Loricariichthys

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Loricariichthys
Loricariichthys maculatus (above) and Loricariichthys castaneus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Loricariidae
Tribe:
Loricariini
Genus: Loricariichthys
Bleeker, 1862
Species

See § Species

Synonyms
  • Plecostomus
    Swainson, 1839
  • Parahemiodon
    Bleeker, 1862

Loricariichthys is a genus of catfishes (order Siluriformes) of the family Loricariidae.

Taxonomy

This genus is part of the Loricariichthys group within the subfamily

Furcodontichthys, Hemiodontichthys, Limatulichthys, and Pseudoloricaria.[1] Loricariichthys seems to be intermediate between Limatulichthys and Pseudoloricaria on one hand, and Furcodontichthys and Hemiodontichthys on the other.[1] Although this genus is well diagnosed, the species are very similar and difficult to identify.[1]

Species

There are currently 18 recognized species in this genus:[2]

Distribution

Loricariichthys is distributed in most major freshwater drainages east of the Andes and north of Buenos Aires.[3] Loricariichthys is widely distributed in the Amazon basin, the Paraná system, and coastal rivers of the Guiana and Brazilian Shields.[1]

Description

An accessory

respiration organ, consisting of a double respiratory purse connected to the distal end of the esophagus, is present in a number of species of Loricariichthys.[3]

The lower lip of immature males and females has two thick, cushionlike structures, which are covered with small

eggs. This method of carrying eggs is possibly a strategy to protect the eggs from predation, since these fishes commonly live in exposed sandy- or muddy-bottomed environments devoid of places to hide.[3]

A

diploid number of 2n = 56 has been reported for two species characterized.[1] A ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system was also reported for L. platymetopon.[1]

Ecology

These species occur in a large diversity of habitat over sandy and muddy bottoms.[1] Like other members of the Loricariichthys group, Loricariichthys species are lip brooders.[1] The male holds the clutch of eggs in a large membranous extension of the lower lip.[4]

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.11646/zootaxa.1462.1.1
    .
  2. ^ Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2011). Species of Loricariichthys in FishBase. December 2011 version.
  3. ^
    S2CID 86169960
    .
  4. ^ Sabaj, Mark H.; Armbruster, Jonathan W.; Page, Lawrence M. (1999). "Spawning in Ancistrus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) with comments on the evolution of snout tentacles as a novel reproductive strategy: larval mimicry" (PDF). Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters. 10 (3): 217–229.
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