Erstbeschreibung: Günther, Albert C. L. G. 1862. „Catalogue of the fishes in the British Museum. Catalogue of the Acanthopterygii, Pharyngognathi and Anacanthini in the collection of the British Museum“. Catalogue of the fishes in the British Museum London. Vol 4; i-xxi + 1-534
Typusart: Heros insignis HECKEL, 1840
Beschriebene Arten:
Mesonauta acora CASTELNAU, 1855
Mesonauta egregius KULLANDER & SILFVERGRIP, 1991
Mesonauta festivus HECKEL, 1840
Mesonauta guyanae SCHINDLER, 1998
Mesonauta insignis HECKEL, 1840
Mesonauta mirificus KULLANDER & SILFVERGRIP, 1991