| Leptodoras | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leptodoras acipenserinus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Doradidae |
| Subfamily: | Doradinae |
| Genus: | Leptodoras Boulenger, 1898 |
| Type species | |
| Oxydoras acipenserinus Günther, 1868 | |
Leptodoras is a genus of thorny catfishes native to South America.
Leptodoras is a monophyletic genus based on the single unique characteristic: presence of an infranuchal scute. This scute is the first in a series of well-developed midlateral scutes characteristic of most doradids. [1] It is one of the most derived genera within the clade of fimbriate-barbel doradids. [1] The most closely related genus to Leptodoras is Anduzedoras . [1]
This genus includes eleven species, making it the largest doradid genus. [1] There has been taxonomic confusion due to similarities of some species with each other and members of other genera. Misunderstood distributions and identities of some species added to this confusion. Most species were described from small geographic areas without information on their potential distributions. Also, specimens have been rare in museums until recently. [2] An assessment in 2005 diagnosed Leptodoras and its seven species while describing three new species. [2]
There are currently 12 recognized species in this genus: [3]
Leptodoras species are distributed in large, predominantly lowland rivers east of the Andes throughout the northern half of South America. [2] Species are distributed throughout lowlands in the Orinoco, Amazon, and Tocantins basins and several coastal river systems that enter the Atlantic between the mouths of the Orinoco and Amazon. Leptodoras is not known from west-Andean drainages or Atlantic-slope drainages south of the Tocantins. [2]
Leptodoras is easily recognized by its long conical snout and well-developed oral hood formed by the membranous union of maxillary barbels, paired jaw barbels on the chin, and lip structures. [2] It has fimbriate barbels.
Most species of Leptodoras are truly benthic and typically inhabit the deep swift-flowing waters of large rivers. Many species of Leptodoras migrate at dusk into shallow waters near shore to forage over beaches and shoals of sand or silt. Other species, such as L. juruensis and L. myersi, appear more restricted to deep channel habitats. Leptodoras species are not known from elevations exceeding 500 metres (1600 ft) above sea level and most records are from below 200 m (660 ft). [2]
The oral hood found in Leptodoras species presumably facilitates the detection and suction-feeding of shallowly buried invertebrates. Stomach contents typically include chironomid larvae, sand, and detritus. [2]
Hypostomus is a genus of catfish in the family Loricariidae. They are native to tropical and subtropical South America. H. plecostomus is the popular freshwater aquarium fish formerly known as Plecostomus plecostomus. The taxonomic structure of the Loricariidae is still being expanded by scientists. Hypostomus is a highly species-rich and widely distributed catfish genus.
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 Cetopsidae are a small family of catfishes, commonly called the whale catfishes.
Baryancistrus is a genus of freshwater Loricariid catfish. They inhabit flowing sections of rivers, especially clearwater, in the basins of the Amazon and Orinoco in Brazil and Venezuela. The largest species reach up to 34 cm (13 in) in total length.
Hemiancistrus is a genus of suckermouth armored catfishes. These species are native to South America. The taxonomy of this genus is complex and unclear, and major work has to be done. Many of these fish are popular aquarium fish.
Striped Raphael catfish is a catfish of the family Doradidae. It may also be called Southern striped Raphael, talking catfish, chocolate doradid, chocolate catfish or thorny catfish. It is native to the Amazon, Paraguay–Paraná and lower Orinoco basins in South America. This peaceful, nocturnal species is a popular aquarium fish due to its pleasant temperament and curious nature. Despite its name "talking catfish", it does not speak.
Platydoras costatus, the Raphael catfish, is a species of thorny catfish native to rivers in Suriname and French Guiana. It was long confused with other species in the genus Platydoras, especially the more widespread "true" striped Raphael catfish. P. costatus grows to a length of 24 cm (9.4 in) SL, and unlike P. armatulus the light stripe along the body of P. costatus does not extend onto the head. This fish is a minor component of local fisheries and is also found in the aquarium trade.
Platydoras is a small genus of thorny catfishes native to freshwater habitats in subtropical and tropical South America.
Merodoras nheco is species of freshwater ray-finned fish, it is the only species in the genus Merodoras of the catfish family Doradidae.
Physopyxis is a genus of thorny catfishes native to tropical South America.
Doras is a genus of thorny catfishes native to tropical South America.
Anadoras is a genus of thorny catfishes native to tropical South America.
Rhinodoras is a genus of thorny catfishes native to South America.
Nemadoras is a genus of thorny catfishes native to tropical South America.
Amblydoras is a genus of thorny catfishes native to rivers in tropical South America.
Rhynchodoras is a small genus of thorny catfishes native to South America. Rhynchodoras is closely related to Rhinodoras and Orinocodoras.
Hassar is a genus of thorny catfishes native to South America.
Loricaria is a genus of armored catfish native to South America.
Pseudobunocephalus is a genus of banjo catfishes.
Ossancora is a genus of thorny catfish native to tropical South America.