned and round spots (vs. ellipsoid spots in H. corantijni , H. gymnorhynchus and H. paucimaculatus); from H. pantherinus for having rudimentary crests on the supraoccipital and pterotic-supracleithrum (vs. sharp crests on supraoccipital and pterotic-supracleithrum); from H. careopinnatus by the presence of an adipose-fin (vs. absence); from H. famosae by having pectoral-fin spine with well-developed odontodes (vs. pectoral-fin spine slightly covered with weakly developed odontodes); from H. boulengeri by having well-developed keels reaching a vertical line trough adipose-fin origin (vs. well-developed keels reaching the caudal-fin base); from H. famosae and H. boulengeri by having 13–15 (mode 14) plates between anal and caudal-fin (vs. 11–14, mode 12 in H. formosae, 13–15, mode 13 in H. boulengeri), and 5–7 (mode 6) plates between adipose and caudal-fin (vs. 4–6, mode 5 in H. formosae and H. boulengeri). Furthermore, the new species here described differs from H. niceforoi by having a maximum of 30 teeth in the dentary (vs. more than 60); from H. piratatu by having teeth with short crowns (vs. elongated crowns); from H. holostictus by having dorsal-fin spine short, when depressed, reaching approximately in a vertical line through the anal-fin base (vs. dorsal-fin spine elongated, reaching or extending beyond the adipose-fin base); and from H. plecostomus by lacking an exposed pterygiophore, possessing preanal region naked, covered by skin or by the extension of the plates of the ventral series of some adults (vs. presence of an exposed pterygiophore anterior to anal-fin). Description. Counts and measurements listed in Table 1. Body long with rough plates. Dorsal profile rising convexly at angle of approximately 30º from snout tip to posterior end of supraoccipital process, then at angle around 8º up to dorsal-fin origin, and decreasing gently from that point to end of caudal peduncle, with slightly concave area at last dorsal-fin ray level. Head broad and depressed, dorsally covered with dermal ossifications. Tip of snout naked or covered by plates; some specimens exhibiting intermediate stages, varying in all sizes classes (Fig. 2). Anterior profile of snout rounded in dorsal view. Median longitudinal bulge associated with mesethmoid usually conspicuous from snout tip to transverse line between nares. Eye small (11.2–14.9 % of HL), dorsolaterally placed. Interorbital space straight or slightly convex in frontal view. Pair of weak ridges on dorsal surface of head, each one beginning lateral to naris, passing through upper margin of orbit and finishing on central portion of pterotic-supracleithrum. Supraoccipital bone with well-developed median crest; posterior portion of supraoccipital bone bordered by first predorsal plate. First predorsal plate fused (single plate), shield-like (Fig. 3a). Mouth large. Premaxilla with 15–27 and dentary with 18–30 villiform bicuspid teeth. Teeth medium sized, robust, bicuspid, and curved inward distally; inner cusp with short crown. Tooth crown rounded, possessing externally smaller lateral cusp with approximately similar size to main cusp. Dentary ramus flat, approximately straight. Dentaries meet at obtuse angle (~95° to 112°). Median buccal papilla well developed with anterior portion approximately pointed. Lips well developed. Lower lip reaching or almost reaching horizontal line between gill openings; inner surface covered with numerous small papillae. Maxillary barbel short with free tip. Body covered by five lateral series of plates. Dorsal, mid-dorsal, median and mid-ventral plates series with well-developed keels. Dorsal and mid-dorsal plate series with well-developed keels from first series plate to vertical line through adipose-fin origin; median and mid-ventral plate series with well-developed keels only between the fifth and eighth first series plates. Median series bearing complete lateral line; lateral line with 25 to 26 plates. Midventral series strongly bent to fourth or fifth first plates. Ventral series slightly bent to form flat ventral surface of peduncle region. Preanal region naked, lacking exposed pterygiophore, covered by skin or eventually covered by extension of plates of ventral series in some adults.Abdomen covered with minute platelets in adults, with exception of very small areas around pectoral and pelvic-fin insertions, and at urogenital opening. Dorsal fin II,7; its origin just before vertical line through pelvic-fin insertion; dorsal-fin distal border slightly convex. Pectoral fin I,6, its distal border convex. Pectoral-fin spine slightly curved inward, covered with moderately developed