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Abstract The miniature fish genus Priocharax currently comprises 12 valid species and is characterized by several paedomorphic features such as reductions in the laterosensory system, the number of fin rays, and several bones of the skull. The most striking reductive character of Priocharax is the larval-like rayless pectoral fin in which all endoskeletal bones are absent. We describe herein Priocharax ajuru sp. nov., from the Rio Branco drainage, Caracaraí municipality, Roraima State, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all its congeners by a uniquely large olfactory region and bulbous snout and associated skeleton, in addition to other osteological features. We also present a µ-CT reconstruction of the pectoral girdle of a paratype of Priocharax pygmaeus demonstrating that it has two postcleithra. This is contrary to what has been reported in the literature with significance for any future taxonomic studies of the genus. Finally, we comment on the recent classification of the family Characidae (Melo et al. 2024).
Mattox et al. (Wed,) studied this question.