Gymnotiform electric fishes of the Tres Fronteras region of the western Amazon

Abstract

Gymnotiform electric knifefishes are an important yet undersampled component of the Neotropical aquatic biota. We report on the gymnotiform fauna of the Tres Fronteras region located at the triple border of Brazil, Colombia, and Peru in the biodiverse western Amazon. The presence of at least 33 species of gymnotiforms in the Tres Fronteras region is validated from recent sampling efforts and the review of previously collected materials. A key is provided for the identification of the species that have been collected from the region. We comment on the diversity of habitat utilization and intraspecific colour variation of some species.

Keywords

• Biodiversity
• Brazil
• Colombia
• ichthyology
• knife