Brazilian blind characid

Stygichthys Typhlops is a blind and non-pigmented species from the family of the Real tetras. It is the only species of the genus Stygichthys. The occurrence is limited to the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.

Features

Dimensions are only from the holotype collected in 1962. The total length of the animal is 23.6 mm. The body is slightly elongated. Head height and width are similar in size. In the right Zwischenkieferbein there are seven teeth on the inner two rows of teeth. The outer teeth of the premaxillary bone consists of three teeth. In the upper jaw there are ten teeth in the lower jaw and eight. At the upper lip of the tip of the snout two very small nasal openings can be seen. A second much larger pair of nostrils located on the top of the muzzle just before the elevation of the forehead. The skin is completely unpigmented and there is no conspicuous lateral line and no externally visible eyes. There are seven dorsal rays, anal-fin rays eight, ten pectoral fin rays, pelvic fin rays five and fifteen caudal fin rays.

Occurrence and habitat

The exact type locality is unknown. It is located in a fountain at Jaiba. Jaiba may be both on the entire region ( Serra de Jaiba ) as well as the city Jaiba relate that lies between Januaria and Janaúba in northern Minas Gerais. Stygichthys Typhlops lives in groundwater.

Way of life

Even if the tooth structure points to a vegetarian diet, it is unlikely that this kind in an underground environment picks up plant food. Probably make the teeth is a remnant, the Stygichthys Typhlops has taken over from an unknown ancestor. Cannibalism is not unknown.

Status

Stygichthys Typhlops was long known only from one specimen, which in May 1962 by junior Joseph A. Tosi, an ecologist from the Instituto de Agricultura Organization of American States was caught during a well construction project in 30 feet of water. It was only discovered in 2004, researchers from the Instituto de Biociências and the Zoological Museum of the University of São Paulo 25 more copies. The IUCN classified the species in the category of " insufficient data " ( data deficient ). The main hazard is considered the lowering of the groundwater table.