| Pseudoloricaria | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Loricariidae |
| Tribe: | Loricariini |
| Genus: | Pseudoloricaria Bleeker, 1862 |
| Species: | P. laeviuscula |
| Binomial name | |
| Pseudoloricaria laeviuscula (Valenciennes, 1840) | |
| Synonyms | |
Loricaria laeviuscula | |
Pseudoloricaria laeviuscula is the only species of the monotypic genus Pseudoloricaria, a genus of the family Loricariidae of catfish (order Siluriformes). [2] The phylogenetic position of Pseudoloricaria is uncertain. [2]
This species is endemic to Brazil where it is found in the middle and lower Amazon basin, including the Negro and Branco Rivers. [2] [3] P. laeviuscula is found over sandy bottoms, in clear waters, in the main flow of rivers, and in neighboring temporary ponds. [2]
Pseudoloricaria laeviuscula reaches a length of 30.5 centimetres (12.0 in) SL. [3] Although reproductive habits are unknown, this species is probably a lip brooder. [2] Sexual dimorphism includes hypertrophied development of the lower lip suggesting that P. laeviuscula is a lip brooder. [2] This species shows derived features such as a reduction in size and number of teeth, premaxillary teeth absent, a circular head shape, and eyes reduced in size without iris operculum. [2]
