Makunaima

For other uses, see Macunaíma.

Makunaima is a genus of freshwater fish in the family Characidae of the order Characiformes.

Makunaima
1917 illustration of Makunaima guaporensis, the type species
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Characiformes
Family:	Acestrorhamphidae
Subfamily:	Megalamphodinae
Genus:	Makunaima Terán, Benitez & Mirande, 2020
Type species
Makunaima guaporensis (Eigenmann, 1909)

They are all endemic to freshwater habitats in South America.

Taxonomy and systematics

This genus was erected in 2020. The species were formerly allocated to Astyanax^[1] or Moenkhausia.

Etymology

Etymologically, the genus name alludes to "Makunaima" (also transcribed as "Macunaima" or "Makonaima"), the name of a creator god for various ethnic groups in the Amazon.^[1]

Species

There are four recognized species in this genus:^[2]

• Makunaima guaporensis (Eigenmann, 1911)
• Makunaima guianensis (Eigenmann, 1909)
• Makunaima multidens (Eigenmann, 1908)
• Makunaima pittieri (Eigenmann, 1920)^[3]