The hypothesis thatPitunaCosta 1989 is a member of the tribe Plesiolebiatini is supported by the presence of a concave anterior border of the rostral cartilage, non-overlapping autopalatine and entopterygoid, a concave anteromesial border of the first epibranchial, and an elongate basihyal. Its sister group relationship with the clade comprising the generaMaratecoaraCosta 1995,PlesiolebiasCosta 1989 andStenolebiasCosta 1995 is corroborated by the presence of plesiomorphic features for character states defining that clade: a distinct sharp ventral process on autopalatine, a short posterior process of the quadrate, and a wide distal basihyal.Pitunais diagnosed by a posteriorly placed dorsal fin, unique anal-fin colour pattern in males, a metallic blue humeral blotch in males, and scattered black spots over pectoral fins in males.Pituna porangaCosta 1989 is considered to be a synonym ofP. compacta(Myers 1927), which occurs in a vast central Brazilian region, in temporary pools of the Araguaia and Tocantins river basins.