Hemiancistrus

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Hemiancistrus
Hemiancistrus subviridis - Gelber Phantomwels (3).jpg
Hemiancistrus subviridis
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Loricariidae
Tribe: Ancistrini
Genus: Hemiancistrus
Bleeker, 1862
Type species
Ancistrus medians
Kner, 1854

Hemiancistrus is a genus of suckermouth armored catfishes. These species are native to South America. [1] The taxonomy of this genus is complex and unclear, and major work has to be done. Many of these fish are popular aquarium fish.

Contents

Taxonomy

Hemiancistrus is a genus within the tribe Ancistrini of the subfamily Hypostominae. This genus has long been used as a "dump" for Loricariid species; fish with unclear relationships have been classified as members of this genus. As such, this taxon is not monophyletic. [2] At this point, many undescribed species remain. [2]

This genus and the closely related Peckoltia may be synonymous, as neither genus is supported by synapomorphies. Hemiancistrus species differ from other members of the Panaque clade lacking the synapomorphies of the other genera and having the dentaries meeting at an angle greater than 120°; in Peckoltia species, the dentaries meet at less than 90° [3] Generally, Peckoltia are considered to be those that have dorsal saddles and bands in the fins, while Heminancistrus have spots and uniform coloration. [4]

What species belong to this genus has been unclear. Many newer species have been tentatively assigned to Hemiancistrus. [5] [6] Although the recently described H. micrommatos and H. spinosissimus have been considered synonyms of H. spilomma by Armbruster, [2] they have more recently been considered valid. [3] H. micrommatos , H. spinosissimus and H. spilomma are currently placed in the genus Ancistomus . [7] Hemiancistrus medians is larger than most species that were left in Hemiancistrus, has well-developed keels (only present elsewhere in 'H.' landoni ), and a different body shape. The remainder of the taxa that do not have established genera that they can be placed in will be recognized as species groups in Hemiancistrus in single quotes until they can be examined further. [7]

Species

There are currently 15 recognized species in this genus: [8]

Distribution and habitat

Hemiancistrus species are mainly found in tropical and subtropical South America east of the Andes, but there is also species ('H.' landoni) in Pacific coast drainages of Colombia and Ecuador. [3] The genus exhibits a large distribution area ranging from the Panama, in Central America, to southern Brazil. [6] Many Hemiancistrus originate from the Guyanas, the Negro and Orinoco and the southern Amazonian tributaries. [2] These fish prefer flowing water habitats of medium to large rivers. [2]

Appearance and anatomy

Hemiancistrus are members of the family Loricariidae, the armored suckermouth catfishes. As such, they have armor plating on their body instead of scales. Also, they have a suckermouth which they use to cling to rocks in their habitat. They have the characteristic Loricariid omega iris as well. Like many other catfish, Hemiancistrus have strong pectoral and dorsal fin spines that can be locked outwards as a defense.

Hemiancistrus species are rather small to medium-sized Loricariid species. The largest species of the genus, 'H.' megalopteryx , reaches about 29 centimetres (11 in). [5] These fish also tend to be spotted or uniform in coloration. [4]

In the aquarium

Hemiancistrus species are popular aquarium fish. Many species are relatively small and attractively colored. 'Hemiancistrus' subviridis is one such example, a bright green fish with yellow spots. [11] However, 'H.' guahiborum is only rarely imported; despite being common in its natural habitat, it is less attractive than 'H.' subviridis, which occurs in the same area. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loricariidae</span> Largest family of catfish

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.

<i>Hypostomus</i> Genus of fishes

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.

<i>Baryancistrus</i> Genus of fishes

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.

<i>Peckoltia</i> Genus of fishes

Peckoltia is a genus of small South American armored suckermouth catfishes. Many of these fish are popular aquarium fish.

Ancistomus is a genus of suckermouth armored catfishes found in shallow waters in rapidly flowing rivers in the southeastern Amazon basin in Brazil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ancistrini</span> Tribe of fishes

Ancistrini is a tribe of catfishes of the family Loricariidae. Most are restricted to tropical and subtropical South America, but there are also several genus in southern Central America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pterygoplichthyini</span> Tribe of fishes

Pterygoplichthyini is a tribe of catfishes of the family Loricariidae. It includes two genera, Pterygoplichthys and the currently undescribed genus referred to as the Hemiancistrus annectens group, This group was earlier misspelled as Pterygoplichthini. Pterygoplichthyines are known from nearly the entire range of loricariids except for the Guyanas and coastal streams in southeastern Brazil. although later work by the same authority, and his co-authors, placed this group among the genus Hypostomus.

Lithoxus is a genus of suckermouth armored catfishes native to tropical South America.

<i>Guyanancistrus</i> Genus of fishes

Guyanancistrus is a genus of suckermouth armored catfishes.

Peckoltia relictum is a species of armored catfish where it is found in the upper Marañon River in northern Peru.

<i>Peckoltia sabaji</i> Species of fish

Peckoltia sabaji is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the basins of the Rupununi, the Essequibo River, and the Takutu River in Guyana, as well as the basins of the Casiquiare canal, the Rio Negro, the Cinaruco River, and the Orinoco in Venezuela. It is usually found among boulders in medium to large rivers. The species reaches 19.8 cm SL and is of disputed classification.

<i>Peckoltia pankimpuju</i> Species of fish

Peckoltia pankimpuju is a species of armored catfish from the family Loricariidae, native to the Marañón River in the upper Amazon basin of Peru. It is commonly called the coal pleco, Peruvian lyre-tail, and L350 under the L-number code. It reaches up to about 40 cm (16 in) in length.

