| Micromyzon orinoco | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Aspredinidae |
| Genus: | Micromyzon |
| Species: | M. orinoco |
| Binomial name | |
| Micromyzon orinoco | |
Micromyzon orinoco is a species of catfish (order Siluriformes) in the family Aspredinidae. [1]
Micromyzon orinoco can be found in the main channel of lower Orinoco River in Venezuela near the town of Ciudad Guayana. They live on the sandy and muddy bottom of the river, at depths from 10 to 18 meters. [2]
This species of the aspredinid catfish tribe Hoplomyzontini Micromyzon, was originally collected in expeditions led in 1978-79. This species differs from Micromyzon akamai in a number of particular physical and skeletal features [2] but shares its small size and lack of eyes.
To identify this species, the examination and comparison process took nearly 40 years due to the rare and elusive nature of the species. They originally captured only two specimens. [2] Its size, of less than 1 inch in length, added to the challenge of capture and identification.
High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography was used to scan the species and compare its skeleton to other hoplomyzontins [2]
The name orinoco refers to the Orinoco river basin where the species was discovered (Río Orinoco). [2]
Catfish are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the three largest species alive, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia, the wels catfish of Eurasia, and the piraíba of South America, to detritivores, and even to a tiny parasitic species commonly called the candiru, Vandellia cirrhosa. Neither the armour-plated types nor the naked types have scales. Despite their name, not all catfish have prominent barbels or "whiskers". Members of the Siluriformes order are defined by features of the skull and swimbladder. Catfish are of considerable commercial importance; many of the larger species are farmed or fished for food. Many of the smaller species, particularly the genus Corydoras, are important in the aquarium hobby. Many catfish are nocturnal, but others are crepuscular or diurnal.
Callichthyidae is a family of catfishes, called armored catfishes due to the two rows of bony plates along the lengths of their bodies. It contains some of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish, such as many species in the genus Corydoras.
The Pimelodidae, commonly known as the long-whiskered catfishes, are a family of catfishes.
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 Aspredinidae are a small South American family of catfishes also known as the banjo catfishes, with about 43 species.
Platysilurus is a genus of long-whiskered catfishes native to South America.
Sisoroidea is a superfamily of catfishes. It contains the four families Amblycipitidae, Akysidae, Sisoridae, and Erethistidae; many sources also include Aspredinidae. With Aspredinidae, this superfamily includes about 42 genera and 230 species.
Xiurenbagrus is a genus of torrent catfishes of the family Amblycipitidae. It includes three species.
Aspredo aspredo is the only species of banjo catfish in the genus Aspredo.
Acanthobunocephalus nicoi is one of two species of catfish in the genus Acanthobunocephalus of the family Aspredinidae. This species is known from only three localities and appears to be restricted to the upper Orinoco River system of Venezuela and possibly the upper Rio Negro system of Brazil.
Platystacus is a genus of banjo catfish in the family Aspredinidae. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species Platystacus cotylephorus, commonly known as the banded banjo. 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.
Amaralia is a genus of catfish of the family Aspredinidae native to Amazon and Paraná-Paraguay basin. These species appear to be specialized to feed on the eggs of other catfishes; eggs found in Amaralia stomachs are thought to be those of loricariids.
Dupouyichthys is genus of banjo catfishes in the family Aspredinidae. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species Dupouyichthys sapito. This species appears to be restricted to the Magdalena and Maracaibo basins. D. sapito is a small, armored aspredinid, growing up to 27 millimetres (1.1 in) standard length (SL), distinguished from all other aspredinids by having only one set of paired pre-anal-fin plates. Also, the bony ornamentation of its skull is better developed than its close relatives. It is found in river banks with vegetation.
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.
Micromyzon akamai is a species of catfish in the family Aspredinidae.
Micromyzon is a genus of tiny catfish in the family Aspredinidae native to relatively deep parts of the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America.
Bunocephalus is a genus of banjo catfishes from South America. It is found in Magdalena, Orinoco, Amazon, Paraguay-Paraná, and São Francisco Rivers. It is also the only aspredinid genus found west of the Andes, found in the Atrato, San Juan, and Patía Rivers. This genus is a part of the family Aspredinidae, known as banjo catfishes for their large, flattened heads and slender tails that give the appearance of a banjo. Most species exhibit cryptic coloration, and the same holds true among Bunocephalus species. The skin is completely keratinized and is covered by large, unculiferous tubercles. Bunocephalus species may reach up to 13 centimetres SL.
Pseudobunocephalus is a genus of banjo catfishes.
Amaralia hypsiura is a species of catfish of the family Aspredinidae. A. hypsiura are found throughout the Amazon River basin. They are medium-sized aspredinids. These fish have a deep, laterally compressed caudal peduncle, a reduced dorsal fin with only 2–3 rays, and well-developed head ornamentation.
Hoplomyzon cardosoi, is a species of fish from the genus Hoplomyzon. The species was originally described by Tiago P. Carvalho, Roberto E. Reis and John P. Friel in 2017