odontodes, more developed on its distal portion, particularly in larger specimens.Tip of adpressed pectoral fin reaching to basal one-third to one-fourth of adpressed pelvic-fin spine. Tip of pectoral-fin spine rounded and with odontodes almost perpendicular to spine (Fig. 5b). Pelvic fin i,5, its distal border straight to slightly convex; its adpressed unbranched ray surpassing anal-fin origin. Adipose fin well-developed and inserted five to six plates after dorsal fin posterior insertion, with membrane extending over three plates of dorsal series. Anal fin i,4, its tip reaching the fifth to sixth plate after its origin. Rays of anal fin progressively increasing in length posteriorly, third branched ray usually longest. Caudal fin i,14,i, its margin falcate, with ventral lobe longer than dorsal. Color in alcohol. Ground color of head and trunk dark reddish-brown, with approximately round dark brown spots, except on ventral and ventral-lateral regions of caudal peduncle, ventral region of head, cleithrum, pectoral and pelvic-fin spines ventral region, and anal region. Dorsal and dorsolateral region of body and head with spots more conspicuous and well developed than abdomen. Spots more numerous especially on head dorsal and dorsolateral region. Spotting pattern with little variation between size classes. Dark spots usually larger and with larger interspaces between spots in species below 120 mm SL. Spots progressively more numerous on head, trunk and fins in specimens above 180 mm SL. Dorsal and pectoral fins with dark spots, pectoral fin spots only on dorsal region, mainly on proximal region and along spines and first branched rays. Spots of dorsal fin arranged in vertical rows; one vertical row per interradial space, except for two specimens possessing one additional inconspicuous anterior row per interradial space. Pelvic fin with dark spots usually grouped on median region of branched rays. Anal fin usually lacking spots, rarely with inconspicuous spots. Caudal fin with few spots; caudal-fin spots occasionally vertically aligned in two to three bands. Head dark spots smaller than eye pupil; anterior spots smaller and progressively increase in size from anterior to posterior direction. Body and fins spots lager than head spots, progressively increase in size from anterior to posterior direction; larger body and fins spots approximately similar in size to eye pupil. Body spots not aligned. Abdomen spots rounded not aligned, very light and sometimes inconspicuous, slightly larger than body spots and pupil. Sexual dimorphism. No apparent sexual dimorphism. Distribution. The new species is known from eight localities in the Mearim River basin, northeast Brazil (Fig. 4). This river basin is located in a transition zone between the Amazon rainforest and the Brazilian Cerrado (Ab’Sáber, 2003; Fiaschi & Pirani, 2009). Ecological notes. Specimens of H. krikati sp. n. were collected in different locations of the Pindaré River drainage. The region is part of the Gurupi Mosaic, where the floristic complex of the Amazon Biome and of transitional areas with the Brazilian Cerrado is formed (Castro & Martins 1999; Celentano et al. 2018). Currently, this region is one of the most deforested areas of the Amazon Biome in Brazil, often affected by human actions, causing serious problems for the region, such as loss of forest cover and silting of rivers (Celentano et al. 2018). Etymology. The specific epithet krikati, honors the Krikati native people, a Jê-speaking culture, occurring in the Gurupi Mosaic region.

During a field expedition in 2020, we recorded specimens of an invasive platy fish, Xiphophorus maculatus, in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. This new occurrence, in the Municipality of São Luis, is only the second time that this non-native species has been found in northeastern Brazil. We provide an updated list of all invasive species recorded from the island of São Luís, highlighting the negative impacts they may confer for the native biodiversity.

Recent field expeditions in the Jari river drainage, in addition to examination of uncatalogued poeciliids, allowed the identification of specimens as Poecilia (Pamphorichthys) scalpridens (Garman, 1895). The known range of this species includes lakes and igarapés in the lower reaches of tributaries near the main channel of the Amazon River between Parintins and the mouth of the Tapajós River. Here, we expand the range of P. scalpridens by about 300 km. We provide the main diagnostic characters of P. scalpridens to facilitate identification of specimens collected in future field surveys.