<i>Hemiancistrus subviridis</i> Species of fish

Hemiancistrus subviridis, the green phantom pleco, is a species of armored catfish from the family Loricariidae, commonly found in Venezuela. Within Venezuela, it is native to the Orinoco and Casiquiare drainage basins, where it is usually found among granitic rocks in flowing water. The species reaches 15 cm SL.

Hemiancistrus guahiborum is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the Orinoco drainage in Venezuela. The species reaches at least 12.55 cm SL and was described in 2005 by David C. Werneke and Jonathan W. Armbruster of Auburn University, Nathan K. Lujan of the American Museum of Natural History, and Donald C. Taphorn of the Royal Ontario Museum on the basis of its distinctive coloration and morphology. It appears in the aquarium trade, where it is usually known either as the orange-seam pleco or by its L-number, which is L-106.

<i>Peckoltia ephippiata</i> Species of catfish

Peckoltia ephippiata is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is a freshwater fish native to South America, where it is known from the Leitão River, which is part of the Madeira River drainage in the state of Rôndonia in Brazil. The species reaches 10.2 cm SL.

<i>Peckoltia lujani</i> Species of catfish

Peckoltia lujani is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the Orinoco and Meta River basins in Venezuela and Colombia. The species reaches 7.5 cm SL.

'Pseudancistrus' megacephalus is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is of uncertain and disputed classification.

Ancistomus micrommatos is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is a freshwater fish native to South America, where it is known only from the Tocantins River basin in Brazil. The species reaches 11.9 cm in standard length. Although originally described as a species of Hemiancistrus in 2003, a 2015 review conducted by Jonathan W. Armbruster, David C. Werneke, and Milton Tan listed the species as valid within Ancistomus. The same review also reported that no characteristics were found to separate A. micrommatos from its congeners A. spilomma and A. spinosissimus, indicating that the three may actually all be the same species.

Ancistomus spilomma is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it is known only from the Tocantins River basin in Brazil. The species reaches 14.2 cm in standard length. Although originally described as a species of Hemiancistrus in 2003, a 2015 review conducted by Jonathan W. Armbruster, David C. Werneke, and Milton Tan listed the species as valid within Ancistomus. The same review also reported that no characteristics were found to separate A. spilomma from its congeners A. micrommatos and A. spinosissimus, indicating that the three may actually all be the same species.

Ancistomus spinosissimus is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is a freshwater fish native to South America, where it is known only from the upper and middle Tocantins River basin in Brazil. The species reaches 12.7 cm in standard length. Although originally described as a species of Hemiancistrus in 2003, a 2015 review conducted by Jonathan W. Armbruster, David C. Werneke, and Milton Tan listed the species as valid within Ancistomus. The same review also reported that no characteristics were found to separate A. spinosissimus from its congeners A. micrommatos and A. spilomma, indicating that the three may actually all be the same species.

References

  1. ↑ Bussing, W.A. (1998). Freshwater fishes of Costa Rica. Pp. 160-162. ISBN   978-9977-67-489-6.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Armbruster, J.A. "Hemiancistrus". The Loricariidae.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Souza, L.S.; Melo, M.R.S.; Chamon, C.C.; Armbruster, J.W. (2008). "A new species of Hemiancistrus from the rio Araguaia basin, Goiás state, Brazil (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)". Neotropical Ichthyology. 6 (3): 419–424. doi: 10.1590/s1679-62252008000300015 .
  4. 1 2 Armbruster, J.A.; Werneke, D.C. (2005). "Peckoltia cavatica, a new loricariid catfish from Guyana and a redescription of P. braueri (Eigenmann 1912) (Siluriformes)" (PDF). Zootaxa . 882: 1–14. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.882.1.1.
  5. 1 2 3 Cardoso, A.R. (2004). "Hemiancistrus megalopteryx, a new species of loricariid catfish from the rio Tubarão drainage, Santa Catarina State, Brazil (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Loricariidae)". Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. 15 (2): 173–178.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Cardoso, A.R.; da Silva, J.F.P. (2004). "Two new species of the genus Hemiancistrus Bleeker (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper rio Uruguai basin". Neotropical Ichthyology. 2 (1): 1–8. doi: 10.1590/s1679-62252004000100001 .
  7. 1 2 3 Armbruster, J.W., Werneke, D.C. & Tan, M. (2015). "Three new species of saddled loricariid catfishes, and a review of Hemiancistrus, Peckoltia, and allied genera (Siluriformes)". ZooKeys (480): 97–123. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.480.6540 . PMC   4319111 . PMID   25685026.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ↑ Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2024). Species of Hemiancistrus in FishBase . February 2024 version.
  9. 1 2 Werneke, D.C.; Armbruster, J.W.; Lujan, N.K.; Taphorn, D.C. (2005). "Hemiancistrus guahiborum, a new suckermouth armored catfish from Southern Venezuela (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)". Neotropical Ichthyology. 3 (4): 543–548. doi: 10.1590/s1679-62252005000400012 .
  10. ↑ Werneke, D.C.; Sabaj, M.H.; Lujan, N.K.; Armbruster, J.W. (2005). "Baryancistrus demantoides and Hemiancistrus subviridis, two new uniquely colored species of catfishes from Venezuela (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)". Neotropical Ichthyology. 3 (4): 533–542. doi: 10.1590/s1679-62252005000400011 .
  11. ↑ "Catfish of the Month::September 2003". PlanetCatfish.com.
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