| Auchenipterus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Auchenipterus sp. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Auchenipteridae |
| Subfamily: | Auchenipterinae |
| Genus: | Auchenipterus Valenciennes, 1840 |
| Type species | |
| Hypophthalmus nuchalis | |
| Species | |
See text. | |
| Synonyms | |
Auchenipterus is a genus of driftwood catfishes (order Siluriformes). [1] [2]
The genus is hypothesized to be monophyletic, diagnosed by the shared presence of grooves in the ventral surface of the head that accommodate adducted mental barbels. The presence of papillae on the dorsal and medial surface of the ossified maxillary barbel of mature males is also a possible synapomorphy, but in three species this cannot be confirmed as there are no adult male specimens yet discovered. [1]
This genus contains 11 species:
The neotropical genus Auchenipterus is widely distributed in most of the river systems east of the Andean Cordilleras. [1] The species are found through the Orinoco River, Amazon River, and Rio de La Plata basins, and the coastal drainages of the Guianas; one species, A. menezesi, originates from the Rio Pindark-Mirim and Rio Parnaiba basins of northeastern Brazil. [1] In some regions they are abundant enough to be commercially important. [1]
Auchenipterus species have a number of pronounced sexually dimorphic features of the head, maxillary barbels, and anal fin. [1]
Loricariidae is the largest family of catfish, with 92 genera and just over 680 species. Loricariids originate from freshwater habitats of Costa Rica, Panama, and tropical and subtropical South America. These fish are noted for the bony plates covering their bodies and their suckermouths. Several genera are sold as "plecos", notably the suckermouth catfish, Hypostomus plecostomus, and are popular as aquarium fish.
The Doradidae are a family of catfishes also known as thorny catfishes, raphael catfishes or talking catfishes. These fish are native to South America, primarily the Amazon basin and the Guianas.
The loach catfishes are a family, Amphiliidae, of catfishes. They are widespread in tropical Africa, but are most common in streams at high elevations; most species are able to cling to rocks in fast-flowing streams. The 13 genera contain 68 species.
Auchenipterichthys is a genus of driftwood catfishes found in South America.
Pimelodina flavipinnis is the only species of the genus Pimelodina of the family Pimelodidae of catfish.
Aguarunichthys is a genus of long-whiskered catfishes native to South America.
Hypophthalmus is a genus of long-whiskered catfishes native to freshwater in tropical and subtropical South America.
Pseudomystus is a genus of catfishes of the family Bagridae.
Spatuloricaria is a genus of armored catfishes native to South America and Panama.
Microcambeva is a genus of catfishes of the family Trichomycteridae.
Cetopsidium is a genus of catfishes of the family Cetopsidae.
Gagata is a genus of sisorid catfishes native to Asia.
Denticetopsis is a genus of catfishes of the family Cetopsidae.
Ictalurus is a genus of North American freshwater catfishes. It includes the well-known channel catfish and blue catfish.
Typhlobelus is a genus of pencil catfishes native to South America.
Cetopsis is a genus of catfishes of the family Cetopsidae.
Platystacus cotylephorus, the banded banjo, is a species of banjo catfish. It is the only member of its genus. The genus Platystacus is the sister group to a clade containing Aspredo and Aspredinichthys. P. cotylephorus originates from coastal waters and lower portions of rivers of northern South America, from Venezuela to northern Brazil.
Aspredinichthys is a genus of banjo catfishes found in fresh and brackish waters in tropical South America from the Orinoco delta, through the Guianas, to the Amazon delta. Both species are found in lower portions of rivers and in coastal waters of northern South America from Venezuela to northern Brazil where they are benthic fish.
Galeichthys is a genus of sea catfishes in the family Ariidae, the only genus in the subfamily Galeichthyinae. It includes four predominantly marine species distributed in Southern Africa and northwestern South America:
Entomocorus is a genus of catfishes of the family Auchenipteridae.