The Rio Travessão is an extraordinary, almost inaccessible, high gradient river,
fished exclusively by Amazon Fringe Expeditions. This ecological gem is located in Brazil's northern Amazon mountains, a region known as the Guyana Shield. Unlike the placid, slow moving waters of the lowlands Amazon basin, this region is crisscrossed by rocky divides and isolated by fast moving rapids and waterfalls. The fish fauna here, are very different, and by lowlands standards, very strange. Monsters roam here, including giant payara, trairão (an enormous cousin of the traira), bicuda as big as your leg, South America's largest catfish and a peacock bass far different from any of its lowlands brethren.
The Rio Travessão, and its physical isolation from other regions, may add yet another level of complexity to an already complicated taxonomy. The Travessão peacock population may possibly represent an as yet undescribed 16th species. In addition to its strict geographic isolation, it is significantly different from its lowlands relatives both behaviorally and morphometrically.
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times][SIZE=-1]An adult male - note the prominent nuchal (forehead) hump.[/SIZE][/FONT]
The Travessão peacock roams a wide range of water types. Spawning pairs are found in quiet lagoons and backwaters, juveniles hide in riverbank structure, while hunting adults frequent even the fastest rapids and tailraces. This is in contrast to the more specialized behavior of its lowlands brethren. Physically, these peacocks show differences in several morphological and meristic features. Scale size and lateral line counts tend to be species specific within Cichla, so taxonomists have used these characters to differentiate among the described species. The Travessão peacock has a lateral line scale count unique within the genus, and statistically significantly different from its relatives. Further, it is a deeper bodied fish than any of the other Cichla, whose length to height ratios range between 25 to 30%. Travessão specimens' ratio is typically 30 to 32% for this relationship. Added to these measurable characters, Travessão is truly a beast of a different color as well. Its bright yellow body, unique marking patterns and lack of typical red coloration in its lower fins place it in stark contrast to most of its congeners.
Several steps remain before the Travessão peacock can be described as a new species. DNA analysis is currently under way to determine its relationships within the genus. Additional preserved specimens are being prepared for analysis and comparison to other Cichla species. A final step will require exploratory visits to neighboring river basins to ascertain the Travessão peacock's range limitations and to confirm that there are no intermediate forms connecting it to neighboring species.
Anglers can catch these unique peacocks along with an entire gamut of other exotic monsters that share their waters in the Rio Travessao, and you can let the region's pristine natural beauty inspire your soul in the bargain.
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