Bryconops humeralis
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| Bryconops humeralis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Iguanodectidae |
| Genus: | Bryconops |
| Species: | B. humeralis |
| Binomial name | |
| Bryconops humeralis | |
Bryconops humeralis is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Iguanodectidae. This species is found in northern South America. The name "humeralis" means "relating to the shoulder" (to the humerus), in reference to the distinct humeral patches that the fish sports. It is slightly longer than average in terms of the genus Bryconops, though still firmly within the standard range, and is slightly more slender than is usual for its congeners.
Along with Bryconops vibex, B. humeralis was described by Chernoff, Machado-Allison and Buckup in 1996 from the Orinoco River Basin in Venezuela. It is known to be an invertivore - that is, primarily consuming invertebrates (largely insects).
Bryconops humeralis reaches a maximum of roughly 8.6 cm (3.4 in) in standard length,[2] though averages closer to 7.5 cm (3.0 in).[3] In comparison to other members of Bryconops, it is close to the middle of the size range, if slightly above in larger specimens.[4] Its body is on the shallow side, which can help differentiate it from several of its congeners.[5] Its scales are largely silvery in color, its fins are dark-tinted but translucent, and the dorsal half of its caudal fin sports an orange or yellowish ocellus (eyespot).[6]
The specific epithet originates from the presence of a distinct humeral patch near each of B. humeralis's pectoral fins, which are its main distinguishing trait.[7] This is a marking it shares with a few of its congeners, but other features can be used to tell them apart; for instance, B. inpai and B. munduruku have a pair of humeral marks by each fin as opposed to just one in B. humeralis.[8] B. vibex and B. marabaixo have single humeral patches (as opposed to paired), but other features distinguish them from B. humeralis, such as number of scales beneath the lateral line (B. humeralis has fewer than B. vibex)[6] and body shape (B. marabaixo has a deeper body than B. humeralis, more reminiscent of B. inpai).[5]