A new species of Loricaria is herein described from the Turiaçu River basin, Eastern Amazon region, Maranhão state, Brazil, within the Maranhão Hydrological Unit (MHU). Loricaria turi differs from its congeners mainly by the following combination of characters: abdominal plate development confined to the posterior median region, pectoral girdle mostly naked, with cluster of plates near pectoral fin bases; large eyes (minimum orbital diameter 16.2–20.7% of HL and maximum orbital diameter 19.8–24.0% of HL), 214.4 mm of maximum standard length, and large basicaudal plate (16.6–29.2% of HL). The description of this new species strengthens the hypothesis that the Maranhão Hydrological Unit (MHU) is a possible area of endemism for freshwater fishes and contributes to the knowledge of the freshwater fish diversity and composition of the region.

Loricaria turi new species Figure 1, Table 1. Holotype: CPUFMA 3204, 192.2 mm SL, Lago do Rapa Cuia, Turiaçu River basin, Maranh „o, Brazil, 2° 23’ 30.28” S 45° 23’ 49.15” W, 16 to 21 October 2000, N. M. Piorski. Paratypes: All from Brazil. CPUFMA 196, 4, 178.4 – 186.4 mm SL, Lago Mendes, Turiaçu River basin, N. M. Piorski. CICCAA 04212, 3, 174.6 –183.0 mm SL, municipality of Santa Helena, Lago do Arrodeador, Turiaçu River basin, 2° 16’ 35.04” S, 45° 22’ 19.28” W, N. M. Piorski & L. Pereira. MCP 54091, 4, 183.7 – 197.7 mm SL, municipality of Santa Helena, Lago de S„o Pedro, Turiaçu River basin, 2° 43’ 4.6” S, 45° 27’ 29.35” W, N. M. Piorski. CPUFMA 285, 1, 214.8 mm SL, Lago do Rapa Cuia, Turiaçu River basin, N. M. Piorski. Non–type specimens: All from Turiaçu River basin, Maranh„o, Brazil. CPUFMA 221, 12, 159.2– 203.3 mm SL, Lago Mendes, N. M. Piorski. CPUFMA 340, 3, 153.0– 156.8 mm SL, Lago do Quebra–Pote, N. M. Piorski & L. Pereira. CPUFMA 344, 3, 152.6– 174.9 mm SL, Lago do Quebra–Pote, N. M. Piorski & L. Pereira. CPUFMA 345, 26, 164.6– 186.9 mm SL, Lago do Quebra-Pote, N. M. Piorski & L. Pereira. CPUFMA 351, 20, 157.6– 200.4 mm SL, Lago do Arrodeador, N. M. Piorski & L. Pereira. CPUFMA 417, 15, 161.9– 195.7 mm SL. CPUFMA 196, 4, 176.3– 186.4 mm SL, Lago Mendes, N. M. Piorski. CPUFMA 197, 9, 176.7– 209.2 mm SL, Lago de S„o Pedro, N. M. Piorski. CPUFMA 226, 3, 174.2– 195.8 mm SL, Lago de S„o Pedro, N. M. Piorski. CPUFMA 261, 2, 193.3– 204.8 mm SL, Lago de Fora, N. M. Piorski. CPUFMA 470, 10, 183.7– 197.9 mm SL, Lago de S„o Pedro, N. M. Piorski. CPUFMA 471, 14, 171.6– 188.1 mm SL, Lago Mendes, N. M. Piorski. CPUFMA 502, 7, 157.0– 201.8 mm SL, Lago de S„o Pedro, N. M. Piorski. Diagnosis. Loricaria turi differs from all its congeners, except L. holmbergi, L. parnahybae, L. spinulifera, L. pumila, L. luciae, L. coximensis and L. lundbergi by having abdominal plate development confined to the posterior median region, pectoral girdle mostly naked, with isolated plates near pectoral fin base (vs abdominal plates typically well developed and tightly arranged across the entirely median abdominal area, including the pectoral girdle or abdominal plates small and granular covering all median abdominal area and pectoral girdle) (Figure 2). The new species differs from L. holmbergi by having a larger basicaudal plate (16.6–29.2% vs 9.0–14.2% of HL), and a larger minimum orbital diameter (16.2–20.6% vs 13.3–16.1% of HL); from L. parnahybae by having a larger basicaudal plate (27.8–40.4% vs 18.9–26.5% of SGD), standard length reaching up to 214 mm (vs standard length reaching 174.4 mm), and higher number of buccal papillae (14–16 vs 8–12); from L. spinulifera and L. pumila by absence of strongly developed crests on surface of head (vs presence of strongly developed crests on surface of head, see Thomas & Rapp Py-Daniel 2008: fig. 3a,c); the new species is further distinguished from L. spinulifera by presence of preanal shield (vs absence of preanal shield, see Thomas & Rapp Py-Daniel 