Integrative Taxonomy Suggests Resurrection of Species of the Astyanax bimaculatus Group (Characiformes, Characidae).

Using integrative tools can be effective for species identification, especially in complex groups like Astyanax. Astyanax bimaculatus group is composed of six valid species, including A. lacustris. "A. altiparanae", "A. asuncionensis", and "A. jacuhiensis" are considered as junior synonyms of A. lacustris. Seeking to test the operational taxonomic unit (OTU) status of the junior synonyms of A. lacustris ("A. altiparanae", "A. asuncionensis", and "A. jacuhiensis"), we used analyses through mitochondrial DNA (COI and Cytb), cytogenetic markers (classical and molecular), and morphometry ("truss network"). Analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences separated A. lacustris from the other synonymized species. The cytogenetic and morphometric analyses did not corroborate the synonymization and suggest that besides A. lacustris, the OTUs A. altiparanae, A. asuncionensis, and A. jacuhiensis are valid species. The analysis of different characters proposed by the integrative taxonomy used on the same individuals could provide greater reliability and minimize the underestimation of biodiversity.