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Ageneiosus pardalis is the sister species of a terminal clade of the remaining 

 species, and is the only trans-Andean species of the family; it occurs from southern 

 Panama to northwestern Venezuela. It has a primitively large swimbladder but is 

 otherwise morphologically similar to the terminal lineage of species. 



The other species of Ageneiosus are a monophyletic lineage that share an 

 encapsulated swimbladder. The most derived species are^. brevifilis,A. 

 marmoratus, andA.pofystictus, which have synapomorphies of the pectoral and 

 caudal fins; the first two species are inseparable except on coloration. A. brevifilis is 

 broad ranging and is the species most frequently marketed for food. A. marmoratus 

 has been poorly studied because of its rarity. A. polystictus is confined to the Rio 

 Negro and is also poorly studied. , 



Relationships among the remaining species are not fully resolved, due to 

 their morphological similarities. However, the species have meristic differences 

 and other features that distinguish them. A. ucayalensis is broadly distributed and is 

 the most abundant species in many areas. A. valenciennesi is endemic to the Rio 

 Parand and Rio Paraguay drainages. A. vittatus is common in the Orinoco basin 

 and was recently discovered in the upper Amazon basin. An undescribed species 

 exists in the middle and lower Amazon basin. .; ' 



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