2008: fig. 4b); from L. pumila by having a smaller interorbital distance (15.3%–19.5% vs 21.0–27.2% of HL), higher number of post-anal plates (19–21, modally 20 vs 18–19, modally 18), higher number of total lateral plates (32–34, modally 34 vs 31–32, modally 31), and having standard length up to 214.0 mm (vs standard length not surpassing 81.0 mm); from L. luciae by having a smaller post-dorsal distance (52.1–56.7% vs 58.5–62.3% of SL), smaller post-anal distance (43.7–49.0% vs 50.0–53.9% of SL), and narrower body at anal spine (9.2–11.6% vs 12.0–14.4% of SL); from L. coximensis by narrower head width (13.6–16.6% vs 19.4–21.3% of SL), shorter head length (19.1–22.2% vs 23.4–26.2% of SL), and higher number of post-anal plates (19–21 vs 16–18); and from L. lundbergi by larger basicaudal plate (16.6–29.2% vs 9.0–11.9% of HL), narrower head width (13.6–16.6% vs 17.6–18.4% of SL), and smaller post-anal distance (43.8–49.0% vs 51.6–55.1% of SL). Description: Morphometric and meristic data are presented in Table 1. Body elongated, slender and depressed dorsoventrally. Peduncle caudal elongated and depressed, body widest at cleithrum (12.3–15.0% of SL). Dorsal profile of head, from tip of snout to posterior tip of parieto-supraoccipital, slightly convex and from parieto-supraoccipital to origin of dorsal fin straight to slightly convex. In dorsal view, head triangular shaped with straight to slightly convex margins from tip of snout to operculum; tip of snout rounded. Lateral view of body from dorsal-fin insertion to end of caudal peduncle slightly concave. Greatest body depth at dorsal-fin origin (7.7–11.1% SL). Eyes large, minimum orbital diameter 16.2–20.6% HL; post-orbital notch present and rounded, maximum orbital diameter 19.3–24.1% HL. Body totally covered by dermal plates, except on ventral surface of head, under lower lip, pectoral girdle region, around base of pelvic fin and V- shaped area around anus. Dermal plates on head and predorsal plates with poorly to moderately developed odontodes keels. In ventral view, abdomen covered irregularly with plates. Middle portion with small plates disposed anteriorly and larger plates disposed posteriorly. Odontodes poorly developed on margin of orbits. Posterior portion of supraoccipital with two separated odontode keels closely parallel to each other, extending to predorsal plates. Nuchal plate with median crest present. Upper lip with numerous marginal fringe barbels, without secondary branches. Lower lip with numerous, long, fringe barbels without secondary branches; filiform papillae covering both lobes of lower lip. Maxillary barbel relatively long and simple usually not extending beyond marginal fringe barbel of lower lip. Premaxillary teeth biscupid 3–4 (modally 3) per side; base of each tooth thin and elongate, until forming bicuspid tip. Medial and lateral lobes of teeth conical or rounded; inner lobe larger and wider than outer lobe. Buccal papillae, behind upper jaw, varies from 14 to 16. Dentary teeth 6–9 (modally 7) per ramus, smaller than premaxillary teeth (reaching about half of the size), and structurally similar. Dorsal-fin, when adpressed, usually reaching 10 th or 11 th lateral plates, posterior to cleithrum; dorsal spine and first branched ray equal in length. Adpressed pectoral-fin reaches seventh lateral plate, posterior to cleithrum; pectoral spine and first branched ray with same length, other rays shorter. Pelvic-fin spine reaching fourth lateral plate from anal-fin origin. Anal-fin spine reaching seventh or eighth lateral plate posterior to its origin; all branched and unbranched rays equal in length. Basicaudal plate large (16.6–29.2% of HL). Color in alcohol: Dorsal surface light brown to yellow, uniform. Most specimens faded with body and fins without contrasting pigmentation patterns. No visible spots or blotches on spine or branched