Serrasalmus


Serrasalmus is a genus of freshwater ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Serrasalmidae, which includes the pacus, piranhas and related fishes. They are collectively known as pirambebas; the "typical" piranhas like the piraya piranha are nowadays placed in Pygocentrus. Like all piranhas, Serrasalmus are native to South America.
One species, S. humeralis, was able to temporarily establish a breeding population in Florida before being eradicated in 1981.

Description

Serrasalmus species have sharp teeth and generally have a compressed rhomboid shape. In some, the shape is more ovoid, particularly in old specimens. There is also a high variation in color patterns found within this genus. Some Serrasalmus species can exceed 20 in or 510 mm, placing them among the largest Serrasalmidae.

Diet

Serrasalmus species are primarily piscivorous, with varying degrees of propensity for omnivory depending on the species. Plant material ingested may include fruits and seeds.

Evolution

Pericentric inversions are likely responsible for many of the chromosomal differences in Serrasalmus.

Fossil record

Middle Miocene-aged fossil tooth remains of a serrasalmid potentially referable to Serrasalmus are known from the Pebas Formation of Peru. The genus otherwise does not have a fossil record.

Species

These are the recognized species in this genus:Serrasalmus altispinis Merckx, Jégu & dos Santos, 2000Serrasalmus altuvei Ramírez, 1965 Serrasalmus aureus Serrasalmus brandtii Lütken, 1875 Serrasalmus calmoni Serrasalmus careospinus W. L. Fink & Machado-Allison, 1992Serrasalmus castellonae Gallo-Cardozo, Careaga & Carvajal-Vallejos, 2025Serrasalmus compressus Jégu, Leão & dos Santos, 1991Serrasalmus eigenmanni Norman, 1929Serrasalmus elongatus Kner, 1858 Serrasalmus emarginatus Serrasalmus geryi Jégu & dos Santos, 1988 Serrasalmus gibbus Castelnau, 1855Serrasalmus gouldingi W. L. Fink & Machado-Allison, 1992 Serrasalmus hastatus W. L. Fink & Machado-Allison, 2001Serrasalmus hollandi Serrasalmus humeralis Valenciennes, 1850 Serrasalmus irritans Serrasalmus maculatus Kner, 1858 Serrasalmus maculipinnis W. L. Fink & Machado-Allison, 1992Serrasalmus manueli Serrasalmus magallanesi Gallo-Cardozo, Maldonado, Careaga & Carvajal-Vallejos, 2024Serrasalmus marginatus Valenciennes, 1837Serrasalmus medinai Ramírez, 1965 Serrasalmus nalseni Fernández-Yépez, 1969 Serrasalmus neveriensis Machado-Allison, W. L. Fink, López Rojas & Rodenas, 1993Serrasalmus odyssei Hubert & Renno, 2010Serrasalmus rhombeus Serrasalmus sanchezi Géry, 1964 Serrasalmus scapularis Günther, 1864Serrasalmus serrulatus Serrasalmus spilopleura Kner, 1858