The Curious Case of Characodon lateralis

Abstract:

" The article reviews the taxonomic confusion surrounding Characodon lateralis and related populations within the genus Characodon. It explains why historical locality problems, mixed museum material, weak morphological differences, and limited earlier genetic data made the group difficult to classify. The article then summarizes a recent genomic study using ddRAD data to clarify relationships among populations. As presented, Characodon audax is treated as a junior synonym of Characodon lateralis, while some populations below El Salto Falls are excluded from that species. The article emphasizes the importance of maintaining location codes in the aquarium hobby to preserve natural variation. "