rays. Ventral surface light yellow. Dorsal, pectoral, and anal fin spine light brown and distal margin of branched rays hyaline. Ventral fin spine yellow, distal margin reddish, and branched rays hyaline. Sexual dimorphism: Fifty-nine specimens larger than 152.0 mm of SL showed the same characteristics of sexual dimorphism observed in sexually mature males of other species of Loricaria: shorter filiform papillae in lower lip and increase in number of globular papillae. Pectoral spine slightly thickened, club-shaped. Teeth with round cusps, both in premaxillary and dentary. Distribution: Loricaria turi is known only from the Turiaçu River basin, a river basin located in the Eastern Amazon region in the Maranh„o state, Brazil (Figure 3). Habitat: Lago do Rapa-Cuia, the type locality, is a small lake that is connected to the main channel of the Turiaçu River only during the rainy season. The maximum depth varies between 2 and 3 meters, with a sandy bottom, and surrounded by Igapo forest. This is one of the lakes used by Fishermen to camp together with families during the dry season (Piorski, pers. obs.). Variation: Among all the specimens of Loricaria turi analyzed, the pattern of abdominal coverage is quite consistent. However, some specimens of L. turi smaller than 150 mm SL presented variation in the abdominal coverage. In these specimens, median abdominal area with small polygonal plates loosely dispersed and naked pectoral girdle. In specimens greater than 150 mm SL, median abdominal area with large polygonal plates tightly joined on pre-anal shield and posterior median abdominal space, anterior median abdominal area with smaller polygonal plates. Etymology: The specific epithet “ turi ” refers to the Turiaçu basin and the way in which the native people call the river: “Rio Turi”. Linear regressions: In the MHU region, Loricaria cataphracta is the congener of L. turi (see Piorski et al. 1998, 2007). Because L. cataphracta is presumed to be from Suriname, samples of it will be named Loricaria cf. cataphracta in this paper. The linear regressions used demonstrated some slight differences between L. turi and L. cf. cataphracta . The new species has a larger minimum orbital diameter, smaller post-anal distance, smaller postdorsal distance, and smaller internares distance than L. cf. cataphracta (Figure 4).

Despite many studies focusing on the invasive occurrence of Poecilia reticulata, the guppy, one of the most widely introduced freshwater fish species due to aquaria release and mosquito control, there are little and conflicting information about its natural distribution range. Based on extensive field surveys carried out in the Brazilian Amazon in the past ten years, information present in literature, online databases and museum records, P. reticulata is considered to be naturally absent from the Amazon Basin, from the Amapá and Pará territories in northern Brazil, and from French Guiana and Suriname. Poecilia reticulata records are few and noncontiguous for this entire region, generally associated with disturbed and polluted environments nearby populated areas. This pattern contrasts with a wider distribution expected by freshwater flooded savannah dwelling species, especially in the Guiana Shield coastal rivers, known for an ichthyofaunal similarity gradient pattern. The few records in the Amazon Basin are not attributed to low sampling effort but probably rather to the resilience and biotic resistance of pristine Amazonian habitat assemblages towards invasive species. The southernmost natural limit of P. reticulata distribution range was tentatively delimited as a region between the Essequibo River in the Guiana and the Orinoco Delta in Venezuela, where the species naturally occurs. Diagnostic characters distinguishing P. reticulata from close congeners that naturally occur in the region are presented.